Subtropical interludes and encores

Recently I had the opportunity to spend some time with the husband in Brisbane,  he has been based in the inner city instead of the desert as normal.  He hates the city but I enjoyed the experience.

I spent my days exploring the shops and got very excited to be able to see (and touch) so many designer clothes etc rather than rely on photos for inspiration.  I fell in love with a Giorgio Armani handbag 

Image from http://www.savoirflair.com/

Sadly this remains in Brisbane for obvious reasons but I loved the simplicity of  design and will look around for something similar locally.

I had great fun acting the tourist visiting the South Bank and all the art galleries and museums – a highlight was the Afghanistan Hidden Treasures Exhibition.  It was well worth the fee and very interesting to learn more about the Silk Route and the role Afghanistan held at this time. 

I also stopped off at the California Design Exhibition and loved this dress and then spent way too much at the Gallery Shop, which had so many cool old-fashioned toys and art bits and pieces.

No trip can be without fabric so I set off to Alla Moda, as recommended by Lynda,. After a train trip then a longer than intended walk I entered another world of fabulous fabric.  The fabrics were sensational but pricey – I wonder if they ever have a sale? This is what came home with me; a gorgeous Italian silk print , and a remnant of fine cotton sateen.  

Italian Silk Border Print

Cotton Sateen

The youngest D has her eye on the silk as a easy top from Burda and the sateen is aging in the stash.

Back at home and an encore featuring the wonderful Heidi Cardigan.  First another version for me out of a fine cotton sweatshirting., this time I decided to line the hood.  I do not like this, it makes the hood a lot heavier.

Next up the youngest had requested a hoodie for herself.  She wanted it in the same fabric as mine.  I made her version in a Size 10 and she loves it!

Tootsie Revisited

Time out for a project can change perspective and this holds true for the Tootsie Top.  

I was very ambivalent about the first version. I let it sit and posted all about how I perceived this top for my body.  The response I received about the top has prompted me to remake this in a plain viscose lycra knit.

I made a few changes - firstly I added to the side seams by about 1cm (and forgot about adding to the diagonal pattern piece side seam! so had to ajust slightly on that side seam.) and changed the back neck facing and ended up folding it over after completing the shoulder seams for a cleaner finish - Anne does it much better on her version.

I also was much more careful to mark the knotches and used my favourite tailors tack method.   The seams went together easily once again using the chain stitch but this time I sewed the tucks closer to the edge (0.5cm) and I like the effect better.

I made the sleeves longer but as I have very short arms had to fold out in a couple of places as normal. The fabric is cool to wear and I can see myself wearing this out in the evenings.

I am still not so happy with the neckline and would prefer it a little lower to deflect away from the chins LOL but it still is not to bad.  I much prefer the plain one colour version but I wonder what it would be like as a colour block version? Or is is that too yesterday?

                                                              

                                                                 What do you think?

I have changed my mind about this pattern but am not sure how many Tootsies one needs in the wardrobe.

I have made multiple Anne Tshirts and continue to make more for this year but that has become a TNT for me.  One factor for me is the difficulty getting an easy and clean finish at the neckline and shoulder on the Tootsie.  What is it about a pattern that makes it a repeat candidate?

As I probably will not make this pattern again I have drawn out Dorothy's name to send the pattern and fabric.  So if you could email me at jacquiannehooper at gmail dot com I will get the fabric and pattern away to you.

Style Arc Tootsie and a giveaway

Style Arc Tootsie Top October's Freebie

I am on a trouser making binge and ordered a few from Style Arc this month to continue the fitting nightmare journey.  Accompanying the patterns was this months freebie and it looked very interesting - so interesting that I bought some fabric and made it!  

The fabric was from the wonderful Fabric Shop (previously Designer Textiles in Otara) and is a cotton/lycra knit in a dainty shellpink/beige and black stripe.  I have been consulting colour books again and the advice for one such as my colouring is to reduce the contrast between two colours that I wear.  So I can wear black stripes as long as I mute the contrast such as this fabric.

I made the pattern up in my usual Size 20 and decided not to add any extra insurance on seams as the front looked like a rather complicated puzzle.  Style Arc has provided pictures showing how to make up along with the written instructions but I found them hard to understand until I actually had the pieces in my hands to follow instructions.

The first difficulty was working out the way the front pieces went as my stripe had an up and down side - I ended up putting the lighter stripes upwards and the darker thicker stripe underneath.  Cutting out after working this out was a breeze and very quick as only one layer was required.

The first step in making this top was to iron the tuck allowances (which then form the neck line and fold over the seams).  I decided this was an excellent time to use the Babylock chainstitch on the Coverseamer and resulted in beautiful joins of the front pieces with no rippling or stretching.  I highly recommend using this stitch for this top if you have it. 

Somehow I think I have made an error as the diagonal stripe piece ends higher up the armhole that is drawn on the pattern - also it slightly screws upward across the bust.  After assembling the front it was an easy and quick matter to finish the rest (although in my case my overlocker decided to eat the fabric of one shoulder which meant that I spent lots of time unpicking and the neckline might be a little higher than on the pattern).

My daughter, the photographer, said it looked great on me (she is not one for false praise) but I am not so sure.  Firstly it feels a little tight and you can see it pulling across the bust (D cup here). Were I to make it again I would add more to the side seams (now I know where they are) and perhaps lower the neckline a little.  The pattern itself is well drafted and went together without problems (operator error is responsible for the higher neckline as above) once I had the pieces cut out.  

Does anyone else read instructions completely before beginning a project?  I do and the odd time I don't ( see the Style Arc Heidi Cardigan edge problem) always ends in tears, but I have problems with both Style Arc and Burda instructions understanding as I guess they are very brief and understanding does not occur until I actually have the garment pieces in hand and working through the instructions.

I have yet to hem the sleeves and bottom but will finish this top only so I can pass it on - The Bernina Club ladies are always interested in a new piece of clothing!  I bought 2 metres of fabric for this but only used less than a metre - I think the generous measuring of the sales assistant means that there is more than enough for another top.  So if you think you would like to try this top I am giving away the pattern and the rest of the fabric - to ensure that it is morally correct I issue a disclaimer that I have not made a copy as I do not intend making this pattern again.

Please comment if you would like to receive this pattern along with the remaining fabric and I will make the draw next weekend.

Style Arc Heidi Cardigan

As I have often stated I love Style Arc Patterns - Chloe is a genius as far as I am concerned.  The patterns are a wonderful fit for my figure and I make them up as per the pattern with no alterations.  Another great thing about them is that they offer a freebie each month so my pattern ordering habits are dictated by what the free pattern is on offer.

The Heidi cardigan did not make the list when it came out and it was not until I saw Anne's, aka The  Clothing Engineer, version on her blog that I decided to order and there it sat.  Just recently we have had topsy turvey weather, temperature wise and I needed a top to add a little warmth but not too much and decided to try this cardi.

The fabric is from a new to me store in Hamilton called 'Backstreet Bargains' and is a creamy rayon knit which has been felted(?) onto a black nylon poly fine knit.  It is not possible to pull apart but the rayon is all scrunched up and makes for a great textural effect.  I cut the pattern exactly as is and originally was going to line the hood but did not have enough fabric due to not readying directions properly (Go figure DUH!), as it was I had to piece the front band to get enough length.

Once it was cut it was an easy job putting it together - I followed the instructions - sort of for the pocket and then just followed my instincts for the rest.  I overlocked the seams with my Babylock and then used the coverstitch machine to sew the band seams down and outline.

Initially I was only going to have the buttons as decoration as shown here on the pockets, my record of buttonholes in knits is not good!  However after wearing for an hour I found that I kept wanting to button it up so added a buttonhole, and successfully I might add.

How did I conquer the problem of messy knit buttonholes?  

With stabilisier of course!  

On the inside band I used self adhesive stablisier and a wash away plastic stablisier on the top to hold all that textured knit in place.  The buttonhole was stitched using the Bernina stretch buttonhole programme and perfection was the result.  Well maybe not... it was a little long (easily solved just cut the slot the length needed) but has remained perfect through a few wash and wears.

Style Arc Heidi Cardigan - Size 20 

I like the casualness of this garment and surprise, surprise, my DD and photographer now wants one for herself!!

I like the loose casual style but will consider taking a little off the back as Anne also did for the next version. I highly recommend this pattern to you for a quick make with lots of versatility in the wardrobe.

Finally!

Yahooo the velvet dress is finished!  This has been 'slow' sewing at its best, as in the slow cooking movement as an enjoyable process to be savoured.  And I am thrilled with the final result, it is exactly as I had envisaged.  Go me!

To recap the intial design was from Winter 2012 Ottobre magazine which was frankenpatterned using a Burda Pattern. I altered the sleeves to allow more bicep room and then carefully cut out my velvet having made both sides of the patterns for all pieces.  I tried to make sure that the pattern was placed strategically to avoid spotlighting but it was a squeeze as I had failed to anticipate lenghtening the skirt (very short on the original).

Apologies for the photo!

I had a great debate with myself, Elizabeth and sbev from Stitchers Guild about interlining and interfacing this and after checking out a few designer versions decided to fully line the garment but did not interface or interline.

Constructing the dress had its tricky moments as anyone who has sewn this type of fabric would attest to. I marked all seams tucks and darts with a very soft short staple cotton thread (this means that it was easy to remove from the completed seams) which I'm not sure where it came from.  It is absolutely no good for sewing anything but great for this.

The darts and tucks were simple and easy to sew without moving - what was all the fuss about this fabric!! But it was lulling me into a false sense of accomplishment as I moved onto the waist seam and slippage.  Disaster and it was put aside for a few days. Unpicking and basting the seams worked a treat with controlled slippage this time LOL.

Not content to rest on my laurels of taming seams I decided to challenge myself and inserted an invisible zipper just to make removing the garment easier.  Thanks to Foot 35 it was an easy job and look how invisible the seam is.

Sleeves and hems were done by hand, first I sewed some black satin bias to the velvet and then catchstitched all the hems - I need to take to dry cleaners to have it carefully steampressed and it will be ready to wear.  I had wanted a dress that could be dressed up or still worn out during the day and I think I succeeded. What do you think?  

When I asked the teenage son no. 2, he asked whether I really wanted to know his opinion (of course I did) and then said it looked like some grandmothers' curtains and rather old fashioned!!! 

But that is what I like an almost 20's vibe!!

Old dogs and new tricks

Image from http://babylock.com/sergers/cover-stitch/

In my sewing room I have a number of machines, these have been bought over a few years as time, money and skills have warranted.  I added a Babylock Cover seamer to the list a few years ago and love it for the professional finish it provides on knits.  I removed the third needle after making a jeans jacket and until last week never changed a thing except threads and new needles as required.

Greta and her lace T-shirt.
Image from https://www.facebook.com/BerninaTauranga?ref=tn_tnmn

 Last week I had the opportunity to learn new ways of using the coverstitch machine to construct knit garments with a class at the Tauranga Bernina Centre with Robyn and the wonderful Greta. Greta is  at present  living in Cambodia (but visiting her parents in NZ).  She is a font of knowledge about all the wonderful fabrics that you can purchase in Cambodia and it is very tempting to visit just to get some fabric!!!  Under her guidence we learnt to use the chain stitch function and we embellished stretch lace (and so easy it was) then joined it to a knit underlayer and made a T-shirt.

Close up showing the fabric strips chainstitched to lace.

The finished t-shirt which was fully constructed on the Coverstitch Machine.

This was so much fun as well as quick and easy.  The differential feed on the machine means that the knit is easily sewn without pulling, stretching or puckering.  I was hooked - a new trick indeed.  The only thing was to make sure that the chain is not pulled before knotting or locking by sewing over seam otherwise all that hard work is undone literally!

At home I was off searching for some quick and easy project!  The Creative Cate from Style Arc seemed an obvious choice and combined with some odds and ends of knits worked a treat.

Close up of the chainstitch

Here it is in a very delicate silk knit from The Fabric Store which stitched up like a dream with the coverstitch.  I had attempted to sew this last year and tossed it into a corner as it kept disappearing down the needleplate of the sewing machine. 

I am impressed with the way I managed to get the pattern to join at the side seams!!

A final picture of me wearing the top - it is not such a good fabric to wear as it sticks to the body - but I loved the print and think the placement worked well.

 On a roll I moved onto a few remnants from past projects - a silver and black polyester knit that has already proved itself as a wardrobe basic.  But still thinking of passing it on as I am not sure that it is very flattering to my colouring - black is not such a good colour for me.

And finally out of a small left over which is a meaty slinky fabric with metallic geometric patterns.  The photo does not do it justice, the pattern is made out of metallic paints that rest ontop of the knit and almost glow.  I did not have much fabric so had to fold out of the middle to accomodate and recut the back neck line.  The fabric is very stretchy but not enough for me.  I badgered Alison to try it on and it was extremely flattering - although she was so taken with the pattern and had lots of ideas of where she could use it in her bags that I hope it remains as a top for a few outings!!!

 Now that I have learnt to use the chainstitch function I am moving onto the two thread stitch on the overlocker.  There are also a few more T-shirts planned using this method.

Reaching for a Dream

I am so excited to finally realise my dream of teaching sewing!!!

In the past few days I have begun my journey as a sewing tutor.  Thanks to the amazing Robyn from the Tauranga Bernina Centre, who offered me the opportunity, I have taught my first two classes on using Burda Style pattern magazines with my draped front coat as the model pattern.

As a sewer I have struggled with accurately measuring myself and that is the beginning part of the lesson.  In my class,  we work through a measurement chart measuring each other and then onto finding the right size in Burda.  This coat or jacket pattern has only three pattern pieces and is a good introduction to the world of decyphering the maze that is a Burda pattern sheet.

Once this is done we then move onto fitting the pattern to the body.  There was much laughter and lots of talk about our bodies (lets concentrate and accentuate the positive) while we did this.  Shoulders seemed to be the area that needed adjustment for most.  The great thing about this pattern is that it is fairly simple and can be made up in both a knit or woven fabric with some stretch.  While we still had a few seams to finish at home the fiddly collar, dart and yoke seams were completed in class.  I am hoping for a show and tell at Bernina Club.

A Big thanks to Peggy, Lynn, Delwyn, Kathy, Debbie, Angela, Heather and Alison for being such awesome, wonderful students and thank you for letting me post some photos of the days.

Marking that dart

Delwyn cutting it one side at a time.

Heather pining and marking

Alison's jacket

Angela in a beautiful viscose Chanel like fabric.

Kathy and her black lace coat (we should have
put her in white to show and tell)

Debbie with a merino like knit