I felt in need of a simple sew before embarking on the next dressmaking project. I had a couple of ‘laundry’ related printed fat quarters in my stash and was inspired by an article in an old sewing magazine to sew a fabric bin.
A great quick and easy sewing project, this mini laundry bin was completed within an hour. The bin is lined with car headliner foam (an alternative to Bosal foam) which makes it self-supporting. The bin has a diameter of approximately 10 inches and stands about 12 inches high. Just the right height to stand on the work surface and beneath the wall cabinets.
Mini Laundry Bin
A useful
addition to our utility room. This is a handy storage bin for hand
towels and tea towels prior to loading the washing machine.
Next stop
is a similar bin to use for glass awaiting a trip to the re-cycling
centre.
I still had some remnants of the Duck Egg Blue background fabric after sewing the full length dressing gown mentioned in a previous post. Question: What to do with these scraps? Answer: Make a set of coordinating cosmetic and toiletry pouches.
I tried a
variety of patterns – here are some of them.
Clockwise from top left they are 1) my own design cosmetics pouch
2) Clematis pouch by Blue Calla Designs
Clematis by Blue Calla
3) Very small clam shell pouch for use as a change purse 4) Snap closing purse for feminine supplies 5) Medium sized clam shell purse with waterproof (shower curtaining) lining.
Clematis Pouch
My favourite is the Clematis pattern. For my version I used a small amount of the Gold coloured snakeskin finish faux leather that I bought from Thimbles at the Festival of Quilts. I love this pattern which is quick, simple and takes only a small amount of fabric. For this particular version I left off the wristlet strap.
You will notice that three of the items have small pink ‘Handmade’ labels. These were bought from ‘The Range’ and are a charming addition, I have them in a variety of colours so will be appearing on several future projects.
I still have some remnants of the White background Hummingbird print and can see another selection of bags and pouches in the near future.
You are
probably wondering why there is a picture of a Superking Duvet set in
a dressmaking post. Inspired by Mel of Ditsy Tulip I wanted to
investigate the possibility of making clothes using fabric previously
in the form of bed linen. Dunelm were having a sale so I visited the
Salisbury store to check out for some bargains. I struck Gold! I
ended up buying three sets of Superking duvet covers. The cheapest
was a mere £14.99 and used to make a dress which has already
appeared on this blog. Hummingbirds however was not reduced but at
£32 it still represents great value for money.
I chose
this particular pattern as I was looking for something in Duck Egg
Blue colourway to coordinate with our bedroom décor. I also needed a
set of nightdress and dressing gown to take away with me on my
upcoming travels.
Having made the dressing gown using the Duck Egg Blue background side of the Duvet cover, I turned my attention to the reverse. This was a White background but had the same design print so would coordinate beautifully with the dressing gown.
Butterick B6024 – a TNT pattern
I had
previously made at least two versions using my TNT pattern Butterick
6024. I used version of view B with the short sleeves from view D cut
out at full length so that the nightdress would be just 1 inch
shorter than the dressing gown.
Full length Nightdress
The tucks
are a feature of the nightdress and I took time to mark them up
carefully. All seam raw edges are enclosed in French seams and the
hem of the sleeves and the body of the nightdress are double turned
before machining in place.
Short version
Having
completed the long version I was delighted to discover that I had
sufficient fabric to make a second nightdress using the same pattern.
This one is shorter and has a frill around the hem (to extend the
length). Again all raw edges are enclosed in French seams and hems
are double turned and machine stitched.
I now make
a point of ‘wafting’ around in my nightdress and dressing gown for at
least 20 minutes every morning!
It is now
almost one month since I joined the coach trip to visit the Festival
of Quilts at the NEC, Birmingham. I visited with my friend Pat and we
were joined at the Festival by another friend who had travelled from
Chiswick. We all had a great day and for once the weather was
brilliant sunshine.
There were so many quilts and shopping opportunities, I did not really know where to start. In the end, we started with the shopping – no change there then. I had a list – I did not stick to it!
From the Fabrics Galore stand I bought another 2 metres of my favourite Frida Kahlo printed cotton which is destined to be a simple shift dress to showcase the design.
Frida Kahlo |Border print
I also bought 4 metres of an unnamed cotton lawn at the bargain price of just £6/metre which has since been made up into my second version of Vogue 8577.
Unidentified Cotton Lawn – BARGAIN
Vogue 8577
From the
Lewis & Irene stand I collected some free patchwork patterns, and
a hug from one of the owners of the company (he remembered me from a
talk where I had worn a dress in Lewis & Irene print fabric)!
On to the Thimbles stand which I visited twice. On the first visit I bought some leaf print (Monstera Deliciosa) which I intend to make up into a bag.
Leaf print heavyweight cotton for bagmaking
The second visit I bought this beautiful Tapestry-style fabric with Roses plus 4 lengths of faux leather with a snakeskin finish.
Roses Tapestry fabric + Faux Leathers
The Roses and Red faux leather will be made up into a Companion Carpet Bag (pattern by Mrs H).
Mrs H Companion Carpet Bag
I have already sewn some of the Gold finish as an accent on a pouch (detailed post coming shortly) and I have plans for several new style bags which will utilise the Black & Navy-coloured faux leathers.
After a break for lunch (a very tasty Haloumi salad) we viewed a few more of the many, many quilts before returning to the shopping hall. We visited the Sewing Quarter stand where I had the opportunity to chat to John Scott – what a lovely man.
We then visited Rosenberg & Sons’ stand. I was ‘persuaded’ to buy some beautiful boiled wool in Blue to make a jacket (Simplicity 4032) and a remnant of Mustard boiled wool to make a ‘hack’ waistcoat/vest from the same pattern.
Another
break for afternoon tea and a further browse of the quilts before a
rest and relaxation whilst we waited for the coach and journey home.
I loved my
visit (not sure my credit card was as keen) although I did find it
very tiring. Bearing in mind the size of my fabric stash (I swear the
fabrics reproduce overnight) and lack of resistance when it comes to
fabric buying, perhaps I should refrain from attending any more shows
for a while until I have reduced my ‘stock’ and the bank account has
recovered!
You are probably wondering why there is a picture of a Superking Duvet set in a dressmaking post. Inspired by Mel of Ditsy Tulip I wanted to investigate the possibility of making clothes using fabric previously in the form of bed linen. Dunelm were having a sale so I visited the Salisbury store to check out for some bargains. I struck Gold! I ended up buying three sets of Superking duvet covers. The cheapest was a mere £14.99 and used to make a dress which has already appeared on this blog. Hummingbirds however was not reduced but at £32 it still represented great value for money.
I chose
this particular pattern as I was looking for something in Duck Egg
Blue colourway to coordinate with our bedroom décor. I also needed a
set of nightdress and dressing gown to take away with me on my
upcoming travels.
print detail of the Hummingbird
I had
previously made at least two dressing gowns using my TNT pattern –
Simplicity 8486 and so having laundered the duvet set and unpicked
all the seams, I cut out a full length version of View A.
Simplicity 8486
The only alteration to the pattern was to reduce the length by a couple of inches and the sleeve length also by 2 inches. I added a narrow hanging loop on the inside of the centre back neck. The pattern calls for concealed side seam pockets but I substituted patch pocket.
Lace-trimmed patch pockets
Initially, I thought that I would use the reverse of the duvet cover which is the same print but on a White background (as shown in the picture above) for the nightdress full length View B, details of this will appear in another post.
I was fortunate that I had an exact colour-match of thread and all raw edges are enclosed in French seams. I added some lace detailing on the sleeve cuffs and patch pocket tops. In very quick time the dressing gown was completed and I am delighted with the result. I now make a point of ‘wafting’ around in my gown for at least 20 minutes every morning!
My regular readers will know that I love a novelty print so when I came across this skull print on a Cerise Pink background, I just had to have it! I ordered 4 metres as I knew that I wanted to re-visit the Penny Dress by Sew Over It. I have previously made this dress in a jersey fabric back in August of 2018. Now I wanted to make in the fabric recommended by SOI – a woven.
Penny Dress by Sew Over It
The
Penny Dress is a simple, easy-to-sew and utterly gorgeous shirt
dress. Stylish, wearable and flattering for so many shapes, Penny is
a summer wardrobe must-have. Penny features a sleeveless
button-up bodice, flat collar, pretty gathered shoulder panel,
easy-fit elasticated waist and on-trend midi-length skirt. The
flattering dropped shoulder offers a nod to the 1950s whilst
her simplicity will keep you looking contemporary and cool.
Though shirt dresses can often be fiddly, Penny makes for a
refreshingly simple sew. With no darts, zips or collar stands to
contend with it is a simple project, perfect for sunny summer days.
I laundered the fabric and within a day or two was busy cutting out the pattern. I increased the bodice width slightly to accommodate my tummy but forgot to add to the waistline of the skirt – more of that later.
Construction was straightforward but once again I had to review the video tutorial on sewing the facing in such a way as to make the top-stitched button/buttonhole placket. The end result is very neat but narrow, insufficiently wide enough to make my preferred horizontal buttonholes. Instead I placed the buttons on the top placket and stitched them through all layers. There is no problem using this method as the waistline seam has sufficient ease to allow the dress to be put on pullover fashion.
Although not included in the pattern instructions, I cut four of the narrow shoulder yoke so that there would be a lining in this part of the bodice. I used my preferred method for attaching the collar that does away with the need for a separate back neck facing. I did however add a piece of half-moon-shaped fabric into the back neckline that carries my pre-printed label ‘Carousel’.
Having completed the construction of the yokes, button placket and collar I turned my attention to the armholes which form a small cap sleeve. The instructions suggest that you turn up a narrow hem and top stitch in place before joining the front and back bodice at the side seams. I dislike the ‘unfinished’ look of this method so instead made some self bias binding to neaten the armhole sections before completing the bodice. I shall certainly be repeating this method in future as it has turned out very well.
Bodice/skirt waistline – nb no elastication
Now, joining the skirt to the bodice. This is where I made an error. I forgot to add sufficient width to the skirt so that it would match the slightly extended bodice. As the skirt was just wide enough (with a couple of inches of ease) at the waistline, I simply made some tucks (where there would normally be darts) in the bodice so that it matched the skirt panels. Having reduced the width of the bodice and skirt there was now no requirement for elastic in a channel to give the dress a close fit at the waist. Perhaps next time I will remember to extend BOTH bodice and skirt so that an elasticated waist can be included. Alternatively, I may replace the tucks with body darts for a more streamlined effect. The other omission was that I forgot to stitch in my side seam pocket bags. A real nuisance and maybe I will go back and put them in although it will be a tiresome and time-consuming task to unpick the overlocked seams. So maybe not to be undertaken – I shall have to live with no pockets in this dress!
Some Skullduggery Penny Dress
Apart from these minor niggles I am delighted with the dress. I see that this particular print is also available with a beautiful Teal background but perhaps I should concentrate on using some of the ‘miles’ of fabric in my stash……
