Fabric Pairing

If there is something about shopping for fabric that makes it so much easier than going out hunting for the perfect pair of Winter boots, (or whatever it may be), it is that I know what I like when I see it, usually with that reassuring certainty of THAT is the fabric I need right now ! My most recent purchase along these lines was a fabric in fact designed for home decor and furnishing. However, for my purposes, it made the perfect, heavier weight fabric for Winter wear and I made the following...!

Having bought this gorgeously bold, grey floral, I quickly decided ~having already laid my eyes on some grey velvets in Berwick Street, that I would partner it with a different texture in a complimentary tone as a band at the bottom of the dress. I settled on the darker of the grey velvets I had found and love the combination of the two together.

The pattern I used was New Look 6022 and classed as 'EASY'. I was in need of an 'instant gratification' make at the time and running a bit short on time, so it fitted the bill perfectly! The only bit I changed (yes, I know, getting to be a bit of a habit), was that in adding the velvet panel at the bottom, I cut it as a more A Line shape than the pattern, which itself is more of a straight up and down affair. I wanted to give the velvet a bit of 'flare' at the bottom in all senses!

The usual challenge of pairing two very different fabrics applied of course ! There were moments attaching the velvet panel to the rest of the dress, where it felt as though the two fabrics were moving in different directions under the needle ! An extra cup of tea, deep breath and taking it slowly made the difference ;o)

I love a gathered sleeve and so also snuck in an extra one in the top of the sleeve for good measure. These work beautifully in a heavier weight fabric in holding their own shape. 

The pleats on the neckline are another pretty feature of this pattern, but fairly shallow. My toile version also revealed a rather wide and baggy neck, so this offered the perfect opportunity to make the gathers a bit deeper and draw in the neckline a little.

All in all a pleasing result and a pleasure to play with pairing different fabrics and create a happy union with some sumptuous velvet - always a winner!

           

Sew Successful ;o)

What an amazing week ! Last Saturday saw the close of the St Dunstan's Artists exhibition. It was an inspiration to be a part of - not least in the admiration of other exhibitor's talents in the fields of ceramics, calligraphy and sculpture, (to name a few), but also a joy speaking to visitors and being involved in something so positive and creative! It also got me away from behind the sewing machine and the laptop for at least part of the week !

Of my framed prints, books and hot water bottle covers, it was the hotties that were the outright forerunner. Ironic given that the photography had been the main purpose of joining the event and including something of a home-sewn nature had been a bit of an after thought ! There were interested viewers of the prints (which perhaps on reflection I had displayed more as 'exhibits' than available to purchase) and some copies of my books were also purchased, with another copy bid for and won in the Silent Auction in aid of the hospice, even better. However, it was the hottie covers that seemed to sing people's name as they came towards the table and there was a gratifying amount of fleece stroking and purrs of interest along with the sales. 

On the Friday I was running off more hotties in a hurry and found myself still in PJ's behind the machine at midday (did I just admit to that ?!)

So, having perfected my hottie cover 'prototype', (after a few trial runs and one hot water bottle that simple refused to slip into its new cover - the early stages!), I now have my dream template and button, ribbon and applique embellishments down to a tee...and I don't want it to stop there ! So, the production line remains open and I have been taking orders as Christmas gifts  - and gifts to self, through Facebook and email.

There are three different motifs, a bird with sparkly Swarovski crystal eye, a Scottie dog, or a heart and I currently have super soft, non-pilling fleece in a Christmassy silver grey or sumptuous purple. All £15 each.

So, if you have someone special that deserves a bit of extra cosiness and comfort this Winter, (that includes yourself !) or you want an excuse to avoid the annual pavement pounding with the Christmas shoppers, then place your order! 

Every hottie cover is made with love and with a smile (and under the watchful eye of two attentive feline assistants, Ruby & Betty)

Please contact me by leaving a comment or email sew4thesoul@gmail.com with your order and choice of colour and motif.

Winter Warmers

The sewing machine has been working at full tilt, though not as much on Winter wearables as on Winter Warmers, AKA some hand crafted hot water bottle covers! Now I do love my home comforts, but these are not all for me! I am in excited preparation for the above exhibition, in which I am taking part with 7 other artists of different mediums, including ceramics and sculpture. I am primarily exhibiting and selling a selection of my framed photographs, but of course could not participate without including something of the sewn variety - so, the season called for cosy hottie covers! 

I sourced a super soft, non-pilling fleece - perfect for warming chilly toes or even propping behind a tired back after raking leaves! The rest was a bit of an organic process, deciding what applique motifs would work best, without being so labour intensive that they fought with the speedy production line I rather ambitiously had in mind ! Then, with a little digging around in the depths of my sewing box, Swarovski crystal beads became bird's eyes, grosgrain ribbon an embellishment for the overlapping fabric on the back of the cover and I also decided that everyone deserves a Winter scarf, even a hot water bottle! So little heart and flower shaped buttons became the finishing touch here. You may also recognise the purple, floral fabric from its other incarnation as a dress! (Nothing wasted!)

Also, on offer will be some red and purple, velvet brooches, Perfect for securing a scarf or wrap on a blustery day, or as a fun embellishment to a Winter coat!

Oh and why not, I know it's a sewing blog, but herewith a sneak preview of some of the wall-ready, framed prints I will have on offer too ;o)

www.sarahhopperphotography.co.uk

Hope to see some of you there !

A Touch of Glamour

Just need to have a little, (excited) shout about a special clutch bag gifted to me today by a rather talented and lovely friend, Vicky of 'Victory Stitches'. You may recall previous mention of said bag in a post on my sycamore seed dress. Hand crafted by Vicky using some of her splendid boiled wool and the remnants of my sycamore fabric, as of today dress and clutch bag are united in a pairing of perfection and glamour! The boiled wool feels fabulously cosy to hold and the size is perfect for a larger than average mobile (Galaxy Note), specs, money, essential sweeties and any required essentials !

I have to apologise to my dress in advance as this bag will also be seeing several outings without its dress partnership ; its inaugural outing being tonight, when it will be 'glamming up' jeans and glittery top for an evening in the Canterbury Festival's Spiegeltent.
Thank you, Vicky !

Autumn Ruminations.

A very wet weekend prompted several musings on what suitable attire I have for the change in temperature - and when I will get round to consigning a wardrobe of Summer skirts and dresses in to storage!

With a tempting selection of wools and wool jerseys appearing in my favourite sewing haunts, it is time to settle on a new project and it brought to mind a fabulous skirt that I made last year. Said skirt was a rather lovely Marcy Tilton pattern (V8499) and fashioned in honour of a special friend's wedding, just a few days after Christmas. It is the kind of pattern you come across and think 'why haven't I seen this before?!' I promptly set about the joyful task of choosing a wedding worthy fabric - ultimately a silvery grey taffeta.

It was fabulous fun to wear on the day, but alas has not been worn since! I think in part due to the rather 'occasion wear' nature of the fabric. Even making it at the time, I had it in mind that it would be a fabulous skirt in a winter wool and it has come to the fore again now that we have reached October ! I have since seen it made in tweed, as well as summer cotton and with inspired, contrast pockets. It shines just as brightly in all of the above and is a wonderfully versatile design.

Not only do I love the unique style of this skirt, but it was a pleasure to make and went together much quicker than anticipated. The bellows pockets give it an extra designer touch - and a nifty place for lipstick and tissues at a wedding !

I realise this post is a bit of an homage to Marcy Tilton's skirt designing prowess...however, just one of many musings that had to be shared, as I flick through my stash of Winter patterns and fabrics! Oh and finally, but not least (and with permission of Mrs L), a photo of the day itself ;o)

Finished and Ready for Wear!

It is now October and the leaves on the Sewing Tree are changing, but her work will evolve for Winter, rather than slow down - starting with the completion of a certain mustard yellow dress (in gorgeous sycamore seed fabric!) Yep, that one! Took a little longer than planned to complete the sleeves, put in the zip etc, (been working and playing hard !), but it can now be unveiled !

         

                   

Having prepared myself for some winter-styled accessories for its first outing, (I even extricated a mustard cardie from the winter clothes box!),the gorgeous weather this weekend meant I got to wear it in 'Summer style' for a bit too ! As you can see, it was also fully 'fit for purpose' with a pair of wellies and a quick stroll in the fields. And for smarter occasions...my clever sewing friend, Vicky has offered to make me a bespoke clutch bag using the leftovers from my fabric, (nothing wasted) and with a complimentary navy boiled wool. I can feel it in my hand already ! Quite the special, finishing touch to a dress that has me smiling already. Certainly it has helped me on a path to finding ways of making changes to patterns to get exactly what I want.

On which note, as with the decision to use small pleats instead of gathers in my extra panel in the back of the skirt this time, I also chose folds where the pattern had asked for gathers on the top of the sleeve and on the yoke. This seemed to make the sleeves less 'sticky outy' (official dressmaking terminology) than on the previous purple floral version, and were more controllable. What you create with folds is closer to what you get, whereas the gathers always seem to be a bit of a 'moveable feast' !

And check out those cheeky pleats!

Looking forward to 'bringing the yellow' into some Autumnal days ~ in honour of the gorgeous golds and oranges that are starting to appear on the trees.

'Stylish Dress Book : Clothing For Everyday Wear', Yoshiko Tsukiori.

It was with excitement this week, that a review copy of 'Stylish Dress Book: Clothing For Everyday Wear' dropped through my door from the lovely people at Laurence King Publishing. 

Already completely sold on Yoshiko Tsukiori's 'Stylish Dress Book: Simple Smocks, Dresses and Tops', published in May this year, 'Clothing For Everyday Wear', published next month, is more of the same delights : simple, effortlessly gorgeous, feminine garments for easy day to day wear and full size patterns included for each in the back! 

This book is a delight. It is beautifully put together and the designs are cleanly presented with simply styled photographs of each of the 26 dresses, tops, jackets and trousers. There is something of the Noa Noa in the understated elegance of the designs, all of which are ultra feminine and wearable day to day staples, but each with an added, signature embellishment giving that extra magic touch - everything from a sleeveless top with pretty ruffled front and sleeves, a back-wrap dress with additional lace trim, an Empire line sun dress with gathering on the bodice and a wrap-over blouse with ruffled shoulders. Other attractive details that give each design their own 'calling card', are the inclusion of

 bell sleeves, a funnel neck, super deep pockets, a bow collar and hem tucks - 

something for everyone ! 

All of the designs have an appealing and reassuringly uncomplicated feel, (reminiscent of other Japanese sewing books) and all 26 carry the essential elements of 'wearability', style and of course, once made by your own fair hand in the fabric of your choice, that prized uniqueness that escapes the raft of 'identikit' clothes that can appear on the rails each year. Indeed this is part of the book's premise - to use these patterns in creating your own stylish, personalised garments, to your taste. If you hanker for something a little different that you can put your own stamp on, then this is the pattern book for you.

You'll of course be wondering at this point how easy it is to translate these designs into their ready-to-wear, end product and this is where the book scores another big 'tick' from me. The instructions are step by step, seamstress friendly and include clear, easy to follow construction sequence diagrams.

My only word of caution is that the necessary overlaying of cutting lines / sizes to include all 26 fabulous patterns in the back, requires a concentrated eye on the right lines, before you start tracing and cutting. However, still preferable to the mammoth 'print-off' and jigsaw-like assembly involved with on-line pdf patterns. There is also a helpful key on each sheet directing you to the right patterns sheets (and side) for each of your chosen pattern pieces.

It occurs to me at this point that this book is also fabulous value for money when you consider that a single pattern can be purchased for about the same price as the book (from the leading pattern manufacturers/designers).

Frankly, there are so many tempting creations in this book that I don't know where to start! My review copy has been sabotaged with yellow post-its and 'notes to self' already. Currently I am torn between the Bell-sleeve jacket with ruffle trim and the sequinned drop-waist dress, (cute ruffled waist detail at that) AND matching clutch bag - perfect for Christmas, (did I just say that?) Certainly a very cute and stylish dress for occasion wear. In fact, the lovely decorative design elements carried by each of the garments - ruffles, gathering, empire lines, drop waists, or the inclusion of a sumptuous element in the fabric - eg. lace or taffeta make them each fabulously versatile. I challenge you not to fall in love with at least one item in this book and want to make it your own!

And in anticipation of a new found passion for Japanese sewing books, you may like to check out Yoshiko Tsukiori's 'Stylish Dress Book - Simple Smocks, Dresses and Tops' for more indulgence! (Totally in love with the dropped-waist coat dress). Enjoy!