Friday 27 February 2015

Sewaholic - Pendrell Blouse

Another archive make - the Sewaholic Pendrell blouse. Again, one of my first makes when I started sewing.

This suffered from incorrect fabric choice, and not knowing that I needed to start with a smaller size and do a FBA..
 I went for a cotton lawn?, which was too crisp. What were meant to be lovely draping cap sleeves, ended up as shoulder awnings!




Friday 20 February 2015

Sewaholic - Crescent Skirt

Back to the sewing archives ....

One of the first patterns I made when I started sewing again about 5 years ago was the Sewaholic Crescent skirt.

I never really wore this, because the fabric was too crisp and not really my colours.



I would consider making it again in a more drapey fabric, with some added back length. Also, the pin at the front waistband suggests I should lower the front also.

Sunday 15 February 2015

Muse Patterns - Gillian Wrap Dress

Kat of the blog, Modern Vintage Cupcakes, has recently started her own pattern line in the midst of having her second child. One very busy lady!
Her line goes by the name of Muse Patterns , and produces modern, wearable patterns with a bit of a vintage twist.

Her second pattern, the Gillian Wrap dress, can also be made as a skirt or top. I have to say I was smitten from the get-go, and purchased this as soon as it was released.

I chose a slinky poly knit, in an alternate colourway to the one I used for the dress I made for my Mum, shown here. I love it!

After making a previous Muse pattern using my full bust measurement, which was much too big in the shoulders, I sized down one size in the shoulders. The rest of the pattern was cut to the size that matched my measurements.
I did end up going back and shortening the bodice by about 1", as the waistband sat just a bit too low, and was causing a little bit of gaping.



After my minor alteration, this has good wrap coverage both in the bodice and skirt, and I really like the skirt length on me - this is the longer of the two options provided.

I have fabric picked out to make another one, as well as a top version.


Wednesday 11 February 2015

Colette Patterns Mabel Skirt

More work appropriate skirts.

The Colette Mabel had recently been released, and again was proving to be a quick and successful make in the blogosphere.

I made my first one, Version 3 in the pattern, in a plain charcoal ponte, straight off the pattern. I lined the waistband in cotton lycra, which again gave the waistband a bit more recovery.

The fit was pretty good, and certainly wearable.





For subsequent makes, I have lowered the front waist slightly, and added a little more length to the back to accomodate my ample bottom.

It turns out I really like this skirt, and find it really comfortable for work, so have made a few!
Currently, I have 6 in regualr rotation, and another two cut out!


Saturday 7 February 2015

SBCC Julep Skirt

Yoohoo! Anyone still there?

Minor blog break there, as not long after my last post I was offered a full time job. This is a big life change, as previously I had only been doing some very part time work from home. It also created a bit of a wardrobe crisis, as my occupation previous to this was jeans and tee-shirt casual.

I needed to come up with some skirts and more work appropriate clothing quick!

Based on the review by Michelle of Happily Caffeinated, I decided to give the Julep skirt by SBCC patterns a go.

This was a super quick sew - essentially centre back seam, side seams, yoga waistband and hem.

I picked a ponte for my first skirt as it was winter when I made it. As you can see, it has a slight dipped back hem. I used a cotton lycra for the waistband for a bit of insurance.


Buoyed by the success of this first one, I then made a second in a blue printed ponte. No pic on me, but a pic of the two of them together.