Step away from that pattern

Sometimes I make things I know I shouldn't : case in point is Simplicity 2147.

I wanted a tunic - something I can throw on with tights and in winter with a long sleeved top under it - simple and easy. I may have been looking at too many Japanese sewing books with this style and cute tunics. I should have known better - cute on the 25 yr old models with no bust does not look so good on the over 40 mother. I liked the look of the green dress on the top left.  But those pleats across the bust - alarm bells should have rung. I did a quick trawl of flickr and saw several versions I liked. A few had taken the pleats out of the back as found it too full and some wore it belted and I thought it looked pretty good. I really wanted to try the Lisette Portfolio tunic ( Simplicity 2245) but could not get a copy in my size and I wanted to make it now! So I thought I would give this pattern a try.

I didn't want to buy new fabric so chose a soft green cotton with a white floral print from my stash. I did wonder about the drape and thought something in a rayon may have been better - I should have stepped away from the pattern but no I decided to make it.

 

The result on me - a green sack, not cute , not flattering. And the arms -like little wings they are ( that may be the 2 layers of fabric with my modification below) So I tried it with a belt:

 

 

Now I look like Robin Hood, accentuated by the bust - again - not good.

 

Good points - an easy pattern to sew and even though I modified it a bit by putting a full lining in the top yoke it was still really quick. If you have a small bust and very soft light fabric then yes this pattern may work for you.  Like I said I have seen some versions that looked good on flickr. You may still want to take some of the fullness out of the back though as even with no pleats it has plenty of room. Also I measured up a full size bigger than I ended up making - its a roomy fit if you go by the size you measure on the pattern . Will I make it again - no, will I wear this - no . Fabric is destined to become a child's skirt I think.

 

I am thinking I will end up making a Tova  dress by Wiksten, I have made 2 shirts here

 and here . Yes it has a few gathers on the bust but it hangs a lot better than it looks in the photos. So I am thinking a dress version in denim or a winter wool may be the way to go.

KCW - the aftermath

After the frantic activity of last weeks sewing binge - a big tidy up along with some finishing was this weeks agenda.

I had started another Oliver and S ice cream dress - a colour block version:

I added some pockets as they were a hit on the corduroy one. The fabric was a cotton with a satin type finish  and has a bit of stretch which I like for kids clothes. I am hoping it will last for summer as it's a little bit longer than the first version. I think this my favourite item I made from the week.

I deliberated for ages about the sleeves on the jacket I made:

Not just that they were a little long for Georgie but they looked out of proportion long compared with the length of the coat. By the time her arms were longer the body of the coat would be too short.  Much as I liked the cuff detail - it just didn't work for a kids - I couldn't roll up the sleeve as it was too bulky and I could see they would get covered in food and general kid grubbiness.  So I unpicked, removed them and shortened the sleeve just about 1cm .

 

It's much more wearable and I think the plain sleeve is better.

 

Now she has stacks of clothes for winter and I am surfing the net for a tunic pattern for myself.

Anyone with the Lisette portfolio tunic pattern( Simplicity 2245) in the smaller sizes who wants to sell their copy? (or loan), as it is now out of print.

Learning to sew

Last week's sewing frenzy has renewed Georgie's interest in sewing.
We found this little kit when picking up supplies last week:

I forgot to take a picture before we made the doll, but essentially it was a printed piece of fabric with a cutting guide and simple instructions.

I helped guide the machine as the curved seams were a bit tricky for a beginner. Georgie stuffed it and then I stitched it shut for her.

Pretty good for a first effort:

Georgie was very pleased with the end result - I liked that it was quick too.

I think she needs a bit more straight stitching practice before she can make one by herself but it has motivated her to sew more .

I think we might paint some fabric and try sewing up some little cushions for her dolls as practice, but I can see we will end up with another kit as Georgie planning another one!

Op shop show off - Spotty bowl heaven

I have a thing for a particular type of retro plastic bowl from my childhood. Spotty bowls ! We used them for tramping and picnics. Now days they are hard to find and come at a premium - I have seen them for sale on trademe for up to $25 dollars each.  So when I stumbled across this beautiful yellow one in mint condition for just 50c at the local op shop - I was in spotty bowl heaven.

And it looks really cool with my brown, green and orange ones:

Georgie was also pretty pleased with her fairy book find for $1

 

 

Linking up  with http://www.blackbirdhasspoken.com/ for op shop show off

KCW Days 6 & 7

It's with a bit of relief that the week and sewing frenzy is over for a bit.
Yesterday I finished making the Burda Jacket I had been working on:

Burda 9501 in the shorter style.  I made a size 6 , it's a little on the big side , especially the sleeves which are a bit long and because of the detail tabs hard to take up. Hoping that it will fit well into spring. If I made it again  I don't think I would bother with the wrist details as can see for kids they will just get in the way a bit. Georgie's favourite detail is the buttons, which is funny because I specially did the embroidery with silver thread to appeal to her since I did not think whe would be that keen on a grey jacket otherwise.

The other thing I made this morning is the pink pinwale cord skirt she is wearing above.  It is an Oliver and S pattern - the sail boat skirt.  These are great patterns - the fit is good ( I did alter mine a little but just made a size 4 but length of a size 6 as Georgie is so petite).  The instructions are fantastic - just when you think something is a bit weird - you read the next part of the pattern and it explains it all.

It was really quick to make and not nearly as complicated as it looks, plus Georgie likes the way there is only elastic across the back so meets her comfort criteria.

It's proved popular on the swings and scooter too.

Now I just have another ice cream dress cut out and half sewn up to finish for her and she has a complete winter wardrobe. I did have a sailboat top on my list but it's more because I want to try the pattern rather than the need for a new shirt so it can wait.

KCW Day 5 - buttonholes

I spent a couple of hours sewing yesterday but have little to show for it.

I went to sewing class with the jacket I am making Georgie. One of the things I did was make button holes. The great things about classes is learning how to make finishes tidier and more professional looking.

Two tips I learnt:

1. sew a straight lines of stitches where you are about to put the buttons hole - this is more for fabric with stretch or where you are putting the button hole perpendicular to a seam or edge and it is a bit harder to keep things straight. ( Yes I know, somewhat ironic that the one picture I took does not show a straight but a curved line of stitches but you get the idea!)  I found it much easier to put the buttonhole in so will probably do this in future for all buttonholes.

2. Use a buttonhole foot - this may seem obvious if you do a lot of sewing but I never actually knew which foot is was until I did classes last year.

You can see it has 2 little grooves on the base to keep the button hole straight.

Here is one made using the button hole foot: Not perfect but once cut and a button in it will look fine.

Compared to one without a buttonhole foot:

Note, this one did not have the row of staight stitchs first so not only is it a bit wonky but the fabric has stretched differentially.

Hope this helps if you stuggle with button holes.

KCW Day 4 - the good, the bad and the ugly

Day 4 has been a mixed day, productive but with a few hiccups.
This morning I posted about the Oliver and S, ice cream dress here.  Good thing I took pictures immediately after it went on. Mid morning Georgie played dress ups with a friend and took it off. Then comes the bad - she put it back on but instead of pulling it over her head she tried to step through the neck and pull it up - loud ripping sound ensued according to her. I mean what was she thinking - thats a teeny hole.

That beautiful little V I so carefully made even in the front was no more - replaced with a large gapping rip- eeek. Because I had bar tacked across the back, the front was obviously the weak point. Actually probably better as I imagine if it had ripped at the back it would have gone way down the bodice - although probably easier to seam up and fix.

Georgie said " I'm really sorry but you can fix it can't you"

I have a friend who has a kids clothing label (Scarlettandvictor.co.nz) - her care tags read :

 Get it dirty

Scrub it with wonder soap

Wear it

With this is mind I said, yes I could, I was a little upset as it was new but it was just a dress. Then I told her a story of wearing a new dress my mother had made to school. I ripped the skirt of it in a big 3 corner tear under a skateboard wheel the first time I wore it. I worried all day that she would be mad - I don't remember her being upset but I know she fixed it and I continued to love that dress until it wore out. I was 5 and I still remember loving the clothes my mother made us and treasuring them - I hope my daughter does too.

I fixed it, in my eyes it is a little ugly, in hers it is perfect.

What was ugly though was the state of the sewing room:

 

I am too embarrassed to let you see the whole room , this is just a peak through the door!

Just to prove I don't live in a complete pig style - here is a photo after a quick tidy up

 

 

 

The good : I did some work on the jacket from sewing classes

 

 

And I cut out another icre cream dress and an Oliver and S sailboat skirt

 

 

Hoping to finish at least another garment tomorrow.