Blue Cardigan

 

This is the Harper Cardigan from Sinclair Patterns.

I made the classic length with pockets. As my Ponte knit fabric  did not have the required 50% stretch the pattern asks for, I added approx 1/2" to the sides of the front, back and sleeves and the hem band.

I was careful to only take the 1/4" seam allowance the pattern uses.

Navy 'denim look' joggers

 These are joggers made with denim look jersey fabric from Pound Fabrics

As it is actually a knitted fabric, and very soft I decided to make something that was more jogger and less jean.

The main pattern used is the Monsal Lounge Pant pattern from the Wendy Ward Book "A Beginner's Guide to Sewing with Knitted Fabrics".

Altered to have the lower leg width and pocket opening from the Itch to Stitch Mountain View Jeans

I like the idea of the fabric, but I'll see how the joggers wash and wear before I buy any more.

Navy and Pink V neck tops

 

This is adapted from the knit top in New Look 6351. Its navy blue ponte

Same pattern but in a pink athletic knit. Have to see what its like to wear.

Same as the burgundy version which has seen a lot of wear. I prefer the burgundy as it is sewn in a sweater knit.

This is the knit top from 6351. I raised the back neckline, took a thin wedge out of the upper back, down to nothing at the hip. On the front I graded from an 18 at the shoulders out to a 22 lower down to reflect my body shape. I added 5 inches to the sleeve to make it wrist length and also did a full bicep adjustment.

I shortened the neckband to match with the changes to the back neck.

Classic denim dress from a blouse pattern

I had a great time making this project. It's a denim dress made from a dark denim with no stretch. It had languished in my stash because I prefer stretch jeans.

I used Butterick Misses' Shirt 5665 I extended the tunic length of the pattern by 16 inches (40cm) to get a midi length dress (flaring out slightly). I also added more buttons/buttonholes, a tie belt and patch pockets with buttoned flaps.

I had a lot of fun with this project. I got out my backup machine and threaded it up with some contrast thread for the topstitching and in my button stash I had 6 cards of 3 (18 buttons) which were perfect for the project. 2 for the pockets, 2 for the cuffs, 13 down the front and a spare sewn to the seam allowance. As they are shank buttons I had a lovely evening sewing them on by hand whilst watching TV.

Navy Pieces

 Here's another co-ord set!  This time in a textured cotton modal fabric in dark navy

The blouse is Simplicity 9200 View C, without the frill. I found 6 buttons in my stash with navy translucent centres and silver surrounds which work really well and lift the darkness of the navy a little 

For the culottes and shorts I again used the trousers from NewLook 6438, though altered for my crotch curve, and elastic waistband and slash pockets. The pockets on the shorts are slightly smaller due to fabric limitations.

These plain coloured pieces will mostly be worn with existing printed garments with navy content to extend wardrobe options, with the shirt also being able to be worn as a light layering piece.

Tips on working with the fabric.

I overlocked the cut edges and washed the fabric on my normal cycle, and draped it over a rack indoors to dry. I found the edges crinkled more than the centre of the yardage so I did lightly press the whole yardage (I had 4 metres). 

I used a lightweight interfacing in the collar and front band.

I was gentle in my handling, and only pressed where needed. I guess I'll find out how much ironing the pieces will need after they've all been worn and washed.

Co-ord sets

I remember back in the early SWAP (Sewing With A Plan) they advised sewing a matching skirt and top from a print fabric as a core to the 11 piece collection. Now many years later there's something called a co-ord which is a matching top and bottom from the same fabric!

I got a lot of wear from the Blue Culottes and Blouse Co-ord Set I made in June, particularly when it was hot. So I decided to have a go at making some more. The best thing about a co-ord is that it's like a dress, wear the two pieces together and you have an instant outfit! But even better you can (theoretically) split the items and wear them separately.

 

In both sets I used the same patterns.

The blouses use the body and collar of Simplicity 9200 View C, and then a sleeve adapted from NewLook 6669 with a self drafted band.

This was in order to use the fabric in the most economical way.

For the culottes I again used the trousers from NewLook 6438, though altered for my crotch curve, and elastic waistband and slash pockets. The pink floral are self fabric, though a modified pocket shape to suit the fabric scraps.

I had slightly less of the navy print, so the waistband and pockets are from scraps of a plain navy viscose I'd kept for such a scenario.

Once completed I noticed that the puffed sleeves pulled on the shoulder seams causing the sleeves to fall off the shoulder - not a good look. However viscose can shrink unpredictably, so I've added stitched tucks - 1 in each shoulder for the navy, and 2 in each shoulder for the pink. If the fabric shrinks widthways I may remove these later. If not the tucks are a nice detail.

Really neither of these co-ord sets would make a good base for a SWAP for me. 

The navy and white is only 2 colours, so doesn't meet the SWAP guidelines of  2 neutrals and a colour, but will be easy to mix and match with plain navy, plain white or any bright colour. 

The pink print was a charity shop purchase. A dark grey background with ochre, white and 3 shades of pink. I could wear the culottes with a plain white top and the blouse with some grey linen pinstripe trousers, but that's about it. I'll have to see if I have any suitable plain pinks......

Palazzo Trousers New look 6438 - version 2

I've revisited the Palazzo trousers. I kept all the alterations but chose a dark navy viscose fabric. I did add larger side pockets as the first pair felt a bit mean.

Here they are flat on the floor, shows the shape of the leg really well

Here they are on a hanger which shows the drape of the fabric.

I am much happier with this pair and plan to make some more for the summer in some of the viscose fabrics I have.

Skirt Suit for a Friend

 I've done some more sewing for my friend C. She really likes blue.

This blue tee is based on Simplicity 8376. I've added an FBA, shortened the body and scooped the front neck slightly. I also slightly lengthened the sleeves and then added a hem band, so the sleeves are now nearer to elbow length.

This blue jacket is based on the jacket in Simplicity 9473 with an FBA and the hems straightened out.

Then I took the skirt panels from the S9473 dress, added a little at the waist and put on an elasticated waistband.

The three pieces can be worn together as a skirt suit.

When C came to try the clothes on, only the skirt fitted as is. The jacket was made into a V neck style as the upper neckline kept flipping out, larger sleeves added (as the original ones were too tight) and the hem shortened (more at the back than the front).

The tee was too big in the back and the sleeves and was taken in.

I'd also made a dress (not pictured which was OK in the sleeves, too long in the body and too wide in the back.

I am learning what alterations I need to make for things to fit C nicely.

Navy zip front trousers

This is my first front fly zip!

The pattern is from Burda 03/2011 #141. I made a size 48.

I left out the front darts, altered the back crotch and added cuffs and belt loops. I would use this pattern again for woven fabrics with little/no stretch.

Navy Loungewear

I made two pairs of the Monsal Lounge Pants, from the Wendy Ward Book, A Beginners Guide to Sewing with Knits. Both are navy blue, one a mid navy ponte the other a dark navy sweat shirting fabric.

I cut some long strips from the sweat shirting fabric and used it to enlarge a RTW hoody which was too tight. I loved the colour and the zips, so thought it was worth the alteration.

The long strips have been added up the side and under the arm. I'm really pleased as the fabrics are a similar weight and the dark navy stripe works with the navy zips down the front and on the pockets and it all looks like it was made like that.

I'll wear these pieces a lot I am sure.

Navy trousers with zipped pockets

 Navy trousers made from what I think is polycotton, though its very lightweight.

Elastic waist, 5 belt loops, 2 front pockets (accessed from the top) and 2 zipped side pockets.

A few pictures below before I sewed up the side seams showing the pockets

I added an extension to the hem with leather triangles reinforcing the splits

These are based on New Look 6216 but I've altered and adapted it so much that its nothing like the pattern really anymore!

Navy knit top with ruffle detail

A plain navy knit top from my TNT Sew Look 6735, felt it needed just a little bit of extra so added a ruffle detail at the front.