Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Sewing projects half started



When I don't have the energy to actually sew, or lug my machine to the monthly sewing group, I take along projects that need cutting out with the intention to sew them up sometime soon. Unfortunately that box is a bit overflowing at the moment.

Behold my box of cut out projects

half sewn slip that needs a lot of adjusting to complete

Oliver & S Bucket hat
 The hat I've actually completed since these photos were taken.http://livinglifenz.blogspot.co.nz/2015/01/hat-making.html
A small size Oliver & S Red riding hood cape
The last cape I made from this pattern was fun to make and very cute. Just waiting for time to finish this.
This is a self drafted pattern from a cute wrap top that I own. 
There is a self drafting challenge coming up with the sewing bloggers so I might get inspired to finish this. I need to make myself some detailed  instructions so that I get the sewing order correct as there are rolled edges and seams to get in order.

Possibly a summer skirt
I'm not sure if this one will get completed. Its a skirt, cut out but its leftover material from my nightshirt. the nightshirt has faded dreadfully so I'm not sure if its worth the effort to make this up knowing its not going to last.  Also the boys have pointed out that I'm in camouflage when I'm against our blue floral duvet.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Bluet Dress

I bought this beautiful dress pattern with some of  the other Wellington Sewing Bloggers.  Its from a small independent pattern house in France. Very fancy.  Unfortunately their instructions were not so fancy.  I love the back and after the second re cut I got it fitting really well. The collar instructions were almost non existent.



The very cute bow in the back

The front I mucked up by getting paranoid that it would not fit around the middle and I didn't have enough material left over to recut the front centre panels.  I had to cut off a couple of inches at the front neckline as it gaped quite a bit, then I added a self drafted facing to the front that I wrapped around the front to use as a button placard.  

The front before alteration
The final dress
I extended the sleeves, but lost any form of shaping in the process. I have since reduced the width of the sleeves but they could do with a button at the wrist edge to reduce width even further. 


Thursday, January 15, 2015

Hat making


 I've restarted my hat making efforts. I made a very cute red hat last year, and it looked so great that I immediately bought some more material and cut out a blue and green hat. Then summer finished (it happens quickly in Wellington) and it sat around all last year. 


Oliver & S Bucket hat
I made it reversible in Mr F's favorite colors, but held my breath that although he'd grown a couple of inches last year his head size would be similar. Thankfully it was.  I didn't spend quite as long sewing circles round the brim as I wanted to get it finished and worn so it's not quite as well sewn as the red hat.  You can see in the photo below the set up at the fabric hoarders Sunday sewing - lots of big long tables to spread out on!
Reversible as well.
Mr F looking very happy with his surprise green hat.
I was also pleased to finish a hat for Mr D.  I had thought about making this for a Christmas present but knew I would be pushed for time so I didn't mention it. I did wash the material and dry on the line outside so it was hard to keep the fact I was making something starwars a secret! This is the Escape hat by Angel Lea Designs.  via PDF.  I made two hats, the first one a uregntly needed painting hat, which meant I used what I had to hand, which was a tan woven and a tan stretch - not the easiest combination to sew together. I also cut out sew in interfacing rather than iron on and decided to use that. It didn't have quite the same body to it but it was in use straight away so can't have been too bad.


In usage about 2 mins after making!

I added the fabric band that was included but only on one side to see how it worked. It was good to try it out but since it added to the sewing time I didn't bother in the starwars version.

With the fabric band

With a peek of geek

Or all star wars
 Apparently its perfect for cricket watching. Now only need to make one for Mr J and myself and we are all set for summer!