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to sew Stretch….
I have been thinking about it for a while but after a pep talk from Christy, and reading Liesl’s comments about sewing with stretch fabrics I am feeling inspired. I picked up New Look 6782 and some plain black interlock from Spotlight yesterday, and this weekend I am going to tackle the top. Any advice for sewing stretch.
While there I also picked up these gorgeous prints, the top is a jersey, the bottom is stretch sateen and was reduced from $15 to $3.50 per metre… yay
Rachel
I also finished this top on the weekend. yes I know its another print. I am capable of sewing with solids, its kind of a fluke doing three prints in a row.
The pattern used was McCalls 5977 without the ruffle. This was my wearable muslin. This pattern has quite a lot of ease. I cut a 14 and thought I’d do a full bust adjustment but when I tissue fitted it looked fine. So I went ahead and made it grading to a 12 at the waist and hips. Anyhow its still very generous. The bust fits pretty good at the front but droops a little at the back between my shoulder blades. The fabric is a cotton voile from spotlight, and is lovely and soft.
I plan to make this again with another voile I have, but I am not sure whether to make it in a 12 with a FBA, or to cut a 14 front and a modified 12 back. Any ideas? Also though I am not sure you can see I would probably lower the neckline slightly as I think it would be more flattering if it were a touch lower.
I am really proud of this piece. The garment came together very quickly, and I hand sewed the binding down on the inside. I must say after all my soft toy making my hand sewing is very neat, and the inside looks immaculate.
Apologies for the pictures. I am hoping in the new place there will be a good indoor spot to take pictures with the right amount of natural light.
Rachel
Well my Burda 131 denim skirt was coming along nicely, the invisible zip is , well invisible.
and the waistband is looking fantastic
and so it was with much excitement that I tried it on at 10.30pm last night… And it was too big. Because of the construction method in the instructions (and I am generally vague after 8.30pm) I hadn’t checked fit until after I had put in my zipper and sewed the facing down. Doh!
Its only about 1cm on either side out, but to be honest I am not sure if I will bother to unpick the waistband and zipper to take it in. It was op shop denim which I also think was a little too heavy for the skirt, and frankly the most expensive part of the skirt was the $2.50 zip. I have put in invisible zips a few times before and always had lots of trouble… this time I followed a Sunni’s guidelines and also the recommendations in Sew U and it was a breeze, and is really neat.
I have finished a somewhat wearable muslin for Butterick 5211 and am about to start on the finished version. I found that the size 14 is perfect on the top but I had to blend down to a 12 for my waist and hips. Hopefully I’ll have that to show soon.
In other news I found a funny little fabric shop opposite the boys kindy. Basically it is in a garage and is filled will all sorts of SUPER cheap fabric. I purchased all this (in 2-3 metre pieces for) $23 dollars
and this
The last two are slightly crazy prints but the colours are gorgeous and I think they’d look great made into a very simple design.
I also received a package from Quilthome the other day it included
Anna Maria Horner volumes which I plan to make a summer skirt out of…
and these fabrics
which will hopefully look as cute as this skirt
So that’s all my news… Have I mentioned that in the new house I am going to have a sewing room. I have been stickybeaking at some great ones here and also admiring Karin’s.
Rachel
As I mentioned yesterday I have been thinking loads about spring wardrobe sewing. I haven’t sewed clothes for ages and I am bursting to get my overlocker out.
I have been stockpiling some fabric for a while.
Cotton poplin from Spotlight, probably for this dress
Butterick 5211 (view B the purple one) a very simple dress for trips to the shops, the park, and weekend outings.
Blue linen blend also from Spotlight… the same as Leslie’s though I wished I’d come across it in Black. Also a mid weight charcoal denim.
I think that the blue Linen would be nice in view A. The charcoal denim is for this skirt
I also plan to embellish a few bought tops. I love how Vintage Dutch girl has adapted hers, and I really like the necklace tanks from the Sew Darn Cute book.
So, I am outlining this to you because honestly I spend much more time thinking about things I am going to make and buying fabric than actually sewing (oh how I hope Dan doesn’t read this). And I hope that by telling you all of my plans it will be a digital kick in the butt to actually make them. Feel free to remind me if I get off track with these.
What do you think? Do you have any Spring (or Autumn if in the Northern hemisphere) sewing plans.
Rachel
I ran out of tags for my softies the other day. Because I sell my craft, I priotitise paid work when sometimes I’m itching to make something else. So needless to say I wasn’t too disappointed to run out of tags. I made some cushions for the loungeroom
rearranged some pictures
made a cushion for the bedroom
Since finishing those, I’ve been working on these lovely embroideries.
Anyway my tags will no doubt arrive today and having had a break I will be glad to get back into softying.
In case any of you aren’t aware The Remnant Warehouse is having its sale at the moment. I went yesterday and despite my children behaving atrociously, I bought some goodies. I’m hoping to go back kidfree on Saturday as well.
In other news today is my 30th birthday. I must say I don’t feel much like celebrating, I have been finding parenting especially hard lately, and Dan hasn’t been too well. Anyhow I’m sure the day will pick up and perhaps all my nagging about an overlocker will pay off.
Rachel
Rock!
While we were away the one thing I insisted we do was visit the local op shops. I tend to find they have a different range of vintage linen than those close to me. I was not disappointed….
Cotton fabric- destined to become a skirt and some softies
I also got a load of funky tablecloths, and some more sheets which you can view on my photostream.
We had a lovely weekend though it was insanely hot at 42 degress celsius (107 fahrenheit). I probably haven’t mentioned before but I hate the heat I don’t know how I am going to survive summer if spring brings such hot days.
Rachel
Some cool Japanese dogs purchased from Amy at Mathilda’s Market yesterday. The dog reminds me of the one from Snatch, which incidently is one of CountryDan’s favourite movies.
Tam is hosting the stash party here.
Rachel
With a slightly sick child in tow I headed over to Remnant Warehouse for their 25% of sale this morning. I ran into Belinda and Cass, and bought some lovely new fabric.
I primarily went to buy spots as they are great for softies, and got these (American Jane and Michael Miller spots)
Now for the impulse purchases
and some Moda Wonderland by Momo which I didn’t get around to photographing.
I forgot to show my last weeks purchases so here they are as well
Now all I need is to get the kiddletts better so I can get back into some sewing. Rachel
