2015 Round-Up

I have enjoyed sewing and crafting loads this year. It has been a welcome break to work and now the house renovations have eased up somewhat I have had the opportunity to get creative.

My top instagram images show a decent range of me-made-makes:

A summary of my makes are (not all blogged):

• McCall's M6696 shirtdress in Liberty corduroy
• Sew Over It 1960's coat in cashmere and wool mix herringbone
• Simplicity 1364 top in Liberty Tana Lawn - stash
• Colette Laurel top in cotton - stash
• Colette Sorbetto top in cotton - stash
• Liesl & Co Everday skirt in John Lewis viscose - stash
• Dolores Pocket skirt in re-fashioned cotton fabric - vintage
• Marilla Walker's Isley skirt in Robert Kaufman linen - stash
• Dixie DIY Bonnell dress in cotton - stash
• Charity shop re-fashions (dress to top & maxi skirt to midi skirt)
• Self-drafted skirt with pockets - stash
• Sew Over It Ultimate shirt in Liberty Tana Lawn - stash
• Two applique Creeper Face cushions - stash
• Re-fashion men's cotton shirt to Liesl & Co skirt
• Tilly and the Buttons Bettine dress in gingham - stash
• Tilly and the Buttons Fifi camisole and shorts in cotton - gifted cotton from Hong Kong
• Ten Marimekko cushions - stash
• Patchwork Baby Quilt
• Sew Over It Francine jacket - stash
• Two applique Christmas stockings
• Grainline Scout tee in GirlCharlee UK knit - SewBrum winnings
• Named Alpi Chinos shorts (still not finished)
• Burda Style 7123 trousers (still need hemming and crotch fitting issues resolved)

The pie chart indicates the volume of makes by type. My need to decorate my home after the house renovation with lots and lots of cushions has slightly skewed the results a tad! 

Well, I'm pretty happy with the volume of makes. It averaged out to over two makes per month.
Not bad at all.

I have learnt lots of new skills including sewing; a fully lined coat and jacket, a t-shirt in knit fabric, a camisole and my first patchwork baby quilt.

My loose sewing plans for 2016 are:

• To sew a pair of trousers that fit - I don't mind what pattern at this moment
• To learn how to do bound button-holes - and then make a jacket using the technique
• Make more items using knit fabric - a Grainline Linden sweatshirt / Colette Mabel & Moneta / Tilly and the Buttons Agnes & Coco / Named Geneva Raglan tee & Sloane sweatshirt
• Make a summer dressing gown with The Buchanan pattern by Gather (using only stash fabric)
• To use more of my stash patterns (a lot mentioned above)
• Use more stash fabric than I purchase!

That's about it for now I think - that is plenty to be getting on with!

How about you? Have you got any plans for 2016?

Sew Brum 2015

On the 31st October I took an early train to Birmingham to meet up with a lovely bunch of sewing ladies for the second Sew Brum organised by the awesome Charlotte at English Girl at Home.

I had also arranged to meet my good friend Hayley (also a sewing enthusiast) and we went for a lovely brunch at Yorks Bakery next to New Street station. We pottered around Birmingham including the very shiny new shopping centre and John Lewis store.

I skipped the allotted fabric shopping section of the Sew Brum gathering as I honestly do not need any more fabric until I sew some more things for myself (and others). I was happy to meet up at Guthrie and Ghani at 2pm where Lauren (owner of G&G and GBSB contestant) had put on a lovely spread of cakes and other goodies.

Here is an example of one of the lovely Liberty bags that had some little free things such as discount codes a few sweets and haberdashery items. Very thoughtful and fun!

Lots of sewing chatter and fabric fondling went on and it was great to meet new Instagram and blogger friends such as the lovely crew below:

Left to right: Craftysooze, Elle (Laura loves Pugs), Gabby (Gabby Young Official) and Buuny Pumpkin Boutique

So there was a teaching demonstration about pattern drafting that I missed because I was just chatting to loads of people. After that there was an awesome raffle - the proceeds of which went to Karen's Made-Up initiative from the blog Did You Make That?
I am not usually a raffle winner, but on this occasion I ended up with one of the top prizes of 10 metres of Girl Charlee UK knit fabric! Amazing. Here is a picture of the massive win:

As you can see, this win was huuuuge and considering I am a total novice with knit fabrics decided to share the love:

• Sarah C got the stripy pink, orange and grey knit who has since made it into a lovely top
• Deborah (of GBSB fame) got a black and white moustache print
• Gabby got a lovely floral / aztec knit and has already made a top for her sis with it!
• Rhiannon got the aqua and white aztec print
• Ben went for the plain aqua knit
• I don't recall who got the red patterned print (somebody nice!)

After the excitement of the raffle came the event lots of people had come prepared for - a massive pattern and fabric swap. I brought 15 un-used paper patterns to throw in the mix but others had brought loads of fabric, scrap-bags, vintage patterns and knit stuff for a swap-to-end-all-swaps! I kept to the sidelines as my intentions for the day was to return home with NO fabric but after winning all the Girl Charlee knit knew that if I even peaked too long at the FREE fabric or patterns I would see something I would like. I managed to get these shots of the carnage:

The calm before the storm. Raffle prize announcements!

Every sewer for herself!

Overall a lovely day was had by all. I got to meet a gaggle of sewing enthusiasts. Had a great catch-up with my friend Hayley and met some lovely new mates too.

A big shout out to Charlotte at English Girl at Home for the organisation of the event and Lauren for hosting at Guthrie and Ghani.
Roll on Sew Brum 2016!

McCalls 6696 shirtdress completed!

My first ever shirt-dress, DONE. I wore it for the first time today at work and it fits soooo well, it's very comfortable and the pockets are fab. I have joined in with the Autumn of 1,000 Shirtdresses hosted by the loverly Mary at Idle Fancy.
It may have taken me a little longer than planned but as the new year started my main aim was to complete any UFO's in my sewing pile before embarking on any new dress-making adventures.

Let me tell you about the basics:

• Size: I cut a size 8 bodice, grading to a size10 for the skirt. 2cm added to the length of the skirt
• Changes: I adapted the back piece by removing the gathering at the back yoke
• Main fabric: Liberty's burgundy cotton (with a slight stretch) corduroy from Shakut's
• Inner fabric: Black and white polka dot cotton from Goldhawk Road 
• Fastenings: Black press-studs from John Lewis, black hook and eyes from stash
• Interfacing: Didn't need any for the collar or button-stand due to the weight of the corduroy

A lot of time was spent hand-finishing all hems, facings and I chose the jumbo press-studs for the fastenings to create a cleaner line on the finished garment. I was 'slightly' worried about my press-studs popping open but they held fast all day with no embarrassing incidents thankfully!

I am very happy with the insides being as nice as the outsides - I bias bound the seams with a satin bias-binding which gives a little bit of glamour. As you know from my previous posts I had to chose a lighter weight fabric for the facings so I had the chance to pair the burgundy cord with black and white polka dot cotton which I think works very well - what do you think?

The 1,000 pin method to set in the sleeve! 

Hand basting the sleeve after pinning.

The McCalls 6696, pretty on the inside too!

Pocket bound with satin bias-binding.

You can't quite see it in this photo but there's polka dot pocket linings too!

The adaption of the back piece by taking the gathering out of the yoke worked really well. I had to create the two pleats you see above the waistband that 'almost' match exactly with the skirt darts!