Friday 30 March 2018

Otari Hoodie - Scroop Patterns Test


Namaste, guys!

So, I've had the honour to be a pattern tester for Leimomi Oakes (aka "the Dreamstress" from Scroop Patterns.) I can't say how happy that made me, and I owe it all to the neighbour's cat. :)

The pattern has officially been released today, it really did take me some effort to hold back this long. :)

Leimomi designed a basic hoodie pattern, which is really really neat. Really really neat. I can't say often enough, how neat this pattern is. My gosh, it is neat. And offers so much space for choosing fabrics. From elegant to cute and romantic to wild I'd say anything goes. You can buy the pattern here:   https://www.scrooppatterns.com/products/otari-hoodie (which I really recommend to do...)

There are two pocket and two hood views in it, that can be mixed. The instructions are very very clear, with super nice finishing touches for pockets and the zip (superneat!!), so this is a piece you even love to look at from the inside. Yes. Exactly. Maybe you know what I mean. A comfortable covered neckline (looks and feels good) and an ingenious covered zip (outside and inside, but you can also make it so the zip shows outside) make this look so professional. But at the same time, it is not difficult to make, so no worries, this is perfect pattern if you've not made a hoodie before. Also nice is the fact it doesn't need excessive amounts of fabric, so this hoodie can be made rather economically.

I've been wearing it a lot already and it's so comfy. As you can see, I've really tried with the pattern matching, but something happened at the center front. Whatever it was, it didn't have anything to to with the pattern.

I chose to make the pointy hood (as you probably noticed in the first picture..) and the bound pockets. The sizing is really precise and it has a nice close but not too tight fit. Just perfect. Apart from grading between the sizes, I didn't need to make any adjustments.

covered zip (inside and out) and bound neckline. Pockets bound. Neat. Superneat. 

I really enjoyed making this pattern. I was given it for free as a pattern tester (so obviously I had the test version) but I didn't receive anything else and all of these opinions are entirely my own.

Audrey Hepburn - Gorgeous eye Make-up!



Found on google.de, this wonderful picture of Audrey Hepburn
Completely unrelated to anything, I came across this photograph showing Audrey Hepburn. It is probably a film still, because she is wearing the exact same eye make up in the film "how to steal a million" from 1966. So beautiful.

There are actually a few tutorials on youtube about this make up, but none of them do the beauty of this justice, so I am not including them.

Wednesday 7 March 2018

Sewing plans for 2018

Photo by Fleur Treurniet on Unsplash

You wouldn't believe it, but I have plans for 2018. A lot of plans and also sewing plans. Here they are.


- A Dirndl (Bavarian style) for Little Miss No 1 for her first day to school (September). I have the pattern already and a book on Austrian Dirndl making, so I am trying to make it in a more traditional style, sort of a mix between Austrian and Bavarian (sorry), with cartridge pleats and apron and maybe even smocking. I have chosen a fabric already and I hope it won't be sold out by the time i get around to buying the supplies (probably July). (#DONE - I didn't have the time in the end to make it really traditional, but I think it's ubercute anyway - blogpost to come soon).

- Maybe a Dirndl for myself, using the same traditional techniques. Although that's not really a priority.

- It also seems my jeans are giving up - which means I will have to face the challenge to make trousers for myself. -  #DONE! I made Ginger Jeans!!! (I fact I made several n 2018 - FOUR! and I am planning Morgan Jeans...)

- black linen trousers for summer (remake of favourite summer trousers - which are falling apart, too... all trousers seem to be giving up on me this year) (#DONE!)

- also I would like to make a shirt with a massive cowl collar (check out gaiaconceptions.com's super cowl shirt; I ALSO really like their "love me 2 times sari simplicity" thingy ... would be nice to make that and dye it with natural dyes... some day...)

- and my biggest plan Using up fabric from the stash. I also have this lovely black satin jersey in the stash, which I might make into a pencil skirt, or into a backless shirt. Or a backless dress, if I have enough fabric. But again, I have to draft the pattern first, then make a muslin and then see... :) - which means I have to go through it thoroughly and think about what I really need. Maybe a Jade Skirt?

- I've also got a lot of scraps of knit fabric... maybe some undies (#DONE!)

- make a pillow cover from an old (favourite) t-shirt (that shrunk...) and fabric from stash

- I could do with a proper swimsuit and/or bikini that fits... I am tempted to make the Bombshell Swimsuit by Closetcase Patterns,  I need some good instructions (update: I got the pattern...)

- A woolen winter coat to replace the one that is falling apart... an "everyday winter coat"

- I am really eyeing up that Wrapped Cardigan by Seamly - that could be an Autumn Project. Or maybe I take the pattern from a cardigan I've got, which I really really like.

- Probably by the end of this year I will need to make some black t-shirts... long and short sleeved - mine are slowly gowing thin from washing... or maybe something like the Bethioua Shirt... maybe self drafted...

- I am thinking about making leggings, but these are not a priority

- I also am keen on making a Jade Skirt  by Paprika Pattern. So wonderfully asymmetrical! (' DONE  and I've even made 2 - picture and blogpost to come!)

- I've got the fabric for another Satsuki Tunic and a Vogue 8728 dress... in black.

I have the distinctive feeling, my plans for 2018 will make it into 2019 and possibly 2020. :)