It’s been a while since I first talked about doing a vlog and then a few things like life took over and then the vlog took a back burner!
But now I think I’m on top of things and I hope this will be the first of many vlogs that I share with you. Looking back on the vlog, I have lots to learn as there are a few erms and shaky camera bits but that will take time (hopefully not too much!). There’s so much to learn and I didn’t want to keep putting it off just because it ain’t perfect!
If you haven’t already, please view it, like it – even comment on it (I will respond/reply!).
Down Leith Walk, there lies a little haberdashery, not your typical find either as it’s not set in a traditional fabric shop or department store. In fact, it lies in a charity shop and it’s full of bargains.
I’ve been meaning to explore this shop for ages. Today was the day. I had the day off from work and it looked good weather wise to pop into town from mine to tick this little shop off my list! I also treated myself to some gelato 🍧 and coconut toast (both at different times!).
To get into town, I got a dayticket and hopped on the bus. Door to door it took about an hour as I live out of town.
The haberdashery is really well stocked with buttons and lots of patterns. There’s some fabric on offer too!
I was interested to see if they had any nice patterns and buttons. One of the patterns had a pair of scissors ✂️ inside it. They have lots of buttons and I mean lots!
I got all this for £3. I could of went bonkers but I didn’t. I’d be tempted to go back soon and have a longer look (very dangerous)!
When I first laid my eyes on Vogue #1353 I fell in love. Yes, it was love at first sight. I’m still in love with the actual shape of the garment on the pack but for how long? The reason behind this question is because whilst putting the front and side bodice pieces together my sewing teacher, Abi and I found a massive flaw in the pattern. annoyan
HUGE GAP!
It’s definitely (the flaw!) in the F5 (16-18-20-22-24) edition, I’m not sure if you have come across the same problem in the smaller size pattern.
When you put the notches to match on the front and side pieces there is a HUGE frickin gap. For sure there is is no way that you can stretch the front bodice piece with the dart in to match the side bodice. BUT as soon as you take the dart out, it magically fits (yes I have a magic wand – It’s Abi!).
I have to shorten the bodice pieces as my back is shorter that the standard. But that shouldn’t affect the darts, notches and all, should it?
But then looking at the line drawing it does have a dart but the haven’t given enough of the front bodice to include that!!
If ANYONE else has come across this fault, please let me know!
I’m pretty annoyed at VOGUE patterns right now.
Vogue patterns are bloody expensive, so you expect no flaws AT ALL.
Now I’ve removed the dart, there are tiny holes where the thread went through the fabric – my lovely woodland fabric!
From what Abi has seen, the dart isn’t really needed as you have pleats on the front bodice anyway.
You carefully take the time to put a dart in, making sure its pinpoint sharp, then realising after you need to take it out because it’s NOT required. But if the dart is required and it’s on the line drawings then surely you should remember to get enough allowance for that so it that when you come to sew the front piece and side you don’t have a gap! ??!!
I’m hoping I get some correspondence back from McCalls/Vogue. I sent a message via the contact form on their website. I’ll update you all when I get an update myself.
Just so peeved right now. Can you imagine?!! I bet some of you have been there!
NOW I’m going to take a deep breath and try to relax because I go near the pieces (need to go and get interfacing first, anyway).
On that note: The pattern says for “sew in” but both myself and Abi thinks this might be too stiff, so might opt for the “iron on” – What do you guys think?
I’m very happy with the finished results and now I can show it off.
Although I did not make the processes easy for myself as I forgot to shorten the back on the pattern pieces and you can just imagine the drama when I realised that. Hence I had a break (Cleo) and eventually I came back to vintage rose 4789, which I’m glad I did.
So I wanted to unveil it to the Hubby on our Wedding Anniversary. We went away to Loch Lomond & Loch Earn for a couple of days and It’s much easier for someone else to take a full-length photo!
We are celebrating eight years this year. It’s been a tough year with losing my Mum to cancer. I’m just thankful Hubby has been a tower of strength so far to me, helping me get through my darkest moments.
I think I will be doing 4789 again because I have some brown tweed-like fabric but not as heavy as tweed and it would look nice in a shift, plus I had the idea of doing some piping around the neckline, armholes and the hem.
The 4789 pattern is really handy as it’s got a couple more garments I’d like to make and for a pattern, I’d say that you are getting your money’s worth that way.
I love this vintage rose fabric it’s a cotton lawn and I bought it from The Cloth Shop by Remnant Kings, Edinburgh (£14.99 P/M). I’ve had quite a few compliments on it already before the dress was finished!
I’ve now started on another project and it’s a vogue pattern. I have a time constraint as it’s to be finished by mid-August for a birthday theme! The Vogue pattern that I am using is V1389.
Again, I’m going to have to shorten the back (this time I’m doing it on the pattern pieces, rather than on the actual fabric!!!) and because famously vogue only goes up to a certain size I have to slightly add a couple of centimetres to the skirt pieces.
Because there is a theme for the birthday bash, this cotton here was crying out to be shown off. I think I already had bought the fabric and the pattern before the theme was public (what a surprise)! The cotton is from Fabric Focus, Edinburgh (14.99 p/m ?) and has a lovely drape to it.
Fabric Focus is where I also go for my classes and I’m so grateful to Abi (my teacher) for keeping me right! I would wholeheartedly recommend the classes. This is my third session and it won’t be my last either. I’ve still got so much to learn and I really enjoy going along and spending a couple of hours with like minded people.
So there you have it – I’ve finished “vintage rose” dress and on the mission of the vogue “woodland” dress.
Keep stitching x
Disclaimer: All photos are my own, so please ask for permission before using them. All opinions are my own also!
I’m intending to do this with some of the shoe boxes that I use for storing my patterns too. I think I will be using a different design, just to add more colour!
Ever since the plastic peg basket broke earlier this year (shattered into a thousand pieces) I’ve been meaning to sew a peg bag.
It’s been on the list for a wee while and now I’ve done it. The peg bag was fairly easy once I figured the way to do it. Another reason for doing such an easy project was to get my confidence on my sewing machine a wee boost.
Okay, there are a couple of flaws but apart from that, I’m reasonably chuffed with myself.
Next time I make one, I’ll move the hole further up, so there’s less chance of pegs escaping! I’ll also add some bias tape around the edges and take my time measuring (i.e. I will make a paper temple to avoid a patchwork “I need to finish it job” style effect).
Disclaimer: All photos are my own and all opinions are my own!
When a chance comes up to get all glammed up I will jump at it. But then the overwhelming feelings that I’ve got to make what I’m wearing fit like a dream, it’s scary – REAL SCARY and It’s to be ready for Saturday the 2nd of September!
Speed isn’t my strongest point when it comes to making something. I look at all the Instagram feeds and see what and how many creations are made in a day and some people creative sometimes 3 or 4 in a weekend, which again scares me. The fact is, if I do rush things, then it looks rushed and not brilliantly finished.
So instead of me leaving the frock until the very last minute, I better start thinking pattern and fabric now.
Question, How glam are we talking about? (cause I don’t want to be under or over).
This dress must be easy to make. But it has to be wow (at least to me anyway).
Plus like Lesley of Sew_Sleep _Deprived, we also have a big fat zero of weddings to go to and feel the need to actually get dressed up. I am lucky that we have a social life due to having no kids though. And like Lesley, I am super jealous of the Dressmakers ball and the Sew Brum meet up, we really need to add a disco ball event for us Scottish Sewists!
So what am I thinking?
I love to do something with a lace panel. Maybe just the bodice and then the skirt and just flow.
So that’s the thought process at the moment, I’ll let you know how I get on with it later, perhaps leaving the big reveal until the actual #edinburghFrocktail date (yeah I know, I am a big tease)!
So if you’d like to come and join Lesley and the Scottish Sewists for a cocktail, please note your interest in the comments section on her blog post.
So I’m guessing you know what this is all about then! The last month I’ve been adding up a range of patterns that I quite like to own. And instead of having loads of tabs open on my laptop, I thought it would be quite cool to pop them into a blog post and share them with you (also I can close some tabs since I have a record of them, ha ha!). Who knows when I’ll get round to them, but they would be nice to have.
First up, is the newest pattern company that I’ve come across and that’s Sew Different. I’ve already mentioned the Everyday Chic Dress pattern in the blog post that I purchased at the #knitnstitchshow via Emma Garry but had my eyes on the cocoon jacket too. I like the fact the go up past an UK size 18 to fit my oh so roomy hips in!
Then we have another coat and that’s from Sew Over It – The Chloe Coat. Looking at my Instagram feed, there’s been a few good ones and I’m really inspired to do one. Also, the big plus is that if you buy the pattern you get an online class to keep you right (honestly I’m not on commission) so it’s ticking all the right boxes. I really would like to make a coat, this might be the right one to start with!
Another SOI pattern is the “Silk Cami“. I love the simplicity of the top – and it looks like a winner in my book for summer tops or a little black number for a night out. It’s in PDF form to purchase but that won’t stop me now that I’ve figured out a low-cost printing place, which you can read all about here!
Closet Case Patterns has been getting my attention of recent, with two of their patterns. One is the Ebony Dress which looks delightful in Scuba (one of these fabrics that I haven’t quite got round to playing with, yet!). The high-waisted Ginger jeans are ticking my “oooh” box! I’m tempted to but another coat? I really shouldn’t (The Clare Coat is amazeballs), but I think you know what’s going to happen, don’t you?!
Next, we have The Avid Seamstress with their Day Dress pattern. Again I’ve been Instagram inspired … It’s getting as bad as Pinterest!!
Another pattern which I’ve been going back to is the Paola Top from Named Clothing. I really like this staple wardrobe top. And it looks like a quick make.
Coco from TATB is another one I keep looking at. One reason, in particular, is the Cowl neck – I’m in love with it and it looks splendid in the dress form.
So I think (I’m sure I’ve left something out!!) that’s the list. I won’t be getting them all at once because that would be silly and the bank manager would be taking my card off me!
Let me know if you have tried any of these patterns (I’m sure you have!) and tell me how you found them – it would be really nice to hear from you.
Happy pattern stashing!
Disclaimer:All opinions are my own and no I’m not on commission (ie I’m not being sponsored)!
For those who know me, I like to venture out into the unknown, especially when it comes to fabric shops.
It’s also been awhile since I did a shop too. I like this series because It helps other find fabric shops they may not know about too.
How did I find out about Sew Yarn Crafty? Well, it was actually a customer at my now old work. He basically told me to go and check it out! I’m glad he did.
Based, in the town centre (on the pedestrianised part, don’t let google take you on a wild goose chase!) Sew Yarn Crafty was Dunfermline Sewing Machines and is now the new owner. They re-opened late last year after gutting and refurbishing the premises.
It’s a nice wee shop. Stop there. Appearances can be deceiving! Yes, it looks small from the outside but not only a ground floor but this shop has a basement too!
It certainly is, very contagious!Sew Yarn Crafty stocks Tilly And The Buttons patterns – which is a tick in my book. They have a small selection of fabric for both dressmaking and craft. I’m going to say small because it was. The haberdashery is very well laid out and the button selection is enormous.
Step inside to sewing Narnia!Tilly and the Buttons pattern galore!They also sell sewing machines, Janome, Singer and Brother were the ones on display.
Did I buy anything? Eh, that’s a silly question. It would be rude not too!
TATB Agnes pattern, trimming, dungaree buckles & some rather cute otter fabric!Cute as a button: Otters!It’s a cute wee shop. Maybe out of the way for me but a lovely addition to the high street. There’s plenty of parking in the car parks surrounding the shop. If you need a cuppa and cake after spending some dosh, there are the usual chains and some niche indie cafes.
Flipping heck! What a wave of fresh air in fabric gooeyness.
I’m feeling very happy with all my purchases and date I say it I could have bought so much more but resistance was in control. (Thank heavens as I would have bought double the amount of fabric!).
It’s the second year for the show in Edinburgh and I think it was better even though I noticed a couple of stalls not being there from last year (yes, I did miss them!) but hey, you can’t have it all.
My TATB Cleo is getting her grand day out! Ready, Set, GOOOO!
I bought three fabrics from fabrics galore!The grey textured fabric is for a Saunio Cardigan. The flamingoes and the black & white fabrics are for M7094.
I chatted to Lauren of Guthrie & Ghani and watched her demonstrate top tips at the creative living theatre on sewing with stretch and jersey fabrics. I also bought a lovely viscose.
The lovely Lauren, demonstrating with stretch and knit fabrics!Ben (@Sewcialogist) gave me some helpful hints regarding the collar in M7094 using the Viscose and how to use the Prym “Wash off Tape” instead of using pins or basting/tacking, which is a winner in my book (I hate tacking). He was wearing his newly made shirt, which was perfect on G&G’s stall. The viscose is a long term staple of G&G too, so it’s good to know that lots of people have bought this!
I wasn’t alone for long as I met Shirley (@Beatgirl9091) and Lesley (@sew_sleep_deprived) – because I arrived at 10 am ready for the doors opening and did two circuits of all the stalls. looking back I should have looked at the needlework exhibition in that time, but hey ho. Whilst I did two circuits of the stalls I totally missed Girl Charlee stand. Luckily Lesley and Shirley informed me – I am a numpty! And, yeah that would be rude not to check it out.
And yes I bought lovely some lovely cotton jersey from Girl Charlee! In fact the same as Shirley – as I ❤️ teal too!
But it’s not all fabric, as I picked up the very cute pattern from the Emma Garry stall – it wasn’t a hard sell as Emma was wearing it herself and it was a beautiful version with some classy hacks! I’ve never heard of Sew Different Patterns before, have you? Let me know if you’ve tried any of the patterns! Emma Garry is based in Yorkshire and runs classes as well as designs and sells patterns.
It’s definitely a better show than last year. Maybe TATB and Sew Over It could make the journey as we’d love to see you up here!
This year was definitely busy than last year but there wasn’t any pushing or elbowing to get to any stalls from anyone. Plus there was plenty of lovely fabrics left from all the stalls. I think I will be getting one or two more from Fabrics Galore that I fell in love with!
Amy – Collette’s’ sorbetto? And if you think that was all the fabric I added to my next shopping list, think again because I spotted more whilst I was at the M stall … cue fabrics from Montreux Fabrics that will also somehow magically appear into my stash soon!
My TATB Cleo had her grand day out and I got so many lovely 😊 comments on her! We all know we are our own worst critic but I’m truly humbled to receive so many nice comments on my first Cleo.
But in the evening at home, I must have pulled the dress at the buckle bit and it’s torn!! I’m distressed 😩- s7&*!!!
Should I patch it and reinforce it with interfacing and then add a bit of material to both sides to avoid this happening to the other side? I will have to get another stud as the current one has ripped through the fabric 😩. Any help on this matter will be gratefully received. B&££#%!!!
Moving on quickly to avoid me get all angry on (I am 😤) that matter would be a good idea.
So did I enjoy the show?
You betcha! I sure did! Meeting Lauren and Ben at the Guthrie & Ghani Stall was total amazeballs, as was spending the afternoon with Shirley and Lesley – they made me have a good chuckle! I wish I had a bigger budget for all the material that I walked away from but I now have regrets about not buying it but then again, if I did I would regret being skint for the rest of the frigging month!
I can’t wait until next years show! Eeeek, what will it bring?
Disclaimer: All views are my own! Please ask if you want to use my photos – Cheers!
Sew Do It Emma 
