FO - Yellow floral Banksia top

Hiiiiii

So, I finished this Banksia top. I will certainly be making more of these for sure, it is such an easy top to wear. And I like that its made in woven fabric as I am still yet to try and sew with a knit fabric. I feel scared for some reason ! More to do with the effects of the fabric on size, rather than a fear of actually sewing with the fabric.

I must admit I don't wear this one quite so much as the star print banksia that I made, as it does not seem to go with much in my wardrobe. I'm looking forward to my next version, which will be white and will therefore be a perfect match for almost anything :-)

The skirt is one I made previously. Its faded LOADS, because I wear it alllllll the time !!

Cheerio,

K xx

FO - Gertie pencil skirt in denim

Hiiiiii

So both of the 'works in progress' are now finished and are taking a spin in the washer. I LOVE them and promise to try and snap them for the old blog-a-log soooon. It may not be for a week or 10 days though as I am off to Shropshire for a Uni residential on Thursday to mess around with soils !! Oh what fun :-)

So here is a different finished object - its the Gertie pencil skirt made with a slightly stretchy indigo denim. I had to take the side seams in by a fair amount to get this to fit perfectly.

Nothing much to report regarding the interior - this was a quick make ! Made to fill a gap and in no time at all. A good one to work on if you had lost your mojo, as its a quick and dirty make, with a very satisfying end point.

I think this may be the 4th make using this exact denim ! I proper love it. I think this time though, as it starts to fade, I will dye it indigo again. The previous makes I have left as is, but they look pretty washed out these days, especially the skirt I made here, which I wear ALL THE TIME.

Anyways, I better get gone ! I hope you are all having a very happy Monday, whatever you may be doing :-)

Cheerio

K xxx

I got the blues

Hello !

So, I snapped some pics of my latest make, let me introduce the 'I got the blues' skirt ! (BTW I don't have the blues, but I could not think of another natty title containing the word 'blue'     :-)

Drumroll please, its Frankenstein skirt version 5 ! (I REALLY  need to start sewing something different, but I wear these skirts pretty much every day).

Oh Dear
Another  'smug'   look
I cant help it !
I LOVE this skirt

I have inadvertently 'stash busted' in the making of this skirt, using a dark indigo denim with a bit of 'give' in it. I bought the fabric when I first started to sew clothing and bought FAR TOO MUCH. Like 5 meters or something else equally ridiculous. I have made this skirt, and a dress with it, and sill have enough to make the same again.

Thank god I learned how much fabric I actually need for a project, otherwise this sewing marlarky would have bankrupted me !

This skirt is much more tapered at the side seams than previous versions to give more of a classic pencil shape (with NO room to walk), and as such I had to add a vent. I used Sunni's excellent tutorial to add a vent to my un-vented pattern piece and I must say that I am super pleased with the result, but I think next time I may make a longer vent. I am such a hussy.

This vent helps
when I am trying to climb up
into the cab of my campervan

I did not line this denim in any way as it didn't need it. I also didn't pretty up the hem. This was a fast and dirty make. I even machine sewed in the zip.

I used a fabulous method, I basically used sellotape to mark out totally straight lines the same width apart from the zipper. Using these as a guide I top-stitched the zip on.

I did catch stitch the hem, but this type of hand sewing never feels a chore to me.

In other news I have not progressed with my pyjamas as I hate the fabric so ! I may look at them again in the next couple of days, but I am considering starting over and using cotton. In fact I am just sat here thinking brushed cotton now, rather than silk !

I hope you have all had a wonderful week so far.

I ask myself if I should be making another Frankenstein skirt - now where is that Babooshka fabric ?

Love,

K xxx

The perfect skirt. YES !!

Hello people

errr I have only gone and made myself the perfect skirt. BY ACCIDENT.

How did that happen ?

Not only that but I have worn it twice already ! 2 days in  row and I absolutely LOVE IT !  I have had so many compliments   :-)  Its so nice to be able to say you made it yourself !

The skirt started as a dress, V8630 to be exact. But I didn't like the bodice. So out came the seam ripper and I made myself a skirt. The fabric is dark indigo denim which I had in my stash. Its hard to see in the pictures but its lovely, and was really easy to sew (other than when in layers !). I am definitely going to sew more with denim. I like the classic take on the casual denim skirt :-)

I didn't have a pattern for a waistband so I made a self drafted waistband using various tips provided by Chris and Jill, You-tube and the New Complete Guide to Sewing. 

I am so happy with the way it turned out. Only bad thing is because the skirt is denim, the waistband is extremely thick ! And it was a little too long. But I managed to sew it no real dramas. I sorta bodged the ends of the waistband, but for my first attempt I am super happy  :-)  

Next time I will remember my mistakes and can make it better.

Attaching self drafted waistband - very excited !

oops ! Bit too long and should have cut and finished the edges before I sewed it on - but lesson learnt for next time !

Oh Serger - how I love thee. King of the neat finish !

Gratuitous neatness shot including zip and waistband !

This is my neatest job so far I think... Seams and Zipper all very neat. I did sew the seams with the serger - but I strengthened them after with stitches from my Singer. It felt safer to do so ! I was frightened I would sit and the seam would rip. Could be V embarrassing !

I also got these labels - and I could not wait to sew it on the finished article.

Not exactly neatly sewn - but I was going for the 'rustic'look (ahem)

So - only proper that I document both outfits that I wore using my new skirt, right ?  (excuse the photo's - I really need a nice backdrop now I have my tripod !)

                                  I have shared on 'Sew and Tell Saturday' here - why don't you ?

Outfit 1

Wistful mustard look

Outfit 2 (which can I say I especially pleased with as it consists of 2, 2! handmade garments. I wore my Sencha and I totally LOVE this outfit ! Thats why I posted 2 pictures ! Double the love !

Ahoy there Sailor !

Loving my outfit ! feelin a little more than horrified  about the state of  that barnet tho !

So, I didn't get 2 items sewn last weekend (I still have NOT sewn the Jasmine - oops), but I DID get 2 outfits out of the one thing I DID sew. Jobs a good un.

I have got a 'Jackie Cake' to show, but I will save that for tomorrow, this post may self destruct if I write any more !

Hope you are all going to have a wonderful weekend ! I am going to try sew the Jasmine tomorrow, what are you up too ?

K xxx