dressmaking Archives - Page 11 of 17

Little Lemon Lady – upcycled t-shirt and Made By Ma! sweater – FOs 10 & 11/2012

April 2, 2012

Button has two new additions to her wardrobe…both in lovely shades of lemon.

First up is a t-shirt I upcycled from one of Ma SIL’s t-shirts.

I cut the body and sleeves of this t-shirt utilising the existing hems. I reattached the neck band to the neckline using a fancy stitch on my normal machine. I constructed the t-shirt with a zig-zag stitch so although I have an overlocker and a coverstitch machine, I only used my ordinary machine to make this, which makes it accessible to everyone.

The pattern was drafted by me using one of Button’s existing RTW t-shirts.

It’s a simple but effective make and I have another 4 or 5 of these ready to go.

I’d be happy to do a tutorial on this if anyone is interested. It would be easy to use the same technique to upcycle a man’s t-shirt for a woman as well.

To go with this new t-shirt, Button also has a lovely new cable sweater knitted by Ma.

The yarn is a cotton slub 4 ply that my lovely friend Liz gave us.

The pattern is from MillaMia’s book ‘The Close Knit Gang’.

Image courtesy of http://www.millamia.com/home.php

It’s the first pattern we’ve knit from this book and I don’t think it will be the last. I’m keen to knit the cover jacket and there are several other garments that I’d love for both of the kids. They are classic and wearable, not remotely twee and with an urban sophistication that I love. They are the kind of things you’d pay an arm and a leg for in an upscale London boutique (if you’ve nothing better to do with your money and no crafty skills, that is!).

I this this colour looks fabulous on Button and this is a perfect duo for playdates when the weather is a bit unpredictable…as it has a tendancy to be in this part of the world.

Thankfully, she really adores both garments. Phew!

Top and cardi – Newlook 6838/Simplicity 2560/Newlook 6922 – FOs 8 & 9/2012

April 1, 2012

Happy Sunday!

I hope you’ve had a lovely day. The sun has been shining here and I managed a little bit of time in the sewing loft today. My main objective to be to carry out a few tweaks to the top and cardigan I made from the silk/viscose jersey I bought in London just before Christmas.

I wore the outfit yesterday with the almost-perfect-trousers and noticed a few things that needed addressing:

First up the sleeves are too long. Annoyingly so. I spent the day shoving them up my arms.

Secondly, I stabilised the hems, neck and armholes with Steam-a-Seam. Unfortunatly this fabric is so lightweight it’s made them go crispy and really affects the way the garments hang.

Today I redid the sleeve and bottom hem on the cardigan, and the hem on the top and they look much better. I have no makeup on and Sunday hair so I’m not having photos done…you’ll just have to take my word that they are immensly better.

I know that the S-A-S is affecting the way the neck lies too, but if I redo the neck the shoulders will be all hinky, and I can live with the drape.

So, these are the patterns I used.

Newlook 6838..I used the sleeveless version for this top.

I used the front, back and sleeves from the long sleeved cardigan version.

I replaced the origan collar with a front band inspired by this cardigan.

Overall I think this works but I don’t think this will be my go-to, most favorite top combo. This is mainly down to the fabric.

I knew when I bought it that it wasn’t my first choice. I really wanted something more stable and with a bit more weight…more forgiving on the old lumps and bumps, you see. But I couldn’t find anything in a colour to go with the almost-perfect trousers. So this was really the only option I had.

I have to tell you that it will be a very.very.VERY.long.time.indeed before I sew again with silk/viscose jersey!

It slips and slides and is generally a bear to work with. But on the plus side it’s soft and warm for cooler spring days. The Husband commented on how nice the colour looks on me, and Ma and Ma SIL were suprised that I’d made it, not bought it.

So I will wear it. Especially now the hems hang better. 😉 And I’m keen to try the t-shirt pattern again in a more stable knit. I think with a few more tweaks this could be a good go-to pattern to make up a pile of t-shirts that are sadly missing from the wardrobe.

And the big plus from this project is that I finally mastered the Coverstitch machine…it’s my new favorite toy! Happy days!

Made by Ma and Little Sweet Peas cardigan – F/O 7/2012

February 26, 2012

Crikey it’s been busy here this weekend.

I’m getting the urge to completely redecorate the house. Which is a crazy idea because a) I don’t have the time and b) I don’t have the pennies!

To compensate for this I coerced The Husband into helping me clear out all the crap which had been thrown into the eaves in the sewing loft and was giving me hives because I knew it was there.

We filled the boot of my car with rubbish!

And sent a full knitting machine ensemble over to Ma. She knows how to use it and will put it to use until the happy day we can rip the loft out and re-fit it properly, with room for all knitterly and sewerly gadgets.

Today I cleaned.

And ironed.

And The Husband food shopped.

And the kids played fishing games at Nana and Grandad’s. And between us Pa SIL and I got us up to date with photos…so here we go!

First up is Button in her new stripy dress

: I’m so cute…is anyone watching?

: Who you calling minxy?

Beau then got in the act with his new Made by Ma sweater

: “Hey! I thought this was my photoshoot! What’s he doing in it?” ” Looking cool, little lady, looking cooooool!”

I have no idea what the yarn is for his sweater. It’s chunky and it’s black and that’s about the limit of my knowledge. It was gifted by a friend at my knitting group who was de-stashing (thank you) and it’s too cute on him. The pattern is a vintage Patons pattern number 4611.

I keep expecting him to pull out a beret and start playing jazz!

And if that’s not enough cuteness for you I’ve also got pictures of Button’s latest cardigan.

: I feel like dancing, ooh, dancing, ooh, dance the night away!

I’m being really rubbish here ‘cos again I couldn’t tell you for the life of me what that yarn is. Its an acrylic/wool mix and super cheap and you can throw it in the washing machine!

The pattern is from the Sirdar Little Sweet Peas book and is design B.

It has some cute frilling at the hip.

I love this. It’s a good basic cardigan and a quick knit. I think I’ll make it again soon in some nice yarn. And add some length because that girl is growing!

We’ve been out playing with friends today and these outfits have been much admired. I need to make more of those dresses!

And finally… just because I’m a proud mummy and I can…here’s a couple of gratuitous shots of my adorable babies.

Heidi and Finn cowl neck jumper dress – F/O 6/2012

February 21, 2012

I’ve got to tell you its a miracle anything is getting done here at the moment, but although I could do with more time and more sleep it’s nice knowing that this is a temporary thing as the end of my first module creeps nearer.

Last week was half-term holidays which I spent with the kids and The Husband and abandoned my study schedule. It was lovely if rather foolish as it means that this week I have one session of English and two sessions of French to catch up. As this is approximately 36 hours of study and I don’t have 36 hours to spend on it, the word that springs to mind is “eeeep”!

I have to say that without hesitation I’ll make the same choice the next nursery holiday…it’s so worth it.

Little ice-creamy faces are a joy to behold.

Then, I spent 5 hours waiting to be towed home from Manchester on Saturday when I should have been at a tutorial for my French module. Fingers crossed his car will be mended soon. But how lucky are we to have one car, let alone two?

So, to maintain some semblance of sanity, I’ve been sneaking the odd half hour here and there to do a bit of sewing and in the evenings I sit and knit. The laceweight Ella is knitted and blocked and currently being sewn up (which is tedious so only a bit is getting done every now and again when I’m feeling a bit perky).

I’ve also finished a cardigan for Button. I photographed it at the weekend but every picture was overexposed so I’ll do them again soon.

And today I’ve just finished the cowl neck jumper dress from Heidi and Finn, also for Button.

I cannot tell you how adorable this little dress is. Button has a temperature today and is currently snoozing so I’ll get modelled pictures soon, but really wanted to share it with you.

I’ve used a Heidi and Finn pattern before for the refashioned jacket I made for Button and again I found the pattern well drafted and the instructions extremely comprehensive. Even if you’re a complete beginner you could sew this dress. I sewed it on my normal machine as I didn’t have 4 spools of thread for the overlocker. Simples!

The fabric was gifted to me by the lovely, lovely Himmelbjerget during her recent destash and is a beautifully soft and cosy velour. You can see the fabric better in this close up shot:

Adorable.

This is such an amazing pattern. I want to make it again and again. In fact I think I very probably will do! In this incarnation it’s perfect for play dates or for church, but you can make it more or less dressy dependent on your choice of fabric.

So thank you to Himmelbjerget for the fabric and thank you to Heidi and Finn for another splendid pattern.

If you have small ladies who like a dress I highly recommend you make this one for them. At least once.

Vogue 8534 – FO 5-2012

February 13, 2012

If you take this dreadfully coloured fabric:

add some of this

mixed with equal parts of this

cut out using this

and try to avoid doing this

and with any luck you’ll end up with this

I lengthened the sleeves on the pattern to make them full length. Next time out I think I’ll take a smidge off, but its very nice having full length sleeves…not something I often achieve in RTW.

I really want to make this again…but next time as a dress!

The one that almost got away – Simplicity 2560 – FO 3/2012

February 2, 2012

Back in November 2009 I gave up on making this cardigan:

Simplicity 2560

At the time I passed it to a friend whom we thought it might better suit. And it’s lain untouched at her house since then.

Only now she’s moving and the half made cardi found it’s way back to me.

So, as my skills have moved on a bit since 2009, only a bit, mind, I set to and I pinned it and thought about it, and within an evening I had a new cardigan

Now I do recognise this is probably the crappiest photo in the world, but you really haven’t got a hope of capturing the details of a black jersey cardigan. Unless you’re Mario Testino. Which The Husband isn’t.

And I won’t be winning anybodies ‘Next Top Model’ with the lack of attention to hair and makeup. But I’ve been at home studying and cutting out patterns all day.

But suffice to say this cardi is cozy and comfortable and perfect for schlepping round the house. Or going to knitting group, which I am this evening.

And whilst I really didn’t like it first time out, I’m now not saying that I’ll never make another one. In fact I’m using the neckband on my next cardigan project, so watch this space.

The almost perfect trousers! M5238 – FO 2/2012

January 22, 2012

Finally I’ve finished the trousers from the trouser fitting course I attended last year.

I have to tell you that when I first saw this pattern I wasn’t particularly overwhelmed, and, frankly, would never have picked it to make myself.

: M5239

That would have been a mistake. Kudos to Celia!

I. LOVE. THESE. TROUSERS!

Don’t get me wrong…I’ve tweaked the pattern a bit. And wearing them I think I need to do the waistband again. It’s not quite snug enough and there’s a wee wrinkle just below the waistband at the back. My bad!

But.

And it’s a BIG but. (Rather than a big butt before all you wags go there!)

I. LOVE. THESE. TROUSERS!

Did I just say that. It’s just that they are so flipping comfortable. My one pair of jeans are too short in the body and so uncomfortable that this is a revelation. Trousers don’t need to be uncomfortable. Who knew?

For these I redrafted the leg to make them considerably slimmer. I love the finished look. And though I thought I wouldn’t be, I’m completely converted to back zips. I had plans to change these to fly fronts, but I’m not convinced I will just yet. Although I seriously need to add pockets for the next iteration.

The fabric is an aubergine wool mix that I picked up from Badder Fabrics in Hereford when we went to Ludlow. My new favourite fabric. Joy to sew. Joy to wear.

I don’t think I’m ever going to get a perfectly smooth front because I’m so round in the tummy, but these are so lovely I’m willing to forgive. And I’ve moved slightly in this picture so my leg is causing the folds. And of course there’ll be folds when you move. Duh!

But, I’m well on my way to hitting one of my 2012 goals…the perfect skinny trouser.

I think I should make another pair very soon to refine the pattern and fit, don’t you?

And to cap it all, when I’d finished these last night I realised that I had enough fabric left over to cut out another of these skirts:

Burda 8/2009

As the pattern was hanging right next to my sewing table…that’s what a did.

Rather a good day’s work, no?

PS. Badder Fabrics don’t have a website

but they will send out samples if you give them a ring and ask them to.

The owner is a most delightful lady.

She was charming the day I shopped there and very helpful indeed.

Just my opinion.

Pants!

November 28, 2011

After the debacle that was the black trousers I decided enough was enough and signed up to a Palmer/Pletsch trouser fitting course at Bambers in Manchester.

I managed to convince Ma to join me and on Friday and Saturday we packed up our sewing boxes and headed off hoping to crack trouser fitting once and for all.

At this point I should point out that Ive had a copy of Pants for Real People for forEVAH!

But have I read it!

Of course I haven’t!

I had scanned through it and thought that tissue fitting your pattern looked so tricksy and counter intuitive to everything I’ve ever learned about fitting that I put it to one side (together with it’s companion edition Fit for Real People) and left them to lurk unloved on the bookshelf gathering dust.

So I had high hopes but a lot of trepidation when we arrived at the class. Ma too.

We had nothing to worry about.

Firstly the class was very small; just us two and two other lovely ladies – Lisa and Anna.

: Lisa preps a pattern for fitting. Note the gorgeous dress she made herself!

: Anna sews her new (perfectly fitting) trousers wearing a beautiful hand knitted cardigan

And then there was Celia, the instructor.

: Oooooh they’re going to kill me for this photo. Every other shot was of the back of their heads!

I have to tell you that if you ever get the opportunity to take a class with Celia grab it with both hands.

Seriously, she’s amazing.

Not only is she incredibly knowledgeable but she’s really keen to share that knowledge, which is hugely inspirational. Add in a warm personality, a fabulous sense of humour and a passion for dressmaking and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an amazing teacher. Oh, and she likes cake too! Always a winner in my book.

So now I have an almost finished pair of trousers from this pattern

McCalls 5239

Whilst these are not my first choice of trouser style they are a good basic shape that I can then play with and add features. I am indeed thinking of cracking the spines on my pattern cutting books using this pattern as a block.

Vogue 8774

I also have this Vogue jeans pattern half fitted.

I think its the most telling measure of how successful I found the two days with Celia that I’ve swung from never wanting to attempt to sew another pair of trousers as long as I live, to being ~~overly~~ excited at the prospect of making my own jeans.

And if that wasn’t enough, Ma and I have signed up for the Fit for Fashion course in April so we can get down and dirty with fitting bodice patterns.

I’m working to get time to finish the trousers over the next couple of weeks and as soon as they’re done I’ll share photos.

The Henny Pinny – FO 25/2011

November 9, 2011

Phew…all handmade Christmas gifts are done and ready for wrapping. I can’t share them yet but I’m really rather pleased with them. One especially which is my own design! Get me!!!!!

It’s too early even for me to be wrapping Christmas gifts just yet. It spoils the fun of the season, I think.

But I’m now itching to get back to some dressmaking and have a couple of projects in mind just as soon as I can get some time in the sewing loft. The Husband is away tomorrow night so I feel a bout of cutting out coming on!

In the meantime, as well as the gifts, I’ve managed to make myself a new apron in time for the Christmas cook fest:The Henny Pinny

Fabric: Hen fabric is a linen mix bought at Festival of Quilts

Black is a linen mix bought from Dunelm

Pattern: Copied from the apron I made recently for Black Purl.

Notions: Steam-a-seam for applique

Cost: £15.

And that’s about it. I think it’s cute and a new apron was definitely overdue. Whilst it’s not the most exciting project I’ve done recently, it’s certainly one of the most useful.

PS.Apologies for the grainy photo

It’s so very overcast and dark here at the moment. I’ve had the lights on in the house all day.

Astonishing…what with it being November and all!

😉

Crapsticks!

September 26, 2011

With the kids back at nursery every morning you’d think that I’d be getting lots of creative things done here, but it feels quite the opposite. I do have a couple of things to show but simple haven’t had the time to photograph them…I’m hoping to rectify that this week so I can share them, but am less than optimistic!

It’s all good stuff, just a bit bonkers.

That said, I did get to spend some time on Sunday afternoon revisiting these trousers:Well…that’s a couple of hours of my life I won’t get back!

Honestly, they just went from bad to worse to “crapsticks, these are beyond salvaging”.

So they went in the bin.

And I’m back to the drawing board. And strangely sanguine about the whole experience.

Once upon a time, and not so very long ago (with apologies to The Carpenters) I would have been angry or miffed or just generally bemoaning my lack of skills. With these trousers I could see what the problems were and feel energised to try again.

The biggest problem was poor fabric choice. It was so promising as a piece of fabric, and so disappointing as trousers. Too little recovery, not enough structure, very snaggy. Just generally unpleasant.

We live and learn.

However the biggest learning point from all of this is that I now have a very clear idea of what I want these trousers to look like.

First up they need to be slim, but maybe not quite as slim as Clover:

: image courtesy of http://www.colettepatterns.com

They need to be versatile so I can wear them either 7/8ths length or full length:

: Image courtesy of www.anthropologie.eu

They need to work in multiple fabrics and with style features like different pockets or an added cuff.

: image courtesy of www.anthropologie.eu

Yep…it’s a trouser block I need. And it’s a pretty tall order, I think, but one I’m definitely looking forward to working on.

It’s on the back burner for a while as apparently there is a significant date in December* for which I have a pile of unsewn gifts and towards which time is swiftly marching. So October is my major festival* gift sewing month and the trousers can wait.

Although they’re a good incentive to crack on so I can get back to them as soon as possible.

*I’m loathe to mention the C word…it seems so early!

COPYRIGHT NOTICE