The Hunter Tank - A Sewing Tutorial Series...

Hey everyone,

Let's get onto some Hunter Tank tutorials shall we? 

Below is a little list of some of the tutorials I've already photographed and will be posting about in regards to The Hunter Tank. If you have any other techniques you're interested in knowing a bit more about, let me know in the comments and I'll add them to my list.

• Perfecting the Hunter Tank Centre Seam
• Beautiful French Seams
• Delicate Rolled Hems without a Special Sewing Foot

Hope you're keeping warm (or staying cool!),

xx

J

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* Fabric used for The Hunter Tank above is Frou Frou Floral in Blue.

An Autumn Afternoon...

I've just realised that it's been an age since I did one of these handmade wardrobe showy-offy blog thingys! I guess I have to try to get back into the habit of taking photos a bit more :) 

We took these back in April on a warm autumn afternoon stroll in a beautiful corner not far from where we live. We're pretty lucky.

This version of the Afternoon Shift Dress is made from a Japanese cotton lawn that I'd had in my stash for a few months. I made View 4 with the pointed cross-over neckline and elasticated back shaping.

I've since removed that lovely vintage button though after some little fingers got a penchant for pulling and pulling at it every time I wore it. And I opted to machine stitch the entire neckline down on this version too, instead of hand-stitching like I normally do, because it felt sturdier and a little more up to dealing with the challenges of those previously mentioned little fingers. 

I've come to the realisation that baby-proofing necklines is a must-do these days, not so much a nice-to-do. And so due to the baby-proofing success of machine stitching on this version, I decided to go back and machine stitch down all of my previous versions of the shift and blouse. I'm giving it two thumbs up so far you guys.

This particular Afternoon Shift dress has become a fairly consistent staple over in my neck of the woods throughout autumn. Though, it's got a new contender for my heart at the moment - a gorgeous snuggly plaid flannel one (you may have seen the sneaky preview during Me Made May). It's seriously like wearing a nighty, but no one has a clue. I'm very down with wearing secret PJ's. Proper photos to come.

Oh, and don't forget, if you were thinking of buying the Indie Pattern Month sewing pattern bundle that The Hunter Tank is in, it finishes in 2 days! The Basic Bundle gets you over 40% off the RRP of all three patterns combined and the Extended Bundle gets you over 50% off the RRP of all six patterns. Woot! Bargain indeed.

Talk soon,

xx
J

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Goodbye May...

Wearing - A Felicity Dress Skirt

Ahhh, May, it's nearly over. Oscar turned one, I turned 30-something and had my first mothers day and Me Made May happened.

I feel a wee bit disappointed that I didn't participate as much in the documentation of Me Made May as I would have liked. I knew it would be hard with a little person, but I found that what I really lacked was the motivation to actually take photos. It was a case of "Oscar is napping - should I take outfit photos or stare into space for an hour?" - I chose staring more times than I care to admit.

I had articles I wanted to write and outfits I wanted to share, but I still wore me made everyday and sewed quite a bit (new snuggly patterns are a-comin'... as well as a summery one or two) and while my knitting languished in a pile beside the part of the couch Oscar can't access (yet) I did think about doing it. And did dream of all the outfits I'd wear with it when it was finished. So, that must count for something...

I think sometimes you have to give yourself a break and realise that it's okay to not do everything you planned to do. It's a little like when you fall into the sewing-just-to-blog rut, it moves on from becoming a fun challenge to just becoming something you feel like you have to do, that is actually no fun at all.

I did so very much enjoy seeing what everyone else was making and wearing though, and of course we had some fabulous prizes throughout thanks to The Fabric Godmother, Miss Maude and Indie Stitches. And then there's Zoe, and well, there wouldn't be a Me Made May without her!

I do so love this little community of ours, and all of the friends I've made (and have yet to make) even though we live on the other side of the world from each other and have never met in real life.

You guys are awesome.

In other news, did you know that Indie Pattern Month starts tomorrow? And that right now, you can buy The Hunter Tank in an awesome bundle along with the Sophie Cardigan, Liana Jeans, Olivia Dress, Zeena Dress and Norah Nightgown?

The bundle is only on sale for another week, ending on the 8th June, so if you fancy some chill out sewing patterns, this could very well be the bundle for you :)

xx
J

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Me Made May Week 3 & One more competition...

Brrrrrrr, it's cold. It's freezing! Winter is here. 

This week marks the final Me Made May competition and Caitlan at Indie Stitches is giving the winner their choice of any of her PDF Patterns!

Caitlan stocks a beautiful selection of patterns as well as a carefully curated range of fabrics (which are currently 30% off - it's where I got the flannel for my latest Afternoon Shift - photos to come). I also have some of this beautiful stuff to make a Hunter Tank (whenever summer comes back...) and have my eye on this and this that would work beautifully for a summery pattern idea I currently have.

To enter, just leave a comment telling us which of Caitlan's patterns you'd be after if you won.

Wearing - unblogged Afternoon Shift

Wearing - Anemery Dress

I've not been great about getting photos again this week, like I mentioned above though, I did finish another Afternoon Shift in the snuggliest flannel I've ever worn. I wore it the same afternoon I finished it, and then again the next day, and right now I'm writing this in the comfort of my handmade PJ's, but will more than likely pop it on again today, it feels like snow might be on the way....

I also wore my Anemery dress on Saturday (complete with long sleeve layers) for Oscar's birthday party. He turned one on Thursday and I just have no words to express how fast this year has gone and how much has changed.

I've been a bit slack with my knitting goal this month, it's just been too warm to want to knit. But with winter firmly in our neighbourhood, blowing a gail outside (but with a toasty roaring fire inside), it's definitely feeling like a knitting kind of day.

xx

J

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Me Made May - Giveaway Number 3

Gosh, week three already huh? This week Zoe and I have teamed up for the third competition of the month - if you win, you'll be getting an awesome prize pack of 4 patterns!

Zoe will be giving you both her Dolores Batwing Top and Dress pattern as well as the Anya Shoulder Bag, and I'll be giving you 2 patterns of your choice from my little range.

To enter, simply head on over to Zoe's blog and tell us what the next sewing technique is that you'd like to master.  Remember to leave an email address so we can contact you :)

I'm really looking forward to reading about what skills you're looking to learn, I think I smell a tutorial or two coming your way...

xx

J

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Me Made May - Week 2

Hello Everyone!

Well, I have a grand total of one me made outfit to share with you this week - oops!

Wearing: An unblogged Afternoon Shift

I wore that Afternoon Shift for three days in a row (with different stockings) so, it's not like there would have been much point in documenting it right...?

I have been keeping up with my challenge, but documenting it has become more of a challenge than I thought it would be. Oscar has gone down to one sleep a day (great for leaving the house and being social, not so great for productivity on my end) and the days are so short.

Dunedin has been glorious though, it always is this time of year, you'd never know it was nearly winter. It's been better than our non-existant summer in fact - long may it continue.

Don't forget to enter the Miss Maude giveaway too, it ends tomorrow!

xx
J

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Me Made May Week One and A Competition

Happy Mothers Day!

How have you gone with your Me Made pledges this week?

Personally, I have no idea where this past week has gone. I've been trying to keep up with daily photos, but it's not going as smoothly as planned. Trying to work around a little person is certainly proving to have it's challenges and while I have worn handmade everyday (and do most days), documenting it has been so much harder than I thought it would be. But let's talk about fun sewing things now shall we?

Today is the start of the second competition of the month! Miss Maude is New Zealand's premier online retailer of indie sewing patterns, gorgeous fabrics and beautiful haberdashery.

Emma has picked out an amazing selection of tid bits for you to win - everything you see in the photo above (as well as a few other goodies!). Trims measure between 1-2m and the prize is worth over $120! Wow!!

All you have to do to enter is head over to her shop and leave a comment on this post telling us what your favourite haberdashery item is that she stocks.

I, naturally, went straight to the buttons and found these and these! And then I found the most beautiful wrist pin cushion I have ever laid eyes on (insert heart eyes emoji!).

So, er, good luck choosing! Competition ends this time next week.

Day 2 - A Honey-Coloured vintage rayon Felicity Skirt (unblogged)

Day 3 - My red rayon Afternoon Shift

Day 4 - My pink linen Afternoon Shift

I hope you guys are doing a bit better than I am with your documenting, and if not, well, no one's coming to arrest us. I'm off to look at that pin cushion again...

xx

J

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