Mirroring Suzy Bee Sews - Life So Strange It Should Be Fiction

So my darling daughter asks if I could whip her up a new skirt for work. Her request was for a skirt, just above knee length, in black. Nothing fancy – ‘it’s just for work’ she informs me. Naturally I jump at the chance - a valid excuse to sew!!! Within 5 minutes I am holed up in my sewing room rummaging through the pattern stash. Finally found a pattern I had been meaning to try myself. Simplicity 2451 – 2 skirts in 2 lengths. Great excuse now to give it a go. Within the hour I had flown down to the local fabric store to grab the required fabric and bits and pieces needed. Already I am picturing my (OK her) skirt completed, with button detail and a trendy exposed zipper at the back. First thing was to lengthen the skirt pattern and for this I added on an extra 12cm throughout the bottom section of the skirt. My daughter is 188cm tall so has never really been able to pop into a shop and pick up a massed produced skirt at a suitable length. So this skirt will be at the exact length s...

I had this linen fabric in my stash for a year or so now, with the original intention of making a dress. But instead, plans change, and I have whipped up two tops instead, which I need much more for work at the moment. First use of the fabric went to...Burda 7508 View A and here is my version of the top... Ok, doesn't suit jeans, but my intention is to have it as a work top. And with this neckline I don't have to worry about a necklace as the feature is built in. Just have to add a few chunky bracelets and away I go!!! The front button and neck details... My full review can be seen at PatternReview. All in all this is a quick and easy top with a few interesting design features. It suits this soft linen and will certainly be worn this coming school term.

Recently the sewing room had a mini-makeover. Brilliant, but a few minor hiccups have resulted, one being a major problem. The new doors are beautiful staggered doors to open up the room... Downside is that I have lost the door handle and hooks on the back of the old door which always had been in full use with 'under construction' garments hanging in readiness. Solution...a trip to IKEA and the purchase of a bathroom towel rail... Now I have soooo much hanging space!!! Room for not just my current garments, but also for a few accessories (new fabric, necklaces, scarves) to motivate my next projects...The four arms are movable to accommodate a huge amount of hangers, and also it is high enough on the wall to hang long dresses or pants as needed. How is that for thinking outside the box??? And those unfinished garments are in full view to make me guilty for not finishing them before starting the next one - where the fun is in that I don't know!!! Oh, and one other idea was to...

I am still on holidays and sewing strongly. Another skirt, must be something in the 'Spring-air' that is setting me off on a skirt tangent at the moment. But I am noticing a strange use of 'boring beige' of late in my sewing. Will have to watch the old colour palette closely. Here is the cover version of Vogue 8561 by Marcy Tilton... And here is my version... (Not the best light for the photos, but this isn't a photo blog!!!) Not bad, good fit and a slender line to the drape of the skirt. As usual I tweaked the pattern a tad to suit me. The major change I made was to reduce the pocket size down by 75%. Easy enough to scan the pattern and reduce it. Originally the pocket made me feel/look very hippy and lopsided - the proportions just weren't there. But once I adjusted the pocket it did seem to look as if it belonged on my hip. And also with the pocket I sewed the button through all layers to secure the pocket down. Don't think it will ever be used as a pocke...

Ashlee is after some new summer 'easy' tops for Uni. How funny is it when after 12 years at school, wearing the same school uniform, they now realise just how lucky they had it??? 12 years of not having to look 'in-fashion'. So quick-sew tops are top of the list. This was at her Graduation from highschool... I have whipped these up tonight, though Ashlee is not home. Hopefully they will be a neat little surprise in the morning. Here she is just leaving with her best friend late this afternoon, heading out to an 'Art's Academy' function. Didn't they have fun dressing up for their night out...(mind you, the lining for her dress was only sewn in mid-afternoon. Who said we wouldn't have the dress ready in time???)... Here is McCall's 5586 in an interlock fabric, modern with cute little sunglasses strewn across the design. It really whipped up in no time...and with just 1 metre of fabric - who could complain about that.. Hopefully after a few washes t...

Ok, that time of the year to update the wardrobe in the skirt department. 'Down Under' we are coming out of our so-called Winter season and quickly heading into spring. Where does the year go??? So winter pants can be hung away, and the skirts can take over. First new skirt of the season is Vogue 7880. An interesting design with a shaped overskirt. My fabric choice is a very light, well draped 76% wool/21% nylon/ 3% pu blend. Now even the shop assistant was stumped at the 3%pu component of the fabric, but it is related to the stretch of the fabric. It has a very slight 'give' to it. The fabric is of Japanese origin, and of a very well produced standard. The colour is great with it not being a true dark grey, but light enough to wear the new Spring colours with. This shade of green suits it, as does the apricot colourings. I am wondering after looking at these pictures if the skirt is a little 'high-waisted' or not. It felt perfect when wearing, but maybe it just...

Just wanted to post a few photos of my daughter in a few of the fantastic outfits she models at various places. All I want to do is jump up on the catwalk and check out the outfits - you know, peek at the seams and the finishing. Even snapping these few photos is frowned upon. Poor daughter is always worried that one day I might just actually do it....keeps her on her toes!!! This first one is a lovely coat creation....fantastic colours.... But I shuddered at the 'creation' underneath... Next is a version of 'The Wedding'. Luckily it was the headgear that was being presented.... Next up is a LBD, mind you, it is very little when you are over 6 foot tall...luckily not a breeze on the catwalk.... Now this next one I liked. The pants where a beautiful cut, but the top was creative in that the seam from underarm to waist was not sewn. Technical hitch, or creative insight. Either way, trouble if you lifted your arm.... Another wedding dress. This was just breathtaking in the...