Learning new tricks and a lovely sunset

Late afternoon sun last Thursday

Attempts at sewing with cotton jersey

I have been making my own clothes for a long time but have never worked with cotton jersey before. I want to start making my own tee shirts so that I can use organic or recycled fabric. Above is a first attempt using old clothing. The pattern doesn't have a seam down the front which would look better. Anyway I am glad I made a trial version first and will probably make another one before I start on new fabric.
I learnt a few things, firstly stay stitching needs to be done using a larger stitch than you would normally for stay stitching, I stretched the neckline, you can see it still looks a little odd.
Secondly the neck binding needs to be stitched very carefully to get an even finish and thirdly the top stitching also needs to be done carefully. Fourthly American pattern sizing is very different from ours.
This isn't a proper mannequin so the shirt doesn't hang very well but this is an American size 6 (so flattering) which is equivalent to a UK size 10, it is supposed to be a loose fit but I normally make clothes in a UK size 12. The pattern was large round the neck I have taken about two inches from the neckline.
The basic pattern is very simple to put together, the finishing a little more complicated. I haven't bothered doing hems as its a trial one, though it will do fine for gardening.
The pattern is Fen by Fancy Tiger Designs which I bought online from The Village Haberdashery, its also available from Backstitch.

The dress

Lovely sunny day for the wedding, in fact the church was extremely hot so looking a little rumpled.

Summer again and some sewing

We keep having glimpses of summer a few lovely days, hot or warm and then the cloud takes over and rain is forecast for tomorrow. These roses are beautiful they start out this rich yellow and then fade to yellow and pink. If I wasn't so lazy I would find out what they are called. My son gave them to my mum for christmas and couldn't understand why she wanted a plant that looked dead, we sent some photos.

Roses from my mums garden

Having finished the work for the exhibition I am now sewing a dress for my nephew's wedding in two weeks time. Its posh, morning suits for the men so I thought I ought to have a posh frock.
Patterns have changed so much since my early sewing days. Everything machine stitched, no facings, turn overs and hems sewn before the side seams. Had a lot of trouble dealing with the neckline just a 1cm turn over, I fear I have stretched the fabric but hopefully a good press will sort it. I have decided after just having done the armholes that less care actually works best, they worked quite easily. Also Vogue patterns seem to be made for very tall women, so had to take about five inches out of the length so hope it still looks like the original when finished.

Vogue pattern

Sixty pounds worth of fabric to cut, nerve racking but it would have cost a lot more to buy a dress like this. The fabric is not pink it is burgundy wine coloured

Silk Dupion

By the way for those of you living in the UK it was actually cheaper to send off to the States for this pattern, even with postage.

Making

Whilst not blogging I completely forgot to mention that I made a skirt out of fabric I had dyed a while back. Its not perfect, its a long time since I have done any dressmaking but I am quite pleased with the result. The pattern is a Vogue pattern designer Marcy Hilton.

Silk skirt using eco dyed fabric

 It is mainly machine stitched but I top stitched all the seams using a running backstitch which I learnt from one of Jude Hill's online classes. Its a very useful stitch as it looks like running stitches but won't pucker or pull. I am hoping to wear the skirt to the preview of the exhibition by South West Textile Group in Ilminster on Monday evening.

Close up of handstitched top stitch

There will be a seperate entry with just a peek of my two pieces both of which I hope will be hung.