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Thursday 23 May 2019

Summer Sage - Another knit top

The print on this fabric reminded me of African beadwork, very detailed and intricate patterns and 12 different colours. However the print is quite small so reads as fairly muted from a distance.
Unusually for stripes the print runs down the length of the fabric. However the stretch factor was similar in both directions so I was able to cut the neckband from the red stripe.
New Look 6735 is the pattern I used.
 With the rest of the collection
On the dummy with the cardigan and skirt.

I've now got 4 tops, 4 bottoms and a layer so may pause there. I need to do some mending, curtains and etc

Summer Sage - Sage faux suede skirt

Cut from the same fabric as the Nina cardigan, this faux suede skirt is based on the Simplicity 8175 view B, though with the front cut on the fold, pockets omitted and elastic waistband casing instead of the shaped waistband.
I also added a small tuck in the front each side, and 2 darts in the back each side.



And here are all the pieces so far (8 sewn).
All of these were sewn with the same colour thread in the overlocker, coverhem and sewing machine, however I did change the needle between the knits and wovens

I wouldn't wear the print skirt with the other print tops, but I do have a previously made ivory top which could work nicely.

Still planned (but not quite sure when/if they'll get sewn)
- another print top
- some darker sage wide legged Burda trousers
- a stripe cheesecloth blouse
- a bold leaf print tee (and dress)
 (and maybe more)

But even if I stop here I still have a very wearable little collection.

Wednesday 22 May 2019

Summer Sage - Mushroom trousers

New Look 6216 again , this time in a lovely stretch woven (bengaline) from the local roll end shop.
I added belt loops of a good size which works well with this purchased stretch belt with leather ends.
The mushroom colour is slightly lighter and slightly less green than the previous pair so these will be even more neutral and hopefully work with lots of other things in my wardrobe as well as the sage tops. They also work really well with another orphan jacket.

7 pieces done, and a plain skirt in progress. 
I have some darker woven trousers planned, plus some more tops so should be able to complete a good collection which co-ordinates well together.
Hopefully the summer will be a bit easier with some co-ordinated summer work clothing.

Summer Sage - Cardigan and Tunic

I had some Sage faux suede which matched the trousers, but is a little paler than the RTW jacket, so I've made it into a StyleArc Nina cardigan. It had been in the stash for some years.
I lengthened the upper body slightly to hit me in a better place. I've also pieced the sleeves.
I found the pieces for this viscose (rayon) tunic already cut out but stuffed into a zip lock. I recall cutting it from a 1990s skirt (many years ago) having decided it would be more useful as a top. The pattern wasn't with it but I think was from a wardrobe pattern, where it was the blouse. Once I pressed it, and got going it was quick to construct.
The neckline is just turned and stitched as are the sleeves. The hem has side splits.
The fabric print seems a little dated now, but the colours are great, and on a hot day going to work it would be good to have.

If you are still with me on the Summer Sage, you'll know that by this point I have
A RTW jacket
A print knit skirt
And a print knit top
Some trousers with turnups
A leaf print top
A cardigan
and a loose tunic blouse

I have a skirt and another pair of trousers in progress, plus more tops and 1 more pair of trousers planned still so will end up with more of a whole SWAP (presuming I can keep going with the colourway!)

Tuesday 21 May 2019

Summer Sage - Trousers and top

My Sagey Safari collection seems to be coming out a bit softer than Safari implies (to me at least), so its morphed into Summer Sage and seems to have a life of its own. It is going to have a lot more than the required 5 pieces in it, but should be nice for summer wear.

The sage trousers are made from a poly cotton fabric from the local roll end shop. It has zero stretch so have to see how comfortable these actually are in wear.
I've used the trousers from New Look 6126. I love the clever pocket on this pattern. I've added 5 belt loops as I like to wear these with a purchased belt.
And a top from New Look 6735 in a lovely leaf print. I've used this fabric before for a drop shoulder top. I wore it a lot last year and its looking a little tired now so good to have a new version.
Here they are outside in a more natural light.



Friday 17 May 2019

Voting for SWAP has started on SG

If you are a member of Stitchers Guild Reloaded you can vote in the SWAP via a personal message on the site.
The photos of the completed collections are in a special part of the Gallery here

Mudcat writes
Please take a look through each of the SWAP 2019 galleries located here:
http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php?action=gallery;cat=34

Submit three votes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place by sending a private message to the user account SWAP_Votes.  The account is shared by the admins so they'll be able to count the votes and inform us of the winner. 

To be eligible to vote you must be currently (as of the time of this post) registered on SG and have the ability to send a private message.

Voting can begin as of now and will end at midnight Arizona time (MST) on Sunday 26May.

For anyone not used to the messaging, the option is at the top of the screen. Choose 'My messages' and then 'New'
Put SWAP_Votes in the To box, whatever you wish in the Subject box
and then in the body of the message write your votes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

The votes are manually collated.

There are some amazing wardrobes so definitely worth a look.

Tuesday 14 May 2019

SWAKOP 2019 first outfit

I've sewn a simple skirt and top out of the print knit which co-ordinates with my RTW jacket.

This is for the safari side to go with my orphan purchased jacket.
Top from New Look 6735 and skirt adapted from Simplicity K8175 view C (with pockets and waistband omitted and elastic waist added).


 Jacket, top and skirt

 Top and skirt with purchased belt
 Top and skirt without belt
 Skirt on its own
Top on its own.

I have some of the fabric left over so could make a different style of top from that.

Friday 10 May 2019

SWAKOP 2019

Over on The Sewing Place, there is a wardrobe contest called SWAKOP - Sewing With A Kind of Plan which is a bit like SWAP but with a different time frame and rules.

This time its to create 2 smaller colour based collections linked by a bridge garment.
It is a fun way to get two colour schemes in. to the sewing plan.
I've started working on my first colour theme and its based around this lovely M&S jacket which is a bit of an orphan in my wardrobe. I'll call the colour 'sage' as its a grey green without much brown.
The fabric is a beautifully soft faux suede that feels absolutely lovely to the touch.

I've got some co-ordinating fabrics from the fabric cupboard and have started on a print jersey skirt and top (which could be worn together for a dress look) from this fabric. I love the brushstroke effects of the print, which means it works well with a variety of items in the sagey colour family even if it doesn't match perfectly.


Tuesday 7 May 2019

SWAP 2019 Photos

Link to the Gallery on SG with all 8 of the completed SWAP collections. They all look fab!



My original inspiration
All the garments together
Teal wool coat - Prima February 2015
Teal knit top - New Look 6735 top
Teal Burda trousers - Burda Style 02/2010 #135
Teal tweed cardigan jacket - New Look 6416 (modified)
Teal skirt - Simplicity 8175 (Modified)
Print cardigan - Kinder Cardigan from MiY Patterns
Print knit top - New Look 6735 top
Rose knit top - New Look 6735 top
Ink Blazer - Prima April 2010
Ink lace top - New Look 6735 top (modified)
Ink trousers - New Look 6216 Trousers
And on a rail

The Print items
Ink Suit

Ink Lace Top
Rose Top
Teal Coat
Teal trousers
Teal Skirt
Tweedy jacket
Teal Knit Top