Hey all!
It’s been an age since I wrote anything on here but now that we are in lockdown for this Convid-19 I have a bit more time to make and blog!
I’m currently making a few things, one of which is the Kalle Shirt by Closet Case.
I’m doing version A, the cropped shirt in a liberty cotton lawn. This is the first time I’ve tackled a shirt!
I’ll add more pictures and information as I go but in the meantime I’ll get going and hopefully soon I can model it!
Myrtle Dress by Colette Patterns!
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!
A week on after the #SewScottish Afternoon Tea another group of lovely ladies held a smaller but equally nice meet up in Dunfermline.
We all met at the Heaven Scent Cafe, which is set in the new building beside the abbey. The cafe has a lovely selection of cakes and hot drinks on offer but as the weather was so warm I opted for a cool fizzy elderflower juice.
We sat round a couple of tables for about an hour exchanging information about patterns, materials, fabric shops, discount codes and a little bit about our wonderful selves. It was a lovely chilled out affair and “suited me down to a t” as I had been up at 3:30am that morning for a 4:45am start at work!
After some much needed refreshments we headed up to the newly opened Sewing Studio. The Sewing Studio is a fantastic extension of Sew Yarn Crafty after locals were giving feedback back to owner, that there was a massive dressmaking following and they wanted more fabric choice and classes. It all came together pretty simply as there was a property available to extend into and that’s how it all happened.
It’s been a little over a year since I’ve been up to Dunfermline and checked out Sew Yarn Crafty. The last time I’d took a trip up was with my mum and my aunt. Mum was not that great at that point but wanted to get out the house and always supported me in my hobbies. That woman was always pushing herself, where she got the strength from was unbelievable.
Anyway before I go to a dark place … (everything connects!!)
The sewing Studio has a great range of fabrics and independent patterns (TATB’s, papercut, cashmerette, Sew over it and a couple of others.
I actually saw quite a few fabrics that I really wanted but I had to refrain as I’m only a week in from making that (damn) pact with @Sew_Sleep_Deprived so I wouldn’t buy anymore fabric – urghhhh!
I was stroking them and crying 😭. It was tough. I did refrain from fabrics but I bought two cashmerette patterns and a book about drafting dress and skirts.
The weather was on it’s truly best behaviour as it was gorgeous. I really need to come up and check out the Abbey.
So all in all, it was a lovely afternoon out and I’m looking forward to catching up with the girls again. Hopefully I’ll have made a few me makes by then and I can show them off!
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!
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
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
4. Penny Dress By Colette
5. Toaster – Sew House 7
6. McCalls 7536 Dress
7. Colette’s Moneta
8. 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!
Let’s face it, we are truly lucky to have so many fabulous online fabric shops these days, offering us loads of gorgeous fabrics.
In this blog post, I’d thought I should share my top 5 with you and why they are my favourite. By the way, they are in no particular order because they are all splendid in their own way!
Fabric Godmother’s website for me is well laid out for me, making fabric easy (or too easy in my case) to find. It’s clean and crisp, just how I like websites. I’ve bought a couple of pieces of fabric and have been very happy with them. I still have them in my stash and this is a running theme – 2017 has to shake me up to make them into beautiful garments!
http://www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/
For me, Guthrie & Ghani has a lovely style. I spend hours browsing the fabrics on the website. Just recently I bought some lovely cotton with hot air balloons, which I’m looking into making a nice dress for summer with. Whilst writing this post up, I had a quick browse and spotted some gorgeous striped jersey (perfect for a coco) but will have wait until pay day as all my fabric allowance is used up!
It’s name speaks volumes. Boy, does this website have loads to choose from! On more than one occasion I’ve bought something special. Yes, yet again it’s still in the fabric stash but I have an idea for each piece bought! I bought my Houndstooth jersey from here and it’s going to be perfect for a dress!
http://www.fabricsgalore.co.uk/
An emporium not by half. Still good quality fabric at a good price too. I’ve managed to get a couple of bargains in the sale too, which I’m pretty chuffed about. But their site sometimes goes all weird on me and doesn’t load which is annoying! Still,l the fabric is pretty good for what you pay for 😀
Oooooh! I love scrolling over and seeing what Lisa and her team have chosen in the New section fabric wise. There’s just so much gorgeous lovely fabric to choose from! I’ve recently joined the PDF club too. It’s only a £5 for the whole year, with that you get to choose a free PDF and first to know of any new PDFs released! I adore her patterns too – yes I still have to make the ones I have – now that’s a surprise (NOT!).
Okay I know I’ve gone over my top 5 but this lovely shop can give the others a run for their money. Sewn, which is based in Bristol has a beautiful website of a wonderful collection of fabric. I just hope I get the chance to go and visit someday! Bought some fabric too, which was in the sale (OOOOOPS)!
I found out about the textile centre via Lizzie B on her YT channel. I have to go and check it out since she showed off her jersey for her TATB Coco Dress (YES, I bought yet more fabric) Also since this is new to me I thought I would share this one with you too. Really good quality fabrics and the price isn’t bad either!
https://www.thetextilecentre.co.uk/
So there you go, my top 5 (and more) online shops for fabric. I’m going to be sharing my fabrics that I’ve recently bought in a vlog (yes I said vlog). It will probably be the second vlog as I’m editing my first vlog which is to released very soon! My vlog channel is SEW DO IT EMMA’s VLOG – be sure to subscribe if you don’t want to miss any vlogs!
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and this post is not at all sponsored!
With only 4 more sleeps to go until Sunday’s meet up with fellow Scottish Sewing Bloggers, it’s impossible not to get too excited about it.
I keep pinching myself that this idea is actually real and it’s really happening on Sunday. Little did I know that the thought between myself and Lesley would actually develop into reality. EEEEKKK – exciting!
I’m looking forward to meeting like minded people who sew and blog and hopefully exchange a few ideas for our next meetup too. I’m hoping that this could become a monthly/bimonthly thing … you can dream!
That’s all for now,
The last 24 hours have been whirlwind but it’s all good.
Here’s the thing, both Lesley (sew_sleep_deprived) and I know that there are fantastic sewing blogger meet ups south of the border but we’ve yet to see anything in our bonnie land. As Lesley mentioned, Leeds meet up and The Fold Line are now well and truly established.
We are both excited to start something off in Edinburgh with fellow sewing bloggers.
I’ve got a great feeling about meeting #scottishsewingbloggers and talk all things #sewing over cake and your chosen cuppa!
Come on, let’s embrace this as it would great to exchange tips, news, hidden gems and also celebrate our talents!
Both Lesley and Myself are open to suggestions, so please contact us!
Would a WordPress site be a good place to start as a central base for meetings and chat?
Meanwhile please spread the word by using the hashtags below and #sewing #scottishsewingbloggers #meeting and of course, #sewscottish !
The Big Day is Sunday 27th November. The venue is yet to be finalised, but at least we have a date! All you need to be is a sewer, be it novice, beginner, intermediate or professional and have a current sewing blog!
I’m hoping we can build a community just like Leeds and The Fold Line but have our own niche!
Super excited to meet all you lovely Scottish Sewing Bloggers!
When I decided to cut out the sequin fabric with my rotary blade I had no idea how tough it was going to be, but that didn’t stop me from doing just that! Actually was that wise?
I did it. But I’m sure my rotary blades will now a) need a sharpen with tin foil or b) need a new blade. Oh well – a lesson learnt there.
Talking of rotary blades I may be purchasing a new one for ease of use. Spotted a fiskars blade that looks a little less fiddly in Biggar Stitches!
So after cutting out the front and back of the top I then pinned it all together and tried it on. I knew that I had to put darts in because I made up a toile earlier, so I did just that and then had to get my mum to straighten then up whilst I wore it!
Now I just wished I removed the sequins along the seams to ease the job for my machine (I’m sure it felt pain when stitching the sequins – I did).
Sewing the sequins was nerve racking (my first time doing sequins). My Brother did the job, the top does need a press as the darts haven’t got the finesse finish I wanted.
I’m glad I added the lining – less jaggy!
Time is running out and rather get into a state like below, I’ve opted to wear a “bought dress” – fear not the dress will be completed for Christmas and worn then!
Trying the homemade garment on was a near death experience as the pins scratched my arm – ok, maybe not near death but still, beady sore!
At this point, the top needs hemmed and finished off. The skirt still needs the waistband on (which itself needs interfacing applied!! (Note to self: you need to buy blinkin’ interfacing!!)), zip applied, possibly now lined and then hemmed.
The final update should contain a picture of me wearing it! Watch this space!
Happy Sewing!
Some places I went to online for advice:
Sew Do It Emma 