I’m currently engaged in a number of challenges, so trying to double/triple dip as much as possible. I’m doing the Sew a Seasonal Wardrobe (SSW1) with the Sewalongs and sewing contests Facebook group, I’m still trying to scrapbust, I’m doing the vintage challenge, and March is knits month in my Stashbusting Sewalong Facebook group – phew! So I made this little duo.

It is a 1980s Calvin Klein pattern, Vogue 1128 – so it also ticks the Vintage challenge box. I made the version at bottom right.

The pattern is actually too small for me, but by using a knit, I managed to fit into it. One of the things that attracted me to this pattern was the buttons going up the left side seam. I used these buttons that I bought a couple of years ago. Unfortunately I took the photo before I pressed out the marks made by my frixion pen. I love these buttons!

The fabric is leftover from a t-shirt I made Mark (later in this post), so it’s scrap busted, and it is also the first part of my SSW1 efforts.

My Sew a Seasonal Wardrobe is themed for autumn, and I have added a couple of extra rules: it must all come from my stash, including all notions, and I must use a pattern from my stash that I have never made before. Well, I’m on track so far!

Because I used a tissue knit, it needed a camisole of some description, so I made this one, which is from the ’90s, so probably not eligible for the vintage challenge. However, it’s a great cami. I did the one with the princess seams.

In a “monkey see, monkey do” moment I put lace on the camisole. The cami itself is made of the same grey tissue knit as the top, but the only lace I could find that would do the job is white, which means that it shows through a bit. I could have bought some grey lace, but I’m not allowed to buy anything for the SSW1.

A bit of a close up of the top with the cami, and I think I got away with it.

Mark took photos of me in front of lots of the local houses – they really have some spectacular architecture in Hobart.

He also caught me browsing round the Salamanca Markets

and loitering under one of the wonderful hedges. What’s that little spaceship in my hand? Well that’s an old Singer buttonholer that we had just found in an op shop when on our daily walk. It is in perfect condition and has all it’s parts, including the manual. 

As mentioned, this top and cami are made from leftover fabric from a long sleeved tee-shirt I made Mark and which I didn’t blog. Here he is in sartorial splendour at the Sandy Bay Twilight Markets (which were fabulous!)

And wandering around with hands full of brown paper bags full of food and alcohol! He bought me some sloe gin which I am tempted to just put a straw in the bottle and slurp it down, it is so delicious (and I tend to not drink alcohol)!

Look at this beautiful bottle. I will not be sharing this with anyone (friends and family please note!).

The buttons on my top are from Calico and Ivy, my skirt is self drafted and made from a wonderful stretch denim. Mark’s shorts are Kwik Sew 4045.