Mint Green Wallpaper Blouse

Posted on 5 May 2016 by Jan

Since realising that I didn’t have much me-made clothing I could wear on a regular basis, I had been feeling inspired to complete a UFO (unfinished object) that’s been hanging around for a while. This would also give me another blouse to wear during May at work.

There isn’t too much to say about this project, as it’s the fourth time I’ve made this pattern. I’m really pleased with the fabric choice on this one though. It’s not a colour I’d usually choose, and although I thought the fabric pattern looked a little like flock wallpaper, I think it looks really striking made up as blouse.

I feel like I’m getting better at imagining fabric and patterns together, and my awareness of clothes around me is growing. In the same way that playing music has improved my ear for listening to music, I think sewing is developing an interest in fashion that I haven’t had before. I love flicking through blogs to see what other people are making, and browsing the web for inspiration for my future makes.

Once I figure it out, I’ll add a favourite blogs page to my site, so you can enjoy them too.

Pink Paisley-ish Gypsy Top/Dress

Posted on 11 October 2015 by Jan

Last month I took advantage of being between contracts to catch up on all of my sewing blog posts. If you’re a subscriber, apologies for the number of emails you received. Now that I’m up to date, and I’ve started a new contract, I’ll be posting much less frequently.

I also used last month’s free time to clear out my wardrobe and make a plan for what I really need. I’ve been sewing haphazardly until now, which led to the Walkaway Dress I’m not sure I’ll ever get a chance to wear. With this plan, I’m hoping that I’ll meet my goal of wearing 100% me-mades during May 2016 (excluding underwear), as well as reducing my fabric stash.

IMG_7013a My first planned item was Burda Young 6950 (view A), using a pink paisley-ish fabric from my stash. I need more tops that I can wear when I go out, but that feel comfortable. I found the gypsy tops that I made recently were flattering, so this seemed like a good option. I made the longer version for more coverage, and this length will probably work well for me as a dress too.

I decided to take things more slowly than usual, to try to improve the quality of my end garment and avoid silly mistakes. I still managed to sew the top portion to the bottom inside out (I’m getting pretty good at unpicking), but other than that, it came together nicely and I’m really pleased with the results.

I’d be happy to wear this top/dress with jeans or leggings, and perhaps even as a dress with tights, as I kept it nice and long. I should get plenty of wear out of it. I think I’ll be considering this as another TNT pattern, although this is the only one I’ve made and I probably won’t make another for a while. I think I have enough gypsy-style tops for now.

One thing that I’ve started doing while sewing, is listening to podcasts. I find that it helps me to keep my sewing speed down; if I go to fast I can’t hear the podcast. This is especially helpful when I’m getting near the end of the project and I get the urge to rush to finish it. At the moment, I’m working my way through ‘Happier with Gretchen Rubin’ on iTunes, which I would definitely recommend.

My next two projects will probably be PJ bottoms, to replace some that have worn out, even though the tops are still in good condition. I’m not sure when I’ll get time for this though, now I’m back at work. I’ll just keep trying to fit it in where I can.

Two More Gypsy Tops

Posted on 22 August 2015 by Jan

After my success with my Green Paisley Gypsy Top, I decided to make two more using the Butterick B4684 pattern. Again, I used view A, with the elastic under the bust as in view D, and finding the position of the elastic was a doddle with my method of turning it inside out and drawing on it. Perfect!

B&W Gypsy Top For the Black and White Gypsy Top, I used some fabric from B&M Fabrics on Leeds Kirkgate market. I think this is where much of my stash fabric has come from, but now I’ve signed up to their Facebook page I can also see when they get new fabric in. There is a great selection in the market and in their new shop on the outside of the market building. They are really friendly and very happy to help. I managed to avoid my problems last time hemming around a curve by using some biased binding along the bottom edge. It was much easier and gave a much better finish.

I tried to make this in one day, but I ran out of black lace and had to order more from Minerva Crafts. It arrived quickly though, so I was able to finish it within the week.

Purple Gypsy Top The Purple Gingham Gypsy Top was made to wear instead of my several RTW plaid shirts when playing with my band ‘The Skiffle Skunks’. It has a nice country feel and is comfortable to wear while playing and singing. I didn’t have any appropriate biased binding to use, so I did a scrappy hem on the bottom edge. It looks okay from the outside, but I know there is a mess inside. Next time I make this top, I might use it as a good reason to try making my own biased binding for the first time.

I think that there will be more of these TNT patterns in my future, especially for gigging in.

Green Paisley Gypsy Top

Posted on 5 August 2015 by Jan

Green Gypsy Top Years ago I had a pink paisley gypsy top that I wore until it fell apart. I’ve always wanted another, but I haven’t been able to find one. Now I’m sewing again this seemed like a great idea for a project.

The Butterick B4684 pattern view A, with the elastic under the bust that is in view D, looked like a good place to start. The fabric that I decided to use for the wearable toile is a green paisley pattern from my stash.

I found it a nice relaxing project and loved adding the lace to the neck line using my overlocker. It made it really simple to get a neat finish on the inside. The only problems I had were trying to do a curved hem at the bottom edges and getting the placement of the under bust elastic right. I had to unpick the original channel that I’d sewn in. It took a long time to find the stitches to unpick among the overlock stitch I’d used on the edge of the fabric making up the channel, without damaging the top. I found that the best way to find the correct placement for the new channel, was to put the top on inside out and draw a line with tailor’s chalk where I wanted the elastic to fall. I added a slight upward curve in the centre front to ensure I didn’t have too much bagging in the centre. It worked a treat.

I was really pleased with the finished item and it was definitely wearable. I think I’m well on my way to another TNT pattern.

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