Boat print shirt

 

Here's my latest make, a long sleeved classic shirt in the boat print fabric I bought recently on holiday in Whitby. I used blue buttons from my button drawer as they matched well with the pale blue in the print.

The cotton poplin was lovely to work with.

I used this Prima shirt dress pattern from 2020 as the basis of my shirt, shortening to shirt length, changing the placket and cuff and adding pockets with flaps.

Dark Denim Stretch Pull on Jeans - Itch to Stitch Mountain View

 I decided I'd like some dark denim stretch jeans without contrast topstitching which could be a bit smarter.

This is the Itch to Stitch Mountain View Pull on jeans, altered slightly for fit. It needs a stretch woven with 20-30% stretch. My denim had plenty.

I generally omit the seam down the back leg (I've taped the pieces together).

When I was cutting out, I didn't cut the back pockets, instead I saved 2 chunks of fabric large enough for my embroidery hoop so I could have embroidered back pockets. This time I chose a sewing theme. I kept the stitching to shades of blue to keep it subtle.

I drew the outline of the pocket piece on the denim with a soap sliver, then hoop and stitch.

Remember to flip the pocket piece over as its not symmetrical!

After stitching I use this see through template I made from a damaged plastic folder and a sharpie pen.

As it is clear I can adjust until the motif is placed where I like it. In this case it was where I had marked it, so I didn't have any issues.

If you want to avoid the risk of puckering, interface the embroidery area for stability before stitching. I wanted to maintain as much stretch as possible so I didn't do this and seem to have got away with it.

Being plain dark denim I hope these will get plenty of wear in my wardrobe :-)

Navy lace top

 

By careful cutting I was able to get a navy lace top for me out of the stretch lace and fine jersey knit fabrics I used for my friend's dress.

I used my TNT knit top pattern - New Look 6735 - I cut the front back and sleeves in lace, using the finished edge of the lace as the hem. Then I cut the front and back again from the fine knit and used it to make a lining for the body section. I finished the lining with a rolled hem.

I omitted the neckband, instead cutting the neckline slightly higher, then stitched some narrow elastic into the seam once the lining and body were sewn together.

Navy lace dress

This is a fancy dress for my friend C to wear as a wedding guest or similar event.

I've used stretch lace for the outer bodice and sleeves and a thin jersey fabric for the inner bodice and two layers of skirt.

The neckline has narrow elastic stitched inside it. I've used the edge of the lace for the sleeve hem and a rolled hem on the skirt hems.

The pattern is Simplicity 9473, altered to fit C.

At the moment I've done a machine basting stitch between the bodice and skirt as we may have to alter the dress when C tries it on. To make it easier to unpick I used a royal blue bobbin thread in the basting

Palazzo Trousers for a friend

 

Just finished making these super wide leg trousers for my young friend C. I did a toile a while back in an old duvet cover, but only just got round to making this pair up.

C bought the fabric from Pound Fabrics. It's 100% polyester but pressed well, should keep the vibrant colours and be easy care.

This is based on the Simple Sew Palazzo Trousers, heavily altered. I've altered the fit for C, changed to an elasticated waistband and redrafted the pockets so they have a front scoop (like the picture) rather than inseam (as the pattern really is). About the only thing that's the same is the width of the legs!

The fabric has a visually strong vertical print, but didn't seem to be directional, so to get this placement the fronts are cut in opposite directions to get the mirror of the print. I've done something similar with the back. The waistband is cut from one of the floral strips. I think its worked out really well.

I needed 1 3/4 inch (4.5cm) elastic for this casing but only had 2" (5cm) in my elastic box. So I ran it through the overlocker to cut off 1/4" and it fits neatly.

Sparkling Stars Quilt - Aquamarine Block

 Yes I'm still working on the Sparkling Stars Quilt.

I've managed to finish one Aquamarine Block

And have components to do the others.

Here's  the link to the Aquamarine Blocks on The Sewing Place.

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Updated to add here they are completed

Sewing Purchases

I'm adding some photos of recent fabric purchases so you can enjoy them, but also so I can search for them later and find out when I bought them!

First up is one from a little while back (21st May). It's 1.5metres of cotton batik from Boyes in Arnold, Nottingham (fairly local to me). I'm planning to make a simple summer shirt from this and will probably use emerald green thread.

The next purchase was from the fabric and haby sections of the Singer Sewing Shop in Whitley Bay on 25th June 2024.

A tracing wheel, some machine oil, 5 spools of Chocolate brown Moon thread (from my upcoming Autumn collection!). Also 2 metres of polycotton with a strawberry print, for a travel shirt and 3 metres of navy blue polycotton to make some walking trousers (and maybe some shorts).

Then I managed to pop in Boyes when I was briefly in York on 29th June. There I picked up some more batik fabric. This time in a muted purple. It's the end of the roll, just over 1.3 metres with a yellow mark on it. I bought this to go with another fabric (which I didn't have with me), but I don't think it does really (sigh).

The last purchase was when I went to Boyes in Whitby on 1st July.

There I bought 2 metres of a fun cotton poplin printed with colourful sailing boats on a pink background. A matching spool of pink thread and a loop turner.

The fabric is for a summer/travel shirt.

Earlier I said I'd bought the purple batik to go with another fabric, well see what you think?

The peacock fabric came from Auntie Joy's stash, but I only have 1 metre of it, not enough for a shirt. So bought extra to augment it.

Here's the peacock fabric with other batik fabrics, but none seem quite right. Happily the top two go quite well together so if I need some little extra for the batik shirt I could use that.

That's all for now. I hope to be back with something new to show you soon!

Updated to add a few photos of the peacock fabric with plains.

Medium blues

Turquoises

More blues

Greens

Purples

This seems to work the best colour wise, but its a poly-cotton and the peacock print is cotton.

Thoughts?