Autumn palette challenge progress.

It has been incredibly hot this week in Sydney. We have had eight consecutive days of temperatures over 35oC (thats 95F) - something that has not occurred in 150 years. And to top it off, last night was the hottest night on record for 40 years (it was still 33oC/91F at midnight). With only one tiny fan that blows the hot air around our small apartment, it goes without saying that not much sleep has been had this week.

So all I have been able to do is lie in front of the fan, drink lots of water, and plan my Autumn Palette Challenge...

I have mostly been thinking about what fabric I want to use to make this Simplicity Jacket and Skirt. Tilly made a nice version of this pattern in purple with a contrasting blue lining, but purple is not in my palette so I think I will make it in a navy blue pique fabric with a Liberty lining.

Here is what I think I will use:

A solid navy blue pique fabric available on eBay at the moment.

Tana Lawn navy blue Wiltshire for the lining - isn't this a great print?!.

I think this will look really cute with the Wiltshire lining, I just hope that the scalloped edge of the jacket isn't lost on the darkness of the fabric.

Sam xox

Scalloped edges.

As you know I am loving the "Betty Draper" suit jacket Tilly made recently. I finally found the pattern for sale online last week in my size - so now it is on its way to me. Finding people's blogs who have made vintage garments I like is pretty exciting! If I love the garment enough I go in search of the vintage pattern they have used on eBay, Etsy, and other online vintage pattern stores. This search can take many weeks, sometimes months, as I search and wait for the pattern to appear for sale in my size. Does anyone else find this the tricky part of vintage clothes making? Actually finding the pattern in your size?

What I like about this jacket is that it is lightweight enough for Australian autumn/winter weather. I also like the femininity of the scalloped edges. I think they are a really cute feature and help the jacket to look good when it is buttoned up.

Speaking of scalloped edges, the Burda Style website recently wrote a brief piece on sewing scalloped edges. Even if you are not considering making a garment with scallops any time soon, it is still worth checking out for the gorgeous photos of vintage clothing. Just lovely.

On a side note, I have been working on my Sewing Homework this week and will be "handing it in" on Friday :-)

Sam xox

Jacket with standing collar.

I have been wanting to make a waist length jacket for a while now. In my wardrobe I have three trench coat sized jackets and a couple of cardigans. I need something in between to get me through the changing season. Burda Style have released their latest magazine patterns online and I have fallen in love with the blue jacket on the bottom right.

Image borrowed from BurdaStlye.com here.

We are going into Spring at the moment here in Sydney so I would have to pick the jacket fabric carefully... I think a trip to Tessuti Fabrics is in order!

Sam xox