September- a month of finishing and planning

Hello! Hope you all had a lovely summer? I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blogs, in between jumping up and down at the tv (Olympics), bbqing between the rain, painting, buying a bathroom and knitting. You know, just normal life. I needed a blogging break, I was getting "stressed" because I didn't post every day, didn't have great photos, and didn't have anything of any interest to say about anything other than sewing.  So I turned a corner - isn't blogging supposed to be "fun"?  I'll blog a minimum of once a month, not stress about how many hits, followers or page views I've had.  For me it has to be about good quality sewing, not chasing numbers.

I have decided that September should be the month to finish up a few projects:

1) casual shirt in a beautiful Liberty print lawn,

McCalls 6401 view D

Liberty Lawn from Sewbox (UK)

2)  2 cardigans (4 sleeves to complete!)

3)  a linen dress in a lovely plum colour with bias strips



Butterick 4443 view C (just love this pattern!)



There are a few projects I would like to tackle over the coming months, the first being a shirt for Ian and the second being a winter coat.

Vogue 1083

There was lots of discussion this summer around how many items of clothing a woman buys in a 12 month period so thought I should keep a track of what I make and end each month with a brief summary. Some months I'm on fire, others I'm just not!  I will commence from 1st October as we head truly into Autumn. Oh, and I hope to overcome my IT phobia and get to grips with my camera - I may even consider buying a new one....

Calling it a Blogging Day

I've decided to stop blogging. The technology is driving me crazy, and to be totally honest If I get any more than 2 comments at the end of a post, I'm lucky. There are some great bloggers out there and a fair few who are really talented and I look forward to reading your future projects. Thank you to those of you who followed me and left comments, past and present. I won't be giving up sewing, my stash is big enough to see me through to the end of my days, and I get twitchy if I haven't had the sewing pedal under my foot for a couple of days! In true Tim Gunn style "carry on"!

Random pictures of past and more recent makes

Thought I'd post some pictures of items I have made over the last year, but didn't blog about.  My sisters wedding was 3 years ago though and I came across the pictures on my old laptop...

Bolero, corset and skirt "Cherry Bakewell" 
The corset and bolero lining is cherry printed cotton

I made the little hat too....  The corset and skirt are not meant
to be worn together....

Butterflies!

I wear this shirt on a weekly basis to work.

I gave this shirt to Mum

Lemon silk interlined eyelet cotton skirt with black lace edged lining 

A good reason to insist your bride wears her wedding bra to dress fittings!

What to do when away from home

No sewing over the Jubilee weekend - Ian decided it would be a good opportunity to lay a wooden floor downstairs so being the good girlfriend that I am, I left him to it and escaped to Mums! I couldn't bring my machine, overlocker, cutting mat, fabric, patterns etc with me so I quickly grabbed some fabric, pins, scissors and a couple of patterns.

Here is what I cut out
http://sewing.patternreview.com/patterns/33227 and
http://sewing.patternreview.com/patterns/8063 Both for work wear


Poor Mum, I really made myself at home didn't I?

 Mum lives in Dorset and it was their annual Arts Festival this weekend, along with the Jubilee.  We had a lovely time. 

We had tea on a bus

 And watched the swans and their signets go up the stream passed the house (later 2 signets were on their Mummy's back, but I couldn't get that picture quick enough)

And when I got home, this is the progress that had been made over the weekend on the floor (he had painted the skirting boards....)


I'm thinking darling.....

 Blue linen jacket is done, pictures to follow shortly!

Fuss-free fusing

Fusing can be troublesome, particularly if you have a lot to do and haven't got the luxury of a pressing table for block fusing.  Here's how I coped with fusing interfacing to the linen of my Vogue 8620 Jacket.

1 Be patient!  It can't be rushed. It took me about 3 hours over 2 days preparing my pieces

2 I use 2 pressing cloths made from an old white cotton sheet which I have marked "this side up" on all pieces.  I lay one over the ironing board (I have a nice wide one) to protect it from any sticky residue and use the other to cover the pieces I'm fusing

3  Press the fabric so it's wrinkle-free being careful not to move it off grain.  Lay the interfacing over your fabric - glue side down (ha, made that mistake once and wrote off a new iron!)  On a piece as big as this I place a few pins right through the fabric and ironing board.

4  Cover with second pressing cloth (this side up) and press.  I use a hot iron without steam as my pressing cloth is 100% cotton and I press from the centre out, leaving the iron in place for about 5 to 8 seconds.   Pressing - no ironing!

5  Remove press cloth once cool and trim away an stray pieces of interfacing.

6  Place your pattern pieces back onto the fused fabric in readiness for tailors tacks / marking

Marking up next and then ready to sew.  In the meantime I'm really looking forward to the Jubilee weekend - lots of lovely traditional afternoon tea, great celebrations at home and in London plus an extra sewing day!

More later.

Vogue 8620

Also entitled - where have you been?!

Sorry it's been a while.  I have been sewing, just not blogging - no excuses, life just gets in the way sometimes and I really have not got to grips with my ipad for anything other than listening to music and reading sewing blogs.

So here is my sewing related post of the year.  As I've mainly been sewing work clothes I wanted to make something completely different and, unusually for me, not tailored.  It's Vogue 8620 a Marcy Tilton Jacket. 

 I am using a denim cloured linen with a flowery cotton print for the binding and a chunky contrast zip.  The white interfacing to the right of the photo is to prevent the linen from creasing - as far as possible.  I've used this a lot recently, including a raw silk skirt I wear on a regular basis to work - It really works a treat and doesn't alter the weight or feel of the outer fabric.

Yesterday, in 28 degrees, (that's HOT for the UK) I began cutting and fusing the interfacing.  After around an hour I gave up - it was way too hot in the sewing room.  I had to cool down outside with a medicinal G&T!

Not much further progress this evening - I've been blogging!

And on a parting note, here is a picture of a creative genius and a gentleman.

RIP

Back soon!

Happy New Year. Here's to 2012!

Okay, this post is my third attempt on this retched iPad... Not a good start this morning.

Any way, Happy New Year to you all! I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year? We spent it with family, although both Ian and I really weren't very well. Everyone has a cold or nasty cough at the moment, mind you it's so mild (12 degrees yesterday!) there's no wonder.

I have really enjoyed reading everyone's end of year rounds ups and reviews, and it's spurred me on to make a plan fo 2012. A realistic, manageable plan. Non of this shirt or jacket a month, or 10 items to mix and match. Just my own, nice simple plan. After all I sew to relax and want to be able to enjoy the process.

Step one of the 2012 plan is sew from the stash whenever possible. I have an shameful amount of fabric that needs to be used, donated to charity or just given away, so I will be working through 2 boxes per month - look out for some giveaways!

So here is January's plan:
1. Finish current shirt working toile
2. Make black work skirt
3. Make black work shirt
4. A simple knit top - this depends if there is a place left a Gill Arnold's class running on the 14th
5. Jeans. A real challenge so I'm signed up for the Pattern Review class stating 19th and one which will carry over to February.

Sounds a lot I know, but my TNT skirt pattern really doesn't take me long and my shirt making skills have improved now I have cracked the bust fitting issues (simple, buy the patterns for C and D cup sizes - doh!!)

I also intend to stop using the ipad to blog as i just can't add any pictures and a sewing blog with no pictures would be very dull indeed!

What are your sewing plans for this year?

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