Tuesday 24 September 2013

I'm back!

And so is my sewjo!

After almost three months of no sewing, I have finally made something! A dress!


It's a bit of a boring work dress but nevertheless it's a dress I've sewn so yay me....

I started  this Amazeballs Fit pattern at my sewing class ages ago:


I got to the point where I had done a tissue fit and was preparing to cut the fabric but then horror of horrors, my sewing class got cancelled! I was really upset at this but found out that my sewing teacher had an unforeseen family crisis and couldn't do the evening classes anymore. And then something similar happened to me too so I put everything to one side and forgot about it.

A week or so ago, I had a day off work and thought I'd better get my machine out in case I'd forgotten how to sew...and this dress came together very quickly indeed!

It's a grey polyester from Barry's - no lining needed. I cut a size 12 for the bodice and waist and 14 for the skirt and added pockets as normal (I'm not sure I can make any garment without adding pockets now!)


It's definitely a tad looser that I would ideally like - I forgot that the seam allowance is stupidly large, and I'm not entirely sure why I didn't cut a size 12 skirt, but at least this way, I'm not sucking myself in at work! The fabric frayed like mad so I French seamed the princess and side seams and used bias binding for the rest. It feels ok but it's not the most structured material in the world and I'm not sure I'd use it again. Next time, I'll use nicer fabric and make the whole thing a bit more fitted - it doesn't really look like the photo on the pattern envelope - or is that just the model?! But, hey ho, my dress is functional for work so I'm happy. It'll do, pig, it'll do.


I've already got my next two projects queued up although things will still be slow around here as family life still isn't back to normal. But to be honest, I'm happy just to be sewing again!

Monday 9 September 2013

This knitting lark is pretty addictive (and there's some sewing too)


My knitting is coming on in leaps and bounds! I've finished my first ever in-the-round make! Here's the Oats cowl, pattern courtesy of Tin Can Knits.


It was my first foray into circular knitting and I must say I'm hooked! I found some Addi bamboo circular needles at Yarnsmith for a very reasonable price and got the yarn (aran weight, a mixture of acrylic and wool) from a local (very friendly) wool shop called Christine's in Bournville. It's really soft!


The cowl is for my sister as a birthday present - which isn't till December so shhh!

Oh and guess what? I had a day off today so I actually got my sewing machine out and started the beginnings of a dress! Reckon it's going to be slow going as I'll only be able to work on it in dribs and drabs but even still, I feel like I have my sewjo back...