Yes I finally cracked my Moneta obsession, don’t worry there’s plenty more of them coming with hacks but for the moment I’m trying out different patterns and I have a few exciting things that are happening but I can’t tell quite yet!
Ok, lets talk Myrtle:
Do I like and will I use the pattern again, if so will I make any changes?
I love it, especially the cowl neck feature. I’d definitely use the pattern again but I would shorten the shoulders to avoid the embarrassment of showing of my assets too much!
Where did I get the fabric from?
I bought the lovely viscose jersey from fabric focus this winter, unfortunately for you I took the last 3.5 meters (sorry but not sorry) in fact, originally i bought 2,5 meters realised I didn’t have enough and the luckily there was 1 metre left when i went back to the shop – phew!
Myrtle needs quite a drapey jersey and lightweight I’d say and for me it was a good skill builder. This was the first time I did a cowl neck and used the main fabric for a lining on the front and encased elastic in the skirt.
For a quick make, once you’ve done it once it makes sense.
Ok here’s the fun part – PHOTOS … Hooray!
Now, where I’m I going to fit in time to do a woven version in this pattern? I love how this pattern is versatile like this!
Currently I’m sewing up a line of Colette’s Moneta Dress … you could say I’m obsessed (the title gives that one away!).
It all started with seeing the Moneta Party on IG way back when I first got the itch to stitch. It’s only take me a couple of years to summon up the courage to thread up the overlocker and have a go of this Jersey malarkey.
Here’s a Summery of my dresses so far!
Moneta 1
Fabric: John Lewis – dark green and black
Sleeves – short length
First trip out was at Tantallon Castle!
Moneta 2
Fabric: Fabric Focus, Mustard and grey knots
Sleeves – 3/4 length
Shortened bodice length and slightly shorter skirt
Made it up for #OWOP18
My mustard snag tights match up perfectly with this version!
Moneta 3 –
Fabric: Fabric Focus
Hack – scoop back
Sleeves: 3/4 length
Wore to a friends exhibit opening night!
Moneta 4
Fabric: Fabric Focus, Sage green with floral design.
Hack – scoop back
Have to re do front bodice due to overlocker punching a hole in it 🤬
Sleeves– 3/4 sleeves
Date night with the bestie for this one!
Well that’s four so far and there’s at least another four to be sewn including a Christmas one, so watch this space and IG for more to come with other hacks (I love the scoop back hack!).
Also I am going to put a couple of other stretch/Jersey pieces in between now and the rest of the Moneta’s so you don’t think I’m a one-trick Moneta! I’ll be talking about my next few projects in my make nine 2019 post soon!
We’ve all do it. We’ve all piled so much pressure on ourselves and when something went wrong we left the unfinished garment in a crumpled mess on the floor in a corner. I’ve admitted defeat on one or more handmade garments. I’ve still got to pick them up and see what I can do to rectify the mistakes but for now, they sit it a small pile away from my view!
At the moment I’m amending a shoulder sleeve due to them being lopsided – don’t know how I managed but this is going to be worthwhile in the long run as it’s one of my favourite makes so far despite the sleeve issue. Making mistakes is also learning from them, how else are you going to learn and stretch that skill base?
2. Ask for help.
I’m very lucky to have such a good teacher at the sewing class that I go to. I also have a couple of very good sewing buddies I can bounce off ideas and problems with alongside a fantastic community on Instagram too.
3. Measure yourself.
Pattern sizes are completely differencing to ready to wear sizes (RTW). Please don’t buy a pattern and go on you RTW as you’ll have a garment that won’t fit once you put all that time, effort and lovely material (and dosh!) into it.
Measure yourself. Take that tape measure (grab a friend if you need help!) and jot down your measurements. Pattern companies can differ in finishing measurements, so check each new pattern before you start the project!
Remember this: Don’t beat yourself because it may seem you are going up a few sizes from the RTW to the pattern sizes and also your finished garment will fit you better if you take your time to measure yourself correctly 😘
4. Seam allowances matter,
Again. Check, check, check! Read your instructions a couple of times before you even start the process of cutting out. Highlight the seam allowances on each step.
Get yourself a seam guide and test to see if your seam allowance is really 1/4”. Same with 1/2″ and so on.
When you find the spot on your machine that is 1/4” mark it with washi or masking tape that way you won’t forget where it is.
5. Invest in a basic sewing kit.
Scissors (Straight, pinking, little snippers for cutting little threads and ones for paper), Measuring Tape, chalk, pins and a seam ripper is all a good start and then you can add more, such as hand sewing needles, extra bobbins (make sure you get the right ones for your machine as there are not universal where as are machine needles are), pin cushion (homemade or bought). This list could go on for miles (trust me!) but get the basics and add from that, which should keep you right!
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!
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)
Cleo by TATB
2. McCalls Top 7360
McCalls 7360
3. Seamwork’s Mesa
Seamwork’s Mesa Dress
4. Penny Dress By Colette
The Penny Dress by Colette
5. Toaster – Sew House 7
The Toaster by Sew House Seven
6. McCalls 7536 Dress
McCall’s 7536
7. Colette’s Moneta
Colette’s Moneta
8. The Washi Dress – Made by Rae
The Washi Dress – Made by Rae
9. The Scout Tee by Grainline Studio
Grainline Studio’s Scout Tee
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!
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)!
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!
When it comes to sticking PDF’s together, this is what my mind feels like do to it as I feel it cuts into my sewing time!
Don’t worry no food processor has been harmed. So far!
For all you lovely sewist like me who love the instantness of hitting a (or few!) button and having a beautiful PDF pattern all ready to go but have the fear or dread of sticking the recchit thing together, look no further as I have found a low-cost answer!
Recently I posted on Instagram, looking for recommendations to print my ever growing PDF’s (one of them is a Colette Moneta and another is the SOI Nancy Dress) and I got a lot of interest (THANKYOU!), some of you lovelies followed hoping to get some PDF Print love too.
One reply, in particular, was from @sio_sews:
Yeap, curiosity got the better of me and before I knew it I had carefully selected 10 files to print and hit ‘ORDER’ on www.netprinter.co.uk.
I selected A0 Plan printing unless the pattern instructions said otherwise. It’s 75p per A0 sheet. Because the PDF’s are in black in white it’s very much like an architect’s technical drawing and should never be priced as a poster print – if you are then it’s quite frankly daylight robbery! I did study interior design so I know what a technical drawing is like and a PDF pattern is just like this apart from it’s the blueprint for dressmaking.
Remember and allow for VAT and standard delivery! They add on at the end. You can get them rolled but only if you select Next Day delivery and specify in the “special instructions” box as you order if you want them rolled.
For standard delivery, it’s £3.00 and it takes 2-3 days to arrive.
I am very happy with the packaging that it came in and the excitement of trying to get into the sellotape was heightened with squeals of joy!
Very well packaged! Still at it!Finally!All nicely presented!Lots of patterns, ready to cut!Fan em’ out!
Would I recommend www.netprinter.co.uk?
Eh, Hell yeah! I had a couple of questions so queried them via email and got a very prompt and helpful reply. From start to finish the service and the product are tip top!
So there you go … There’s my pattern PDF adventure and long may it continue!
Happy no-sticking A4 pages together anymore!
DISCLAIMER: This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own! Photos’s are copyright so please do ask permission if you would like to use them – Cheers!
So I was invited to a 1920’s murder mystery that took place last weekend.
I scoured the internet for some sort of 1920’s dress but then remembered I had a lovely lace dress that I bought from Monsoon so that was that sorted.
Then the necklace and feather boa came from WM Armstrong store which hosts a selection of great vintage wear. The pearl necklace, I found at the Grassmarket Armstrongs and the Black Boa in the Clerk Street store.
Tempted to buy a fake cigarette and holder and long black gloves but I held off. The thought of more fancy dress never to be worn or used again was too much!
For the head-dress, I decided to make it. YES, you read right!
I found this tutorial, which kept me right for the basics – Head Dress Tutorial
From Remnant Kings, I bought some stretch sequin trim. Abby, my sewing teacher kindly gave me three peacock feathers to complete the look.
It was a pretty quick process and one I’m quite happy with. I stitched the feathers in with thread and a small piece of stretch sequin to stop the bottom of the feathers from scratching my forehead. I think it took my roughly half an hour to complete it and finish it, which a huge jump from any of my current makes!
*Disclaimer:
Please don’t use any photos without consent from myself- ta!
1. It’s ok to mess up.
2. Ask for help.
3. Measure yourself.
4. Seam allowances matter,
5. Invest in a basic sewing kit.
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Sew Do It Emma 
