Josephine Blouse: A Wearable Muslin

I didn't jump on Made by Rae's Josephine pattern when it first came out, but for some reason this past Sunday I couldn't get it out of my head. Later that afternoon: an impulse purchase, a download, some printing, cutting and taping, a quick sew and ta-da! 

A wearable muslin Josephine blouse by evening's end.

I used some polka dot mystery fabric that Martha gave me (you might remember it from this Maggie Mae top or the lining of the plaid patchwork dress I made Zoe).  I think it's vintage stuff from her stash.  It's quite sheer (hence the camisole in these pics), very soft, and if you turn the iron on too hot it melts a little.  As such, it doesn't press very well and my pleats are not as crisp as they could be, but the shirt is really comfy to wear. 

I am really digging this pattern... it's super simple and quick to put together, but the pleats make it look really polished and professional.  It would go well with a pencil skirt or cigarette pants for work, but it could also be worn with jeans.  I can imagine it in lots of fabrics... I've got a pretty piece of batik silk from Indonesia that has Josephine written all over it!  I think perhaps next time I might go with sleeves that are slightly less... um... pirate-y. Maybe the straight 3/4th length sleeves from the Painted Portrait tunic?  

My methodology consisted of following the directions for view B with the exception of a few areas:

• I staystitched and sewed the binding on the neckline immediately after sewing the pleats and attaching the shoulders together (before sewing on the sleeves) because I didn't want the neckline to get distorted.  Also, I sewed the binding on the inside like a facing rather than have it show since I was using store-bought bias binding.
•  I basted together the side seams and tried it on without the back elastic to see if I wanted to add that feature or not...  I wasn't sure it would look good with the sheer fabric and I didn't feel it needed more shaping, so I omitted it for this version. 

As an aside, the slightly pink hue in all my photos is due to this pretty sunset in the other direction:

I Heart Bimaa

My last Bimaa, a purple number for Zoe, went over like gangbusters with her and her parents, so I decided to make another one for her in the next size up (3T) so she can hopefully wear it this spring and all through next fall-winter-spring, too.

I love this pattern... too cute.  This time I made it with some knit fabric Martha sent me from Joann, shawl collar version again.  I kinda wanted to make the cowl neck because it's so cute, but Jamie talked some sense into me, reminding me that the cowl would likely just morph into a receptacle for stray food bits as a result of Zoe's somewhat messy eating style.

Too Legit To Quit

To quit making toddler-sized genie pants, that it.
Another day, another pair (or two) of MC Hammer pants.

As a seasoned (sorta) expat, I feel it is my duty to mock tourists in Southeast Asia who purchase and immediately don elephant themed genie pants around town. Many times I see large groups of people (adults! tour buses full!) wearing matching elephant genie pants around town.  A bit ridiculous. But making matching elephant themed genie pants for my toddling nieces?  No problem.

I used Suburbia Soup's "You Call It" pants pattern again after my first pair (in batik) was such a big hit, both for Zoe and for the internets (it's one of my most visited posts!).  The fabric is from Chatuchak weekend market.

Five and Ten Designs Patchwork Jumper

I've had the Five and Ten Designs Volume One pattern in my stash for months now, but just got around to making something from it now.  Volume One is pretty cool: one basic bodice pattern, but instructions for 10 different fun ways to modify it.

 The plaid patchwork fabric, from the sale bin at a local Bangkok store, inspired this simple button-front version of the dress pattern for Zoe. I didn't want to attempt any of the more complicated designs with such a busy fabric.  As it was, the seams on the patchwork interfered with the armpit seams a bit, making it a bit lumpy... here's hoping big Z doesn't notice!

I lined the bodice with some thin red polka dot fabric from Martha's stash, used buttons from Chatuchak weekend market, and ironed in my new labels from ananemone on Etsy.  

Pretty cute!!

It's probably gonna be big on Zoe- I made size 4- but I figure she could wear t-shirt or blouse underneath until it fits better.

Gwen Slouchy Beret

I needed a knitting project to keep me occupied during our recent trip to Cambodia... something small and portable, with an easy-to-follow pattern.  I've been wanting to make one of those slouchy, beret-style hats for a while now.  Not that I have much call for a hat here in Bangkok, but useful when traveling to chillier climes!

I poked around on Ravelry a bit and found this cute (and free!) pattern for a lacey, slouchy beret: the Gwen Slouchy Beret.  It worked with a yarn that I already had in my stash: the super soft and light Patons Silk Bamboo (thanks, Jamie!).

The pattern was super easy to follow, knitted up really quickly and I am very happy with the final result!  I like how you can wear it two different ways and it still looks good: sort of hanging off the back of your head or down over your ears. I also like that it took almost exactly one ball of the Silk Bamboo yarn.  I've got several balls of this yarn left in eggplant purple, peacock blue and more of the moss green.  Who wants a beret?

Anita Pants in Ikat Ponte

Sorry for the break in posting!  Tim and I went to Cambodia for a week with friends... I didn't get photos of these pants before we left.  More on our trip coming soon at my other blog!

 After Thanksgiving, during the Black Friday sales, I bought this ikat print ponte fabric from Girl Charlee.  The color and pattern reminded me a lot of the traditional batik they make in Indonesia, the kind made using natural dyes.  I figured it would make a nice wrap dress or something.  Then, when perusing the sewing corner of ye olde interwebs, I got the crazy idea that the ponte could be used for some Anita Pants from Tessuti, slim, somewhat leggings-esque, angle-length pants.

I think they came out pretty cute!  I basted them together and decided to add width in the hips, thighs (shocking, I know), and crotch seam (yeah, I said crotch. what.) by using smaller seam allowances.  Without that teeny bit of extra help in those areas, I was worried they would split since the fabric was already stretched to the max there.  Other than that, by the book... a quick sew!

They're quite leggings-esque in the butt and thighs, but that's not unusual for me.  The lower leg is more pants-like.  Not sure I'll wear them with any top that doesn't cover my butt, because, in my mind, leggings are not pants. Also, I worry about camel toe.  I mean, I don't stay up nights, but it crosses my mind with regard to pants like these. But paired with a longer tunic or sweater?  That'll do, pig.

 

Next Tessuti pattern on my list: maybe the Suzy pants in slinky rayon challis?  perhaps the Tokyo jacket?  I've got both patterns, so you'll just have to wait and see!

Neon Stripe Recess Raglan

While I had my serger threaded with the proper color thread, I used the scraps from my neon and grey striped Plantain to make a cute little Recess Raglan (remember I made the long sleeve version before?).  This is the three-quarters sleeve length with a band.

I made the 2T size... not sure if it will fit niece Zoe or niece Anna better. They can duke it out.

Pretty cute!