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... 

Not a home-made dress

It was my son's seventh birthday today, and after a sunny birthday party in the park we headed off to our favourite curry house, Akbar's, for a celebratory dinner.

I decided to wear this dress, which I picked up a while ago in a Next sale for 25 quid.

Pockets!

I wasn't too sure about it to start with because it was quite tight around the hips and the pattern is a bit "Sofa". I have to do a kind of Victorian lady demure curtsey when I bend down but it doesn't seem quite as tight as it was at first. Maybe my jogs around the park are paying off.

This dress has Princess seams in the bodice which give it a really nice shape. The skirt has 2 darts on either side but they aren't pointed darts, they kind of turn into a pleat. This gives a little bit of a tulip shape but not very exaggerated. And it's got pockets! I have teamed it with Kate Middleton tribute nude wedges from Matalan. I think they were a tenner. I'm so high maintenance!

The curry was awesome but we left to an Indian monsoon-style downpour and everyone got drenched in the 10 feet from the curry house to the car. Wish I'd worn wellies instead of wedges!

So, although this dress is a little snug, I really like the shape and I think I may try to make something similar when I break my sewing machine ban (19th August is my essay deadline, I think, and then I am going to SEW SEW SEW). I think I've got a Burda magazine pattern or two with Princess seams. I shall have to have a rummage and maybe attempt another Frankenpattern.

Here's one I made earlier... Amy Butler Yoga Bag

As I have sworn off the sewing machine until I've finished my assignment (sigh), here's one I made earlier. This is an Amy Butler "Nigella" yoga bag, which is a free download.

Sorry about the photo quality, both my helper monkeys have gone to bed early. I'll try and add a better quality pic soon.

Sadly I couldn't stretch the finances to Amy Butler fabric, so this is Ikea fabric from the Bargain Bin - £3 for a couple of metres. I've lined it with some striped pink and cream fabric that has been in my stash for about 15 years. That was another bargain purchase from C&H Fabrics in Brighton. Goodness knows what I thought I was going to do with it at the time, but it just goes to show that hoarding pays off!

So this bag gets weekly use at my Pilates class. It was pretty easy to make too, although I was a bit scared about the circle at the base.That went on really easily though and this was one of the first things I made with the Phantom Foot Pedal. There's a pocket at the bottom for stuffing car keys in. I'm tempted to make a matching water bottle carrier, but I haven't got round to it yet.

I like the really wide strap, which is super comfy to carry. I think the yoga mat poking out is a deliberate part of the design, but if you were OCD you could make the bag a bit longer and insert a drawstring.

Grown-up helper monkey has taken this picture. He seemed more interested in photographing my bum than the bag.

So, I recommend the pattern. I'm also very tempted by the Amy Butler Weekender Bag pattern, which isn't free, but looks like a really useful bag. And of course, lovely in her fabric.

I'm back!

Well what a smashing holiday, down in Croyde Bay. I'd like to say I have come back all relaxed but I am in a state of sheer terror about how behind I am on my Masters homework. Hmm, that sounds like I am some sort of weird homework servant. I'm studying for an MSc by distance learning, which means snatching time on the computer of an evening once the Boy is in bed and the sandwiches are made for tomorrow's packed lunch. At the moment I feel at the end of my tether with it, but I'm hoping to get my mojo back as this is my last module before the (whisper it) dissertation. 

Anyhoodle, back to the hols. I did pack my broderie anglais dress, maxi skirt and hummingbird top as planned. I wore the dress quite a few times down to t'pub and it's become a summer wardrobe staple and something that I don't feel looks too homemade. I didn't wear the maxi skirt because I lived in shorts for the week. I love how holidays make you do stuff you wouldn't normally dream of! I NEVER wear shorts due to legs that are almost permanently blue and decorated with car accident scars. But, you know I'm 40 in a couple of months and I just don't care any more. Might as well get the legs out until the varicose veins kick in.

The hummingbird top is being relegated to the seam-ripping pile because the straps are crap. I wish I had just made a normal vest top rather than one with separate strap inserts. Still, I've got plenty of material left so I may just fashion something else out of it.

The other big winner of the holiday wardrobe was a cheap stripey vesty dress from H&M. A real chuck-it-on over a swimsuit number, but it was really useful. I wasn't at all sure about the elasticated waist at first, but it was okay.  I may have a go at something similar using some of the left over blue jersey from the maxi skirt, but I might do it like a long vest with a tie belt. Or something. 

Anyway, I need to unplug the sewing needles for a week or two while I knuckle down to the homework. Still, I have a few "here's one I made earlier" projects to feature, so I will try to post those while the sewing machine is idle. There are some corkers. In fact, after being sent upstairs to get dressed this morning, the Boy appeared wearing something I made for him a few months ago. 25 degrees out there and he chooses a leopardskin fake fur jacket!

Holidays!

Right, I'm off on my hols for a week and I am proud to be taking 3 handmade items with me: the broderie anglais dress, the Burda vest top and the maxi skirt (although the waistband on this gets a bit baggy after I've been wearing it for a few hours so I might have to add some elastic).
I'm really looking forward to wearing stuff that I've made myself and I'm going to have a think about what items I will need for my holiday wardrobe next year.
In fact, my plan is to have a major wardrobe clear-out in the next couple of months. Like every other woman in the country I wear 10% of my wardrobe 90% of the time. Unlike most other women, I have a disturbing collection of stripy socks that are unbecoming of a 39.75 year old. I've got some really nice stuff that I never wear because my wardrobe is crammed full of crap.
But that will have to wait for another day because right now I need to fake tan my blue legs so I don't startle the locals.
Bon vacances!