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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.

Fabric Haul: November 2016

Published on November 20, 2016December 3, 2016 by Emma_Ciarrocca5 Comments

As you know I do like to keep topping up my fabrics for all of these projects I have in mind. But Boy, the list is now bonkers – I don’t really have a list on paper as most of the ideas are in my head!!

Most of you know I’m doing the #thelittlereddressproject by the lovely running with style’s Renata and finally I’ve got my fabric – woot-woot! To date the PDF still has to be printed, which I’m concerned about as time is tick, ticking, tocking away – should I opt for a pattern I already have? The answer to that one should be a yes, now the big question- WHICH ONE? I think it should be a nice easy number, something that’s straight forward but party bound.

Next, we have some gorgeous cotton and it’s a John Lewis own brand. I instantly fell in love with it as it has lovely wildflowers on a dark green background. It was £14.99 per metre but it’s totally gorgeous and has a lovely feel to it.

I also bought the rather Christmassy Nordic fabric at the same time as the green John Lewis fabric. It was reduced to £5 per metre, so couldn’t say no to the bargain. Plus I actually need it to back my homemade advent calendar. And on that note, I’m still looking into wadding as I don’t want polyester wadding. I got a metre of the Nordic fabric to back the advent calendar. Looking at the date, I better get this done and dusted. Might have some time this week to sew it up. Might. Otherwise, I’ll be sewing it for next year 😂😂😂

Next up, is the fabric I bought from Susie D Designs Shop in Penicuik on her most recent open day. See post for more details about her shop! I have a soft touch for geometrics and this called my same. I bought 2.5 meters of it so it will be a dress! It’s an Art Gallery Fabric, 100% cotton and a lovely feel to it.

Fabric focus has this gorgeous suede in both Khaki and tan colours. I opted to go for the Khaki. Got 2.5 metres of it. More than enough for a simple shift or CLEO!

Erm … I added something else and that was the trip that the Lovely #SewScottish Meetup and this was some more lovely suede polyester material. At £9 a metre from Edinburgh Fabrics, it has a lovely texture. I thinking another classic shift style dress , perhaps the Bennett Dress from Marilla Walker. Edinburgh Fabrics has a good range of colour with the suede – it’s worth checking out. Also, I bought matching thread but now I’m thinking contrasting thread and with that i would have to ultra careful of stitching!

bennett1 — BENNETT DRESS by MARILLA WALKER – Gorgeous in suede!

Not only fabric lies in this “Haul” but some niche little tools have been purchased also …

Both purchased via amazon. And a bargain as under a fiver each. I picked up from a youtube video by Last Stitch

Some tailors chalk … I seem to lose mine quite quickly and no idea how!

This handy box should keep the chalk from getting bashed!

Patterns on my radar …

Yes there are always patterns on my radar, don’t you know I have a list? Ok now you do and boy it is long. It only seems to be getting longer 😂

And to add to the list is the cute “Cleo Pinafore & Dungaree Dress” by Tilly and the Buttons – isn’t it just adorable? I ❤️ it! I’m head over heels for the dungaree dress 😍!

With Black Friday looming Cleo was quickly purchased with a nice 25% off!

And then ALIX from By Hand London was also snapped up in PDF form! SO WHEN THERES A NICE DISCOUNT – it’s just impossible for me to say no. Impossible.

1c6a0644_1024x1024 — ALIX from BY HAND LONDON – so in love with this dress.

And then there are all the Seam work patterns that I have in my library – eek, I just love seam work (I actually did a wee post about them a wee while ago and all about why I love them). The “Kennedy” and the “Mesa” are the top two favourites to try first from seam work. And I’ve just heard that you can now use your credits to buy Collette patterns- Eeeeek! YES, YOU READ RIGHT!!

Adding to my stash of patterns and these were from the swap at the #SEWSCOTTISH meetup –

With these patterns came two bits of fabric – I may have to ask who put them in to the haul and also if they remember what it is … I have a mind like a sieve!

Then there’s this month’s gorgeous pattern from simply sewing magazine – well I think the Audrey dress is stunning and at one point I will try and make it.

So not just fabric, notions, patterns and tools have been added to the haul but also books 📚! Yes, I am also a sucker for a good sewing book.

The most recent one is “The better bag maker” by Nicole Mallalieu. One of my many projects is to make a bag, a weekender bag specifically and this book shows you how with handy techniques, tips and tricks. It’s got loads of lovely bag to make as well as a weekender.

I spotted it via Instagram and I’d say it’s a good find judging by all the hashtag #thebetterbagmaker attached photos!

Beautiful makes from various instagramers.

Next we have

I was just in Dobbies and spotted these two and somehow they managed to be brought home with me … mind you total bargains!

Talking of bargains, the buttons below were too. I bought them from a stall at the North Berwick Quilters Exhibition. I will post more on the actual exhibition very soon on the blog. The buttons were £1 plus a book, which was also £1 too. I’m hoping this holds a couple of good shortcuts for garments.

A little less of a bargain were these buttons bought from Kathy’s Knits on Broughton Street – there’s a nice selection to choose from and are vintage finds! The thicker metal ones are ideal for a jacket!

Remember I said I have a mind like a sieve. Let me reinstate that dramatically – I received this “Simple Shift Dress” Sew Over Pattern yonks ago with a magazine subscription, only now I realise it has actual fabric in the box – total revelation and I realise I’m quite ditsy at times!

So for December, I’ve decided no fabric, no books, no nothing unless it’s interfacing or lining for projects. We will see how long I last … Day 3 and still nothing bought!

That’s all for now,

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and I was not sponsored in any way, shape or form. All copyrighted pictures are my own.

Lessons: Fabric Focus

Published on October 30, 2016 by Emma_Ciarrocca1 Comment

Yeap, I’ve signed up for a block of lessons: Dressmaking for beginners at Fabric Focus, Edinburgh. Ok I’m no beginner but I’m no expert. I think confidence is the key but it’s always good to pick up tips and tricks for future projects and gain that extra confidence and experience to make a garment. I’d say I was a borderline novice. I’m happy to go at the class’s speed and not show off. Plus it’s always interesting to see what other sewers are using for both fabric and pattern! I’ve already noted a McCalls pattern which I like the look off! Yes, I AM A PATTERN MAGPIE!

Lesson one:

We were all sat down and guided through our hand outs. Abi introduced us to our surroundings and what we would cover in our classes.

There is a sheet for marking all your measurements in the handout, which will be handy for the project and for future ones too. Our task was to take our measurements and jot them down – Hips, upper hips, waist and bust are the important ones for this now as I’m making a simple shift dress, Well at least I’m hoping too!

Grading the pattern – my hips are wider than my waist, which is seriously annoying sometimes. Abi showed me how to do this for the front and then I did it for the back. We then all cut out our patterns according to our sizes.

Abi has sent us all home with strict instructions to pin the pattern pieces to the fabric for the next lesson. This includes ironing the pattern but absolutely NO CUTTING! I’m chomping at the bit, I will NOT CUT THE FABRIC!

Next class we will cut the fabric and start sewing!

I’ve chosen this beautiful Vintage blue cotton twill digitally printed fabric (see image below) from The Cloth Shop.

It’s a simplicity number for the pattern and it’s good value being the “easy-to-sew wardrobe elements” pack as I’m eyeing up the coat to do next.

I’m going with the “simple” shift dress (option C) for classes. I just want to be able to finish and wear it!

I’ll continue to update you with my lessons as I go to each one!

The Little Red Dress Project: Inspiration & Research (1 of 4)

Published on October 29, 2016October 29, 2016 by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

So I’m scrolling through my instagram feed and there’s this image of a lady wearing a little red dress with @runningwithstyle ‘s handle and a hashtag #thelittlereddressproject and I’m immediately intrigued. And before I question it, I’ve signed up – eeeeeeek!

Why on earth would I go for red? It’s not a colour I would normally opt to wear but it’s probably because I’ve haven’t found that perfect red shade. Well now’s the time to change that then! Positive thinking and all that jazz.

So the dear old Pinterest came out and I’ve made a board … yes another board of umpteen ideas of ooooohsss and ahhhhhhssss!

The biggest problem at the moment is choosing the pattern. I have a love affair with the Butterick 5748 as I’ve made a emerald number (which needs hemmed) a navy number (a tad more work) and a summer number (skirt bit done) – there is a pattern with the 5748 pattern and I’m determined not to not finish the red dress. It’s a great challlenge, so why would I not want to finish it?!! It’s a stunner of a dress but there a few other contenders …

Summer colours here with a contrast purple for the top part

Next pattern – contrast to go there or not to go there? I’ve not worked with lace before, like ever. So is this the challenge to do such a thing? So I’d love to do something in lace but I might just hold my horses and do a simple number!

Ooooh nice contrast with Butterick’s 6280

Cotton stretch sateen from Remnant Kings

I’m still floating back to a cotton stretch sateen. Perhaps because I’ve worked with it before. I would love to add a black edging to give the dress an extra element but I’ll see how I cope!

Then it’s actually hunting down a red that I would like to work with and wear. I’m going to troll the local fabric shops in November as I’m off for a week then. I’ll also order a few samples from online fabric shops and then I’ll decide from there. I’ve not came across much online though … it’s quite meeeeh. I’m thinking of going for a wine red but if forced to do a red like in the image above, I will.

Patterns, patterns, patterns … I’ve still not homed into my final choice but here’s just a few of my options …

Another easy option with red drawing me in towards the dress!

Another lace option with B ? I don’t make it easy for myself, do I?

I’m liking this option C – it floats but I think it’s too long for a LRD?

Something cute for the back detail with option C!

I love C – but is it because of the Red?!

It would have to be C or D for this one!

That’s all for the moment but I will give you an update on my final choice!

Seamwork: Why I love it.

Published on September 17, 2016September 17, 2016 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

Colette has always been a firm favourite for patterns which me and as you should all know by now I am a sucker for patterns. Learning that they go that extra bit is quite exciting and since I have signed up for a subscription to Seamwork I’ve been reaping the rewards.

Processed with MOLDIV — Sucker for patterns, like I said!

Every month I get two credits to spend on 2 patterns from the Seamwork library and on top of that I get top tips, articles, techniques and creative ideas into my inbox!

I’ve got quite a collection now, but I’m eager to start on the ‘Akita’ as I have two pieces of fabric that fit the bill. But more on that, once I have finished the Sophia Top & Skirt! I just love Akita!

Most of the top tips have proven quite useful have helped me in my sewing adventures!

I’m also signed up to Snippets with Colette and get regular updates and tips via email – they are just great and spur me on with my creative juice – like I need any more juice.

I have a referral link if you would like to join, that way you get your first month 1/2 price – we all win!

I’m not being sponsored but any company or anyone – just trying to share the sewing love!

On that note of patterns – I am trying to have an online database of all my patterns to date! I’m currently noting all of them down and then I will input them into a spreadsheet and I can then access it via drop box – go me!

Have a nice day.

My Sewing Room: Organise organise organise!

Published on August 15, 2016August 14, 2016 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

Well after sorting out all my pieces of fabric onto boards, it’s now time to label them so I can pick them out quickly.

I popped into one of my home bargain stores and picked up these labels. I’ll stick the self-adhesive ones onto the luggage labels. And then with a black marker I will write my code letters P M F – pattern (if the fabric has one allocated, but most of them do), meterage (how much fabric is on the board) and fabric (is it cotton, viscose, wool, jersey, etc).

Next, we have my pattern collection. It’s really expanded over the year quite drastically! I’m blaming these pattern sales!

I had already organised the into categories: skirts, trousers, dresses, combos etc but then when I was doing dividers, it was much simpler to do them by the pattern house name (vogue, new look, simplicity, grainline studio, sew over it, simple sew and the list could go on and on!).

With the reminder of the boards, I took 1.5cm from the top of the board and made two marks. Then I drew a line and then wrote a pattern name.

They work a treat as they fit in my white shoe box file system for the patterns and I can hunt quickly for them too!

I think I’m going to have to have a P.A to keep this system intact 😀

Until next time and remember – Measure twice, Cut once!

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