Vogue 2000 in Green Leopard Lycra from Super Cheap Fabrics

Super Cheap Fabrics invited us to explore their current collection of fabrics and select some projects to share with you.  This was an exciting opportunity to explore the fabric selection and create something that was different to our usual style. We jumped at the chance to create the iconic DVF Vogue 2000 wrap dress in a vibrant green leopard print which are both available on Super Cheap Fabrics

Green Leopard Print for Vogue 2000 by DVF

The iconic Wrap Dress by Diane von Furstenberg is back! In an exciting celebration of 50 years of the wrap dress, the style was re-released in the latest collection from Vogue Patterns.

This dress is a front-wrapped dress with a fitted bodice and slim line skirt that is secured in place with a feature tie. The full-length sleeves feature pointed cuffs and a matching pointed collar.

When picking which elements of the pattern to combine we what to create a version of this dress with the elements are are associated with this iconic design. For us this meant we simply had to include the collar!

The dress gives many options for the fabrication and we selected to use a jersey knit. Browsing through the Super Cheap Fabric website we can across this Printed Lycra – Scattered Jungle.

Coming in at 150cm wide this was a fantastic fabric to create the iconic dress in. The challenge of the knit fabrics is always front of mind for us when creating something in a jersey. We interfaced the collar, cuffs and facings as suggested. To help the fabric move with its knit properties with used a stretch thread that matched the green of the fabric.

Finished Make

Photo Credits

Fabric:  Printed Lycra – Scattered Jungle – 150cm provided by Super Cheap Fabrics
Pattern: Vogue 2000 available on Super Cheap Fabrics
Photos by: James Christie Media

Minerva Kit Know Me 2016 in Brushstroke Blooms Cotton Sateen

Hello, Know Me 2016 kit! This is one of our favourite dress patterns! The shape bodice and details in the skirt make it is a simple design yet, is a design with impact. We have made this dress in a range of fabrics but the Minerva cotton sateen is a go-to for us.

Pattern: Know Me 2016

Know Me #me2016 is a design by Beaute’ J’adore, it is a dress with a shaped waistline sloping up slightly at the front and lovely design lines in the tiers with gathers. Let us not forget about the scoop pockets in the skirt. It has a high round neckline, bust darts from the sideseam and finished with an invisible back zipper.

Fabric: Minerva Exclusive Brushstroke Blooms Cotton Sateen Fabric

The cotton sateen creates a lovely finish on the fabric a rich finish for a fabric that is 100% Cotton making it comfortable to wear as a natural fibre and has some structure providing body to the make. It is non-stretch and at 115 grams per square metre, this fabric is a light to medium weight. See more about the fabric here.

Finished Dress

The fun of the Minerva sewing kits is perfect for a gift as it has everything you need or as a sewing project for yourself to make sure you have everything on hand. This kit includes everything you need to make your preferred view of the pattern and comes with the Know Me 2016 paper pattern, our high-quality 100% Cotton Sateen, lining fabric, interfacing, elastic, a pack of needles and a matching Gutermann thread! We cannot wait to see your me2016!

Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media
Pattern: Know Me 2016
Fabric:  Minerva Exclusive Brushstroke Blooms Cotton Sateen Fabric

Super Cheap Fabrics Canvas in V1900 and Linen in B6792

Super Cheap Fabrics invited us to explore their current collection of fabrics and select some projects to share with you.  When we are planning our projects it is a combination of elements, patterns we have in our collection, fabrics with interesting prints or that will showcase elements of the pattern design.  This outfit was a combination of both, bringing together Black Linen and Wonderland Printed Canvas from Super Cheap Fabrics

 

Butterick 6792 in Pure Linen in Black

Can you ever have enough black tops? In our wardrobes, the answer is no. So we were planning this outfit we wanted to create a classic piece for the collection.

We were drawn to view A of Butterick 6792 with a button front and tuxedo collar it has a swing line through the bodice and extra fullness in the back panel. The shape is created through bust darts and a side panel. We shorted the bodice to sit just below the waist to balance with the pants.

We created it in classic black linen, this is a lighter-weight linen from Super Cheap Fabrics and 145cm wide but this was perfect for the shaped and flowing back of the pattern.

The fabric responded well to being interfaced through the collar and pressed well to create the turn-back feature.

Vogue 1900 in Wonderland Printed Canvas

Hello, fun pants! A canvas is a great weight for a pair of tailored pants. When we spotted this Wonderful floral print with the aqua background and striking flower it became the hero for the outfit.

We have had plans to create Vogue 1900 for some time, and with the pattern already cut, we thought it would be the perfect pairing.

Vogue 1900 is a tapered leg pant that has a clever pocket construction and tuck in the front. The waist is finished with a facing, fly front and includes belt loops.

Finished Make

Photo Credits

Fabric:  Printed Canvas Wonderland and Pure Linen Black provided by Super Cheap Fabrics
Pattern:Vogue V1900 and Butterick B6792

John Kaldor Lizzano Cotton Sateen from Minerva in Simplicity S9780

We love making fun summer dresses, but we never seem to pick fabric or patterns for dresses with sleeves. This means we feel like we have nothing to wear when spring or autumn comes around! Our challenge in the next couple of months is to fix this before the weather gets cooler.

Fabric: John Kaldor Lizzano Cotton Sateen Fabric from Minerva

This is the John Kaldor Lizzano Cotton Sateen Fabric in the black colourway. It is 100% cotton but has a beautiful smooth finish. Some of the cotton sateens you find in Australia are heavy and have stretch in the fabric – this one is quite the opposite! It is light and soft, but still keeps its shape when gathered.

Pattern: Simplicity 9780

When picking the pattern we wanted to make, we wanted to choose one that showcased the lovely way the fabric looks when it is gathered. Simplicity 9780 is a smock type dress with three views, with different sleeve, length and ruffle variations. We love the way the yoke of the dress continues around the front, back and sleeves of the dress. The front tie provides a creative feature to otherwise very simple design lines.

Finished Make

Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media
Pattern: Simplicity 9780
Fabric:  John Kaldor Lizzano Cotton Sateen Fabric provided by Minerva

Elena Dress by Schultz Apparel

The clever design and pattern-making by Schultz Apparel just keep calling us back!  When Amalie reached out to us about her latest design we jumped on board to explore what she had been developing.  The answer is this sweet peasant-style dress the Elena. 

Pattern: Elena Dress by Schultz Apparel

The Elena dress has an elastic neckline with a raglan line that falls out into a glorious puff sleeve. It has a waist seam that flares out to a full skirt with gathering in the side panels with waist ties. As with many Schultz Apparel patterns no fastenings are required to get in and out of this dress, it just tightens around the waist with the tie.

Fabric: Jungle Garden Multipurpose Cotton from Spotlight

To sit well in the gathers and milkmaid style top with elastic the fabric for this style needed to we light enough to gather in yet sit well in the skirt and sleeves. We wanted a printed fabric but one that would still showcase the lines of the dress.

We used this jungle green printed cotton from Spotlight, which we found in the upholstery section!

The trick to sourcing fabric for this project is to find 150cm wide cotton, we didn’t have success with this so had to compromise on the fullness of the sleeve which was not ideal.

Finished Elena Dress

The Elena Dress is a very sweet style with some clever design features including the gathered skirt panels and belt at the waist to create the shape.

Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media
Pattern: Elena Dress by Schultz Apparel
Fabric:  Jungle Garden Multipurpose Cotton from Spotlight

Marimekko Unikko Fabric in Vogue 9237

It is the 60th anniversary of this iconic Unikko print by Marimekko. We came across this fabric while fabric shopping in Newcastle – we couldn’t help ourselves, and we had to bring home a piece!

Also… enter our new fabric pattern! We have claimed that Know Me 2016 is our favourite pattern for a couple of months. Only now we might have found a new favourite Vogue 9237! It is easy to wear and easy to sew – it also has limited pattern pieces, so the wonderful print of the fabric isn’t segmented between too many pattern pieces ✂️

Fabric: Marimekko Unikko Fabric

Mini Unikko, conceived by Kristina Isola, is a scaled-down rendition of the iconic Unikko print that has captivated global audiences. Originating in 1964, Unikko emerged in defiance of Marimekko founder Armi Ratia’s decree against floral motifs in the brand’s fabrics. Despite this prohibition, artist Maija Isola boldly crafted a collection of floral patterns, ultimately prompting Armi to incorporate eight of them.

Unikko has since become a symbol of exuberance and innovation, seamlessly woven into Marimekko’s design ethos. Maija’s work stands as a testament to the enduring power of creativity in spreading joy.

Pattern: Vogue v9237

Vogue 9237 is a Very Easy Vogue Dress pattern with a loose-fitting pullover style that has a round neck with a button and loop closing at the back neck. The main feature is the back ruffle panel create a playful design element.

Finished Make

Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media
Pattern: Vogue 9237 provided by Sewdirect Australia
Fabric:  Marimekko Unikko Fabric

Sew Melbourne Garden Party

On this lovely Melbourne day, we headed along to join our fellow makers at the Sew Melbourne Garden Party.  Hosted at the Stapley Pavilion in Kings Domain, the Sew Melbourne Garden Party is the perfect sew-cial day out.  The event is organised by Libby and Abby and is a wonderful event.  

Outfits

Erin in Vogue V1994 in denim from Darn Cheap Fabrics, Eliza in Peppermint Jumpsuit in berry fabric from East Coast Fabrics, Lauren in McCalls 8098 & McCalls 8161 in Inky Grove Cotton Sateen from Minerva and Kate in McCalls 8036 in cotton from Minerva

Name Badges

We took this opportunity to have a crafternoon together before the event to create our own name badges, how fun!

Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media

McCalls 8098 & McCalls 8161 in Inky Grove Cotton Sateen

Fabric: Inky Grove Cotton Sateen Fabric

The Inky Grove print on Cotton Sateen is a Minerva exclusive print that is fabulous and we loved the rich blue tone mix with the white background. The quality and weight of the cotton sateen is lovely, more a light to medium weight of the fabric. It gathers beautifully and at 142cm wide it has lots of options for cutting large pattern shapes to make the most of the print.

Pattern: McCall’s 8161 McCall’s 8098

We started with the pants as the hero we used, view B McCall’s 8098 a full-length pair of pants with a very comfortable elastic waist. For the top we wanted a classic shape and used McCall’s 8161 our go-to for this occasion.

Finished Make

Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media
Pattern: McCalls 8098 & McCalls 8161
Fabric:  Inky Grove Cotton Sateen provided by Minerva

Burgundy Stretch Woven Suiting Fabric in Vogue Jumpsuit V1647

Ah jumpsuits!  The joy of pants but less drama to choose what to pair it with.  This lovely maroon crepe was the answer we were looking for when it came to Vogue Jumpsuit V647

Fabric: Burgundy Stretch Woven Suiting Fabric from Minerva

We were excited when this burgundy floral in Stretch Woven Suiting Fabric arrived from Minerva as we knew we had finally found the fabric for this jumpsuit!

This stretch-woven suiting feels more like a crepe with its drape and medium weight. The lovely white floral motif has a burgundy backing. It is 95% polyester and 5% spandex and is a great width at 145cm.

Pattern: Vogue Jumpsuit V1647

We have had this pattern sitting ready to be made for some time and this fabric was the perfect weight! This Vogue jumpsuit has a V feature bodice with wide leg pants.

We have used the pants part of this pattern before attaching it to another bodice for Lauren’s Cup Day outfit in 2022, see that make here.

Finished Jumpsuit

Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media
Pattern: Vogue 1647
Fabric:  Burgundy Stretch Woven Suiting Fabric provided by Minerva

Sew Unsteady Junk in the Trunk Bag

We enjoy exploring new things in sewing so when Case from Sew Unsteady invited us to try out her first pattern Junk in the Trunk we loved the idea of exploring bag making.

Pattern: Sew Unsteady Junk in the Trunk Bag

This bag is designed with a side band and flat front that has an adjustable strap and can be worn around the waist, across the body or over the shoulder making it extremely versatile. There are two views included in the pattern with the strap attaching at different points to create a vertical or horizontal shape.

Fabric: Jungle Garden Multipurpose Cotton

We used an offcut of lightweight cotton we had and interfaced to give it some more support. This pattern could use a heavier woven fabric and even a leather so there are so many options to make it your own. A perfect scrap buster too!

This Jungle Garden Cotton was in the upholstery section in Spotlight. The fastenings we used white cotton tape and found the fabulous yellow clip at Super Cheap Fabrics in Fitzroy.

Making process

Finished Make

Photo Credits

Pattern: Sew Unsteady Junk in the Trunk Bag
Fabric:  Jungle Garden Multipurpose Cotton from Spotlight
Fastenings: Yellow clip Darn Cheap Fabrics