All posts filed under: Sewing

Top 3’s of 2016

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I’ve been blogging now since September 2013, but this is only the 2nd time I’ve looked back and posted on the previous year.  I tend not set myself any goals or targets, and  generally just amble along and see where my sewing takes me. I was surprised to read I had named 3 garments that I said I would make in 2016 when I was just looking back at my 2015 review .  None of which I did! Lets home my #2017makenine that I’ve posted on IG is more successful!     I’m basing my post around Gillian’s Annual Roundup but only doing the top 3 of each category and I’ve tweaked them a bit too. So here’s my top Threes……… TOP 3 MOST POPULAR POSTS 1  – The GBSB Drapey Knit Dress Is this really me!!! This was made,  blogged and given away in 2015 but was THE most popular post on my blog in 2016 as well and in 2015. Lets hope it doesn’t make 3 in a row!  I don’t have many regrets in life except …

Top 3’s of 2015

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I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s reflections and reviews of 2015 and thought it was about time I scrambled a post together for mine. I’ve been blogging now since September 2013 but this is the first time I’ve looked back and posted on the previous year.  I’m basing my post around Gillian’s Annual Roundup but only doing the top 3 of each category and I’ve tweaked them a bit too. So here’s my top Threes……… (CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO BE TAKEN TO THE ORIGINAL POST) TOP 3 MOST POPULAR POSTS 1   The GBSB drapey knit dress with 644 views!  I cringe every time I look at this post. No make-up, grey roots and the most unflattering dress I’ve ever worn!!  And an unwilling photographer who caused my to scowl a lot!  I donated it to science gave it to SewSouthLondon and she wore it to work – it looked fab on her!! 2   “Magic Our Morris” – my Grainline Studio Blazer. I totally get why this was such a popular post – nearly everyone …

My Colette Wren – The Nitty Gritty

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I had a vision! + = POSH FROCK Here’s how it happened! After taking my measurements I opted to trace off size large.  I didn’t notice the chart for the finished measurements.  If I had I would probably have saved myself some time.  The pattern has negative ease and my fabric (being a ponte knit) wasn’t quite as stretchy as suggested. The left photo shows my first muslin in a large.  I recut it in a XL and lengthened the pattern pieces by 4cm (on the shorten/lengthen lines). A lesson to all – Trace your pieces!  I’d have been snookered if I’d have cut into my PDF pattern and would have had to print and stick it all together again! The lower back bodice picture above is the first muslin.  As you can see its tight and also there is excess fabric in the lower back.  I lengthened the bottom by 4cm and then did a 5cm sway back adjustment – following this tutorial. I ended up with a very odd shaped piece but it …

When One Thing Leads To Another – The Colette Wren Part 1

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My big sister (older by 10 days short of a year) celebrated her birthday at the end of October.  Two years ago I made her a leather bag and last year I made her a Coco.  This year she said she would like another Coco and chose this sparkly ponte knit from Minerva: It does change colour a little bit depending on the light but this gives a fair idea of the fabric.  It took a bit of tweaking before I was happy with this photo. So onwards and upwards.  I completed her Coco in about 1 1/2 hours (I’ve made a few so can almost do them with my eyes shut, they seem to be our family uniform!). It was just as well that I got a photo of her new Coco on Gertrude as these were the best of the photo shoot in the pub: Anyway, she loved it! I loved it! I wanted to keep it!  But instead I ordered another 5 metres of this gorgeous fabric just for me!  I was thinking …

The Oslo Cardigan from Seamwork & Tips on hemming a slinky knit!

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I was a little late subscribing to the new digital magazine from Colette at the back end of last year so I missed out on the free pattern.. including The Oslo.  At first it wasn’t a problem, but then they were popping up all over, even in the Supermarket!  And I needed one to snuggle and slouch in, with so splashed out! I went down to Dewsbury to Lucky Fashions and spotted this scrumptious knit with an amazing drape for an even more amazing £3 per yard.  I snapped up 3 yards and dashed home! Before the sun set I had my very own Oslo. And boy has it been put through its paces.  It’s gone with everything! (as you’ll have seen on MMM15).  It seemed a bit daft taking pictures of me in the Oslo for this post, what with all the selfies of me on MMM, so I sweet talked my lovely niece into putting it on for a few photos.  That was the easy bit, The hard bit was getting it off her! I …

Osaka Wrap Skirt – Tick!

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Whoop! There’s only one thing on my new wish list and I’ve only gone and made it – the rest is in my head but will be noted soon!  Disaster did strike yesterday – here – but Thimberlina is over the stress and happy to be wearing her new skirt! So Let just crack on and I’ll show you the photos then talk about the nitty gritty afterwards! I did struggle to get photos of me in it that did the skirt justice.  I’m not sure about the button placements yet, but here goes, it does look better on Gertrude than me (at the moment!) Horaay for new machine that does lovely button holes! I’ve not made any thing that requires button holes for donkeys years! And top stitching to die for! Have you noticed the front and back are opposite? I’m glad in the end I went a bit wrong when I started off as I’d never have thought of using this FAB cotton and ribbon ponte for the reverse side.   More Lovely Top …

My Colette Albion #2

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Remember the ARRRHHHHHH moment in the first installment? I eventually pulled myself together, and several deep breathes & days later I had a plan.  Here’s some more pix of the Albion: VERDICT: This is the best casual jacket I own, but also the most expensive.  When I was 3/4 of the way through making it I ran out of thread (soooo much stitching to do – buy 2 spools if you intend to make the unlined version).  I called into Boyes in Brighouse, about 7 miles away, for a second spool.  On the way home I had a bump in my car (my fault) which ended up me paying an excess of £400 to the insurance company!! Hence the very expensive coat. It’s not put me off it though.  It’s roomy enough to wear a thick jumper underneath, but looks equally good withjust a thin top underneath. I’ve lost count of the number of  “No! You didn’t make that!?” moments that I’ve had. Not including the cost of my car, and the pattern, this jacket has …

It’s Only taken me 21 years to have a go!

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I received my overlocker as a gift from my parents for my 21st Birthday. It’s taken me another 21 years and 3 months to get around to attaching the roller foot and plate and attempting rolled hems! I bet we’ve all got extras (optional or otherwise) that came with our machines that we’ve never tried. I’m a sucker for reading instructions, so although I’d never attempted a rolled hem on my overlocker before, in my head I could do it. Tonight was the night! After being full of sewing enthusiam after last nights welt pocket success I was ready to tackle something else new. Afterall, the Monthly Stitch didn’t say we only had to aquire one new skill in January! And, since i found my sewing mojo last June I’ve not challenged myself properly, I’ve only made fairly straightforward things, mainly in jersey that dont need much fitting or concentration. I’ve previously whizzed up an outfit whilst the kettle boils! So, with the prospect of not buying any clothes in 2014 (as I’ve joined Goodbye Valentino‘s …