A Tailor's Dummy?

I wonder if anybody actually uses a tailor's dummy?  I suddenly remembered I was in possession of one, bought almost 20 years ago!  I never used it back then and not sure if I will now but here it is resurrected from the attic and still in perfect condition.  I've altered it to my size, oh okay, no not really, my dream size 10!

Getting back into sewing, with thoughts of all the wonderful clothes I could make for myself, has actually made me stick to my upteempth diet (I'm 3 weeks in!)

Well, if I'm going to invest a lot of time and money into creating my dream dress, it's gonna have to be a size 10 and flatter my figure... what's the point in making a dress so as to look just like a bag of dumplings!  I've taken up running, cut out alcohol, reduced my daily intake of food and have set a date of 30th June, highlighted in bold on the calendar, for my target figure to match that of my tailor's dummy! Oh, and also for my first dress/skirt to be successfully created by same date and sitting perfectly, not only on the dummy but, on me!  Well... a girl's gotta have a dream right?

Read More

First Project: Pick-A-Pocket-Bag

Well this is it... my first project!  I'm very excited as this should be very simple (fingers crossed) and look good as a result. And, if all goes well, I can make Summer bags at low cost in different designs and colours.

This easy to make design is a free downloadable pattern which can be found at www.allpeoplequilt.com.  This is one of 35 or so easy to make bags and purses.  The best feature of this style is that it has six pockets which are formed simply by sewing on the handles.  I guess you can also make it bigger or smaller depending on what you need to use it for.

Now all I need to do is find some coordinating material... I have a feeling this is going to be far more challenging than making the bag!



Erm... probably about 2 weeks later.... fabric chosen!  Very happy with these 3 coordinating fabrics chosen from www.backstitch.co.uk.  From left to right the straps, inner bag, outer pockets.  Will (hopefully!) get somewhat quicker at selecting fabrics... have been busy searching the internet and busy listing all the wonderful fabric websites on the tab above under "useful links".

Constructing the bag was dead simple... generally just an excercise in cutting straight lines, ensuring you set all the measurements correctly and sewing in straight lines!

Just a case of simply constructing both sides of the bag exactly the same, 3 layers in all including wadding, and placing each set right sides together to sew all as once piece - handles to be sewed first.













And voila!! Here is the constructed bag.  I love the simple style... the intention was to just simply throw over shoulder, transporting books/papers backwards and forwards to work.  However, I was disappointed that the top of the bag sags!  The top somehow should be firmer and probably the straps sewed all the way to the top.

Read More

Loving the Great British Sewing Bee!

Thoroughly enjoyed the second edition of the Great British Sewing Bee... there are only 4 episodes :-( I never watched the Great British Bake Off but it seemed as though it was on the TV for a long time so I'm quite disappointed this beautiful series will be over before it's barely started!

Some might say that men's trousers are nowhere near as sexy as chocolate cake but I'm riveted ;-) mainly because it has brought back so many lovely memories for me and has inspired me to create with fabric once again.  I used to be fanatical about dressmaking. My newly purchased material would be thrown across the floor before I could barely get through the front door, pattern thrown upon it ready to pin without even taking my coat off!  I'm sure this show is going to start a new sewing revolution! Bet the powers that be are wishing they had made more episodes now ;-)

All the contestants are wonderful but I have a feeling Ann is going to win as she seems to have a bit of an unfair advantage having decades of experience (she's an incredible 82 years of age!) and her finishing touches are exquisite.  My favourite is Lauren. I absolutely love her neck scarf  (her style in general) which no doubt she has made herself as she has been sewing since was a little girl and creates absolutely everything beautifully for home and herself.  I absolutely loved her little patch pockets she created to spruce up a plain short A-Line skirt. I definitely feel the need to make these myself sometime soon! I was sad to see Mark leave as he has to be the most inspirational...take one look at him and you would never believe the outfits he creates for his passion which is 'steam punk' events, ahem doesn't sound like something involving dressing up in Victorian costumes and drinking tea :-/

I wonder if I'll be able to get to a sewing shop and buy some fabulous fabric before the series ends...

Read More

Yay!! Found the Photos...

So over the moon to have found these photos... oh my goodness look at the little pickle clutching her little hands and that beaming smile... still the same at 20 years of age!  Well I'm very proud of this creation, especially the blouse and it's spurred me on... cannot wait to power up the sewing machine... which by the way is not yet here.  My birthday is imminent and I am avidly awaiting it's arrival! A brand new Pfaff Expression 3 model. 

Read More

The Thought of Sewing....

It's been a long time since I last sewed!  About 16 years!  Last project a broderie anglaise blouse together with a pair of red tartan dungarees, size... 18-24 months!  Well you wouldn't catch me in such an outfit, not even back then, but it looked adorable on my beautiful daughter...and gave me quite a thrill to see her running around in it knowing I had made it after much blood, sweat and tears (must see if I can find the photo of her wearing it).

Why on earth have I become obsessed again. No, kids haven't grown up and flown the nest?  Well they've grown up but they're still very much in the nest.  Too much time on my hands and need a hobby?  No...haven't any time as I run my own business and work 'round the clock!

I sat down (wasn't going to... didn't intend to) with dinner on lap and watched The Great British Sewing Bee!  Oh, it brought back so many lovely memories... cannot wait to catch next weeks episode and hope it catches on, although not sure it will grip the nation like the Great British Bake Off... although you never know.  I bet sewing clubs, sewing shops and all things related around the Nation are waiting in excited anticipation for reams of fabric and fancy sewing tools of every kind to go flying off the shelves!  I hope so, wouldn't that be lovely?... a revival in the art of making beautiful clothes.  Everything is so mass produced nowadays and off the peg clothes are not always want you had in mind... I always seem to find a great style only to discover the fabric is awful or the fabric is gorgeous but the design would just make you look like a bag of dumplings!

So I'm really looking forward to my first project, not sure what it's going to be at the moment. Probably an A-Line skirt (will need it for work anyway).  All the contestants in the GB Sewing Bee each gave the simple A-Line skirt their own individual style and I'll try to do the same. I have to confess, deep down I'm what you might call a bit of a bodgit and scarper kind of character, at least I was back in the day as it was all self taught.  Some projects were a success, most were, well, consigned to the back of the loft!

This time around hopefully I'll have patience, going to need lots of it, and lots more assistance through social media... all the lovely blogs, youtube videos, facebook pages etc to ensure my first project is a wearable success.

First step... find a sewing class :-)

Read More