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!

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!

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!