Summer Sew Along Complete x2 :)

Well it makes a change for me as I actually completed a sew along in time! Here is the finished products: Yes I done two (and a half if you count the jacket I started which in now in my ufo pile)

    

I have done these properly, all seams were serged and finished in a French seam. So they look as good as the real thing. The rose print top has a plain black back as I felt the print was a bit too much for me.

The pattern was self drafted. I literally took an old favourite and traced round it. First time I have ever done it and now have a stack of simple summer tops to try it with!

    

 

Here is a few more in construction pics and I now have two more summer tops. Yay me.

 

           

I’m really pleased with the turnout inside and out, I even added a little pocket on this one.

        

 

Hope everyone has a great week sewing. xxx

Summer Essentials Sew Along (SESA) 2012

 

1 MONTH: In the month of June, sew one fabulous garment that you plan on strutting all summer.

1 GARMENT: Your choice!

1 GREAT LIST: http://www.flickr.com/groups/sssa/

1 FABULOUS PRIZE: 2.5 YARDS OF SUMMERY COOL SEERSUCKER & you could also win an indie sewing pattern of your choice from Ali!

For more details, to join in and to grab the badge please head over to the gorgeous girlies that are hosting the sew along: Sarah of Rhinestones & Telephones, Ali of The Wardrobe Reimagined and Alessa of Farbenfreude.

 

I am definitely taking part in this. I have been debating all day about what to make.

 

I have decided to go with Simplicity 2446. I know it doesn't look very summery but year after year I look for light summer blazers and never find any. I have a few modifications in mind to make it more summery (colour, material, 3/4 length gathered arms, different collar) so in theory it will be lovely, light and summery.

 

I have some black (I know I know stupid colour but I cant help it) cotton sheeting for the muslin as this will be my first jacket attempted so I am anticipating many muslins so I went for the cheapest material to hack into . I am off now to find my pattern and work out what size to trace. Happy days. xx

Trio of dresses done for my troublesome Princess :)

Well 3 out of 4 aint bad!

A long while ago Louise picked out her own pattern and Fabric from Ashley Brooks and I have only just got around to sewing them (bad mummy). 

       

Nice and simple pattern, great for the summer. These are the three fabrics Louise picked, I had the pink ditsy print in my bag from a previous visit. The muslin was nice and easy to put together. The first dress (pink ditsy with trim) I left out the buttons due to my fear of button holes….Not a good move!!!

          

So here we have my first ever attempt at button holes. My machine has a 3 step button hole setting but the sides come out different so I had to redo one side on a smaller stich size to make them look the same.  Second time round I got better but not paying attention too my measuring I made the top ones bigger (whoops). The gathering was nice and simple, used 2 basting stiches and pulled. I was also very impressed with the neatness of the neck and arm lines when lining is used.

     

All straight seams were French seams I am so impressed as its the first time I have done “real” ones :) I also used a long strip of fabric as bias type binding to hide the join at the waistband and stop it irritating Louise's skin. She is a happy bunny.

 

Its reportedly going to hit 28 degrees tomorrow here in the UK so she might just get a chance to wear them out! Now onto my dresses *big grin*

She loves it. Now she cant wait for the others!

You will have to excuse my daughter. Although she was a willing model she would not stretch to having her hair brushed!

She is very impressed with the muslin and is now getting impatient to wait for her others to be done in the fabric she picked!

Even Louise said "Mum its too long" I will have to do some serious length adjustment on the pattern :)

It seems louise has a smaller back like me, I am not sure if I will use buttons as this slips on and off her fairly easily. I may be lazy and sew a center back seam instead (fear of button holes......I know!!)????

It passed the jump and twist test too! She is one happy (but slightly impatient) bunny :)

Mini Me: Summer Dress

I got this great New Look pattern from Ashley Brook Fabrics during their pattern sale thinking it look nice and quick!! :)

I must stop reading the pattens before I cut the material as I nearly had a heart attack and didn't have a clue what some of the instructions were saying and started to panic! Time for a muslin!!!!

I cut the pattern in a 4 as Louise is quiet small for her age but I know it will still be way too long for her! The style I went for had 5 pieces so was nice and easy to cut.

Once I got sewing the guide made sense and the process moved along quite quickly. I was very impressed. Gathering took a long time...Note to self to invest in a gathering foot.

Here is the finished muslin, I basically used an old sheet. I used contrasting cotton to see where I made mistakes and it worked a treat as there are a few things I need to make sure I don't do on the final dress.

The gathering turned out well which I was pleased with. I must remember to snip the inside of the seams on the bodice, I did remember to grade them though!

The back was a bit tricky as I have never done this type before, but in all fairness I let the thinking confuse me and should have just followed the guide without trying to work it out before hand! All I need to do is the button holes (I am so dreading that).

I must say I am looking forward to Louise trying it on in the morning :)

Louise picks her 1st lot of material

So I took my little one Louise (age 4) to the fabric shop with me. Ashley Brooks in Romford Marketplace (or now known as the Romford Shopping Mall) are really good with her and don't mind her sitting down behind their counter out the way while I browse and procrastinate over fabrics!

I asked her to pick some fabric she liked for her summer wardrobe and here we have her choices all priced at £2.40p/m and perfect for the hopefully hot summer.

I was very happy with her choices however I was thinking dresses and she has asked for skirts which would be easier but then I will have to match them with tops!!!!