Sunday, 27 July 2014

Sunday Afternoon Craft

Today I really wanted to fix my wrist watch. 
I only wear cheap watches that I can get rid of when I get board, but this watch band wore a little too quickly for my liking.
I took myself off to my favourite Berlin Markets (Maurer Park) and checked out what the trim market stall had to offer.
4Euro's later I had a good selection of fake leather, metal fasteners and magnetic fasteners.

I am pretty happy with this, after an hours worth of work along with coffee and a nice piece of Carrot Cake my lovely house mate made!!!   - I don't think I would call that hard work!
Original Watch

Tools and bits & pieces

My fab new watch (well i think it is fab)

Sunday, 20 July 2014

The weddings are over and you can see both the dresses

Hay there,
Both my weddings are over.  They were brilliant fun, stressful, tiring but truely wonderful days.
We are now back from holiday (in Berlin) and I can post both of my wedding dresses.  They are both very different but I felt that they suited the environment of each wedding.

Number 1: Sydney Australia's Dress

Number 2: Berlin Germany's Dress
You would be surprised at how much these cost to make.  Once you have a good pattern they are relatively easy to put together as well!
Let me know your thoughts.

Monday, 9 June 2014

New Denim Skirt for the European Summer

I have a great denim skirt that I love to wear but I needed to have a second one because otherwise I will keep wearing the one I purchased to death.
So I found a great stretch denim in my new favourite sewing shop in Berlin.  (Slightly on the expensive side but I just had to have this fabric).  It was 15 Euro a meter and I knew I only needed 1/2 a meter!
I took my old favourite denim skirt and created my pattern from there.  
With denim I think it is important to keep the denim feel about it.  Make sure you add all the top stitching detail and ensure it is neat!
I didn't add back pockets to this skirt because I wanted a neat flat finish.  I have two normal denim skirt pockets at the front.  To keep in with the denim theme I added the stitching detail on my zip front.

Most importantly, don't forget to style your new item like you would any item you purchased.  Just because you made it doesn't meed it has to look daggy.  Make sure it looks super cool and people will stop you to ask where it is from!

Sunday, 1 June 2014

New PJ's

Berlin Wall at Mauer Park
So as a lot of you know I am currently in Berlin with my new machine Frau Helga (New secondhand machine - an oldie but a goodie).

I have been finding it difficult to get fabric lower than 15EUR per meter and even had to buy and invisible zip for 5EUR (so expensive).
Fortunately yesterday a friend suggested a trip to Mauer Park which are known to have great markets.
To my surprise I found a great little fabric stall and a very large trims/accessories stall.

Since travelling to Berlin I have really missed my comfy trackies /long pj pants to chill out in at home.  (They wouldn't fit in my suit case).  Yesterday I managed to find some fabric for 3EUR per meter and some elastic for 50cents.  I was so excited I couldn't wait to make my new pants!

An hours worth of work at home and I have a brilliant comfy new pair of pants!!!  I used an existing pair of PJ pants for the pattern and extended them by 20cm to make sure they were too the floor.





Thursday, 22 May 2014

An oldie but a goodie and you just can't part with

Recently a friend of mine went through her wardrobe.  She found a number of items that she just doesn't wear anymore but couldn't part with them and still loves the fabric!

If your garments are still in a good condition it doesn't take much to change a garment slightly to make it a bit more modern and fresh.
This skirt is your typical mid to late 2000's skirt.  It is a cute Aline with a great printed fabric.  The original designer even went to the trouble of beading some of the flower prints.
There was a skinny 1.5cm velvet band at the top as well that sat in the middle of the white band at the top.  Lets see how it comes up...
This skirt is approximately 9 years old and I will be taking it to my girl friends this Saturday.  Let's see how we style it up 9 years later.

Fashion doesn't have to be expensive you just need to a little imagination!  (Let's face it I really didn't do that much to this skirt!)

Monday, 19 May 2014

Lost in Berlin Sewing!

I have finally found my newest member of the family.  
She goes by the name Fraulein Helga and is a beautiful second hand 
German sewing machine.
Just about to start playing with her!
Remember there is no need to buy brand new all the time.  A machine that has been previously love is often a much better machine and more affordable. (But you must shop wisely)! 

Sunday, 13 April 2014

New Indian Silk lining for my great Oroton Handbag

Today on a raining Sewing Club Sunday we were very productive!

Check out the new lining I made to add another pocket (with a zip) a key ring hook and pen holders.
I am really excited with the way it came up.

  Let me know what you think!!!