Its been a while

February 6, 2019 Trisha9 Comments

Its been a while………….. about 8 months!

I did quite a lot of sewing in the summer but didn’t do any blogging about it, my sewing tailed off in the autumn and then a crazy period of Christmas present sewing resulted in 4 cosmetic/pen cases, glasses case, 2 hot water bottle covers and a Kimono style dressing gown in Liberty cotton lawn. None of which I took any photos of!!

Another reason the sewing took a backseat was I got my knitting mojo back (its been lost for a very long time) I knitted a chunky sweater, 2 bobble hats and then I discovered knitting socks ! I have made 5 pairs so far!

Knitted using circular needles, great for TV knitting. After knitting with super chunky on large needles, knitting with tiny circular needles felt a bit like knitting with cocktail sticks.

If you want to try sock knitting, I recommend watching Tina of Simply Stitches on YouTube she uses the Unapologetic Knitter Vanilla Sock pattern which is a free download and converts it very easily to knitting on a circular needle.

But what to do with the left-over yarn?

My Liberty hexagon quilt has been getting some love recently, I got it out after Christmas, as a sofa sewing project.

I currently have on the sewing table a pinafore dress in grey corduroy. The pattern is Simplicity 1252 which I have made before

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I am waiting for a zip to arrive in the post but meantime I can’t decide whether to add pockets or not.

What do you think yes or no to the pockets?

Simple Sew Sienna Dress

May 10, 2018May 9, 2018 Trisha8 Comments

Really I should have been finishing 3 roman blinds for my bedroom make over but I abandoned the boring blinds to sew a summer dress just because I wanted to.

I found a pattern in my out of control collection, a freebie with Love Sewing magazine, Sienna Dress by Simple Sew

The Sienna Dress is a classic style with a flattering vintage-inspired silhouette. The fully-lined bodice has a gorgeous sweetheart neckline, and the optional short, fluted sleeves give you two styles in one. In-line pockets complete the look.

2m of fabric from the stash a cheerful viscose fruity fabric from Adam Ross, probably a late night purchase!

I didn’t make a toile which is a bit risky with a fitted bodice but I really just wanted to sew a pretty dress and not faff about with a toile, so I thought I would risk it, the Simple Sew patterns I have made before I have cut a size 14 with a 12 at the neckline and achieved a good fit.

The bodice front is not cut on the fold but two pieces with a seam up the front, next time I think I would cut the front on the fold and eliminate the centre seam.

The bodice is lined with a fine satin which was left over from the wedding dress I made last year. I also lined the sleeves, which gives a nice clean finish.

I am really happy with this dress, its great for twirling and its got pockets!!

Blouse · Love Sewing · Top

McCalls 7357

May 9, 2018 Trisha6 Comments

McCalls 7357 was a free gift with Love Sewing issue 49 and I thought it would prefect for one of the Seasalt fabrics I bought for half price in the Seasalt sale.

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Loose fitting pullover tops have neckband self lined yokes, applied tab, side front and side back seams, three-piece sleeves, shaped hemline, and narrow hem. A, B: Stitched hem on sleeves. B:Front sleeve and side slits. C: Purchased trim. C,D: Sleeves gathered into binding. NOTE Separate pattern pieces are include for cup sized A/B, C,D.

I made view C, size 14, Cup size C.

The front band is closed together with hooks and eyes, I didn’t bother with this and just hand stitched the bands to together, I still need to wear a camisole underneath so I may yet put a few more stitches in.

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A few weeks ago we spent the day at Hidcote Manor Gardens and the reluctant photographer was forced to take a few shots.

Jacket · Kwik Sew K4015

Kwik Sew 4015 View B

March 17, 2018 Trisha7 Comments

After my success with K4015 view A, a quilted jacket here I though I would give view B a try.

The back of View B is longer than front, is lined with contrast fabric, has patch pockets, hood with drawstring in casing and snap closures.

The showerproof fabric is called April showers and the lining is Oxford shirting fabric both from Fabworks Online.

I decided cut the back the same length as the front, as I was unsure I would like the back being longer than the front.

I found the buttons in my button tin, I think they were originally off a cardigan, and the large press studs I found in my mums sewing bits which I have inherited. I used the eyelets that came with my Prym pliers and then discovered that cord for the hood was too thick for the eyelets! eBay to the rescue, and a long trainer shoelace was ordered and it worked well.

The reluctant photographer was persuaded to take a few photos.

rain jacket pockets — Kwik Sew 4015 View B

rain jacket inside — Kwik Sew 4015 View B

Just need some warmer weather now so I can wear it!

Dress · Sewing · Tops

Molly, Erin and a 1940’s Wrap Dress

January 21, 2018 Trisha9 Comments

I always seem to be lagging behind and this a catch up post from last year, If I made New Year resolutions I would probably be posting about them in March!!

I had never used any Sew Over it patterns until Christmas 2016 when part of my Stitching Santa gift from Corrine (who blogs at Applebymakes) was the Molly pattern and enough fabric to make the top version, which I had sewn up before the new year!

followed by another…………..

followed by a dress version, I think I may cut this one off to a top length as it will get more wear as a top than a dress.

In the summer I found a free download for Erin Skirt from Simply Sewing, issue 22. I didn’t have the magazine so no instructions, but its a very simple and self explanatory pattern I have made it twice now.

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I joined the PDF club and bought a couple of patterns (still to be made). When the 1940’s Wrap Dress was released it was just what I was looking for, a wrap dress for a woven fabric.

I bought 3 metres of Prussian Blue polka dot crepe fabric from Adam Ross fabrics with a discount code from a sewing magazine and free postage 3 metres was just under £20 bargain!!

I cut a size 14 with out any alterations or making a muslin/toile which is always a bit of risk but it fits very well.

I love this dress and have worn it quite a lot over Christmas, but don’t have any photos as I never think about taking any when I am out enjoying myself.

I completely understand why SOI patterns are so popular in the sewing world, I don’t know what took me so long to try one! Are you a SOI fan?

Jacket · Kwik Sew K4015 · Sewing

Quilted Jacket – Kwik Sew 4015 View A

December 29, 2017January 21, 2018 Trisha15 Comments

Another catch up post.

Kwik Sew 4015 is one of those patterns with terrible photos, you really have to look at the line drawing and look past the front of the envelope and use your imagination.

Jackets have long sleeves. A: Stand-up collar, button closures and purchased bias binding.

Double sided quilted fabric is recommend for this jacket, but I couldn’t find any so I settled for 1 sided cotton quilted fabric from Minevra and added a lining from my stash

I originally cut out a large, but it was far too big, so I unpicked it and cut it down to a medium, I always seem to think I am bigger than I am.

I cut out the lining using the same pattern pieces as the jacket except for the collar which is constructed from two pieces of quilted fabric.

There are pockets in the side seams but they seamed to be too far back to be comfortable, so I added patch pockets to the front and I am so glad I did.

I finished the jacket with ready made bias binding, 15mm anorak press fasteners, instead of buttons I treated myself to a Prym Vario pliers kit, although I had difficulty getting the fasteners into the fabric, I had to enlist my husband to use a bit of brut force.