Tuesday 23 July 2013

Just One Sorbetto - Make One For Me!

*Hello*

As it was my sister's birthday at the end of last week I decided I wanted to make her something to wear as a birthday present but as my sewing repertory is a bit limited at the moment I thought the best option would be to make her a Colette Sorbetto Tank Top.
It's quick and easy to sew up as I made my first one at the end of last month.

I decided I wanted to look for a fabric that had turquoise as it's main colour and luckily Melanie at The Fabric Shop in Melrose had the perfect fabric in her shop.  I also used some blue dotty bias binding that I bought a few weeks ago (just because I liked it) and I just had enough.


This is my sister's finished top made last Wednesday and I think she was quite touched when she opened it!  She also has a fabulous tan at the moment so the colours are great to show it off!


When I was pinning the pattern pieces to the fabric I realised the fabric was pretty wide and if I jiggled things about a bit I could maybe make another one in the same fabric!  So that's what I did on Sunday!


I've tried various methods of marking my fabric for pleats etc but I am finding this fabric pen really easy to use and it was starting to disappear a bit while I was sewing.


The top comes together so quickly as you can see - side darts, pleat down the front and sew up shoulders and sides.  It is a fabulous top for the hot weather we have been enjoying recently in the UK.


I must admit I'm still following the instructions just to make sure!



Of course I need a wee break when I am sewing and as it was a fabulous sunny day on Sunday I couldn't resist a wee refreshment.
White wine spritzer with elderflower cordial and a few strawberries bobbing away in it.
I also enjoyed vegetable crisps, my favourites are beetroot and parsnip - lovely!
Just one glass of course(!) and I was ready to carry on sewing!


I chose a white satin bias binding for my top.


And finishing off.


This is my finished top and I am really pleased with how both tops turned out.
I'm sure my sister won't mind us having the same but slightly different tops.  
We'll just have to coordinate when and whose wearing what!

This top is so easy I would really encourage you to have a go if you haven't already and it is just perfect for the heatwave we have been enjoying here in the UK.

Eek I just had to shut everything down an hour ago as we had quite a thunder and lightening storm!  Long time since we had a storm like that, quite amazing!  
Rain easing now so can publish my post - phew!

Will have new post for Smittin Treasures tomorrow (been slightly neglected recently!) - something that has been right under my nose and I just discovered it on Friday night!

Thanks for dropping by!
Happy sewing!

Monday 15 July 2013

Simplicity Lisette K2246 and Getting Shorty!

*Hello*

Hope you have had a good weekend!
What a scorching weekend it has been here in the Scottish Borders as it has in most of the UK - and it's supposed to stay for another wee while yet - yippee!

I have used some of my bag making fabric stash to make a
Simplicity Lisette Traveler Dress (K2246) another free pattern with Sew Magazine earlier this year if I remember rightly.
What I am beginning to learn is that the fabric choice is so important!
This fabric is ok (actually curtain fabric) but I don't love it.
It is too beige(!) 
I bought some buttons (love these!) from the Fabric Shop in Melrose to finish the dress off.
I'm going to reserve judgement until late summer I think but I enjoyed making the dress, it was my first attempt at a collar and short puff sleeves!
The instructions were really straightforward and easy to follow, with bust darts, waist darts front and back on the bodice and a gathered skirt. The puff sleeves came together pretty quickly and the collar surprisingly straightforward.



Due to being absolutely sweltered today, all my skirts being in the wash and not having a pair of shorts to my name I decided to rectify the situation.
I have had these wide legged linen trousers in my wardrobe and haven't worn them for at least two years SO they are going to become my new shorts!


Here we have the first cut
12 inches from the crotch!


No, not short enough, took about another 4 inches off!
Might take some more off later!
I need to wear a pair of shorts this afternoon!


I then stood and looked at my new shorts
wanting to do an amazing upcycling job with them.
I got out my bias binding, ribbon, looked through my thread box and generally made a bit of a mess deciding what to do next.
Of course as usual I decided to just keep it pretty plain and machine hemmed and then added a decorative stitch on the hem.
It is so subtle that you can't see it!


Here's my first effort with taking my own photo with the timer thing on the camera.
I seem to have found my pose (it is the same on my Miette Skirt post!).
This is me in the garden.


I'm quite liking my new shorts!

Notes to Self:
Stop slouching when you are at the sewing machine and you won't get sore shoulders.
Try to stop clenching your teeth when unpicking buttonholes that go wrong.

P.S.  My Kindle died on me last night just when I was about to press publish, so this is what happened yesterday!

Happy sewing!


Thursday 4 July 2013

What's Next!



*Hello*

I've collected some fabric from my bag making stash for my next makes.

They're not very exciting but hopefully I can do something with them.
They're all washed and ready to go!


I do like the odd magazine and when I saw the mag below with a pattern included
I couldn't pass it by!


Being a beginner it was a great find as it features a whole load of patterns, sewing techniques and interesting articles - this is the June issue.


This is the free pattern that came with the mag but I'm not that keen on the frilly bits.
I'm sure I could just leave the frilly bits out
and I think there are a few pretty classic/easy looking dresses there!


I also picked this pattern up at The Fabric Shop in Melrose from the discount box.
Not that keen on the blouses but I like the skirts with the patch pockets.
I liked the bottom right view with the front pleat and patch pockets and thought it would be a good pattern to have waiting/looking for the right fabric!
Have you come across these patterns?

I'm looking forward to getting stuck in now and hopefully I'll have a few things made up for my next post soon!