thornberry

It has taken me a couple of months but I finally finished sewing up Simplicity 3786, in View D.

The fabric is a light cotton from Spotlight.  I like the style and the details such as the tucks on the front and the gathered sleeves.  I made my usual alterations to make the proportions better for my short figure, by folding out an inch or so through the body and from the sleeve length.  For once I included the gentle elasticated gathering at the back that gives the top a little more shape - I usually leave back ties and shaping out, since I don’t have much of a waist and don’t like my clothes to be tight around it.

I’ll make this pattern again, but probably in a less busy fabric - take another look at that first photo and the shocking job that I did of misaligning the design placement on the front.  I really should have cut each front piece individually.  I think that I’ll consider this top to be a wearable muslin (since I am actually wearing it today).  There are lots of nice design options in this pattern, and it is comfortable.  The finished top looks pretty much like the design photo on the front of the pattern envelope, which is always a good sign!

Hello there all who have popped over from Sew Mama Sew!  Welcome!  I checked my stats quickly this morning and almost fell off my chair.  If you are looking for what I’ve been up to regarding sewing women’s clothing, have a look over there at the “Categories” list on the right hand side of my blog and find the “adult’s clothing”, and/or “sewing” category.  Hopefully I’ll get a little more sewing done for myself this month too and get it all blogged - I have loads of fabric and loads of patterns all waiting eagerly to be combined.

So welcome to everyone visiting for the fist time, and a special hello to those who visit regularly!

There are so many things that I want to sew at the moment, and I have no time in which to sew them!  I returned to part-time work two weeks ago, and inbetween that and the rest of life, I can barely keep up with household organisation, let alone get anything made.  I have this all ready to start:

I’m going to do the same version as the one in the pattern cover photo.  I really need lots of new winter clothes - the weather has very quickly become very wintery, and much of what I wore last winter needs to be thrown out.  But when, when, when will I find the time to sew!

I’m also about to frog my second attempt at crocheting the sleeves for Clare’s cardigan.  At least there is only one sleeve to pull out this time.  I’ve finally worked out what I need to do to make it fit the armhole properly and still be the right length.  So fingers crossed that the third go will be a success.

So I’d better get off the computer and on to my “to-do” list, which is never-ending.

It’s been a week of illness for everyone in our household except Clare.  Stella and I were finally well enough yesterday to pop out to one of the local op-shops for a quick visit.  Success - lots of old patterns!  There were many from the 80s (which don’t count as vintage to me, since I was sewing dresses for myself during the 80s and still have the patterns to prove it) but also quite a few from the late 60s and early 70s.  They worked out to cost 25c each.  Bargain.

I have seen the Simplicity one on another sewing blog recently (maybe Summerset’s) - it must have been a popular pattern! I think that it will be a really flattering shape for me. 

Many of the patterns have really interesting design lines.  Some are completely in tune with current fashion.  And the illustrations are always good value!

The girls skirt pattern was a sentimental purchase.  View 3 was the skirt that I made in Year 7 Fabrics (first year of high school).  We had to choose a skirt pattern that had a waistband, a zip, and gathers or darts.  While many of the other girls chose pencil skirts from the “Misses” section, at age 11 my figure was definitely still that of a “Girl”.  I remember wishing that I too could make something a little more sophisticated.  I am struggling to remember what the fabric was like, but I think it was a soft purple, with a print.  Mum, can you remember?  Anyway, the finished skirt was rather nice.  And entirely age-appropriate.

Happy 40th Birthday Rachael (even though it was about two weeks ago).  Your apron is finally finished.  Because I altered the pattern to make it reversible, there are two fronts.  Here’s one:

and the other:

The purple fabric was bought last year some time from GJs Discount Fabrics in Brunswick, and the green from Spotlight a couple of years ago.  Once again, thank goodness for the stash!  The pattern is McCalls 2811, view A.

It’s an interesting design - there are no ties to fasten it; it simply wraps around and the weight of the fabric combined with the three armholes (one arm goes through two armholes) seems to keep it in place.  Here’s a view of the back.

Rachael put it on when she received it; because she is tall the design works really nicely on her!  Yay, success!

I got to spend the entire afternoon sewing today - no interruptions!  I booked into the Wrap Skirt workshop run by Kimono House absolutely ages ago.  It was incredibly difficult to choose which feature fabric to use, but I am really glad that I went with my initial thought.

The skirt is designed by Alison Pyle, and she runs the workshop for Leanne from Kimono House.  It’s a flattering, easy to wear style, and the wrap comes far enough across to minimise accidental exposure.

The fabrics are all from Japan and are 100% cotton.  I will have to go back when I have some more time and check them out further!

I caught the train into the city.  It was great to have some time on my own without little people to worry about!  The people watching was lots of fun, and the views across Melbourne from the Nicholas building where the workshop was held were superb.  The city changes so quickly.

I’m really happy with the finished skirt (although it could do with an iron).  I plan on making this a few more times - I think it would be great in a wool for winter.  It also looks terrific with the yoke done in a contrasting fabric.  All in all it was a very successful afternoon out (and the kids coped fine without me, although Stella was quite eager for a drink when I got home)!

Hubby wanted me to crochet him a new beanie for the cold Melbourne winter that is coming up, in a fairly firm fabric - ”not with many holes in it please”.  So I went to my stash of Jet and a pattern from “Stitch ‘N Bitch: The Happy Hooker” and created a beanie.

Jet is such a lovely yarn to work with!  It’s all in single crochet (US terminology being used here) which meant that although it took a while to crochet, the fabric is nice and firm and has this terrific texture.  I love the variations in colour and tone.

The only problem?  It fits me, not hubby.  Whoops.  Remind me to check when I’m substituting yarn that I’m using the correct hook size to get gauge.  Lucky for me, I have plenty more in the stash - and I promise that I’ll use a bigger hook next time.

Here it is again - more of the pink & brown stretch mesh.  This time, paired with Simplicity 4076 (which every second person on Pattern Review has made ages ago - I’m very behind the times).

I made a straight size 12, as per the pattern.

It definitely needed the camisole underneath.  I’m not generally fazed by displaying a little cleavage, but this top was giving away a bit too much information!  The mesh was very stretchy across the wide back neckline and at first it wouldn’t stay on my shoulders, so I did as hubby suggested and sewed some clear elastic around the neckline from shoulder seam to shoulder seam, stretching the elastic slightly as I went. 

The bell shaped sleeves are nice, and this isn’t too bad as a wearable muslin.  Once again, I’m glad it’s not any shorter - tall people and anyone who isn’t short-waisted must be baring their midriff in this design!  Next time I make it (and there might be a next time) I’ll put the elastic around the back neckline while I hem it, and I’ll lengthen the top a couple of inches.  I plan on trying the other styles from this pattern soon as well.

Does anyone else who grew up with the metric system sew in imperial measurements like I do?  It’s weird!  I buy fabric and notions by the metre (or centimetre) but sew with a 5/8″ or half an inch seam, and can use both measurements interchangeably.  I think it comes from using so many American patterns and sewing equipment.  I even use American terminology when crocheting, which is a direct result of so many of the patterns coming from America.  But I measure crochet hook sizes in millimetres - it’s should be completely confusing, but I seem to manage with it somehow!

The last five tops I made were all from stretch fabrics - so it was time to get back into my comfort zone and whip something up in a woven.

The fabric is a cotton voile remnant from Spotlight.  I made view E, the sleeveless round neck version, because I didn’t have much fabric!

After checking the finished bust measurements and amount of ease (plenty!) indicated on the pattern, I made this as a straight size 10, hoping that then it would fit nicely around the upper chest and shoulder.  I eliminated the back tie - I never use them, so never include them when sewing for myself.  I crossed my fingers, sewed it all up and hoped that it would fit well.

Sorry about the photo of my armpit - no-one much over the height of one metre was available to take a photo for me.  This fits perfectly!  Loose enough to be comfy, yet not massive, no gaping armholes, and the neckline is just right.  I’ll definitely use this pattern again!

Meh.  Don’t like it.  Doesn’t fit properly. 

Butterick 3124 is a Sandra Betzina “Today’s Fit” pattern, which means that it has different sizing to the usual.  I made a size “D”, which corresponded perfectly to my bust and waist measurements.  But sadly, it doesn’t fit me.  You can get a better idea when I’ve got my hands on my hips.

I just look big and matronly.  It’s too short - I did my usual petite adjustments to the body and sleeve length, and shouldn’t have.  The bust darts are too low, the shoulders are too wide, and overall it’s not a success.

Before I saw these photos I thought I might get away with it - now I think no way.

The mesh wasn’t too difficult to sew, and I still have loads left.  I’m going to make another top in a more traditional t-shirt shape without any bust darts - there is lots of stretch in this fabric, so it should be okay.  This one is going to the op shop.