SEWN: Polka Dot Cape

Pattern: Simplicity 2030 (Sew Simple)

Fabric: Velour, navy polka dots on white background

This cape is made of velour, just like Zapp Brannigan's suit. But this cape is more awesome than Zapp Brannigan's suit. I think I bought this fabric earlier this year when it was on sale. The polka dots and the plush, shiny look of the fabric blew me away the very moment I laid eyes on it and I knew I had to get it. I don't know why, but for some reason, the fabric screamed, 'KATE SPADE!' to me. 

Wearing the cape with ASOS sunnies, DIY denim, and red lipstick

Within a minute of deciding that I was going to buy the fabric, I also decided that I was going to make a cape with the fabric, regardless of the suitability of velour as a material for making something that is meant to keep a person warm in winter. Oh, and also, the pattern does not recommend the use of velour at all. Sense 0 - Sensibility 1. 

But hey, the end product isn't too bad! I didn't make a muslin but simply made some alterations to the pattern based on my... intuition... and how the cape looks on the white silhouette on the front of the envelope. These are the changes that I made:


- Raised arm holes
- Shortened cape
- 3 hook and eye instead of the 4 prescribed by the pattern
- Additional topstitch all around the bottom which was not stated in the pattern. I did this to make the fabric stay in place since my fabric is quite light. Without the topstitch, the bottom of the cape looked puffy as the velour is not heavy enough.

The cape

Detail

I reckon the arm holes can still be raised a tad more. Regardless, I am still happy with how the cape turned out. Now, let me lay the cape to sleep into my wardrobe and I shall find an opportunity to wear it when I'm back from my clinical placement in Albury.

Let me know what you think of this polka dot cape! :)

Sewn: Polka Dot Rain Hat (inspired by Cath Kidston)

I am a big fan of Cath Kidston's designs and I've actually been eyeing the Cath Kidston Spot Rain Hat for several months, always 'umm-ing' and 'ah-ing' over whether I really should buy the hat. Firstly, I already have many hats. Secondly, I have a hat pattern in my pattern stash which I thrifted a while ago and I knew I could make a similar one if I had the right fabric. Then, the day came when I found a PVC polka dot fabric remnant in the remnant bin in Spotlight. It was just enough to make one hat! I can't even remember the cost. I think it was probably less than $2! Lucky~

Sewing pattern circa 1989

Work in progress

Close-up of stitches. I had fun making the exterior stitches. No, that was not sarcasm.

Pattern: Simplicity 9135 (Hat No. 2)
Fabric: Polka dot PVC and royal blue cotton



The Simplicity 9135 hat pattern is really quite easy to sew. But unfortunately, it's a tad too big for my head. I didn't bother to alter the pattern to make it smaller for this project. I think I can make do with a big hat - for now. Perhaps I will resize the pattern when I make another hat with the same pattern... 

On a similar note, the weather here in Sydney has been bizarre. It's the middle of summer but there's no clear blue skies or the warm sunshine. The sky has mostly been crowded with dark heavy clouds that seem like they would burst into tears any moment. 


But honestly, I don't really care because I spend most of my days hiding away from the world in a clinic for my uni placement. Also, if I do go out on the weekends, I have a rain hat to chase those grey clouds away. 


xx.


Image credits: PuglyPixels, Pretty Poodle, ASOS

Sewn: Candyman's culottes

Ok, this is the 3rd clothing item that I have sewn from scratch. After attending a very short course on dressmaking in 2009, my sewing projects have been progressing at a snail's pace. Also, I am beginning to think that I have an extremely poor taste at choosing fabric. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know that my very second sewing attempt did not go very well. The form and fit of the dress was great, but the prints on the fabric made it look like sleepwear. 

All the girls look so lovely in their culottes. Sewing pattern circa 1996

I cut the pieces in Feb 2011 and only completed it in Jul 2011.

I am utterly heartbroken and grief-stricken that this pair of culottes has suffered the same fate as the abovementioned dress. This pair of culottes is made using a vintage Simplicity 9686 pattern (design A) that I got from a thrift shop over a year ago. Apparently, vertical red and white stripes aren't a good choice for making culottes. I chose this design because I wanted my shorts to look like something that an ice-cream/candy seller would wear. Of course, not just any ice-cream/candy sellers, but the ones working in fairs where there's fun and laughter everywhere. Doesn't that just sound fantastic? Unfortunately, the plan fell through.

Disappointed.

My friends and brothers said that my culottes look like a pair of boxers. Maybe I am in complete denial, but I think this pair of culottes might just look all right if I wear it with other complementary clothing items. I am quite determined not to let this pair of culottes that I have painstakingly put together become sleepwear that I will only wear at home. In my own opinion, I think they look ok with my 'I HEART PARIS' tee and with the hems folded up (like in the picture below). What do you guys think? Please tell me your most honest opinion!

P.S.: I took these pictures during the height of winter, just for this blog entry! Brrrr....


P.P.S.: Uni starts again tomorrow! I hope I can still continue to write on this blog consistently...