Monthly Archives: June 2023

Shelby/Charlotte hack #3

Dresses, Fabric - Cotton

Recently I visited my favourite local sewing supplies store, New Threads Quilt Shop which is located at the Weyhill Fairground about 2 miles from my home. Meg had some beautiful fabrics on sale and I indulged in 4 metres of this charming and unusual cotton print.

The fabric produced by moda © is called Manderley by Frannie and Jane #47502.

I had noticed that this was a one-way design so was unsure if 4 metres would be sufficient to make up the Charlotte (Shelby hack) which is my current favourite dress pattern. Also I have only used viscose for the previous incarnations so this lightweight cotton would be an experiment.

After the fabric had been laundered I laid out the pattern pieces and was delighted to discover that provided I did not worry over pattern matching across the Princess-seamed panels I had just enough.

This time I rounded the corners of the collar. All seams were overlocked and there are 4 Lime Green Shell buttons on the front bodice placket. There is a narrow double turned hem to the dress and the sleeves have a double turned 1/2inch hem.

Conclusions: I am pleased with the dress although a little disappointed that the cotton fabric has more structure and therefore the skirt does not have as much drape. When having the fitting I noticed that the armholes would work well for a sleeveless dress so maybe I will try that for the next version. I have also marked a placement notch should I wish to add in side seam pockets.

Project no 38 completed 25th June 2023

Tamarack no 6

Coats and Jackets, Fabric - Polyester, Polyester

Oh yes! As promised here is the sixth version of this fantastic pattern. This one was made using the second quilted bedspread purchased from Amazon in a size 12 for my sister.

Although we now have the same print jacket there are some slight differences (in addition to the fact that Catherine’s is a lot smaller). I used fabric from my stash to make the binding and the patch pockets are bound in the same fabric as the outer.

I had prepared part of the jacket prior to the Sprat & Winkle Quilters sewing day held at the Weyhill Fairground hall and was able to complete the construction by lunchtime! The second part of the day was spent on the patchwork block set by Lizzie plus some lovely chat with the other ladies at the Sewing Day.

I know that I will be making yet another of these jackets so will by then have made a MAGNIFICENT SEVEN!

Project no 37 completed 17th June 2023.

Tamarack Jacket no 5

Coats and Jackets, Fabric - Polyester, Polyester

Having previously made 4 versions of the Tamarack jacket I felt confident in making yet another for myself to be followed by a matching one for my sister.

I chose a couple of single-size quilted bedspreads from Amazon which provide fast and easy access to pre-quilted fabric for these projects.

Once I had cut out the main pieces, I unpicked the binding from the rest of quilt to use on the jacket.

The outer pockets, sleeve hems, neckline and all the internal seams are finished with the the binding which makes for a very coordinated look. I even made an additional internal pocket to store my mobile phone or even to wear the jacket inside out. Fan-tas-tic!

I am now in the process of making another jacket for my sister’s birthday and using a second quilt so that we can be matchy, matchy!

Project no 36 completed 14th June 2023

‘Moira’ #12

Dresses, Fabric - viscose

Having already made 11 versions of this dress, it is well and truly a TNT. For this first version of 2023 I used a beautiful light Viscose fabric bought from Fabric Godmother, 3M total £23.94 featuring Cheetahs and Lilies on a Light Salmon Pink background.

I prefer to line the very lightweight viscose dresses so this one has a lined bodice and skirt in Ivory viscose voile. The lining is attached at the neck and armholes but otherwise hangs free inside the dress.

Construction was straightforward although I did forget to include the self fabric ties into the side seams so they were added on the outside and stitched so that the raw ends were enclosed. I am reminded yet again that sewing when you are over-tired and very stressed is not always a good thing.

Perhaps due to my recent makes (my version of the Shelby dress) being slightly more fitted with Princess seaming to give the flowing skirt that I prefer, when I tried on the completed ‘Moira’ I was underwhelmed. I love the fabric and the print so have ordered more to make a blouse which will coordinate well with the knotted fabric headband. In the meantime, I think this dress is a ‘fail’ and will be listed immediately on eBay. The ‘Moira’ pattern will also be consigned to the ‘archive’!

Project no 35 completed 9th June 2023

Butterick 5539

Dresses, Fabric - Cotton

I have previously made up this pattern at least twice before as it is one of my trusty TNT’s. Originally published in 1998 the style is a classic, still appropriate today as a ‘buffet’ dress some 20+ years later.

I cut a size 22 of View D with the scooped round neckline with added patch pockets. I made a couple of adjustments to the pattern:- narrowed the shoulders and a sway back adjustment. The pattern is an easy sew with no darts and a gathered skirt. There will be further makes using this pattern and next time I will add a full bust adjustment dart.

I used some more Green-themed fabric for my last make in the Spring Greens 2023 collection. This fabric is Petal and Pip Rose Bouquet designed by Paula Milner, a 100% cotton purchased a couple of years ago from Hobbycraft. It is sold in packs, pre-cut to 2 metres and as I knew that I wanted to make a dress purchased 2 packs online.

There were no problems with the construction and I used a plain White cotton to line the short (almost cap) sleeves. The facings are not my favourite, I did understitch but will top stitch them in place to prevent the ‘flipping out’.

That’s the last of this year’s Spring Greens so now I will start on the ‘Summer Blooming’ collection. First up was the bucket hat to keep the sun out of my eyes! Project no 33 completed 31st May 2023.

Project no 33 completed 31st May 2023.

Bucket Hat

Fabric - Cotton, Miscellaneous

Another great little stashbuster project from Katie at Sprat and Winkle Quilters. This takes just 2 x fat quarters and is very quick to make. I used a Blue floral print combined with a fine check fabric from my stash. I used the darker print for the inside of the brim as I felt it would be kinder to my eyes (and avoid a possible migraine from the check) but apart from that the hat is totally reversible. I plan to make another using a vinyl fabric to use as a rainhat – let’s hope I don’t need to use it for a couple of months!

Project no 32 completed 28th May 2023.