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!

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!

Colette Sorbetto Tank Top

*Hello*

My next sewing project decision was a pretty easy one!

I have decided to try the Sorbetto Tank Top by Colette Patterns.

This is a free (thank you!) downloadable pattern and is described as follows:

"This simple tank is quick to make, with no closures to sew ..."

Decision made!

Downloaded the pattern.

Stuck it together

Fabric find in charity shop today - £4.99 for duvet and base valance

Bias binding (gold!) in my stash, my mum brought it back from Majorca (4.50 Euros) and 

I have had it a few years waiting for the right project - this is it!

Have already sewn bust darts, made a single box pleat down the front,

 joined shoulder and side seams, finished off edges, ironed all the seams

and have just learned how to use bias binding on the neck seam.

Getting a bit excited - have just completed bias binding around the neck.

Had to stop for a cup cake bought by the Hub at Kelso Farmer's Market this morning 

and a cup of tea - lovely! - now back to work!

Bias binding on arm holes - getting a bit more excited!

Very excited about the finished top!

Here's a wee close up - very very excited!

I absolutely loved making this top - definitely going to make more (got fabric in mind!).

The instructions were great - simple enough for a beginner like me to get to grips with,

and I was able to make it in an afternoon!

I also loved using the gold bias binding, i've got a good bit left but I'll need to try and find some more,

if you know of a source I would love to hear from you! 

Summing Up:

Fabulous free pattern with easy to follow instructions - tick.

Can make it in an afternoon - tick.

Very wearable with a bit of sparkle - tick.

Will definitely be making more from the Colette Patterns range - tick.

Tilly's Miette Skirt Finished!

*Hello*

After a shaky start I have completed my first Miette skirt! 

(yes I am going to make another one!)

A couple of wee blunders were made ... but I think I have a wearable skirt.

1. Download pattern from Tilly's blog - tick that.
2. Check the size box to make sure you are printing the pattern at the right size - tick that.
3. Make sure you have enough paper in printer - tick that.
4. Print pattern - tick that.

This is where the first problem started as you can see below.

Not enough paper in the printer - doh!

I thought it would start up again at the right spot and I thought I was fine 

until I started to stick the pattern together and there was one completely blank piece of paper
and as you can see a big hole in the middle. 

(page 15 to be precise)

I debated with myself whether I would need the missing page
but as I have just started sewing I thought it might be important!

This is page 15!

The line in the corner is a grain line.
I don't think I really needed it (!) and I hadn't reset the printer to print the page again properly, so as I didn't want a big hole in the pattern the sheet was just stuck down as it was!

I found the instructions on Tilly's blog really easy to follow (thank you Tilly!)

I got a bit confused when I got to the waistband (not reading instructions properly probably).

I was pinning things back to front and wrong side round but once I realised I had to get the two gaps in the waistband to match up (and had stopped for my dinner) I started to roll!

The second wee problem was with the waistband - one of the seams folded over (tried to keep them all open) and of course it was on the tie that needs to go through the gap in the waistband, so a wee bit lumpy going through the hole (does that make sense?)
All part of the learning curve and I am now pretty pleased with the results!

The skirt is so comfy and easy to wear.
I had worn the skirt to work the day the photos were taken
and I now have it hanging on the outside of my wardrobe so that I can gaze at it!!

Thank you again Tilly you have inspired me to go forth and sew!