scottish sewing blogger – Page 4

Sew Scottish

Published on May 13, 2018 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

It’s so nice to be part of a group of friends that get you when you talk sewing, isn’t it? I mean they really get you and your geekiness when you starting going on about Pdfs or seam allowance and what’s the pattern craze of late.

31936643_10160352108900182_8357798086461882368_o — Credit to Kate Gray

I’m super proud to co-host the Afternoon Tea and Frocktails Events alongside Lesley over at @sew_sleep_deprieved, to which she has written an awesome blog post on her view of the recent event. It’s amazing to see the group grow and bloom the way it has, we’ve got such a diverse range of lovely talented ladies.

The afternoon tea was overwhelmingly a success at Casa Angelina, no cakes were left. I’m still dreaming of slathering cherry & rosemary jam on these fluffy scones with a thick layer of clotted cream!

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Would I host the tea again? Oh heck, YES!! In a instant, but for now REST!

Again, I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of people. The pattern and fabric swap was phenomenal, by that I mean everyone walked away very happy with some things they loved! Whilst we had a lot of excess left over and it’s currently sitting in my car ready for a beloved charity shop, so everyone is a winner.

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I snapped up a lovely piece of classic denim, a pattern, a couple of notions and 3 books. I was quite brutal with myself fabric wise as I has loads. I’m still sticking to my “NO MORE BUYING FABRIC” pact that I made with Lesley on the bus homebound, mind you it’s only day three!

I’d just want to say (and so I will!) Thank you to all for your support and generosity over this year. It’s been a tough one, but I’m thankful I have so many lovely and caring people in my life – BACI (kisses in Italian)!

Here’s to Frocktails (there are details coming!) but for now it’s holiday time!

Love, Emma

P.S If would you like to host (go on – if we can, you can) an event for Sew Scottish, please get in touch and we’ll set you up with the contacts and the logo to get you started xx

5 things I wish I knew before I started sewing.

Published on February 13, 2018February 13, 2018 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!

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!

Sew what’s ahead?

Published on January 1, 2018January 1, 2018 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

So it’s the first of January and we’ve all made these new year resolutions, right?

I haven’t. Yesterday I made a pact with myself not to set massive goal posts that I simply can’t fill. Instead I’ve decided to make a promise to myself to look after me.

Last year we had two massive and devastating blows when cancer told hold of both our mothers and they past away. Both gave it there all to fight the horrible disease but unfortunately there was no miracle in both situations. Cancer sucks big time, right?

Life has been somewhat mental as we went all in and got an adorable puppy, who’s now five months. Adorable but mischievous and a boundless amount of springer energy!

Sewing has definitely taken a step back as I’m trying to really have the almighty clear out of possessions that I no longer need nor remember that they existed. It’s going to take a few charity runs but at the end of it less clutter in the house.

I’ve been trying to get my sewing room in order, but ever since I did a massive “wash all my fabric” it’s been sitting in bags waiting to be ironed, folded back into board and put away. Of course I want to take a photo and enter it into my Cora app and that takes up more time.

That being said sewing hasn’t ceased altogether. I’ll be back at my Monday class, which I enjoy immensely. Not just seeing but socially too. Abi is a great teacher and keeps me right! I’ll probably finish the coat mum started for me but never managed to finish. Hopefully I’ll make a good job and I’ll get some wear out of before the weather gets warmer (here’s wishing!).

I don’t think I’ll be putting myself in for #sewmystyle this year but I’ll try #makenine2018. I’m trying to narrow things down so I can actually finish challenges! So I’m just doing #makenine this year and trying to think carefully at which patterns I’m going for as I’m definitely aiming to step onto different garments but I do love a dress! Really want to add a couple of tops, jackets, skirts to the handmade wardrobe, maybe even jeans before the year is out.

So in order to do this, I’m going to carefully sieve through my pattern collection and see what I’ve got and try and make use of the fabrics I’ve got (boy there’s a lot!) and that can some make space in my sewing room. Don’t worry I’ll put my selection into another blog and Instagram it!

Having the journal last year was enjoyable but I overspent in time on it. This year is going to be basic and more to the point. It will still have the illustrations and the doodles but I’ll be looking at what worked for me and what didn’t.

Another thing that I want to start using is my fabric cards. I’d just like to see what I’ve used and what I’ve got as a record (perhaps it’s double the work as I’ve got the Cora app but having a swatch of fabric is slightly different than just a photo).

Not sure if I’ve missed anything in my sewing plans for 2018, but I’m sure you guys will keep me right!

I hope you all have a full on sewing and Fun filled 2018!

Till next time x

Sew Shop Local: Rejects, Kirkcaldy

Published on September 20, 2017September 20, 2017 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

Kirkaldy has fond memories for me as I used to study at Adam Smith College back in 2008 and completed my Higher Diploma in Interior Architecture there.

Rejects was a go-to place for the velcro we needed for the back of our display boards at the end of year exhibit of works but I had never explored the fabric section or knew of it.

So when it came to meet the lovely Carol, who I’d been chatting too via Instagram, it was a perfect date to explore the fabric department and have some fun with Carol.

We met in the cafe first off for a much-needed coffee and cake and a good old chin wag. We then skidadeld up to the fabric department, where I was wow’ed. I had to hold on for dear life as I wasn’t expecting this awesomeness!

Are you ready? Here come the photos!

So there you have it. A good insider of Rejects. I saw lots of beautiful fabrics and in case you are wondering if I did buy any fabric, then yes I did!

Here’s a map and the address…. now go go go!

map — Rejects, 123 St Clair St, Kirkcaldy KY1 2BS

An Open letter to Vogue Patterns

Published on July 11, 2017 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

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

19988750_10158992751410191_418580751_n — 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?

URGHHHHH!

Sewing: Simplicity 4789

Published on June 21, 2017June 21, 2017 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

Yes! I’ve finished it! Wooop!

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!

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!

Aprils’ Feast || Patterns || Great for us girls that have curves!

Published on April 13, 2017April 14, 2017 by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

So whilst doing a very quick scroll on the Fold line site’s Pattern reviews, I came across a review for designer stitch’s Tunic. Not having heard of Designer Stitch, I quickly gave it a google expecting the worst (the sizes only go up to a 16, meaning some serious grading up) but I was pleasantly surprised. And if you haven’t heard of them yet – great something new to you too!

Designer Stitch is definitely ticking boxes with the size range – from UK size 6-26 and wait for it, A0 options for printing at the copy shop.

I’m liking the look of the “Gypsy Tunic dress” as it’s somewhat very similar to the Sew house Seven’s “Bridgetown Dress”. It fact the back detail is the only difference at first glance.

Gypsy Tunic

Bridgetown Dress

Then I spot the “Alyse Slim Leg Pant” whilst skimming through the other (many patterns ladies!), could these be an alternative to sizing for the SOI “Ultimate Trousers”? OMG!!

They definitely look like they can be made in cotton span and stretch denim and if I make them into a cropped length, then they would be perfect for summer.

This could be dangerous. VERY dangerous! I think I may have cracked out a maaahhhhhovsive can of worms on this one!

I think next month I’m going to be doing one or two PDF purchases from Designer Stitches shop, the problem is narrowing it down – ARGGGHHHH.

My pattern collection is getting huge …

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own – mwah! xx

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