Burda Coatigan

Just thought I’d pop this one up before I totally succumb to the Xmas madness (as well as Xmas I have both my children’s birthday’s!!! and I’m cooking the dinner…. eek!!)

I actually made this a few weeks ago and as our winter here has been quite mild  it has been getting lots of wear. It’s a Burda #111 03/2014 (great issue but the way) and I guess you’d call it a coatigan, it fits very loosely (read baggy) but I kind of like it like that. It is super comfortable to wear and great to just chuck on over….well anything really….it’s a multi tasker!!!!

The pattern includes a band around the bottom, but due to my limited stature it kind of swamped me so the band had to go. The fabric is a lovely boucle (from Fabrics galore) that handily come already backed with a kind of interfacing, so no nasty fraying once cut …yay!!

I also chose not to line it (lazy I know) but it meant that it came together very quickly (after tracing that damn Burda pattern first of course), so if your in need of an everyday coatigan I highly recommend this pattern. Here is a little more inspiration from this stylish lady.

Hope you all have a lovely festive holiday xxx

 

Bellatrix baby

I lusted after this pattern for ages and then bought it on whim and left it to linger in my pattern stash until finally it made i’s way into the sewing pile, and I’m so glad it did. This is the second time I’ve made a Papercut patterns ( I’ve also made a pneuma tank …as yet unblogged!!) and their sizing and fit works very well for me.

I chose to make the shorter version and I did go to the trouble of making a muslin (cutting a M) and then after trying to make numerous alterations, my wise partner (Mr BB) suggested I just go down a size….uh duh, and of course a S fit just right!!

I have the paper version of the pattern and I love the aesthetic that goes into all aspects, even the pattern sleeve. The instructions are straight forward and well explained,  illustrations help so that the jacket came together very simply, overall a really enjoyable make. The fabric is a navy wool blend, bought from The man outside Sainsburys (Walthamstow Market) and the lining is long a go purchase from ebay, a decent match I think.

I haven’t actually worn this much since I made it as the weather turned a little cold, but looking forward to breaking it out come the spring…….

If you need any more inspiration to make this pattern search ti on integral…there are literally tons of wonderful versions

x

Imagine dress

This is the Imagine dress from Louis Antoinette patterns, the pattern is part of a competition they are  running which is open to all, it ends December 4th though so you’ve got to be quick it you wanna enter!!! but you get a free pattern of the dress to make up how you want….. that’s my kind of competition!!!! all details are website

So here is my version!!

The fabric is a lovely double crepe that I bought at Fabrics Galore, I have seen it sold elsewhere but I believe they have the best price.

I wanted something that had a good drape to it, which this does, but it didn’t like the iron so much so my pleats aren’t super defined (the fabric has a kind of spongy backing, sounds weird I know but does add to the great feel of the fabric)

I made a few adjustments such as pinching out the front pleat a little so there was less fabric and taking and 2′ off through the back (forgot to do the same to the back of the skirt though so there is a bit too much fabric there, but I can live with that). Helpfully the pattern instructions come in French and English and are really easy to follow (with illustrations too).

Over all I really like this pattern, there are some really interesting and clever details included in the design, there’s pockets (can’t go wrong), the shoulder piece comes together easily and I think the finished effect is very flattering and loving the details with the back insert, which if you check out other versions you will see opens up the a world of possibility….leaving it open, having a contrast fabric there or a sheer panel…check out instagram #hacklamode to see all the wonderful versions that are out there.

 

I seem to have a love affair going on with french patterns at the moment, I ordered some in the Black Friday sales and don’t get me started on La Maison Victor, a lovely french/dutch/german pattern magazine of which I’ve managed to snag 2 copies so far, (a real achievement seeing as they don’t sell it in England),  so expect to see more french designs popping up here.

x

photos credits; lady sewful

Majestic by name, majestic by nature

Hello!!

Thought I’d dip my toe back into the blogosphere.

I never intended on taking break but you know how life gets…..busy, and before you know it months have passed and you haven’t written or photographed a thing, but luckily the thing that did remain constant was the sewing……in fact I have been quite productive so I have quite a few unblogged items to show you.

First up is the lovely Majestic top from french pattern company Aime Comme Marie, I was drawn to this pattern by the interesting lines (especially around the shoulder) and the fab neckline. I don’t know if it is to do with getting older but I am finding V-necks are more flattering on me (maybe its been that way all my life and I’m just figuring it out!!) so seem to be seeking out patterns just based on their necklines.

If you haven’t come across Aime Comme Marie before I suggest you have a gander, they have a lovely selection of simple (but so stylish) patterns but also sell (very stylish) homewares and accessories.

As far as I know the patterns only come with french instructions but I didn’t find this an issue as the instruction booklet comes with quite comprehensive diagrams which help, a tiny amount of the information is in English, such as for seam allowances (included) and fabric requirements. They also very helpfully include the average height the pattern is based on (165cm) which is great for me to know as I’m only 160cm, and can make adjustments accordingly.

This pattern is very clever in the style department but is a relatively simple make, there are only 7 pattern pieces and it is one of those makes that comes together quickly,  offering maximum satisfaction and sewing pleasure.

Now one of the things that I loved about this pattern is the way the neck line rises at the back and looks so stunning, but some how I messed this aspect up in this version , I stupidly reduced the height of the back, mainly because it was gaping and annoying me, so I have lost the impact of that raised back, which you can see on my first version, a wearable muslin, which I’ve added at the end of this post.

The fabric is a Paul Smith Linen which I have had forever, in fact I made one of my first me made dresses from this fabric back in about 2007 (and still have the dress, even though it’s seen better days) I love the colour of this, and it’s reminded me of  how much I love green and how I need to buy more green fabric!!!

Oh and nearly forgot to mention that the jeans are my Ginger Jeans, a pattern that I really enjoyed making but haven’t got around to blogging either!!!

 

Thanks for dropping by

Sandesh

 

 

Pineapples and city lights

Hello there, its been awhile since I blogged anything, life somehow got in the way, as it does…..since christmas I have started a new job, got a new house and…well that’s it……but these two things as well as you know, everything else, was enough for my brain to handle. I’ve still found time to sew, but it has been sporadic. Here are a few tops that I made (a while ago) and they have been in steady circulation since completion.

Once again I’ve relied on the tried and tested New Look 6145, man will this pattern never get old? In fact I’m currently in the middle of a navy crepe dress version with gold accents on the shoulders!!!

Ok, back to these lovelies, the first is a straight up top version (of this dress pattern) in the very very lovely Aime Comme Marie fabric which is a lovely navy cotton with GOLD PINEAPPLES……say no more, loved it on sight and its even more gorgeous in real life, it came from Faberwood, run by the lovely Fiona, it has a well thought out small collection of the most lovely fabrics (unfortunately this fabric has now sold out, but you can find it here). Actually Aime Comme Marie as well as doing a yummy line in fabrics also do patterns (as well as other things) and as far as I know they only come in french, but I have order one (this one) and it was very simple to figure out and the there were helpful line drawings…..I’m really happy with the results and will show you soon.

Next up is a slightly modified version, I decided to add a placket to the front, something I had never done before but I used the helpful tutorial from pauline alice here, (but did my own measurements) and I’m happy with the results, I did cheat a little though, I have a dodgy track record with button holes and didn’t want to potentially ruin my placket so I just sewed on the buttons, but it works for me!!!! And finally I finished the  with biased binding

The fabric is from Village Haberdashery, a soft Art Gallery voile, called city lights at night, but its sadly it’s no longer available.

In conclusion; great pattern x great fabric = win/win.. so..…might have to make some more!!!!

I am trying to eek out more sewing time and I have a very long list of potential sewing projects in my head so hope to be back here soon!!!

x

Hello Sydney

Here is the Sydney Jacket by Tessuti. One of those lovely patterns that come together like a dream.

I knew I wanted to make this from the first time I saw it, I am not usually into waterfall fronts but this just seemed so practical and stylish. I bought that pattern in the summer but waited until the weather turned colder to actually put it together (beware the pdf has a lot of pages)

The wool is a beautiful italian that I found at Fabrics Galore (£18 per mtr if i remember rightly), I was sorely tempted to make this in a grey but seeing as I put a self imposed ban on buying grey fabric (see here) that wasn’t an option. So blue it is and I’m glad, it’s a really lovely quality and a great colour that seems to goes with anything. I love that it is so cosy and warm too.

The pattern specifically calls for boiled wool (or something similar that won’t fray) and the delight of having just raw cut edges has not worn off yet. It is a really simple make as you only have the pockets and over lapped seams to sew. The pockets are cleverly done and it took me until I actually came to sew them to understand the process , but the steps  are very clearly explained and pictured, so they were a success first time.

Inspired but the lovely Ute‘s version and I have copied her (because her version rocks) in extending the sleeves ( I think I added 4″, but might have been 5″!!) I felt that this was needed to just add some warmth to the arms, they are still only 3/4 length but figure I can wear a warmer jumper or jacket underneath if I need to. What I love about this style is that you can dress it up or down and it looks equally good, I’ve paired it with my dungarees (still wearing them tons) and trainers, and dress and heels, it works both ways.

Apologies for the lack of photos, this was my first time doing a photo shoot in public  (as not in own back yard or my friends) and I felt slightly foolish so I think I rushed it, but it was the first time I had used my remote shutter control and was impressed so hopefully I will get up the nerve to venture out with my camera again soon.

Thanks for stopping by.

x

 

Nani Iro…I love you

This is one of those makes which happened because the heavens aligned. Firstly my son was invited to a birthday party about 5 mins walk from the Village Haberdashery (we live about 30-40 mins away so hardly ever go to this part of town) so it was rude not to pop in whilst his nibs was distracted. Especially as I had £10 unused voucher burning a hole in my pocket.

I am one of those weird people (there is lots of us) that really have to touch fabric before I fall in love with it, so I rarely buy fabric online (a shame, but helps to keep my bank balance in check, this will probably change though as there are so many fab online shops popping up!!).

I have had my eye on Nani Iro fabrics for awhile, having heard all the lovely superlatives on blogs,  I wasn’t disappointed,  in really life it’s gorgeous. This is a lovely double gauze that is so beautifully soft!! It’s called Spectacle in Ka , inspired by a scene of natural life in daylight, I love the colours and it is absolutely delicious to wear.

You can see more here or for a massive collection you can go here.

I initially wanted to make a New Look 6145 top as I did here, but horror of horrors didn’t have enough fabric ( I only bought a meter…it was £14 per mtr!!) and it’s only 42″ wide, so with a quick change of plans I made a Simplicity 1366 instead and only just about made it with what I had. In fact I was so short on fabric I had to add a seam in the back and included the selvedge…which I think turned out as a lovely addition

This pattern is very simple, and it’s now my third time making it, other versions here.

I ran it up just in time for my first sewing bloggers meet up (back in late August…… I know, I’m a bit behind) which was absolutely fab… it is totally true that sewists (sewers, seamstress …whatever each of us call ourselves) are the loveliest people, which was good because going to meet people that you have only ever met before online is a very weird feeling. Luckily I went with my good friend Lady Sewful….courage in numbers.

Oh and meet my silly dog…Cedric

Dungarees baby!!

Let me present the Turia dungarees, I had been mulling the decision to make these babies, for oh only about 4 months, but here they are and I am pleased as punch.  I have no idea why I felt that I had to have such an item in my wardrobe but I did and hey the benefits of a handmade wardrobe is that you can go with your wims without it breaking the bank!!

So my concerns were:

1. I would look pregnant (I’m not!!)
2. I’m too old for such a item!!!
3. I might look like I’m borrowed from the dressing up box

But yeh (in my opinion) all my fears were unfounded, because I love the way they turned out.

This was the first time I have sewed a pauline Alice pattern and I can really recommend it. The instructions are clear and concise (and in 3 languages) with each stage carefully explained and with lots of drawings to help. I cut a straight 10 but have made a few adjustments. A big part of my inspiration to make this pattern was the dream pair made by fruits flowers and clouds, and I stole some of her adjustments, mainly lowering the waist as I wanted them to sit more towards my hips and adding a waistband (purely for aesthetic reasons!!). The pattern is cut to allow a more relaxed fit on the hips and legs but I wanted a slim fit and so basted the legs first to get fit I wanted. The only issue I had was some excess fabric in the crotch area, which as you can imagine didn’t look so great, so I redid the front flat felled seam (not a pleasurable experience) taking in an extra 1/2″ and that seems to have sorted it. The inside leg seam is also to be flat felled so I sewed the first seam and then  did my fitting, which played havoc with my seam allowances as the material frayed…arrgghh, I still managed to flat fell them but they have since started to come undone in places so a little strategic zigzagging was needed…hopefully their visible only to me!!

There is a lot of top stitching in this pattern, (you could omit it, but it is recommended) which I perversely kind of enjoy, I think its the challenge of getting those lines straight that gets me.

I also omitted the side zips as the fabric is Gaberdine with a little bit of stretch to it so I can just about shimmy into them.

Overall I’m pleased as punch with these, the pattern was a delight and did i mention that I love wearing them…. I  don’t care how old I am (or how old I look!!)

 

Hello autumn

Hello there, hope the you’ve had a lovely summer filled with laughter, sunshine, family, friends………But the weather has started to turn and now my mind is turning to my autumn/winter sewing plans……I tend to make a little list of items I would like to make for the coming season, it is based (very scientifically) on:

• Items I think I need to make
• Things I want to make
• Things that haven’t been made from the past seasons list
• what I have fabric/patterns for (always trying to stash-bust!!).

Usually I am not a list making kind of gal (can ya tell), but I started my making list about 2 years ago and most of the time it works out ok….. I probably make about 2/3 of the list. It’s really just a way to organise my mental list of projects, as I tend to get ahead of myself and want to make about half a dozen things at once.

So here are a few plans…….(be interesting to see how much of these I actually make or if I get distracted by newer shiny things)

Ginger jeans– I’ve been dying to make these for ages, and after my first foray in to jeans making I’m confident that they would’nt be too painful, but still I have yet to cut them out….. I think I have concerns about the fit, but all reports on this front are good so really I just need to take the leap and get on with them.

Trench Roger – pattern by Republique du chiffon,  I bought this last year on a wim, its not my usual style…but there is something challenging I like about, especially since the instructions are in french!!! The fabric I have in mind is a beautiful soft duck egg blue gaberdine…..just think it might look a little…..dull..what do you think????

 

Turia dungarees – I am strangely drawn to these, especially since seeing this pair so I bought the pattern and even went to the shops to try a pair on…just to check I wasn’t totally dreaming. I think I just might be able to pull them off…wish me luck. – I have just finished these (writing this post pushed me into action)…. post coming soon.

The weather is starting to turn so think a sydney coat might be in the works too….I’m only 5’3 though so might have to take a few inches off so it doesn’t drown me.

 

Culottes maybe? I have this pattern in my stash and am thinking it would be nice in something black and drapey…wool or crepe??

How’s this for inspiration

*credit – Tessuti Blog link here*

Another Nettie to two will also be made, I would have never thought that a bodysuit would be a wardrobe staple for me but as my first one was comfortable, streamline to wear and warm meant that it got lots of usage… I definitely love a hard working staple. This a cracker of a pattern with a lot of bang for your buck.

 

Shift dress- Another 6145 I think, I lived in my denim version last year so I think another is in the off

Shirt – I have the Archer pattern in my stash and so might just address my fear of shirts…no collar though…I don’t like collars

I have just bought a lovely red print from Atelier Brunette (picked up from Maud at the Handmade fair, you can get it here) and am thinking about another Eve robe or possibly a Sigma ??

Pyjamas – so badly need to make me some comfy pi’s so a pair and a robe to match are gonna be my early xmas present to myself…..got my heart set on making them in a lovely Liberty print though so I’ve started saving for now!!!

Have you started your autumn/fall plans…if so good luck, just compiling this list has give me the urge to get sewing…….. I hear the machine calling me.

x

 

 

Refashioning

The past few weeks have been filled with great refashions of mens shirts, curtesy of Portia of Makery and the event that was (is) Refashioners 2015. If you go to her site or check out the instagram hashtag #refashioners2015  there are some truly fabulous refashions

So this is my contribution, which is going in just under the wire, seeing as the deadline is midnight tonight…better late than never!!!

I started with an old shirt belonging to my partner, that I don’t think had seen the light of day for many years and was not going to be missed!! The only issue was the colour, very boring beige..

So in to the dye bucket it went, with a packet of Dylon hand dye in Jeans blue !!

 

And then we ended up with this nice navy linen shirt, though this shot doesn’t really show the colour.

 

 

 

My inspiration was one of my  favourite tops and this is basically a recreation, I traced the bodice and added darts in roughly the same position as the originals, but I have no experienc drafting patterns and to be honest the darts are a little off, and the bodice a tad tight so will apply more attention to detail next time.  The back is fashioned from the original button placket, with an added elasticised piece at the top, just to give it some wiggle room (so i can get it on!!)

 

The whole thing was really simple and I cut it and sewed it in an evening which has given me a lot more to think about when seeing all those unused shirts in the charity shop!!

 

 

!