Simplicity Cynthia Rowley 1688

A few weeks ago I saw the Coco jacket that Kelli from True Bias made. I had a family celebration coming up and I fancied something similar in cut to wear. Well I actually fancied flying over the New York and stealing her jacket, love the fabric that she used. After googling the Coco jacket pattern and realised that Simplicity 1688 had similar style lines, rounded front neck edges, three quarter length sleeves.

I made up View A using some cerise crepe that I bought in Dublin last year and it's lined with some cream and black polka dots mystery fabric which I think came from Abkahan fabrics in Liverpool.  

I modified the pattern to include facings around the back neck and the front edges. The pattern has the lining that comes right up to these edges and I thought a neater finish would be achieved with facings. I also added some shoulder pads and a pleat in the back lining piece.

The front edges tend to curl out which is a bit annoying. Not sure what is wrong. Is it cut off grain? Is the interfacing too heavy? I would appreciate any advice. 

Up next ..... I am currently trying out the famous Ginger Jeans pattern. I have made up the high rise skinny leg version which looks good standing up but I find the front digs into my stomach when I sit down. Think they might be a bit too high so going to try lowering the rise an 1".

Thanks for reading 

Play dough recipe

Hi ya  

Slightly off the usual topic but this is more for my reference. I found this recipe for play dough ages ago somewhere on the internet. Now everytime my boys ask me to make some play dough, I'm off searching for the scrap of paper with the instructions. So to make life a little handier I will share it here and then we can all use it. 

That's

1 cup of flour 

1 cup of warm water 

2 tsp cream of tartar 

1 tsp oil 

1/4 cup of salt 

Place all ingredients in a saucepan and gently heat until it all starts come away from the sides of the pan and into a ball. 

Remove from the pan and knead for a few minutes. Simple! 

Leave it plain or add the food colouring if your choice. We have fun mixing up colours. We have even made it black with gold glitter. 

Hours of fun for them and maybe a bit of sewing time for me. 

Thanks for reading. 

SBCC Manhattan Trousers

Hey folks ! 

I made Trousers! I finally decided to throw caution to the wind and attempt the item of clothing that strikes fear into the heart of many a sewer. I really need some trousers in my wardrobe. I have two pairs of trousers suitable for work but neither of them are a great fit. I pretty much don't even look at trousers or jeans anymore when I am shopping RTW. I am just about 5 feet tall with short short legs, big hips and thighs and a swayback that means all trousers usually gape at the back in a very unattractive way. 

I had the Clover by Colette, Manhattan by SBCC and Thurlow by Sewaholic in the stash. I thought the Manhattan would be the best place to start as I seem to fit the petite curvy model that SBCC design for. 

I made up a muslin in cotton sateen ( I really don't like cotton sateen, I always  feel like it is clingy and attracts all the fluff)- anyways I started out with size 12 and 27" inseam. The fit wasn't bad at all. AMAZING 

It need tapering in along the outseam and inseam, probably ending up more like a size 10 everywhere except at the widest part of my hips. I also took in the centre back seam to remove gaping here. 

The pattern was easy enough to follow along with except the fly instructions. I think the pieces for fly facing and fly extension are mislabelled which left me a bit muddled up. Beth from SBCC messaged me on Instagram and she is going to look into it. 

I made up my final pair in a grey and blue wool ( I think) check fabric that I got in Michael H fabrics in Dublin. I'm really pleased with how they turned out. Even managed pattern matching 

They are a few wrinkles in the back which I'm not sure about, I don't think this style needs to be tighter but are these wrinkles too much or are they needed ??? 

Overall I am very pleased and have plans for more. Navy and black to start with. Then who knows maybe even Ginger Jeans! The thought of have jeans that actually fit is very exciting. 

That's the Anise Jacket from Colette as well but I think this post is long enough already. Maybe some other day. 

Thanks for reading 

The cutest thing I have ever made!

Trying out posting from my phone as it is months since I posted anything at all. I have been sewing quite a bit but find blog writing and photos a bit of a chore. That said I think keeping a blog would be a good way to keep track of my sewing.

So this is an outfit made for my niece. From Burda magazine 09/13 dress waistcoat and leggings in size 74. 

The dress is made from chambray from Truro fabrics. The dress has a yoke bodice and a gathered skirt. I left off the pockets and added some cute stripy buttons down the back 

The waistcoat was made from an old grey jumper of mine , lined with red jersey  from an old maternity top. I added pockets made from the sleeves, using the ribbing from the bottom of the sleeve. I embroided a cat's face onto one of the pockets. Cute !!!

Lastly a simple pair of leggings. The original pattern had a back yoke and side seams, but I removed these to make it easier. 

So there we go, the photos might not be great quality but some photos are better than none 

Simplicity 1653

Simplicity 1653 is a mock wrap dress pattern for knits with three different sleeves and two lengths to pick from. It is also one of the Amazing fit line of patterns. 

To achieve an amazing fit, different bodice pieces are supplied based on cup size. By using your high bust and full bust measurements, you can work out which is the right one for your size. There are also options for different skirts based on slim, average or curvy. Although a little confusing at first glance, it is well explained in the instructions how to select the correct pieces.

I started with size 12 for the shoulders and arms, grading out to 14 (cup B) at bust and 16 at the waist and hips. 

Simple enough construction with 1" seam allowances in places to allow for better fitting. The instructions have you baste all these seams wrong sides together so you can fine tune the fit. I skipped this bit as I felt removing basting stitches would be a bit of a pain, so I winged it.

The wrap is quite flattering. The pattern instructions have the dress knotting on the left  side though I have wrapped them right around and knotted on the right in these photos. I realise now that this is probably not the most flattering. 

  

 The armsync is quite low and on my next version I will raise this up about an inch. Just need to figure out how on this raglan sleeve.

I have plans to make a long sleeve version in grey John Kaldor jersey that I have stashed away. 

Hopefully in time for the Curvy sewing collective wrapalong 

Thanks for reading 

OWOP Challenge 2014

Hello again! I signed up for this year's OWOP hosted by Handmade Jane. 

I selected New Look 6123 as I have made quite a few dresses based on this pattern. For my work I have to be presentable looking, tidy but not necessarily office attire.

Day One 

My boys had their birthday party, so my house was full of children high on sweets and cake. Comfort was key as I tried to keep them under control. My grey leopard print ponte version was most suitable.

Day Two 

FAIL! I'm afraid none of my dresses were suitable on day two. I had to clean the house and tackle the mountain sized pile of ironing after a busy week of work, birthdays and cake making.

Day Three 

Green and black wool version mainly to show one of the receptionists at work. She also sews and had missed seeing me when I wore it the week before. 

Day Four

I wore the version with the floral skirt and the blue pleated neckline.

Day Five 

Grey wool tweed version with the little hearts

Day Six 

I made a new version! I changed to a notched neck this time. I was trying for more of a sharp angle on the notch but ended up with a gentle sort of a curve. I will perhaps do a separate post on this dress but I am probably the worse blogger ever. I have been sewing away and have quite a few finished items to share but find the process of taking photos and writing quite difficult. Must try harder

Day Seven 

Only repeat of the week 

Overall I enjoyed the week (didn't enjoy the selfies though) 

Dresses make up the bulk of my wardrobe, they suit my lifestyle extremely well. Not much styling was required as we were having an unusually warm week, so dress - shoes - DONE. When trying to get three uncooperative boys out in the morning time I need easy options.

So what's next??

I have plans for some jackets - this good weather wont last much longer :(

First up a modified Sewaholic Minoru and then either Colette's Anise or Cynthia Rowley 6188

Also planning to join in my first sewalong with the curvy collective wrap dress sewalong . I'm not plus size but I'm sure they won't mind if I join in. I love a good wrap dress

Okay until next time

Archer by grainline and me

This is the Archer shirt from Grainline which really needs no introduction as I think I am the last person in blog land to make one (or three) up. 

I have made this one in a navy georgette with small beige spots, from my Goldhawk Road haul. Previously I would have called this chiffon but I am in the middle of making up a different blouse from NL6107 in chiffon. And it is some slippery s*** whereas this was manageable. 

I originally cut this at size 4 for neck and shoulders grading out to size 8 for the bust waist and hips. Later I took about an inch out of the side seams grading out to nothing at the hips. I cut the length at the size zero line as I'm very short, also took an inch out of the arm length. They are still about two inches too long but I always roll my sleeves up so no biggie. 

I originally intended to add sleeve tabs to help keep the sleeves rolled up but got carried away with the sewing and only remembered when I had the sleeve seam closed. At that stage I thought it would be too difficult to try and add them in... Ahh well next time!

The biggest problem I had was the buttonholes. More of a problem as my machine has a 4 stage buttonhole and this tricky to get it all lined up and back to the point where you started. Add in the slightly sloppy fabric and it was a bit of a nightmare. To help I put some tissue paper under whilst sewing and this did help to stabilise things a bit. 

For the collar I used Andrea of four square walls tutorial and this turned out to be my best collar yet. 

I went for brown tortoise shell type buttons after getting some help choosing via Instagram. 

I think I have mentioned before my problem with interfacing (someday I might conquer this probable irrational fear ;) 

This sheer fabric did need something for the collar, cuffs and button bands so I used some navy cotton lawn which I salvaged from the lining of an old summer dress. Good colour match and gives a bit of stability. 

I asked my 8 year old niece to take a few photos of my new shirt. This is the only usable one and I look like a lunatic. Blog photography ain't easy :)

I have also made two more Archers, one blue and white striped shirting from Truro fabrics and a pale pink shirting from the Goldhawk Rd. 

I am keen to get more involved in the sewing community but I having bother leaving comments on blogs (even on my own).
 Has anyone else had this issue or know what I am doing wrong?
Thanks for reading