Sew Weekly

Sew Weekly is a site worth discovering! Each week there is a sewing challenge set which acts as inspiration for a new creation. Last week was "All Buttoned-up" which inspired the button tabs on the skirt I just made. This week the challenge is "Make the Look". The idea is to create an outfit based on a look you have seen. I am making good progress with my Chanel Jacket but I haven't got time to sew anything else. Just for fun though, this is what I would do:

My look:

I have always loved this DvF dress worn by Kate Middleton. Her dress is silk but I think this could be made is any silky or viscose fabric, or even a knit could give you the same look. As for patterns:

I love the Lisette Itinerary Dress (Simplicity 2060) although that has a yolk. This Vogue pattern (1207) has the V-back that Kate's dress has:

Simplicity 2211

Even though I said I was back sewing in JULY 2011, obviously, I wasn't really! It has taken me until now to really get my mojo back. I thought I would start off with a quick and easy project to get me going. I have this lovely wool tweed in my stash and I wanted a simple shape as the wool is quite thick.

Pattern Description: An A line skirt with belt tabs.

Pattern Sizing:multi sized

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?Yes, though I changed the waist detail because I was working with thick fabric ( see below for details)

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This is a quick and easy pattern that is really easy to wear. It came together beautifully.

Fabric Used: Wool tweed

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I pretty much sewed this straight out of the packet. The fit is certainly really good. I did change the waist because after I had sewn the petersham waistband it was too bulky to turn to the inside as you would do normally. This was largely because of the fabric I was using and the tab details, even though I used lining for the inside of the tabs, not fabric as the instructions said. So, what I did was to first sew petersham on the wrong side, then also on to the front, encasing the top of the waist ( I hope that make sense!). I love Boden clothes and I notice that quite a few of their skirts are made like this. It means there is no bulk at all at the waist.

I also put in an invisible zipper.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I want to make the view with pleats next time in a lighter fabric for spring.

Conclusion: Simple enough for a beginner and a great wardrobe builder for everyone.

Next on the cutting table:

A black Chanel jacket. It is already cut out with extra seam allowances ready for the quilting.

Back Sewing

This is the reason why I haven't been sewing for over a year! Georgia was born on Christmas Day 2010. She is an absolute joy to have and a very placid, easy baby.

I have almost got back to the size I was B.G. and I am itching to get sewing again. I love a SWAP (Sewing With a Plan) and I have been inspired to join the Artisan Square 6 piece Autumn Wardrobe sew along. The idea is that you sew 2 garments a month in August, September and October, all of which coordinate to form a mix and match wardrobe. Georgia goes to bed at around 6.30pm so I am hoping that this should be completely do-able. I am returning to work in September so I am planning a "career wardrobe". I have chosen 5 fabrics so far:

The two on the left are for skirts, the white is an Italian shirting, the black is a spotted chiffon for a tie neck blouse and the blue is a stretch wool mix for a tailored jacket. I still need one more fabric for another top but I will decide on that later.

Now I need to venture up into the loft for my patterns.....

Navy Dress: Butterick 5302

Photos to follow shortly: I am still having technical problems.

This is my first project in some time and I am really pleased with the outcome. This is the first of my 'inspired by Michelle Obama' wardrobe. I do not want to make carbon copies of her clothes, rather channel her style into what will work for my lifestyle, afterall, I don't have too many sate dinners to attend in the next few weeks! I love that this pattern is much more interesting than the simple shift and it looks more complicated to make than it is.

Pattern Review:

Pattern Description:

MISSES' DRESS: Straight, fitted dresses A, B, C, mid-knee, have front pleats, raised waist seam and back zipper. A: self-faced cap sleeves. B: three-quarter length sleeves. C: long sleeves.

Pattern Sizing:

Misses 8-14. I made a size 10-12 in a stretch woven.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes! I made view B, the version with 3/4 length sleeves.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

The instructions were really easy. Don't be put off by the pleats at the neckline. As long as you follow the arrows and match the small dots to the large dots it works really well. Everything else is just like a straight shift dress pattern.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

This is a copy of Michelle Obama's dress by Maria Pinto and I am trying to emulate her style right now. I love the pleats at the neckline which makes this dress more interesting than your standard sheath.

Fabric Used:

A Navy blue with white pin-stripe stretch wool blend.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Fit: It is really difficult to make a toile for stretch fabrics so I fitted as I went. I cut a size 10 at the top and graded to a size 12 at the bottom. This gave a pretty good fit but I still had to take it in a little in the centre back and alter the side seams slightly to give a good fit. On the whole, I would say this pattern is pretty true to size.

Lining: I decided to line the dress. I didn't add the facings. Instead, I just made an exact copy of the dress in lining fabric and then sewed them edge to edge. I understitched the neckline as carefully I could and I also did little catch stitches around the neck to get the pleats to lie flat and in place. I just lined the body of the dress and serged the lining to the armhole seam allowance. I added some thread chains at the waist and hem to hold the lining in place.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I am not sure I want two of these dresses as the neckline is so distinctive but I would definitely recommend this pattern to others, particularly for career wear.

Conclusion:

I wore this to work and I got lots of complements, including being asked if I was going for an interview! I haven't sewn very much lately and this project has really spurred me on.

Mini Wardrobe Contest on Pattern Review

I really enjoyed participating in a mini wardrobe contest last year so I have decided to take the plunge again. I have so far finalised three garments: a lavender pencil skirt, a pink and lavender chiffon blouse and a purple floral dress. I plan to make a jacket as my fourth garment but I am undecided on fabric (purple) and the pattern. I will post an updated story board as soon as I have resolved that issue, as well as the other issue of locating my camera! (Actually I can't post any picture for some reason!) The contest starts on 15 March so get planning if you want to take part. I highly recommend it!

I have almost finished the Butterick dress. I am really pleased with it.I have just the hems on the sleeves and skirt to do.

The first step:patterns ordered

There are a few very tentative signs that spring is on its way and it is light by 7.30am for my morning drive to work. So I feel the urge to start on my spring wardrobe. I am going to Iceland next week which I have decided will be my personal official end to winter (ha!). I am an utter failure at SWAP: Sewing With A Plan, yet I do feel the urge to move in that direction and certainly like the concpt, if not the execution. I have posted before about my admiration for Michelle Obama's fashion sense so I have decided to created clothes inspired by her. Not as in a planned wardrobe but a vague direction to head towards. Neat shift dresses are the first things I think of so I have ordered these two patterns:

The first attracted me after seeing Erica B's one shoulder version and because it offers good variations for the bodice. It think this is a great idea giving value for money and helps with pattern fitting.

The second pattern is a direct copy of the dress Mrs O wore when she first went to the White House. Vogue also have a version of this dress but is only suitable for knits. Butterick's pattern uses stable knits or stretch wovens.

I won't be sewing for a couple of weeks but at least the preparations have begun.

Progress Report

I have been back at school for a while now so I haven't done as much sewing as I would like but I am determined to keep it up. Writing this post is partly aimed at keeping me focused. That said, I have made some progress:

1. Winter Coat. I am SO close to finishing this. I have attended some Own Choice sewing days at the Modern Approach Sewing School where the lovely Janet Moville has helped me with new speed tailoring techniques such as putting in a sleeve head, how to correctly use shoulder pads, what a plaston is and how to do a bagged lining. I am really pleased with what I have done, though it takes a lot of time. I think I have spent over 5 days on my coat already! I just have to finish the lining and do the button holes.
2. Wardrobe in a Week: or month or year! My first top was a complete wadder! My grey skirt looks good but is unfinished. The last two items are still large rectangles of fabric.
3. Chanel Jacket: the nearest I got was watching the Signe Chanel Jacket on You Tube! So no sewing done but I can thoroughly recommend this documentary made for the BBC.

Just because I am short on time to bring the ideas I already have got to fruition doesn't mean I mean I need any less inspiration. I love Hobbs clothes and they have just brought out a new collection called NW3, named after Hampstead, the spiritual and historic home of Hobbs. Yet again, I advise you to hide your credit card before going to their website!