By Cat

I Have My Sewing Mojo Back!

2009-02-03T01:21:00.001-08:00

(At least for now!)

I made some more stuff today. Including a red cami and undies set.
And PJ bottoms to match the robe:

Feeling happy and productive!

Summer Robe

2009-02-02T01:35:00.001-08:00

New Look 6657

I have been wanting a new Summer Robe for a while and have just got my hands on quite a few metres of this fabulous tropical cotton. I needed to try out this pattern from New Look. I felt that a red contrast would make the print pop. I am quite happy with the final result. I made the medium size, long length, short sleeve with pockets.

This is the pocket detail with some ribbon trim.

Back:
Side:
Front:

Patchwork Baby Skirt

2009-02-02T01:24:00.001-08:00

For My Niece.

I saw this fun patchwork skirt that vegbee had posted on her blog (justtutes)and had wanted to make one. A while ago Spotlight had a sale on fat quarters and I had picked up 10 different pinks with this project in mind. Each square is 5 inches, the first tier is 10 squares, the second is 20 squares and the third tier is 40 squares. Quite a full skirt by the end.

Here it is modeled by teddy:

Again by Teddy Standing:

And Laid Flat:

Will try to get it in the post over the next few days.

Retro Apron

2009-02-02T01:14:00.001-08:00

Simplicity 4282

I had bought these patterns a while ago and finally got around to making one. View A, size large. The fabric is a furnishing fabric remnant bought for 50c per metre with gold satin bias binding. I have wanted a red apron for a while and finally got around to making one.

Front:

Side:
Back:
I decided to cross the back straps because I felt they would always fall off my shoulders. I also sewed them in place rather than using buttons.

More Dresses for Very Little Girls

2008-11-12T20:57:00.000-08:00

I made all this from New Look 6794. The above shot is of view C over view B. This is all made from printed cotton and eyelet lace. Overall I am quite happy with this pattern but I think it is quite a bit bigger than I thought it would be.

This is view B on its own.

View C on its own. I liked the method of covering the collar seam with bias binding, it gives a very neat finish.

This is view C over view D with view B next to it. I think this is a really cute look too.

This is view D, the bloomers. I didn't have enough eyelet lace left to go around the legs of the bloomers so decided to gather some of the striped fabric so there was a combination of the same fabrics in these as well. Apart from the size being quite a bit larger than I thought it would be I think it all turned out rather well. Hope SIL likes it too.

Sewing for my Niece

2008-11-12T20:49:00.000-08:00

I had a couple of nieces born this year and have decided that I should make a few really cute stuff for them. I have seen some really cute panties for girls who are just starting to crawl that had ruffles across the backside and decided to try to make some. I found this old Butterick 3949 pattern which had a pattern for a jumper style dress and some panties. I sorted though my stash and found this printed cotton remnant orange gingham with diasies. I made the jumper then made the panties and added eyelet lace to create the ruffles on the back. Overall it was quite quick and easy to make, hopefully my SIL likes it.

Top and Pants for Mum

2008-10-12T20:32:00.001-07:00

Here is a top and pants I made for mum.

The top is made from cotton and is using Simplicity 4165 from the Khaliah Ali Collection.
I really liked the pleating detail and the shaped yoke. I could only make the short flutter sleeves because of a lack of fabric.

Top Front:Top Back:

The pants are made from a linen fabric using Simplicity 4193.

Pants Front:

Mum wearing the top and pants:

Clothes for Mum

2008-10-12T20:23:00.001-07:00

I wanted to make Mum some new clothes and had recently bought some new patterns including Simplicity 4193. I seemed to have some very good basics, including a 6 gore skirt. I had some printed linen which I felt would make a fabulous skirt and I know she loves natural fibres.

I did a pocket modification to the pattern so there are pockets on the front side sections.

Skirt Front:
Side Pockets:

I added some name tags to the side seams:

Mum in the skirt:

Spotty Red Dress

2008-10-12T20:15:00.001-07:00

I recently bought some spotty border print cotton fabric and wanted to make a cute summer dress using this fabric. I looked at lots of patterns and browsed through my stash of patterns and decided to do a bit of a mix and match design. I used the top part of a princess seam dress to make the top of the dress then used the 4 metre length of the border print gathered at the waist for the skirt. I used some left over as a sash.

This is the result.

Dress Front:

Dress Side:

Dress Back:

Maybe a Manbag?

2008-09-02T20:14:00.001-07:00

I recently signed up to the Burdastyle community because they had some interesting looking free patterns.

I saw this simple messenger bag pattern and thought it would be a quick project to use up some of my stash scraps.

The pattern is a simple messenger bag, so I needed to think about how many extra pockets I would need to add and where, making the project take much longer than necessary to create.

I used left over chocolate corduroy with a cotton lining. I had some striped webbing which I used for the strap. The hardware was from a local building supplies shop called "Nuts and Bolts", I hope it gives the bag a more robust look.

I added a few internal pockets, for mobile, glasses some pen loops and the clip from a spare lanyard to hold keys an internal zippered pocket.

There is also a pocket on the outside under the flap.

Overall this is a useful pattern a good size (I can fit DH's 12" laptop in it), with reasonably simple instructions.

Better Late than Never.

2008-07-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

Eight weeks ago I had another nephew born, so I needed to make another bear. As I had not started before the baby was born I asked if they had any requests. The only request was the bear had to have a growler.

I also decided it was time I tried making a fully jointed bear. This is the result. He is very large, standing at about 70cm (28 inches). He is made from a dark chocolate corduroy. He is quite fat, has a slightly sad face, a large hump on his back but is quite cuddly. He has kept me company on a long drive (about 900km round trip) out to see my sick Grandmother. I did the hand stitching to close his limbs while I was sitting in her hospital room. So I have grown rather attached to him. Just as well I haven't had to send him too far away to live.

He needed a classic Hawaiian Shirt as his wardrobe which meant I had to find an appropriate pattern and fabric, then match the pattern across the front opening of the shirt. It is not perfect but I had to accept that it was close enough and it would have to do.
Close up of his face, this was also a first attempt at using glass bear eyes instead of buttons.

Side back view with mood lighting:

I will have to try making a furry bear soon. My DH says I should sell them, but I don't think I'm that good at all.

Here I go again!

2008-07-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

This is another version of the Simplicity Shift Dress, this time out of a really soft wool blend. It is a dark charcoal with a very slight shimmer too it.

Front:

Back:

With a purple satin shirt and coloured tights. I have worn this to work and got some great complements. I was very unsure about the coloured tights because of the chunkiness of my legs but my lovely work colleagues assured me it was a good look.

With a black and white striped blouse with a tie. I really am not a bow around the neck kind of person so I decided to wear it in a loose approximation of a men's tie, it makes me think of the pictures on patterns from the '70s.

Simplicity 4118 Red Linen

2008-07-09T22:19:00.000-07:00

I guess this has become a bit of a TAT (tried and true) pattern for me. I made it first time over a year ago and have become more comfortable with using this dress as a jumper style which I feel suits my body shape much better.

Anyway a while ago I was in a smaller independent fabric shop, they are rare here on the Gold Coast and had to buy so fabric. One of the thing in their sale bin was this red linen with lycra. I have a weakness for linen, I love it , love the look, love the feel and even though I hate ironing I will iron linen. Unfortunately they only had about 1.4 metres of it so thats all I got.

This red linen has sat in my stash for a while before I decided what it should become. There wasn't enough for a pair of trousers, I thought about a skirt but felt I would be wasting it, then after coming home from dinner one night and having had a bit to drink decided that it would look great as a red shift style dress. I pulled out this pattern and the fabric, fit the pattern on it somehow and thankfully left it there and slept on it.

I had originally thought I would do a real quickie job and simply use bias around the neck and armholes and skip the lining altogether. Thankfully after sleeping on it I saw sense and made it up with facings and fully lined it.

Front view:

The lining fabric was some weird cotton that I found in my stash which must have survived from the 80's. I knew I would not be using it for any thing else so it became my lining fabric.

Please excuse the weird stance. It can be challenging to get a good photo when the camera is balanced on a stack of books and you are using the timer.

This is I guess how I would wear this in spring and autumn. I have found that I really like the look of the shirt underneath, it hides my chubby upper arms and seems to show off the dress better. I find that if I wear a belt a bit above my natural waist it help to disguise just how short my legs really are.

This is probably how I will wear it at work over the winter months here. I thing the tan of the belt and boots help tone down the redness of the dress and make it a little more suitable for work.

Simplicity 4041

2008-07-09T15:49:00.000-07:00

I read a review for this pattern a while ago and thought I should give it a go. After checking my measurements I decided that I needed to make a size 18 view F. I modified it by adding piping between the waistband and skirt and adding inseam side pockets. I used a grey suiting fabric and lined it with poly lining fabric.

Overall I am please with my construction, even though I unpicked it before adding the waist band because I thought it was too big, changed my mind and resewed it back the way it was. I forgot I was going to add piping and had to unpick and redo the waist as well.

Front View:

Back View: I did a centered zipper application and was happy to see my piping lined up neatly.

In Seam Side Pockets:

Unfortunately I don't think this is a flattering style for me. It is a little too big in the waist and simply makes me look quite dumpy. But it moves beautifully when I walk, is super comfortable and the side pockets are really practical so I wear it to work regardless. I really must have a go at view B from this pattern, I do like how the bias pockets on the check fabric.

First Attempt at Quilting

2008-03-31T01:39:00.000-07:00

Front View:

Detail:
More Detail:

This was my first attempt at patchwork and quilting. It was made from some pieces I had picked up from spotlight. There were 10 green tone and 10 brown tone pieces, I trimmed them to be the same size as the smallest piece, then stitched the scraps together along their long edges, cut them in strips and sewed them together to form 2 long patchwork strips. These formed the slim columns down the quilt.

After I put the patchwork top together I put different coloured bias binding over it to see what looked best. I really liked how the dark red picked up the small flecks of red in the prints.

In hindsight I don't think I have the best arrangement of the fabrics looking at the scale, detail and depth of colour. It is a bit wonky in places and the border is not quite even, but I think it is ok for a first attempt which happened in a very unplanned manner. The finished size is 88x108cm (35"x42"), really only big enough for a baby

The quilting stitching was done on my machine and seems to be ok, I got better at staying in the ditch as I went along. It is bound by bringing the back over the front and slip stitching.

I plan to give it to any member of my family who actually likes it.

Smock Top for Mum

2008-03-25T01:37:00.000-07:00

Mum struggles with the heat of summer where she lives in central Queensland and needs very light weight cotton clothing for wearing around the house.

This was something that I drafted and made out of left over fabric in my stash. I was a fairly quick and easy project.

Jelly Beans for the Jelly Bean

2008-03-25T00:54:00.001-07:00

The Jelly Bean with her Great-Grandma.

While my brothers wife was pregnant he would send out updates about the progress of "The Jelly Bean", so of course when she was born I HAD to make a jelly bean dress for the jelly bean!

It was a really simple pattern, but because I tried to make it after my week of night shift on no sleep I managed to make so many mistakes it was rather crazy. It all worked out when I put it down and had a few days sleep and finished it.

Little Chambray Bear

2008-03-25T00:50:00.000-07:00

My nephew was born 6 weeks early so I thought a little soft chambray bear for a special little boy was necessary.

Camo Ballerina Bear

2008-03-25T00:44:00.001-07:00

What else should I make when the Daddy is a commando?

I made the bear before my niece was born and decided on the tutu when we found out the baby was a girl.

The leotard and tutu are entirely self drafted and if you look very closely I embroidered tiny eyelashes as well.

A Skirt for Christmas

2007-12-27T16:24:00.000-08:00

I decided that I needed some thing new to wear on Christmas Day and thought a skirt would be the right thing. I had bought this bright Christmas cotton at Spotlight with the intention of making a circle skirt but when I looked at it at home I felt it was more suited to a six gored skirt. So I pulled out a skirt pattern I have previously made and love and went to work.

The pattern is Vogue 7910 and is a really simple pattern and a flattering shape. I decided not to line this skirt and would wear it with a slip .

I love the pockets on this skirt, large enough to be useful but discrete and don't spoil the line of the skirt.

I didn't really try to match the pattern but it seems to have matched quite well by accident.

On the close up of the pocket you can see the shape of the pocket and the detail of the print. I think what I like best is that even though it is a Christmas print it is not overboard.

I wore it with a simple black t shirt as the skirt is quite bold on its own. I had felt it would go quite well with my black swimmers but Christmas was unseasonably cool in Sydney this year and I skipped the swimming. It was very pleasant, not unbearably hot and humid as usual.

Continuing with the aprons

2007-12-27T16:06:00.001-08:00

I made this one for the sister of my husband. It is made from quilting cotton with random handbags on it, rather a fun print and very colourful. Simply pleated onto a wide waistband with a large pocket and trimmed with pink bias binding.
The back has very long wide ties and for the photo I decided a super large bow would be cute.

I used my narrow hemming foot for the first time hemming the ties and it was so easy and gave a really neat result. I will definitely be using it again in the future.
The pocket is quite large with a mini pocket on the front. My mobile fitted quite neatly inside it. Another first was using one of the quilting stitches to applique some of the handbags to the mini pocket and to decorate the upper band of the pocket.
Overall I quite liked the boldness of the apron and the frivolity of it and I was reasonably pleased with my workmanship.

Apron Madness Part 4

2007-11-13T20:22:00.000-08:00

Matron's Pinny

This is another apron from the Enid Gilchrist book. It was called a "Matrons Pinny" I'm not sure why?

I have made this one out of very tiny red and white hounds tooth cotton with a flannelet finish to the inside. The collar and straps are red poly cotton.

I quite like the shape of this one too, good full coverage where you need it when you are doing dirty things and big pockets.
The ties are long enough to tie around at the front too.

I hope my family like them.

I now have to make one for a 10 year old not sure which style will be best for her.

Apron Madness Part 3

2007-11-13T20:11:00.000-08:00

Fifties Fun

The aprons that follow are from patterns from the 40's & 50's. These patterns were from an eBay seller who had scanned a 1950's booklet about patterns and was selling pdf versions of them.

This is made from polka dot poly cotton with contrasting striped poly cotton. I modified the pattern to have a rounded collar .

The pockets have little buttons on them in the shape of strawberries.

I used the stripe fabric for the ties as well.

This one is made with the original square collar. I trimmed it with orange ribbon. The fabric is cotton printed with tropical flowers.
A back view, you can see the points at the back of the collar.

I wanted to make colourful and original aprons, unlike anything in the shops, I hope I've succeeded.

Apron Madness Part 2

2007-11-13T20:01:00.001-08:00

Animal Aprons.

The apron story continues. This is a tunic style apron from the Enid Gilchrist book. I really like the shape of this one, a much shorter style but the ties are attached to the body inside tucks which give it a really cute shape. I also love the really big pockets on the front of this one.

Made from cotton drill with Dalmatian puppies and bones.
And a side view. The book suggest this could be worn as a top over a t-shirt, on a young person I think it could be a good look. I am tempted to try making one out of a fleece to give to my Grandma as a pop over to wear in the nursing home.

Another animal print cotton drill. This is a self drafted pattern based on an apron from a single yard of fabric from the 1920's. It is cut on the bias and the ties and pockets are made from the leftover fabric. I have tied this in front as it is a little large for my dummy.

Back view:
More to come!

Apron Madness!

2007-11-13T19:45:00.000-08:00

Aprons for my family.

I have been looking at some really beautiful vintage apron patterns on line and have decided try making some as a stash busting exercise.
I have put together quite a few and have decided that as a way of giving my family members hand made goods I would give all the girls in my family an apron.

I will do this post in parts as there are quite a few to get through.

On ebay I got a little publication "Enid Gilchrist's : Pinnies 'n' Things" no publication date but probably from the early to mid 1970's.

This is a cross fronted apron made from printed cotton.
Pockets are a needed.

This was called a cover up apron. I liked the idea of the princess seam side panels and the pleating at the waist rather than gathers. I used a green binding for the edges. This is a heavy weave cotton.
I tried to match up the pocket as much as was possible.

I think what I will do is put all the aprons in one package and address it to everyone and they can chose the one they like the best.

Stash Busting Vintage

2007-10-16T19:57:00.000-07:00

I recently made my first purchase of vintage patterns from the US and this was one of the things that was in my package. A simple button front dress from the mid sixties in a size 18 1/2 .
I had to do a full bust adjustment and added a bit more fullness to the skirt. The buttons are vintage shell buttons I found in an antique shop in Mt Tamborine.

I will probably wear it with a belt and a white petticoat . At the moment the only belt I have to wear with it is a black one but I think I will have to find a shiny white belt.
The fabric is a light weight cotton with raised dots and an embroidered white boarder bought on sale about a year ago. I have been waiting for a good pattern to use it.
This is a close up of the fabric.

I think it is a cute dress and will possibly make it again in a bright fabric for summer.

A Little Ancient History.

2007-10-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

Well maybe not quite that long.

About 12 years ago I wanted a cape with a hood, not for any great reason other than I thought they looked really great and I wanted one.
I don't go to Ren Fairs or Cosplay or any such thing, maybe I would have if there were such things in inland Australia.

So I found a pattern I liked, Style 2377. Then spent a fortune on probably 6 or more metres of silk double velvet. That is beautiful heavy thick velvet made from pure silk. Then had to have a red lining.

Laid it all out on the floor of my little flat and got cutting and sewing. After I got the whole thing together I had to go see a local seamstress to have her measure and hem it for me. I chickened out at that point.

Than I had my cape. I have loved it ever since and I am really pleased that I spent and insane amount of money on the fabric because I think it looks as good today as the day I made it.

Front:

I close it with a Clan broach (which almost gets as many comments as the cape)

Back:

Pinned open so you can get an idea of how full it really is.

It is a piece of pure indulgence and I have had very few opportunities to wear such a beautiful garment. I has done service as a bed spread, a lounge throw and as a prop for my friends wedding. At the moment it is doing long service in my closet as I live on the Gold Coast and it never gets cold enough for something this heavy. (Maybe I'll have to have a costume party just so it can make a brief appearance.)

I just wanted to share this garment and say if you really love a piece spend the money on it from the beginning and you will get many many years to enjoy it.

My New Favourite Skirt Pattern!

2007-10-04T16:13:00.001-07:00

Spotlight had a sale on Vogue Patterns recently and V7910 was one of the patterns I grabbed.

I have decided that I really need to incorporate pockets into as many of the clothes I make as possible so this was a good pattern with deep practical pockets.

I used a linen rayon blend fabric with a black poly cotton lining (I did a lining instead if waist facings),and top stitched in black. It was a simple pattern, fits really well and is very comfortable. It is a size 16.

Front view:

Close up of waist and pocket detail:

I will definitely make this again and have been trying to decide how to incorporate it into a dress pattern.

Baby's Clothes

2007-10-04T15:37:00.001-07:00

My recent holiday was to the UK to catch up with friends. My very good friend had a baby girl earlier this year and I decided I would make some little things for her.

Spotlight was having some pattern sales so I picked up a few patterns half price, including Burda 9717.

I also found in the $1 bin a piece of very soft flannel.

They came together to make this:

I had to try doing some decorative stitching around the hem and sleeves and after several trials on scrap fabric asked my DH for his opinion, he chose the hearts and I think it was the right choice. The pattern came together quickly and easily and I will probably use it again. A really good pattern.

It fit her perfectly.

Now the question I have for you is,everyone says "Cute!" as soon as they see it, are they honest or is this a subliminal message from the fabric?

I also made the Jacket in View B in a soft brown corduroy with delicate pink flowers , used pink fabric under the collar and on the backs of the ties and on the insides if the cuffs. I then top stitched the seams in fuscia pink. I didn't finish hemming and hand stitching until I got to the UK and completely forgot to take a photo of it before I gave it away. I will have to try and get my friends to send me a photo of their daughter wearing it. It is one of the things I am most proud of making.

Beginners Hat

2007-10-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

Recently I purchased a book called "Saturday Night Hat" by Eugenia Kim and one Saturday afternoon while my DH and Brother were working on some computer problem I decided to make some muffins (Apple and Cinnamon). While they were in the oven I pulled out the hat book and decided to make the Cloche Hat. I rummaged though my scrap box for some suitable fabric and went to it.

Before the muffins were out of the oven I had a hat!

Top:

Front:

Not bad I thought for about 15 minutes work and my first attempt. I then gave I to a friend at work for her birthday, she loved it!

Now my DH expects me to make a "baggy" hat for cricket.

I'm Back

2007-10-04T15:03:00.000-07:00

I am going to try to catch up on some of the things I have done lately. The big gap is because I was on holidays for 4 weeks and was busy leading up to and after my holidays. Sewing happened but blogging didn't.

I'm in a bit of a fuzzy mood today so things might end up being a tad random.

Could mean a more interesting blog though.

Any way I'll post a few different things today and maybe a few of the things I have in the pipeline.

I feel I need a bit of a kick up the backside to get going on them though.

Italian Cotton

2007-07-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

I am rather lucky to have at a location quite handy to where I live a rather wonderful fabric shop. My problem is that she stocks some truly beautiful fabrics but I just wish I could justify the price more often.

On the remnants rack (she hangs her remnants on pants hangers) I found this beautiful soft 100% Italian cotton hounds tooth, I thought about it for a while and left it there, reluctantly. I had to go a buy a zipper and some other odds and ends a while later and it was still there. I looked at the length and decided that there would be just enough for a straight skirt so $18 for the piece and I came home with some beautiful fabric.

I have an odd problem for a sewer, I am terrified of cutting my fabric. I really have to work up the courage to put the scissors to the fabric in abject terror that I will botch things up before I even start and I will have wasted all that wonderful fabric. Stupid, I know, but that's just how I am. After procrastinating for a few weeks I decided that my McCall's skirt was the right pattern for the fabric. I lined it with black cotton and this is how it looks.
The length is the length the remnant was, ideally I would have liked it to be a little longer, but that's all I had. I hits me just on the knee, so it'll be a winter skirt to wear with opaque tights and boots.

I am slightly disappointed with the back because for some reason I have managed to stretch the fabric beside the zipper on one side so the print in out of alignment. The fabric is very soft and very prone to unravel so didn't want to unpick and redo the zip. I ended up thinking that I can't see my own backside so I wouldn't worry too much.

Over all I am quite happy because for about $25 I have a skirt which would have cost over $100 for something fully lined and of a similar quality fabric.

Straight Skirt

2007-07-09T22:38:00.000-07:00

From McCall's 2129.

I have discovered that an interesting source of very cheap patterns is second hand shops. It can be a little variable as to what you actually find, mostly they cost about 50 cents but contents are not always complete.

I grabbed this pattern on one of my hunts and with luck it was precut in my size (16). I searched through my fabric stash and found what was left of my printed cotton drill. So here it is another skirt for work.

Front:But I needed pockets. I could not put them in the side seams as it quite a close fit so decided to add patch pockets on the back. I simply copied the size of the patch pockets on the back of my jeans and stitched them on before I put the skirt together.

Back:
It was a very simple pattern to follow and I will probably try making something else from it.

Pinafore Dress Completed

2007-07-09T22:22:00.001-07:00

Finished!

Well I finished the pinafore test dress. It actually looks much better on me. I will wear it normally with a black or chocolate long sleeve top , opaque tights and boots. As it is pure polyester it won't breath so it is a winter only garment.

Side Front:I put the zip in the side seam (not a very good job, but my arm will hide it most of the time) and left a small slit on one side seam.

I thought it was time I used some of the decorative stitches on my machine so added a row of decoration around the neckline.
I'll use this idea to make one in black cotton drill, I'll have to work out how I will add pockets to this design. I'm looking at all the other patterns I have to see if I can put together a design that I really like.

I might try to get DH to take a photo of me wearing it when I'm dressed properly.

Pinafore dress idea.

2007-07-06T14:07:00.001-07:00

Pinafore Dress Idea.

I was browsing on ebay the other day and saw a 1940’s pinafore dress and felt that it held possibilities. I am always trying to think of ways to update my work wardrobe. I like to look neat, even though almost no one sees me except on my walk home in the morning. I need to have pockets to carry my work car keys and my work phone on me at all times. I need to be reasonably physically active, walking, lifting, carrying, getting in and out of cars and occasionally crawling around on the floor.

You would think that because of this I would avoid skirts like the plague, but no I don’t. I feel quite comfortable in them now and have realised that I can cope quite well. They just shouldn’t be too short or tight, given my body shape this is not a style I would normally choose.

So after going though my pattern stash and browsing many patterns online I decided to give it a go. I pulled out my Simplicity shirt dress pattern, which is my favourite redesign pattern. I then went through my stash and found a dark caramel polyester crepe. I folded it in a couple of different ways to see how to make it work, it was quite a small piece. I decided that I would put the zip in the side seam, keep the centre back seam but cut the front on the fold. I ended up cutting the neck facings from a pair of shorts I had started making from the same fabric but had destroyed before completion. I did not have a zip the right colour or length in my collection so the whole project got delayed for a week. I will do a lapped zipper in the side seam, finish the armholes with bias binding and am thinking of trying out the decorative stitches on my machine around the neckline.

Hopefully it will be done soon.

But I’ve forgotten the pockets! I didn’t have much of this remnant fabric left so decided that this would simply be a practice piece, a wearable muslin.

I have bought some black cotton drill to make the real dress, though if this works I’m thinking it would look fabulous in fine charcoal wool.

Chocolate Mock Wrap Top

2007-06-25T22:29:00.001-07:00

As it is winter here now, I have decided that I need some more long sleeve tops. I also thought I would have another go at making something out of jersey.

So after a bit of thought I hit on using New Look 6515 again. This time I wanted to try the cross over style. So I did a quick alteration to the upper bodice and this is what I came up with.

Front:Close up of bodice top and sleeve:
(that is just a piece of white fabric stuffed in the top for modesty, all always have to wear a cami under this one)

Back:

I still have to decide how I want the sleeves and the hem finished. I was thinking of putting a band on the sleeves and simply hemming the bottom.

I cut it as a size 16 and made it out of two jerseys from my stash. It has taken about 2 hours to put together. The banding around the neck is far from perfect, I was figuring out the construction techniques as I went along. I would also consider making the upper part in a smaller size, overlapping the front sections further and increasing the size around my hips.

Overall I think it is wearable and the concept has merit. I am considering making a version of this for my pregnant sister in law. I will make the front panel wider and longer and gather it under the bust as well for a more bump friendly shape. Just need to find the right fabric now.

Football Dress

2007-06-13T15:46:00.000-07:00

Last night was "State of Origin" and my DH was taking me to the cricket club to watch the game. As I'm a Queenslander I needed to wear something maroon and I didn't want to wear a footy jersey over jeans. I had previously thought it would be cute to have a special dress to wear to sporting events but had never actually gone though with it, so this was the perfect opportunity.

I used my vintage vogue pattern v2903 with some modifications.
I just wanted a simple top so I pined the yoke pattern pieces to the bodice pattern and cut it as one to eliminate the complex shoulder design. I also did not pleat the skirt.

I wanted something I could easily make in a day. So I raced out and bought 5 metres of maroon and white 1 inch gingham and this is what I came up with.

Front:

Back:

Side:

Close up:

I also bought maroon embroidery thread and have ideas of machine embroidering little Q's over the dress in random places. I figure it's a dress I can wear to any of my home states sporting events.

And by the way, Queensland Won!!!!!

The cane toads ate the cockroaches!

Buying Boots inOz!

2007-06-11T19:15:00.000-07:00

Hi,
Time for another gripe.

I LOVE boots, but I have a slightly larger calf and apparently a slightly narrow ankle which makes finding boots that fit , look good and are comfortable some what of a challenging mission. Add to all of this my current place of residence is the Gold Coast and this limits my range even further (Who wears boots in a beach resort town?).

As I work overnight it gets just cool enough(during winter) to pull my boots out of the closet and wear them, it's too warm in the day.

I also like feminine shoes and I refuse to believe that comfortable shoes HAVE to be ugly. I recently saw a boot by Dr Martens which had a cute tapered heel and an elegant rounded toe which I feel in love with. The line is called Jenna, here it is in red.

They also do the same boot in an ankle boot and a Mary Jane style shoe. This is a good looking comfortable looking boot. But do you think I can find them in Oz!?! I finally found the Dr Martens shop in The Valley in Bris but they had sold the last pair in my size that morning and said they would not be able to order any more in. Damn! I really wanted black but I love this boot so much I would have bought the red. I also would have bought the ankle boot or the Mary Janes but they didn't have them and said they wouldn't be available until September or October.

So I have two options, take the risk that they fit and order online from the UK and pay a fortune in shipping or try very hard to be patient and wait until I get to the UK myself in August to try them and get them then.

I just have to keep telling myself "I can wait!".

V2903 Finally Completed!

2007-05-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

My 1957 Dress all Finished

Well I finally got it done in time for the wedding on the weekend. There are a couple of things I think I would have liked to have done better, but overall I think it is quite alright. I had to take it in a bit more at the back around the waist and I had to reset the yoke and the sleeves.

Front view with the shoes I'll probably wear with it. I was going to wear black shoes but I got my hubby to take photos of me in the different options and I liked how the red shoes looked best.

Side view:

Back view:

I used a polished cotton with elastine. I think this is why I have pull marks around the waist as the weight of the fabric pulls the elastic in the fabric. It used about 7 metres of fabric, so overall not a cheap dress to make but I know no one else will be wearing one. It is shown with the crinoline underneath. I was contemplating putting a layer of black tulle on the bottom of the crinoline and having it show at the bottom of the skirt. I think it looks OK without it and I ran out of time.

I'll try to post some pictures of me and my hubby all dressed up.

Thanks for looking

Buying Books in Australia

2007-05-10T01:22:00.000-07:00

Why are books so expensive in Australia?

As you can see by my blog I enjoy sewing. Clothes, toys, handbags, soft furnishings I'll give it all a go at some point. I would also like to learn a little about hat making. How do I do this? Because I don't live in a capital city I have limited access to classes so most of the time I learn by reading books and accessing information online.

I have a major bone to pick with the book retailers (on line and traditional) in Australia. Why are non-fiction reference books so expensive in Australia? As they must be aware we can access web sites from around the world so can get a good idea of when books are published and how much they cost.

A recent example is "Sew U" by Wendy Mullin on Fishpond in Australia retail $58 (apparently the have 168 copies available). On Amazon (US site) US$17.15. Shipping to Australia for this one book is US$17 add currency conversion and the total price is $41.05. I save $16.95 if I order only one book from the US.

Another example is "Saturday Night Hat: Quick and easy hatmaking for the downtown Girl" by Eugenia Kim on Fishpond AU$44.99 (quantity available 215). On Amazon US$15.57 plus US$17 shipping and conversion AU$39.12, still a $5 saving.

If you order more than one book you save even more on shipping.
Why do these Australian companies think I would buy books from them?

My next rant goes against pattern companies. Why do they insist on releasing patterns at least 6 months after the northern hemisphere release date? I understand that there is an element of seasonal clothing in each range but I really don't mind getting the dress pattern for the dress I want to wear in summer in winter because it gives me time to find the fabric and make it. By the time I have done this it will be summer again anyway. There is also a selection of clothes which really are cross seasonal or special ranges which are released intermittently regardless of season which I am denied for at least 6 months.

A Crinoline

2007-05-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

Because I love big skirts from the 50's

As I really love circle skirts and the fashions from the 50's I decided that I really needed to have a crinoline. I had bought some white poly cotton and some nylon netting a while ago in anticipation of the project. I took a while to get started as I really didn't know how to make one.

So I hit the Internet and read quite a few methods. The one that I liked best came from a doll making site. But I still modified the method.

I did not like the idea of a elastic waist as I figured all the layers would become quite heavy and would have a tendency to pull itself down. I also didn't like that I would have so much fabric bunched around the waist. I used the top part of a skirt pattern with a straight waistband as my upper part. the second tier is about 8 inches deep and is a layer of nylon net sandwiched between two layers of poly cotton. The lower level is about 10 inches deep. I used two layers of net gathered and joined to the middle layer of net. The poly cotton layers are each just a single layer one on the inside and one on the outside.

I am thinking of binding the edges of the net with some satin ribbon so it is not so scratchy (it's just overlocked at the moment) and possibly adding some eyelet lace to the poly cotton layers.

But does it work?

Here is a before shot of my vintage vogue dress:

And here is the after, with crinoline:

I think the dress looks a lot more balanced. So think I will go ahead and make it in a fabulous fabric. And I'll have to make more circle skirts and dresses.

A Skirt for Work

2007-05-03T18:05:00.000-07:00

Yet Another 80's Creation!

This is another skirt I have made for work. It has nice deep side pockets so I don't lose my keys or the phone. The yoke is shaped in at the waist and is nice and snug. It is a higher waist line but I will probably always wear my shirts untucked anyway.

The fabric is from my stash, I think it was cotton.

A simple centred back zip.

I added bar tacks at the bottom of the pockets and at the top of the side splits.

This was the pattern I used. It was another pattern I had found in a second hand shop for about 50c. when I got it home I found out it had never been opened. I bought it because it included pockets, very important for work. I made view A in size 44 (European sizing) but still added about 3cm to the centre back. I may make view E one day too.

Don't You Just Hate it When....

2007-04-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

If only I read German.

I bought this pattern a while ago in a second hand shop. I thought it looked like a really cute shirt, soft and feminine and would look excellent in a very light weight pretty cotton. It is a bit too small for me but I really wanted to make a shirt with raglan sleeves.

The back should have alerted me to a potential problem:

If you look carefully you will notice no English at all on the back cover. I did not notice this. When I looked inside the packet the instructions are entirely in German (I think) with no English translation at all. The pictures are quite good so I'm thinking that I'll send a copy of the instructions to my Mum and see if she can translate the for me.

Sewing with Stretch: A Success Story!

2007-04-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

Chocolate and Pink Lingerie

I have finally made something with stretch that I'm quite happy with.

I made this using Knitwit 5100. A pattern I picked up at a second hand shop for $1.

I have very narrow shoulders so generally don't like shoestring straps so decided to make a camisole using view B.

I had some chocolate jersey in my stash and had recently bought some chocolate and pink stretch lace and matching pink elastic.
So here is the camisole front:

And back:

And because they were in the pattern I had to make the matching knickers. Unfortunately I seem to have had a mental breakdown when I bought the pink elastic and only bought enough for the top.

It is all made on my new machine. No overlocker used. I LOVE my new machine! The seams are beautiful with no puckering or bubbling.

What do I really love about this pattern, the knickers fit really well and best of all the cami tops come in cup sizes! The top actually fits!! I will have to make this again in a variety of fabrics and colours.

Vogue v2903

2007-04-18T17:19:00.000-07:00

Vintage Vogue

V2903

I have been wanting to make this for ages, but have been a little apprehensive because I need to do a full bust adjustment. The problem is, it has princess seams and I still am not quite happy with my previous attempts. I have been searching the net to see if anyone else has made it and if so how it looked, but I have had no luck. Therefore I bought 10 metres of green 1/4" poly cotton and decided to give it a go.

First was to trace the pattern and start the full bust adjustment. All went OK until I realised that the method I was using altered the waist as well??? I was using the very well respected and highly recommended "Fit for Real People" by Palmer & Alto. I have reread and reread the method and no matter which way I look at it the method definitely increases the waist as well as the bust! So I came up with my own modification and graded the waist back in.

I tried it on for the first real fitting. One of the biggest problems was the shoulders seemed to be very wide, but after a closer look it really was that I have a reasonably narrow back and by taking it in quite a lot in the centre of the back the shoulders fit much better.

I also repositioned the zip to the side seam for the mock up as I felt it was easier to place and adjust.

This is the first try on after the facings were attached. The fit was looking OK so I decided to continue. When I make it again I will try to increase the width of the front panel across the bust as I think the princess seams are not quite in the right place.

This is the front after the sleeves had been attached. It was a very unusual design as the sleeves are attached to the shoulder of the under yoke and stitched to the body of the dress under the arm, quite an unusual design.

A close up of the upper back the pins are holding the yoke to the dress. I still have to attach it to the facing to anchor it.

The sleeves will need to be adjusted slightly as they are a little tight around my biceps and it makes it almost impossible to take off at the moment.

I am still undecided whether to fix the sleeves and level and hem the skirt so it is wearable or not. Is it a little too 50's house wife crossed with country hick?

I am going to work on a more suitable crinoline to give the skirt a bit more volume.

Then I need to decide if the design is suitable to be made into a dress to wear to a black tie wedding and if so what fabric should I use? This dress is quite a bit shorter than the actual pattern which is more like a lower calf length.

Suggestions are welcome.

Thanks
Cat

My Birthday Present!

2007-04-18T16:01:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to all who contributed to my Birthday Present Fund.

This is how the money was spent. I finally made my decision about which machine I wanted on Tuesday, but after I got it home there was no way I could leave it in the box until today. I was way too excited, I had a cup of tea read the users manual then go it out. It's much more advanced than I need right now but I hope I won't need to buy a new machine now for 10-20 years.
This is what was the biggest selling feature. It has a little foot which feeds the fabric from the top as well. I took a piece of nasty to sew but beautiful to wear knit fabric to test on it and it could do a nice neat seam across the stretch without nasty stretching and pulling of the seam. I was impressed and decided to get it despite the rather large price tag.
So far I love it and go back to the store for my first lessons today!

Baby Blue Mens Shirt

2007-04-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

"When are you going to make me something?"

My DH asked the other week after I had finished my last dress. So I figured I had better get my act together and make that shirt I had been procrastinating about.
I pulled out Simplicity 9469 which I had already traced off 6 months ago in anticipation of this project.
It is a size 46 with 17 inch neck band.

It is made from a pure cotton that is self striped, from memory it was a special at about $2 per metre.

I referred to David Coffin's book "Shirtmaking. Developing Skills for Fine Sewing" for some of the construction methods. I did not flat fell the seams but I did try stretching the collar to give it natural curve.

Unfortunately my machine had been a bit temperamental and was leaving odd little messes of thread intermittently on the under side, so some of the top stitching is not as neat as it could be. I think it needs a service!
Overall I am reasonably happy with the out come. I will make another shirt for him later now that I have my new machine.

Simplicity 4118

2007-04-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

Shift Dress with Shaped Neckline

Things have been a bit busy of late and I have been a bit lazy with updates.
Here is my latest creation.

Pattern: Simplicity 4118. View D. Size 18 with D cup bust.
Modifications: lengthen torso (above waist) by 5cm and shorten skirt by 5cm.
Fabric: Linen/rayon blend lined with poly cotton.

Side front:

Close up of neckline, it is slightly curved.

It is fully lined and I hand stitched the lining to the zip.

A close up of the frill on the hem. It is just below knee length.

I really love this pattern range with the separate patterns for B,C & D cups. I can get a good fit without the trouble of a full bust adjustment.

My aim was to achieve a more professional finish.

Chocolate Bear

2007-03-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

Bear for My New Nephew

I have a new nephew so decided I would try making another bear. As it is a boy I went through my stash looking for non-floral fabric and decided upon the chocolate self stripe corduroy. He is made from a pattern in a Family Circle book about sewing for babies.

He would be about 25cm high ad quite fat. Overall I am reasonably happy with the result, though the instructions became very vague by the end of the construction process and I was left to kind of guess how to get it all together.

Now I need to think of a name for him and put him in the post.

Grandma's Singlet - Mark 2

2007-03-05T20:09:00.000-08:00

Second Attempt at a Singlet:

Here is the result of a second attempt at making a singlet for my Grandma. After I was able to fit the first one there were a few areas which needed to be modified. The neckline and arm holes are deeper and I changed the way I finished the neckline and arm holes.

Here is a close up of the neckline and arm holes:

I simply overlocked the edge of the fabric then stitched stretch lace around the neck and arm holes, I think I am happier with the finished result using this technique.

Now I just need to get it in the post.

Mock Wrap Dress Update

2007-02-22T15:01:00.000-08:00

Some additional information about my new wrap dress.

I decided to wear my new dress out last night before it made it to the washing machine and before it got a hem.

Generally I liked the way it wore, it's very comfortable the fabric is soft and the skirt drapes nicely.

BUT: It really is a size too big, and the shoulders are too wide so they kept slipping off my shoulders and due to the crossover design at the back as well if I didn't catch my sleeve straight away I was in danger of a very major "wardrobe malfunction". In other words the bodice could end up wrapped neatly around my waist and I would be left showing everyone my entire bra not just the bra band!

I will modify this dress buy putting a strip across the back of the dress at the top of my shoulders to prevent any accidents. Then it will be an excellent "wearable muslin" to throw on when I feel like going to the shops or leaving the house for no particular reason.

Learning to Sew with Knits. Part 2

2007-02-21T19:05:00.000-08:00

Mock Wrap Dress

Spotlight were having a sale on Butterick patterns the other day so I grabbed a couple, including this one:

http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/butterick/shop.cgi?s.item.B4788=x&TI='b4788'&page=1

I also got some chocolate jersey with a cream floral print which was reduced to $5 per metre. So this was going to be an ideal learning project.
I didn't make any pattern modifications as I wanted to see how the fit would be. I made view A in a size 18.

I did make construction changes as I am still not happy with my edge finishing. So after multiple practice runs on scrap fabric and examining the jersey dresses in my wardrobe I decided to make a band to finish the edges. I also did this to the sleeves.

Front:

Side with elastic casing ruching detail:

Back: I had not originally noticed that the back was a wrap as well. My biggest problem with this was the potential it would be too low to cover my bra band, but it all worked out OK, though if I do this again I would prefer a normal back. I will also make longer sleeves, possibly as long as elbow length.
The side front without the ruching. I have tied a scrap of fabric around the waist and I think it gives the dress much more shape. I think I will have to make a tie out of the left over fabric. After looking at the fit if I make this dress again I will lengthen the bodice and possible make a size 16 as the shoulders are a little too wide and the sleeves are very loose.

I am starting to feel a little more confident with my knit sewing. I haven't tackled the hem yet, I think I will give it a run though the washing machine the let it hang and stretch first. I might have to tackle a few more knit projects in my next week off work.

Thanks for looking.

Comments are always welcome.

Cat.

Knickers!

2007-02-18T20:27:00.000-08:00

Ultra fast lacy knickers.

Still on the stretch theme. I made these in about 40 minutes by copying a pair of knickers I really like.

I am really happy with the separate crotch piece, I think it should make them a little more comfortable.
A close up of the lace.

They were really easy to make as I used a stretch lace the width I wanted them to be, but at $7 per metre they are not really cheap. I will be making more though, maybe it's time I started to source fabric from abroad.

Learning to Sew with Knits.

2007-02-18T19:11:00.000-08:00

A Singlet for Grandma

Quite a while ago, Mum asked if I could make some singlets for Grandma as the one's in the shop were generally too short. Rather hard to believe as she is 5' nothing. Anyway all the singlets mum could get seemed to finish about her waist and would always become untucked.

After a few attempts I had been very dissatisfied with my ability to sew knits. Constructing the garment on the over locker was a breeze but then it all went horribly wrong when I attempted to use my sewing machine to do the hems or necklines.

But I have decided that this week is my learn to sew with knits week. So I started with a singlet for Grandma.
I am satisfied with the result around the neck and arm holes. I think I understand the ideas a bit better now and should get better with practice. I will also try so other finishing techniques.

I am most happy with my hem. Finally I have had success with a twin needle! I think the problems previously were a combination of a non-stretch needle compounded with a too narrow gap and a very stretchy fabric.
The fabric in this project is a single cotton jersey, very soft but it was OK to work with. I just hope it fits her. I will have to get it in the post soon.

Well I have learned a few things, now for a few more projects with knits.

Scary 80's Pattern to Great Linen Skirt

2007-02-08T17:32:00.000-08:00

Great fit from Scary 80's Pattern.

While browsing in a second hand book shop in their craft books section was a collection of these "Make it Easy" Magazines with patterns from 1984. I got a stash of 13 folders of patterns each with at least 2 garments all for $6. All multisize patterns , all printed on paper not tissue.

It was fun going through looking at all that BIG 80's hair, the amazingly shapeless garments and the young girls trying to look at least 10 years older. But a nice change to not see glorified hooker gear.

In this envelope there was a pattern for a basic straight skirt, so I thought I'd give it a go.
I copied the pattern size 16 but added 12mm on each side seam as I thought it would be just a little too snug otherwise. It was very simple, centre front cut on fold, 2 back pieces and a simple rectangular waist band. I used a linen that I had in my stash.

This is the result. It fits so beautifully around my pot tummy and followed the curve of my back very well, I think I may have discovered my new favourite skirt. The fabric is a little stiff and a bit crumpled (but it is linen), but I think it will wear reasonably well. I top stitched down the seams and around the waist band and am quite happy with the result.

I know it may look a little mature but teamed with a cute top I think the fit will more than compensate for the older style. A really good work basic, looks great with sandals and possibly better with knee high boots. I just love the no gap above my bum, possibly because it has 2 darts gently shaping the back rather than a single dart.

It even has a walking pleat in the back seam. It really went together very quickly, the only slow part was I hand hemmed it. But I think it was worth it.

Thanks
Cat

Underwear.

2007-02-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

What to wear under a skirt or dress to stop the thighs rubbing together.

I love skirts and a love to wear skirts in summer, but with large upper thighs there is an issue with chaffing. In summer I find it too hot to wear pantyhose or thigh control pants so when I saw this pattern for sale on ebay I thought it could be useful.
So from view 3 I made these:

They are made from a very light weight cotton voile with an elastic waist and cotton lace trim. They are much shorter than the pattern (they finish a little above my knees) as I have very stubby legs. I will probably make them again, at least once in a cotton lycra, for a more form fitting look and again in a soft cotton. When I make the cotton pair I will enlarge the thigh area and I may dart the waist in to a simple waist band with a button closure.

Skirt Body Construction

2007-02-06T14:01:00.001-08:00

How to Put The Skirt Together

You should have a centre front panel (one if you cut it on the fold, 2 if you want a centre front seam), 2 centre back panels, 4 side panels, (optional 4 pocket pieces), waist band and interfacing.

VERY IMPORTANT!
Stay stitch all of the panel pieces around the waist curve just inside your seam allowance. My seam allowance was 1.5cm therefore my stay stitching line was at 1.3cm. This stops the waist curve from stretching out of shape and allows you to clip the curve so it will lay in a straight line when you attach the waist band.

Insert pockets in side seams if desired and sew side panels together. Make sure the pockets face forward on each side panel.

Sew centre front panel to side front panels, taking care not to stretch the fabric as you sew.

The skirt should look like this now. Both pockets face forwards and if you look at the larger image you should be able to see the stay stitching around the waist.

Insert a zip in the centre back seam. My preference is an invisible zip,, but put in any fastening system you like. Sew the centre back seam.

It is much easier to inset the zip in the back panels before you attach it to the skirt as there is a lot less material to deal with.

Sew the back panel to the side back panels, again taking care not to stretch the fabric as you sew. The skirt should now be a complete circle when laid flat on the floor.

Now very carefully clip the waist curve to the stay stitching, DO NOT CUT THE STITCHING, all the way around the waist.
Now very carefully try the skirt on for fit. If it is too small run another line of stay stitching all the way round the waist below the first line, clip to this point and retry the fit. If it is too big you can try taking it in at the side seams a little or ease fit/gather it onto the waist band.

When you are happy with the fit, attach the waist band. (I'll do this as a separate chapter, coming soon!)

This is essentially how to make any paneled skirt. More panels means more seams, fewer panels means fewer seams. It is generally easier to put pockets and zips in before the entire skirt is constructed so think about putting these in first.

Have fun playing with the concept and construction.

Pink Cord Dress

2007-02-05T17:32:00.000-08:00

A Pink Cord Dress for a Little Girl in the UK

This is a little jumper dress I've made for our friends baby. I saw some pink cord on sale at Spotlight and had recently bought some patterns for baby and children's clothes from my neighbour. So after looking through them nothing was quite right, so I used two patterns to make this one.

I decided to try doing an applique on the front, random shapes surrounded with variegated cotton satin stitch.

The back is a simple cross over with two buttons.

I used the variegated thread for the button holes too.

I hope it fits her. I thought it would look cute with a long sleeved body suit and leggings.

I wasn't sure if I should have done more decoration, but decided to keep it simple for now. It if fits and looks good I might make another and do more detail on the next one.

In Seam Side Pockets

2007-02-05T14:09:00.000-08:00

My method for attaching in seam side pockets without a pocket extension.

Lay pocket piece right side down on the garment side piece, matching waistline and side seams. Sew together within the seam allowance. My seam allowance is 1.5cm so the pocket was sewn on at 1cm from edge.

Fold pocket away from garment and press with seam towards the pocket and edge stitch on the pocket flap through the seam allowance as close to the seam as possible.
Repeat for all pieces. As I was doing a pocket in each seam I now had four side pieces.

This is a close up of the edge stitching through the pocket flap (sorry upside down).

With right sides together match front and back side pieces and pin. I draw my stitching line in chalk.
Then stitch from the waist down the side seam to the top of the pocket opening, backstitch to reinforce. Then stitch around the pocket and down the side seam at the full seam allowance (mine was 1.5cm). The pocket seam will now be enclosed within the pocket.

Repeat with other pocket and press seams to the front. Finish the raw edges in your favoured method.

Inseam pocket from outside complete.

Action shot.

Continue the rest of your garment.

This will work reasonably well on most things which are not very close fitting. If the fabric is particularly bulky the best thing is to put extensions on the side seam and make the pocket pieces out if a much lighter weight fabric.

Have fun putting pockets in your garments now. Don't be afraid to try different things too.
I hope this made sense.

Thanks
Cat.

Circle Skirt: Pattern Layout and Cutting Guide

2007-02-04T19:05:00.000-08:00

Fabric Layout Options for the Circle Skirt:

Here are a few examples of how to potentially layout and cut the pattern for a gored circle skirt. The wider the fabric is the longer your skirt can potentially be. All these options are for plain fabric or patterns without obvious direction.
I always cut the waistband longer than I need and cut it down after fitting it to the skirt.
I always cut the front panel on the fold so I eliminated the centre front seam, this is entirely optional, just do it the way you like best. My skirts have an uneven number of panels.

This is a layout for a basic circle skirt with waist band and no pockets.
This was the layout I used, not quite as economical fabric wise but I fit the pocket pieces into the extra fabric at either end. The fabric I used was 112cm (44 inches) wide.

This is another option where you can utilise the full width of the fabric, I used a similar layout when I made my circle petticoat. I cut the 2 pieces on the fold, so there were only 2 side seams. I was able to get a good length out of fabric only 90cm (35 inches) wide. With this option you can make a 2, 4 or 8 piece skirt.

I always tried to have the side and centre back seams running parallel to the straight grain. This gives strength to the seams to support the side pockets and the back zipper.

Always try moving the pattern pieces around to find the way that is best for your particular project.

Try using a very cheap cotton first just to see how it all works.

I hope this has been helpful.

Pattern Drafting for Circle Skirt

2007-02-03T15:33:00.000-08:00

Gored Circle Skirt:

Create pattern:

Measure your waist add wearing ease (about 5cm or 2 inches).

Total waist circumference (TWC) = waist + ease

To get the pattern the right size I started with a large piece of brown wrapping paper (news paper or butchers paper would be great.

And folded it at the corner to make a large triangle

Then use the formula

TWC / 3.1416 = diameter

Diameter/2=radius

Measure from the tip of the triangle down each side the radius distance and connect the points with a curve.

Measure from the curve down each side of the paper to the length you want the skirt to be and connect with a curve.

This is the basic pattern for an 8 gored circle skirt (above left). Now if you left the paper folded while you did this open it out and it will look like this (above right).

This is a pattern you can use for a 4 or 2 gored circle skirt.

Don’t forget to add seam allowance to all edges when you cut.

Waist band:

This is a rectangle

Length = is waist + ease + overlap + seam allowance.

Width = (finished width x 2) + (seam allowance x 2)

Introduction

2007-02-03T15:26:00.000-08:00

Hi,

I have decided to try showing my creative pursuits in this manner.

I will be initially setting up a tutorial for a skirt which I drafted the pattern for and made.
I will then also attempt to post information about my latest creations as I go.

Please be patient as I learn.

Thanks
Cat