Keep Track Of Your Fabric- Free Template To Download

 Ok guys I need some advice... Is this an excessive amount of fabric to acquire in just under 2 months?

I have a veritable fabric mountain already and realised that it was very difficult to remember not only the fabric type and care instructions, but more importantly, which project I had actually bought it for!

This prompted me to create these handy little labels that I stick onto each fabric bag to remember which projects go with which fabric, where I bought it, how much it cost, and how to wash it along with other vital information as you can see in the example below.

I've included a FREE DOWNLOAD HERE in case anyone else faces the same predicament which can either be printed on 21 per sheet labels or plain paper and just cut out.

So far sewing is proving quite expensive, so my new years resolution is not to buy any more clothes until my fabric mountain has been climbed (or demolished) as I'm obviously not a reluctant shopper!

Do let me know if you find the labels useful and if you too find the allure of  fabric too hard to resist once you've entered the shop.

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

 

Creating A Little Black Bias Dress With New Look 6244

So not forgetting that my ultimate goal is to recreate my dress, which I had originally sought to have made in Hong Kong, I turned to New Look for my next pattern which I liked a) because of the range of styles on the front and b) because it was rated as easy to complete!

Trust me to then select black satin fabric, which I later discovered was a real challenge to mark.

In addition, cutting satin was quite difficult as it's very slippery and after wasting more fabric than I care to dwell on, I finally discovered that the key to cutting was to just let the scissors loose on the edge of the marked line, snip, apply a bit of pressure with the blade and the tear runs away by itself in a straight line!

I elected to create version "B" from the pattern which was a short, slip dress which could also be worn under a main dress, and I started by laying the fabric out so that it could be cut on the bias and weighted down with good old fashioned garden stones.

Having discovered that silver eye-liner was the best marking option, I drew lines around the outside of the pattern paper and after that sewing up the sides and around the top and bottom hems was pretty straight forward.

This project allowed me to learn how to create thin straps that needed to be turned inside out, and I did this by using chop sticks! See how via this You Tube video I discovered HERE

I  have always liked the way bias dresses fit me so I was pleased with the finished result,  although I had to make adjustments to the bust area (too big) and the straps were a little tight so also needed moving.

My key learning's were ;

1) To always check the finished garment size, as well as your pattern size, so you can assess how much ease has been built into a design. I had completely misread the bust size, hence the need for readjustment at the end.

2) To write notes on the back of the pattern envelope is a good idea that will assist if you want to recreate a pattern or work on other versions i.e I noted down my correct size, the ideal strap length and my preferred length for the finished dress.

3) To line up pattern notches accurately as in this project my hemming was a little off as I had not done this as well as I should.

If you've enjoyed this, or any of my posts, you are always welcome to comment, share or subscribe. 

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

My First Pencil Skirt - Burda 6705

Having looked in my wardrobe and discovered a disproportionately low number of skirts (although this is relative, as I have a lot of clothes) I decided a skirt project would be my first.

The Burda skirt with jacket pattern was provided free with a sewing magazine and in my mind I envisaged a simple process of sewing a few seams and making a slit in the back.

It only took for me to open the pattern and read... then re read... and re read again to realise that this was not going to be straight forward. The only saving grace is I'm glad I did not opt to also do the matching jacket!

 I first had to educate myself re the following terms;
-Baste (temporary tack stitching)

-Darts (folded wedge of fabric, stitched to give a garment shape)

-Underlap (the lower of two overlapped pieces of fabric)

-Interfacing (used on the wrong side of fabric to make it more rigid)

-Edge stitch (similar to a top stitch, but 2-3mm from edge of fabric)
 along with how to apply facing, lining and an invisible zipper - thank you Google and You Tube!

I also found this great blog which deals with sewing terms HERE.

Having realised the scale of the task, I decided to take it in stages and aimed to complete the skirt in a week.

I had some lovely wool fabric from John Lewis that was perfect but as it was so nice I really wanted to avoid ruining it. Unfortunately in spite of best endeavors, there were errors and let's just say I'm a champion un-picker after this project; but the end result (see below) I believe justified the time and I am pleased that I persevered.

The Top 3 Things I Learned From This Project Are...

1) There are many ways to accomplish the same goal in sewing; so even if a pattern directs you (or confuses you, as in my case) just seek out an alternative approach which I found on social media and this helped me no end.

2) Darts are really easy once you've marked them and I did this by inserting pins through both the pattern and the fabric and then marking by just lifting up the pattern whilst the pins remained in place.

3) You are a lot bigger than you think! I am normally a size 8 but for this pattern I was a 12,  so this project made me aware of my measurements and the importance of checking with each pattern, as I imagine brands will vary, just as shops do.

I hope you've enjoyed this post and thanks for reading!

 

If Only I'd Known..My Top 5 Sewing Mistakes!

 

   1) Not Enough Markers!

As a beginner, the key to easier sewing for me, is being able to see markings and follow lines. 



 Having spent over an hour trying to find a suitable marker for black satin fabric, I regret not investing earlier in a wider range of marking options which would have saved me valuable time. 

In the end I turned to my make up drawer and found that a silver eyeliner pencil was the perfect marker for satin.  I've subsequently discovered that silver or white crayola crayons are also ideal as chalk and more conventional markers had limited impact on this slippery fabric, seen above.

2) No Mid-Stitch Checking

After lining everything up to sew a zip into my first skirt, it was only when I reached the end that I realised I did not fold over the seam and the zip was at the edge as opposed to being hidden within the seam allowance. Had I sewn a few stitches and then reviewed the right side of the fabric, I would have spotted this and saved myself unpicking and re stitching time.

3) Selecting A Challenging Pattern 

Some pattern brands are easier to follow than others and as luck would have it, my first pattern came from a manufacturer that is not known for providing detailed, logical explanations (for the time being they shall remain nameless), however I only discovered this after I had started. If I were starting again I would choose an easy beginner pattern from a company that is renown for explaining patterns clearly. I also came across a really good blog HERE which helped me understand information on the back of patterns (again, sadly after I had already started).

4) Overoptimistic With Time

 I'm not there yet, but I long for the day when I can say I will create a dress in an hour and actually finish within that allotted time. 
My mistake in the beginning was thinking that projects, which on the face of it appeared simple, could be completed quickly. The time it takes to decipher, pin, mark and cut patterns,reload bobbins, deal with machine jams and thread snaps, review progress vs pattern advice etc all adds up; also I had never heard of darts, interfacing, batting, french curve, bias tape to name a few so each had to be researched, understood and applied first. 

My approach now is to take the time estimated and triple it!

5) Cutting Too Soon

On my first pencil skirt project I was required to cut 2 pieces for the back of the skirt and the pattern cutting guide showed me how to lay out the fabric. What I failed to realise was that the 2 pieces should have been placed with their right sides facing each other but as this was not indicated on the pattern guide I overlooked it and ended up with the left side of the skirt showing the right side of the fabric and the right side of the skirt, the opposite. 

This was in spite of me knowing the adage "measure twice, cut once" but I should have thought ahead how the two pieces needed to fit together and not just followed the cutting guide. 

For me sewing is akin to completing a jigsaw, with only access to part of the picture on the box so going forward I now mark the right sides of all fabric (unless it's obvious) and think of the steps ahead so I can envisage how parts will look together before I cut.

Perhaps some of these stories resonate with you or you may be able to avoid similar pitfalls having read the above;  but in spite of all my sets backs (or learning opportunities as I prefer to view them), I found the challenges quite motivating as they spurred me on to improve, an assessment I hope  you'll agree with as you view my future posts!

Thanks For Reading 

The Sewing Course

With one project under my belt, the universe must have felt I was ready to move on, as a few days later I received an email regarding weekend activities and one option was an "introduction to sewing" course.

I enthusiastically signed up and after 4 hours I was au fait with putting in invisible zips, had used an over-locker and created French and flat felt seams -all in all a really productive afternoon.

Returning home with the creative buzz still alive I decided to create the simplest of bags which basically involves folding a tea towel. sewing the side seams and adding straps.

I subsequently went to the library and, having found that they had a good range of beginner sewing books, was also able to create this soft toy below;

so within a short space of time, I felt as though sewing was not as difficult as I'd first imagined.
Little did I know I would be eating these words soon enough!

My First Project

So after considering all other alternatives, I acquired a sewing machine and one Friday evening (yes very dedicated I know) I sat down to do something I never do with new equipment - I actually read the manual!

I felt a real sense of achievement as I worked out how to wind the bobbin, change the feet and adjust stitches and I guess that was the first time I felt any enthusiasm.

Once I was zig-zagging up and down prices of cloth and adjusting the stitch length some of the fear had gone - now fear might see a little dramatic but I have to mention this was not my first encounter with a sewing machine.

My mum was an avid sewer as I was growing up and I had attempted on more than one occasion  to grapple with a sewing machine.  After pressing the pedal and hearing that dreaded hum when you know something is definitely wrong but no idea what, I gave up in frustration.

Once I understood my way around the sewing machine I googled #beginner #sewing #projects and found that a pin cushion was both simple and something I actually needed.

I opted for one that could tie around my machine so that it was easy to reach and could also be removed if required. 

You can see the results below.

                                            

 I discovered my local haberdashery shop (that resembles Aladdins cave) and armed with a list, which I completely ignored once I entered, I left with far more fabric and tools than I should have, but I did have everything I needed to make my first project.

To make I....

1) Cut one piece of fabric 14cm square
2) Selected organza ribbon 15cm wide and cut two strips 30cm long (and checked first that this length would  fit around my machine with enough length left to make a bow
3) Turned the fabric inside out and sewed around the outside edge, sewing in the edge of one side of the ribbon during this process but leaving a 3cm gap open
4) Turned the fabric so that the right side was showing, then stuffed the insides with polyester filling finally hand sewing the other side of the ribbon in place and closing the gap.

The Journey Begins...

And so there we were, planning our trip to Hong Kong when a friend, who had traveled there before mentioned that this was the best place to go for tailoring.

She knew this would resonate with me, being an established clothes hoarder, so I gathered up a range of items that I was hoping could be easily and if I'm honest cheaply, cloned during my trip.

Having trawled the Nathan Road in Kowloon and visited a handful of tailors on both the mainland and the island, it became quickly apparent that there were little bargains to be had.

When I inquired how much it would cost to replicate one of my favourite dresses (seen below), in a simple cotton fabric I was surprised that the quotes ranged from £220 -£250; and yes I will repeat this was not in silk or cashmere but simple cotton.

When I returned home and relayed my disappointment to said friend she replied at those prices I would be better off sewing it myself and so an idea was born.

That was 8 weeks ago (November 1st 2016) and subsequently I have been on, what can only be described as a very steep, frustrating but productive learning curve.

The purpose of this blog therefore is twofold;

To help me document my journey into an area I never imagined I would venture and secondly to share this with others who may be about to embark on such a journey and other enthusiasts in general.
I will include the standard disclaimer,  that I share all information in good faith and if I do include any information that you have a view on,  I am open and happy to discuss.

Thank you for reading and for joining me on this new quest.

 If you've enjoyed this, or any of my posts, you are always welcome to comment, share or subscribe. Thanks for reading and have a great day.