I Do Not Like This Shirt.

My BurdaStyle studio has been quiet for months and months now, so I thought I'd upload this top I made from a free BurdaFashion pattern.

Does anyone else have those days where you want to sew something, but can't find the right pattern or fabric in your stash? Or do you constantly say 'I have no fabric' when you have cupboards filled with the stuff? I have this problem all the time, and often ends up producing shirts like this one here.

I used patchwork fabric (bad idea), which is too heavy to drape like the pattern intended. Instead it balloons out from the waistline much like a maternity top :S I also cut the top too short - I like my shirts to hang over the edge of waistbands, not sit just on top. My skin also reacts to the bias binding I used on the arm and neck holes... Weird!

Although this top is going into my I-will-never-wear-that-except-under-a-rather-large-jumper drawer, I'd definitely recommend this pattern to beginners. It's very quick and easy to make, although like most Burda patterns the instructions aren't too flash.

She wore it in the '70s.

A simple chambray pinafore made from a very old Simplicity pattern, which I cannot find anywhere :S

This project has been sitting in my project box for about 4 years (since I was 14, I think). I redid the zipper, because I had done a truly dreadful job all those years ago. It’s really funny, because I remember it was the first zipper I had sewn in all by myself :D Unfortunately, this fabric wasn't too keen on being unpicked and resewn, so the fabric covering the zip doesn't sit properly.

The only other thing I had to do was attach the buttons! The fabric frayed a great deal when I attempted a buttonhole, so I opted for snaps instead. Hey, they pop off randomly throughout the day but it saved me the pain of getting out my buttonhole chisel and crying at the mess it made.

Now... if anyone else has an old sewing machine, you will probably know that changing to a heavy thread isn't much fun. Tensioning it is a nightmare, and it often tangles and snaps in the bobbin. Even though I love the look of the denim thread, I think the next time I use it will be too soon.

Not a sleuthing bag.

This is my Traveller’s Bag, made from Merita’s pattern on Burdastyle.

I made it especially for uni, and it turned out to be quite fantastic! Not only does it look cute, but I can fit heaps of stuff in it for uni (plus a drink bottle, I can't believe I left it out of the picture. I love water):

I lined it with calico (I just wasn't in the mood to chase up a better fabric) and added inside pockets to fit keys, mobile, ipod, a notebook & tissues.

I also used herringbone strapping instead of fabric to make the straps. This stuff is just the greatest thing ever - it is so strong and doesn't require stitching, turning, pressing et cetera. I desperately wanted to use chunky metal zipper, but I live in a small town and the fabric store only sells metal zippers in short sizes for jeans. Instead I settled for a slightly-too-long chunky plastic zipper, and I think it looks pretty good. I just had to add a tag at the end, because it extends past the end of the bag.

I salvaged this cotton twill from Red Cross - $2 for about 3 metres. According the label, it had ‘2 small holes along its length’. This provided some amusement at home, because when unfolded there were actually about six rather large rectangles cut right out in the middle.

Weird, but funny! I think I’ll make a yoga bag out of the rest.

Nancy Drew wouldn't wear this.

Here's the lowdown: I have no nice shirts for uni, but heaps of dresses. I cannot wear dresses to pracs. Despite this, I continue sewing dresses. I'm slowing starting to crawl my way out of this predicament thank goodness! Here's my first effort. Is it a success? Maybe. Comfy? Mildly. Does it exude a strong pyjama-top vibe? Definitely.


I disciplined myself on Australia Day to sit down and make a comfy top from an old sheet I thrifted for $2 from Red Cross. I dug up McCall's 7562 "Make it Tonight, Wear it Tomorrow" Pattern and set about altering View A.



First off I copied the bodice onto greaseproof paper and extended it down past the natural waistline to about hip-level. I (stupidly) forgot to flare the bodice out around the hips, so it sits a little snug. No matter, it's a good learning process to go through.

See the flappy-thing at the front? This had to go, so I restructured the neckline to allow for the bib. I quickly drew out the shape for the bib and began to pintuck it. I actually love to pintuck! Weird, I know, but I find it really soothing. It was a bit fiddly sewing the bib and lace onto the bodice, but I managed to get it done without tears.


Everything else was pretty smooth sailing thank goodness! The instructions for the pattern didn't really produce the neatest garment, so next time I use it I'll probably make it up myself. Here's the front:



The back isn't as nice. It looks a bit saggy:


All in all, it's not too bad. I think it treads a very fine line between a casual blouse and a daggy pyjama top. But hey, I have another top to wear to uni :D