Monday, October 21, 2013

Cherry Half Circle Skirt




Miss C loves looking through my stash and found some cherry patterned fabric that she loved. She asked if I could make a 'vintage looking skirt' with it. I decided to make her a circle skirt but only had one metre so it became a half circle skirt. I drafted the pattern myself using this tutorial.

I ended up having to cut the waist circle bigger to pull on which shortened the length but I don't think it ruined the result.

I used plain white elastic sewn straight onto the waist. Miss C doesn't like how that looks. Perhaps next time I'll dye some elastic to match.

I learnt a new skill as well -- using my rolled hem foot. It was really ingenious! When I saw it working I made little nerdy squeaks of excitement! It made hemming a curve very simple and I only had to fold under the one fold then the foot did the rest!

Rolled hem foot in action!




I'm going to call this a wearable muslin as I had to fiddle with the pattern, the elastic isn't ideal and the rolled hem was my first attempt ever and has a couple of flaws. I'll definitely make more!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Summer Sailors by Brownie Goose



My eldest daughter has just turned 8 and she is wearing a size 10 in clothes. This means she has outgrown most of the children's ranges of ready-made clothes and is into the teen clothes. I have had an awful time finding shorts that cover her butt. Most sewing patterns for children end at size 8 as well. Miss C also has my bodyshape and as she gets older it is kicking well into gear. She has a rounded bum, curvy thighs and legs, and a sway back. Unless pants are adjustable, they just don't fit her. I had the same problem as a kid and still do!! I wanted to get her some shorts that were dressy and after having no luck I found this pattern for Summer Sailors shorts from Brownie Goose.

I'm not very good at 'shopping' from my stash but this time EVERYTHING came from my supplies including the elastic.
Fabric: navy and white spotted poplin from my stash (bought a couple of years ago on sale at Spotlight)
Buttons: 6 white buttons from my mum's button jar (probably buttons from my dad's PJs years ago!!)
Bias binding: White single fold bias binding from my stash for the faux pocket detail and navy bias binding from my stash to bind the waist seam.




Bound waist seam


I am insanely happy with these shorts. The pattern was very simple but the instructions for the little details including making a flat front elasticised waistband, making the cuff loops etc were described very clearly in the instructions. And the pattern was a pdf so it was instant gratification!

I'm definitely going to make more of these. I saw a tutorial for using the same pattern to make a different look.

The pattern is sized from 3 months to 12 years which is brilliant!

Best of all, my daughter loves them :)

Monday, October 14, 2013

The sewing algorithm

Perfect pattern + perfect fabric + careful cutting & sewing = FABULOUS finished garment.

I'm improving on the last one but the first two I am not so good at. I've now developed a block at matching up fabric and a pattern which has brought me to a stand-still.

Case in point. Beautiful Liberty of London fabric procured by my darling husband on a buying trip to London. I agonised over the pattern to use for it. And I FAILED. The lawn was way too crisp and the pattern needed better drape. I used this pattern and got very sad results due to my fabric choice.

 I was bitten and now I am freaked out.
Sad dress :(

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

$5 Patterns at Spotlight Australia



If there is something I'm really good at it's adding to my pattern and fabric stash. Not so good at the finishing projects bit...

Paper patterns are $5 until Oct 30 2013 at Spotlight Australia, so I went in...twice. The second time I went I took Miss Eight who has never perused pattern books before. You also need to select the pattern yourself from the drawer these days. She thought it was all particularly awesome. Her quote: 'I never knew looking at patterns could be so EXCITING!' Sweet little nerd.