Royal Adelaide Show 2023

I have had a break from entering anything in the dressmaking section of the Royal Adelaide Show for a few years. The dreaded C word cancelled the show in 2020. Then in 2021 it was meant to go ahead but was cancelled a month beforehand. I had already applied, paid my fee and sewn a shirt to submit, so I was a bit annoyed. I did get my money back but in 2022 I did a silent boycott and didn’t enter anything.

Now in 2023 the C word is not shutting down events so I decided to submit some entries once again. Three in fact:

1. Class 127 – Trousers or Jeans: For adults or children must have zip or button opening.
2. Class 134 – Jacket or Coat (Outerwear): Demonstrating classic or creative features, maybe lined or unlined.
3. Class 136 – Handbag, Purse, Travel Bag, or Backpack: Suitable for day or Evening Wear, made of predominantly fabric, may include purchased hardware.

I only chose categories where I actually have a need for that item. That is definitely the case for the jeans and the jacket. But there was an exception for the backpack. I made it earlier in the year to sell under my bag brand Sapphorium and it hadn’t sold yet, so I entered that too.

Black Jeans

Pattern: Tessa Jeans by Seamwork
Fabric: Heavy Black Cotton Drill from Ferriers Fashion Fabrics
Pocket Lining: Poppies Quilting Cotton from Melanns

There is a story with these jeans and an example of what not to do.

My memory often lets me down. I was under the distinct impression that I had a pair of jeans half made that I had put away months beforehand. So a week before I had to drop off my Royal Adelaide Show entries to be judged I pulled them out, only to discover they were 3/4 jeans and were in preparation for my summer wardrobe. These definitely wouldn’t do as they aren’t considered jeans or pants.

Fortunately, I had bought some heavy black cotton drill just a few days earlier for some future unknown project. The fabric was a bit heavier than the denim I usually used but I thought I’d give it a go.

I made these over the course of 5 days (along with other life commitments), and I was really pleased with how they turned out.

The only problem is now that they are back from the Royal Adelaide Show they are a bit tight around the waist. Denim has a bit of give so I usually make them to have a tight fit as they stretch out a bit after a few hours of being worn. Not so with this heavy cotton drill. They are tight at the start of the day and are tight (and uncomfortable) at the end of the day.

Not sure what I’ll do yet – wait until my waist gets smaller????

Red Anorak Jacket

Pattern: Kelly Anorak by Closet Core Patterns
Fabric: Red Chilli Stretch Cotton Drill from Spotlight
Lining Fabric: Jocelyn Proust Callistemons Black/Red Quilting Cotton from Spotlight

I made the Kelly Anorak in a Navy Blue a few years ago and it gets regular use when rain is forecasted. Quick flip of the hood and I’m protected from the elements.

But I really wanted one in bright red to cheer me up on those grey, gloomy days. I found the perfect colour at Spotlight called Red Chilli. The only downside was that it was a stretch fabric, and I really didn’t need the stretch – but the colour was perfect – so I persevered.

When I was sewing the pockets the fabric stretched across the grain which created a wavy effect. To prevent this I added some medium-weight interfacing to any areas that I needed it.

“What are those silver lines?”, I hear you ask. They are reflective tape. so I can use it when it’s dark and I’m walking the dog, or out and about.

You can buy reflective tape but it’s quite expensive. So I bought a $10 yellow fluorescent work vest from Kmart in the largest size I could find and unpicked the reflective tape. Cut it in half lengthways as it was a bit wide, wrapped it around some narrow piping cord and sewed it into the seams. Perfect! (I have since found these work vests cheaper at Bunnings.)

Backpack

Pattern: Making Backpack by Noodlehead
Fabric: Heavy Navy Cotton Drill from DK Fabrics
Fabric Accent: Liberty of London June’s Meadow Twill from The Fabric Store
Lining Fabric: Blue and White Ticking Stripe from Spotlight

I made this backpack a little earlier in the year as I was trying out different bag patterns that I would later sell. This is a great bag but the materials were actually quite expensive as there are a lot of layers underneath all that pretty fabric. And the cost of that cotton webbing is extremely high. I did try to sell it but it didn’t take anyone’s eye, so why not enter it into the Royal Adelaide Show?

I am really happy with how it looks, but man was it a struggle. Especially when sewing the red binding on the seams in the lining. All those layers.

Winnings

All of my entries got a first place (results), which I was really pleased about. I’m not sure how many entries were in each category as I didn’t visit the Royal Adelaide Show while it was on. On the results page the Jeans category also had a second place winner. The Coat category had a second and third place winner. And the Bag category had second, third and fourth winners. I’m not sure if these were all the entries or not.

I was also surprised to win three sashes:

1. Best Overall Exhibit in Open Dressmaking (for my Backpack)
2. Best Overall Exhibit in Dressmaking (for my Anorak)
3. Best Overall Exhibit in Garments (for my Backpack)

I’ve never one a sash before so it was quite exciting. Six prizes for three entries = very happy.