Great British Sewing Bee

The Sewing Bee is my favourite TV show (possibly of all time... certainly my fave competition). I didn't buy last years book because i recall not be very impressed by it, however this year it comes with 30 free patterns so i couldn't say no really...

There's a few projects that i'd like to make from the book. Initially i really wanted to make the wraparound dress however everyone has gone a little crazy over this and i can' decide on what fabric to use that won't make me look like i belong in a kitchen, in the 50's....

I have one kimono already but you can never have too many. I'm sure i'd wear this a lot!

This can be made in a dozen different colours so i'll absolutely be making a few of these...

Love love love this tweed and faux leather jacket, this will stay on the back burner until Autumn methinks....

My boyfriend might get a t-shirt, if i have the time and if he is lucky....

Swirly summer dress

I came across this pattern in the March edition of Burda magazine. I could see my the shape of the skirt that it would have some pretty mean swirling powers...

I picked out some light weight viscose fabric from Barry's in Birmingham and mainly used my overlocker to put it all together. It was very simple to make so i pretty much discarded Burda's instructions.

It's a very feminine and floaty dress. It's going to be great on a hot day with big sunglasses. There will be at least one more of these making it's way into my wardrobe soon...

Tunic dress

This was challenging fabric; it frayed a lot! Once i cut the pattern pieces out i overlocked all the edges before constructing the dress. There's a concealed zip in the right hand side, i managed to match the stripes up quite well. I'm pretty happy with the finish :)

I found the pattern in the March edition of Burda:

It was the featured pattern of that edition so i was lucky to have lovely coloured instructions and ictures, however i didn't need them because it was mega simple. My only gripe was the chest panel was an inch or two too small which is a bit annoying. Can't really be fixed now its all overlocked. I have some left over material though and i'm gonna make the jumper version at some point.

Ogrelocker= tamed!

I received a Singer Overlocker for xmas which i was over the moon with, however a little scared of...

It didn't take me long to figure out how to thread it but that was just the beginning. I learnt quickly that cheapo threads were not gonna cut it as they snapped almost instantly. Moon thread for me from now on :D

I mastered a three thread overlocking stitch and promptly overlocked everything i'd ever made, that was fun! Then i had a go with four threads, oooh lovely! Some fabrics it looked great on and others it was quite working out...hmmm time to twiddle those tensions disks.... it either got worse or made no difference. I started to get a little frustrated so i signed myself up for a day course in basic overlocking. Then spent the next two months in a constant state of excitement counting down the days :D   Within the first half an hour  i had my eureka moment.... move the cutting plates!!! If there's too much fabric gathering between your looper threads cut it shorter and vice versa! Immediately i had the skills to perfect the quality of the finished products. Then it was on to the other awesome and fun things overlockers can do! Gathering is sooo cool and i can't wait to make something with a lettuce edge...

I went home and practice some skills by overlocking a little bag out of some scraps and cutting the hem off a chiffon dress and doing a rolled hem instead :D

I went to my fave fabric shop yesterday (Barry's in Brum) and bought myself some challenging fabric that frays like there is no tomorrow! Awesome! Its all cut out and overlocked. Hoping to have a finished garment by tonight....

Wrap(ping) dress

I have wanted a wrap dress forever.... soo decided to rustle one up to wear on xmas day. It was made from stretch jersey which was so much easier to work with than i anticipated. It cut so nicely and didn't fray which was a blessing as i'd yet to unwrapped my over locker which was my fave prezzy this year!

It took just a couple of hours to sew it all up and it fit like a glove :)

I used this Butterick pattern but modified option C by making it shorter and losing the collar. Would love a couple more of these, very easy to make and really comfy to wear!

Re-visiting trousers...

I've decided that i'd eventually like my wardrobe to be compiled 90% of my own makes. Therefore i gotta try to make trousers again.... i made some from viscose in the summer that i love. Took me a while to get the sizing right so this time i made a toile first.

I got some gorgeous navy blue polka dot cotton canvas and also some candy pink to line them (love a lining!). It has also been my first attempt at inserting a fly. It was much easier than i thought it would be and looks so professional, i surprised myself! :D

Now i need to think of a pattern combination for the next pair!

Grinchy!

 Stuck for ideas of what to buy people this xmas and decided i should incorporate my hobby and make some gifts! Last year i made my mom a xmas table runner and this year i decided to make my boyfriend's mom an xmas apron. I was inspired by some Grinch fabric, as her grandsons are fans,then scoured ebay for a couple more complementary designs. Came across the penguins and the reindeers and started cutting lots of squares! I used gingham for the frill and backing. It came out quite chunky and felt good quality. My boyfriends mom wore it xmas day so i hope that meant she liked it!!