Skirts, Skirts, Skirts

Hi everyone - I've made a total of three winter skirts this year - all out of baby wale corduroy.

You can find more details about all three skirts on my blog - here is the link:
http://sarahlizsewstyle.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/another-line-skirt-finished.html

Happy sewing everyone.

Sarah Liz

Some finished garments for my wardrobe

On the weekend I finished a jacket and a cardigan to go with a dress that I had sewn but not posted about. So 3 items to go into the sewing my own clothes wardrobe.

The wardrobe is growing.

Blog - On the road to sew wear

A fun dress

I've been doing a lot of sewing; but not much posting.  Hopefully, I can correct that here in the next couple of weeks.  One of the dresses I've completed is McCall 6743.  Its made from a neon green / black cotton printed with the words "PEACE",  that I found on the clearance table at Hancock:

McCall 6743

Happy Sewing . . . .

PULLING AN ALL NIGHTER

with the help of great friends I got my 2 outfits made for our mini getaway this past week we crammed so much into  3 days not sure I can tell it all lol! but more about that later  on the blog

Off the grid for a while...

Hi Ladies,

I have been tuning in to check out the great progress you all have been making.  I have been off of the grid for a while working on some major projects (and getting some sewing done, too). I have some exciting news coming soon!  I will be posting in the next few days....  I'm still cheering you on!!! 

More Kwik Sew 3422 for Mr. SDSC

Mr. SDSC was so pleased with his last shirt, that I thought I would make a couple more to practice techniques before I start playing around with the pattern and making it a better fit.  I used the same pattern, Kwik Sew 3422, and other than being more accurate with edge stitching a using a new foot for my Pfaff for the topstitching (boy that foot is spot on!), not much else changed. 

The first shirt is made from a gorgeous cotton with width-ways stripes, so I cut the pattern pieces out accordingly - I did not want horizontal stripes.  The thicker blue/grey stripe is woven like satin ribbon and has a different finish - it looks rather classy.

The second shirt is a plain 100% cotton - slightly thicker fabric (I have a feeling it may actually be quilting cotton) and will make a greater cooler weather shirt.

I am really enjoying making these shirts - there will be many more in the future!

Lots more details on my blog, and photos on Flickr - pop over and take a look!

DON'T WANTTA BUT I GOTTA ! LOL!

I've been trying to get my sewing room to have that aww kinda feeling for  ywo years now, yea that's a long time, I know lol! when hubby went to work yesterday morning at 5am I got up, made my coffee & headed for the sewing room & that's where I stayed till that evening around 5pm, no joke, I hammered, I hung, I tweaked, I took out, I put in, I ironed, I dusted, you name it I did it lol! whew!

but I gotta go in there & make me two capri outfits for our dolphin cruise we're going on this coming week & whatever else we can get into lol! if you'd like to see more of my sewing room, visit my raggedies blog 
http://nannasraggedys-n-prims.blogspot.com/2013/07/where-bloggers-create-2013sewing-room.html

Skirts made using patterns by Serendipity Studios

I've been so jazzed by all the posts here, I am still committed to buying no clothes and making them!

I ordered Fashion Formula Skirts Mini Books from Serendipity Studio and went on a sewing bender. Kay Whitt has a lot of great ideas in her books, especially for sewers who come from a quilting background. They do not contain pattern pieces. All cutting is made with measurements calculated, based on your hip size.

More info with pictures of other skirts on my blog... On The Mend.

Thank you for all your inspiration!

3rd BRIAR TOP & SELF DRAFTED MAXI SKIRT

I've been wanting to learn how to make a good fitting yoga band for months.  I'd tried it before, but with less than satisfiable results.  Well I tried it again yesterday, and this time it worked.  Only thing is, I might have made the band just a little bit snug, but it is completely wearable.

Here's a picture of the skirt with the 8 1/2" band fully extended up.  I like that I finally found out how to make the band curve inward in the side seams.

and a picture with the band rolled down as it will be worn.

The skirt has a lettuce hem treatment which I find completely suitable for a casual knit garment.  My plan was to wear it with my 3rd Briar top.

I'm not sure yet; I like the skirt, and I really like the top, but I'm not absolutely sure that I like the two together.  On the dressform it looks a bit matronly - and I sure don't want to emit that persona.  We'll see.  If it doesn't work I can always find another top for the skirt, and wear the Briar with something else.   These two pieces used up 3 1/2 yards of stashed fabric. 

SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE 4TH

whipped up a simple pull over dress for the fourth, I was pleased that I got the darts in the right place lol! and very pleased  with 15 lbs lighter it turned out bigger than I thought it would! I was working on what was suppose to be a simple jacket to match but after 4 hours I said forget it lol! I'm sure it will look better with a different belt , or no belt, we'll check inot that laterlol! I will make this pattern again & go down to the next size & possiably add  that tormenting "simple" jacket pattern lol!

 

 

Chartreuse Sorbetto Dress

Following on from the success of my Pointer Sisters Dress, I decided to make another, this time with sleeves, some embellishment and in a solid color.  I used a very lightweight crepe and a charcoal Bemberg lining.  I bound the neckline with some black cotton/lycra home made biased binding.  I did not insert a zipper as I was able to pull the dress on over my head without any issues (perhaps that is why I am having hair issues?!)

The pattern was very simple.  I used my Simplicity 7740 dress pattern and 'Sorbetto'd' it!  I sewed the black ric-rac down either side of front pleat (I copies this idea from someone - if it is you please let me know so that I can give you credit), holding it in place and added three buttons to the front.
Hmmmm.  I really do need to do a 're-shoot', re-organise my hair, and style this dress with a cute black cardi :)

More pics and information on my blog - so pop on over and take a look!

TEES TO GOWNS

 seen on Pinterest where you can take your husbands t-shirts & refurbish them into a gown for you, so I thought I'd give it a try with his old tees    

And I thought I'd be Jammin' by January ...

Hey, fellow blog members. I joined this blog early in January, thinking... hey, by April (when the Challenge actually started) I'd be so ahead.

Well, today's my first ever completed garment post here. You guys Rock!

http://tina-rathbone.blogspot.com/2013/07/summer-is-here-of-pedicures-and-summer.html

Hey, We all need Pajamas, non? :) Hugs, Tina in San Diego

PS: I edited this to actually link to my post ... (hangs head in shame) ... Hope the link works and the pix are visible. Thanks for your patience.

A Shirt for my Mister

My Mister is very supportive of my sewing (and knitting, and beading), he is a great enabler, very patient . . . . and deserving of a new shirt.  So I made him one.  Ta dah!!

This is my first shirt and I am really pleased with it.  I used Kwik Sew K3422, which was free when I bought a Craftsy Shirt-making Class.  I also referred to a You Tube video by Jacqueline Johnson - it was really helpful when it came to attaching the collar.  She demonstrated how to sew these in such a great way that my collar fitted and looked great on the first attempt.  I used the same technique also on the cuffs.  Perfect!

I did not make any changes to the pattern - I (traced and) cut out a large and sewed it without any alterations, including using the 1/4" seams.  I know that some people have found these small seams fiddly, but I found that (a) with my 1/4" quilting foot they were quick and easy to sew, and that (b) I had hardly any trimming.

I am really pleased with this shirt - as is my Mister!  There is room for improvement, but, in his words 'it looks like I bought it, and I'm saying that in a good way'.  Bless.  OK, I'll make you another!!



More details on my blog, on Pattern Review and lots of pics on Flickr!

My Second Briar Top

Somewhat of a tee shirt - I love this little top.  This time I used a slinky 4-way stretch knit remnant and made a few pattern adjustments:

• I decreased the center front circumference of the neckline 2" by tilting the 1" pass the foldline at the neck (did that make sense?)
• I raised the neckline 1" starting at the center front foldline and tapering into the original shoulder
• Added 3" to the cropped front length
• Decreased the back full length version 3"
• Decided to make this one with 3/4 length sleeves opposed to short because it's so cold at work

 

The 1 1/2yd remnant that was left over from this sleeveless vest that I made two summers ago.  It's Simplicity 2283.

 I never wore it because the royal blue was hard to match.  Now the vest has it's very own top - does this make it a twin set???

No clothes shopping!!!

This must be a first for me! I am on school holidays and in the past have always just loved popping out and picking up a few new clothes ready for the new school term. But now that I have Joined the Challenge: Sew My Own Wardrobe I have had to resist the call of the shops.
So instead, my first new top for next term at work is...

...the fairly popular KwikSew 3915 long sleeved top. The feature neck detail grabbed my attention, as did the higher back neckline - the winter winds are blowing here! Though it is difficult to see the neck feature with this print - see, I just can't see 'me' wearing this all-over!

Head over to my blog at made by J to read about my thoughts on this top. All good in the end, but the old quick-unpick did make a cutting appearance as I modified the pattern!

I have plans on making another one, as the fit is perfect on me with the higher neckline. It sits smoothly under a jacket and perfect for matching with a number of bottoms. 

Next up on my list is trying Vogue 8721 - for no other reason than I really like the look of View D!