Teal linen skirt to top re-fashion

 Old skirt

I made this teal linen skirt using OOP Butterick 3972 in 2018. I didn't wear it much and now its too small, so I decided to re-fashion it into a top using the Remy Raglan Pattern.

To new top

I unpicked the side seams of the skirt, and then cut the from and back of the Remy Raglan out of the lower portion of the skirt, reusing the original hem.

I then took the 3/4 length sleeve, shortened it a little and split it along the grainline to make a front sleeve ad back sleeve. I cut the width straight from the underarm to create a loose sleeve. I then cut these pieces out of the remaining section of sleeve.

I sewed the sleeve pieces together and constructed the top. I pieced the bias neck facing from the scraps, sewed it on, unstitched, pressed and stitched and hemmed the sleeves.

I also topstitched as many seams as I could to echo the original topstitching.

I'll wear it to see if I need to slim the sleeves. But I can imagine wearing this top a lot more than I did the skirt.

Green batik shirt

 

This is my latest make, another batik shirt this time with full length sleeves and narrow cuffs. I put the top button on, although I never button up that far.

I bought the fabric in May from Boyes in Arnold, Nottingham. It was the end of the bolt so I was only able to get 1.5 metres of fabric. Lots of single layer cutting, with the odd piece on the cross grain.

I stitched with green thread and added small pink/purple buttons.

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

This one is a lot of fun!

My Emerald accents have come along nicely

Purple and Pink Batik shirt

 

Here's my latest project a purple batik shirt.

I tried to balance the amount of pink showing on the shirt by putting the pink pocket on the less pink side of the blouse.

Although I've made this pattern multiple times before I did have a few issues along the way.

Firstly I had neatly sewed up the collar band, to discover I had not sandwiched the collar in between and so had to unpick it, insert the collar and resew. The stitching was teeny tiny and unpicking took ages.

Then I realised I'd cut the standard cuffs but only (barely) 3/4 length sleeves (due to fabric limitations), and they were going to be too tight if I put them on as is. Fortunately I'd put the scraps in with my quilting stuff, so fished them out and managed to cut two rectangles to extend the cuffs. I've installed them with one seam lined up with the sleeve seam and the other at the back of the sleeve (where a placket might be). Opposite on each sleeve. No one will ever notice of course but I was pleased with my little fix.

The final  annoying bit was just setting in the sleeves as the batik has no give whatsoever, so a lot of adjusting the easing stitch and making little snips to get them in. 

Happily I had suitable buttons in the drawer, though being 4 hole buttons they were quite fiddly to sew on

I used the same pattern as I did for the boat shirt, but as I only had just over 1.3 metres I was only able to get 3/4 sleeves with bands (not long sleeves with cuffs). Even getting this involved a lot of single layer cutting.

I bought the fabric in Boyes in York on 29th June, so another one not in the stash for too long. It had 2 yellow marks on it but I was able to have one on the back of a pocket flap and the other disappearing into the back hem.

This wasn't quite what I intended when I bought this fabric, but I am really pleased with the outcome.

Fabric Purchases

 My lovely sewing friend has been in our area for a few days and yesterday (31 July 2024) we went to 

My Fabric Place

Left - 1.5 metres of pink stretch lace with a paisley design - for a top (can't find on website)

Centre - 2 metres of teal blue viscose floral print - for a blouse - link here 

Right - 2 metres of navy viscose floral - for summer trousers (can't find on website)

Also some lightweight interfacing (no photo)

It'll be interesting to see how long these marinade for before appearing back here as clothing!

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.

---------------

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?