Happy New Year

Hi

I have not posted for so long, but I have been sewing so I will post some new out fits in the next few days.

Lara

Coat - DKNY Vogue V1130

Hi
Pattern Description: Loose fitting, unlined jacket has dropped shoulders, neck and front bands, welt pockets, pleated lower section, raised waistline with waistband wide sticked hems, above knee length and snap closing

Pattern Sizing: 12
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that it was loose fitting and not a fitted tailored coat. I liked the pockets and the round neck. Without my alterations the coat would have been a quick to make when compaired to the time it takes to make a tailored coat.

Fabric Used: Soft wool felt
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: sewed the pleats down so that they did not add bulk to my waist. I finished the hems with ribbon to reduce the bulk of turning the facing under or and to improve the look internally by not too many overlocked edges. The ribbon and pleats were all hand sewn so they have added a considerable amount of time to this project.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? No I think it is a very distinct pattern that you could only sew once. I recommend it to others who are looking for a coat that has the ability to be worn over many items of clothing and is more relaxed that a tailored coat.
Conclusion: I am happy with the out come. Looking at the photos I am going to check the sleaves as they seem a bit long and make sure I have not missed something.

Cheers

Lara

I have also finished a spring Tunic and pants I hope to have will have photos tomorrow.

Summer skirt and blouse - Simplicity 2599

Hi


Wow, I have not posted for over a month. The coat has been a labour of love with a considerable amount of hand sewing. I am nearly finished but have run out of ribbon and there is none to be found at my local sewing shops. So as it may be another two weeks I thought I would post on something I made last summer.

The blouse pattern was extremely popular last year amongst sewers. I did not need to change anything with the pattern. The ruffled version was time consuming but worth it. I edged the ruffles using washable embroidery backing called rinse away. It gave the soft silk enough body to edge with a feather stitch. The skirt is silk tweed.

Cheers

Lara

Work in Progress

Hi

Just to let you know I am busy sewing a new coat for myself.  Last year I realised there are different types of clothes that I avoid sewing because they are too time consuming. My new years sewing resolution was to branch out.  There was no excuse as I have been sewing for seven years I really don't need to rush to fill wardrobe gaps, most of the time I am replacing things and a have enough to last a while.  Hence the three shirts (slow but needed).  The coat I am sewing is light weight by most standards as it is not lined.  This is all I need, Perth does not get any colder than 5 degrees min and 13 max, with many winter days much warmer.  I am about half way so check back in two weeks, hopefully.

Cheers Lara

Final shirt - Simplicity 2339

Hi

Hi



Sorry it has been so long.  Please excuse the creases, this photo was taken after I have finished work.  I have finally finished my last long sleeved shirt for winter.  This fabric has been in my stash for four years.  I have been waiting till I had the skill to be able to cut it and make a business shirt that would do the fabric's quality and pattern justice.  It is a Italian cotton with a subtle sheen on the stripes. 

The cuffs of this pattern have been a problem in the last two shirts.  This time I have used a cuff style taken from a quality RTW shirt.  The end of the sleeve was extended by six inches and turned twice to form a cuff.  The back of the sleeve is folded on it self three inches from the in side seam.  A button hole is placed half an inch from the fold and the button is on the inside seam.  When done up it pulls the cuff in a the wrist.

Cheers Lara

Ruffle Shirt _ Simplicity 2339

Hi


I have made version C of the simplicity shirt I made in April. This shirt was principally made to match the skirt fabric and was completed two weeks ago. Last weekend I made the skirt in the photo. The fabric was given to me by a friend. Sadly I will not complete the skirt as I really dislike the way it drapes.

I cut on the bias because I thought the check was too dominate if cut on the straight grain. I am not sure it this is why the drape is so horrible or if it is the bias cut or the fabrics fault. On the upside it was a technical challenge to match the pattern and insert a zip in a bias cut.

The shirt was slow to make and I think will be useful for work. I had limited fabric so cut the ruffle on the straight grain, which was fine. For fun I also experimented with the yoke based on a RTW shirt. To finnish the bottom of the collar I added a bias cut double strip of fabric and then stitched in the ditch from the right side to secure.

I attached the cuff to the sleave as per instructions and was not happy because it was one inch too long for me. I modified the pattern by seaming the sleave vent and half the cuff. I then turned the cuff in half. To enhance the plain weave shirt I top stitched the collar and shirt front. I have finished French seams and double folded hem

Cheers Lara

Simplicity 2550

Hi
I made this dress for our recent trip to Melbourne, although it was mostly for work we had a dinner planned with friends for Saturdays night. Melbourne is the “fashion capital” of Australia and I was looking forward to getting dressed for dinner. Sadly our friends said they were keen on relaxing and wearing their jeans! I think my dress is too much for work and will suit a limited number of places. No regrets I am happy with my pattern choice and it was a challenge to find the right style for the fabric.

The pattern is not complex but with any lined dress it does take some time I think it took two weekends. I made version C as shown in the line drawing obviously without buttons and I turned up the sleave to form a cuff. Although the pattern does not have lining I cut the dress pattern in lining fabric. On my manikin the fit is great across the chest. However on me I think the upper bodice may be a little long or wide for me with slight folds at times. This did not happen with the muslin but it was not the same weight of fabric. Over time I will think about this problem so next time I can prevent it happening. Any suggestions are welcome?

The fabric is a wool woven roll end that has lace over a check pattern in black and grey from Emma one sock. I liked the fabric for some time but was not sure what garment would suit the large lace pattern so I held of buying when it come on the roll ends I could not resist. One of my favourite parts of sewing is the planning stage, when I sift through my patterns and look at the internet patterns and imagine how the fabric would look in that style. When I brought this I thought I would make a skirt. Then I saw this dress from YSL and decided on a dress. I found the whole collection inspiring. As I could not find a pattern to match, I settled for the Simplicity 2550.

Cheers Lara