I introduce you...Leopold!

Isn't he cute? This is the result of my latest sewing project. I decided to do the patchwork mouse featured in latest issue of SewHip magazine. It is all but perfect but I really like it. I followed the instructions carefully but a couple of things made it less than perfect (alongside my beginner skills):
 -  I wanted to use leatherette and the leopard print fabric and it wasn't a wise choice. The leatherette was easy to sew in but the leopard fabric is very flimsy and slippery, not to say in frays a lot.
 - Adding to that that the little fellow is indeed very small, made the work very precise, and therefore not very easy.
 - There was a need for some hand sewing and I'm truly rubbish at that.
In all I spent around a week doing it (maybe a little less) and in hours where I was tired and wanted to go on an on I stopped. I am learning some lessons, even though more need to be learned.

This week, I have also enrolled in a one day course with The Thrifty Stitcher. It's at the end on this month and about using commercial patterns. I have a few of those and have  (sort of) used them but to the quite honest, results have been rubbish. It will be great to start something and finish it with the support, advise and guidance from someone. Can't wait!!
I had also enrolled in a knitting workshop at John Lewis but that, unfortunately, was cancelled.

Last but nor least, I need to share with the the beautiful fabric I purchased today at a car boot sale. I was a bit disappointed that with such a huge car boot sale there was next to nothing that caught me eye. But, this fabric was worth the journey and I'm in love with it.

It says in the selvedge 100% cotton and it does feel like it. It is quite dirty in places and I need to give it a good wash. If you have any idea of the origin of the fabric, let me know!

Practice, Practice, Practice

I've been practicing my sewing skills a lot, in the past couple of weeks. There's no point in me jumping the gun and trying to make elaborate things, if my basic skills are not yet developed. I was always very hasty in things. I want something I want it now! With that in mind, practice can be boring but I'm doing it.

Yesterday evening I started a new project. It is a decorative one and it was classified as "Intermediate" in the last issues of SewHip. I am taking my time with it and tacking every seam before I sew. Hoping to show you the result in my next post.

I also finally got a tailors dummy. I'm happy with it but have to say at the same time a bit disappointed. It is a adjustable model, size petite. The small model had bigger boobs than mine are. The problem with being petite is that at the waist and hips I have to open it quite up to get my measurements and that leaves a huge hole in the model. Not very handy for pinning fabric. It is also rather flimsy and I keep thinking it's going to fall over when using it. Never mind, it's my first dummy and will probably do the job at my skill level. All I need now is to reorganize space in our laboratory. ;)

Have a great weekend!

It's all so quiet...

Sewing wise, it's all very quiet. After followed failed attempts at doing some garments I decided t step back and just practice basic techniques in scrap fabric. I've done a variety of zips and hems successfully and want to look at sleeve construction next. However for this I need a decent bodice so decided to step further back and do some blocks with my measurements. This isn't to say that I won't pop up suddenly with something but to be honest I'm more focused on practice, practice, practice.

Learning how to sew/ dressmaking reminds me when I was learning photography. It was all so overwhelming: aperture and shutter speed, distance to subject, ISO sensitivity, color balance, compositions...arhhhhh! So much to take in consideration for one image. After practice, it's all very natural, so I'm hoping sewing will be the a similar process.

I'm hoping to get a tailors dummy today from a Ebay auction. I really think that 3d garment construction will make more sense to me that flat pattern only. Will let you know if I'm the lucky winner!

Corset=Fail :(

Started construction of the Simplicity 9769 corset today. I won this pattern on a competition from Sew Curvy Corsetry and chose it as it was the most simple. But simple it was not for me. I have to bare in mind that I've never attended any course on sewing plus only started using a sewing machine last month. Still, I hope I had more natural skills. Most of the corset is now done and only the binding is left to do, but there are a lot of mistakes with this piece and a lot of challenges were present.

• I've cut a size 8 and guess what? It's big. 
• I also need to distinguish between right and wrong side of fabric and make sure when I sew pieces together I'm sewing the correct ones. In this case I was confused with what pieces where from the left side of corset and which ones where from right. When I figured out I found out some were cut wrong so the wrong side of fabric was showing. (don't know if you'll understand that sentence, lol
• The above also means the shape/ format of the corset is all wrong, as I sewed pieces wrong. (You can see the example at the front in the photo)
• I was too hasty and sewed parts before I should have done so.
• The eyelets were a bit challenging. They are very, very wonky and definitely not even.

Lessons learned:

1. Be patient and read all instructions as many times as needed
2. Learn how to grade and do fittings throughout construction
3. Make the garment in cheap calico or muslin with long stitches
4. Pay more attention to cutting and marking the garment
5. And again, be patient!!

If you have more tips and advice for me, let me know!

Lining a dress=FAIL

Following on yesterdays rather disastrous attempt at lining a section of the dress I started (first one on my project list on last post) I had to change project plans. I think it was too ambitious of me to try to jump at lining a dress in my second ever sewing project. The first dress I made was suppose to have lining but I purposefully ignored it. This time I didn't ignore it and it went all wrong. I'm a bit annoyed at myself for not getting it but after some thinking maybe it isn't the right time. I will probably be better off focusing on basic construction and non lined items. When I'm comfortable with these, I'll look at adding lining.

So I'm skipping the two dresses from Sew Magazine and will start the culottes form Sew Hip. I will after attempt the undergarments and corset.

Any thoughts tips and hints on lining? Am I missing a trick?

Corset Pattern

I was a lucky girl and won a gorgeous corset pattern (Simplicity 9769) by the lovely Sew Curvy Corsetry.  As you might, or might not have read in my previous post, I have a keen interest for period/ historic pieces so this pattern is spot on. I can't wait to try it though first I need to get to grips with what materials I need. And for that I need to try an decipher the pattern envelope.  I have plenty of projects on the pipeline to keep me going to might not add any new one now. So, in order, i am doing:
 - Sew Magazine issue 13 halterneck knee lenght dress
 - Sew Magazine issue 13 halterneck maxi dress
 - Sew Hip issue 19 culottes
 - Simplicity 9769 corset and undergarments

I will update you on my progress on these but it might take a loooong while!

Have a happy week!

Slow times

It has been slow! I spent a week in bed with a nasty chest infection and couldn't do much. I had the pattern for my next project at hands close but was very poorly and couldn't do anything. I'm much better and almost completely recovered now but have a weekend ahead of photoshoots (photography is my other hobby). Slowly but steadily I will eventually do my next project.
I'm making (or attempting to make) another dress. This time the one on the cover of issue 13 Sew magazine. I'm using remains of black fabric I have lying around and will do this dress with lining. The fabric is a bit on the heavy side but we'll see how it goes. Quite excited to start cutting and constructing and also see how I get along with lining. I mustn't be too hard on myself, after all it's my 2nd garment.

In the meantime I placed a huge order on Abakhan. Lots of fabric for future projects and some for my own designs; although these will have to wait until I'm comfortable enough with "Mary Jane" (my sewing machine ;). I also ordered a couple of books on period sewing/ patterns. I have a huge interest on period pieces and very keen to learn how to make these garments. Hopefully these books will help. I will let you know!

Lastly, I'm trying to get a tailors dummy but because I'm a size 6/8 - petite, it's very, very difficult to find anything on the cheap side. If you have any and want to get rid of it or if you know where I can get some cheap(ish), please let me know!