Phoebe

I very loosely took part in the phoebe sew along. What I actually did, I bought the pattern when it came out got very excited about joining in with others, even cut the pattern out in time, and then, well timing went a little wayward! But the long and short is I have my first finished garment of the year.

I have really enjoyed my time making this dress, it completely reminded me why I like to make clothes.

I really made an effort with matching seams and lots of ironing (in truth I have been known to be quiet slap dash) I feel proud of my new sewing efforts. I was also rather pleased with the lining of the bodice.

Although not the best pictures I think you can see that it really has a great fit, all my worries about pot bellies and grading came to nothing, I stuck to one size and it seemed to work.

One of my happiest moments have been using my beloved vintage fabric that in the past I have been to afraid to cut into. This has been apart of my vintage pledge, next to tackle vintage patterns.

This lovely pattern has given me a dressmaking boost! I am happy with my new dress and keen to finish the version 1 that I have already have cut out!

Hows your sewing plans going? Have you taken part in the vintage pledge or any other sew along?

Phoebe sew along

There can be a better way to start the sewing year by coming together improving ones skills and making a lovely new stylish outfit. So here I am my first sew along for at least three years. Colette patterns are so lovely, my aim is to improve my fitting and sewing skills so that I had a real desire to wear my own makes, and build that hand made wardrobe.

Once my pattern was in my hands I couldn't help myself but think fabric! I must admit I felt rather torn between version 1 and 2. I planned for version 2 as the button front is just adorable. My fabric choice made me feel that I was making a dress that is suitable for the winter and early (often rather chilly spring)

This is a mini corduroy with a great match of lining. I am genuinely excited to get started. Although looking through my stash for inspiration I did come across a lovely vintage cotton that I thought would be a great version 2 and would be a perfect later spring to summer. 

As I have been tracing the pattern and cutting it out, planning toile for a good fit I thought 'what the heck' so I'm turning a little crazy and planning both versions 1 and 2!

All I can hope for is that I don't get to bogged down, and best scenario is that I end up with two beautiful dresses. This is rather an exciting start to the year, what are your plans ?

A perfect Mindful Denim Meringue Skirt

Yes Mindful sewing is in full swing! For those that don't know I started thing of my sewing in a mindful meditative kind of way, to try and stop rushing and making mistakes and causing stress.

 So feeling good and rather pleased I have the perfect denim skirt. We all need some staple clothes and this is great for that. Lets face it a denim skirt will go with every top and pair of shoes I own.

I have made some changes which I feel happy with, the fit around my waist feels snug, although I have noticed in the photo a little pull across the middle. Lets hope all the exercise I'm planning will stop that!

 

I also made up some pockets for the back, I had such a dilemma trying to work out whether to put on buttons, I thought plain was more versatile in the end.

 

The scalloped edges really benefit from taking time, I also did a little top stitch around the bottom.

 

Silly photo face!! But I just wanted to show the cute insides, fabric curtisy of Meg the Grand, thank you, as I think it's perfect!

 

So being my least liked pattern from the Colette book to my top skirt of the summer, what a turn around!!

Taffy Blouse

Continuing with the Colette sew along, it's been a while for me. I enjoyed the Meringue skirt, Pastille dress disaster, and only got as far as cutting out the pattern for the Truffle dress. I think we can say I'm not totally dedicated to this sew along, although yes lesson are being learn t. So for the Taffy blouse.

I personally have had a love hate journey with this.
 1st I love it, probably the best pattern in the book, I love the fact that there are only three parts to the pattern to cut out.
 2nd, I hate it, the whole process is to learn about flimsy fabrics, and yes I struggled.
 3rd I love it, what a wonderful pattern, in theory so easy to put together.
 4th, I hate it, or my sewing machine does. The weave on my fabric is very loose and my sewing machine just wants to eat it. I know the top will only last the summer as it will surely fall apart by the autumn.
 5th I love it, a quick try on before the binding goes on show what a wonderful cut a summery feeling this top is.
 6th, I hate it, when the binding is on it actually has more weight than the fabric and the sleeves just look funny.
 7th, I love it, I iron and put it on with some half decent clothes and suddenly YES it's a winning top.

 

I would also like show off my wonderful shoes, I love wedges! These where a total find at the boot fair, 50p, that's less than a dollar for you American folk!

I couldn't resist this though, Arthur thought he would like to join in with the photo shoot,what a star!

This is such a lovely blouse, I think it will be the summer top of the year for all the sewers all over the world! I also hope to show this off with Justine this week. http://www.sewcountrychick.com/2012/04/sew-7-tell-saturday-april-28-2012.html

Pastille dress, muslin no.2.

So taking into consideration what everyone had to say about my first Pastille muslin, I have made a few changes. The first is the length, in fact the whole of the skirt came down a size, and I shaved a little off the bodice.

Firstly the positives, it really does fit better.

A little to much fabric at the top of the bodice I think.

I have really struggled with lining up the darts. I think I have fiddles around so much I don't know if I'm coming or going.

Finally I I think I would benefit from starting from the the very beginning, keeping in mind all that I have learnt. To be honest I don't know that I will. The biggest problem with this dress for me is that between the darts is my pot belly and I feel really exposed, so I'm not sure that I like it. If the waistband moved to be a empire line maybe I would like it more. But for now I have learnt plenty, like go on a diet!!

And yes I did take the Colette book to the hairdressers with me!!

Pastille dress, muslin

Item two of the Colette sew along marathon. Item one was the Meringue skirt, which in the book I didn't really like but in the interest of learning more skills I made a wearable muslin, now I love it! Item two of the marathon is the Pastille dress, which looks sleek and elegant. Although I have enjoyed making the muslin up with lots of pleats to practise I'm not sure I really like the dress.
Have a good look for yourselves, and please feel free to give some very honest feedback so I can improve.

Over all it does fit very well, having taken care and a few alterations to the pattern, i.e. my waist that is wider than my hips!

Either I need slight alteration or a little more care to aline the darts top and bottom.

Back darts line up nicely.

I think there is too much fabric at the sides of the skirt. I will not being doing the pleats and haven't decided how short to make the skirt yet. Probably knee length ( am over 35 now!!)

So now to make a little change here and there and then to raid the fabric stash. As I'm not that into the dress I will not be going out to buy new fabric, but should it suddenly improve I might have another go.

What do you think? And how are getting on with the sew along marathon?

Sew Colette : Meringue Muslin

I thought I would use a up a sheet for my muslin and also make a real effort so it would become a wearable muslin. It's not to bad really, considering this is my worst type of thing to make due to make. I have a pot belly so my waist size is way bigger than my hips using the Colette sizing this would be waist size 14 to hips size 4, so a  little adjusting was needed. I did get a bit confused over pivot points etc but went for a free hand adjustment in the end.

I didn't have a zip let alone an invisible one, but I rip one from a skirt awaiting the quilting pile!

I'm quiet happy with the fit as it's supposed to be below the natural waist, so I was planning near my belly button which seems to work. I really like the waist band version but I was time conscious and didn't want to have to go through tutorials.

The hardest part was defiantly the scalloped hem. The joining bit between each scallop could be more precise.

I worked harder on the pleats tieing the ends off. I used more pins to keep everything in line. I should have used the iron more. And finally I plan to get a better zip.

As this is a wearable muslin I am planning to do just that! So I am not making up the skirt again in a hurry although I do have fabric waiting in the wings. This is mainly because I want to see if I like to wear it and how it wears throughout the day.

So how's the Colette Sew along going for you?