Tag: plans

More Change!

Published on by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

Yeap you saw it!

It’s official, this blog is now http://www.sewdoitemma.com

I’ve been thinking about going for it for a while and have finally taken the crunch!

Also it’s my first day of my fabric buying hiatus! It gone well so far. I’ve put my time into doing this domain, house stuff and walking the dog.

In my head I’ve got hundreds of ideas with what fabric from my collection should go with what project/pattern. Sure, they’ll be limits because of meterage/yardage or what type of fabric but I’m going to start to try and categorically organise them.

This has been on the cards for ages but it’s not going to be easy with the amount of fabric I do have.

First of all, I think I’m going to set fabrics and patterns that are in my make nine.

Next I’m going to take all the fabrics out of the small Billy’s then (or maybe do a shelf at a time) measure, photograph and record each piece. Either spreadsheet it first and then add it on the Cora App, which I’ve had for yonks and not really made use of it.

Once I’ve done the fabrics, I think I’m going to go through my big four patterns as I bet there’s patterns I’ve forgot about and have either doubled with a newer style or no longer “has that sparkle”. This could be another fabric destash as well but we’ll come to that bridge when it happens!

This is going to be a long process for me as I am planning to sew a few things, some with deadlines and also I’ve got things that I need to do around the house (boo, hiss).

Ok this is quite a ramble but it’s kinda good to put it out there and then you can see the difference when it’s done.

Speak soon with hopefully some new makes!

Happy sewing 🧵

Oooopsa lacy!

Published on by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

Since the 5th May I’ve been on a fabric ban but this Friday past I broke it and I broke it hard!

You see when you see something RTW and the stock is low in your size but you have the sewing skills (this does not include boning or lace!!) you go what the heck and go all in, pretty much head first.

So this is the RTW dress I’ve fallen IN LOVE with and just wanna swosh about in.

The RTW dress is a beautiful Monsoon one but as said a second ago, the size I was looking for had gone out of stock. I would definitely pay £139 for it but that’s if they had it. But I’m not going to buy that dress, I’m going to make it eeek!

Fabric:

After ordering several different swatches and doing a ridiculous amount of searches for “mint guipure lace” online I wasn’t anywhere forward. Locally I was starting to loose my confidence in getting what I really wanted. It was on the final straw that I took the tip from a previous co-worker to visit Fabric Focus. It should’ve been first choice – doh!Above the linings, there lay the beautiful lace guipure in exactly the colours and shade I was looking for and too even make my July better the lining was there to make it pop! It’s a-lot more minty than the photo suggests. The lining is a skin tone. But I may have to double it up with a cotton because of the boning!

The Pattern:The pattern was a lot easier to find and in the end the McCalls 7720 was a very close fit.

I’ll get the boning, hook & eye, threads and zip organised at a later date. I might make a toile and see how that goes before I start back at my evening classes in August if I get other projects finished! I can’t thank Kevin at Fabric Focus and his lovely Mum (who actually served me) enough for stocking this lace. You made a very happy lady. This is just a perfect example why we should support local shops like this!

Disclaimer: all opinions are my own!

5 things I wish I knew before I started sewing.

Published on by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

1. It’s ok to mess up.

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!

A frock for cocktails & #EdinburghFrocktails

Published on by Emma_Ciarrocca5 Comments

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?

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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.

Cheers,

Emma

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own!

What next to buy (sewing wise)?

Published on by Emma_Ciarrocca4 Comments

You lot should know I like buying things.  However, I’m trying very hard not to buy anything, especially fabrics for the month of February.  Although I have slipped once (I’ll mention that later what fabric I bought!) – I have been quite good about it and I’ll refrain from doing any more fabric shopping until march (will probably go bananas by then.

 I thought I’d share my thoughts on the next few purchases that I’ll be getting.

New rotary cutter – I currently have this one but I have issues with it when the safety cap slides down when I’m using it.  So I’m opting for a Fiskars.

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T-shirt cotton fabric  _ I’ve been thinking of making a couple of t-shirts and think I’ve found a good source online.  

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Seamwork’s “Aberdeen” PDF – I’m thinking of using this pattern for my t-shirts.  I really like the collar/ v-neck detail on this and I presume (correct me if I’m wrong), I could shorten the sleeves to t-shirt length for our “hot Scottish days”.

Spotty fabric with a wine coloured crepe from cloth shop to make an occasion dress, then the spare spotty fabric will be use for detail on a nice top.  Sorry, no pictures at the moment but once I get the fabric, I’ll get them up OR get a Vlog done and really show off!

Dylan Dye for a denim skirt that I will be remaking from an old pair of pink jeans.  I have a pair of pink jeans, that I no longer wear.  A wee while ago I saw a feature in a sewing magazine that showed me how to turn an old pair of jeans into a skirt.  So I’m going to do that and then dye, yes dye the skirt red.  Why red?  I think I need a red skirt in my wardrobe.

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Grading up on many patterns seems to be my objective at the moment.  It’s such a useful tool/skill to have and use.  So whilst watching a Cocowawa crafts YT vlog, (<<< link to that vlog right there!!) the lovely Ana was showing her favourite tools of her trade which included a Pattern Master.  I’m figuring it will be bloody useful and take some time out of grading up.

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I’m actually trying to make space for another double billy from ikea, just to finally finish organising my sewing room – I think that will be the first purchase out of this lot.

Processed with MOLDIV
Question is, with or without doors!!??

Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed!

Emma

Disclaimer: All opinions are of my own and this post wasn’t sponsored and no I’m not on commission xx