Merry Christmas.....

Just in case you are not on our email list, here's to let you know the trading hours for our Tessuti stores over the holiday season:

Friday, 25th Dec 2009 – Closed

Saturday, 26th Dec 2009 - Closed

Sunday, 27th Dec 2009 - Closed

Monday, 28th Dec 2009 - Closed

Tuesday, 29th Dec 2009 - Open

Wednesday, 30th Dec 2009 - Open

Thursday, 31st Dec 2009 - Open - Chatswood store only

Friday, 1st Jan 2010 - Closed

Saturday, 2nd Jan 2010 - Open


On behalf of all Tessuti staff, we would like to wish you a merry and safe Christmas.

xxx

Lisa's Vogue 8184 Xmas Frock

Here's a peek at Lisa's strapless dress made especially for our little soiree last Thursday. She chose Liberty Tana Lawn Tooth Parade for retro style Vogue 8184 (view F, minus straps). Isn't it fabulous?




Lisa made up a *muslin first, sans boning, and it was a perfect fit ( *the muslin - cut out in a cotton from Lisa's stash turned out so well - it's now going to be another version with contrast straps and bodice cuff) . The final version, however, was not quite as straightforward. After adding the boning to the lining, the bodice sat out quite a bit above the bust line which was not nearly the snug fit she was after. By removing the boning along the side seams (only), she was then able to take in the extra room there.



Lisa says...I don't actually think the boning is absolutely necessary for the other versions of this pattern, particularly those with straps. It definitely helps to create a lovely shape though. And don't let the boning put you off this pattern - it's really very simple to sew in. After I made this dress, I spoke to Georgia who is a five version veteran of this pattern (here are two versions) and she only applies boning from the waist to just below the bust. So experiment a little, and do what works best for you and your shape.



Who would imagine making up a Liberty lawn in a fitted strapless bodice dress with boning??? Well done Lisa.
xxx

And the winner

of the Beyond Biba DVD is.......



Congratulations Keri!

We'll be in touch with you very soon to get your postal address.




NOTE: A huge and special thankyou to James Collie from November Films for offering this great giveaway.

We're all anticipating the release of the film here in Australia.

Tessuti Melbourne - 2009 Christmas Party

What a fantastic night! We held our very first Tessuti Melbourne Christmas party at Seamstress in Lonsdale Street .... a fitting (pardon the pun!) venue don't you think?







Of course we all donned our Tessuti frocks for the night. This is what Leisl, Hannah and Nichola wore. Stay tuned for Lisa's dress in this Liberty cotton and my new favourite drop waisted dress.

xxx

Photos courtesy of Nikkishell.

Jenny meets Nikkishell

Check out Nichola's latest post about Jenny, the latest Burdastyle pattern. It's a fabulously classic pencil skirt design that comes in three variations. This one is made up in our cotton/elastane Swimming Paisley.



Lx

Heading down to Melbourne...

today.... looking forward to catching up with all the girls.

Gift giving made with love.

Cute little dresses made by Sarah in Japanese 100% Cotton 'Magnified Dot' in Night and 'Winter Nights'. So lovely and a wonderful gift idea.

Contrast details







How's your Christmas shopping/sewing going?

xxx

High School Students Sewing Course - 2010 Summer School Holidays

Bernadette Doherty, a Sydney dressmaker with over 25 years experience, currently runs small sewing classes from her workroom in Roseville, Sydney.



Bernadette has decided to organise a new range of classes specifically designed for High School students with an interest in sewing and those currently studying Textiles and Design - to assist with improving students sewing skills by teaching the basics of garment constructing.

These short courses will be run during school vacations, the first commencing on 6th January 2010. The 10 hour course will run for three weeks on Wednesdays commencing at 1.00 pm. The first two sessions will be three hour sessions and the final one four hours.

Classes groups of no more than three students, so book in early!

For costs and more details visit Bernadette's website

13

To our warm, funny, thoughtful and beautiful Gabriella. Happy 13th Birthday darling...this is for you.

xxx

Beyond Biba - Special Edition DVD and GIVEAWAY!!!

You may remember I posted about a documentary Beyond Biba back in October. I just received an email from the one of the producers of the film letting me know that they are releasing 1000 special edition DVD's of the film, all orders will be posted out by the 14th December and the first 500 copies will be signed by Barbara Hulanicki herself.

So, if you're stuck for ideas for a great Christmas present and want something out of the ordinary, then consider giving this.




NEW UPDATE: The producers are offering to give a signed copy of Beyond Biba DVD to one lucky Sew Tessuti winner!!! Simply answer the question below :

" The Pink Gingham dress which launched Biba in 1964 was a huge success but how many were sold in the first two weeks?"

Answers will be received by 12pm AEST, *Sunday 20th December, the winner will be chosen randomly and announced shortly thereafter.

PS. If you're not a blogger please leave your name and an email address so that we can contact you.

Goodluck everyone.

xxx

* We're extending the closing date for the giveaway to Sunday 20th. Everyone should get a chance to win this fabulous DVD for Christmas.

Feature Fabric of the Week - Laminated Cotton Spot

Thinking of making some Christmas gifts in the fourteen (fourteen?!? That's FOURTEEN!!!) days left before the jolly red man arrives? Just arrived in-store is this laminated cotton in navy, sky blue, green, pink, black and red. Perfect for aprons, pencil cases, totes, coin purses, bibs, make-up bags, tablecloths, a kiddie raincoat and hat. Or if you're a messy eater, you could even make a wipe-down frock. Oh man, the possibilities are endless....

Available in all stores and soon to be on-line.

Lx

Alex's hand-painted silks

I have something I wanted to show you. What do you think of these handpainted silk designs that a very young and talented Alex created back in high school (she's now in her early 20s)? Her mother Eva has made every single design into garments and you can sometimes find her in them at Tessuti Surry Hills....they're truly incredible!

Alex handpaints on silk habutai, crepe de chine, georgettes, duppions and raw tussah silk on natural or coloured bases. Using silk fabric paints and gutta to outline her designs.



These designs below have been hand-painted on silk crepe de chine and the spot design is on silk duppion.







Anyone interested ( DT students too) in learning to hand paint on silk or to have a one-off design created for you .. can email Alex - amlodziejewski@gmail.com