Category: Sewing Project

Vogue 1708 in Minerva Exclusive Electric Blooms Double Georgette Crepe

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

When we saw the Electric Blooms printed fabric we knew it was the perfect party fabric for us.

Fabric: Minerva Exclusive Electric Blooms Double Georgette Crepe

This is a Minerva Exclusive fabric that comes in a few different types. This one is the double georgette crepe fabric in the Electric Blooms, it is a woven non-stretch fabric made of 100% polyester. We don’t usually work with this type of fabric —we tend to pick cotton fabrics over polyester fabrics. We were planning our outfits for the Oaks Day Luncheon, so it was the perfect opportunity to try something new!

Pattern: Vogue 1708

We had to hunt through the Sew Direct patterns to find the perfect pattern and landed on Vogue 1708. It is a jumpsuit pattern with v-neck, wide leg pants and a wrap top that extends to a cross over back and tie ends (which could be tied in either a knot or a bow).

Finished Activewear

Find out more here

Photo Credits

Pattern: Vogue 1708 provided by Sewdirect and is available on Minerva here. 
Fabrics: Minerva Exclusive Electric Blooms Double Georgette Crepe provided by Minerva

At the Oaks Day Luncheon at Crown in Melbourne both wearing Minerva, Lauren wore her purple Vogue 1723

Vogue 1802 in Purple Floral Satin from Tissus Coupons Saint Pierre

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Events, Sewing Project

For a night at Government House for the Cup Eve reception Lauren chose to create a dress in a floral satin using the pattern Vogue 1802.

Pattern: Vogue 1802

Vogue 1802 is a loose-fitting, pullover dress that has a collar extending into ties in the back, slit opening at the neck, and side seam pockets.  We created view B with the long line and gathered tier. This pattern was supplied by Sewdirect Australia.

Fabric: Purple Floral Satin from Tissus Coupons Saint Pierre

When Erin was travelling in Paris earlier in the year she visited Tissus Coupons Saint Pierre and selected this purple floral satin. The satin piece of fabric came in a pre-cut length of 3 meters long. While not our usual choice of fabric type it was a great choice for this pattern. We lined it with a plain white fabric in the top section of the dress which also helps with the static in the fabric.

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Finished Dress Vogue 1802

Photo Credits

Pattern: Vogue 1804 provided by Sewdirect Australia
Fabric:  Purple Floral Satin purchased from Tissus Coupons Saint Pierre
Wide brim hat: Lauren J Ritchie Millinery

Vogue 1884 in Toile de Jouy from Tissus Coupons Saint Pierre

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Events, Sewing Project

This beautiful feminine fabric called for a classic style.  While not a typical Melbourne Cup Day look the need for a wide brim on this lovely spring day.

Pattern: Vogue 1884

Vogue 1884 is a fitted bodice with a wide square neckline, flared skirt with diagonal gathers under the waistline, side seam pockets and low cut back. This pattern was supplied by Sewdirect Australia.

Fabric: Toile de Jouy from Tissus Coupons Saint Pierre

When Lauren was travelling in Paris earlier in the year she visited Tissus Coupons Saint Pierre and selected this green and white Toile de Jouy. The cotton piece of fabric came in a pre-cut length of 3 meters long. The print featured the iconic style of scenery in the print. It called to be a very feminine style so was the perfect pairing for this dress pattern.

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Finished Dress of Ellie Whittaker Fabric

Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media
Pattern: Vogue 1884 provided by Sewdirect Australia
Fabric:  Toile de Jouy purchased from Tissus Coupons Saint Pierre
Wide brim hat: Lauren J Ritchie Millinery

Vogue 2042 in Bella Riveria by Anthea Jacklin on Spoonflower

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

It was an Italian-themed engagement party, in honour of Erin and James’ Italian engagement and this Anthea Jacklin fabric was right on theme 🍕

Fabric: Bella Riviera by Anthea Jacklin

We have been following Anthea’s work on Instagram and when Erin saw this print she knew it was perfect for this event. She chose the Bella Riviera print for the Italian theme on Organic Cotton Sateen.  

Anthea’s print was very clever as it does not have one direction with the elements rotating, check out the text to see this in action.  

Check out some of Anthea’s work on her website here.

Pattern: Vogue 2042

This vintage reprint, Vogue 2042 was a recent release from Sewdirect Australia, it is available here.  We loved the ring detail at the front that extended over the shoulders to form the back. 

We made some alternations by cutting a waist line which meant we could gather on a fuller tiered skirt.  For the ring at the centre front, we used a part of an old handbag that had fallen apart and some brute force to get it open and the fabric threaded on. 

Finished Vogue 2042

Photo Credits

Pattern: Vogue 2042 provided by Sewdirect 
Fabrics: Bella Riveria designed by Anthea Jacklin purchased from Spoonflower
Photos by James Christie Media

The event wouldn’t have been completed without a new McCall’s 6044 for James, Lauren wore Amalfi Coast border print cotton sateen print by Gertie Mona Dress by Schultz Apparel (see more about this dress here) and Fergus got a new bandana.

McCall’s 8141 in green floral satin from The Fabric Store

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Events, Sewing Project

James and Erin celebrated their engagement with family at Bailey’s in Glenrowan.  It was love at first sight when we saw this green floral fabric in The Fabric Store on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. It was the perfect fabric for the spring sunshine.

Fabric: Green floral satin from The Fabric Store

The fabric came first for this one, Erin went for a hunt at The Fabric Store and came across this beautiful white and green floral silk satin.

Pattern: McCall’s 8141

This fabric was a step away from our usual cotton fabrics so we needed to explore a new pattern that would showcase this beautiful satin. Erin was looking on the Sewdirect Australia website and came across McCall’s 8141.

McCall’s 8141 also known as Astor McCall’s is a a dress that has an underbust panel that is then fitted at waist, a raglan sleeve with tucks at the hem that this is supported by a stay and an a-line skirt. 

She created view A and swapped the necktie for a bias finish and added some more fullness to the skirt

Finished Dress of Ellie Whittaker Fabric

James wore his (current) favourite version McCalls 6044 – one of the most frequently made patterns in our collection.

Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media
Erin Pattern: Vogue 1884 provided by Sewdirect Australia
Fabric:  Green and White Silk Satin purchased from The Fabric Store
Headpiece: Lauren J Ritchie Millinery

Holiday Wardrobe: McCall’s 7695 with Vogue 1961 in Linen from The Fabric Store

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

Summer in Scotland 🌧 It is warmer in Melbourne this week than it has been in Scotland – so this jacket and pants have been worn on repeat!

The jacket has two layers of bamboo/cotton batting quilted in between two layers of linen. We wanted the jacket to have a similar shape to a bomber jacket, so we added elastic around the cuff and two lines of elastic around the waist 🧥

The Patterns

This Palm/Pletsch pattern is no longer in print but we love the simple lines of the puffer jacket and vest it has.

We used the pants of Vogue 1961 that has two tucks in the front with a slanted pocket and fly front with lock stitch hem.

McCall’s 7695 in black Linen from The Fabric Store with Vogue 1961

Photo Credits

Jacket: McCall’s 7695 from Sewdirect Australia in linen purchased from The Fabric Store
Skirt: Vogue 1961 provided by Sewdirect Australia in Cotton Drill purchased from The Fabric Store
Photos by: James Christie Media

Know Me 2038 in Tie Die from The Fabric Store

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

We’ve officially entered the festive time of the year! Yesterday we got to celebrate love at one of our friends Hen’s Party 💚

It was the perfect excuse to finish this dress 🧵 We cut out Know Me 2038 at the very end of last summer, and it’s sat in our unfinished pile over the winter months.

Pattern: Know Me2038 designed by Miss Alisha Grace pattern provided by Sewdirect Australia
Fabric: Satin purchased from The Fabric Store

Butterick 6556 Tiered Skirt Cherry Pink Poplin from Minerva

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project, Travel

A few months ago, I saw a dress on Instagram that had a striped gathered skirt, with a horizontal band in between each layer. While the “baby-doll” bodice of the dress wouldn’t suit me, I loved the skirt!

In true sewing spirit, we were inspired to take what we like about the design and make our own version ready for the European summer.

Fabric: Minerva Core Range 100% Cotton Poplin Fabric Cherry Pink

This is the Minerva Core Range 100% Cotton Poplin Fabric Cherry Pink. In person, the fabric looks more red than pink. Being 148cm wide and 100% cotton, it was very easy to both cut and sew. Find out more about the fabric here.

Pattern: Butterick 6556

The bodice is Butterick 6556 – one of our fabric Gertie patterns. We amended the bodice by removing the “v” in the centre front bodice. To make the bows, we extended the straps to be very long so they could be tied into bows. The shape of the shoulder straps in the pattern is curved, however we straightened the shoulder straps for both fitting and visual reasons (given the striped fabric). 

Finished Make

Find out more about this project

Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media
Pattern: Butterick 6556
Fabric: Minerva Core Range 100% Cotton Poplin Fabric Cherry Pink provided by Minerva

Minerva Kit Tilly and the Button Erin Dungarees in Urban Cheetah French Terry

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

The Erin Dungarees, how could we not make these? When our own Two Sewing Sisters Erin saw this pattern come through as a kit on Minerva it was an instant yes!

Pattern: Tilly and the Button Erin Dungarees

The Erin Dungarees are a casual overall style from Tilly and the Buttons. The bib front features a princess seam to form a gentle shape across the bust. We created the tie at the shoulder view with full-length pants. Find out more about the pattern here.

Fabric: Minerva Exclusive Urban Cheetah French Terry

Terry Stretch Knit Fabric is 95% Cotton, 5% Lycra so alongside being a knit structure the lycra makes it super comfortable a less likely to crease.  The fabric comes in a range of prints and this cheetah print was loads of fun and easy to pair with other black tops in our wardrobes.  Check out this fabric here.

Finished Dungarees

Get your Erin Dungarees Kit

Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media
Pattern: Tilly and the Button Erin Dungarees
Fabric: Minerva Exclusive Urban Cheetah French Terry

Holiday Wardrobe: Indigo Bias Skirt from Mood Fabrics

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project, Travel

Exploring London in our first bias-cut skirt! We are late to the party on bias-cut skirts, but we see more in our future.  For the pattern, we explored a few options and landed on the Indigo skirt from Mood Fabrics. It looked quite full in the hem when we first cut it but bias being bias it sat beautifully.  The fabric weight was key and this deep green from Drapers Fabric fit the bill. 

The top is the Grace Top by Friday Pattern Company in black jersey knit from Fabric Deluxe. A nice cowl neck detail to compliment the shape of the skirt. 

Photo Credits

Top: Grace Top by Friday Pattern Company in black jersey knit from Fabric Deluxe
Skirt: Indigo Skirt by Mood Fabrics in crepe back satin from Drapers Fabrics
Photos by: James Christie Media