DIY – Sew Do It Emma

New Make: Sagebrush Top

Published on January 8, 2021January 7, 2021 by Emma_Ciarrocca4 Comments

Ever since I did my tester on Friday Pattern Company‘s Sagebrush Top, I’ve been hooked!

*The brilliant Sagebrush Top – definitely a TNT pattern with me!*

Hooked in the sense that recently I did a batch cut and I’ve already sewn one of the up – yes already I’m churning Sagebrush Tops out!

I really love this pattern and the details of it. From the frill at the front to the gathering at the sleeves it just makes me happy.

This Sagebrush is slightly different to the others and I’ll explain why, in a moment.

You see it lies with the fabric choice. Previously I’ve went with a viscoses and a viscose-linen blend but I decided to take inspiration from the lovely Jen (@jenlegg_teescreatives) (I’ve met her in real life, as she came up to Edinburgh Frocktails, October 2019 and she is really lovely) who has already sewn the Sagebrush in the very same fabric.

*The fabulous Jen in her “Ladies” Sagebrush Top*

The fabric is a Lady McElroy Chantilly Single Ladies Cotton Lawn from Sister Mintaka which I bought a wee while ago after seeing Jen’s version and looks like there is some in stock. It’s a lovely quality and has sewn up a treat. I love the colours of the print, it will be so diverse! I’ve already thought of a few outfits featuring this top, including pairing it with Jeans, as shown in the photos.

And apparently I’m not the only one who was inspired by Jen, Louisa was too!

*@LouisaLovesToSew in her Chantilly single Ladies Sagebrush* *Top.*

Ok, my top was going so well until I decided to use my overlocker to finish the seams on the sleeve and front and back pieces …

At that point of seeing the blade chop into the shoulder what like watching a horror movie. Urgh. I had to step away. It didn’t stop me from sharing my disaster on Instagram stories that night – but it also helped me come up with a plan to save this make.

I had two options, one seeing if I had enough fabric to cut out a new sleeve altogether but I couldn’t really justify using it as I was going to try and make a scrunchie and hair band plus other things from it. The other option was two interface the wrong side and the right side and hope that I wouldn’t need to do a patch work … my needlework is erm shockingly bad 😂

*This is a close up of the repair after being interfaced. Not bad and if I don’t point it out I doubt people will notice.*

So once I got that bit out the way I could move on and get it finished – yes that’s what we like – a happy ending!

On this Sagebrush I took a bit off the length off and made the hem deep And I actually really like it. So I think I’ll do the next couple this new length.

As you can see, using the cotton lawn gives the frill real structure and the sleeves extra va va voom! I do really like the effect that this cotton lawn has on the pattern.

Well, that’s the 4th Sagebrush of many more to come … I’m excited to do more!

Again, thank you for reading and happy sewing!

My Sewing Room

Published on February 11, 2018February 11, 2018 by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

Having “had” to sew in living room because of my lack of tidying up mojo of the sewing room this week I’ve been focusing trying to find the floor of it.

I had a great idea last year to wash all of my fabrics, iron, fold away whilst measuring and recording them. It was such a monumental task, it all became quite overwhelming to dealt with. It was all very well in idea form but when you decide to get a puppy all things and plans go out of the window. I’m not blaming the puppy nor myself here, I’m simply addressing the matter that I took too much on and something had to give.

Move on 4 months and I finally can sneak up to the sewing room and finally get to grips with the hoarding of fabrics and goodness knows what else! Don’t think for one second did the puppy stop me from buying fabric nor the billion bags of fabric already up in the S.R. Ha!

I’m seeing a clear path now. It’s looking pretty organised now. There’s a plan to go through all the magazines and pull out projects that I might get round to. I’m going to be stopping my magazine subscriptions as I’m finding I just don’t have the time to read them just now and feel I can keep up to date with other methods. Plus I’ve got to keep the momentum up with my make nine and need space to concentrate on that!

Here’s some photos of the progress so far – sorry don’t have any “before photos” but just imagine lots of bags on the floor!

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ks for popping by!

Happy Sewing xx

Sewing Plans: My #MakeNine2018 Choices

Published on January 13, 2018January 13, 2018 by Emma_Ciarrocca6 Comments

DRUMROLL PLEASE …

So, it’s taken me until now to get my shit together. Yeah I know I’m already slipping!

However, rather than ramble on anymore to delay it even further here are my choices for #MakeNine2018 …

1. Cleo – Tilly and the Buttons (TATB)

2. McCalls Top 7360

3. Seamwork’s Mesa

sw3013-mesa-03-thumb-7857ee3564fe3915ef4de3c43e6ce241bc4db51b1675b17884a6ff17924fe557 — Seamwork’s Mesa Dress

4. Penny Dress By Colette

5. Toaster – Sew House 7

download-1 — The Toaster by Sew House Seven

6. McCalls 7536 Dress

7. Colette’s Moneta

8. The Washi Dress – Made by Rae

pattern_RAE_washidress_a_1024x1024 — The Washi Dress – Made by Rae

9. The Scout Tee by Grainline Studio

I’ll be able to match them up with Fabric without purchasing anything new. Most of the patterns I’ve also got. You may know That I’ve already sewn a Cleo and the McCalls 7536 but definitely attempting another of both!

Once I’ve dug out my fabric choices, I’ll do another post.

Here’s a sneak peak of my 2018 Sewing BuJo too, which I’ll leave you with!

Thanks for visiting!

Sewing Room: Storage

Published on June 20, 2017May 31, 2017 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

With all these patterns, magazines and gadgets, I always need new storage ideas to store them all.

Instead of recycling the florist boxes I received with flowers, I upcycled them and I think they look great.

I’m a big fan of succulents and cacti, so when I saw this wrap in Paperchase, I couldn’t stop myself!

Finished article …

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!

Disclaimer: all photos and opinions are my own!

Sewing projects: The peg bag

Published on June 13, 2017May 31, 2017 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

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!

Sewing Inspiration: Wrapped Up

Published on January 6, 2017 by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

Ever since I received Simple Sew’s Lena Wrap Dress pattern with this month’s issue of Love Sewing Magazine I’ve been drooling all over wrap dresses … it’s only been a few days since the start of the affair!

I’ve been on loads of websites like TopShop, Simply Be and White Stuff as well as good old Pinterest to get inspiration and see what fabrics have been used.

I have a warning though ⚠️ – there are a lot of pictures here and I have tried to give credit where I got the image!

Ok, now the fun bit! Me talking what inspires me about each picture!

I love this velvet dress for all the reasons that it is a velvet wrap dress – I love the colour, it’s a gorgeous pastel pink and with it being velvet, it’s going to be warm! That a big tick in my book!

I stumbled on this pattern and I have to honestly say it’s going straight onto my patterns to get list! It just speaks to me for a summer holiday! Cue Cliff Richard … 🌞🏄🏻‍♀️

I’m not sure that this is still available to date but it’s a great variation on the wrap dress!

Burda has a great offering, particularly those who want that velvet wrap dress … eeeek another one on that list! I’m really needing to do a #maketwenty2017 list rather than a #makenine2017 list at this rate! But hang I think this may be a too clingy fit for me so I’ll hold ma horses!

This wrap dress has a gorgeous dress, I’ve still to see if it’s still available or if there is an alternative … stunner of an occasion dress (maybe Christmas 🎄)

Sew Over It’s Lisa Comfort looks so glam in her version of the wrap dress. I could and probably will add her Ultimate Wrap Dress to my collection soon – no surprises there then!

This dress was pull from my Pinterest feed and I adore the colour and the drape – but wondering what fabric it is! Any ideas?

Now when I first saw this image on Pinterest I thought it was “Carrie” from “Sex and the City” but on closer inspection, I don’t think it is. But wow the wool looks good on a wrap dress, such a different structure and so elegant!

This Pleated version from Topshop is gorgeous! Can you tell I’m immediately drawn to berries and wine colours? I had to look really closely as I couldn’t believe it was velvet – until now I didn’t think it was a thing. WOW!

A really nice floral wrap dress and it’s from Simply Be. I don’t normally shop in Simply be as I’m not a fan of most of the materials that they use in the clothes. But I like the shape and colour of this dress. Probably I’ll like it until I feel it!

I really like the cut on this one. I think this be viscose as it looks quite drapey, although I could be wrong!

Ooooh! Something to mix it up – a long wrap dress (which is quite similar to the simplicity pattern I showed you earlier. This could be ideal for going out or a wearing it on a cool summer night!

I was a bit mixed about using this image as it’s a bit booby! But I like the deep red fabric. If I ever get a low cut like this then a cami goes on underneath to protect my dignity! Possibly a crepe mix? Jersey?

This floral version is from White Stuff. It’s quite different from the picture above and it’s something I would consider age appropriate for myself and not booby!

This slit is a bit high in this one but I like the light-weight fabric that has been used. The longer sleeves are a plus too.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my commentary all about wrap dresses and maybe given you some inspiration. Hopefully, you’ll get an insight of what kinda style I’d go for and possibly colour. I think Lena will be making an appearance pretty soon – It’s safe to say this affair is going pretty viral!

Disclaimer: Credit has been given to images. This post is NOT sponsored. All opinions are my OWN.

Sewing Stuff: December 2016

Published on December 16, 2016 by Emma_Ciarrocca1 Comment

Over the last couple of months, I’ve seen some things on the internet and instantly feel in love with them because they are sewing related.

I’ve decided to share them with you because, well it’s just nice to share isn’t it?

First up are these monthly sewing boxes …

https://www.mysewingbox.co.uk/collections/monthly-sewing-subscription-boxes-uk/products/one-off-deluxe-monthly-box-vintage-sewing-uk

There are full of goodies and can have a theme. They can be a one-off or a monthly thing too!

Photo courtesy of My Sewing Box

Next up are these rather cool wooden vintage bobbins from Pedlars …

https://www.pedlars.co.uk/shop/1940s-vintage-wooden-bobbins

Photo courtesy of Pedlars

As some you of you know, I love a good sewing book – what’s better than something to hold all these sewing books? Well, it’s of course, a sewing machine bookend!

Processed with MOLDIV — My growing sewing book collection!

https://www.wayfair.co.uk/Castleton-Home-Singer-Sewing-Machine-Shelf-Tidy-Bookends-12503-CCOO1857.html?source=hotdeals

custom_image — Photo Courtesy of Wayfair.co.uk

I didn’t know how useful these were for ironing out the darts until I used one at my class just recently! Found one similar to the teacher’s here –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leifheit-71816-Sleeve-Board/dp/B000B8J4CG

51fpu2jwyll-_ac_ul115_ — Photo Courtesy of Amazon.co.uk

Talking of ironing I intend to put an iron board up in my sewing room but lack space for a big one, so I’m going to get this wee one from IKEA!

screenshot-2016-12-16-08-45-51 — JÄLL, IKEA (£4) – Photo courtesy of Ikea

Now – sit down, this may bowl some of you over! Soap dish and sewing, surely not. Get a suction one, attach it to the side of your sewing machine and you can keep tabs on the seam ripper and fabric marker!

suction-cup-soap-dish-ideas_3093 — Photo courtesy of www.sewmanyways.blogspot.co.uk

Hope these have inspired you!

Disclaimer – All photos have credit to their sites. In no way was this sponsored. All opinions are of my own!

My Sewing Room

Published on July 12, 2016July 12, 2016 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

My sewing room needs to become functional and comfortable to use. It needs organising, so I can pull fabric and pattern out, yet put them back in their place when I’m done for the day. This “putting thing back” needs to become my ethos all over the house, but that’s another post for another time! And before Mr C quickly jumps in, I’ll change the subject!).

I’ve pulled a lot of ideas rather from Pinterest so “had to” create a mood board so I could scale down some ideas and think what I want from my SR.

Two tables would be useful, preferably the same as I join the together to cut out patterns and fabric. One would sit under the skylight as that would be ideal for using the naturally light, providing it’s not too bright to take photographs of my finish projects.

Before I get ahead of myself – the three main points that need to go into the sewing room are: atlier

shelving and lots of it!

a workspace to sew creations

and a seat!

I don’t want to spend a fortune so as you can see Ikea furniture it is and it’s the basic range as everything adds up very quickly!

The notice board will be handy for what project I’m currently working on and what the next few are. It should keep me focused. It will also a provide a place for all these business cards and fliers that I seem to collect!

I started this post 5 months ago but there have been some changes already and I can now share them!

The room has finally been painted and now shelving has been installed and is very quickly being filled up!

The desk is much bigger now and is now under the skylight for ultimate natural light!

My sewing space is still going through changes so don’t think these are final photos. I will post the final touches and a much tidier space very soon!

Do you have a sewing room? Do you have any tips on how to organise it? Have I missed anything, I’m sure I have!? Please feel free to comment below and give tips!

Canoodling with Chiffon

Published on April 19, 2016 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

Seeing all these occasion dresses at work makes me wanna twirl in something elaborate, and I particularly like a bit of silk chiffon.

It’s lovely and floaty, but I’ve never worked with such delicate fabric. The thought of working with such gives me a slight buzz, I’m not quite such if it’s excitement or anxiety!

This post stems from looking at Pinterest and becoming inspired to make such a dress. After spotting a dress, I decided to make a Chiffon Board.

cc9fec96cbe22dcfe3b5e6d0b4610b2e — Above, is the dress that started the Chiffon trouble!

Above are a few of the Pins on my board.

You could say I’m a hoarder of projects and i’ll admit that, ~~I think~~ I know my Husband will say that on my behalf also! What can I say, I just can’t help myself.

My sewing room is in a mess so before I start on any projects it has to be organised and finished. Yes, still getting refurbed – it’s taking a lot longer than planned.

Oh, big news! I have a second job and it’s in a fabric shop … my life struggle with fabric, patterns and projects is only going to get worse!

For the time being I’ll be looking into patterns for the chiffon dress – if you know of any please comment in below and any tips would be appreciated!

Disclaimer: All Opinions are my own!

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