Category Archives: Fabric – Poly/cotton

Libby Blouse #8

Using remnants of poly/cotton from a superking-sized duvet cover originally purchased several years ago, I count this garment as a ‘freebie’. The print is a little drab but should be a foil against some of my bold-coloured skirts, trousers and dungarees.

Libby Blouse by Sew Over It

I cut the pattern as per the adjustments made previously that include adding ½ inch to the side seams and adding 3 inches to the length of the shaped hemline. I would have preferred to add more to the length but was constrained by the size of the remnant pieces of fabric.

The fabric was easy to cut out, press and stitch which makes the entire process of construction a joy.

My JUKI overlocker was used to finish the seam allowances. The hem was first neatened with the overlocker before being turned twice and top-stitched in place.

Libby Blouse #8 in Poly/cotton

After 4 hours of stitching, five mother of pearl shell buttons for closure at the front and this Libby #8 blouse is complete.

Project #36 completed 4th August 2022

Aria – casual shirt for my man!

Recently, once I had completed the Aria shirt by Love Notions for myself, I persuaded my husband to try it on. With a few changes I believed that it would be appropriate as a casual shirt for my man!

ARIA button down shirt by Love Notions

I printed and cut the size 3X, added 3 inches to the length and made copious notes so that I would remember to put the buttonholes on the LEFT FRONT.

I used some Navy polyester/cotton (originally a superking flat sheet) that I had set aside for toile-making. As I had already made my first version, it was a quick and easy sew.

Within 3 hours I had a completed shirt for my husband to try. It fit very well with the exception that he felt the sleeves were rather short. Personally I thought the collar was a little ‘mean’. I have adjusted the pattern so that next time I make this it should be absolutely purrfect!

Aria shirt in size 3X for my man!

Review & Plans

According to the ‘likes’ on my instagram pages the following were my ‘Magnificent Seven’:-

1 Freya Blue Cowl neck top – viscose jersey – Rainbow Fabics

2 New Look 6731 Palm Leaf Blouse – viscose challis – Rainbow Fabrics

3 By Hand London Hannah wrap dress – check poly/cotton duvet – Dunelm

4 Hack New Look 6731 short sleeve blouse – cotton remnant – C&H fabrics

5 ‘Moira’ Moonflower dress – viscose challis – Rainbow Fabrics

6. Love Notions Melody Blouse – viscose challis – Rainbow Fabrics

7 ‘Jane’ Pinafore dress – Autumnal print curtaining cotton remnant – eBay

An interesting result that demonstrates my ‘conversion’ to Viscose substrate purchased mostly from Rainbow Fabrics and also the use of recycled and/or refashioned woven fabrics.

For 2022 I am determined to whittle down my stash of both fabrics and patterns. To that end I have unsubscribed from all those companies that regularly send inviting mails with enticing photographs of new and exciting fabrics and dressmaking patterns.

For the month of January I intend to ‘Go Green’, by that I mean that I would like to concentrate on projects using fabrics with a Green theme. I have several lengths selected and I hope to use them on ‘new to me’ patterns plus some old favourites.

The first project is a long sleeved blouse (‘Carmen’) using a TNT pattern, last made as the first project of 2021. What a coincidence that the pattern will again be the first make of 2022!

1st January 2022