Tuesday 3 January 2012

Using the Colette Sewing Book (and Jackie's Cakes !)

Hello people

Well, we are well and truly into 2012 now- can you believe how quickly time flies ?

I have just been having a gander at the new folks up on the Sew Weekly site  (you can too here), and although I will miss seeing DebiVeronica DarlingOona and co, I am excited to get to know and see what the new gang are going to be making  :-)  I always feel so inspired seeing other people's makes, and I love the format of the Sew Weekly where we can see LOTS of makes, every week, from different people.

Exciting !

I have been working on the Jasmine, and although I cant share the finished garment yet (as it's not finished ! I have cut and interfaced the fabric, sewed the darts, but am yet to stitch it together) I hope to 'show and tell' soon.

I thought I would share my first experience of using the Colette Sewing Book as an actual reference book. Whilst sewing ! Wooop wooop ! Which actually is very easy with this book due to the way its spiral bound !

I referenced page 84, to be exact, as I needed to make the waist larger on the pattern and so I traced the pattern and then slashed and pivoted as shown in the book.

I must admit I found making these changes much easier using a cardboard table. Actually I have wanted one of these tables after watching Fit for Real People -The Basics DVD, and have spent many a happy hour browsing for one, without any luck (thank god otherwise I would have spent money on one !). Then, this weekend I thought what a waste of money buying one when I can use a large old box. For FREE. And that people, is exactly what I did !

It was amazing ! I laid an old piece of thin decorating vinyl material over it, which thoughtfully of the fabric was gridded, and I used my new table (well actually a flat piece of thick card covered in vinyl to be exact)  to anchor the pattern while I made my adjustments.

Here are the changes that I made to the pattern in practice (and although I did change both the length and  width by 1.5 inches, I later reduced the extra width after making a muslin - it was too much ! Eventually I widened by 6/8 of an inch.

Slashing to make a 'hinge'


Slashing and using my new cardboard 'table' to anchor the pattern pieces, LOVE IT !

Birds eye view

The book advises to mark the seam line on the pattern, and slash at the place where the side seam and underarm seam meet - however - you cant do that on the Jasmine pattern because as you can see above, due to the shapes of the seams, a slash would not be possible at this point. As such I slashed it as near as I could to that point, whilst making sure I had some tissue either side of my slash.

Make sure you add width at the stitching line

Using a pin to drag tissue paper under the pattern - STILL loving the cardboard !

Tissue added - now to tape down and trim off the excess.

Hmm - now the dart needs fixing !

Easy peasy !!   :-) Just match up the ends to the point !
I made a muslin and it seemed to fit pretty well, but I made it a little too wide ! Doh !

I took a gamble and did not make another muslin, I reduced the width on the pattern and just cut the fabric as I am certain that it will fit. Especially because the fabric is drapey, and I plan to wear it tucked in, so a little extra around the midriff is not going to hurt. I draped the pieces over Dolly, and it looks good so far. I made a hybrid of the 2 versions, using the collar from version 1, and the sleeves from version 2. I am using a silk/cotton blend and cutting on the bias, both firsts for me, and I no likey cutting on the bias. I especially no likey trying to mark the darts etc.

Anyone got any good marking tips, especially when cutting on the bias ? Chalk just dragged and I didn't have much luck with tailor tacks.

Hopefully I can finish it at the weekend - it will be nice to start the year with a freshly made garment. I especially love thinking about what I can wear with a new garment to make an outfit !

I other news - I took a picture of a cake, but not just any cake. My colleague makes them every Monday - and they are so beautiful ! I think I may start a little feature called 'Jackies Cakes' so I can share her amazingness with the world !

And - to be fair - after this gigantic post if you made it this far - you deserve a treat !!

YUM !! And soooo pretty !

I hope 2012 has been kind to you so far. And that you have a lovely person in your life who makes you beautiful cakes !

K xxx

8 comments:

  1. I know ! Darling aren't they ? :-)

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  2. Hi, after the crepe sewalong with Gertie, I now use dress maker's carbon and a tracing wheel, if that's any help! The cake looks amazing..wish I had colleagues like yours!!!

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  3. I am lucky eh ? Jackie's cakes are totally fabulous. Thanks for the tip Gaylene ! I would love to see your finished crepe - I gave up on mine due to hideous back fitting issues. Boo ! I did try that type of marking but because my fabric is so patterned I couldn't see the marks ! Doh !

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  4. That adorable little cake looks absolutely delish!
    thank you so much for your comment!

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  5. Thanks Carolyn ! Your welcome, I thought the skill you displayed making that shirt was astounding ! I don't know where you find the time, honestly I don't ! xx

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  6. Hi Kirsty, have to confess that with the crepe I used my long suffering husband to pinch out the extra at the back, but my FBA wa not all it might be...still I did finish it, then managed to rip it at the armhole the first time out!! It was not meant to be! Looking forward to seeing your Jasmine.

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  7. Hi Gaylene, thank you for taking the time to comment :-)
    I tried that - Mr P was doing the pinching, and it looked OK, but then I did not know how to transfer the changes onto my pattern ! I feel a little more confident now, and have the help of my beautiful assistant 'Dolly' and as such feel almost ready to try the crepe again ! There are some real beauty versions which I have seen online, which fill me with hope. I would love to see your version ! Can you share ? xx
    I am hopeful to sew up the Jasmine tonight :-) Maybe work on the crepe again later in the year ! (If I ever get the time) Kxx

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