Thursday, May 17, 2012

Sanity has been restored in our household dear blog friends, by the little prince (how I refer to him in my head) settling into a new sleep routine that doesn't start at 4:30 am and involve intense activity thereafter.

And we are all the better for it.  Yes I am a slave to the kitchen with our very restricted diet (no gluten, dairy, cane sugar, additives and preservatives) but I am really enjoying it. I am enjoying how much better I am feeling (less lethargic at night) as well as no more tummy problems which have plagued me since birth.

And the little prince is progressing fabulously - it's a bit of a roller coaster but I am learning to be more objective and not overly identify with whether things or going well or badly.

Because I have to spend so much time cooking, my sewing time suffers, and what's more, in the spirit of "what you give attention to, flourishes" I have found myself taking cook books to bed and checking food blogs first thing in the morning (further evidence that I have gone over to the dark side.)

However, I still manage to get to the machine now and then, and this is what I managed to put together this month.

The fabric was the vintage crepe I purchased in Dunedin in March. I do love to have a quick turn around with fabric. For me, if it gets interred in stash I'll lose interest and it will be a long time before I get back to it.

Front:

 Back:



Original pattern. You will see I had to improvise due to fabric constraints. I added a ribbed cuff and collar because I was about a half metre short to cut the whole thing as designed. I then added a zip and made it casual jacket style:


The lovely lining from Hawes and Freer - New Zealanders if you are not aware of this wonderful quality wholesaler visit their website now. They retail through the Internet and you can get some beautiful linings as well as quality tailoring materials. Also check out the $90 a metre cashmere. I dare somebody to buy some.


Now I would like some advice. What would pair this teal jacket with? The original pattern suggests plaid flares. I am a little unsure of this fashion direction. I was thinking some kind of boldly patterned dress with boots?

Hmm, well do chime in with your advice and I'll see you all again next month.

38 comments:

  1. I think it would look good with tan or khaki coloured trousers. It would contrast with them rather than blending like blue jeans. A coloured dress would be great too!
    You do sound like a slave to the kitchen, but it does sound worth it. Sleep is vital. I am glad that you are all getting some. Everything is more manageable with a good night's sleep!

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  2. Nice jacket. If you click on the image in editing mode it will come up with a menu underneath giving you the option of whether you want small large or xlarge images.

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  3. Goodness that really is a quick turnaround, it was only 5 minutes ago we were waltzing out of that shop in dunedin, you with your fabric and me with the GENUINE OTAGO TARTAN SCARF mah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha~! Never one to miss a gloating opportunity, me.
    I like what you've done with it, good job.

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    1. Yes, I was thinking how nicely the colour might match your Dunedin tartan scarf but fortunately I have a lovely granny square one I got for my birthday which also matches beautifully.

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  4. I love that lining! The colour of the jacket is wonderful. Sadly, I'm no style expert and am unsure what to pair it with. That said, I'm more drawn to the dress option. Nice to see you squeezing in a bit of sewing time.

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    1. Hey whadda ya mean you're no style expert. That's not what I'm seeing on your blog!

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  5. I actually like how you have styled the jacket, and I agree with Karin, it would look great with tan or khaki. Love the plaid lining too and the knit cuffs look as if they were planned. Great job, and so happy things are going better with your son.

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  6. I admire your fabric turnaround skills. If only I could get things made at the start of each season, instead of the end!
    The jacket looks great and is an awesome colour on you - it would look great with my new charcoal wool flecked with silver that found its way into my bag today at Global - I left you some! Or wine/mustard colours maybe?

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    Replies
    1. It's called "enabling" Sherry, don't give me an excuse ;)

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  7. That is rather quick fabric use. How do you manage to choose between all the fantasty garments it could possibly become in only 2 months?
    Your jacket is a great colour, and the more casual look of the zip and collar+cuffs make it very practical for everyday wear. As I am such a style expert (cough), you will be interested to know that I would use dark,dark denim,or possibly deep chocolate brown wool in a dress or skirt with this smart update of the 70's pattern.

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  8. Well I'm glad that somebody is cooking because I have hit a low and it feels like slops for dinner every night. So much better to turn it into a passion, so I am pleased that it is all working out for you.

    Can't offer any style advice as I have hardly ever worn a jacket, even the ones I have sewn. I did click on the pictures and admire your beautiful top stitching though.

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  9. cooking is such a draaaagggg. i admire your dedication to cooking with restrictions.
    your jacket is perfection, as always! and you AND your sister blogged on the same day? what a treat!

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  10. I am pleased for you that your life has settled down somewhat. The jacket is lovely, I would wear it with anything black, but then I wear a lot of black.

    Have you ever looked into once a month cooking? The idea is you spend one day a month cooking and then you freeze it all in meal sized portions. I am pretty certain you could adapt it to your strict requirements. There are quite a few blogs and websites about this. It could be a big help. You could be chained to the sewing machine instead of the kitchen sink. Better, yes?

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    Replies
    1. Funnily enough a friend and I were discussing this very thing last night. Certainly for basics it's a very good idea. But the high vege component of the diet makes this difficult since they are supposed to be raw and fresh. Oh well, I'm sure I could stream line things with a freezer

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  11. Great jacket, I love the casual style with lovely fabric. The lining is beautiful, I love all the colours in it. Any one of those colours would look great in a dress or pants, I suppose it may just depend on the type/weight of the fabric. Why limit yourself?!

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  12. It's good to hear that sleep routines are back to 'normal'. I remember when mine were a bit younger it was very hard with the lack of sleep.

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    1. Yes, it's like the newborn stage but he's nearly 5. Harumph.

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  13. Like the jacket. I think the contrast fabric gives a modern touch to the vintage pattern. Nice fabric also. I think it would look nice with a warm colour contrast bottom, like the corduroy pants you made before?
    Thank you for the link to the online fabric shop. I just moved to New Zealand and so far I have only found shops with poly voile, fleece, and quilting cotton. I have more need for shirting fabric or canvas or corduroy... as soon as finances and time allow. So, if you have more recommendations...
    I am on a "diet" avoiding migraine triggers, and it WORKS, I am so glad.

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    Replies
    1. Diet is amazing. I used to be such a sceptic but now I've seen and felt the results it's just amazing. I keep thinking of that documentary "super size me" and how ill he became in one month of junk food. Never underestimate the power of good nutrition.

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  14. Tapered pants (stovepipes) and big scarf/ cowl at the neckline =D

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  15. I especially love the lining in the jacket! Though I like the whole thing of course, and it is a very practical style.

    Thanks for the tip about Hawes and Freer, though I can't see myself spending $90/m on anything!

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  16. I like it with jeans, but I like casual dressing. How about a snazzy little skirt and boots? The skirt in a darker colour that reflects the colour of the cuffs?

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  17. Thank you so much for the Hawes & Freer link. I have been looking for duck egg wool for 4 years and they have it! I can't thank you enough. I will have to arrange a trip to Auckland. Can you go to their office and look at fabric? Looking forward to reading your blog regularly. Good luck with the diet, being dairy free is difficult, especially when you want to pop into a cafe and have a snack.

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    1. Yes Lynda you can go to their warehouse and buy directly at wholesale price (cheaper than their retail online price). However, it is a warehouse so you can't browse around - you have to know what you want and find someone out back to get it for you! They do small one off purchases under the guise of helping out fledging designers but they generously extend that to keen home sewers as well..

      The cafe thing we have all sorted out because there are 2 vegan cafes in Auckland - since vegan is completely without dairy we do have a few things we can eat!

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  18. Don't plaid flares fall squarely into granny chic?
    I suppose in my mind, an overgarment goes with almost anything as long as they are the same degree of casual or dressy.
    I really like the details - the asymmetrical pockets, the button tab, and the cuffs.
    I'm glad to hear the diet is beneficial for you, too. It's a nice side effect for all the effort.

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    1. Yes I still remember your comment about how you seem to be the one most benefitting from the special diet! Our diet is not as strict as your one as we are still able to eat starches and non-gluten starches/grains.

      My taste buds have changed which I find remarkable - all sorts of things I would once not have eaten I now enjoy. Just shows how much of our diet is just conditioned tastes.

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  19. I was wondering what pattern you used for your cool fitted, but still casual looking jacket and was tickled to see it was a 1970's pattern. I recently bought a few jacket patterns from that time period and wondered how they woulf fit into a modern wardrobe. Just great based on yours. I think it would look just as good over a dress, as it does with the pants.

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  20. Diane from SydneyMay 27, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    Amazing jacket and I'm so excited as I just bought that pattern at Vinnies! I'm thinking of making the vest version.

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    1. ooh I'd love to see it when you are done - I'm also thinking of making the vest, now that I've done so much work on the master pattern to make it fit me, it seems a shame - also, who could resist that groovey baby 70's collar?

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    2. Sadly when I finally opened the packet it was missing some pieces and the instructions! Oh well it's not like I don't have plenty of other vintage patterns.

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  21. I love this jacket and the long cuffs. It looks very comfortable. It looks great on you.

    I have so many food sensitivities that I rarely 'cook'.
    I keep it pretty simple - no processed foods at all.
    Mainly beef,chicken, some veggies, couple of fruits.
    Can you eat coconut? Eggs?
    I do have a recipe for coconut macaroons and one for a gluten-free white cake (millet, sorghum, tapioca flours).
    The cake is moist and has two types of flavorings so smells divine.


    Following my diet keeps me functional, which also means I have the energy to sew.
    Which keeps me sane.

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  22. We've just started to eat following the Wahls protocol since my husband has MS. I feel great on it too! More energy, no bloating etc. It's pretty much paleo but with heaps and heaps of veges.
    Have you come across this website: http://www.elanaspantry.com/category/recipes/
    She has some great recipes! One that I make all the time is: http://www.elanaspantry.com/flourless-chocolate-banana-cake/
    I can't find the link right now but you can make great waffles/pancakes (waffles are so much less time consuming!) just with 3 eggs 3 bananas (or 1 C apple puree) 1/4 C almond butter (or 1/4 C coconut flour) and spices to taste.
    They are both super quick to chuck in the blender and delicious!

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  25. Beautiful patterns for sewing and dress. That fabric is really modern and fresh. Looks great on you.

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