Tag: minerva makes

Simplicity 8560 and Simiplicity 8561 in Minerva Exclusive Buddleia Bower Glossy Activewear Lycra Stretch Knit

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

Activewear is often in the “too hard” or “not worth it” category for us, but we decided to take on the challenge!

Fabric: Minerva Exclusive Buddleia Bower Glossy Activewear Lycra Stretch Knit

First, knit fabrics can be tricky. Luckily, the Minerva Exclusive Buddleia Bower Glossy Activewear Lycra Stretch Knit was a dream to sew. With 85% polyester and 15% elastane, it’s stretchy, comfortable, and forgiving. Its 60% stretch in both directions and 150 cm width made cutting and sewing simple, even leaving us with extra fabric. 

Pattern: Simplicity 8560 (sports bra) and 8561 (leggings)

Second, finding the right patterns for activewear was daunting, but Simplicity 8560 (sports bra) and 8561 (leggings) worked perfectly. The sports bra, available in band sizes 30–44 and cup sizes A–G, allowed for a customised fit. We extended the top slightly for added support. The leggings, offered in sizes XS–5X, include optional features like side pockets and stirrups.

We primarily used an overlocker, but topstitching required a domestic sewing machine with Gutermann Maraflex elastic thread. This thread’s 80% stretch made sewing straight stitches on knits a breeze without risking breakage.

Though we enjoyed this project, we’re not rushing to make another set. Australia boasts excellent activewear brands, and for now, we’re happy supporting them rather than adding activewear to our regular sewing list.

Finished Activewear

Find out more here

Photo Credits

Pattern: Simplicity 8560 (sports bra) and 8561 (leggings) provided by Sewdirect Australia
Fabrics: Minerva Exclusive Buddleia Bower Glossy Activewear Lycra Stretch Knit provided by Minerva

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

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

Minerva Kit Know Me 2016 in Brushstroke Blooms Cotton Sateen

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

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!

Get your Know Me Kit

Photo Credits

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

John Kaldor Lizzano Cotton Sateen from Minerva in Simplicity S9780

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

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

See more about the make

Photo Credits

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

Sew Melbourne Garden Party

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Events

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

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

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

See more about the 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

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

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

See more about the make

Photo Credits

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

Geometric Cotton Sateen in Simplicity 8733

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

When travelling, how do you decide what to take with you? For us, we start with a hero piece or theme and then build around it. For Lauren’s trip to Europe in the depths of winter, the hero was always going to be the jacket—a magenta wool coat made from a Burda pattern. From there, we decided the base colour would be black, so all the shoes she took would match everything, paired with black tights and a black handbag. The base garments were decided as a pair of black pants and a skirt, and now the fun part: how to add some colour (that complements the jacket) and prints!

Fabric: Woven Stretch Cotton Sateen Fabric

Now, enter this geometric Woven Stretch Cotton Sateen Fabric from Minerva. We were looking for a fabric that had some weight to it, and as you know, we love a cotton sateen due to its lovely finish and the inclusion of some elastane for a small amount of stretch. This cotton sateen is made up of 95% Cotton, 5% Elastane, which was perfect. See more about this fabric on the Minerva website here.

Pattern: Simplicity 8733

The pattern we chose was Simplicity 8733 because of the simple bodice line that would not break up the geometric print of the fabric and the dramatic bishop sleeve.

Finished Make

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Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media
Pattern: Simplicity 8733
Fabric: Geometric Woven Stretch Cotton Sateen Fabric provided by Minerva

REVERSIBLE Papercut Nova Coat in Minerva Exclusive Quilted Fabric

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

When we saw that the Pre Quilted Coating Fabric that Minerva had was reversible there was only one option in our mind, make a reversible coat!  So here it is, our reversible Papercut Nova Coat!

Fabric: Minerva Exclusive Babelone Art Pre Quilted Reversible Coating Fabric

The Minerva Exclusive Babelone Art Pre-Quilted Reversible Coating Fabric, featuring a stunning blue hue accentuated by a striking red and black print. Upon receiving this fabric, the undeniable beauty of the quilted design inspired us to create something special. With its double-sided construction and pre-completed quilting, Minerva has taken care of the intricate details, making your creative process a breeze! Explore the Pre Quilted Babelone Art.

Pattern: Papercut Nova Coat

We decided to make the Nova Coat, because we liked the simple but effective design lines. The ‘grown on’ pocket shape also makes a really interesting design line, and as a bonus, made it really easy to make the pockets reversible as well!

See the Nova Coat on the Minerva website here.

Finished Make

See our full tips for making this REVERSIBLE coat on the Minerva website here.

See more about this magic make

Photo Credits

Photographer: James Christie Media
Pattern: Nova Coat by Papercut Patterns
Fabric:  Minerva Exclusive Babelone Art Pre Quilted Reversible Coating Fabric