My first muslin

Okay - so this is just a muslin, a rough version made from not-so-nice fabric to determine whether the pattern is flattering enough to cut up nice fabric for.
 

The pattern is a (60s or 70s?) vintage blouse with bell-bottom sleeves. When I bought it, as part of a bundle of vintage patterns on ebay, I thought it was similar to Tilly's Matilde Blouse.

I'd been umming and ahhing about the Matilde for ages - there have been many beautiful versions made (my favourite is sew amy sew's version in peanut-butter voile).  What's put me off is that the pattern is only available as a PDF currently, although Tilly has mentioned on her blog that she has plans for printed patterns in the future.

My muslin is made from a pale old blue poly-cotton sheet that had worn far too thin to serve its proper function any more.

The blouse has a zip rather than buttons, which I actually rather love.  It gives it a lovely vintage feel.

I think the blouse suits being tucked in more than loose.

The sleeves are rather funky, but I'm unsure about the blouse itself.  I think it needs more room (is that called ease?): maybe an inch or two on either side seam.

But I can't decide whether to turn my muslin into a finished outfit in a nice printed cotton, or wait and see if the Matilde blouse comes out in a printed format later in the year.   What would you do?

Stylish Dress Book Vol 2 - Dress D

...or the table cloth dress, as I like to think of it!

I rather enjoy making things to wear from old curtains or table cloths, as I have here - it appeals to my sense of frugality.  I've made this dress pattern once before; the blog post about it is here.

As the fabic is a nice thick cotton gingham, it is easy to wear and to wash.  It was also easy to make - the pattern is simple with only five pattern pieces, and the instructions are straightforward.

The roomy pockets are my favourite bit: big enough for my iPhone, and for packets of sweets confiscated from naughty children (I have real-world experience to back that one up!).  The neckline is flattering (I think so, anyway) and is big enough to go over my head without a zip.

Now, a lot of bloggers have been documenting their plans for 2014; here are mine... I don't have any! Sewing is my hobby and my joy.  I am going to go with the flow, make things, and have fun.  I'm not going to worry about specific fabrics or patterns, just enjoy myself.

Having said that, there are a few things I have to make: the boys need new trousers, but after several failed shopping trips I can find nothing that will fit both their waists and their heights!  Oddly the fact that I need to make these, makes me reluctant to start: I am a contrary mary.

Happy New Year!

Wow, had a lovely Christmas and New Year!  Don't mean to sound suprised that it was so enjoyable, but it was the first festive period for many a long year without a bout of Noro virus laying the whole family low. Hooray!

We relaxed, saw friends, went to family parties, and ate loads and loads; but I did find time to do some sewing too.

Finally, I feel brave enough to show you my disastrous green dress.  It is probably the worst work I have done since I started sewing! But I am determined to avoid having any UFOs so I ploughed on and on until it was wearable.

The fabric is a green velvet stretch knit.  If you remember, the seams popped everywhere, and the fabric slipped all over the place as I stitched. Thank you to everyone that offered me advice, either here or on twitter, when I was close to quitting - it was really appreciated.  I now have a walking foot and special "stretch" needles.  I've also finally understood what the stretch stitches are for on my machine.

Because of the stretch the dress is rather big on me.  But great for christmas gluttony as no tight waistlines.  I've worn it twice over Christmas with pride. And... it survived the wash!

Would I sew with velvet again?  Yes, but not for a while.  I am still very much a beginner, and I think I need a few more skills under my belt before I attempt something this difficult again.  But for now I can relax: it's made, it's been worn, and the disasters along the way have not destroyed my love of sewing.

Happy New Year!

Immy's Christmas Dress

Notice I'm still not posting about the green velvet dress! Yes, I'm putting it off, it's still too painful.

So, instead - a refashion. Take one pillowcase and one vintage nightie pattern and what do you get...  Imogen's Christmas dress!

I loved making this.  A whole dress squeezed out of just one pillowcase.  It has raglan sleeves, and a gathered neckline finished with a self fabric band.  It's super cute.

Even though the pattern is actually for a nightdress, I'm so pleased with it that she can wear it out too.  I may make it again in a soft flannel, so that she actually gets a nightie too!
 

The back has a simple button closure, so it is easy on and off - necessary with a wriggly toddler.

At the hem, I added a length of lace just to make it a little more seasonal. 

Well, I think she is all ready to party now.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Happy Homemade, Sew Chic Kids: Parka

This is a make from Happy Homemade, Sew Chic Kids by Ruriko Yamada.

What a book. I LOVE it.  I have two boys and a little girl and I can say hand on heart I want to make every single design; but, I had to start somewhere, so I started with pattern S, "Pull-over Parka".

It is so easy; really, really easy - only six instructions to follow.  I would recommend it as a pattern for beginners, as it gives you a great result with minimal effort. It is my quickest make to date.

I made age four for my four year old and it's a little roomy, but he will grow into it.

I've made it  from fleece, it is so cosy and warm.  I now need to make one for my big boy too!

He loves it too,  which is rather gratifying.  Well done Laurie on your modelling, very keen to be in Mummy's blog!

PS.  A thank you everyone for your advice on sewing up my velvet dress.  It was so appreciated.   I have finally finished it before it finished me!    Just need to photo it now. 

Will I be beaten?

This project could be my undoing.  I brought some green crushed velvert from Fabricland in Brighton.  Or as my children refer to it "Happyland"!  I had the intention of whipping up something elegant to wear over the festive period.

I spent some fun time on pininterest looking for inspiration.  My board can be found here. .http://www.pinterest.com/louise0451/party-dress/

This was one of my favourites.

In the end I decided on a mini-length dirndle style dress with short sleeves. I have Wendy Mullins book Built by Wendy - Dresses  which allows you to use her basic patterns to design your own clothes.  Sorted. Or so I thought.

I cut out my pattern pieces, started to pin my pieces together and then ...PANIC... it suddenly struck me, I had no idea how to sew with stretch fabric.

Easily fixed - I can practise on the scraps left after cutting out.  But I can't do it!  The tensions all wrong, the seams won't hold.  I tried again the next day, hoping it was just because I was too tired.  Same again.  I've tried using a walking foot to stop the fabric moving around, but I still couldn't get the tension right.  Anyway, this is the first thing I've tried to sew since I took up this hobby that I haven't enjoyed.  I'm feeling beaten. Bah.

Not sure what to do now.  Give up? Keep going?  Buy a party dress for Xmas?  Do same pattern with non- stretch fabric?  Or I may sew something else, then come back to it.  I need a sewing "high"!

My 1960s dress

This project is my first foray onto the world of vintage patterns.  And I loved it!  Just holding the pattern pieces and picture card made me feel like the curator of a museum.

 

Economy Design No 233.  I'd never heard of this company before.  It must have been a mail order company, as the design came in a brown return envelope rather than a normal pattern sheath.  All the pieces were there, though sadly no instructions.  So I winged it, and made it up as I went along.

Rather elegant!  I even wore my heels for the photos!  Though I changed to boots for the rest of the day and felt that acually it looked okay dressed down too.

I added braid to accentute the 60s neckline and because it toned well with the purple.  The fabric is just a simple and very cheap cotton drill.  I didn't want to waste money on it, in case I fluffed the dress without instructions.

Heaven knows if I've done it right.  Sewing the yoke on was a leap of faith. So I just matched up the notches and hoped for the best.

 Maybe I should top stitch either side of this seam to make it stand out some more.

This was my first attempt at a zip!  It's not great but it's in and works.  Got to start somewhere.  Looking at the photo I'm going to add a hook and eye to the top.

So that's my first go at vintage. and it won't be my last.  It was fun.  I wore the dress out last week and found it made me walk tall.  Which is fabulous when you're 5ft nothing!