Sunday 28 February 2010

Sew It - Dream Pattern Progress

Well, a week has gone by and what do I have to show for it - other than the spare tyre from all the cold Weather comfort eating I have been doing lately- Quite a bit actually...



I have managed to sew all shirt together and all I have to do is:
  • Put in the cuffs - This pattern piece I have still to make.
  • Hemming lower edge.
  • Button holes in the front and cuffs.
It has not been quite as easy as I had hoped, though most of the parts were straight forward, I have really struggled with the collar and must have re-done it about ten times and I'm still not totally happy with it now.

Another part which I confess to having given up on was facing the sleeve slits. I just could not achieve the results shown in above diagram it just came out looking puffy and twisted every time so I have decided to sew these up - as the sleeve is gathered it won't show too much - and I have unpicked the sleeve seams up to the same distance and used this as the opening. I am disappointed by my ineptitude, but have resolved to try again on some practice fabric - It will not beat me!!

My favourite part so far has to be the puffed sleeves I just love them they look just right and by coincidence are totally in fashion this season.

Shoulder Yoke and Puff Sleeve 

 
The Pin-in-the-neck Collar Agggh!!!

Nearly Finished hopefully soon!!!

Wendy x

Sunday 21 February 2010

Sew It - My Dream Pattern

Whilst searching on eBay lately I have picked up some really beautiful vintage patterns which I just can't wait to make up. The first of these is this Economy Design blouse. I have been searching for such a long time for just the right pattern and I think at last I have found it, and it’s in the right size too, well not far off! What a result!



My fingers have been itching to make this as soon as it arrived a week or so ago but it is only now that I have found the time to get started. I have chosen this blue floral light cotton fabric which I bought on eBay a few years ago (not really sure why?!?) I am uncertain how it will look in this fabric part of me is saying it will be great and the other is questioning whether it will look I’m wearing a bedsheet? Well as it's the only fabric I have that is suitable at the moment, I will have to wait and see - I'm sure that that is half the fun anyway!



On laying out the pattern I found that the front bodice facing, the sleeve slit facing and the cuff pattern pieces were all missing... after a few moments of annoyance I considered myself lucky that the main parts were all intact and resolved that these pieces were after all the easiest to replicate.

I have now just got to mark up all the pieces with relevant tailor tacks etc. and then I will be on my way to my very own dream 1940s shirt.


Wendy x

Saturday 13 February 2010

My New Best Friend

Tailors Dummy Named Vera

Meet my New Best friend 'Vera', she is from Jaycotts and though not cheap she will be indispensable over the next few months as I start my summer wardrobe in earnest. Plus it will mean no more pins will be stuck into me by my well meaning boyfriend when helping me make alterations!!

I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of her!

Wendy x