Sewing: Navy cropped jacket - Vogue 8299

For my first jacket, I chose a simple unlined one, Vogue 8299. (After finishing all those edges with seam binding, lining doesn't sound so bad after all). I made view B because I loved the asymmetrical look, and used a navy blue cotton twill.

Pattern Alterations

Unfortunately the pattern only came in sizes S, M and L. The size small was way too big so I had to take it in a lot. I think the sleeves are still too baggy. I added some details not in the pattern like the epaulets, cuffs, bound buttonholes, and that thing on the back... I'm sure it has a real name, but I don't know what it is. The buttons were cheap, tacky looking shiny brass, but brushing them with steel wool gave them a nice finish like some expensive buttons I nearly bought.



I'm especially happy with the bound buttonholes! They took a bit longer to do, but were still way less frustrating than trying to do the regular kind on my machine.

Sewing: Embroidered turquoise corduroy jacket

I'd had this jacket for a while, but never wore it because it didn't really fit right. To fix the fit, I took it in at the waist and added the eyelets and lacing on the back. Then I removed one pocket and embroidered the ship in that space, and added some decorative bits to the other pocket (hanging from one half of a metal clasp). Since I took these pictures I swapped the buttons for silver ones with anchors on them to fit with the nautical theme (still looking for a home for those pretty tree buttons).

Sewing: Zipper bottom pants

I bought these pinstriped pants (on sale! cheap!) that were way too long and wide, but they fit in the waist and hips, so I thought I could make something of them. I forgot to take a before picture, but this is how much I removed from the width, making them fairly fitted all the way down but not super tight around the ankle.

I've seen a few zipper bottom jeans in stores lately, so I thought that would make an interesting detail and help them fit over my boots (I found out later, they also fit over figure skates). On this kind of pants, it doesn't look too 80's...

I added a triangle of fabric behind the zipper, because those metal zippers are pretty rough and would probably scratch up boots, socks, skin... I just made up the design, using what I'd learned from the zipper pocket.

Sewing: Denim purse with embroidery

I based this bag on the Burda 8305 pattern (view E), but shortened it, reduced the curve of the zipper, and did the strap a different way. And added lots of pockets! The turquoise pinstripes were sewed on, not part of the fabric. It's a bit wrinkled in these photos because I had to run it through the washer and dryer, but it survived that pretty well considering.


Awesome whale tail zipper pull, a gift from friends.


Inner pockets. The zipper pockets (inner and outer) were based on this great tutorial.


At the last minute I decided to add a cell phone pocket (sewed on by hand)


I found the inspiration for the embroidery pattern in a google image search for "arabesque"

Sewing: Black eyelet blouse

This is the second blouse I made, from McCall's 5138 pattern, using a black eyelet fabric and black lace on the front. I like this pattern, but the button placement doesn't work for me; I always have to add extra or it gaps in bad places. And the bottom is very curvy, unlike in their photo, which makes it tricky to hem. It has a good fit, though, the only change I made was to take it in at the waist a bit to make it less boxy.

It looks weird over long sleeves, but I was cold.

Sewing: Guitar strap

When I couldn't find a guitar strap I liked in stores, I decided to make my own. I bought 2 meters of 1.5" jacquard ribbon on ebay and sewed it onto 2" wide black webbing. I used the rest of the components from my existing (ugly!) strap. An easy project, the hardest part is just getting the ribbon sewed on straight.


It works! ...now I just need to learn to play better.

Sewing: Brown pinstriped blouse with ruffle

This is the third blouse I've made, and favourite so far - McCall's 5471. I used a brown pinstriped cotton I got for a bargain $2.50/yard in Portland, and some unplanned satin trim to cover up a hole I very stupidly cut in the blouse while trimming. I added more trim to the sleeves and used it for the button loops so it wouldn't look out of place. In the end, it was a happy accident because I like how the trim turned out... but I wouldn't recommend you go cutting holes in your blouses. Also, I think I've finally gotten the hang of button holes!

Also included is a jean skirt that I sewed side panels into because it was too small (but on sale for $10!). Remember when it was cool to do that to your jeans? Or was that just me?




(As a bonus, the blouse matches those brown tights I bought in Portland to keep from freezing to death)

By land? By sea?

By dirigible!

Welcome... This is the place where I'll post art, photography and crafty projects, like sewing and jewellery, and possibly other things that I haven't thought of yet. To be updated more than once a year, hopefully.