Sunday 14 October 2012

Some more inspration

I guess if you are reading my blog then like me you love to sew and love all things sewing.  I have had a lovely day finishing an un-finished light grey fine wool dress which has embroidery detail, hand embroidered.  I have also done some alterations to a couple of dresses which I bought on a sale last year, so all in all a productive sewing day. Now waiting for  Downton Abbey and those gorgeous clothes.
 
In the meantime I wanted to share the below link with you, oh to spend a day or more at Chanels' Ateliers:
 
 
 
Happy sewing.

Sunday 30 September 2012

Latest Trend?

Well I have been busy cutting and stitching and wearing I just need to get the camera out.
 
I have just returned from a break in the Town of  Books.  I have never visited Hay on Wye before but it is one of those places I had on my places to visit list.  Hay of course is famous for, amongst other things, its book festival held annually in May. Apart from book shops there are lots of  other nice independent shops there, including a fabric shop!  Whilst the fabric at Bedecked is not at the cheaper end there are some lovely fabrics available and of course I had to have the inevitable holiday purchase.  I also had some lovely vintage buttons from Vintage Mercantile. There were also of course some books bought, mostly the stiching kind.

A cinema full of books - yes a cinema full

River Wye


Anyway back to stitching, I was interested to read one of the latest trends appears to be contrast collars. There are some lovely examples at Net A Porter.Com.  I just fancy a black crepe dress with contrast collar, I shall have to check out my stash. Where does your inspiration come from?

Saturday 11 August 2012

Patterns galore


What can I say, I have come to the conclusion that I am not very good at blogging.  I love reading other people's blogs and look forward to checking my e-mails for blogging notifications, but when it comes to my blog I have not yet got into the groove of regular blogging.  I have been busy sewing and have lots of things on the go and in the planning, I really need to get the camera out.  We have been busy entertaining my cousin and her daughter on their annual visit from Jakarta.  I received a lovely gift of some Indonesian batik.  The weather was wet on one of the days of their visit so as my cousin is also a keen sewer we had a few hours of investigating my pattern stash.  It started with the arrival of a large box of patterns that I bought on E-bay and we just carried on from there.   








We had a lovely time and it was great to reminisce about previous makes.  There were even some vintage patterns in the stash.

Of course I have also been adding to my fabric stash.  Had a lovely parcel of jersey fabric from Tissu fabrics, fabuolus quality, good value and quick service.  Have some lovely Harris tweed from Croft Mill, who can resist Croft Mill.  Then of course I have had to purchase some fabrics that I have seen on other blogs.  I am really pleased with my silk all the way from China purchased via e-bay and am eagerly awaiting my purchase of Lobstor cotton again via e-bay and as featuerd with Karen at Did you make that? Where do you purchase your fabrics from? Do you have a favourite supplier?  What is on your sewing table at the moment.  Would love to hear from you.  Happy cutting, sewing and wearing.


Saturday 19 May 2012

Looking forward

I know it has been a while since the PJ party and there has been a lack of posts by me, but I have been busy sewing.  The only thing is the sewing has been in the form of bags, cushions etc as opposed to cut sew and wear type sewing.  But today has been the last craft fayre for a while so its time for some serious me-sewing.  I have serveral patterns in mind and lots of new fabrics and some from my stash as well so hopefully there will be somer serious cutting tomorrow.  I have set myself the challenge of not buying any new clothes for the rest of the year!  Don't know if I can manage to stick to this but I haven't bought anthing for nearly a month now so its a start.  Mind you I haven't been near TK Maxx for ages, my most favourite shop.

Sunday 29 April 2012

Ready for bed? or ready to party?

Well the PJ's are ready.  I managed two pairs of PJ bottoms and a short waist length vest top.  The fabric is a cotton jersey.  Elasticated waist and french seams.  I think they will be very comfy.   Lots of books on the go including three great fashion/sewing books.  Hostorical book 1000 costumes purchased from an antique shop.  Sewing by Ann Ladbury and Restyling your Wardrobe are probably almost vintage but are like new and were free from 'Healthy Planet' if there is a Healthy Plant near you its well worth a visit with three free books, its well worth a rummage for sewing books.

Elasticated waist PJ bottom

Skimpy vest, hand sewn neck and armholes

Ready for bed


Elasticated waist




Had sewn neckline.





French seams

French seam

















Monday 23 April 2012

Colette Pattern Bandwagon


I thought I would let you know about my Colette Pattern purchase.  I came across Jasmine last week at Millie Moon fabrics whilst on my travels to Wells.  Jasmine is exactly what I have been looking for in ages a simple top cut on the cross or bias.  I love the litlle booklet that accompanies the pattern and the page for notes is a great idea.  I have managed to find a gorgeous piece of silk in my stash.  I bought the fabric ages ago from Calico Fabrics.  I managed to cut out the blouse over the weekend,  there was just enough fabric with a bit of jiggling about.  Currently its a UFO (un-finished object) but I hope to be able to progress the sewing once my PJ's for the Did you Make That pyjama party are complete.  Will post more photos as it progresses.  Have you bought the Jasmine pattern?  what fabric did you use?



Gorgeous silk fabric

Gorgeous silk close up

Colette Jasmin

Sunday 22 April 2012

Pyjama Party



Well I responded to the Didyoumakethat Pyjama Party invite and committed to join in the fun with all the other avid sewers and bloggers. Whilst I knew I probably had a suitable trouser pattern in my pattern stash  I happened to find a suitable pattern at a charity shop in Glastonbury whilst on my travels last week. At twenty pence I couldn't go wrong. I also found some cotton jersey fabric in my fabric stash.  It's a blue floral and there were about 2.5 metres in total.  But I must have had the fabric dirt cheap somewhere as there was a print defect along most of the selvage, there was a row of small holes and it didn't sit straight when folded, but it all added to the fun when cutting out! So as you can gather I am in the party spirit, I have cut out the trousers, in fact I managed to cut out two PJ trousers and a cut off vest shaped top. Next task is pinning up. 

Twenty pence pattern, I shall omit the gathered hem.


The pattern also has a jacket, vest top and shorts.




Pretty Blue floral cotton jersey fabric
Close up of the pattern defect along the selvage
Close up of the floral pattern

I have cut out a cropped version of the vest top.


Because the fabric has an all over design the trouser pattern could be interlocked, thereby using less fabric

Left over fabric - which will go in the scrap bag for a draught excluder

Again a close up of the pattern defect