Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Nippy Weather Sewing Plans
Nippy Weather Sewing Plans
(image source: Oliver + S)
I usually love the gradual creeping in of Autumn, with a little nip in the air and the beautiful changes of colour all around. However, right now in South East UK the summer has definitely sodded off and Autumn has crept in with a damp, soggy, lack of ceremony. Still, we can always cheer ourselves up by making a fabulous, useful new handmade garment! Today Id like to share with you what I intend to rustle up over the next few months.
The reason I havent called this post Autumn/Winter Sewing Plans, is that I expect all these garments will see wear throughout the year, not just in A/W. All the pieces Im planning should be layer-able and to be worn in a variety of outfit combos. Im all about maximum wardrobe versatility! Plus, if youre not from or living in the UK, Ill let you into a little secret: the weather here isnt really that bad. The reason why British people are known for moaning so much about it is its unpredictability. MI5 may well be onto me now.... Most other parts of the globe get way more extreme weather of some form or another, but generally most places know what to expect for their season or climate. Here, you can plan a BBQ in July and have it ruined by rain, or you can plan a Novembers day at the indoor soft-play or cinema and find it deserted because its suddenly turned bright and lovely outside. Generally, the rule of thumb is: if its nice GET THE HELL OUTSIDE, it may cloud over by the afternoon.
When it comes to sewing, I am reluctant to state my intended projects as I hate to be tied to my plans, even if its only myself who will be holding me to account. However, Im super excited (at the moment) about each of the following, perhaps even enough to see them all through to completion! Im keeping my sewing projects for Dolores completely spontaneous and commitment-free, so hopefully I can it both ways (planned and unplanned) for a while. Heres what Ive been cooking up...
TOPS
(image source: Wiksten)
This will be my third attempt at the Wiksten Tova Top/Dress pattern. I wear my grey dress (now worn as a tunic) regularly, and Id love to have another shorter and lighter weight version. Ive got some gorgeously soft light-weight denim/cotton from the Fabric Godmother lined up and Im going to aim for a super neat finish as I want this garment to be something I keep for years and years that improves with wear. Alright, this wont be a nippy weather garment exactly, but layered with a vest or jersey top underneath and a cardi on top, itll still count!
I still love my 1960s Breton top (pictured above) sooo much, its almost weird. Its super comfy, but also feels fairly stylish. I plan to push this magic combo further still by making an even more casual version with some stripy French terry that I was kindly given by the Fabric Godmother.
CARDIGAN
(image source: MIY Collection)
Having recently started teaching at Wendy Wards MIY Workshop in Brighton, Im becoming better acquainted with her products and I really fancy having a bash at the MIY Collection Brightside Shrug. This is a similar shape to a lovely emerald knit shrug that I scored in a charity shop that I wear quite a lot, and something similar in a different colour would be really useful.
SKIRT
My first and second versions of Gerties easy knit skirt pattern have been real successes, and I like wearing both more than any other skirt I have ever owned. Im hoping Ive got some more suitable knit fabric lurking in my stash for another (hopefully black...).
OUTERWEAR
(image source: Oliver + S)
(image source: Papercut Patterns)
The Papercut Patterns Waver Jacket is the most recent addition to my sewing plans. I think this pattern is hasnt been out for long, and when I saw it, I knew it was the pattern I had been waiting for to make a much-needed and longed for rain jacket. Thanks to my sponsor Sewbox.co.uk, a copy is winging its way to me as I type. I cannot wait to get cracking on this one, and show you the amazing fabric I have in store for it! Until its finished, Im going to keep it a secret....
What about you? Do you have a few plans in the pipeline? Do you feel like me, in that you are often reluctant to share your plans out loud in case you change your mind?
Available link for download
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
New Maternity Sewing Pattern Reveal Plus A Shout Out for Testers
New Maternity Sewing Pattern Reveal Plus A Shout Out for Testers
(**UPDATE: THANKS TO ALL THE AWESOME WOMEN WHO HAVE OFFERED TO TEST THIS PATTERN. I NOW HAVE ENOUGH TESTERS. THANKS AGAIN**)
Im fully aware that the sewing pattern that Im currently working on will not has mass appeal! But hopefully this one will help out a lot of women in years to come to make something useful to wear during a section of their lives that is very tricky to dress for.
This camisole pattern is designed to be made in jersey knit fabric, and has a gathered section at the front to accommodate a third-ish trimester bump. My model, Cordelia, was eight months pregnant when we took these photos. The upper edges are finished with fold-over-elastic, which also forms the straps, like my free vest/camisole/singlet pattern. The bottom edge is finished with a waistband so the camisole sits neatly and snugly underneath the bump and wont ride up. And arguably the best bit? An internal optional bust support panel, a bit like you get in some sports/yogawear tops, to give a little extra support if you want to wear this without a bra.
Obviously, the third trimester of a pregnancy covers just three months per baby of a womans life, so even the keenest of seamsters may not wish to spend very much time making clothes for this period. However, this project is a relatively quick one, requiring less than 1m of fabric, and may really help out when nothing else fits! Wear this camisole as sleepwear, to go to pregnancy yoga classes, as an under layer in colder months, on its own in hotter months, or underneath a loose shirt or kimono style top to expand your clothing options at a time when you feel that you have none!
So the stage that Im at now is that it is ready to test! This was SUCH a helpful step whilst I was developing my Dolores batwing and Anya shoulder bag patterns. And although I know there wont be as many volunteers in a position to test this pattern, Im really hoping that there may be some pregnant ladies or friends/relatives-of-a-pregnant-lady out there who are up for testing this pattern and giving me your feedback?!
If you feel you may like to test this pattern, please drop me an email at sozoblog (at) gmail (dot) com. I will email you the pattern and instructions as PDF files. The pattern will require printing out at home or in a copy shop. The instructions PDF can be printed out, or better still, read directly from your computer/laptop/tablet. I will also send you some questions about the pattern, instructions and finished garment to help you review them, and you would be required to make the garment and send back your feedback within three weeks. I really hope to hear from some of you. If you know someone else who likes to sew and is pregnant or knows someone who is, please send them the link to this post. Much appreciated!
Available link for download
Monday, February 20, 2017
New Sewing Pattern Sneaky Peek! Plus A Call Out for Testers
New Sewing Pattern Sneaky Peek! Plus A Call Out for Testers
**MY GOODNESS! IVE HAD SO MANY RESPONSES TO THE CALL FOR TESTERS. THANK YOU ALL!!! IM GOING TO CLOSE THE REQUEST FOR TESTERS NOW. THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT**
Friends! I would like to introduce you to the next sewing pattern that I plan to release: the Anya shoulder bag pattern. Id love to hear your initial thoughts, whatever they may be...
A brief explanation: the Anya bag is a deceptively voluminous, lined shoulder bag with an optional button tab closure. Like the Dolores batwing pattern, it will be available as a downloadable PDF file pattern. The pattern PDF will consist of just three pattern pieces: bag body, yoke and button tab. Dimensions will be given for the straps which are formed from a simple rectangle that can be drawn directly onto the fabric, rather than wasting your printer ink and paper by including it in the PDF. The bag should require only approx. 80cm of outer fabric, preferably a sturdy medium to thick woven fabric with no stretch content (Ive found that curtaining and upholstery fabric work brilliantly, as do denim, twill and canvas) and 40cm of light to medium weight woven fabric for the lining. Fingers crossed, itll be a suitable project for those fairly new to sewing and more experienced sewers alike.
My hope is that thisll be the kind of pattern that you will want to make again and again, in many different fabrics, for yourself and possibly for your friends and family (I cant help but notice that theres a rather significant public holiday coming soon that traditionally involves gift-giving...). Over a number of years, I have made approx. ten squillion of these bags in various prints and solids, and the outcome each time always looks unique; the pattern seems to be a good canvas for many different types of fabric.
A brief history: I drafted the first version of this pattern a number of years ago, and it has proved very popular over the last almost-decade. I used to make bags from this pattern, usually in vintage fabrics from 50s, 60s and 70s, and in African wax fabric, and sell them on various market stalls and at craft fairs. Unlike a lot of my other stock from that time, these bags always sold consistently well, and occasionally I got asked if I would share or sell the pattern. Well, its finally time for me to do that!
So, the tester bit: Im looking for about 6 or 7 testers with a variety of sewing-experience to try out the pattern and instructions and give me their honest feedback. If you think you might be interested in being a tester, please read on...
What will be required:
- I will email you two PDF files, one with the pattern pieces that will need printing off, and the other with full instructions that will include large colour images that you may prefer to read on your computer screen to save on ink and paper.
- You will need to print off the pattern, make a bag as per the instructions, and email me your feedback ideally with a photo of your creation, all within two weeks. Normally, Id suggest a longer time period, but Im really hoping to release this pattern in November so people can use it for making Christmas presents.
- I will email you some questions to respond to as part of your feedback, plus Id love to hear your thoughts on any other aspect of the pattern/instructions that may not have been referred to in the questions
- Unfortunately, I am not able to pay for your time nor supply you with fabric for the testing. I will, however, send you the finalised versions of both pattern and instructions once any corrections have been made. And you will have my undying gratitude, of course!
What will not be required:
- You do not need to be a blogger or have any social media presence at all. I am not looking for reviews of the pattern until it is finalised, in fact please dont review this beta version of pattern and instruction, for obvious reasons!
If you are willing and able to test this pattern, then please email me at sozoblog (at) g mail dot com by the end of Sunday 25th October. Please write a sentence or two about your level of experience using sewing patterns, and of sewing generally. Im only asking for this to make sure that I get testers with a range of experience levels. Many, many, many thanks in advance for anyone able to help me out with this.
Available link for download
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Nippy Weather Sewing Plans Addendum A Thermal Under T Shirt
Nippy Weather Sewing Plans Addendum A Thermal Under T Shirt
When I was figuring out my nippy weather sewing plans, I really should have included a plan for something like this: a warm under-garment. As much as I like my denim Tova top and as pleased as I am to own it, it turns out that nippy weather wear it is NOT! This, however, IS.
Pattern:
This is my third go at the Tilly and the Buttons Agnes knit top pattern, and Im confident that it wont be my last. The Agnes top is actually very similar to my early attempts at self-drafting a knit top pattern, but its just so perfect that I doubt Ill ever return to my self-drafted efforts again. Having learnt from the fit of my previous versions, this time I used a size 3, grading out from the armpit to a size 4 for the rest of the sleeve. I knew this would result in a snug fitting garment, but as this is intended to be underwear, that was what I was looking for. When I say snug, I mean snug: I not sure youre ready for this jelly so I avoided sharing a modelled shot of this garment!
The Agnes already has a fairly wide neckline, but I omitted the neckband in favour of a decorative elastic finish to make the neckline wider still. I did this to avoid it peeking out from whatever Im wearing on top.
Fabric and Notions:
This knit fabric had been burning a hole in my stash for about the last four years! For a while I was planning to use it to make a cropped, short sleeve Jenna cardi, but A) I wasnt sure thered be quite enough, B) I think a tiny summer cardi would see so little wear throughout the year that I wasnt sure I could justify using this fabric on that project, and C) I hate wearing white. I considered dyeing this fabric red, but was worried about getting an even result so I ended up doing nothing with it.
I dont know what the hell it is, or even how to adequately describe it, other than its fairly thick with a floral design/texture somehow knitted into it. Any ideas? Basically, it looks like its designed for thermal garments. Hey, I never claimed to be reinventing the wheel here. When I realised that a warm layerable under-t-shirt would help my current clothing selection limp along til Spring, I knew where to look.
The cotton lace elastic that I used round the neckline was kindly given to me by my lovely blog sponsor, Textile Garden. At time of writing I couldnt find it on their site so they may have sold out. Its really special stuff so hopefully theyll be getting more in soon, otherwise you could drop them an email in case they still have a stash somewhere. I applied it by gently stitching it to the right side of the garment neckline with a lightning flash stitch, then I flipped the bottom elastic part to the inside of the neckline and secured it in place with a tiny zigzag so only the lace part peeks out. The whole thing stretched out a little through handling but a healthy dose of steam from my iron did the trick and made everything sit as it should.
Thoughts:
The aim of this garment is to bring some of my garments back into regular rotation that would otherwise be hiding until Spring. It has succeeded in that I have been wearing my anchor applique remade sweatshirt, but sadly even this wide neckline is visible underneath my 1960s Breton top.
Cost:
Pattern: £0 (I got it for free because I teach at Tilly and the Buttons HQ, but it can be bought here for £12.50. If I hadnt got it for free, I definitely would have bought it anyway because it is excellent and my ideal knit top pattern. Ive used it three times now, with plans for many more).
Fabric: £0 (it was lurking in my stash but Im pretty sure I didnt pay for it in the first place)
Elastic: £0 (I got it for free, but sadly I cant link to where it came from at this time, sorry)
Total: £0
Available link for download
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