I had a night out with some colleagues in Liverpool last night and proudly wore the black trousers and red slinky top, with the red heels and an RTW black velvet jacket (sorry no pics). A lovely evening and felt very comfortable and festive in the clothes though I did switch to my flats at the end of the night to drive home!
In exciting news the lovely people at Jaycotts have finished servicing my Janome sewing machine so I am off to collect it. I have missed it so much and the Christmas Collection items sewn so far were done on my 1980s Toyota basic machine from my teen years, which although adeqaute was frankly quite annoying to use.
It did show me a few things though
1. It is possible to sew on a basic machine and produce quite nice results.
2. It must make life more difficult for beginners when starting to sew but using a difficult machine.
3. Those extras like needle up/down, auto bobbin winding, thread cutters and speciality feet really do make all the difference.
http://www.jaycotts.co.uk/
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Friday, 11 December 2009
Thursday, 10 December 2009
Ruthie wearing the Christmas Collection so far
Here I am wearing the Christmas Collection items sewn so far.
P.S. I am happy enough (despite how I look), but have had dental work :D so not smiling too broadly.
Black self stripe Burda WOF 10/2008 #132 trousers
I have just finished the black self stripe trousers using my TNT pattern Burda WOF 10/2008 #132.
They need a good press as the seams are slightly puckered which is annoying.
The fabric is a black poly with self stripes in black and also a thread of clear poly which catches the light and gives a bit of glitter. However as they are basically black they should go with all the tops no problem.
I plan to wear them with one of the tops for a meal out with my work colleagues on Friday evening. So I had better get pressing.
They need a good press as the seams are slightly puckered which is annoying.
The fabric is a black poly with self stripes in black and also a thread of clear poly which catches the light and gives a bit of glitter. However as they are basically black they should go with all the tops no problem.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
SWAP thoughts
Well although I have a lot of ideas in my notebook for SWAP 2010, I have not started cutting out yet, even though we are allowed to do that before we start on 26th December.
I think it is a mental switch for me - that SWAP does not start until after Christmas, and currently my energies are (slightly belatedly) focused around Christmas, not only my special occasion clothes but also gifts, cards, arranging to see people, meals out with work and all that stuff.
I am very comfortable with my colour scheme, general shapes and even some of my patterns, but am definitely still in that planning stage and things have not entirely crystallised.
Project Runway Series 6 just concluded showing on Sky1 in the UK today, and those final collections had me thinking about what is really me. Sure I am not a designer, but I definitely can show my point of view in the fabrics and styles that I choose when I sew.
I've also been analysing just a little the highlights and work horses of my previous SWAPs and other wardrobe type collections I have sewn.
I want to take into account the lifestyle I have, my colouring, the styles I find comfortable and within all that incorporate the three twists the rules contain this year.
In fact this year I wanted to do something interesting (though not necessarily too overt) in every piece.
I can churn out basic pants and knit tops which fit me quite well at a fair rate, so I suppose my personal challenge is not too rely too much on those super simple basics, but instead push myself just a little further this year.
I suppose in it all though I do have to still be me, which IS quite simple and basic - in a phrase 'Free Spirit Chic' - nothing constricting, fussy or frilly but whilst avoiding being boring.
I think it is a mental switch for me - that SWAP does not start until after Christmas, and currently my energies are (slightly belatedly) focused around Christmas, not only my special occasion clothes but also gifts, cards, arranging to see people, meals out with work and all that stuff.
I am very comfortable with my colour scheme, general shapes and even some of my patterns, but am definitely still in that planning stage and things have not entirely crystallised.
Project Runway Series 6 just concluded showing on Sky1 in the UK today, and those final collections had me thinking about what is really me. Sure I am not a designer, but I definitely can show my point of view in the fabrics and styles that I choose when I sew.
I've also been analysing just a little the highlights and work horses of my previous SWAPs and other wardrobe type collections I have sewn.
I want to take into account the lifestyle I have, my colouring, the styles I find comfortable and within all that incorporate the three twists the rules contain this year.
In fact this year I wanted to do something interesting (though not necessarily too overt) in every piece.
I can churn out basic pants and knit tops which fit me quite well at a fair rate, so I suppose my personal challenge is not too rely too much on those super simple basics, but instead push myself just a little further this year.
I suppose in it all though I do have to still be me, which IS quite simple and basic - in a phrase 'Free Spirit Chic' - nothing constricting, fussy or frilly but whilst avoiding being boring.
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Barely a refashion, more a reshaping
This was just a simple reshaping of the side seams and allows me to get a bit more wear from this cotton knit RTW top.
I am pretty much done with red now LOL.
I was going to do something with the red fur, but can't decide on stole, scarf or jacket, so am going to pause it until another time. I did give it a final goodbye pat before it went back into the fabric cupboard.
I was going to do something with the red fur, but can't decide on stole, scarf or jacket, so am going to pause it until another time. I did give it a final goodbye pat before it went back into the fabric cupboard.
Monday, 7 December 2009
Butterick 3344 Red Slinky Top
I reconstructed the Butterick 3344 red Slinky Top this evening, This has been cut down a whole size though I had to leave the neckline as is, so will try to remember this for next time. It is a nice top just oversized when it should be fitted.
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Red cardigan refashion
When I have the machines threaded up I like to add in a project where I recut an old garment to make something more flattering or just better fitting. Today I chose to take this old cardigan and completely recut it into a shorter princess seamed jacket with collar which I think has worked quite well.
I think I shall sew a large press-stud (snap) on tomorrow and add a button on the top and try wearing it for real to see how it works. I used Simplicity 4029, some satin bias tape and the leftovers to create the new cardi which I really like.
I think I need to add some tape into the shoulder seam as its stretching all over the place and it could take a press but overall I like the idea.
From this
to this
using this
I think I shall sew a large press-stud (snap) on tomorrow and add a button on the top and try wearing it for real to see how it works. I used Simplicity 4029, some satin bias tape and the leftovers to create the new cardi which I really like.
I think I need to add some tape into the shoulder seam as its stretching all over the place and it could take a press but overall I like the idea.
From this
to this
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Simplicity 4020 Print Kimono Sleeve Top
Fortunately my 1980s Toyota basic sewing machine does work. Its very noisy and smells strongly of sewing machine oil. It had been in the loft a long time in the other house and I wanted to use it to take to evening class, so asked my dad to get it running again a few years ago. He did. bless him, but used so much oil that more than 4 years later it still gets everywhere.
Once I had got used to using a clunky basic machine again actually it sews perfectly adequately, and using it and my serger I have made this top this evening. I know you all like pictures of the clothes being worn and I will do one honestly, but for today its just a hanger shot. It fits well though so I am a happy bunny.
The only changes I made were to lengthen the body and sleeves, and to have a tiny hem on the sleeves so they fell longer on the arm. I also stretched the neckband a fair bit as I sewed it on resulting in cutting about four inches off. This looks slightly gathered on the hanger but means it sits neatly on the body when worn.
The fabric is a thin cotton knit with not a great deal of stretch. It does howver have a nicely printed pattern (which stretches with the fabric, I hate when those white lines appear when prints get stretched) and I think may have been a John Kaldor fabric though I cannot recall where I purchased it. Its a bare 1.5m and neatly folded so I think one of the more expensive places rather than a bargain remnant.
This top is also a 16 and is a neat fit - well through the lower body which is the only place this style really fits. However it is a very different fabric. I moved the slinky top to take the photo of this one, and its MUCH heavier, which I think is stretching the whole top out of shape a bit, though the Butterick pattern has come out too large before so perhaps a bit of both on that. I shall recut the slinky top tomorrow when I have a bit more will to tackle a gone wrong project. However the quick success of tonight's project will help with that I am sure!
The machines will stay threaded in red until I have redone the slinky top to fit better.
Not sure when sewing red fabric to black lining whether to use red or black thread. Is there a convention on this? The red is the faux fur, the black the satin lining for the wrap.
Once I had got used to using a clunky basic machine again actually it sews perfectly adequately, and using it and my serger I have made this top this evening. I know you all like pictures of the clothes being worn and I will do one honestly, but for today its just a hanger shot. It fits well though so I am a happy bunny.
The only changes I made were to lengthen the body and sleeves, and to have a tiny hem on the sleeves so they fell longer on the arm. I also stretched the neckband a fair bit as I sewed it on resulting in cutting about four inches off. This looks slightly gathered on the hanger but means it sits neatly on the body when worn.
The fabric is a thin cotton knit with not a great deal of stretch. It does howver have a nicely printed pattern (which stretches with the fabric, I hate when those white lines appear when prints get stretched) and I think may have been a John Kaldor fabric though I cannot recall where I purchased it. Its a bare 1.5m and neatly folded so I think one of the more expensive places rather than a bargain remnant.
This top is also a 16 and is a neat fit - well through the lower body which is the only place this style really fits. However it is a very different fabric. I moved the slinky top to take the photo of this one, and its MUCH heavier, which I think is stretching the whole top out of shape a bit, though the Butterick pattern has come out too large before so perhaps a bit of both on that. I shall recut the slinky top tomorrow when I have a bit more will to tackle a gone wrong project. However the quick success of tonight's project will help with that I am sure!
The machines will stay threaded in red until I have redone the slinky top to fit better.
Not sure when sewing red fabric to black lining whether to use red or black thread. Is there a convention on this? The red is the faux fur, the black the satin lining for the wrap.
Machine in for serving
I took my sewing machine (A Janome MemoryCraft 4000) into the lovely people at Jaycotts in Chester. They have a shop, internet mail order business and repair workshop on the outskirts of Chester with free parking.
http://www.jaycotts.co.uk/
On the plus side the man said its a common fault on these Janome machines after a few years and its easy to fix when servicing (a tension wheel squeaking) but the minus is they are quite busy and it might be as long as 2 weeks before I can go get it back. SOB!
Anyway at least that means it'll be fixed before the SWAP starts, but does mean my Christmas wardrobe will need to be sewn on the basic Toyota which does not have all the lovely extra feet I have bought for the Janome and does rubbish buttonholes.
Anyway enough of the wingeing I shall go and thread the poor Toyota up and get sewing the red tops with it :D
http://www.jaycotts.co.uk/
On the plus side the man said its a common fault on these Janome machines after a few years and its easy to fix when servicing (a tension wheel squeaking) but the minus is they are quite busy and it might be as long as 2 weeks before I can go get it back. SOB!
Anyway at least that means it'll be fixed before the SWAP starts, but does mean my Christmas wardrobe will need to be sewn on the basic Toyota which does not have all the lovely extra feet I have bought for the Janome and does rubbish buttonholes.
Anyway enough of the wingeing I shall go and thread the poor Toyota up and get sewing the red tops with it :D
Friday, 4 December 2009
I decided to start with RED
Well I decided to start with red for the Christmas wardrobe and so this evening I have cut out the red print in the kimono sleeve pattern and the red slinky in the plain scoop neck pattern.
Then I sewed up the red slinky and its apparent it is too big. Recently when I have made a size 16 top its come out too large on several occasions, so I think I am probably slimmer on the upper half than I think I am (sigh).
Anyway tomorrow I shall cut the sleeves off make the shoulder seams a bit shorter, reinsert the sleeves and recut the side seams to fit better.
Yorkshire Lass suggested I make a satin backed rectangular stole with my red fur and wear it with a brooch this Christmas which would allow me to wear like that or unpick and restitch into something else another time.
That is an excellent idea, and so that is what I shall do.
My lovely Janome sewing machine is making wierd noises so I am going to have to switch to my much less lovely Toyota sewing machine and take the Janome to Chester for servicing/repair. I shall miss it so lets hope the repair people only keep it for a week
Then I sewed up the red slinky and its apparent it is too big. Recently when I have made a size 16 top its come out too large on several occasions, so I think I am probably slimmer on the upper half than I think I am (sigh).
Anyway tomorrow I shall cut the sleeves off make the shoulder seams a bit shorter, reinsert the sleeves and recut the side seams to fit better.
Yorkshire Lass suggested I make a satin backed rectangular stole with my red fur and wear it with a brooch this Christmas which would allow me to wear like that or unpick and restitch into something else another time.
That is an excellent idea, and so that is what I shall do.
My lovely Janome sewing machine is making wierd noises so I am going to have to switch to my much less lovely Toyota sewing machine and take the Janome to Chester for servicing/repair. I shall miss it so lets hope the repair people only keep it for a week
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Where to start?
I can't decide quite where to start with the Christmas mini wardrobe. I like to sew in batches of the same colours (as you may have noticed) so I have a choice of the black, the red or the gold. I also have some mending and so on I could do if I go with the black which although boring would put some clothes back into circulation.
Also in the mix is that if I don't get everything done the largest Christmassy impact will be from the coloured tops which I could wear with existing plain black bottoms (RTW) and the fact that I have not chosen all the patterns yet either which is making me pause a bit.
OK here's the rundown then.
Gold blouse
Only one gold piece, is very Christmassy, so makes sense to make this piece first except I don't know what pattern I want to use. I suppose I could reuse one I have used successfully before Butterick 6768.
Red fur jacket
No pattern for this yet. I imagine a bolero style with curved fronts and 3/4 sleeves as I have only a bit of fabric.
Black stripe trousers
These would be in the same pattern I used for the Navy herringbone - New Look 6757
Black with satin finish
No clear idea what this should be
Black/gold knit
And also found (not pictured)
Black knit with little gold sparkles in it, would make a great cosy wrap
(too sheer to wear alone) in Simplicity 2603
Also in the mix is that if I don't get everything done the largest Christmassy impact will be from the coloured tops which I could wear with existing plain black bottoms (RTW) and the fact that I have not chosen all the patterns yet either which is making me pause a bit.
OK here's the rundown then.
Gold blouse
Only one gold piece, is very Christmassy, so makes sense to make this piece first except I don't know what pattern I want to use. I suppose I could reuse one I have used successfully before Butterick 6768.
Red slinky
Not a lot of this so it would be a simple scoop neck top (maybe with added embellishment) in Butterick 3344.
Red print
The red print fabric has a slightly Oriental feel to it and I was thinking of using a new to me pattern
Simplicity 4020 has the right vibe.
Red fur jacket
No pattern for this yet. I imagine a bolero style with curved fronts and 3/4 sleeves as I have only a bit of fabric.
Black stripe trousers
These would be in the same pattern I used for the Navy herringbone - New Look 6757
Black embroidered cord
Same pattern as navy skirt though i think with skirt front cut in one piece. Simplicity 9825
No clear idea what this should be
Black/gold knit
And also found (not pictured)
Black knit with little gold sparkles in it, would make a great cosy wrap
(too sheer to wear alone) in Simplicity 2603
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