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Friday 22 January 2016

Colette Laurel Top - Part 1





Happy Friday Everyone!

My first full week at work in 6 weeks has been a bit of a killer to be honest! Dreaming of the pub and sewing all weekend has kept me going :)

On Sunday I decided to sort through my big plastic box I throw all my sewing stuff into when I have finished for the day to see what was lurking. It wasn't pretty.

But, I found a muslin I had made of Colette Laurel

No make up or smiles on Sunday
I was really impressed with the fit! I did find the paper version which showed I had cut a size 16 with a 1 inch FBA. I had also taken out a good 3cm wedge from the centre front. I did have a feeling that in only attaching one arm it may be a bit tight across the back (Xmas lbs are still clinging on to dear life) so I thought I would throw together another muslin, but a wearable one.

I decided not to refer back to the paper pattern but to use the actual muslin as my pattern pieces. I am doing this from now on, the pattern didn't need anywhere near as many pattern weights, laid flat and didn't move about as much. This was going cotton-cotton but still an improvement! The only difference was that I did put an extra centimetre on the centre back.

Please excuse the Minion Slippers (or admire them, I love them!!)

No gaping 

This isn't hemmed or edges finished for one main reason! The fabric.

I bought this fabric before I moved to London, I am sure it was about £7/m which isn't ridiculous but it is also not 'muslin' cheap. This fabric ran so much when washed its unwearable. But the main reason this fabric is unwearable is this:



A massive seam down the middle of the yardage! I have never seen this before, and if I am being completely honest as the print is so busy I don't think you can see it when on but now I am looking at fabric more I certainly wouldn't have bought it. And if I got it home and found this, it would be going back to the shop.

There is also another problem:



No idea what that says but this fabric has been washed. Why would anyone write on a bolt of fabric is highlighter pen?!! 

I took another 2cm wedge out of the front again once I had remade it.

This alteration is added to my muslin and I am ready to go make another! Hurry up weekend!!!



What are your sewing plans this weekend?

Thanks for reading :)
Kristy xxx



Wednesday 20 January 2016

I. Must. Stop. Buying. Patterns.



Title says it all really!

So, I bought the Sew Over It knicker pattern to try and stash bust and use up leftover fabric. £5. Will come in handy! And I also thought it may be a quick palette cleanser project when needed.

Product Image


And then this pattern collection came into my Bloglovin roll...

Burda Hotel Bar Collection
Seriously, look how hot this model is! I don't normally girl crush but she is unbelievable! So on seeing the pattern collection I immediately felt I would look EXACTLY the same as her in these patterns and therefore they must be bought IMMEDIATELY! And then I saw the price...$5 for supposedly 6 patterns....

1 pattern is gross, not sure why the hot woman has a curtain ruffle around the bottom of her skirt...


and two of the patterns are exactly the sam ebut with sleeve length variation but all in all $5 is roughly £3.50 for 4 patterns! WIN! And I think it would have actually been insulting to the hot woman not to actually buy the patterns. 

Got to say, it is also very nice to see a Burda plus size collection that is made up of garments that are not sack like, and have shape. 

My pattern stash cost page has been updated.

Now I just need to get good at this sewing and fitting lark before I attempt a Burda pattern!

Thanks for reading,
Kristy :) xxx

Monday 18 January 2016

My 2016 Sewing Challenges



Hello Everyone,

Happy 2016! Hope this year is everything you want it to be!

Mine got off to a good start - Thailand was amazing but a massive infected mosquito bite and jetlag and general getting back to work has been pretty rubbish!

I am not letting that spoil my enthusiasm though!

So I wrote last year about wanting to do some sort of challenge for 2016. As I am already over half way through January I don't think I want to do 12 challenges so I am going to aim for 10. After plenty of thinking here are the things I want to achieve this year!

2016 Challenge 1 - Perfect Woven Top

Back in August (eeeshk) I participated in the Made Up Initiative to try get this challenge underway...unfortunately it was a big fat fail. Last night I tried on Simplicity 8523 again and I just aren't happy with the fit and I think I need to just leave it for now. It isn't for me. So I shall press on with a different woven pattern.
I will be trying the Colette Laurel as a top, if this doesn't work as the copy I have only goes up to a size 18 I will try the Colette Seamwork York Top. It is very similar to Laurel really but different size range (and no dress option).

York
Collete Seamwork York Top
If that doesn't work, I may cry.

2016 Challenge 2 - A Wearable Skirt

This is a very broad challenge really and I may try out a few patterns but I want a skirt(s) that I will wear. I love the idea of skirts but I rarely buy them unless for formal occasions (i.e. job interviews or funerals - and hopefully these events will be very rare this year!). So I want a skirt or two I can wear regularly.

2016 Challenge 3 - A Wrap Dress

Love them. I want to sew them. I want to wear them. Simple.

2016 Challenge 4 - A Shirt.

Since leaving school and going through puberty (I was a late starter) I have never owned a button down shirt. Everything always pulls in all the wrong places just in the changing room never mind in real life. I think this will be Colette Aster as I already own the pattern but who knows.

2016 Challenge 5 - Sew a Vintage Pattern

You only have to look at my Pinterest Boards to see some of the beautiful patterns once produced. I would like to try one, may have to be a reproduction of one to get the size but I do want to make a vintage pattern.

2016 Challenge 6 - Sew Using Jersey/Knit Fabric

Quite and easy challenge but I have never done it so it will be a good challenge to try accomplish.

2016 Challenge 7 - Sew a Fancy Dress

I want to sew myself something fabulous. I want wow factor. And how better than a Fancy Frock? No other plans that this.

2016 Challenge 8 - Sew a Fly Zip

One skill I want to be able to do, maybe won't make jeans/trouser making seem so scary if can do this already.

2016 Challenge 9 - Sew With Leather

Quite self explanatory

2016 Challenge 10 - Upcycle into a Garment

Use leftover scraps, re-use an unworn shop item, refashion a charity shop buy...not 100% yet but definitely want this as a challenge.

Phew! If you have gotten through that, I thank you! Some of these projects may overlap, I may sew a jersey wrap dress (Cashmerette Appleton I am looking at you) or upcycle some leather...but I WILL COMPLETE!

See you on the other side!

Kristy xxx
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