I
am aware that my dresses tend to be of a very similar style. A fitted
bodice with or without collar, short or long sleeves or sleeveless.
Button front to the waist or through to the skirt, with either a
gathered, pleated or circular skirt.
VERY EASY VOGUE V9023
I
am getting a little bored with that and thought it was time to try a
different style. Enter the Vogue pattern V9023 which I bought from
Jaycotts in Chester when they were having a 40% discount sale.
I used a beautiful Teal Blue Ponte Rma purchased from Fabricland, Salisbury. I had originally bought 2 metres thinking that it would be sufficient for some casual trousers but sadly the pattern I had chosen required a little more fabric.
The
fabric was waiting to be used and I decided to trial the Vogue
pattern instead. I made the size 22 at shoulders and chest then
graded out for my full bust, waist and hips.
As per the label on the pattern – VERY EASY VOGUE the dress was an straightforward construction and because of the style was an easy fit. However, once completed I did not like the look of the dress. The under bust band is set too high, it should be about 1 ½ inches lower (one’s bosom has a tendency to drop with age!). The V neckline is much lower than I had expected and as it is such a radical departure from my usual style and silhouette I felt uncomfortable wearing it.
The dress
However, I wanted to give the dress an outing so with opaque tights, flat shoes and a beautiful scarf I attended our usual Friday house group.
With the addition of a scarf to protect my modesty
I received several compliments on both the colour which I know does suit me and also the fact that it was a different silhouette to my usual. I wore the dress again on the Monday when I met with other friends for coffee and cake and again received compliments – so the dress will continue to have a place in my wardrobe. For now I have sold the pattern on eBay and will progress with trying out other styles and silhouettes of dresses to provide diversity in my wardrobe.
I
have a ‘Tried and Tested’ (TNT) pattern that I use on a regular basis
to make tee shirts. This was originally a Paola Turtle Neck top by
Named and I have lost count of the number of times I have made up
this style for myself, my sister and friends.
Paola Turtle Neck Top by Named
I
have changed the neckline and added a neck band, changed the hemline
to have a ‘shirt tail’ curve and changed the sleeves so that they now
have a cuff that is either incorporated or added depending on the
length of the original sleeve and my fabric availability.
For
these two tees, I used just 1 metre of fabric in each print.
loop back cotton jersey
The
Yellow floral spring print is a cotton blend loop back jersey bought
some time ago from Cheryl of Stitchy Bee. This is the first time that
I have used loop back jersey and this particular fabric was fabulous
to work with and to wear. Although it is no longer in stock with
Stitchy Bee I have seen some at my local Franklins, Salisbury branch
and I may well purchase some more to make a simple dress for the
Spring.
Paola hacked into TNT tee
The
second tee is made from a cotton/elastane jersey bought from an eBay
seller for £8.60/metre. I first bought the Duck Egg Blue colourway
which sewed up well in exactly the same pattern. Thus I decided to
purchase the Blue colourway and it has been laundered and sitting in
my stash for quite a long time.
Blue birds and floral Tee
These
two tees are a great addition to my wardrobe and I would like to make
a pinafore dress in Denim so that I can continue to wear them as the
weather cools down in the Autumn.
As mentioned in a previous post, I was really looking forward to a visit to Beautiful Things based in Brentford, Essex (https://www.beautifulthingshq.com/ ) where I was to attend a workshop.
We would making the Necessary Clutch Wallet (Emmeline Bags) tutored by Sian of Kittenish Behaviour.
I was joined by my friend from Franklins Monday Patchwork & Quilting Club, Pat B, who lives not far away in Old Sarum. At midday on the Friday we set off in Pat’s lovely new(ish) car, following the instructions on her satellite navigator. After a couple of breaks for refreshments I also got the chance to drive her car which was rather a culture shock. My lovely Toyota Avensis (with manual gearbox) is now 19 years old and I have had it from brand new. As you can imagine there are not a lot of ‘bells and whistles’ on a car that old. Pat’s car has an automatic gearbox with windscreen wipers that come on automatically along with the headlights when it becomes overcast or dark!
Exciting
times as we travelled through the Dartford Tunnel, then having
undertaken an extensive detour as we missed the exit to the
Travelodge(!) we arrived somewhat weary around 5pm.
I
have met Sian on three previous occasions – two Sew Southampton
meet ups plus the Bag making workshop that she ran on the Isle of
Wight in May this year. I have participated in two of the KB pattern
swaps, regularly follow Sian’s vlogs, instagram and also subscribe to
the KB Peeps facebook page. I feel that I know her quite well.
But now onto the Workshop! We met Claire who is the owner of Beautiful Things (yet another vlogger that I follow) really friendly and a very creative lady. It was lovely to be greeted by Sian and also to make the acquaintance of Di of Daffodil Ledger, another vlogger that I follow. Di is based ‘up North’ and has chickens that regularly feature on her vlogs!
After a general introduction we got down to some serious cutting out, interfacing and preparation of the various ‘innards’ for the NCW. As I had ‘sneakily’ already made a trial version of the wallet it was good to refresh the construction methods and also to pick up lots of tips from Sian including how to add a second zip compartment to the NCW.
Fat Quarter Pack from my Stash
I
used some of the fabrics that were in this pack of fat quarters
purchased originally from a Patchwork & Quilting shop in
Marshside, Lancashire when on a visit to a friend. As you can see
from the price label, this purchase was made a long time ago and it
is only now that I have got around to finding the ideal project in
which to use these unusual prints.
I used the Purple/Burgundy print for the exterior and made the interior pockets from two of the other prints. The flap is lined with a remnant of plain Purple cotton from my stash. The hardware in nickel was supplied by Sian as part of the cost of the workshop. Although I did not think I would be likely to use the wriststrap or adjustable shoulder strap, I did make them as it was an opportunity to see how Sian makes these straps.
There
were plenty of refreshments in the form of tea, coffee and biscuits
throughout the day. We stopped for a light lunch before cracking on
with our work. Finishing up around 4pm we returned to our Travelodge
and later joined Sian for a lovely meal in a local hostelry.
Sunday
dawned and we were up bright and early ready to attend the workshop
and finish our NCWs. Another busy day – lots of chat as we got to
know one another better and finally – completed wallets with
rivets!!
My ‘masterpiece’ NCW
Following Sian’s suggestion I purchased a rivet press some time ago but have been too afraid to use it! Now, after the practice at Beautiful Things I can count myself as a Riveting Ninja!
Insides showing the Two zip compartments
We
all enjoyed our lovely and productive time at Beautiful Things,
Claire is a great hostess and Sian an excellent tutor. I will be
keeping my eyes peeled for other classes at BTHQ and hope to join
Sian on the Isle of Wight in the Autumn of next year for another
Sewing Retreat.
I have long
admired the NCW purse/wallet having browsed the many photographs on
the internet. I purchased the pattern from Emmeline Bags over one
year ago but was very hesitant about making one. Then Sian of
Kittenish Behaviour posted a You tube sew-along but again I was
nervous about starting.
Looking ahead I noticed that Claire of Beautiful
Things Sewing Studio based in Brentford Essex was going to be hosting
a workshop for the NCW and tutored by Sian herself. I immediately
booked myself onto the course.
I searched my fabric stash for new materials that would be required and came across the remnants of the fabrics I had used on another of Sian’s workshops that was held back in May this year at the Sewing Retreat on the Isle of Wight.
As I did not want to appear to much of a novice at
the workshop (I do have something of a reputation as a bag-maker!) I
bit the bullet and used some of that remnant fabric to make my very
first NCW.
The ‘trial’ run exterior with contrast
I followed the instructions on Sian’s vlog but did not have all of the correct stabilisers to hand, thus the finished wallet is not as sturdy as the ones I have made since but nevertheless, not too bad for a first attempt!
The seasons are progressing and although a Mustard coloured bag is quite appropriate for the Autumnal colours of my wardrobe – I fancied a change!
Mrs H Pattern
When visiting the Festival of Quilts in August this year I purchased a couple of lengths of ‘tapestry’ fabric plus some faux snakeskin which I thought would be a great combination for a new Companion Carpet Bag using my TNT pattern from Mrs H Bags.
Rose tapestry fabric and coordinating faux snakeskin
Thus I embarked on yet another bag! I used the 8 inch bag frame and added an extra external pocket.
Additional External Pocket with stitched divider
Inside there are the usual slip and zip pockets plus a key keeper.
Interior with slip and zip pockets plus key keeper
Instead of fabric I used a set of Red polka dotted vinyl for the handles from my bag-making stash although after a couple of weeks wear I am not 100% happy with these and may well change them out for a tapestry set.
Faux Snakeskin panel/pocket with magnetic snap under
I have sufficient fabric remaining to be able to make the 12 inch framed bag and maybe even a necessary clutch wallet! So watch this space.
There
is not much more to say about the bag except that I have received
several compliments which is always a nice fillip to my bag-making
ego.
For
a long time I have wanted to make a saddle-bag-style bag. Sometime
ago I made the Mollie bag from Swoon patterns in both the original
small size and also graded up to a larger, more useful size. However
neither bag fitted my requirements and I was pleased to discover this
bag pattern by Debbie Von Grabler-Crozier in one of my scrap books.
The original had been produced in a magazine and this was the only
article that I had saved. A stroke of good luck.
Two-tone Saddle Bag
I found that I had a large remnant of cotton fabric left over from the bag-making workshop that I attended on the Isle of Wight back in May 2019. As the fabrics were specially chosen to coordinate they would be ideal for this project.
Coordinating fabrics
Unfortunately I did not have quite sufficient to complete the entire bag and thus the contrast on the reverse of the bag plus the lining and pockets are made using other printed cottons from my stash.
contrast lining and pocket fabric prints
Back view showing contrast
I followed the instructions as closely as possible although I did change the size and method for making the shoulder strap. I am pleased with the end result. The size is just right and for the next iteration I will change only the thickness of the wadding by replacing the fusible fleece with Bosal (R) foam.