Back in the blogosphere with holiday shorts

Well, I am back from a week in lovely Marbella. I managed to pack a few home made items but I drew an epic fail on completing my Burda shorts (02/2013). I was sewing to a deadline but then my son piped up that he would like a pair of shorts too, and by the time I'd rustled him up a pair I ran out of time to finish mine. Particularly as I made a load of balls-ups along the way. I'm not saying that I saw it coming, but I invested in a seam ripper before I embarked on this project... and I needed it. Several times. Bloody zip. Bloody Burda instructions.

This is what they are supposed to look like. Chic, no? They actually seem a lot more flared than in the picture, which is partly why I struggled with hemming them. Couldn't get the length right.





I made them (am making them) in the navy gaberchino from Minerva crafts. Not as shiny as it looks in the picture and a nice drape. I would definitely use it again.
I only bought a metre as I was only planning to make my shorts, but by using a different material (some left over Ponte) for the pocket linings and for the reverse of the waistband, I was able to squeeze out my shorts AND my son's from the metre. Thrifty.






This is my shorts as they currently are:

They have an "integrated yoke with pocket", for which the Burda instructions are nigh-on incomprehensible. I eventually managed to work it out with a lot of googling and the result is rather pleasing. I will save the full reveal for when/if I finish them. I also broke the iron which rather hampered the hemming process.

My son's shorts were also a Burda pattern (05/2010 - for Bermuda shorts and also trousers). This time I downloaded it and printed it out. I made a bit of shambles of the fake fly because I just winged it. And they look a bit like school shorts, but the boy wore them a lot on hols. I just need to pink the hems because they are already fraying a bit.

The BIG error I made on both pairs was that I didn't add the seam allowance to the waistband. Burda's instructions say that you need a rectangle "x by y" for the waistband, so that is what I cut out. It doesn't say you need a rectangle "x by y plus seam allowances". For my shorts, this meant I ended up having to line the waistband with a different fabric, otherwise I would have ended up with piping rather than a waistband.

So I should get my shorts finished in time for the autumn. They will have to become city shorts to wear with tights. Still, I have learned a lot about integrated yoke pockets, invisible zips and Burda instructions.

Drunken fabric ordering

Ok, so I wasn't drunk, I'd had a bottle of beer and I was bored of doing my essay. I thought I'd just take a little browse round Minerva Crafts... and 30 quid later I'd ordered myself some samples and some fabric. Hmmm. Bad girl.

Samples:

1) Muted Multicoloured Print Stretch Jersey Clearance Dress Fabric. I'm thinking maybe maxi dress, if it won't stretch out of shape too much.










2) Aqua Summer Floral Print 100% Cotton Lawn Designer Dress Fabric. This looks a bit like a Boden fabric to me. I have a little top in something similar. I'm not sure if I need another one...

3) Black Brown Tweed Double Jersey Dress Fabric.
I have a long-sleeved Burda dress in mind for this, for an Autumn outfit. 

4) Black/Green/Brown Stretch Cotton Canvas Designer Dress Fabric.
I think this one looks promising as it should have some structure and some stretch. Got to be a shift dress. It's fairly expensive, so I will have to test-drive a pattern before committing.

Lengths of fabrics purchased:

1) Plain Dark Red Viscose Jersey.
This was an impulse buy as it was too cheap to bother with a sample. Possibly might end up as a Cynthia Rowley dress.








2) Navy Gaberchino Poly/Cotton Dress Fabric
I love the sound of "gaberchino" - it's lighter than gaberdine. I had a sudden urge to make some shorts, hopefully in time for my holiday at the end of the month. I'm really hoping this isn't as shiny as it looks in the picture!

3) Plum Morgan Crepe Jersey.
This is supposed to be a good quality jersey. Again, it might end up as a Cynthia Rowley number.










So, I am now feeling very guilty about my purchases, particularly as I still have plenty in my stash that I haven't sewn up yet. But I've got the makings of 2 dresses and a pair of shorts, plus some potential fabric choices for the autumn. Going to be busy...

Sewing pattern audit - old and new

I may have sworn off the actual sewing for a while (17 days to go...) but I have been cheating a leeeeetle bit. I've been tracing some vintage patterns and having a little audit of my tiny sewing pattern collection.

here goes:

New Look 6070. Haven't made this yet. Not top of the list, but could be nice NOT made out of pink leopardprint...

New Look 6144. Haven't made this either. I like the neckline detail and the different options.

New Look 6123. Nope, haven't made this either but this is towards the top of the list. This was free with Sew Easy. I will not be doing the frills. I've spotted some great versions online, so when I am ready to sew this I

Simplicity 2444. Beloved of sewing Bloggers world-wide. I have made this. Like it but not a big fan of the big skirt. I think I'm more of a shift dress kind of girl.

Simplicity 1913. This was another freebie. Looks a bit fuddy duddy. Maybe it's the model's big hair. But it has Princess seams, which I quite like. I will have a look at what other people have created from the pattern for inspiration.

Simplicity 1796. This was actually my very first attempt at dressmaking and it was a disaster. I chose some hideous fabric and attempted the wrap dress version. In the seam-ripper pile. I was going to ditch the pattern but.... I have a feeling that with the right fabric that wrap dress might be quite useful. We shall see.

Simplicity 2281. I definitely want to have a go at this one. The red version is calling me and I like the long-sleeved grey version too. This calls for a lovely drapey fabric. On the project list for the autumn. Maybe a birthday present to myself!

Simplicity 4254. This is a lovely pattern cover. I made the version in blue with the pencil skirt out of a peacock fabric. I haven't posted pictures yet as it has gone back into the pile for some alterations. However, I will post it as it is to show the alterations I want to carry out.

Simplicity 5960. I picked this up in a charity shop. Cute Sixties tunic. I have some quite similar Boden dresses that are really versatile with leggings. I've traced this pattern as it is quite old. Maybe one to make in a super-soft corduroy or chambray.

Simplicity 5850. I love the maxi dress. It reminds me of a picture of my mum from the late 60s/early 70s. I would love to find some crazy psychedelic fabric and make this. Not sure I'm brave enough though! I have traced this pattern.

Simplicity 9651. And finally! Another charity shop find. One day I will make my son that jaunty chequered jacket, with co-ordinating slacks and waistcoat...