Sewing Blogger – Page 4 – Sew Do It Emma

Sew Shop Local: The Sewing Studio, Dunfermline And The Fife Sewists Meet Up!

Published on May 15, 2018 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

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!

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

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

PDF’s| To Stick or Print?

Published on April 6, 2017April 6, 2017 by Emma_Ciarrocca15 Comments

When it comes to sticking PDF’s together, this is what my mind feels like do to it as I feel it cuts into my sewing time!

Don’t worry no food processor has been harmed. So far!

For all you lovely sewist like me who love the instantness of hitting a (or few!) button and having a beautiful PDF pattern all ready to go but have the fear or dread of sticking the recchit thing together, look no further as I have found a low-cost answer!

Recently I posted on Instagram, looking for recommendations to print my ever growing PDF’s (one of them is a Colette Moneta and another is the SOI Nancy Dress) and I got a lot of interest (THANKYOU!), some of you lovelies followed hoping to get some PDF Print love too.

One reply, in particular, was from @sio_sews:

Yeap, curiosity got the better of me and before I knew it I had carefully selected 10 files to print and hit ‘ORDER’ on www.netprinter.co.uk.

I selected A0 Plan printing unless the pattern instructions said otherwise. It’s 75p per A0 sheet. Because the PDF’s are in black in white it’s very much like an architect’s technical drawing and should never be priced as a poster print – if you are then it’s quite frankly daylight robbery! I did study interior design so I know what a technical drawing is like and a PDF pattern is just like this apart from it’s the blueprint for dressmaking.

Remember and allow for VAT and standard delivery! They add on at the end. You can get them rolled but only if you select Next Day delivery and specify in the “special instructions” box as you order if you want them rolled.

For standard delivery, it’s £3.00 and it takes 2-3 days to arrive.

I am very happy with the packaging that it came in and the excitement of trying to get into the sellotape was heightened with squeals of joy!

Processed with MOLDIV — it’s arrived from www.netprinter.co.uk

Would I recommend www.netprinter.co.uk?

Eh, Hell yeah! I had a couple of questions so queried them via email and got a very prompt and helpful reply. From start to finish the service and the product are tip top!

So there you go … There’s my pattern PDF adventure and long may it continue!

Happy no-sticking A4 pages together anymore!

DISCLAIMER: This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own! Photos’s are copyright so please do ask permission if you would like to use them – Cheers!

Sewn | Cleo | #makenine

Published on April 2, 2017April 2, 2017 by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

Well, I’ve finally gone and finished (finally!) Cleo!

Yay!

Ok I know, I’m slow but I kinda just take my time and I’m at class so I have a teacher keeping me right!

So I’m hoping that this finished result will give me a good confidence boost (like a vitamin boost) which will push me into starting another of my #makenine’s.

So I’m thinking you want to see me in my Cleo, yeah?

However, there were some adjustments …

1.0 I graded the pattern up so it could fit my roomy hips.

1.1 Whilst grading up, I failed at grading up the facing so there was a slight hiccup there and I amended that, with thanks to Abby, my sewing teacher!

1.2 Although I triple checked measurements for hips it was quite loose in that area once all sewn up, so we decided to insert some elastic to get a better fit.

1.3 I noticed the buckles are slightly too small for the straps on this one, so I’ll either make the straps narrower or just get wider buckles for the next one.

So there you go, that’s the first of my #makenine done, only another 8 to go.

Still to finish off Simplicity 4789 but hopefully, that will take 2 classes with Abby and then I can show you that once finished.

Whilst I’m finishing off Simplicity 4789, I’ll be cutting out Vogue’s 1353 and a couple of Seamwork’s numbers. Mesa and Sorbetto are hot on my list. The Granville Skirt and McCall’s Top are both on the cutting block too. I think April is going to be that month when things happen!

Mesa

Sorbetto

McCall’s

Granville

Here’s to a busy April/May! Must go and get sewing!

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own!

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