sewing

Is this cheating on Project 333 casule wardrobes?

Is this cheating on Project 333 casule wardrobes?

Craftie Jellie

I have made a skirt using this pattern a few times- Kwik Sew K3765.

I taught myself to make a lining for it and then decided that I coud easily adapt it to be reversible. I don’t know if this is a cheat since I only count it as 1 skirt but actually it is two 😉 The idea is that you can wear it one way in the day and then reverse it to dress up in the evening. For it to work I had to make the hem a bit of a feature (close overlock stitch in pink)!
Here is the day side with a top from my project 333 capsule.

Here is a close up
Then for evening it turn it inside out and it becomes a stretch satin skirt!
Looks like I didn’t iron it too well!!What do you think of the reversible idea? Should it count as 1 item or 2?


Other posts in my sewing for summer project 333 capsule wardrobe series

 

Third skirt as I sew some of my project 333 summer capsule wardrobe

Third skirt as I sew some of my project 333 summer capsule wardrobe

Craftie Jellie

Another knit material today. Finally I ‘ve moved off pink to purple! There is a very good reason that I tend to sew batches of colour together- I hate changing out the threads in my overlocker and sewing machine!!
This was the first pattern I learnt to use- Kwik Sew K3765.

It was the ideal first skirt pattern- no zip!! I absolutely love the fabric and can’t remember where I picked it up!!

This is the skirt with a top I already have which I am using in my 33 capsule.

Other posts in my sewing for summer project 333 capsule wardrobe series


Skirt 4

Third top for my summer project 333 capsule wardrobe

Third top for my summer project 333 capsule wardrobe

Craftie Jellie

I’ve been sewing to fill any gaps in my project 333 summer capsule wardrobe. This is my third top and for a bit of a change it is using stretchy material. I taught myself to sew knits before wovens. Even though people say they are difficult to sew I thought they were worth learning first because they would be more forgiving to wear and I could get away with making garments which were fairly simple using seams and no zips……initially I was really scared of learning zips!
I used Sew U Home Stretch to learn about sewing stretch materials (it also has patterns to try) initially. I recently got The Colette Guide to Sewing Knits: Professional Techniques for Beautiful Everyday Garments which is a brilliant in depth guide. I tend to use an overlocker for seams and then a twin stretch needle and walking foot for hems etc.
I used New Look pattern 6807

So this is it- I kept the neckline fairly low so it could be worn off the shoulder over a vest top and then I use a brooch pin if I want to make the neck line higher and wear it alone.

This photo shows the top with the wiggle skirt I made.

Other posts in my sewing for project 333 Summer series


Skirt 4

Drafting my first pattern- project 333 summer capsule wardrobe

Drafting my first pattern- project 333 summer capsule wardrobe

Craftie Jellie

The reason I have been teaching myself to sew is because I want to simplify my wardrobe by having fewer clothes but making sure they fit and I love them. As I’ve been teaching myself I’ve been mainly using patterns. This has helped me to get a grasp of some of the techniques and the order to sew garments but unfortunately with many of them I’m still not that happy with the fit. However, I’m now getting to the stage where I’m getting happier adapting patterns for a better fit (although still making a fair amount of mistakes!!).

One of the key items I like to wear in winter is a satin wiggle skirt. I want to make some more wiggle skirts in different fabrics. Rather than make these from a pattern and then adapt to fit I thought I would try copying a skirt I have which fits!! Since I haven’t done this before I bought
Patternmaking for a Perfect Fit and followed the instructions on patterning a skirt.

I bought a large piece of foam core board (I use this quite a lot around the house and in crafting projects!), bulldog clips and some brown paper from my stash.

I used the detailed instructions in the book and since I’m not an expert I’ll just summarise here.
I cut the paper to the length of the foam board and secured it with the bulldog clips so it was taut. You start by drawing an L shape to line up the skirt on. I folded the skirt front in half and lined up the centre front and bottom of the skirt on the lines. I then pinned it out taut and used pins to mark out the side, waist and dart positions. I then used a pencil to sketch these onto the paper using the pin marks and a Curve Ruler tool where appropriate to make sure I got the right line.

I did the same with the skirt back but added the position of the pleat at the back and of the zip opening etc.

The next stage is to adjust for the darts by measuring and marking the depth and length of the darts. I then added the additional fabric needed to the side and used my curve tool to redraw the top of the side.

I used my go to sewing guide- The Sewing Book

 

together with a thorough examination of the skirt I was copying to figure out how I would create the pleat.

Then I added fabric for the seam allowances.

In the book the skirt has a waistband but I wanted to copy my skirt that doesn’t. Mine has facings instead. I used my pattern pieces to trace patterns for the facings (I also made a pattern for linings since I plan on making winter versions of the skirt). The final stage is to mark up the pattern pieces and add notches etc.

Then the moment of truth was to make the skirt…..and it fit really well. The best fitting garment I’ve made! I didn’t do the best job of putting it on the mannequin and taking a photo but you get the idea!!

This is the pleat at the back of the skirt…..wonky photo day…it is straight!

Having put in a few zips using various instructions and You Tube videos I think I’ve finally come up with a way that works for me.

So a pattern for a wiggle skirt I can reuse for a great fit and a new summer skirt for my capsule wardrobe.

Other posts in my sewing for project 333 series

Skirt 4

Sewing more shorts for project 333 summer capsule wardrobe

Sewing more shorts for project 333 summer capsule wardrobe

Craftie Jellie

My second pair of shorts in this project uses the same pattersn as the first. I used the Butterick B4238 pattern

 
 I’ve made a copy of the trousers and shortened to the length I wanted for shorts.  They gave me a good fit and also had an elasticated waistband which I wanted so I can wear them even if my weight varies slightly. The other reason I choose them were the pockets- I like having pockets in an outfit just in case I want to pop out and want keys on me!
Since my first pair of shorts were patterned I wanted this pair to be plain but still to match the other items I was making. I choose the berry plain fabric from Makower.

This matches several tops in my capsule, including both tops I’ve sewn for the project. Here it is with top 2.
That is all the shorts I needed done! Next will be a plain wiggle skirt!
Other posts in my Sewing Project 333 series

Sewing my project 333- top2

Sewing my project 333- top2

Craftie Jellie

I’ve been sewing items I needed to complete my Summer project 333 wardrobe. I’m mainly using the colours pink and purple toegether with neutrals. I used Butterick B5357 to make my second top (first variation)

I used makower medallion fabric so it matches with the shorts and skirt I’ve made (as well as various other items in my project 333 wardrobe!). I’ve shown it here with the skirt.

Most of the time I’ll be wearing it with my belt.

The other posts in my sewing my summer project 333 series are

Sewing a Summer capsule wardrobe for project 333- skirt 1

Sewing a Summer capsule wardrobe for project 333- skirt 1

Craftie Jellie

Having realised I had gaps in my summer capsule wardrobe for project 333 I had decided to use makower quilting cotton fabrics to make some items to plug these gaps. So far I’ve posted my first pair of shorts and top. Today it is time for my first skirt.
Once again I wanted to try the pattern from my Sew Serendipity book.

 

I loved the top I made from this book and the skirt also has lots of potential. Once again there are different versions you can make and it is perfect for matching fabrics.

I made slight alterations to the embellishments- I added the flower embellishment. I made this by using spare medallion fabric (the bottom band of the skirt) and cutting out various size circles using the pattern as a guide. I then sewed them together in the middle, added a bead to the top and attached a brooch pin to the back. Attaching it to the skirt with a brooch pin means I can remove it when washing but I can also use it with other outfits in my capsule wardrobe.

Once again I found the book very easy to follow and found the instructions gave a more proffesional looking finish than many of the others I have tried (again it suggests top and edgestitching and I really liked the way this looks). There are several variations of the skirt which I look forward to trying.

This is the skirt with the top I made.

Other posts on sewing my project 333 for Summer

Shorts 1
Top 1
Top 2

Skirt 4

Sewing for my capsule project 333 wardrobe- top 1

Sewing for my capsule project 333 wardrobe- top 1

Craftie Jellie

Haveing identified various gaps in my Summer project 333 capsule wardrobe I’ve been sewing items to fill the gaps! I started of with a new pair of shorts. Today I wanted to show you my first make using the Sew Serendipity: Fresh and Pretty Designs to Make and Wear book.

I started with one of the tunic designs. The book gives you a basic design and then various options based on the design. I loved the way these designs allow you to mix and match fabrics in various ways. I used two makower quilting cottons and this means the top matches my new shorts and will fit in perfectly with my capsule.

As someone fairly new to sewing I loved the detailed instructions and the resultant finishes. Mant of the seams are top and/or edgestitched and I though this really took my garments to the next level- I feel they look a lot more professional with these types of finishes.
This is the band at the bottom of the tunic and the sleeves.

 

I bought a Snap-on 1/4-inch Seam Footfor my Elna. At only a fiver it has been so useful for producing neater topstitching and I used it on the bottom band of the tunic to get nice spacing!You butt the black guide up against the seam or hem and the sewing is then 1/4 inch from the guide.


A view at an angle shows it is quite fitted and hopefully you agree it looks good with the shorts!!

I haven’t done the best job of getting it on the dress form as my wrists were hurting at the time- it sits a little smoother on me.

Other posts in my sewing for summer project 333 series
Shorts 1
Skirt 1 
Top 2 

Skirt 4 

Sewing a capsule wardrobe for project 333- shorts 1

Sewing a capsule wardrobe for project 333- shorts 1

Craftie Jellie

Project 333 uses the idea of having a 33 item capsule wardrobe which you swap out every 3 month. I’ve found this a great challenge to do. I like the fact that every 3 months I get to shop my wardrobe to put together a new 33 capsule wardrobe for the next season. Then I find it very freeing only having 33 items in the bedroom closet to choose from. It makes life so much easier. I don’t tend to include accessories, underwear and shoes- I don’t often wear accessories or loads of different shoes anyway.

Over the last couple of years I have been teaching myself to sew with books and You Tube videos. I’ve finally got to the stage where I can sew clothes I’ll be happy to go out in! This means I can now start to sew my capsule wardrobe. Since starting the project 333 experiment I decided to only buy clothes and fabrics in specific colours which coordinate well together and I like. I decided to start sewing my summer wardrobe using quilting cottons- nice and cool for summer and the fabrics are designed to coordinate.

They contain several of the colours I had decided to focus on in my wardrobe- I like brights! Aqua, teal, pink, purple and berry are all colours I like to wear and you can see from these facrics that they feature in this range.

I wanted to start by concentrating on the pinks and purples with a few neutrals. I already have some pieces in my wardrobe which will fit into this scheme. The idea is that I’m sewing items I need to fill in the gaps. I’ll be trying to tweak my patterns so I get a good fit and can remake in different fabrics for autumn/winter.

Since this is a summer wardrobe I wanted to start with some shorts. I wanted to have an elasticated waist so they will last should I gain or lose any weight! I decided to adapt the trousers from Butterick B4238.

I traced the trouser pattern onto brown paper- shortening to the length I wanted for shorts. I used pink medallion material.

At the moment they can be worn with a pink t-shirt I already have.

 Tomorrow I will hopefully be posting another top to wear with the shorts.

Other posts in my sewing for my summer project 333

Top 1
Skirt 1
Top 2

Skirt 4

Stand up to cancer

Stand up to cancer

Craftie Jellie

Hi everyone. Something a bit different today and a new technique for me mixing sewing and digital crafting. In the UK there was a stand up to cancer fundraiser on tv last night so I decided to make a top with a Think Pink theme to wear yesterday and try and get as many people to watch as I could!

Since I’m a self- taught fairly new sewer it was slightly nerve wracking making something to wear to work! I made up the pattern for the top using tutorials on circle tops see my pinterest if you’re interested).

I used my serger for the edges. I used my Krista Smith digi together with Craft artist for the design and then printed it out onto transfer paper and ironed it on.

I used various techniques to colour my digi using Craft Artist and a couple of finishing toushes with Promarkers! It took ages but I enjoyed it and I’m happy with the result.

Hopefully I’ve encouraged some more people to donate to Cancer Research.
I would like to enter the following challenges


Jellypark Challenges – Pink and anything but a Card
Craft My Life– anything but card/layouts  and always “Show what can you create”

Lawnscaping – Try a New Technique