May Sixth

Today was my boyfriend's graduation! Yipee! He finally got his Master of Science. Again it rained hardcore during the day, hence the beret to protect my freshly washed hair hehe. Prepare yourself for more awkward and out of focus photos, this time courtesy of the boyfriend.

Top:Kmart Skirt:Made by me! Tights:Gift Shoes:Melissa Beret:Gift

I made this skirt as part of Casey's circle skirt sew-along. However, I had miscalculated the waist and ended up having to put in four pleats to take up the extra fabric. And after realising it was kind of out proportion wise on me, I cut 4 inches off it. Now I wear it all the time! Yipee!

May Fifth

Today I finished this velour skirt! It's my first attempt at stretch fabrics eeep. Not too bad I think. I have a velour tank dress that I wear at least once a week, so I thought a skirt in a similar style would be useful. I should have enough fabric left over to make a gathered skirt too. 

T-shirt:AA Skirt:Made by me! Leggings:Kmart Shoes:Op shop

Sorry for the incredibly awkward self timer photos, it's been raining hardcore for most of the day and everyone else is out :(  

May First

I'm back! It's Me-Made-May and I've pledged to wear at least two handmade garments a week AND to refashion or finish one other item every week. I wore my Simplicity 1880 wrap dress with some tights, a skivvy and my new favourite op shops shoes (they were just $1!). I feel like the colour is a little bit dull on me, but I'd might as well wear it. 

I did a few hours of lab work until Tamzen and I went to see Lawrence Arabia (the singer) at the Wine Cellar. It was absolutely amazing! Here is a sneaky video Tamzen took. He took mostly requests and this song is originally a Reduction Agents number. 

Sunday Inspiration #1

Sunday is the best time for procrastination and reflection. This week I've been thinking a lot about hair. I cut my own fringe somewhat successfully on Friday using the twist method , saving myself $7 that I'd usually spend to have it done at the hairdressers. I'm far too lazy to have my hair cut properly so I'm just aiming to grow it out as much as possible before it all becomes split ends. Eeeeek! Below is some of my current hair inspiration from Pinterest, super 60s cuteness.

Source: rainshine.tumblr.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Source: theglitterguide.com via Katherine on Pinterest

July Fifteen

Today is the last day of the holidays! Whoops, that went quick. Luckily I managed to get a few projects in. After the Colette Sorbetto blouse, I made the wrap dress version of Simplicity 1880 following Sunni's sewalong. I need help to mark the hem so I haven't been able to finish it yet. I'm happy with how it turned out.

I had to do a FBA, adding 2 inches to each side. It took two attempts, as the first time I under-estimated the amount I needed to add because I hadn't marked centre front on the pieces. Duh. The second time was better, but I had to add an extra pleat because there was too much fullness added on the bottom edge. Hmmmmm. Something to remember for next time. I'm unsure as to what the fabric is, but it's a slippery silky light fabric that my boyfriends mother bought for me. I used bias binding for the neckline and made the short sleeves. I will take some pictures of me in it the next time it is sunny around here.

After the dress, I started on the Colette sewing book. My boyfriend bought it for me at Christmas, but I had lent it to a friend for almost all of last semester. Anyway, I tried out the Meringue skirt, without scallops and with a waistband instead of the facings. I also like how it turned out. I did a sway back adjustment, although I don't know if that was the correct adjustment to do as the back/butt still isn't right. 

The fabric is a $6/metre Thai cotton from a local emporium. I also got the invisible zipper and thread from there because it was super cheap, but the thread moulted a bit and I wasn't happy with the zipper. I got the dam thing in, it's not perfect, but I figure I'll just wear the skirt until it breaks and the replace it. There is still a lot of fabric leftover and I'm contemplating trying out Simplicity 3688 as high waisted shorts for the summer. In my books, one can never too many polka dots. 

Yay!

June Thirty

It's finally holidays and I made something! I decided to unpick my Minnie Mouse Halloween dress and use the fabric to try out the Colette Sorbetto pattern .

After one muslin and a FBA, it turned out ok. It's probably something I'd wear over jeans in the summer. It's not super flattering on me because of the lack of closure making the waist huge, but it's a starting point. I got Simplicity 1880 at spotlight on sale (at 50% off it was till like $11.WTF) for the sew along so that might be next on the list, or the rest of the Colette patterns from the book. 

June Twenty

Pinterest+Polyvore=Pure procrastination

I've been dreaming of a holiday for a long time. I want to go to Melbourne and since the Harvest festival line-up has been announced my day-dreaming has doubled. 

Beck! Cake! Liars! Santigold! The Dandy Warhols! Shopping! Art Galleries! 

 I've been organising ideas regarding a holiday 'capsule' wardrobe instead of studying. Whoops. 

For travel and chilling 

Travel Outfit by kfed1 featuring a coral blouse

For shopping and walking 

Spring Holiday Look by kfed1 featuring aviator shades

For swimming or beaching (assuming it's swimming weather there in November)

Holiday Wardrobe Beach Trip by kfed1 featuring canvas tote bags

For cycling

Adventures in monocrome by kfed1 featuring skinny leg jeans

January Fourteen

Nick gave me the Colette Sewing Handbook for Christmas and I just LOVE it so much (isn't he good?!)

When the news of a sew along popped up on my Google Reader I was super excited. 

Yay! I love a sew along and I can't wait to show off a finished project. 

First up is the Meringue skirt. I'm thinking making it in black or navy to maximise it's usage. 

I'm leaving my job soon, I don't know when I'll next need more professional looking clothes, so I might just go for some fun polka dots instead. I love polka dots and stripes.

January

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I never end up thinking about resolutions or goals until after new years Whoops 

My fingers are crossed for 2012 to be an amazing year

December Thirty

December was very busy, so here's a quick update. 

We made chutney for the first time! Just tomato, from a good friends recipe (and excellent advice). Yum!

I finished the Christmas dress! On Christmas eve I was up past midnight hemming it. 

Nick's Grandma gave me a gift voucher for the mall so I picked this bright fruit sun dress.

It's got oranges and limes on it!

And another wonderful surprise was the package from Molly, all the way from Chicago! 

I won this cute pattern and a lovely pleated skirt. I love it! Thanks Molly :)

December Sixteen

We went to visit friends and see the amazing Guitar Wolf in Hamilton, so the next day we stopped by my favourite op shops and picked up some bargains! We'll I'm sure Nick didn't think so, but he let me buy these few pieces anyway.  I'll make the romper pattern for Coco I thinks. I'm sure the tennis gear is going to come in handy one of these days and I think this tray is amazing! Lock'n'Loll!

December Seventeen

On the 17th we held our annual Xmas Party! I had been dreaming of something outdoors, but the forecast was for rain. Rats. Instead we set everything up inside. A big long table, flowers from the garden and some candles. We had a bucket of chicken and a bunch of salads, as wells as delicious deserts. The boys and some girls played cricket in the garden. Nothing better than spending time with friends at Christmas time!

December Eight

I got some fabric at Spotlight to make a dress for Christmas. It's got cats and dogs on it too! 

I'm planning on drafting it myself. Better get cracking

November Twenty Seven

Last weekend I made these pillows from some odd offcuts.  I'm so lazy I didn't even measure them out, so they're a little loose in places. I just went the simplest thing I could think of, no zips or buttons. Once I figure out buttonholes, I might do some. I'm still using the machine from hell; I keep expecting it to come right. It does OK mostly until the bobbin runs out, then it throws a fit. 

November Twenty Two

Another cosutme party! This time it's the work Christmas party.

The theme is "What you want to be when you grow up".

I keep scratching my head wondering what it was I wanted to be.

I don't remember anything specific. Maybe Olympic Gymnast, Ballerina, etc... pretty general stuff.

After watching Sister Act I'm pretty sure I wanted to become a Nun.

Credit

I might just piggy back on someone elses idea and go as a pink lady.

Maybe Rizzo, the sassy leader of the pack.

Turned up jeans, lots of black, gold jewellery.

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Or Frenchie! With vibrant pink hair and pastel clothing.

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In my quest for a costume, I came across clothes on film.

It has detailed breakdowns of the best costumes in your favourite movies and other interesting bits.

Maybe what I want to be when I finally grow up is a 
Costume designer?!

November Fifteen

My friend Mazzy is making teddy bears. 

OMG they are so cute! She has some to give away too. 

November Eleven

Every year Nick's family organises christmas wish lists. How organised! It suppose it takes the guess work out of present buying/making. Because I can't afford much at the moment, I'll be making most of our gifts this year. Nick says there's nothing on his list, but I got to thinking about what would be on mine.

I love list making so here goes. These are my secret christmas gift wishes:

Cookbooks by Alexa Johnson

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In the lunchroom today, I flipped open a magazine to find an article on Alexa Johnson. I was tempeted to rip it out and take it home (along with some other delicious looking reciepe) because I LOVE her cookbooks. Zac gave me her first one and got it signed! I was smitten with her from then on. She may have also kickstarted my collection of community cookbooks.

Colette Sewing Handbook

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Who doesn't LOVE Colette patterns. This book has been on my to-do list for a while now. It's such a bargin for 5 patterns, all of Sarai's great tips and easy to follow techniques. 

Typo Stationary

What is Buffalo leather anyway? I kinda thought it was a name for fake leather. But it's not. Poor Buffalo. 

It's weird how cheap these diaries are, yet they appear well made of real buffalo leather. 

The Loved One Lingerie

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I need some new underwear. Why not something AWESOME made my The Loved One for Christmas?

Special mention goes to the Rago corselet! It doesn't come in my size, but I can dream right?!

November Six

      asos                                                           d&g

I'm always thinking out of season. Currently I'm diggin little lace up booties for the winter

and velvet. Lots of velvet. This polka dot skirt is teasing me! How cute is it? HEAPS. It would be great for work too. If I can't find some similar fabric, I wouldn't mind a plain velvet pencil skirt to kick around in. I like the shorter length too. 

October Thirty First

Wooh! Halloween costume finished. And worn. 

I ran out of time to make something really nice, so I just improvised. I traced the outline from an old dress that I like the shape of, but made it way bigger. It turned out REALLY big. Oh well, I will recut it later. 

I made the bow in less than 5 minutes! Two rectangles, interfaced and sewn. THANKS MAZ!

Boo!

October Thirty

This month's hair inspiration! 

It seems every time I grow my hair out, it's never quite long enough for what want. 

I'm totally diggin' Emma Watson's short fringe in My Week with Marilyn.