Tag: #SewDoItEmma

#thelittlereddressproject:Update 2

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Well, I think I’ve found the pattern for my LRD in regarding to #thelittlereddressproject …. Cue the drumroll everyone … meet Alix, the new pattern from By Hand London. 

Alix is only available in PDF form, so I’m going to have to get my skates on if I want it printed out by a print shop (i.e. I can’t be bothered sticking numerous amounts of A4 pages together!) buts it’s such a me dress! I love the long length as well as the short length so at the moment I’m toying with the final chosen length! 

The Alix is looking gorgeous in red 😍

Short Version of Alix
Long version of Alix

Ohhhh which one!?!? Because I’m short, I think having it just below the knees will suit me best and I’m pretty sure if all goes well I might even do the long version!

“Light to medium weight wovens will bring out the best in Alix – cotton lawn, voile, chambray, annel, double gauze, cotton silk, sandwashed silk, silk noil, wool crêpe, viscose crêpe, rayon and cupro.” 

Oooooh – cotton lawn? Chambray? Silk? Crêpe? 

Which should I choose? 

I think 💭 Alix will look stunning in red silk … but I haven’t worked with silk before – eeeek! 

What is sand washed silk? Silk noil? That’s something I’ll have too look up and see if it’s a viable option x

Until next time

Fabric Addictions: Recent Additions

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Some of you may know I have a little problem with fabric and I just love collecting it, so much so that my little Billy “fabric wardrobe” is full (I can just about squeeze in a couple more, but it will be a squeeze!).

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you could say it’s full

I can’t say no to a bargain or a fabric pattern that catches my eye.   Working in a fabric shop is sheer dangerous for me as I rarely walk out from week to week without purchasing something sewing related.  Then again if I don’t get something as work then I usually buy fabric online or another shop.

In this post, I’d thought I’d share my recent purchases with you.  Usually, I post the fabric on my Instagram feed but I thought I’d give you a little more detail on what project/pattern I’m going to pair it up with, where I purchased it and the story behind it.

“Make Another Wish – Hedgerow” Lewis & Irene

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It all started with a customer trying to find the ivory version and I was helping to source it. We didn’t have much luck, but I did find the navy variation on eBay.  I kept this in mind and decided to splurge as I love the nature theme on it.  There’s definitely enough for a simple shift …

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Vintage Roses on Cotton 

This was bought from The Cloth Shop by Remnant Kings for my dress that I’m doing in the class I mentioned in this post.

I love the vintage print of the roses.  Those of you who have read the class post will know what pattern I’m using.  I’m going to pair it with a grey lining as it’s slightly thin and you can see through it.  The lining will also help give it a bit more body.

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Can’t wait to have tea and cakes in this dress!

 

Seeing Red

No. I’m not angry!  But it’s getting closer to the deadline for #thelittlereddressproject as I write!  It won’t be long until have to down the thread and scissors and show off my creation with the hashtag.  I’m crapping myself!  Have I taken on something too short of a time period?

Anyway, I saw this Ditte cotton Fabric in Ikea and thought what the heck, it’s only £3 per metre!  I don’t think it will be for the #thelittlereddressproject but it’s back up.  I think I have found a shade that I like and that would suit my skin tone at Fabric Focus but want to check that out when it’s daylight!

 

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It’s not that easy get the right shade with a solid colour!

That’s the 3 most recent fabric spurlges  … you will probably see another injection of colour pretty soon on the blog!

Emma

 

Sewing: Sequin Time with Simple Sew’s – #017 Sophia (Update 3 of 4)

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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!

The backup garment: Katya Kimono Wrap Dress

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:

http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/sequin-savvy

My Sewing Room

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My sewing room needs to become functional and comfortable to use.  It needs organising, so I can pull fabric and pattern out, yet put them back in their place when I’m done for the day.  This “putting thing back” needs to become my ethos all over the house, but that’s another post for another time! And before Mr C quickly jumps in, I’ll change the subject!).

I’ve pulled a lot of ideas rather from Pinterest so “had to” create a mood board so I could scale down some ideas and think what I want from my SR.

Two tables would be useful, preferably the same as I join the together to cut out patterns and fabric. One would sit under the skylight as that would be ideal for using the naturally light, providing it’s not too bright to take photographs of my finish projects.

Before I get ahead of myself – the three main points that need to go into the sewing room are: atlier

shelving and lots of it!

a workspace to sew creations

and a seat!

 

The Skålberg/Sporren chair (IKEA)
Billy Shelving from (IKEA)
Linnmon Desk (IKEA)

I don’t want to spend a fortune so as you can see Ikea furniture it is and it’s the basic range as everything adds up very quickly!

 
The notice board will be handy for what project I’m currently working on and what the next few are.  It should keep me focused. It will also a provide a place for all these business cards and fliers that I seem to collect!

I started this post 5 months ago but there have been some changes already and I can now share them!

The room has finally been painted and now shelving has been installed and is very quickly being filled up!

Trying to organise with billy shelving
The desk is much bigger now and is now under the skylight for ultimate natural light!

My sewing space is still going through changes so don’t think these are final photos.  I will post the final touches and a much tidier space very soon!

Do you have a sewing room? Do you have any tips on how to organise it? Have I missed anything, I’m sure I have!?  Please feel free to comment below and give tips!

Emma

Canoodling with Chiffon

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Seeing all these occasion dresses at work makes me wanna twirl in something elaborate, and I particularly like a bit of silk chiffon.

It’s lovely and floaty, but I’ve never worked with such delicate fabric.  The thought of working with such gives me a slight buzz, I’m not quite such if it’s excitement or anxiety!

This post stems from looking at Pinterest and becoming inspired to make such a dress. After spotting a dress, I decided to make a Chiffon Board.

 

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Above, is the dress that started the Chiffon trouble!

 

Above are a few of the Pins on my board.

You could say I’m a hoarder of projects and i’ll admit that, I think  I know my Husband will say that on my behalf also!  What can I say, I just can’t help myself.

My sewing room is in a mess so before I start on any projects it has to be organised and finished.  Yes, still getting refurbed – it’s taking a lot longer than planned.

Oh, big news!  I have a second job and it’s in a fabric shop … my life struggle with fabric, patterns and projects is only going to get worse!

For the time being I’ll be looking into patterns for the chiffon dress – if you know of any please comment in below and any tips would be appreciated!

Emma

Disclaimer: All Opinions are my own!

Sew … I did it again.

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Yeap I splurged on more fabric.  “Ooooops I did it again”!

But gorgeous still and at a metre each from Sew Sew Fabrics.  I spotted their sale from an ad in the latest issue of Love Sewing magazine and couldn’t quite stop myself.

Now the hard task of thinking what project for each piece of fabric!

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A little more in-depth view for all you fabric lovers!

 

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Birdy Birdy!

 

 

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Fabulous Floral
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Sewing Spectacular!

 

Disclaimer: All views are my own and bought the fabric myself!

Emma

Past Projects

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My past projects are being pulled and shared from the other blog: Emma’s Cakey Bakey Adventures. 

So what have I done that I’ve mentioned on the other blog? 

Dahlia Dress – Colette Pattern 

 
Hydrangea Skirt – simplicity 

 

Camera Strap

 

Camera Accessory case  

Christmas dress

   
And not mentioned but still really should …

Groover the hand puppet! 

  

And two other dresses that I’m using the same pattern as the Christmas dress

   
 

Plus a little teaser for the next dress! 

  

I’ll try and give as much information as I can on the upcoming projects – such as the pattern, the fabrics, how long it took me, how difficult was it … If I miss something sewing related please ask me and I will share!

Emma
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own!