May 19, 2013 | 
Author 
I’ve been listening to lots of different podcasts lately while I’ve been sewing, I’m loving Professor Blastoff- with Tig Notoro, Kyle Dunnigan and David HuntsBerger they have had me laughing out loud on a daily basis with their silly banter and downright stupid segments like Name that Punky and Boring Texts what can I say it’s my kind of humor and I just love Tig too bits, listening to her talk about her shittiest year yet where she was diagnosed with breast cancer having a double mastectomy and that’s not before learning she had pneumonia and then her mum passed away. Listening to her journey really makes you look at life differently, appreciate those closest around you and well, to basically just get over yourself. It’s a great show if podcasts are your thing. Another podcast I like is Marc Maron’s WTF, once you fast forward 10 minutes past all the gobbly goop and get stuck into the interview you realise just how brilliant Marc is, he’s not afraid to ask those questions and he does it in a way that never seems forced he’s clever like that. My all time favourite has to be when he interviews Fiona Apple episode 284 and asks her politely like, what the hell happened there? And when she talks about the Hummingbird? I was so engrossed I didn’t realise I had stopped sewing. It’s a brilliant interview. Do you have any favourites?
This outfit is like denim on denim but it’s wax on wax. Wax on, wax off Daniel son. I wasn’t too sure what to team the bomber jacket with so I just reached for this skirt. Too much? Both will be sold separately in my little shopalop - Oh and the rayon Aztec Maxi Skirt up there ^ She’s nice yeah? I do love the bold print, too nice to slice up into something smaller. I think it works for all seasons, probably no good for shovelling snow though unless of course you suffer for fashion…
…a bit like moi in this shot, I’m freezing my knees off here guys I guess I’m trying to show you that this cropped fully lined, batik bomber can be quite versatile wearing them with a killer pair of shorts and a nice wedge. These shorts however are not 100% killer so I’ll be hanging onto them, I can look not so 100% killer jogging in them.
Thanks for your lovely comments last week, I havent quite gotten around to writing back to you just yet OR go blog-hopping, when I do get the chance to sit at the computer all I want to do is pin shit I wish I had another pair of hands *sigh* Hope you’re having lots of fun sewing your new flashy outfits. I’m off to clean up around here, thread everywhere and it’s best I feed the kids sometime soon.
Happy Sewing
Hi guys it’s finally here ‘The Sew Bossy Initiative’ post, I know its been a while, let me fill you in if you’re wondering what I’m talking about. The very talented Heather-Lou of Closet Case Files and total babe and all-round kickarse lady of all of sewing blogdom Oona came up with the idea of swapping and sewing up one another’s personal style. You can read more about it over on this post. Heather-Lou put together a fantasy list of talent and BAM just like that the ever so wonderful and very talented super babe from Serbia, Ivana of Mokosha and I were teamed up to get busy.
I spent what seemed hours lurking her blog, scrolling through pages and pages of super awesome outfit posts admiring her style and gorgeous photos, you really do get a sense of who this lovely, talented lady is. I stopped dead at this post, the dress, the topic-books *sings* and grave digging on Friday the 13th?! Seriously, I know I’m late to the party but hell girl that dress is killer and I now have a list —-this long—- of new books to add to my bedside table. Thank you for the inspiration.
Lets talk about the dress, after exchanging details over Facebook Ivana sent me a little box full of goodies, I was so intrigued to find out what I had to sew I stood there clapping my hands like an excited 5-year-old girl letting out little squeals of delight. The box held the fabric along with the bodice pattern of her very favourite Mokosha dress, a black or white zip —the choice was mine, thread and ribbon along with a beautiful little note with instructions and a cute illustration of what she was after. I couldn’t wait to get stuck in.
Guys she is Sew Bossy, like you wouldn’t believe 
Ivana wanted a fitted bodice with facings-CHECK, a full gathered skirt-CHECK, and an exposed zip-CHECK! The bodice pattern she sent was spot-on no need for alterations and the skirt was easy peasy, I added pockets, I’m a lover of pockets in dresses are you? The dress took around two hours to complete and the fabric which I believe is a heavy woven cotton? Was perfect to work with and complements the cut of dress perfectly.
So what do you think guys, have I managed to do Mokosha’s style justice or is it more of an injustice? I think it’s a super fun happy dress. It’s not what I’d go for at this stage of my ever-evolving style cycle but there is every chance I could reach for this when summer swings back around. I havent seen Ivana’s outfit yet so I’m just as excited as you are, she loved the fabric and was happy with what she made, so that’s good news!! I’m waiting in anticipation so keep your eye on your BlogLovin or your Feedly feeds (or whatever you use) for the outcome. In the meantime maybe pop over to Carolyns blog and see what she whipped up for the Sew Bossy Initiative with the lovely Reana-Louisa as her bossy partner.
I’m off to catch-up on my blog reading, I’m so bad at keeping track —just so you know. I tend to spend a couple of hours a month catching up. That’s not good, I should really fix that.
Well I have to say I was over the moon last week when I opened my little Etsy shop, I sold two items to two supportive and very lovely readers of my blog, super chuffed. I put up a Facebook page and in one day I had a stream of ‘Likes’ and lots of well wishes from all over the place, thanks so much guys, your support means a lot to me. The shop will be a slow process and I’m okay with that.
So, for this week I have to say that this post is not visually consistent, it does bother the graphic-design side of me but what can you do? I really don’t want to do three separate posts, I’ve made two kimono’s and a mini tartan and batik dress for the shop. I drafted up a pair of knickers that went straight in the bin-TERRIBLE, and I’ve sewn up my Sew Bossy Initiative dress, taken the photos but havent written the post just yet. But for now I’ll just quickly talk about what came off my machine this week.
This fabric is just stunning don’t you think? silky satin rose print on black, it just screamed kimono. I took my time with this, you really have to it’s a tricky, slippery fabric, I’m really pleased with the outcome and it looks fantastic on. I love the drape and the drama, especially when you lift up your arms and the roses appear. It reminds me of something the very stylish Catherine Baba might wear.
I’ve serged all edges and straight stitched the hem and arm openings down. There is a neck band that travels from the bottom centre front opening up to the neck and back down the other side the tie is supported by the carriers that are sitting either side of the waist.
I wish I could keep it .
It looks like my feet are on the wrong way, I have my legs crossed under my dress.
There are printed peacocks on this silk, peacocks darling p e a c o c k s ! they’re so pretty on this pink. Do you like pink? I don’t mind it actually, that suit I made the other week looks fab in pink. I think this would look great with a apple green pant or skirt. The black is a tad harsh. I think.
I have finished this kimono off the same as the Black Rose kimono and because it’s silk it’s hard to have it sit straight when I’m photographing.
It feels and looks amazing on, another piece I’ll find hard to part with, at least I can admire it until she finds a happy home.
This is a simple shift mini dress. I really wanted to use two different fabrics that you would never dream of putting together; tartan and cotton batik, to my eye it works.
The front of the dress is cotton batik with a front bodice piece of tartan that I’ve cut on the bias and have frayed. To break up the tartan I made a loop panel from the batik that is sewn into the neckline and held down with a big button.
Perfect for summer and if you throw on a pair of jeans or tights? who know’s where the dress could take you.
Oh and yes, YES there are pockets, I love pockets. What’s a dress without pockets right? AND I have enough fabric to make another one.
and that’s it for today, sorry it sounded so rushed, it kind of is really, I guess I need to manage my time a little better I still have to pop this stuff up onto Etsy, write the Sew Bossy post and and it’s Mothers Day arrr. So. much. to. do. I might just sit down later and have me a big glass of red wine. *Ching Ching* to all you lovely mums out there have a lovely, lovely day.
