I stuck to my sewing goal and created a second jacket from my Top 5 Jackets to make this winter. This was another BurdaStyle jacket made with some beautiful brown checked wool fabric for the outside and a plain light brown wool for the lining, both from Spotlight. This is also the fabric combination I used to create my long Wool Parka Jacket.
Description: Oversized and rounded collar flatters the decolleté and shoulders, while patch pockets and a double row of silver buttons are refined finishing details. Pattern:BurdaStyle Boucle Jacket 114 02/19 Fabric: Wool from Spotlight
This is the first time I’ve purchased wool and made a large warm, winter jacket! This wool jacket by BurdaStyle is the perfect Parka Jacket and it’s soooo warm. Almost too warm to wear for our Brisbane winters but hey, it might be great for travelling!
Description: This variegated wool jacket can function as a cozy cardigan or as a jacket for days that aren’t so cold. Pattern:Wool Jacket101 |Burda Style 01/20 Fabric: Wool fabric and lining from Spotlight
This year has been a really strange one for us all. In the first few weeks I thought I hit the jackpot working from home and being able to pump out a number of cute sewn outfits. Plus, my relationship is still within the first year, so staying in wasn’t a big deal for us. However, because I was home so often I started snacking, not even realising that I was starting to put on weight.
The third month in I completely stopped sewing, had to deal with my current rental selling (due to the owners unfortunately losing their jobs) and looking for a new place to live. This was a good kick up the butt for me because I’ve been wanting to purchase my own property for a few years now. I started to look around and within a month made an offer on a townhouse. Then like clockwork, my house mate moved out and my boyfriend moved in. He didn’t even bother unpacking though because I settle on the new place in another weeks’ time. However, the stress levels went from 0 – 10 really fast and I started to notice that I was becoming more irritable and upset at the smallest things. I really had to take a step back and find ways to readjust and focus. And I’m thankful I did because I’m much happier now!
The one thing I’ve realised is how important it is to have routine in our daily lives. My work is also saying that we could be working from home for the remainder of the year! So here are my tips to stay sane during covid and improve on your health and well-being while being stuck at home.
As the weather starts to cool down and we’re still in lock down I’ve started looking at a number of jacket patterns to make this winter. There are so many beautiful designs to choose from but here are my top five BurdaStyle patterns that I am hoping to create this winter.
I’ve picked BurdaStyle because I know the patterns fit me really well and they’re so easy to download, print out at home and (most of the time) create.
As the days start to cool off in Brisbane it’s nice to use some warmer fabrics like this blue wool blend from Spotlight. Even though we’re still in COVID lock down this will be perfect for when we are finally back at work.
Description: Dress with low shoulder sleeves, pleated skirt and pockets. Pattern: This dress uses a self-drafted top and the bottom is from the BurdaStyle Smocked Back skirt section. Fabric: Blue wool blend material from Spotlight
For those of you who are looking for something else to do with your isolation time (apart from sewing) here is a great idea! Over Easter Anthony and I pulled out my painting supplies and completed one of the Cork and Chroma paintings. Definitely check out their website to see what sessions they are holding for a guided approach.
Considering Anthony hasn’t painted since primary school he was a little unsure how he would go. However, once I quickly showed him how to smudge the acrylics he was off and loving it! We had snacks and beverages and took about three hours to complete our paintings. It was such a fun afternoon and the pugs certainly enjoyed the attention.
It has been the most amazing weather in Brisbane lately which is perfect for a dress like this. I have previously made this Sia Dress in blue linen. The Rayon was also a really nice comfortable fit, being light and airy.
Description: The dress features a low V neckline, front bust pleats, back bodice darts and a shaped waist band with optional self fabric ties. Pattern:Sia Dress – Marsha Style Fabric: Rayon material from Spotlight
After turning my sewing room upside down I was so excited that I found a paper pattern of the BurdaStyle Smocked Dress that I made a few years ago. Unfortunately the new BurdaStyle website hasn’t got this pattern online yet but a cool tip that someone gave me was to check out the German version of the site. You will have to use Google Translator but I found that pattern here – Burda Easy Ausgabe F/S 2014 version.
I was lucky enough to be part of the pattern testing group for Taree’s (Marsha Style) pattern ‘The Sia Dress’. As soon as I saw her dress on instagram I knew I wanted to be involved.
I adored Taree’s version, so I pretty much copied it down to the fabric to make my own blue linen dress.
Sitting at home on my balcony in my new Lekala dress, looking forward to when things start improving around the world and we can get back to normal in our daily lives.
I feel lucky that I have kept my job, can work from home and the worst thing I’ve had to do is cancel a few upcoming holidays. Plus, Australia seems to be doing pretty well compared to other countries. I’ve started Skyping more, especially since my older brother has recently had a baby boy and also trying to get out for a morning walk to this beautiful landscape below.
