The best laid plans

Happy Easter Everyone,
I hope you are having a lovely bank holiday weekend! As it is the first of the month, I thought I would reminise about my makes of March and my plans for April. So first up ... was the Belledone dresses that I made for the day and night dress challenge. You can read about them here What you don't know is that I won a prize! $50 dollars to spend on patterns. so my pattern stash has expanded!

Then, yep you guessed it another Southbank dress. I timed myself for this one , 45 minutes from start to finish. The fabric is a really thick cosy sweatshirt material that I bought from dragon-fly fabrics. I love the colour and I love how warm it is. Unfortunately I think the fabric is a little thick for a dress as it is not very flattering, I am going to overlook that, especially as the weather has been so cold!

Then I managed the Agnes top, as you would expect from Tilly and the Buttons it is an excellent straight forward pattern, I really don't know why I haven't made it before now as I have had the pattern literally years!!! My DH says that he really likes the stripes, I am not sure that is that flattering worn by itself ( that mad rippling is not just happening in the pictures), it looks fine though when worn with either of my Cleo Pinafores. I love the shape of this top and have stashed a bit of fabric to make a couple of others really soon!
Then probably my favourite make of the year! The Sew over it Ultimate Trousers. Now these were really just an experiment. Many years ago I did a city and Guilds in pattern cutting. The woman who ran it was fierce! Half way through my trouser block toile she looked me up and down and in a tone that Hyacinth Bucket would of been proud of inquired "Horse riding thighs?"

I am not quite sure why women have the need to pull other women down, the comment struck a nerve and for a long time after I only wore jeans or dresses. I never used the block and until now I have never made a pair of trouser either. These I would have to say are a very easy make and I really love the finished item. Alright, so maybe pale pink trousers aren't for the everyday, on warm sunny weekends though, I think they will be perfect!

I also managed to finish my Ninilchik-Swoncho which you can read about here
I have started Carbeth by Kate Davies, it is knitting up very quickly most of it being knit in the car on a recent trip to Belgium. I am hoping to have it completed by the end of tomorrow.

That unfortunately, was the extent of my March makes, with the exception of a pattern test which I can't show you yet. I started but haven't completed my Kalle blouse. I am hoping to get a good crack at that during the week.

So my sewing plans for April... Finish Kalle and make the Tilly and the buttons Marigold jumpsuit which is the #sewmystyle April offering. Not much I know however I am feeling I want a more flexible sewing month so I don't want to do much planning. however, I am drooling over a couple of the projects in Tilly's new book stretch and I also have signed up for a couple more instagram challenges #alittlelawnparty and #sewtogetherforsummer

As for knitting/Crochet... Finish Carbeth and I think try and finish at least on of the blankets that I have on the go before I go stash diving for my next project.

Till next time happy stitching


Arianwen x

Rumana -For those days when you want to be a pirate!

For those of you who don't know, I love coats! For other women it is shoes or handbags, but for me it is coats! I bought my first Duster coat from Wallis when I was 16. A beautiful, black wool and cashmere mix floor length wrap. It was beautiful and I loved it! I wore it daily until I was about 22 and I fell in love with bright, orangey red, wool and cashmere mix in the Hobbs window. It was floor length, shawl collared and fastened with a large single button. I bought a medium in case I got fat which turned out to be a good plan as I wore through my first pregnancy and then later with my eldest tucked up inside. This one I wore until I moved to Yorkshire where the world seemed more straight laced and conservative and it languished in my cupboard for a number of years until a lack of space in my wardrobe demanded that I threw it out.

Now don't get me wrong I have had lots of lovely coats from Boden and from Hobbs since then but none of them have been dusters and none as amazing as the first two!

When I saw the Rumana coat on Instagram I literally gasped! The perfect coat!!!

As soon as it was released on Boxing day I bought it. It went straight into my #2018makenine and was the reason I signed up to #2018sewmystyle.

I had imagined a dark coloured coat with a bright lining a bit like this one that I have been drooling over for the last 16 years. 

As I said in my last post I bought the lovely Melton Fabric from Ebay and I was drawn to the beautiful lady McElroy fabrics for the lining but the one that I really liked had been chosen by one of pattern testers. Well let's face it if you are going to make a coat, you want it to be unique so I decided to carry on looking!

Then I had a brainwave!! Parrots!! I love parrots they are smart and colourful and they are linked to pirates and adventure! This gorgeous fabric has been in my stash since just before Christmas , I bought it from the Pound a yard store in Dewsbury and I had thought I might make an Anna dress out of it. My eldest assures me it is Ted Baker, but I honestly don't care it is the perfect finishing touch for my coat.

I made the size 12 measuring off of a coat that I own as I figured that measuring for a coat in my underwear probably wasn't the best way of tackling the sizing. I think I could of probably have graded down a size especially at the bust for something a little more fitted but as they say hindsight is 20/20!

The pattern pieces fit together really well without having to juggle any of the pieces. Which was just as well as I decided on making welt buttonholes and the Colette instructions I followed cut both the front and the facing at the same time. Nerve wracking !

However, the instructions are not really what you would expect from By Hand London. I have a feeling that they were as excited to give us the pattern as the sewing community was to receive it and consequently the written instructions and the diagrams are sparse. After I had sewn the sides together I realised the Pale pink one that Elisalex had made had top stitching on the pockets but as far as I could see there wasn't an mention of this so I unpicked and put them in. I know that they are planning a sew along and I will definitely look at that for the bits that really had me scratching my head.

So my coat. I love it. It is pretty much perfect. I added shoulder pads for a little bit more structure. The sleeves are still a little puffier than I would like, I think probably because of my fabric choice, so I might unpick at some point and shave a bit off the sleeve head.This is only a slight niggle. The whole thing feels really luxurious and wearing it feels elegant.Though the lining is wild and panders to my 16 year old self. 

The footnote to my story is that both of my previous much loved dusters had a hole in the lining where I stuck my foot through it... Each piece of damage was done within the first week. Back then I wasn't really a sewer and the holes were badly stitched. This time, however, I am ready I saved some of the lining as you can't really being a pirate without a Patch!

Till next time happy sewing

Arianwen

If you give a man a fish....

Evening all,
be prepared for a photo filled post as I am very proud of this project and I was in charge of the camera rather than the sewing machine!

My husband has been, over the years, fairly instrumental in my sewing. Not that he is ecstatic with my fabric stash, or the pins strewn around the dining room, but he did buy my Janome 9000 for me and he critiques what I have made. However he has never wanted me to sew anything for him as he says he has clothes.

However he has said as a throw away comment many times " I would like to learn how to use the sewing machine". I think because he has never jumped up and down about it, his learning has always gone to the back of the queue. Anyway I was kind of stuck for the perfect Christmas present and decided teaching him would be perfect.

He had in mind that maybe he would make a cushion or something really simple. Now at 6'4 clothes that fit are hard to come by so I figured he would get more pleasure out of a beautiful garment, that he had made himself, that fit .

I showed him all of the wonderful Thread Theory Patterns and some of the great projects that people had made.

We decided on the Belvedere Waistcoat, I got it printed by NetPrinter as I hate the sticking and assumed that the cut and paste method might send him running for the hills. Then we went and chose fabric together during the Christmas Holidays from the amazing Fabworks in Dewsbury.

I pointed him towards the right types of fabrics and he chose. I was very surprised by the purple, as although he isn't particularly conservative in his clothing choice he wouldn't usually choose purple or pinks, but I actually think it was the perfect choice!

He was very precise and meticulous about every aspect of the make, it was interesting to see how unlike me he doesn't just accept the instructions but strives to know what will happen to his fabric before he has stitched anything.

I have to say that the instructions in the pattern were very good and the sew a long online definitely helped with the knowing!
Obviously until you have made a welt pocket you really cant understand, but the look of amazement he turned the cloth on the ironing board and saw pockets was just incredible.

He is also the only sewer I have ever met who doesn't swear when un-picking buttonholes! We followed the pattern to letter except we moved the "gap" at the bottom to the back of the lining as he doesn't like hand sewing and the closing could then be done on the machine.

His attention to detail has paid off and he has created a pretty amazing first piece of clothing. He has plans for more makes so I really hope he continues even if it does mean I have to share my machine.

So what do you think? Are you impressed? Any suggestions of what he should make next or plans for his wardrobe?

Till next time

Happy stitching

A

Two Molly's and a Moneta!

 
Sometimes ( not often) the over-locker is a babe! Last weekend was one of those times! When I bought the red velour a few weeks back, on the market, I also picked up this gorgeous dark teal scuba. It reminded me a of lovely Boden dress (Audrey) that I had and wore to death and at £2 a metre I had to take a couple home with me!

I had planned on making another Coco with it but a friend of mine had just made Molly and it was gorgeous so I thought I would give that a go. Now I haven't had too much success with any of the Sew Over It dress patterns. They are usually too short in the body and too tight in the arms for me or my girls, which means fiddling about with the pattern, which I really didn't want to be bothered with. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I made the suggested size and the arms and length are perfect! It is maybe a little loose in the body so I might pull that in a bit next time.

It is such a quick make and I had a dress after 2.5 hours on Friday night and that was with tracing out the pattern. Which in my book is a good result. I then proceeded to wear it all weekend and a couple of times in the week!


Then on Sunday I got a couple more hours sewing in,this time I was planning on making up Moneta. I picked the fabric up in Dewsbury way back in October. Isn't the print unusual ? It had been cut out since before Christmas and was going to be my Christmas day dress.
Well best laid plans and all that, I mislaid the bodice pieces so it ended up being shelved. Anyway I re- cut the bodice and zipped it up really quickly on the over-locker. The bodice is quite a nice shape however the gathering at the skirt I was a bit unsure of as it makes it look a bit old fashioned but once I put it on I actually quite like it though I have heard that the Laneway dress's skirt works well with it so I think at some point ,I might give that a go.

I have some black spotty jersey that I want to make another Moneta out of so that might be for next week! But that is my second project from my #2018makenine so I am feeling pretty pleased with that!

Then on Sunday just time to make another Molly, this time a short sleeved top out of a scrap of fabric left over from a dress I made a couple of years back.

I had wanted to make a renfrew or an Agnes out of it but I just couldn't get the pieces to fit and I had resigned myself to making knickers out of it so the Molly top was a bit of a Eureka moment. I haven't worn this yet but I think it will be a good tee-shirt for the summer as it is nice and long , I hate it when they pull up at the front.

Anyway my sewing machine is calling me so ...

Till next time happy stitching!

Arianwen

Sunny Dress/Tunic

Evening all,as you probably read I am taking part in the instagram challenge of #Sewmystyle2018 and January's pattern  was the Sunny dress/Top it is a very basic Jersey Dress pattern from the Friday Pattern Company. It  is really a summer type dress or top and I would have to say with the shaped hem neither version are really my style but I figured as it was the first of the 12 patterns I would give it a go.  I am trying to work some of this challenge from stash. This one is  some wool jersey that I got given when I met up with the #sixdodewsbury a group of six   lovely ladies that I met at Sew up North. I made the medium for this version which was pretty much exactly my measurement and then added a neckband as I felt without it , the neckline would be very low.

I think it turned out OK and I have had some compliments for it. I think it would probably make quite a good layering piece as it is quite warm over leggings and boots .... but I just don't love it!
I think the sleeves are the wrong length and too wide and because of that  honestly don't know how much wear it will get.

Anyway not to be beaten I decided to go to the Monday market and some lovely red velour caught my eye.  I needed something to wear to a presentation evening  and I decided  a red  party dress was just what I needed. This time I lengthened it and got rid of the curved hem. I went down a size so it is very clingy and I extended the sleeves to wrist length.

I think I could of probably taken more off the width of the sleeve and as the photos prove I should of probably made them three quarter length as without fail I end up pushing them up! I am quite pleased with this version. It is comfy and easy to wear which is my favourite type of clothing. So there you go two very different dresses from one very basic pattern. Which is your favourite? Did you make one? I would love to see!

Till next time

Arianwen

Morris Blazer -Grainline Studio

Morning all, this post has been sat for about 2 weeks as the Sunny North is not that sunny and getting any type of pictures has proved to be a nightmare! Anyway I braved the elements and my nosey neighbours and got you some!


However I did manage to get lots done in the last week of my holiday, although it didn't go quite as planned  , I came down with the Lurgy. I did a bit on my Christmas Cast on, cut out my Sunny Dress( from stash) for my January entry to #sewmystyle  and made another Morris Blazer by Grainline Studios for  my #2018makenine so I would have to say I'm pleased with what I have accomplished!
So onto the Morris Blazer, the first one I made out of a lovely warm jersey that I bought on a whim from Fabworks a few months back. I cut it out and using the over-locker whipped it up in an evening.

It ticked a box on my #2017makenine ( you might have seen it in my round up). It is warm, snuggly and more like a cardigan than a Blazer and I am hoping it will be perfect when I get back to work and I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of it as I just love it.

This version, I went all out with ( no over locking here!) The fabric was bought a few months ago again at Fabworks. Such a brilliant shop! It is a double-sided wool and had this great stripe which I loved.
When I got the fabric out on Tuesday I was disappointed as I hadn't realised that the stripe was only on one selvage and I didn't have enough to use it as I was going to play Tetris with the pattern pieces. However the quality of fabric more than makes up for it!

I decided as the jacket was was without a lining it would be perfect to try out Hong Kong seams. What can I say? I just love this finishing technique - OK it takes a lot of time and a lot of bias binding ( I think I used about 10m) but it looks so stylish!

This jacket is more fitted than the Jersey version as I used larger seam allowances , this makes this version a more Spring or Autumn piece but I do think it  looks great with a little Ogden Cami underneath and Jeans ( maybe I need to add some of those to this years makes)

Anyway till next time.
Arianwen x

Oh boy, 2018, do I have plans for you!

Hello Happy New Year!

Can you believe how fast 2017 skidded by? Me neither and I can't think that 2018 will be any slower especially all of the stitchy plans that I want to fit in!

My main focus is going to be downsizing my stashes of both yarn and fabric although I do know that there will be one big fabric purchase in February but I will get onto that in a minute.

So in order to keep me focused and using both fabric and yarn I already own I have signed up for three different challenges.

The first is a knitting one on Ravelry IntSweMoDo2018 I have taken part in the past but the last few years I haven't really bothered. The idea is that you knit 12 adult size sweaters. Mine are going to be from stash. I already have two started ( which do count) my Christmas cast on and a cardigan I cast on way back in Easter I think last year. I haven't married yarn to patterns yet but my stash and ravelry queue are both enormous so I don't think I will have too much trouble!

The next is going to be the #2018makenine on instagram again I am going to try and work from stash and from patterns I own. With one exception!

So from top left

Belledone dress  Dear and Doe I got this pattern and fabric for my birthday last year

Rosari skirt  Pauline Alice

Datura Blouse Dear and Doe

Hampton Jean Jacket  Alina Design Company

Rumana Coat By Hand London

Nita Wrap Skirt Sew Diy

Moneta Dress Collette Patterns

Boylston Bra Orange Lingerie

Morris Blazer Grainline Studios

My final New Year Challenge is the #SewMyStyle  this has been running for a couple of years but it is my first time getting involved ...it is one that I am not going to be too precious about as some of the patterns probably aren't anything either me or the girls would wear and also the idea of unseen patterns kind of fills me with fear. So it is one that I may well dip in and out of. However I do plan on making a Sunny top. The Rumana coat ( one of my make nine). The Marigold Jumpsuit and the Tote Bag. The Lingerie is one of the unseen patterns and I keep buying knicker patterns and not making them, I may just use a pattern that I have.

As you might of guessed the Rumana is my investment piece. I haven't made a coat before mainly because I own quite a lot of  different ones already and don't really need another. However I have fallen in love with this coat as I think it is pretty much the ultimate coat shape and I would probably c wack it on my  card if I saw it to buy in any shop regardless of the colour. For my own version I am thinking probably black or grey with amazing lining but I have a month of planning on this so I guess it is watch this space!

So those are my plans! I would love to know yours. Are you joining in the same challenges as me ? Or are there others that I should know about? Or are you just going to make as the spirit takes you? Let me know!

Wishing you all a wonderful, happy and peaceful New Year

A x