And so it was

Results are in for week 3 of "The Sew Off"
I didn't make the top 3 so I'm out :(
It really was a fantastic sewing experience.
Seriously I was amazed that I got through to the top 12 let alone coming 5th!
My sewing skills have definitely improved and I feel slightly more daring about what I can actually do :)
Here is a recap of the competition
Week 1 - Kids Clothing

I really love that velvet coat - it washes up really well too!
Week 2 - Home Decor

I am so glad I finally got to this project and I am slowly letting the kids use it again lol
Week 3 - For You

I really HATE modeling lol but I love my new clothes and bag

I had a great idea for the final week but it will have to wait a bit. I am doing
Kids Clothes Week
but I will only spend 1 hour a day instead of 8-10 hours lol

I will link it up with 
Sew Geeky
when it is finished ;)

I will leave you with this last picture of me because it will be awhile before you see anymore!

Stephanie xoxo

All in a Flap

I am finding it hard to believe that here I am in week 3 of

Vote here

The theme this week was
"Something for yourself"
I totally did that last week with the couch, all the kids are too scared to sit on it because it's mum's couch lol
The boys even freaked out when I asked them to jump on it for my last post and got off as soon as I said we were finished :)
Anyway if last week had me out of my comfort zone this week was like going from the frying pan into the fire!

I am not a fan of sewing for myself. The first time I did it looked like this

Yep making that a small picture lol

I have also made myself a long red velvet skirt that my kids call the curtain skirt (you wont be getting a picture of that lol)
I learnt this week that I'm not a great model either

These are the ones I could just handle you seeing - trust me there was worse!!!!
I much prefer to be on the other side of the camera - a big thank you to Kate Walter for putting up with me saying "I don't know what to do" every 5 seconds
Now that all of that is out of the way lets get on with talking about what I actually made this week.

All in a Flap

A moderntwist on a 1920's look.

This outfit includes

1.  grey pin stripe pants “designer fabric”(I’m not sure what thatmeans, but its definitely got spandex in it) The spandex makes this so comfortable, I defintely feel like I can bend over without splitting them lol. It was my first go at drafting pants for myself. They have an elasticated top so look dressy enough but are comfy like PJs :)
2.  bold printheavy satin drop waisted top with bronze hand sequined neck detailing. I love sequins it must be the performer in me ;)The top was a fairly simple idea almost like this one from Simlpe Simon and Co. I added some sleeve shaping and it has short splits at the top and a some shaping in the neck hole. It was the top that was inspired by the 1920's kinda based on "The One Hour Dress" It just has a casing for 1.5 inch elastic just under the hip mark so it can be hitched up.
3.  refashioned black cardigan (was a turtle neck sweater). I have had this sweater/jumper for about 8 years and I have loved it. This is its second refashion. I ripped the turtle neck off after about a year, they don't really suit me. It's really stretchy and quite thin so great for a spring/autmn outfit.
4.  drill and satin bag with 3 internal pockets for my phone, purseand glasses. I LOVE this bag. I was inspired by this one

You can buy this one for$320 

Mine cost me about $40

There you have it, my modern take on a 1920's outfit

Now if you will excuse I might just watch some Downton Abbey in my new outfit on my new couch :)

after I vote of course, I would be thrilled if you did too, pretty please :)

Vote here Stephanie xoxo

A Little Crazy

Partying hard over here :)

I am just over the top excited to announce I made it through to week 3 of

Now get off my couch!

On My Own Wave Length

VOTE FOR ME HERE

This weeks theme is Home Decor 

I have been planning on recovering my lounge for ages.

 I can't believe I let people sit on that couch :O

I would say Bec from Chasing Cottons inspired me with this post back in 2011

Then about 6 months ago I came across this post at HoneyBearLane

These were both great post but I found it easier just to do my own thing :)

I started by unsewing the seat covers.

I traced around the all the parts to make my patterns and then added seam allowances.

I then had my first go at making piping (yep you heard right my first go)

I heve heard that you can get a piping foot for your sewing machine but I didn't have one so I used my zipper foot. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and I think it helps it look more finished.

The seats are covered in a cream and gold jacquard material and I have scotch guarded it.

(I have threatened the children with death if I catch them eating or drinking on it lol)

Cadbury Top Deck lol

Because my children are most likely going to ignore me about the food I decided to not use cream for the base. I chose a medium brown suede.

My goodness suede is as hard to work with as velvet (except there aren't bits everywhere)

You need to be really focused so it doesn't move or does move when you need it to.

As I mentioned above when it was finished it looked a little like Top Deck chocolate, so I added some scatter cushions.

I only used materials I had in my stash!

I wanted to try something different.

Chevron is everywhere right now and I love it. A good friend of mine (got me into sewing) Kate is a quilt designer and blogger and recently posted a tutorial for her Frequency Quit, she calls it a wonky zigzag/chevron design and it looked fun and relatively simple.

Simple is good right?

Well each cushion took me 6 hours to make, umm so maybe not so simple

I was however really happy with my work!

I haven't done any quilting for quite some time and certainly enjoyed it, but I'm not in a hurry to do anymore soon.

(actually my fingers really hurt from hand sewing the binding to the back)
I'm glad I only did 2, the other 2 took 10 minutes each max!

I have learnt so much about sewing from this project!
and a lot about myself too :)

and while I am happy with the result I'm not sure I'm in a hurry to do it again, unfortunately for me I haven't really got a choice

it was a matching pair.
This ones in even worse shape lol
Ok now its time to go vote!

Stephanie xoxo

WooHoo

I GOT THROUGH!!!!!

"I'm sorry what was that you got through to the next round of

"Kool"

A big thank you to everyone who voted for me! 
it was very close and some very talented women left the competition :(
Now I'm off to work on this weeks theme
Home Decor
Wish me luck!

Stephanie xoxo

"Too Kool for Skool"

Little Kool J (LKJ)
Watch out Little Ladies LKJ is in the house 
(or out of the house I'm not real sure lol)
This little guy will have them dropping like flies

LKJ is ready for anything
perhaps you need a date for the prom

He can certainly impress on the dance floor

He can lay it on for ya mother or play it kool for your friends

and he'll make you catch your breath with his death defying stunts

Oh no there are 2 of you ?

No problems he's got a brother

Little Kool D (LKD)

There you have it my entry for 
week 1

My Outfit includes

1  fully lined blue velvet jacket 
Pattern base : The Little Gentleman Suit Jacket by Peek-a-boo

with Denim pockets and gold decorative stitching
The denim pockets were from a pair of jeans I bought tat were too big :)
I loved the pockets though and I think they give the jacket a slightly grungy feel while still looking really dressy.

1 refashioned white shirt

found in the throw away pile (had lost all it's buttons)

new and extra buttons, button holes and decorative gold stitching.
I love the look of double buttons, I redid all the button holes as well as adding the extra ones so they would all look the same.

1 traditional bow tie

here’s an alright tutorial

while that tutorial will work fine I will at some stage write up how to make your own pattern because I couldn't get their idea to work other than to trace one but then my mathematical brain kicked in now I know how it works :)
I used a double layer of heavy interfacing to make it fuller. I watched a video(don't know which one) on how to tie a bow tie and it suggested to use thicker fabric for a fuller look but I love this fabric and it is wafer thin so hence the interfacing.

1 pair of suspenders

Black elastic, button holes to attach to the pants and gold decorative stitching
Just two long pieces of elastic, they cross over at the back.
Not really interesting I know but now I will tell you about my gold decorative stitching (also seen on the Jacket and Shirt). I used two threads in the top of the machine and two threads in the bobbin  I was so worried the bobbin ones wouldn't work, but they did, no problems. The colours I used were brown and a non-shiny gold. Gives it that grungy

dressed up feel again :)

1 pair skinny leg elasticated grey drill pants with contrasting pockets

To make my pattern I traced around some pj’s and then took 2 inches off the width of each pattern piece.The contrasting pockets are the same fabric as the bow tie. For some reason I have gotten into the habit of using 4 million different fabrics for one outfit so I do like to have crossovers so it doesn't just look like I closed my eyes and hoped for the best as I put it together lol.
There are buttons inside the pants at the front and the back to attach the suspenders.

Well that felt like 2 posts lol
Now if you love this as much as I do (and I totally love it!!!!!)
Please go vote for it and me by clicking here

Stephanie xoxo