It's too hot, I'll have a Sorbetto please!

Nothing that interesting or impressive - just a very quick make on my day off earlier this week. I needed to do some sewing after two weeks of lazing about in the sun in Kenya...

The fabric is the last little bit left over from some that I bought at the Brum meetup. The main make from it hasn't been blogged about yet as I haven't got round to taking photos.

Why does my nose look so big in this?!

I'm not sure why the neck is so big - I didn't change anything about the pattern since I last made it. Hmm, mystery. (Well, it could be the fabric I suppose)

Anyway, that's it for now. I have at least another two or three things to photograph from weeks ago (but am feeling too lazy) and a massive list of to do's. This heat has zapped all my energy. All I want to do is sit. Still, I'm not complaining - I'd much rather this than the cold!

How comfy is viscose?

So far in my dressmaking adventures, I have mainly stuck to cottons and other "safe" or beginner-friendly fabrics. But I've heard an awful lot about viscose (rayon to US/Canadian sewcialists). So when I spotted some suitable stuff at Barry's in "my" sorts of colours, I quickly snapped up a metre to try out.

And omg it's so soft to wear!

But a bugger to cut out! I took me ages to line up the selvedges and even when I thought I got everything spot on and cut, I realised that the front and back pieces of my top were not quite the same shape or size so the viscose must have moved!

I made a variation of the Sorbetto (again!) - this time with no pleat, looser and longer, and cap sleeves using the Washi pattern pieces. I love the way these tops are so easy to make - it took me only one afternoon from start to finish. And I think it's turned out pretty well!  ('Scuse the wrinkled photos, I'd been wearing it all day)

I'm not sure if you can see in the photo above, but the only slight problem with the neck is that I stupidly used a cotton bias binding (it was all that I had and I wanted to wear the top the following day) so the neckline does get pulled forward a bit more that I'd like. I should have made my own from the leftover fabric. Oh well.

And hey, because of my wonky cutting, I've actually ended up with a subtle high-lo hem!

Lo-lo top

I'm calling this my lo-lo top. It was supposed to be a hi-lo top. They seem to be all the rage at the moment and I thought I'd be trendy but in the end I was too lazy.

It's based on the Sorbetto, just lengthened and with a curved hem. All French seamed as the fabric (leftover from my turquoise Washi dress) is just that bit too sheer to leave unsightly seams on show. The neck and arm holes are finished with bias binding but I did my first proper rolled hem. Ooh, get me!

Well, when I say "proper" what I really mean is "wonky"

Lazy because I cut the back and front pieces the same size with the curved hem and then couldn't be bothered to recut the front piece shorter.

Hmm, does my bum look big in this?
Why, YES!

Fake dotty day dress

Do you remember in October 2012, I first started my sewing class and chose the Simplicity 2215 skirt as my first make? Well, guess what? I actually, finally finished it eight, yes eight, months later!!

 

My class is only once a fortnight (with breaks over Christmas, Easter etc) and with five or six other members and a very particular teacher, the going was ssssllllloooowwww....

But, I am learning loads of techniques and it's such a laugh.Gill, the teacher, who used to be wardrobe mistress for one of the Birmingham theatres back in the day, likes us to do things her way and so I haven't really worked on the skirt outside of the classes.  Instead, I've just got on and sewn whatever I've wanted to get my fixes!

The reason I call this the fake dotty day dress is that the first time I wore it, I paired it with my Sorbetto made of the same fabric and with a belt on, it does look like a dress. I wish I'd done something else with my hair that day, it looks awful in the photos above. But it was a work day after all so it was a case of shoving it up into a messy bun and just getting on...

It does look just as good with a different top

Oh, it is definitely polka dotty, the
previous photos are blurry! 

Um, I'm going to let you into a tiny secret. Even though I was really careful and thought I had paid attention in class, the waistband is about 3 inches too big! Don't think I'll be getting an A star for that, right? Whoops!!

Oh and one other little thing - my design came third in the sewcialist logo competition! The winner was Joost, with an ingenious design that can be personalised with different colours - I've already got mine up on my sidebar. Go and get yours!

It's too cold for short sleeves!

I took the opportunity of the sunshine we had for about a millisecond yesterday to grab some photos of me actually wearing my denim Kelly.

The headless photos are because on every single one, either I was squinting into the sun or I had a "hurry up, I'm freezing!" face on...

Mr Sabs is already fed up of being my photographer (after just three months and about half a dozen garments), he moaned and groaned and told me he really didn't like doing it. Hmm, should I invest in one of those remote controlled timer thingys and a new camera? Or should I just make him suffer....? Votes in comments please!

I teemed the Kelly with another Sorbetto, this time with cap sleeves, using some fabric left over from my Sureau. I'm really pleased with it, it's girly and fun and fits well too. And it takes such a short time to whip up, instant gratification! I made my own bias tape this time for the neck hole and also added a bow made out of the leftovers for added interest. Cute, right?

The snow has gone now - I loved it for about a day but it made commuting to and from work really difficult for me and stopped me going out running so I'm secretly a bit glad but shhh! you didn't hear me say that, ok?

Sorbetto top

Yes, I realise I've jumped on the Sorbetto bandwagon about two years after everyone else but better late than never, right?

I made it about two weeks ago but despite wearing it  a couple of times already, I just haven't had the chance to get it photographed. It was a dream to sew up: really easy to follow, no size adjustments needed and really quick (well, it took me between 4 and 5 hours one afternoon, which for me as a beginner is brilliant). It's the most "finished" garment I've made to date - I took my time and made sure I finished every seam and worked as neatly as I possibly could. The exposed bias binding was really easy to put on too. I'm so, so pleased with myself!

This weekend, I've been working on my Robe Sureau. I've almost completed it but it still needs a bit of work so only work in progress photos for now I'm afraid.

Cutting out - note the use of my really high tech pattern weights

Constructing the bodice

There will be more photos (and horror stories) once the dress is finished. Hope you all had as lovely a weekend as me. A bientot...