Sparkling Stars - Emerald Blocks

 I've just finished making the Emerald Blocks for the Sparkling Star Quilt at TSP.

I've now completed the three Sparkling Stars tasks on my WIPGO board which looks like this

Sparkling Stars - Amethyst Blocks

 I've just finished the four Amethyst blocks for the Sparkling Stars Quilt at TSP.

Madeira Holiday Purchases

We recently came back from a lovely 2 weeks in Funchal, Madeira, where we enjoyed watching the Carnival and going on walks as well as eating, drinking and of course a bit of shopping for fabrics and haberdashery.

Tecidos Zarco

3 knit remnants, blue knit (joggers), brown print knit (top) and knit with holes (top)

Crosby Collection

Mini scissors, buckle, lace, trim.

Feira Dos Tecidos

2 metres of teal stretch woven (trousers) and a pretty knit remnant (top)

Bazar do Povo

Clear snaps, dungaree clips, turquoise shoelaces and bra findings.

Sparkling Stars - Ruby Blocks

I am having a go at the Sparkling Stars Quilt on TSP. This was a BOM challenge in 2021 when I wasn't able to participate. So its better late than never here are my first 4 blocks. It should be 5, but I don't seem to have quite cut enough bits for the 5th block, hoping to rectify that shortly.

Updated to show its now 5 Ruby blocks.

Zipped A3 art bag/paper folder

I have a few bits of A3 paper which were difficult to store neatly. I decided to make a stiffened fabric bag to store them in, but it would also be great for taking art materials to a class etc.

I wanted to use what I had 

- navy blue upholstery fabric with a white back - used for the main bag

- blue striped webbing - used for the handles

- navy blue polyester fabric - used for the cardboard pockets

- 2 brown zips, recycled from old home dec - used as the closure

- cardboard - used as the stiffener.

From the upholstery fabric I cut 

- 1 large piece for the front, back and bottom of the bag

- a long strip which I cut in half as the gusset containing the zip

- some small pieces for the ends of the zip area.

From the lining fabric I cut

- 1 large piece the same size as the upholstery fabric

Sewing steps

Sewed the two zips, end to end within the long strips of the gusset and topstitched. Added a bit extra to the ends.

Hemmed the long edge of the pocket fabric, then based it onto the back of the upholstery fabric. Stitched 2 channels to make the pockets to hold the cardboard pieces later.

Stitched the handles to the upholstery fabric.

Stitched the gusset to the bag, making sure the handles were sandwiched in the right place.

I then cut 3 cardboard pieces to size (front, back and bottom) and slid them into the pockets.

Then filled the folder up with all my outsize paper and cardboard.

I'm happy with my neat A3 storage

Fleece socks

 Great for keeping feet warm on cold days

I've adapted the Ellie and Mac Free Sock Pattern by adding a bit around the edge as although fleece does stretch, its by less than the pattern needs. I also generally omit the cuff and utilise the pre finished edge of the fleece blanket.

I make sure to cut the pieces out with the stretch going around the foot.

I have loads of these and wear them at home all winter.

Denim utility gilet

 Here's my latest make, I'll call it a gilet.

The fabric was pulled from the fabric boxes, I've had it for more than 10 years. It's a denim woven with dark indigo and a cream (natural undyed) cotton. This is the back of the fabric which shows more of the cream coloured threads. The combination reads as an olive green, and I used olive green thread to sew it up.

The pattern I used is New Look 6815. As this is more of a shirt/dress pattern I sized up for the gilet as I want to wear it over other things.

My version most closely resembles View C, but I added the pockets from Views A/B as well as the pockets from View D.

I originally cut the length for View C as well, but realised this would hang below my lightweight raincoat if I wore them together, so shortened it by 2 inches and moved the lower pockets up a bit. I omitted the belt.

I didn't make any other alterations and the fit seems to be quite good

Floral bags

We normally use Ikea packing cubes (in navy) - they don't seem to do them any more. But I fancied something prettier so made myself a drawstring shoe bag

And 3 zip front bags. As I didn't have any zips which were long enough I used 2 shorter zips in each one

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.

Three Print Top

I thought I'd make a top mixing three different prints.

I started with a scrap of red, white and navy uneven striped fabric. Then picked out a red fabric with a white paint speckle print and finally another print which contains the red, white and navy as well as purple, burgundy and grey.

As all the fabrics were scraps left from other projects the only way to make a whole garment was to combine with other fabrics.

The back is cut from the red fabric with the white paint splashes.

The front and one sleeve are cut from the striped fabric.

The other sleeve and the neckband are cut from the multi coloured fabric

I'm on the fence about whether it works or not. Any two of the prints with a plain fabric would have worked I think, but the third print makes it visually much more challenging. What do you think?

The pattern is my old favourite, New Look 6735, heavily altered for high round back/full tummy, and with the back cut on the fold for this top.

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.

Black and white print tee with contrast neckband

New Look 6735 knit top (altered) this time with the body and sleeves in a black and white print viscose jersey and the neckband in a green poly lycra activewear fabric.

I like the pop of green with the black and white.

WIPGO 2023

WIPGO was a new concept for me before it was mentioned by a couple of members over on The Sewing Place and turned into a Sewalong.

Here is a longish explanation video of WIPGO by the originator.

The numbers this month are 6 and 10. 

Here's my board.

I'll try to do 5 hours on the chosen projects.

So January is Classic trousers with a front fly zip and the first block of the Sparkling stars quilt.

(I had already chosen these as my Jan projects before I'd heard of WIPGO so have put them in the corresponding slots, a slight fudge but still works I think).

Note on SWAP, I'm hoping it could start in the spring, but we don't have the rules sorted or agreement yet from the owner of the TSP board to host it.

Print knit top

 My first project of the year is this print knit top

This is based on my old favourite New Look 6735, though I've altered the pattern to fit me better.

The fabric was one of the ones I bought on holiday in Madeira in May 2018. So its really lovely to sew up it up now.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

I've had a bit of a think and come up with my goals for 2023, let's see how I do with them!

 Make 9 Goals 2023

1. A wearable bra.

2. A black wool coat with welt pockets and lining.

3. A pair of classic trousers with a front fly zip.

4. A boiled wool jacket with lapped seams.

5. A shirt with a tower placket on the sleeve.

6. A silk blouse.

7. A bag that’s not just a tote.

8. A travel waistcoat with lots of pockets.

9. Waterproof over trousers that fit well.

2022 has been the year I have sewn the most garments for myself. Lots of those were quick and easy projects and my wardrobes and drawers are now pretty full. So for 2023 I would like to change the emphasis of my clothing sewing to more complex items with new techniques.

I have the fabric or pattern for many of these already, so let's see if I'm up to the challenge!

I'd also like to work on the Sparkling Stars Quilt designed by Iminei at The Sewing Place.

I've been gathering supplies for this as well and would like to complete it during 2023.

I think I'd like to sew along with SWAP (Sewing With A Plan) as well, and hope to have more news on that at some point.