Retro Slip Dress

Maria from work had a favourite dress that she wanted me to copy and have made especially to take on holidays (I won't tell you which shop it is from.... shhh). She brought in some material which was perfect! It is a sleeveless round neck dress that is tight fitting to just above the knees. The material is in a bright retro coloured spandex pattern and black Cavalli. Here is the end result.

It fitted her perfectly, apart from the hem length.
Hope you are having wonderful holidays Maria!

Please let me what you like about this dress? style, colours, pattern of the material?
Thanks Lee-Anne

Scrapbooking Bag

I was sick & tired of carrying around our wedding album in a bright yellow pillow case, so I made a bag to carry it around in, out of the remaining bridesmaid material. I decorated it with some ribbon and an embroidered piece with our names on it that I had spare from our wedding. It also fits a Scrapbooking Album perfectly in it. Yes, i'll be making more for each of my Scrapbooking albums!!!!

As my Aunty Jean made a beautiful scrapbook for her 60th b'day, I made her a Scrapbooking Bag for her album for it. The cream material had really nice embroidered flowers on it (apologies for the poor quality picture), so I kept the flower theme and decorated the front with her name and a few flowers on the bottom. The bag also has pockets inside to keep bits n pieces.

SI can't wait to get some time to make a bag for my Thailand Scrapbook, using some Thai Silk i bought from thailand!

I think these would sell well for Scrapbookers.... Let me know if you have any other suggestions and if you like this idea?

Cheers, Lee-Anne

Body Shapes - Sewing Inspiration Course Lesson 1

I haven't been doing much sewing lately (as both John & I have had 2nd round of the flu), so I will some info on Body Shapes. Mum & myself are doing a Sewing Inspiration Course at the moment, it is awesome!!! Here are some notes from our 1st week on Body Shapes

BODY SHAPES
It is easier to do this infront of a full-length mirror with your underwear on, although it is a bit confronting, but you do get to see your true body shape.
It is also better to ask someone who is brutal (and positive) to help you with this.

APPLE
Your tummy is bigger than your average boobs.
You carry bulk around the waist and bottom.
Your arms and legs tend to be quite thin.
What to Highlight
You can look your best by making the most of your slim limbs.
What to wear
Sharply tailored jackets (styles that sit shoftly on the hips).
Frocks that fall shoftly from the bust (the best way to camouflage a thick middle).
Long coats that swing away from the body (drags the eye long and low).
Pants with wide waistbands (prevents “spilling over”).
Flared or boot-leg jeans and patns (extra length balances the top 1/2).
Wrap tops (hide a tummy while showing off décolletage).
Anything sleeveless (people will notice your great arms).
Anything to the knee (to show off your great legs).
What not to wear
High Waisted pants (creates unwanted bulk).
Pleated pants (you don’t want ballooning fabric around your middle).
Shiny fabrics that stretch across your fullest points.
Famous Apples
Kate Winslet, Drew Barrymore, Jade Jagger

PEAR
You are bottom heavy, hips and thighs (your top ½ is notably smaller).
You have a very defined & long waistline, flat tummy.
Your shoulders and bust tend to be slightly smaller, small boobs.
What to Highlight
You need to draw attention upwards.
Play around with necklaces and scarf’s to draw the eye upwards.
What to wear
Broad V-neck tops (add width to your shoulders which balance out any width below).
Fancy necklines (sweetheart, scooped, ruched, anything to draw attention upwards).
Something soft, shiny and sparkly on top (draws attention upwards).
Low cut pants and jeans.
Pants that feature prominent vertical seams down the front.
Dark colours down below.
What not to wear
Lurec and tight satin (avoid drawing attendtion to a well-endowed butt).
Strapless numbers (they only exaggerate the different between top and bottom ½).
Pants with side pockets (unnecassary bulk).
Tapered skirts (work with flared hems instead).
Famous Pears
Katie Holmes, Sandra Bullock, Shakira, Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Lopez, Me

NOODLE/COLUMN
You are quite tall, straight and narrow.
Not much bottom or bust.
Lack a slight waistline.
Longer legs.
Shoulders same width as your hips.
What to Highlight
Your mission is to create curves in whatever way you can. Opting for layers ruching or details at the bust and hips.
What to wear
Anything that bolsters a flat chest (ruffles, detailing or ruching around the boob area).
Tailored jackets (that flare out from the waist to create instant hips).
A-line and full skirts (gives curvy hips).
Dress that gather in at the waiste (try cinching things in with a funky wide belt).
Mix and matched prints and colours (boldness created extra detailing, which equals extra body mass).
What not to wear
Plunging necklines (emphasizes what you lack up top).
Tapered pants and jeans (will make you look like a praying mantis).
Boxy, stiff designs (surefire way to look shapeless).
Famous Noodle
Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jane Fonda, Cameron Diaz

SPARKPLUG
You are petite and naturally muscular.
You have narrow hips, toned shoulders.
You’re quite short, so you can easily appear bulkier than you are.
What to Highlight
Enchance your curves and create length where you can.
What to wear
Details are the bust or waist (drapy pieces, ruffles, scarf’s, belts to accentuate womanly curves).
Boot-cut pants and jeans with high pockets (add shape and make the line of your legs appear longer).
Open-toed heels in neutral colours.
Long boots worn with narrow jeans (deceptively lengthen legs).
One colour top-to-toe (draws out your silhouette).
Strapless numbers (accencuate tones arms and shoulders).
Round cout curves using “bulking out” tricks (but only one ½ of the body at 1 time).
What not to wear
Anything out of proportion (ultrahigh heels, big shoulder pads, big bags, jewellery, long skirts).
Flat, round-toed shoes and ankle straps (will chop off, not elongate your calves).
Big prints (will swamp a small frame).
Famous Sparkplugs
Jennifer Annison, Kylie Minogue, Eva Longoria, My mum

LOVE HEART
You have bib boobs.
Your arms and stomach can be a little untoned.
You have a wide back and shoulders.
What to Highlight
You can flatter your shape by creating intered with you natural assets and creating a curvaceous look by highlighting them.
What to wear
Deep V-necklines (show off your assets while lengthening and slimming the décolletage).
Small camisole underneath (drawy the eyes down but still maintain modesty).
Wrap tops and dresses (the crossover effect “lifts and separates” and adds a waistline).
Bold prints on your lower half (draw attention down balancing your overall shape).
Long Draping coats with big lapels (create a streamlines look).
Softly flared pants and jeans (balance out the shape below).
Fluted sleeves (add elegance to a busy torso and flatter bigger arms).
What not to wear
Spaghetti straps, capped sleeves and halter necks (make shoulder and arms look like a body builder).
Chunky knits (adds extra bulk right where you don’t want it).
High necked tops (looks like you’re imprisoning your breasts).
Avoid any kind of fussiness around your décolletage-frills, chunky jewellery, bows etc).
Famous Love Hearts
Halle Berry, Jassica Simpson, Salma Hayek

I am still to find some pictures on the LoveHeart an Sparkplug. There are also many different versions on Body Shapes, Trinny & Susannah have about 11. The best thing to do it find out which one suits you and learn what clothes suit that body shape. When i am doing the structure for my "Custom Dressmaking Party Plan" i will be using it around the different body shapes...

Let me know if you found this interesting? and I can post some more on it. Or if you prefer just to look at pictures of things i make (I won't get offended with negative feedback... i promise...)

Thanks Lee-Anne

Chiffon Shirt

I made this top a few years ago and I still wear it. I used a basic shirt pattern and didn't even bother about putting the collar on, darts in or buttons on. I rolled the hem (to stop fraying) and then used brown braid around all the hems to finish it off. I cut 2 triangle pieces for each sleeve and created open sleeves and used the brown braid around the hems. With nice chifon fabric, you don't even need a collar or hard sleeves to insert, so simple but effective! This will be in my collection.
Here you can see the sleeves with the slit at the top to open them. Of-course you wear it with a lycra singlet top underneath.
Please give me some feedback whether you like this top or have any suggestions?

Have a nice day!
Lee-Anne

Simple Casual Top

Here is a casual top I made a while ago. I purchased the knit material from Fabric Gallery in Greenwood (WA) and I loved the colour tones of it (pitty they don't stock it anymore...) This top is so comfy, however the neck lines doesn't sit well on me (after ready a bit about Body Shapes, I know now why!). Even though it doesn't suit my Body Shape, i'll still wear it, as I love it!

The top has a wide neckband and sits wide on the shoulders, it is gathered at the centre front of the neckband and at the side of the sleeves. The sleeve are capped and gathered. The top falls nice and the belt works well to give it some shape. Looks great with black jeans! Everyone always asks me which pattern I used, Simplicity 3681 and it would look nice in a knee length dress!

Please let me know if you would wear a top like this and what you would like to wear it with? I would like to get feedback and see what type of tops people wear the most?

Happy Mothers Day to my mummy! and to all the other mum's out there!

Enjoy your day!!! Lee-Anne

Summer Chiffon Top

I picked up a few metres of black & white printed chiffon, which I didn't really like at the time, but it was $2 a mtr! However after making this top out of it, I really like it and it's one of my favourites.


It is a very flowing loose top with a triangle neck and gathered at the point and shoulders. The tiny sleeves have black satin binding around the edges and it has a black tie around the waist. It is really good with black pants or jeans. As it is chiffon, I always wear a black singlet underneath.

I would like to know if people wear much chiffon or do they save it for a special occasion?
Hope you are enjoying looking at my creations! Thank you, Lee-Anne

Grey/Silver Bubble Top

I really like this top, it is made out of a grey stretch knit fabric with a sliver sparkle through it. It is gathered under the front top and back bands, it has a very wide band around the hips which has a bubble look at the bottom. I added some gunmetal grey jewels around the top band to finish it off.

Do people like to have versatile tops in their wardrobe? For example, this top you can wear out to dinner with pants or you can wear it with jeans and a denim jacket?
If anyone can think of a name to suit this top, let me know!

Thanks Lee-Anne