Bon Chance Philippa x

We farewell Philippa, who has embarked on a new adventure in Paris, France to follow her dream. We wish her all the very best of luck!

Just a few days before she left for the romantic city, she attended her mother's wedding. Philippa also made the wedding dress in our 100% Heavy Silk Satin in Antique with diamante motif detail and this lovely strapless dress (above) in our French Navy/Silver scalloped lace.


She's one talented young lady, perhaps she could try out for John Galliano's old job!

xxx

Vintage Liberty Lantana in Tova

I've had a piece of wonderful *vintage Liberty Of London Lantana Cotton/Wool in my stash for over a year (or 2)! I finally found just the perfect pattern to make it up in...the Tova shirt! The Lantana 80% Cotton 20% Wool is so beautiful to wear and just perfect for this cooler change in weather.

Very happy to have this fabric made up finally!


*Fabric found at Flashback Fabric, Melbourne.

A to Z Simple Clothes - Patterns T and K

I've had this post sitting on the backburner while waiting for this book to come back in stock - A to Z Simple Clothes.



Merrilyn came into our Melbourne store back in January wearing this gorgeous linen ensemble made up of pants (pattern K) and tunic (pattern T). She said that tracing the pattern was fairly time-consuming but once that was out of the way, the construction was the easy part.


This particular linen trim is also available in natural and navy.


Thanks Merrilyn. You look fabulous!

Fabric Feature Of the Week - Japanese Linen Knit

Here's a lovely selection of our NEW 100% Linen Japanese Knits. This beautiful, drapey knit with a slight slubbed weave is ideal for loose cardis, tops, skirts and dresses. Now available in store and online in White, Cream, Tree Bark and Hot Pink.

Be quick there's limited stock!

Pattern Review - Vogue 1179

Received an email from Louise tonight including a photo of this tunic dress made up in our 100% Silk Crepe De Chine Big Beige Check using pattern Vogue 1179.

Louise says she adjusted the pattern to add wide 3/4 sleeves with a loose cuff, she wanted a casual dress that could be worn over jeans or on it's own. Interestingly the envelope suggests a jersey with moderate stretch for this pattern, but it seems to work just as well in a woven too!

Thanks for the inspiration Louise :)

A well kept secret ...The Fabric Cave!

Want something to do on this very wet Monday (if you're in Sydney that is!)? Head to Ryde and visit the The Fabric Cave!

I have to admit, I really wanted to keep the details about this place all to myself, darn it, I just can't!!!

I've only just found out (thanks Bernadette) about this Aladdin's cave, filled with fabric remnants, buttons, knitting wool, sewing and craft books, old discontinued patterns, tapestries, you name it they have it! I find it hard to believe I hadn't heard about this place sooner?? Obviously this is a well guarded secret!! Well it won't be anymore... especially as this is a not-for-profit organisation and all proceeds from this place goes straight to a wonderful organisation Achieve Australia, who look after the day to day needs of adults with disabilities.

So if you're looking for something you can't find anymore or want to donate them some of your unwanted fabric remnants, sewing patterns, books etc they will gladly accept anything and everything! The lovely Jo and volunteers will respectfully sift through and sort them into carefully ordered sections.

You won't be disappointed and be sure to say hello to the lovely Jo (below) and tell her that Colette sent you!



The Fabric Cave
78 Belmore St, Ryde. Enter via Porter St.
Phone 02 8878 3353 for more info.

Open: Mondays and Fridays only
9.30 -2.00pm
and the first Sunday of the Month
9.30-12.00pm

xxx

Pattern Review - Wiksten Tova Top + Dress Pattern

I've always had a thing for the WIKSTEN Tova Shirt/Dress, so when Jenny Gordy sold the pattern on her website, I was super fast to order it and very lucky to get my hands on a copy. They sold out pretty quickly!

This pattern is so easy to put together, including clear instructions plus photos for garment construction. There is a top or dress length option (this one is in between the two lengths). I cut the pattern in size M in our latest Japanese 100% cotton Kabegami, initially thinking I'd wear it but it runs a tad snug under the arms and across the bust for me. Gabby was super quick to claim it for herself, so I'll just have to grade the pattern up in the size L for me.

The only slight change I made was to omit the collar stand, applying bias binding to finish off at the neckline the same width as the sleeve cuff.



This style looks just as lovely in a summer weight as it does in a light weight wool or plaid for winter.

Fingers crossed Jenny prints up some more...you won't be disappointed.

Janet's Rosette Mesh Skirt

Here's another quick, clever and striking skirt made up by Janet. The feature fabric is our Cream Rosette Mesh and is lined in Grey Burdie Orbit, a viscose/elastane jersey.


Picture proof that with a little imagination, this kind of fabric works perfectly for something other than bridal or formal wear!

Lx

Tessuti in Mauritius!

To celebrate and mark their 40th wedding anniversary, Nasrin's husband whisked her off to Mauritius for a fabulous and luxurious stay at Dinarobin Resort. Nasrin had enough time to whip up a few things, in particular this stunning silk chiffon caftan in Almost An Animal (available only at Tessuti Melbourne)!




Lovely to know that there's still some romance after 40 years together!

xxx

Aw...

Baby Victor wheeled into our Melbourne store yesterday with mum Robyn. Proving you're never too young for Missoni, he was lying all snug and stylish beneath a blanket made up in one of our black/white summer-weight colourways - Polygraph Reading. Robyn bound the edges with a silk/cotton blend (doubled over) and backed it in our white cotton voile.

And continuing the cute, how's this pram hood?


Robyn made it from a viscose/elastane blend. This colourway is sold out but if you'd like to make something like it, we have similar alternatives available in a range of colours and prints. A swimwear fabric would do the job perfectly too.


Lx

Pattern Review - Skirt Pattern J1 from 2 Variations 1 Pattern

Saw Margaret's latest creation from this Japanese pattern book yesterday. Margaret's slowly making her way through this fabulous book, this time trying out skirt pattern J1 in 100% Cotton Red Heath.

This style's an easy straight to slight a-line skirt with waistband, angled darts, side zip and gathered back detail. A great style to consider this winter, perhaps in a wool double knit, wool crepe or brocade?



Can't wait to see Margaret's new blog up and happening...stay tuned ;)

Pattern Review - Vogue 1174

Georgia arrived to teach her sewing class in this pretty white number made up from Vogue pattern 1174. As she went through the alterations to the pattern, I asked her to email me the details instead, didn't want to leave anything out!

"Here are the adjustments I made to Vogue 1174:



I toiled the bodice of the dress first and found that it needed some minor adjustment through the bust. So starting at the top of the bodice on the side seams I graded it in by 1cm down to nothing at the bottom of the bodice middle. I used this great plaited trim that I had been wanting to do something with, so I decided to use it as a piping. I inserted it in all the horizontal seams, and into the shoulder straps that I added to the dress.

I really wanted to make this up as a day dress so I added straps. In designing the straps I slightly curved them to tie in with the top of the dress. The straps are 38cm long and the curve is graded from 5cm out to 6.5cm at the shoulder (including seam allowance).


I had read a few other blogs reviewing this pattern and all of them commented on how tight the fit was with the foundation pieces in, so I decided to simply self line and bone the bodice. This worked great as I still got a lovely fit and I can eat!!!!! And to flatter my figure best, I needed to reduce the bulk around the middle. So I instead, simply attached the skirt to the lower edge of the bodice instead of attaching the facings and having the pleats on the outside of the dress. Lastly I gave the skirt a nice 8cm wide hem.


My choice of fabric for this cute summer dress was a lovely heavy Italian cotton with a self pattern I bought up at Tessuti Chatswood"

Pattern Magic 2 - NOW IN ENGLISH

Did you know we're now stocking Pattern Magic 2 in English?

Check out the online shop for more content images.

Pattern Review - Cynthia Rowley 2497 modified

Long time no see Janet! She's back this time with Cynthia Rowley's 2497 (View C) as a top. The fabric is our 100% silk Madmen Floral, providing the perfect (farewell!) summer top.
The tiered skirt was made without a pattern, using a cotton/elastane remnant. The waistband is simply a folded over piece of Orbit, a viscose/spandex blend available in a large range of colours (not online but available instore).

She also added our braided trim around the seams and hem for an extra little detail. Ah, the simple things...After a brief hiatus, Janet's been sewing up a storm and I look forward to showing you a few more of her creations in the coming weeks.

Lx