Calling it a year..... and planning for next

Well, it's getting to that time of year where other people and priorities take over my sewing priorites.  The next few weeks will be busy at work, home and play; wrapping up sewing lessons, and presents (pun fully intended!)

It's been a funny year on the sewing front.  I lost my mojo for a little while and then I didn't want to sew because I wanted to lose weight.  It came back with a vengence, and then I got an ipad and struggled with the technology and couldn't (and still can't) figure out how to post my photos.

I've taken a couple of classes, bought far too many some good sewing books, am waiting for delivery of the Threads archive DVD, bought far too much some super fabrics, worked through some of my stash, and cracked my blouse fitting issues (almost - there's always room for improvement!).

I have been through my patterns and have a plan for next year, which I'll share with you once the plan is finalised in the New Year!  I MUST deal with my personal trouser fitting issues -- no doubt a class will be called for.

So I'm going to call it a year.  I've really enjoyed reading all your blogs and will do so during the Christmas period.  It just remains for me to wish you a peaceful Christmas and New Year to you and your families and leave you with this little note

Bloomin' patterns...... and a back up plan

Still no joy getting the McCalls pattern.  It was ordered last Friday for first class delivery next working day - is a week pushing it to be classed as next working day?!

So I need a Christmas party wear back up plan:

This arrived on Monday! Yay!!!  A lovely book which everyone is blogging about at the moment.  Very simple styles and easy makes. 

So, this is the back up plan:



In soft navy blue satin




In navy lace.

 I'll leave it to the weekend before I get the scissors out!!

Moral to this tale - a girl always needs a back up plan

Christmas sewing - all for me!!!

I need want a new party dress for Christmas.  I've been a very good girl this year and deserve it - honestly I have.....

I'm thinking of keeping it simple.  The last few years I have dressed up and felt overdressed, and out of place.  So this year, "simple" is my way forward.

So, this is what I will be making:  McCalls M6460.  Simple and elegant!

I will make view D.  I like the fact it will cover my knees, and cover the top of my arms.  I'm thinking black, I'm thinking satin, I'm thinking lace - I'm thinking it will be what ever bloomin' colour I find for the lace will be a starting point.  It's just so difficult to get nice fabrics locally.

I particularly like the fact that this pattern comes in  a multi-cup size too.  I have just made two shirts (yes, two!) which I will blog about later.  It was a McCalls pattern I used and I went for a D cup and then I tried a C cup.  Both fit well, one just a tad closer than the other.

Anyone else tried this pattern yet?  What are your party wear plans?

And the winner is....

Oh my goodness, I have been wracked with guilt - crap broadband issues technical difficulties have ment no posting.  However I am delighted to announce the winner of the fitting book is....

House of Pinherio

Yay, congrats!!  drop me a note with your postal address at rutheveleigh at btinternet dot com and your book will be on it's way to you.

My sewing mojo's back after disappearing for, what feels like, months.....  I've made a skirt and top for work, and am currently working on a shirt, following my visit to Gill Arnold last Saturday.

More on those later.  In the meantime, have a lovely weekend all.

PS Fabricland came up trumps.  They replaced the lengths of double knit, and didn't want the flawed lengths back, so I'm sure I will be able to squeeze something out of them - I feel a simple cardi coming on....

McCalls M5913

Due to the lack of sewing around here sewing lately, I thought I would share something I made last year, which kept me beautifully warm during the very cold winter we had.

McCalls 5913

I think it's the first time I've ever been "fashion forward", no one really passed comment on it last year, but this year everyone wants to know where I bought it. (Honestly, when will people get it - I SEW!)

I made the red one pictured above, with the belt holes and belt.  I got the fabric from Fabulous Fabrics in Ashby de la Zouch around 18 months ago, including the lining, which is a Paul Smith cotton.  To make it really warm and cosy I added a flannel interlining.

The pattern isn't lined, but I didn't like the thought of that so cut lining and interlining to the same pattern pieces and omitted the facings.  I put the interlining to the main fabric and treated as one.  As that made the fabric heavy and quite thick, I didn't want to worry about turn of cloth so so rather than sew everything together and turn through (like bagging the lining) I hemmed the bottom with self made bias binding.

I love this pattern so much I made view A for my sister 2 Christmases ago, and because she loves it so much made her another longer one last Christmas - no she won't be getting another one this year!

This is one pattern that I will be keeping - I  L O V E  capes and have just bought another pattern from the 1970's on Etsy - watch this space (but don't hold your breath because I have SO much I want to do first...)

Foundations of Fit - roll on Saturday and a Giveaway

Why is it I can fit my customers but really, really struggle to fit myself?  Is it because I can't see, hold, pin and measure myself? is it because I just don't know why or where it doesn't fit? is it pulling across the back because the armholes are too tight, too low, or not high enought?  No wonder it's a complete struggle!

On Friday I hope to de mystify some of these niggles as I am attending another Gill Arnold class "Foundations to Fit" on Saturday.  It's a day class aimed at blouses / jackets and covers the basic principals of fit.  I get how to alter for a FBA or SBA, I get how to alter sleeves for my buxom larger upper arms - I just need a hand getting it right for me.  It's one of the reasons I've been reluctant to put the Speed Tailoring class into practice because I'm always dissatisfied with the final fit.

To celebrate I'm giving away a copy of by favorite books "Fast Fit" by Sandra Betzina - or aunty Sandy in my house, because I always turn to her!  During my sort out I noticed that I had two copies.  So if you'd like my spare copy, drop me a line before midnight on Saturday 12th November; tell me about your fit issues and how you overcame them - I might learn something!  The Giveaway is open to all.

Also on a happy note, I bought this book at a sale a couple of weeks ago and was inspired to do some sewing yesterday - can't tell you what because they are Christmas presents.  It's a really great book, nothing particularly new or exciting, cushions, door stops, wash bags and pinnies etc but it's beautifully written and photographed and of course, full of wonderful Liberty prints.  I'd say buy this book!

Enjoy the remainder of your evening and look forward to hearing from you with your fit tips!

PS still no resolution to the fabric delivery issues, fingers crossed it will be sorted out tomorrow....

Doomed not to sew...

Where do I begin - at the beginning I suppose?!

Okay, McCalls pattern arrived in a timely fashion, pattern pieces are cut, pressed and ready to go.  Fabric ordered last Friday on next day delivery (so should have arrived Monday).  It finally arrived yesterday.  As we all do when we know there's a fabric delivery screaming to be opened, I got excited - and then it happened.  Where are the 3 zips?  I'll drop them and email, no biggie it will sort itself out.  Then I opened up the fabrics.

1m blue daisy cotton (for aprons) - tick
1m black "leather look" (for Stella McCartney inspired dress) - tick
2.5m pale blue suede (for Vogue wrap dress) - tick
1.5m of lining for above - tick
2.5m red ponte knit - erm no.  1.5m with a great big (and I mean HUGE) fault through it - tick
2m grey ponte knit - erm no again!  1.2m with an other great big fault through it - with big loops of cream stuff stcuk to it to point out the fault - tick

To say I saw red was an understatement.  I was so looking forward to this weekend.  We have "nothing" planned so I wanted to lock myself away to sew the red ponte McCalls dress - an now this.

To add insult to injury they want me to email pictures, which I will have to do this evening (on the crappy i-pad camera), so that will delay any replacement until the middle of next week - and then our weekends are booked with pre-christmas visits etc.  Excuse me a moment.....AArrgghhh

The company I used are Fabricland.  I know they're a bit "cheap and cheerful" but I've used them for years and never had any issue in the past - not even a forgotten thread, or small button.  What's got into them I wonder?

I suppose I should crackon with some Xmas gifts, at least the fabric came for the aprons - but you know how it is when you have something in your mind, you just want to get on with it.

Oh, and incase you were wondering, the zips were posted to me this morning - great, 3 zips, no fabric.....

Onward and upward ladies......

Feeling better, and feeling inspired

I'm feeling so much better this week and having spent some time looking around blogland, and looking at the new Autumn / Winter patterns, I came across this dress from McCalls

McCalls 6395

Although my first love isn't knit fabric, I do enjoy working with double knit which this pattern will be perfect for.

So I've hunted down some double knit in Chocolate Brown, Navy, Red and Cerise.  I'm thinking of making the Muse Dress http://reveleigh.blogspot.com/2011/01/butterick-5522-done.html again in red with cerise inserts (colour blocking?!) and would like to make view B above in Navy with red zips and trim, although I will need to lengthen it - 40+ knees and all that!

I'm will work on the coat this weekend as its turned very chilly and had me reaching for the de-icer and scraper yesterday morning!

Have a lovely weekend all

So that's why I haven't been in the mood!

Ok, cards on the table. I really haven't wanted to do any sewing for around two months and Sunday was a challenge 'forcing' myself to cut out the coat pattern. And now I know why - I have shingles. What a horrible thing it is, besides not wanting to do much of anything, my heads been pounding (I thought that was down to the odd weather),my sense of taste is poor, and don't get me going on the hot,sore, itchy skin!
Hopefully normal service will be resumed shortly. In the meantime I look forward to reading all your posts for inspiration and general cheering up!
Keep blogging!!

No sewing, just cutting

Very, very occasionally I drop a clanger when fabric shopping, and I did it when I purchased the lining for my coat. I thought it was 150 wide and its 112, so there's no way I can squeeze out the pieces I need and I was so looking forward to working on it. Oh well, the main pieces are cut and marked and I've made a pattern piece for the fusible interfacing.

So this afternoon I have been looking at some of the new Vogue patterns and it struck ms that some of their photographs are a bit "dodgy". Anyone else noticed these?



I don't even need to comment!



Well dodgy right bodice.  Although I havejust purchased this pattern (blush)

Is this the front or back of the model?
How thin?!?!

Roll on Friday.  I'll have to go over to Newbury to buy more lining (no I will NOT make any further purchases) and can then crack on in the afternoon - all weekend to myself, bliss

Enjoy the rest of your day

Autumn Sewing

I've borrowed Ian's notebook so I can post again, yay!

I've been busy making work clothes over the last few weeks and will post some photographs later.  I used a KwikSew pattern for the first time and am astounded at the great fit, which means I will be adding more of their patterns to my collection over the next couple of seasons for sure!

Anyway, this is my next project.  Because I'm pushed for time now I am working full time, it had to be quick, simple, but do the job:

An Autumn coat/jacket to wear walking to and from the car park:

Vogue 8562

I will probably make the longer version, depending on the length of fabric I bought (yes, sorry, not coming from the stash!) and will be using a brown based tweed which I suspect may need some supersoft interfacing added to it to help keep its shape.  Here it is, not a great photo, I lifted it from the Fabricland website.

If  you like this pattern you should note that it's about to go out of print, according the the Sew Today website.

Wish me luck, I'll be starting it on Sunday, with a view to finishing it same day!

Have a good weekend all

Is anyone else using an iPad?

I'm not liking my iPad. It's impossible to do the most simplest of tasks, hence no posts.
I have been sewing and want to share my projects with you, but there doesn't appear to be any way to add photos to my posts. And we all know a too many posts with no pictures makes for a dull blog!
If anyone out there knows how to add photos I would love to hear from you, otherwise the old laptop will be dug out and the iPad will go in the loft!!
A frustrated blogger......

Hello strangers!

Hi everyone. I hope you all had a nice summer(if it was summer at your end of the world?)

Last week I received an iPad for my birthday - it was a shock. Ian and I are not big on presents as we have a lot of things that make us happy so typically a present from Ian is a few pounds and a trip to my favorite fabric shop.

I downloaded an app called fabricstashxl which I have yet to try but other than that I'm a bit lost. Can you re recommend any good ones, sewing related or not?!

Well the wedding dress is finished and will be delivered tomorrow evening and i am really looking forward to getting back to sorting through all the bits and pieces that I need to pass on. I have already posted some patterns out to other bloggers I know will make better used of them then I ever will and have a LOT of things to give away over the coming weeks

I'm. Also looking forward to sewing for myself again and have a few ideas tucked up my sleeve, mainly an Autumn jacket (as I have a 10 min walk from the car park to the office) and some shirts, a black pencil skirt and another dress. I finished the New Look dress so will have to post some photos later in the week.

I have one sewing related picture in my iPad so will post that to close. It's a corset I made last year for oNe of my lovely customers, Lori

Oh dear - how do you upload pictures from the iPad?!? I'm not convinced this gadget is for me....

I'll be back to regular posting again over the next few days - see you soon!!

message to AllisonC

Sorry you haven't been able to get in touch, try:  ruth@thesewingstudio.vpweb.co.uk

Sunday Giveaway - belated results!

Sorry for the delay yesterday, we've been having some rubbish broadband connection over the last month and yesterday lost it all together.

Anyhoo, following the "names out of a hat" approach, the winner is..... (drum roll).....

AllisonC

Congrats Allison!  Let me have your postal address and I will send the book on its way to you.

I've had a huge sort through of my patterns so look out for the next giveaway on Sunday...

New Look 6968 progress

Well, there is some progress....

Here's where I am with the toile



Nice pose!

What a great fit this pattern is.  My toile fit well although as you can see, I had to pinch out quite a bit from the arm to the top of the hip.  Oddly, I had to pinch out more on my rightside than I did my left. I think this is more to do with recent weight loss - which I really don't mind!  Notice the "round" tummy look has almost gone - yay! 

yes, I have black knickers on.....

  I will be picking the Sunday Giveaway later this evening, so stay tunned for the winner.  It will be names out of a hat as I have no idea how to use the random generator.  What with my dress, new job and a wedding dress to finish I haven't time to work it out.  Maybe for the next one!

And finally....

4th July saw my Sister turn 40 and 1st August saw my Mum turn 70.  So there's been a fair bit of eating, drinking and celebrating.

Here Mum wanted to take just her girls out for lunch.  We went to Raymond Blancs bistro in the centre of Bristol and it was lovely.  The food was REALLY good and service was great.  It has a lovely relaxed feeling and considerig it was lunchtime there was no rush.  I think we were there for around 3 hours.  We shared a half bottle of champagne and had a glass of wine each with our meal.  Mum settled the bill when we left so I'm not sure how pricey it was/was not, but whatever, it was worth it.  We had a lovely time.

don't I look like Mum?!

And here we are celebrating at home with a bbq, more champagne, beer, wine and cake.  We were fortunate with the weather as it rained heavily in the morning but cheered up perfectly for the afternoon.  The boys were with us, but camera shy!

Oy, mister.  Get off my snoozing chair.....

Ah, don't you just love family....

The Sunday Giveaway

I'm having a HUGE sort out of my sewing room, supplies, patterns and stash over the next few weeks.  To be honest I think it will take me until the end of the year, there is just SO much one collects/hoards over a 25 year period!

Because I'm going back to employed work I need to re-orgainse the sewing room properly.  It's been a tough decision but I will no longer sew for customers.  Rachel's wedding dress due at the end of this month, will be my last.  It's been a great experience but I'm putting the last 10 years behind me to concentrate on me, Ian and Jack.  I will keep the sewing classes going though as I really enjoy that side of my business!

Anyhoo, the reason for this post is to let you all know that I will be having lots of items to giveaway.  Books, notations, patterns and fabrics will be high on the list.  I will post most things anywhere in the world but some may have to be the UK due to weight. 

First up is the following book as I have two:  I can thoroughly recommend it to both novice and experienced tailors.  I have referred to it a lot since I took the Gill Arnold class at the end of June.  It covers traditional, speed and a mixture of the two type of tailoring with excellent photographic reference as we have come to love with the Singer Library.

This giveaway is open to anyone in blogland.  As long as you are a follower, and leave a comment before end of day Wednesday 17th August I'll include you in the draw. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  We're going our for our Sunday Lunch today, so no boubt we will be snoozing by 4pm (why does a Sunday lunch make me so sleepy?)

New Look 6968 - something on the go at last!

Well, aside from clothes for Sally and the liquorice allsorts top there's been no sewing for me.  I am working on a wedding dress that's due early September and am at a standstill until the next fitting tomorrow evening so today I started work on New Look 6968 for me.

I'm working on view D, collar and sleeves included.  Having seen Kirsty's version and reading how well she found it went together I though I should give this pattern a chance too.  So far I have cut and fitted the tissue and am really pleased with the fit. It will be made up in some cotton "tweed look" fabric I purchased from Fabricland a few weeks ago.

I cut a size 12 top, graded out to a 14 at the waist.  The sleeves are cut to a 14 and the skirt section is a 14 graded to a 16 at the thighs to assist with fit over my pear shape.  I also had to take the back in approx 1.5cms  from the neck to the waist.  I used the size 14 bust dart and lowered the top of the waist dart by approx 1.5cms to accommodate fit around my bust.  So far it looks to be a super fit and shape (plus I've lost approx 9lbs over the last 6 weeks so clothes and patterns are fitting again - the lumps and bumps around my tummy, hips and thighs are smoothing out!)

Photos of alterations and fabric to follow, I was in a rush today. 

I'm reviewing my wardrobe (again) for Autumn as I have just been offered a PA role for a great company based in Swindon.  It's a 3 month contract initially with a view to permanent.  At the moment I have a lot of joggers, flip flops and summer skirts in the wardrobe - not suitable for the office environment.  I did have to buy a suit for my interviews as I just wasn't organised enough to make one in time.  But the offer has given me a reason to sew the clothes I love, smart and fitted so Betty will be busy over the next couple of weeks!

More to follow on the dress over the week. 

Autumn Planning

That's right.  It is still summer and I'm thinking long sleeves, knits, trench coats and boots.....  I desperately need some transition pieces.  It's raining here again this morning, the sun isn't up and it's just blah.  Perhaps summer will come to us late again this year?

I need:
Casual Basics:
Long sleeved white classic shirt
Neutral jacket
Trench coat
Skirt
Trousers

I've been having a good look around the Internet at a couple of my favorite sites.  Some are still showing Summer sales, but Hobbs are forging ahead.  Their colour palette this year is black, blue, white, red and coral.  Here are a few of my favorite things....



Hobbs




Hobbs




Hobbs



Hobbs



Stella McCartney




Marc Jacobs




Hobbs




Hobbs




Balmain




Lela Rose

 Aside from the Trench Coat, I don't think there's anything too scary.  Obviously I'll have to save up for the watch!!  I truly love the denim skirt and that belt, it takes me back to early school days (remember snake belts?).

I'm waiting for Liberty to update their website.  I just know there will be lots of Vivienne Westwood designs to ogle over.....

Have a lovely weekend all.

A long time friend in need....

Sally and I have been friends for over 35 years.  We've dipped in and out of our friendship, as true friends do.  She's always "just been there" and one day last week I thought she looked a little unloved and slightly scruffy in her brown velvet jumpsuit, sitting on my sofa in the sewing room.

I know, I'll make her something new to wear.  Well, it's the least I could do after all these years of friendship.  I started with some lingerie made from the finest handkerchief lawn (incl knickers, but Sally is a lady and didn't want to show those to the world) and put a bow in her hair ....

Next up, a new dress.  I made a special trip to the fabric shop for this pretty cotton.  Well, she deserved it....

And I have tied a new piece of ribbon around her dummy.  That used to be around her neck with a piece of red wool....

Doesn't she look pretty?  I'm working on a lilac coat and bonnet next, but keep it a secret, I don't want her to find out until end of August because I think that's when her birthday is.

Sally is, of course, my 1976(ish) tiny tears.  I still have the original dress but lost her bottle years ago.  Anyway at 35+ she doesn't want to cry and wet herself anymore.  Her hair is very matted after years of Sunday baths but she still closes both eyes when she lays down.  I loved her so much and took her everywhere.  There is a photo of us up the mountain in the Isle of Man (very exotic childhood holidays in the 1970's).  I still love her to this day, but just neglected her for a little while.

Her best friend is Gillian.  Gillian lives with my sister and is approx the same age.  She is a teeny tiny tears and is wearing a knitted ensemble from my great auntie Phyllis from approx 1978.  Maybe it's Gillian's turn next?

I hope you aren't neglecting anyone important in your life?

RIP Amy

May you now find peace. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14262237

How to get your mojo back...

It's simple.  2 hours, 1.3meters of printed cotton lawn and McCall's 5977.

Phew, I think I'm back.  This week I have made a navy pencil skirt (own self drafted pattern) and another McCalls easy-peasy-lemon squeezy top.  They don't go together at all, but in times of sewing crisis you just have to go with what you need to do....

Navy skirt is way too boring to blog about, so here's the top

This top reminds me of liquorice allsorts.  I'm thinking about the brown and black one (I actually don't like that one at all!) and the yellow and black one!

Nothing exciting to report about it.  I used french seams at the sides and shoulders and turned a narrow double hem on the frill.  Because the frill is so curved I stitched 1cm from the edge with a long stitch and pulled up the bobbin threads to draw it into the curve to make hemming easier.

That's it for now.  Except to mention that I went fabric shopping earlier this week and found a couple of bargains which are hanging on the line drying as I type.  More on those later.

Have a lovely weekend all.  I hope those of you in Central and Eastern America are managing in the heat - we are hearing snippets of news of it being incredibly hot right now.  Our summer's disappeared again - I'm wearing joggers and long-sleeved top again today (sigh....)

My 100th post

Crikey here it is, my 100th post since last August. Hasn't the time flown?

Sadly I've lost my sewing mojo. I have a jacket toile (half done), a chanel jacket (half done) and a pencil skirt (75% done) plus a HUGE stash of summer fabrics that I just can't seem to get through....

I'm not fretting, it will return soon I'm sure.  I'm just sad I don't have anything truely wonderful to show you on this milestone post.

On Sunday I will be taking a look at some of the new Autumn trends and patterns and planning a new wardrobe for the cooler months ahead - that will get the creative juices flowing again I am sure.

In the meantime has anyone else an issue with blogger?  I'm struggling to leave messages on certain sites so if you haven't heard from me for a while I'm still reading your posts and enjoying your creations!

Have a lovely weekend all

The joy of stats

This is in no way a sewing related post, but something I just had to share with all you lovely readers in blogland.

I've just watched the most AMAZING programme on BBCFour called "The joy of stats".  Some of it went completely over my head and some of it had my jaw on the floor.  As an example, if all the data available to us on the internet were in written form then there would be 90 piles of books stretching from the earth to the sun(!).  But here's the interesting stat for all us bloggers.

In California there is a place that analyses EVERY blog in the world and reads our emotions....  So if you write something along the lines of "today has been a good day, I feel very blessed" or "today has been a rubbish day and I feel tiered"  or "today I'm feeling very sick" the software picks up everything related to "feels like" or "feeling" or "feel".  Since all blogs are in the public domain they can analyse every blog and run their stats by age, sex, country, continent.  Isn't that fascinating?!  Apparently most of us are happy, most of the time.

You may be able to catch up with this programme on the BBCiplayer later today.

Did I ever mention I'm a number geek?!?!

Sewing posts coming soon I promise.  I FEEL as though my sewing mojo's still on holiday....

Hanging a Garment Properly

I was browsing the Threads website this afternoon because I'm missing the June/July issue and came across this great article.

Some of you may already have seen it and one of the techniques I have already discussed here.  I use the hanging loops and tacks on all my strapless garments and am loving the idea of the hooks and eyes / snaps.  Such a simple idea!

Hanging a Garment Properly - Threads

Enjoy!

Gill Arnold Speed Tailoring class - A review

Sorry for the delay since my last post - sometimes life just gets in the way doesn't it?

I mentioned that I booked a place on Gill Arnold's 2 day Speed Tailoring class 28th and 29th June and thought I would give you an overview of the class, venue and Gill.

To learn more about Gill and her classes you can see her website here:  http://www.gillarnold.co.uk/.  I won't reiterate her experience, but would add that her teaching style and manner is relaxed and you learn so much without realising it!  Gill always goes over the basics of any process - ie when pressing the jacket seams open she talks about the 3 steps of pressing.  Even though you may already know the information it is presented in such a way it still feels new.

Classes start at 10am prompt and I decided to drive each day.  The studio is located a few miles from the motorway and it was an easy run form me (albeit about an hour and a half each way). Places are limited to a maximum of 6 students.

Gill started by explaining the difference between formal tailoring and speed tailoring and we looked at jackets she had made using both methods - it was hard to tell the difference even with a good feel.....

Here Gill is explaining how speed tailoring will look and that to have a successful
jacket you need to line it - hong kong finish really doesn't work. 
She is also showing us the variety of fabric weights you can utilise with this method. 
This sample is a lightweight poly blend.

We then looked at the different types of fusibles we would be using, including a non-fusible which would be used for the chest plastron.  Of course Gill sells everything you need and makes up packs for you to take away. The packs are round £16 and include enough fusible to do 2 jackets, some fabulous shoulder pads, sleeve heads and bindings.

Here is Sylvia adding her back stay

 As a group we worked through each stage together and broke off into 2's at the ironing stations which works well when trying to remember everything!  Gill provides everything in the class so you don't need to bring anything other than some lunch.

Remember to use your pressing cloth the right way around! 
Here the roll line is being pressed

 Unlike some speed tailoring classes where you literally just press the pieces in place Gill goes through other techniques and we sew one side of the jacket together on a lovely Bernina machine.  She shared with us a great way to get the notched collar to go together so each side is symmetrical, how to steam and turn the facings, and my personal favorite was how to turn the collar keeping the edges square - no trimming of corners allowed!

My finished, fused front. It has written notes all over it!

My only niggle with the class is that you don't get a full set of notes.  But I completely understand why Gill doesn't provide these - apparently there are two ladies locally who are now running this class using her full class notes and undercutting her prices.  The notes you do get are excellent but there's always something you forget isn't there?

***  Added later:
Sorry, I forgot to mention the venue.  Gill has a dedicated sewing stuido that is very light and airy and has a lovely clam feeling about it.  There is the front classroom as you walk in the door which is set up for 6 students with desks and sewing stations.  There is a cutting room which also includes two pressing stations.  Along the corridor there is a small, but beautifully formed,  kitchen where you can help yourself to tea and coffee and sit during lunch time - if you don't busy yourself looking through the beautiful garments Gill has made which are used for demonstation!  There are a couple of minimarts, Post Office and chemist for anything you may need over lunch and the free parking is a bonus too.
I will definitely be taking another one of Gills classes and am thinking about the Foundation of Fit in November.  My big issue with sewing at the moment is personal fit.  I'm uber fussy and am reluctant to spend time and money on something I'm not 100% happy with. 

So for those of you living in the UK I would thoroughly recommend taking a class with Gill and recommend her fusibles too - I have my first lot drying over the banister as we speak.

***  Gill is also holding a one day Linton Tweed event on Sunday 4th September.  The ladies from Linton are "on the road" and will be at Gills between  11am and 3pm that day.  I'll be going as I love their fabrics and it's very handy to be able to purchase the fuisibles at the same time.

Have a good day all.  It's a beautiful day here so I don't think there will be much sewing - again!