The Sew Weekly Theme: The Colour Purple.

Yes Colour, not color! I am Australian after all...

After a busy work week, well busy for me, I’m posting about my dress for The Sew Weekly Challenge: The Colour Purple!

My creation this week will most likely be worn for a wedding over the weekend, Pics to come.

It’s also been a stash busting dress for me too, I've had the fabric for about 6 months now... It was purchased from J and O Fabrics, I recommend buying from them. It was easy, quick and rather cheap! Most fabrics are $9 a meter and I found out postage for international areas was $13 for less than 7 yards!

On to the dress! A different combo of New Look 6699 was use for this. The first combo was for my ‘Mum’ dress! It’s a really great pattern with LOTS of options!

I LOVE pansy and I LOVE purple! So this has to be one of my favorite dresses to date!! The fabric has a fair bit of stretch and is not too heavy, we are in summer over here now, my favorite time of the year!

Fabric: Printed cotton, 2 meters, $22.30

Pattern: New Look 6699 $8.50

Year: 2010's
Zip: opp shop zipper $0.60

Buttons: None

Time to complete: 5 hours.
Pattern Difficulty: 4/10
First worn: August 2011.
Wear again? Yes, can’t wait!

Total Cost:  $31.40

Also as its now December and that time of year, here is one of my favorite Christmas songs!

Happy sewing!

The Sew Weekly Theme: Mad for Plaid!

So once again I’ve gone back through the Sew Weekly Challenges I missed (there is a heap I missed) and pick one! 

So this week its: Mad for Plaid!!

I actually finished my dress for this challenge on time….I just didn’t post it!

 When I saw this challenge I knew the exact fabric I wanted to use! I had about 1.3 meters of 45’’ purple fabric that I got a garage sale a few months ago. I wanted to use Simplicity 6023. for this week but pattern pieces were missing!!! I asked for help over here took the advice! I also looked it up to find a year and came across this picture via google, This lead me to Tanit-Isis, surprise, surprise a fellow Sew Weekly member!

So Tanit-Isis, you inspired me so much here is my version of Simplicity 6023. 

 

I had to cut 4’’ off the skirt pattern as I didn’t have a whole lot of fabric! Lucky I’m only 5 foot short! I just love the dress! The puffy sleeves are just too cute!

Fabric: Printed cotton $2.00

Pattern: Simplicity 6023 $0.30

Year: 1970's
Zip: opp shop zipper $0.40

Buttons: self covered, 3 from a kit $0.90

Time to complete: 8 hours.
Pattern Difficulty: 7/10 (missing pieces)
First worn: August 2011.
Wear again? Yes, now its summer!

Total Cost:  $3.60

Happy Sewing!

Woah, I forgot to write my blog...

I have sure neglected you blog, it’s been almost 2 whole months!! I’m back now I promise <3

So here is dress number 3 and 4 as I mentioned in the last post…

Both dresses are made with Vogue 8184 (one of my favorite patterns)

This dress was a commission piece. It was worn by “Rizzo” in a local production of Grease! No photos from the production yet. That is me in the picture but its pined up in the back as its a 10 to 12 and I'm an 8.

The Sew Weekly Theme: That's 70's Sew

So dress number 2!

Last weeks theme over at The Sew Weekly was something from the 1970’s. As I by mostly second hand patterns a lot of them are from the 70’s

This is the pattern I chose. From Savers, $.99

The Sew Weekly Theme: Mom (Mum)

With all the free time I have being unemployed I have now been able to get right into sewing! I've made 4 dresses in the last 2 weeks!

This is dress number 1. 

I decide to go back through the Sew Weekly Challenges I missed (there is a heap I missed) and pick one. So this week its:

Mom or Mum for us Aussies!

This is my Mum back in 1972, well before she met my dad!

The dress is actually white and red with white polka dots. 

I took my inspiration from it.

Flags of my Neighbour XII

So it looks like I do live next door to a Nazi, this being the second Nazi flag he/she has had up! Scary s*#t....

Flag for 15/08/2011

Today’s Flag:
F29 SS Totenkompf Nazi Division Flags.

The 3rd SS Division was formed from the Totenkopf units that took part in the Polish Campaign. The unit served both in France and on the Eastern Front. The Division surrendered to the Americans on May 9, 1945, and the prisoners were handed over to the Soviets.

On a brighter note it’s a rainy cold day, perfect to make some dresses!

Obsession

So I only own 1 but I’m totally obsessed with Peter Pan collar dresses! 

I have more cardigans than any other item of clothing... So now I need some dresses to mix and match. Spring is only a few weeks away and pairing a dress with a cardigan just says spring to me! Although my colour palette tends to be the primary, secondary and tertiary colour's only (solids mostly)!!

If anyone knows of a great pattern I'd love to see it, Think I just may have to make up some dresses to get ready for spring!

Flags of my Neighbour XI

Flag For 04/08/2011

Todays Flag: 

Rising Sun Flag of Japan (Naval ensign)

The design is similar to the flag of Japan in that it has a red circle close to the middle signifying the sun, the difference being the addition of extra sun rays (16 for the ensign) exemplifying the name of Japan as "The Land of the Rising Sun". The Imperial Japanese Army first adopted the Rising Sun Flag in 1870. The Imperial Japanese Army and the Imperial Japanese Navy both had a version of the flag; the naval ensign was off-set, with the red sun closer to the lanyard side, while the army's version (which was part of the regimental colors) was centered. It was adopted in 1889. The flag was used in overseas actions from the Meiji period to World War II. When Japan was defeated in August 1945, the flag was banned by Allied Occupation authorities. However with the re-establishment of a Self-Defense Force the flag was re-adopted in 1954. The flag with 16 rays is today the ensign of the Maritime Self-Defense Force while the Ground Self-Defense Force uses an 8 ray version. This flag is often considered offensive in China and Korea, where it is considered as a symbol of Japanese militarism and imperialism, and often referred to as the "militarist flag of Japan" in China.

Flags of my Neighbour X

Flag For 01/08/2011

Todays Flag:

The Soviet national flag.

The hammer and sickle itself, originate from the unique Russian unity of the peasants (the sickle) with the workers (the hammer) who together formed the Soviet Russian state. The Red field is symbolism of the blood that has been spilt by workers the world over in the fight for their emancipation, and was directly inherited from the red banner flown at the Paris Commune; the original and hitherto “base” symbol of a worker’s government flag. The single yellow star is both the representation of the life and immense energy of the sun, empty because within is the blood or production of workers struggle; and also the five points of the star symbolize the single unity and international representation of the government — each of the five points is representative of the five (up to then known/recognized) continents.
Brian Basgen (Marxists Internet Archive Director) , 07 Jul 2000

Soviet flag with hammer, sickle and star was not created in 1918! It was adopted in 1923. The star on the flag was red with yellow border (not plain red). Only the coat of arms and some military colours were with hammer and sickle in 1918. Hammer and sickle existed in soviet symbolism since 1917.

Flags of my Neighbour IX

Flag For 29/07/2011

Todays Flag:

Australian Flag.

The present Australian flag can be considered to consist of three main elements:

The Union Jack in the upper hoist quadrant or first quarter (also know as the Canton), denoting Australia's historical links with Great Britain. The Union Jack itself is composed of red and white intersecting and overlayed vertical and diagonal crosses on a blue background,

The Southern Cross in the second quarter (also known as the top or head) and fourth quarter. Consists of five stars in a more or less kite-like pattern - Alpha Crucis (7-point), Beta Crucis (7-point), Gamma Crucis (7-point), Delta Crucis (7-point) and the smaller Epsilon Crucis (5-point). The outer diameter of each of the 4 major stars is 1/7 the width of the fly and the inner diameter is 4/9 outer diameter; the diameter of Epsilon Crucis is 1/12 the width of the fly and the inner diameter is 4/9 the outer diameter. The constellation of the Southern Cross is a significant navigational feature of the southern hemisphere, strongly places Australia geographically and has been associated with the continent since its earliest days, The Commonwealth Star or Star of Federation, central in the third quarter or lower hoist, has seven points to denote the six states and the combined territories of the Commonwealth. The seventh point was added in 1909. The outer diameter is 3/5 the width of the Union Jack (3/10 the width of the fly) and the inner diameter is 4/9 the outer diameter.

Fat Quarter Bag

I found this tutorial a few days ago and just had to give it a go! And after buying a few fat quarters at the Melbourne Craft show I already had what i needed.

I just love owls right now!

 I think I'll try a few variations for the next one. My dad is making some handles for me, all shapes and sizes!

Flags of my Neighbour VIII

Flag For 21/07/2011

 

Todays Flag:

China Flag.

The China Flag has bright red base with five golden stars adorning it on the upper left side corner. The present Chinese flag was first hoisted on 1 st October, 1949 in the Tiananmen Square on the occasion of the foundation of the People's Republic of China. One of the five golden stars on the flag is bigger in size and it represents communism. The presence of five stars epitomizes significance of number five in the culture and heritage of China . The bright red color of the national flag of China depicts the communist uprising which had led to the establishment of People's Republic of China.

Flags of my Neighbour VII

Flag For 18/07/2011

Todays Flag:

New Zealand Flag.

The New Zealand Flag comprises of two features , one is the flag of Great Britain and the other is the Southern Cross. The Union Jack is placed in the canton of the New Zealand Flag . There are four red stars to the right of the New Zealand Flag . Each of the five pointed, red star has a white border. The stars accentuate the countries location on the South Pacific Ocean. The background color of the New Zealand Flag is blue. The color blue represents the blue Pacific Ocean surrounding New Zealand. The standard proportion of the New Zealand flag is 1:2.

Flags of my Neighbour VI

Flag For 14/07/2011

Todays Flag:

Italian Flag

The Italian Flag was officially adopted on January 21, 1919. The national flag of Italy is a tricolor flag which features three equally sized vertical stripes of green, white and red color. The green stripe is located at the hoist side of the Italian Flag .

The green color of the flag of Italy stands for the plains and the hills of Italy. The white color of the Italy flag picture stands for the snowy Alps, and red for the blood spilt in the Italian Independence wars.

There is also a religious interpretation of these colors in the flags of Italy, to which green represents hope, white represents faith and red represents charity.

Flags of my Neighbour V

Flag for 13/07/2011:

Todays Flag:

The Canadian red and white maple leaf flag is officially called The National Flag of Canada. The Canadian flag shows a stylized red maple leaf with 11 points on a white background, with red borders down each side. The Canadian flag is twice as long as it is wide. The white square containing the red maple leaf is the same width as the flag.

The red and white used in the National Flag of Canada were proclaimed the official colours of Canada in 1921 by King George V. Although the maple leaf did not have official status as an emblem of Canada until the proclamation of the national flag in 1965, it had historically been used as a Canadian symbol, and was used in 1860 in decorations for the visit of the Prince of Wales to Canada. The 11 points on the maple leaf have no special significance.

Its All New

I have almost finished this dress; in the end I think its just missing something.

I’m going to add straps, a bow at the front, and belt loops!

(The white tee was put over my doll as it got rather busy with the flowers and checks)

To keep the dress up normally, as I’m adding straps, the top band of the dress has elastic in it!

At first I thought this was odd as I'd never done it. But I've always used a pattern that called for boning.

I used a combo of 2 patterns for this. I didn’t like the way the skirt gathers in new look pattern so I used the skirt from the vogue pattern I’ve use many times!

Flags of my Neighbour IV

Flag For 04/07/2011

Todays Flag:

The national flag of the United States of America (or the American flag) consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton (referred to specifically as the "union") bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars. The fifty stars on the flag represent the 50 states and the 13 stripes represent the thirteen colonies that rebelled against the British monarchy and became the first states in the Union. Nicknames for the flag include the "Stars and Stripes", "Old Glory," and "The Star-Spangled Banner" (also the name of the national anthem).

Happy 4th of July USA (for tomorrow)

Flags of my Neighbour III

Flag For 02/07/2011

Todays Flag:  

Flag of Ireland

Constitution

The following is the text of Article 7 of the Constitution of Ireland:

The national flag is the tricolour of green, white and orange.

What do you want for your birthday?

It’s a question that everyone gets asked once a year and the usual reply is 'oh I don’t know anything form you would be great', that answer donesn't really help the buyer though. With my birthday just around the corner I’m going to make it easy! Here is a list of 14 things that I would love, just love this year.

1. Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1950s

2. Masquerade: Costume Inspirations 1920s-1950s

3. Blueprints of Fashion: Home Sewing Patterns of the 1940s

4. Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques

5. Vintage Sewing Patterns

6. Sew Retro: 25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl & A Stylish History of the Sewing Revolution

7. Skull Lady Cameo Flexible Silicone Mold

8.  Frame Setting Flexible Silicone Mold

9.  Owl Flexible Mold 

10. Holding Pattern Makeup Bag

11.  Octopus Cameo Flexible Mold

12. Old Time Rock 'n' Roll MP3 Player

 13. Gift Voucher #1

14. Gift Voucher #2

Things I do III

I finally have some finished items!! Yay.

Now I finally have something to dress up my ever growing collection of cardigans.

These took awhile to make as I have no pliers or wire cutters yet...

 They are made with buttons, clip on earings, necklaces and cameos.

You can find more about them over here.

Hope you like them as I have many more to come!

Flags of my Neighbour II

Flag for 27/06/2011

Todays Flag:

The schwarz-weiß-rot flag (black-white-red) was adopted by the North-German Union in 1867, as a combination of the black-white of Prussia and the red-white of the Hanseatic League. In 1871 it was adopted as flag of commerce for the German Reich, and in 1892 promoted to national flag. The war flag (Kriegsflagge) from 1867 to 1921 was a white field, a black cross with in its middle a round escutcheon with the Prussian eagle, and the dexter chief quarter the black-white-red flag with an Iron Cross.
In 1919 the black-red-gold flag was adopted but as a compromise the black-white-red remained with a canton bearing the black-red-gold as commerce flag (and the war flag was the same plus an Iron Cross in the middle). The Nazis eliminated the red-black-gold in 1933 but continued to use the black-white-red (without the canton) as national and commerce flag until Sept. 15, 1935, when the more familiar Nazi flag was adopted uniformly (the war flag being a red field, black cross with swastika in the middle and Iron Cross in dexter chief.

Today this flag is frequently used by neo Nazis and extreme nationalist in countries where the use of the swastika/Nazi flag has been outlawed.

I will say I have no idea if my neighbor is or is not a Nazi or a Nazi supporter. I am most defiantly not. And was a bit shocked when I goggled the flag and found out what it is.

Again I will stress I do not support Nazis.

Flags of my Neighbour I

This post has nothing to do with sewing but just love it. I have a neighbor that flies a different flag almost every day! Today I didn’t have a clue what flag he had out, google to the rescue!

Flag For 25/06/2011

Todays flag:

Following the Act of Union the English Standard was dropped, and incorporated into the new coat of arms for Britain. Featuring in the coats of arms for all member of the Royal family, and making up the first and fourth quarters of Queen Elizabeth's standard. The other quarters featuring the red lion of Scotland on yellow, and the yellow Irish harp on blue.

Hope you learn something, I sure did :D.

Garage Sales IV and Opp Shopping III

This is a few opp shops / garage sales in one. Ive been sooo slack lately! But I did make a BIG change this week. I quit my bad job! I feel so much better, although now its starting to sink in that I am now unemployed.... But I know I had to quit. One can only be made to feel inadequate for so long, 3 months was my limit!

On to better things now!

This first lot i picked up at "savers", Is a recycle store, NOT a charity shop, The ARE for profit. I know some may think its just like St Vinnie's, Its not. Still you will get a bargain and reuse/recycle so not all bad!

Things I do II

Im going to be getting in some new stock to make the cardigan clips.

What do you think?

 Im sick at home today! So i might get some sewing / housework done... and maybe another Blog post about the weekends garage sales and thrift shopping!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Things I do.

I just wanted to share a little more of what I do with you. 

I have a facebook page where i sell a few things mostly crafts: Necklaces, brooches and hair clips. 

Soon i will have some cardigan clips like theses: 

Some puppy/dog stuff. 

And some vintage inspired / revamped dresses.

http://www.facebook.com/Thelittletaylor

Please have a look and tell me what you think!

Garage Sales III

Easter Monday I got a puppy! 12 weeks old, male, advertised as a Pomeranian x Maltese but right now at 14 weeks he is the size of both dogs! Also the lady at the vets said he looks more Border Collie than Maltese. What do you think?

In the 3 weeks we’ve had him he has learnt to sit, lay down and shake! Right now he's learning to stay.

Estate Sale.

On the 2nd of this month I went to a deceased estate sale. 

The owners of the item were in their 80's. 

It’s kind of sad to be there and watch it all get sold, but it was romantic that the couple had passed within a month of each other.

They had a lot of stuff. I mean alot! It started at 9.30am it took the auctioneer 2 hours to go through all the outdoor equipment they had.

LOVE

I just had to post this! Its has nothing to do with sewing but i just love it.

LOVE IT!

They have many more awesome covers. Check them out, Michael Henry and Justin Robinett!