RuthieK's 2007 Timmel SWAP Blog - Woodland Walk Wardrobe

Wearing the teal pants and jacket

2007-07-03T22:31:00.000Z

Here I am wearing the Teal wool jacket with the Teal wide leg pants and a simple ivory RTW tee.

Some other Wardrobe pics

2007-06-29T16:16:00.000Z

These are the ones I sent to Julie for the site

Wearing my SWAP pieces

2007-06-18T21:00:00.000Z

I have been wearing a lot of my SWAP pieces recently, particularly the pants and tops although the heavy wool jacket is too hot now.

Today I am wearing the wide leg brown pants and the purchased top with a cream camisole and wedge leather sandals.
And last week I wore the teal wide leg pants with one of the tops.

Pattern Review Wardrobe Contest May 1st to July 31st 2007

2007-05-05T19:07:00.000Z

Pattern Review Wardrobe Contest May 1st to July 31st 2007
has now started and there is a new blog for this at
http://ruthieksews2.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!

SWAP Winners

2007-05-05T18:47:00.000Z

All of the completed SWAPs and the 5 winners are listed over on
http://www.timmelfabrics.com/2007swap.htm
Well done to the winners and everyone who completed the SWAP.

SWAP Outfit 5 - Spring Morning

2007-04-18T06:38:00.000Z

Here the teal gored skirt is teamed with the burnt orange top accessorised with a slim belt and silk scarf at the neck.
The team and orange are the most challenging to mix as far as I am concerned and this outfit makes a strong statement.
Something to wear on a bright Spring day or even better on a slightly dull one to cheer things up.

SWAP Outfit 4 - Saturday errands

2007-04-14T06:58:00.000Z

Here's the print knit top with scoop neck and 3/4 sleeves, and a silk scarf as a belt shown with the reversible skirt indigo side out and sequin flat slip on shoes.
A great outfit for running errands on a Saturday morning - comfortable but still quite pulled together.

SWAP Outfit 3 - evening at the theatre

2007-04-11T21:01:00.000Z

Another outfit where the picture has not been submitted to Julie.
This one has the SWAP dark teal Loes Hinse gore skirt worn with the teal burn out velvet Jalie Wrap top (the two patterns I bought from Julie to qualify) accessorised with a gold necklace, gold sandals and a dinky gold clutch bag.
This says evening at the theatre!

More outfits to come as I think of ways to combine stuff.

SWAP Outfit 2 - Smart Casual

2007-04-11T20:53:00.000Z

Don't worry this picture is not one I've sent to Julie so it should not spoil the suprise for anyone.
This is the SWAP brown pants and purchased top, with a teal pashina, brown kitten heel suedette boots and a bead necklace I made myself (turquoise seed beads with brown irregular beads).

This outfit is one of those smart casual combos useful in so many situations.

SWAP Outfit 1 - cafe terrace

2007-04-10T05:50:00.000Z

Here's the brown pants with the brown print top, dressed up with a pashmina, sandals, belt and necklace.
In this outfit I'm sipping a cold drink on a cafe terrace.
(edited to add this picture was also NOT sent to Julie and so is not spoiling anything!)
My photos are not great I know, but I loved the versatility of the outfits I could create with the SWAP pieces. The same fun as dressing a paper doll and chosing the accessories only I get to wear the outfits!!

The jacket

2007-04-09T21:13:00.002Z

Here's the finished jacket. The planned hook and eye closure pulled so instead I used cord loops and covered buttons. I am pleased with the final look, it fits me beautifully.

SWAP 2007 Complete

2007-04-09T20:36:00.000Z

Top Row (L->R):-
New Look 6315, View B, blouse in burnt orange slubbed home dec fabric.
Butterick 5487, View E, top in white/brown tropical flower polyester print.
Butterick 3344, View C, top in teal/brown 4 way stretch viscose print.
Purchased top from Wallis
Middle Row:-
Jalie 2449, View C, cross over top in teal 4 way stretch polyester burnout velvet
Burda 3064, View C, jacket in teal weave wool with petrel polyester lining,
Butterick 6768, Views A/C, wrapover blouse in teal/brown polyester print fabric.
Bottom Row:-
New Look 6054, View C, pants in dark teal polyester/viscose drapey woven.
Simplicity 4375, View B, pants in black/brown cotton/linen mix.
Loes Hinse 5007, View D, 6 gore skirt in black/teal polyester/viscose drapey woven.
Butterick 3972, View B, skirt in brown/indigo denim - reversible.

Almost done...

2007-04-08T19:38:00.001Z

We just got back (8:30pm here) from spending the Easter weekend with DH's parents, but I took my SWAP jacket with me and finished some bits of handsewing whilst watching TV, so only needs buttons and loops and I am declaring that the SWAP is done. MIL and DH's Auntie were in awe of the whole SWAP thing which was a nice feeling when my stuff is so plain compared to lots of the gorgreous stuff out there.

I will retake my photos tomorrow against a plain white sheet and send the photos over to Julie later on in the day.
I'm then away from home with work for two days so it makes a good deadline to finish them by end of Monday.

Overall plan

2007-03-27T21:48:00.000Z

here's what the whole thing will look like when finished off

Not quite finished jacket

2007-03-27T21:32:00.000Z

And this is my final SWAP piece my teal wool jacket.
This was started more than 5 years ago and has been sitting around partly completed since then. I've worked on it a little more the last 2 weeks and the end is in sight.
Here it is with the lining inserted but the pressing, hems etc undone. I thought you would like to see it though as it helps with imagining the whole SWAP together.

RTW Knit top

2007-03-27T21:28:00.000Z

This is the purchased knit top I am going to include in my SWAP.
I wanted to sew another top but this one works beautifully with everything else and time is short so I'd be stupid not to.
I will take a photo of my actual top as the print is arrnaged differently and its a larger size, but this gives you a good idea.
It is a lovely knit top from Wallis.

Knit top

2007-03-27T21:25:00.000Z

Here's a photo of the too wide knit top. Once the jacket is finished I will alter this down maybe two sizes. The basic top itself is fine I just cut it out too big.

Butterick 3344

2007-03-21T08:00:00.001Z

My knit top from Butterick 3344 is not going well.
Its huge and baggy. I think I basically cut too large a size - the shoulders hang off me and the body is shapeless. The whole front sits OK if I put a 1 inch pleat down the centre front. So I think I need to redo everything but the neckline(which has been redone once already). Well actually the neckband looks too wide as well.
I love the fabric but there is none spare so I have to be careful.

Maybe I will work on the jacket a bit and come back to this top another day. I will take the sleeves off, make the shoulder narrower, reattach the sleeve and trim some off the sides of the body (more from the front than the back) and see what that is like.

sleeves on the Jalie top

2007-03-18T11:08:00.000Z

Although I have worn my Jalie crossover top I have been thinking again about the sleeves.
After the SWAP is over I think I might recut the sleeves longer and wider, and replace the existing ones accordingly. I have plenty of fabric.

Sleeve width in RTW is often a problem too, so I think it is my arms rather than the pattern.

wore the brown print top

2007-03-15T21:51:00.001Z

No photos sorry but I wore the brown print top today with a previously sewn grey green wide leg pant suit and chocolate brown accessories. I liked it very much. The top was very comfortable to wear and tucked neatly into the belted pants.

I know some SWAPpers don't wear any of their SWAP clothes until the whole SWAP is complete and photographed, but I just love wearing my new things as soon as I can. I haven't worn everything yet but I am working up to it! Let's hope I don't spill anything and make a stain that won't come out.

This weekend is the last one I will have to sew as I have other committments the other weekends until the SWAP finishes. I am still finding it hard to be focused and follow everything through. Its fine when the garments go together smoothly but I am easily discoraged by poor fit or construction problems. However with 8 garments sewn I am so nearly there I just need to persevere a little more.

Then with the SWAP done I need to move on to some Vacation sewing for Arizona in late April, so time is short.....

The gore skirt for Morzel

2007-03-15T07:56:00.000Z

here's a picture of the gore skirt on its own

and the pattern it uses. I sewed view D here

Wrap top being worn

2007-03-14T22:00:00.000Z

Here's the Jalie wrap top being worn with the Loes Hinse 6 gore skirt. I had my eyes shut so I cropped my head off - anyway it helps you concentrate on the clothes!

For the SWAP page

2007-03-13T22:49:00.000Z

Here are 8 of the garments from the SWAP which I have sewn so far, there are 2 tops and a jacket to come yet:-

Top Row: Butterick 5487 - brown and white floral print batwing top
Butterick 6768 - teal and brown leaf print wrap blouse with buckle fastening
New Look 6315 - princess seams, slubbed burnt orange blouse with cord button loops
Jalie 2449 - teal velvet burnout wrap front knit top
Bottom row: New Look 6054 - Wide leg pants in chocolate/black textured cotton/linen
New Look 6054 - Wide leg pants in dark teal viscose
Butterick 3972 - reversible brown/indigo denim skirt with flat fell seams, elastic waistband casing and serged hem
Loes Hinse 5007 - Teal melange 6 gore skirt with 6 godets.

Jalie Wrap top done

2007-03-13T22:30:00.000Z

The Jalie wrap top in teal velvet burnout is pretty much done. It only has serged hems on the sleeves and body at the moment, and I may do a 'proper' hem once I work out what works best on this fabric.
It looks better on a real body and doesn't droop or anything.
As you can see I cut the back neckline lower and did a continuous band which was a nice easy finish.
I am very happy with this addition to the SWAP.

Blouse frustrations

2007-03-12T21:48:00.000Z

The blouse pattern is obviously expecting lots of bust so ideal for all you FBA girls out there, plus easy to alter if it still doesn't give the room.
However since I am only a B cup but on a plus size body its a very badly fitting blouse right now.
I don't love it at the moment, and I think we may have to have a break from each other whilst I sew something quicker and less irritating.

On that note I have finally used the other pattern I bought from Timmels to cut out the Jalie Wrap top in a teal velvet burnout - polyester but still quite nice for all that.
Isn't velvet messy to cut out? I have little hairs of teal velvet all over my cutting area.
I had been procrastinating on the Jalie top becuase I would have to trace the pattern off which I have some deep objection to which I can't rationalise, so I bit the bullet and went for it.

I'm hoping this will be easy to sew given all the good reviews on Patternreview.com. I cut the second largest sleeve size and went between sizes W and X on the body, lengthened by 2 inches on the body and a teeny bit on the sleeve, cut the back neck down so the band can go all the way around and cut a long band all in one piece for the entire neckline. I have no idea what it'll be like but since I was told the fit was snug I thought it wise to err slightly on the large size and then cut down if required.

cut out Butterick 4659 View B

2007-03-07T21:48:00.000Z

Tonight I cut out Butterick 4659 View B. This is a 3/4 sleeve blouse with princess seams and one piece facing and collar. I've used a stretch shirting with a white background and chocolate and turquoise stripes. I think it will work really well and be a very wearbale piece, especially for work. I love this type of shirt but the purchased ones don't fit very well. This pattern is new to me but I hope to do some tweaking to make the fit quite good.

And with the SWAP extras

2007-03-06T22:43:00.000Z

And here are all the garments I have sewn so far for the SWAP (including the extra pieces on the bottom row).
They have been taken at different times and I can see now that some of the colours are off. For instance the brown pants and skirt on the bottom row are sewn in the same fabric as the wide leg pants at the far left of the middle row. Also the teal pants on the middle row and the gauchos on the bottom row are also in the same fabric as each other.
Seeing it all laid out like this feels more of an achievement than when they are stuffed in the wardrobe with everything else.
Tops are on my list with a shirting stripe blouse next and then two knit tops and the jacket.

SWAP Wardrobe Picture - sewn so far

2007-03-06T22:11:00.000Z

Here's a merge of the pictures I have already taken of the SWAP items. Hopefully you can see how they would work together. The burnt orange blouse is my one query so far! I ask myself would I really wear an orange blouse with a teal green skirt and a lighter teal green jacket?

The details are
Top row from left to right:-
Top Butterick 5487 - brown and white floral print batwing top
Blouse Butterick 6768 - Teal and brown leaf print wrap blouse with buckle fastening.
Blouse New Look 6315 - Princess seamed, slubbed burnt orange blouse with cord button loops.
Bottom row left to right:-
Pants New Look 6054 - Wide leg pants with faced waist and side zip in chocolate/black textured cotton/linen fabric.
Pants New Look 6054 - Wide leg pants with faced waist and side zip in dark teal viscose fabric.
Skirt Butterick 3972
Reversible brown/indigo denim skirt with flat fell seams, elastic waistband casing and serged hem. (Indigo side showing)
Skirt Loes Hinse 5007 - Teal melange 6 gore skirt with 6 godets, very full and swishy!

Wardrobe Pic

2007-03-06T08:15:00.000Z

Here are 6 of the garments photographed together. I sure need to work on my photography!
Top row from left to right:-
Top Butterick 5487 - brown and white floral print batwing top
Blouse Butterick 6768 - Teal and brown leaf print wrap blouse with buckle fastening.
Blouse New Look 6315 - Princess seams, slubbed burnt orange blouse with cord button loops.
Bottom row left to right:-
Pants New Look 6054 - Wide leg pants with faced waist and side zip in chocolate/black textured cotton/linen fabric.
Pants New Look 6054 - Wide leg pants with faced waist and side zip in dark teal viscose fabric.
Skirt Butterick 3972
Reversible brown/indigo denim skirt with flat fell seams, elastic waistband casing and serged hem. (Indigo side showing)

Print top complete

2007-03-05T22:50:00.000Z

I sewed up a simple shell top from Butterick 5487 adapting View E.
I used a remnant of polyester viscose fabric in a startling brown on white tropical flower print. The piece was a odd shape which limited my pattern choices. The print is large and striking so I wanted a simple style to show it to its best advantage.
I used view E which has a round neck, back closure and cut on cap sleees. I used the basic body shape but extended the sleeves to be more like batwing sleeves, omitted the back closure and cut a scoop neck at the front. I omitted the facing and just serged all the edges and turned under and stitched, the fabric is a firm enough weave to take this.

New Fabric

2007-03-05T07:44:00.000Z

I went to the fabric store this weekend and they had lots of stuff at £1 and £1.50 a metre.
So I picked up a white stretch shirting with turquoise and dark brown stripes which will be fab for a blouse for the SWAP.
Also a dark brown stretch woven with self fabric stripe, a suit for another day - maybe a new SWAP another time.
And several fabrics in denim/khaki colourways to make summer pants. I added to this pile from my fabric stash as well. I want some pants for my trip in April/May to Arizona and then for casual wear through the summer here in England.
My most comfortable and well fitting pants are PJs, so I will make elastic waist pants for daytime wear. The idea is to make quite a few pairs of pants and wash and wear them all before deciding which ones will be softest and least creasing to pack for the trip.

However I need to make some SWAP tops first, so I've put the pants fabrics away for now.

The tops promise

2007-03-02T23:06:00.000Z

I hearby promise that I won't sew any more bottoms until I have done the tops for the SWAP (well maybe I'll finish off the partly made brown pinstripe pants, but nothing new honest)

I think I almost have enough extra bottoms for another SWAP plan. Bottoms in the shops don't fit me which is why I love to sew them for myself. But to do the SWAP I need to make the jacket and four more tops.

My latest tops thoughts is to make one loose top in brown and print white fabric and 3 knit tops in teal, turquoise and print.
Plus finish the parly made Burda wool jacket.

I think my kitchen will finish being repainted after the SWAP has finished!!

Culottes being worn

2007-03-02T23:04:00.000Z

Here are the culottes (also known as cropped pants or gauchos) in action. Worn with dark brown boots and teal sweater.

Print gore skirt done

2007-02-27T21:24:00.000Z

The print version of the Loes Hinse gore skirt is finished. This is just the sort of fabric which is lovely for this pattern. I made the 6 gore version without the godets and its great, swishy and full at the hem so i can stride about whilst still looking ladylike, but slim over the hips - a great style.

Another SWAP extra, but goes with so many existing items in my wardrobe I don't regret it for a minute.

Culotte pants/Gauchos/Cropped pants are completed

2007-02-25T21:34:00.000Z

The culottes are finished. I have no idea the proper term for them these days, culottes, gauchos, cropped pants. Either way they are done.
They are hemmed so when worn they are 33 inches long, the same length as my best skirts.

Having made them though they either seem quite fashion forward (and I'm not sure I am really) or quite dated (like I enjoyed wearing culottes in the 80's and I'm so glad they are back in again).

Whilst its cooler I shall wear them with knee high leather boots and a sweater, and when it warms up with sandals and a tee instead.

They are however a SWAP extra, and so I haven't really moved forward in that side of things.

Under the window in the sewing area I have a small chest with cushions on top (for a feline friend to lounge on) where I keep the SWAP projects not yet started. I removed a some fabrics which were part 2 or otherwise not suitable, but left myself a couple of options as to which tops I am going to sew. I also had a bit of a tidy up of patterns etc so the general sewing area is looking more useable.

Extras added and priorities

2007-02-25T13:06:00.000Z

The extras which I have already sewn are now at the bottom of the pics.

I got a bit bogged down not sure what to sew next, so I used one of my indecision breaking tactics and pretend I am giving someone else advice.
And my advice to my sewing self, to finish off the zip and waistfacing treatment on the two nearly finished garments, cut out and sew up the print loes hinse 6 gore skirt (without godets) and then move on to knit tops. Maybe some more pics later today.

The jacket options

2007-02-23T19:36:00.000Z

Morzel asked 'Will you show photos of the jackets (at least the fabric, maybe together with these fabrics here) you are con- sidering ?! '

Here's the RTW jacket with the funny curved lapel and the partly made jacket.
the RTW jacket would need the collar altering and new non glitzy buttons, the UFO jacket needs completing.
Either would be fine with all the other SWAP pieces.

Necklace pic for Cameron

2007-02-22T21:46:00.000Z

This is a closup picture of the necklace I am wearing in the earlier picture for Cameron.
On the pendant the outer stones are marbled grey and the inner flower marbled teal with a tiny sparkling gem right in the middle. All totally fake of course and only £5 GBP from Hancock and Wood in Warrington.
I think the detailing is a little too intricate for me but I was won over by the size of the pendant (just over 2 inches across) and the colcours.
The doubled chain and chunky beads also give it heft.
Click on the picture itself to see it in even more detail.

Pic for Audrey

2007-02-22T20:17:00.000Z

As requested by Audrey here is me wearing the gored skirt with the wrap blouse.

Blouse skirt outfit pic coming

2007-02-21T23:20:00.000Z

I have pressed the print wrap blouse and the gored skirt ready to wear tomorrow.
I will take a picture of the outfit and post it here for you all to see.
As my SWAP jacket is not ready I pulled out a greeny grey RTW jacket I bought on sale and never had anything to wear with it.

Teal culottes

2007-02-21T10:02:00.000Z

I've been slowed down by another patch of illness (a sore throat bug thingy) and sewing progress is slow. Its probably not helping the SWAP that I am doing yet another SWAP related bottom (teal culottes) even though I have already sewn all my SWAP bottoms. I find it terribly difficult to keep focussed on the official plan. Especially when I want the item and the right colour serger thread is already threaded on LOL I HATE changing serger thread
My knit top experince is close to nil so maybe I am subconciously putting this part of the SWAP off.
I guess I just lack the discipline to stick so rigidly to a plan I first thought of in December.

The culottes are the cropped version of New Look 6054 which I used for the pants in the SWAP.
I have a jacket quandary as well, I have two options
Option 1: This is to complete the dark teal wool jacket I started several years ago. Its a burda pattern, princess seam with V neck and no collar, 2 piece sleeves. This would then be my 'previously made' piece since I at least started it prior to the SWAP
Option 2: I also have a RTW medium teal wool blazer. I don't wear it because it has a very wierd shaped lapel, an alteration to the lapels and a chnage of buttons and this could be the jacket, and be the 'purchased' item.

Per Una Skirts

2007-02-18T19:52:00.000Z

I posted about the first of these Per Una skirts on artisans square.com but wanted to show you some more I saw when I visited the store today.

The second in yellow green and cream is very springlike and only uses 3 fabrics.

The one all in pink would be easy to recreate, just machine dye a whole lot of cotton fabrics with white backgrounds with a strong colour of your choice.

The brown one has strips of crochet trim as well as uneven width panels.

I didn't bother trying any of them on as RTW bottoms almost never fit me, which is why I sew more bottoms than tops. But the inspiration is free!

Butterick 6768 review

2007-02-16T17:53:00.000Z

Pattern Description:
Butterick Decription:
MISSES' TOP
Semi-fitted, wrap top has collar/sleeve/length variations, tie ends and narrow hem. A,B: tucks, side slits. B: above-elbow sleeves. A,C: collar, long sleeves. D: below-elbow sleeves. A,C,D: button cuffs. Purchased bottom.
My description
Wrap blouse with sleeve, collar and wrap options
Pattern Sizing:
(6 8 10) (12 14 16) (18 20 22)
I had the 12 to 16 and used the 16 which was quite snug, I probably needed the next size.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Reasonably given how much I deviated!
Were the instructions easy to follow?
The instructions show the different options side by side which is useful if you have chosen a different combination from one of their views but is a little hard to follow if you are doing one view.
I did not like their back neck method for the collared blouses and repalced it with a clean serged seam.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love wrap over styles. I have a rectangular upper body with wide shoulder, smallish bust and a bit of a tummy.Wrap tops can be really flattering for this shape as the wrappy bits hide the tum, the crossover makes the most of the bust and the diagonal lines add more curves than are there.
Fabric Used:
A high quality print polyester blouse/dress fabric. I don't usually go for polyester but the print is lovely and the fabric has a lovely mottled finish with a sheen.
It was tough to iron on the interfacing though and quite a challenge to press. I also used twice as many pins as usual when sewing it as the lower layer crept a lot and the edges went to one side. The upside of this is I won't ever look crumpled and I think it will turn out to be very hardwearing.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I chose a combination of elements which is not on any of the views and this caused me some trouble!
I wanted the collar, 3/4 length sleeves, longer wrapped front and the wide ties. It took me a long time to find a working pattern layout on the fabric as I was not following any of their views. And then when sewing I reapplied the wide tie 3+ times to the front as I had to work out my own pleating and placing instructions. I also found the longer tie is not long enough with the other views fronts as they are not as wide (maybe this was worse as it was a snug fit). The longer tie which wraps all around the back therefore became the buckle strap instead and I then threaded the shorter tie through the buckle. This give a flattering look which I am happy about.
I found the non buckle side of the wrap gaped slightly so I added a couple of hidden tucks and shortened the facing accordingly. The other side was less critical as you can pull any excess into the buckle to get a snug fit.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Even the slightly longer version is shorter than I would like, so I will sew it again but I will lengthen the body. I think wrap over blouses work on lots of bodyshapes amd give a nice feminine look. There are no buttons and no zips just the tie so could be good for a beginner wanting a slightly more complex project.
Conclusion
This is part of my Timmel 2007 SWAP and also co-ordinates with loads of other stuff in my wardrobe. I plan to make a simple matching skirt so I can also have a dress look as well woo hoo.

Wrap blouse completed

2007-02-15T21:39:00.000Z

The print wrap blouse using Butterick 6768 is complete.
I have modified this quite a lot but I am pleased with the outcome.

Sidetrack again

2007-02-10T20:10:00.000Z

Complete sidetrack today as I bought 5 New Look patterns (they are on sale at £2.95 each at the moment in the UK) from the Widnes Sewing Centre, plus 2 metres of print stretch knit in turquoise/green/brown/gold which might well work with my SWAP.
And onto Borders at Speke where I got the current Burda Magazine (they had Threads and Sew Today as well but I wasn't thrilled by them).
The patterns Dress 6674, Skirts/Pants/Culottes 6626, Top and Skirt 6546, Dress 6429 and Skirt 6177.

Starting sewing the wrap blouse

2007-02-09T07:34:00.000Z

I have cut out the wrap front leaf print blouse and started sewing it up.
I found I still have 4 metres left. This print tones with so many plain things already in my wardrobe it is really surprising.

I am wondering what the best use would be for the rest of this fabric, I'm thinking a fairly simple skirt (to wear with the blouse to give a dress look), then maybe culottes or a shell top and a scarf. I'm avoiding a dress as I have not got a woven dress which I like only 2 knit ones.

Are print culottes which look like a skirt 'in' or just plain ones in pants fabrics?

no progress

2007-02-06T22:39:00.000Z

This pic is of the print fabric (right side) taken yesterday.
No progress today as I stayed late at work, watched TV with DH and went to the supermarket (what exciting lives we sewists lead).
Tomorrow I am babysitting and then going on to my church mid week group, so next time of progress will be Thursday when I hope to finish cutting out the blouse.

Wrap blouse cutting out

2007-02-05T22:24:00.000Z

I have started cutting out the wrap blouse. Just to make life difficult I've decided I want to have:-

the longer bodyshape
the 3/4 sleeves with cuff (may morph the cuff to be a split no button cuff)
the collar
the wide ties ( double layer, not single layer as theirs)

this is a combination of several views which will make construction more difficult.
I have run out of time for tonight, but got DH to confirm which he thinks is the right side, so tomorrow I can cut out the fronts in single layer.

I have more than 5 metres of this fabric it turns out so more than enough for this blouse the gore skirt and maybe even a scarf or shell top.

P.S. The photo several posts down therefore turns out to be of the wrong side of the print fabric.

print skirt????

2007-02-04T14:29:00.000Z

I have enough bottoms now for the SWAP, but bottoms are very hard to me to buy (unlike tops/jackets) so I may make some extra.
The large leaf print (see previous post) should have enough fabric for both a blouse and a skirt.
The fabric co-ordinates with 4 jackets I own so a skirt is worth doing even if not as part of the SWAP. They are dark green, dark bluey grey, chocolate brown RTW jackets and also the teal SWAP jacket. The dark green and dark bluey grey jackets are 'orphans' in need of co-ordinating bottoms so definitely a big plus to sew this skirt.

For beginners who want to do a SWAP taking a RTW jacket (tailored or casual) and making the other items to work with it might be a good approach.

I also have an orphan dark navy blue jacket and could not work out what to wear with it at all.
A rummage through one of my fabric boxes turned up three fabrics which could be made to co-ordinate, a herringbone weave (saying slouchy pants), a navy and blue print (maybe the gore skirt?) and a navy/cream/turquoise/blue print which would need to be sewn in a simple style skirt (and maybe blouse) the last two being distinctly summer weight projects.

Butterick 6768 is next

2007-02-03T23:40:00.000Z

Butterick 6768 is next and I am thinking about using the longer blouse with the wider ties, and maybe having 3/4 sleeves without a cuff.
Cuffs bug me. I catch them on door handles and dip them in food/paint/ink and the buttoms ping off across the room never to be seen again.
Yes 3/4 sleeves will be safest!
This is the print I am using for the blouse.

Teal Loes Hinse 6 gore skirt finished.

2007-02-03T23:33:00.000Z

Teal Loes Hinse 6 gore skirt finished.
This view is looser than I would like as well, so I think I will definitely sew thw next size down the next time I make it

6 gore skirt - cut out

2007-02-03T16:23:00.000Z

The Loes Hinse 6 gore skirt with 6 godets is now cut out. This is from the new dark teal fabric I bought. This one is slightly variegated between black and teal to give the dark teal colour and will co-ordinate nicely with the rest of the SWAP. A lot of folding of the fabric and cutting out later I have 6 panels and 6 gores.
I hope that in this drapey fabric and the more shaped 6 gore pattern this will be more flattering than the dark brown 4 gore cotton skirt I made earlier.

teal pants complete

2007-02-01T22:47:00.000Z

The teal pants are now finished, though could do with a final press.
They are from my old favourite pattern, New Look 6054 View C, wide leg pants with faced waist and side zip.

I had intended the leftover fabric for the Loes Hinse Gore Skirt but there was not enough, so instead I cut out the cropped pants (View D) as well, which I shall wear as culottes/gauchos as they are so wide. Great with knee high boots in winter or with backless sandals in summer.

I already have loads of teal based tops in my wardrobe so these dark teal bottoms should get plenty of wear.

Progress on teal pants

2007-01-30T08:47:00.000Z

I put the zip into the dark teal pants last night. Its slow progress at the moment.
Steps still to do

iron interfacing onto facing pieces
sew facing pieces together
attach facing
trim and understitch facing
machine stitch facing in place
check hem level
machine stitch hem in place

I have reviewed this pattern before so I am not sure I will post a review on Pattern Review about it.

Then next will be the dark teal Loes Hinse 6 gore skirt and probably the Jalie cross over top.

I was tagged

2007-01-28T22:25:00.000Z

Sew West (Nancy (nanflan)) tagged me on her blog http://sewwest.blogspot.com/ on 19th Jan but I was too dim to notice until now
Apparently the tag goes like this:-

someone tags you
you post five things about yourself that you haven’t already mentioned on your blog
you tag 5 people you’d like to know more about

So here's 5 things

I live in Cheshire, England, but was born in the far North East of Scotland when my parents lived there briefly. When I was still a baby they decamped back to England leaving me with only a Scottish birth certificate to show for it. So I'm not sure I can claim to be English, but sure can't be Scottish (unless I was good at something they have a National team for....)
I have a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science from the Univeristy of York, England and work for a large international IT firm.
DH and I have been married for 15 years, our wedding was at St Michael-le-Belfrey church in York, England which is next to York Minister. Our wedding was filmed by several tourists on their video cameras but we just have our still photos!
I took sewing class at school until I was in the school year before exams (O Levels), choosing extra Science instead and vowing to keep sewing on my own. Do you think the decision paid off?
I've been a Christian since I was 9 years old, with God graciously allowing me to take further steps in faith as I grow older and learn new things.

Now to find 5 people to tag...... obviously if you don't want to do it feel free to decline!
I heaby tag.....
http://laurasewingroom.blogspot.com/
http://www.lornajay.blogspot.com/
http://morzels.schneiderblog.de/
http://www.bluemooney.blogspot.com/
http://stephaniesews.blogspot.com/

Teal pants in process

2007-01-27T19:56:00.001Z

I went back to the store where I bought the dark teal fabric to try to buy some more, but we were unable to find it. They admitted it might be there but they have no idea! They pulled down the ones which looked nearly right and I checked them out - no luck!
In the end I bought 3 small print remants, 2.5 metres of a black silk mix with self colour circle pattern destined for pyjamas and 3 metres of a toning teal fabric which I will use to make the gore skirt. An expensive lesson in calculate the meterage before shopping!

On a plus point I have started sewing the wide leg teal pants, and that is going well. I need some new ones of these in my wardrobe. The last pair were worn on a trip to see DH's sister and family, where I did crafts with 5 yr DNiece resulting in glitter paint on my pants which would not wash out! My fault for taking the craft set as a gift which contained the non washable paint.

I wonder if I could get some culotte pants (gauchos, cropped pants) out of the leftovers from the original teal fabric. The pants pattern has a cropped length which I have cut out before but never sewn up. I loved culottes when they were in back in the 80's and would like to wear a slimmer cut version again now.

2007-01-24T23:23:00.000Z

Today I am musing about these two prints. I think I could wear them together. The fabric on the left (large leaves) is a drapey polyester and I think would make a lovely gored or flared skirt, the fabric on the right (small leaves) is a remnant of knit fabric which will be a tee of some sort.
I would not normally mix prints in that way but the colours, motifs etc work well together. The left fabric has a sheen to it so photographs a little lighter. The print works as a skirt with all the other top fabrics I have planned so the only question is if it works with the other print or not? And I think on reflection that it does.

Musings on the gored skirt

2007-01-24T22:42:00.001Z

I don't think I'm so flamboyant a character that I can successfully wear the teal and green in a gored skirt together so I will take some scraps and go back and see if i can buy another metre of the fabric.
I would wear a dark teal skirt.

6 gore skirt thoughts

2007-01-23T22:07:00.000Z

Ok I've moved onto my teal section of the SWAP. Its a very dark teal. I've cut out some wide leg pants (my TNT) and the proceeded to try to get one of the Loes Hinse Gore skirts out of the remaining fabric, and after 20 mins it is apparent that it ain't gonna work.
Then I recalled that I bought this same fabric (a drapey rayon????) in navy as well, so I had a mad thought. 'what if I cut out the 6 gore skirt, and 6 godets, 3 each in teal green and navy and alternate them'. What do you think? I have probably got enough of the navy to just make the 6 gore skirt all in navy.

Here's some similar ideas I saved from an old Boston proper catalogue, though try to imagine navy/teal alternate gores (and godets).

Orange blouse is finished

2007-01-22T22:40:00.000Z

The orange blouse is finished since I sewed the button on today.
I previously made this same pattern (New Look 6315) in a dark green drapey polyester peachskin with collar, same colour machine embroidery and beading in gunmetal grey (it has a matching skirt and was for a Christmas formal party.

Orange blouse nearly finished & another applique layout

2007-01-21T18:05:00.000Z

OK here's the blouse just needs hemming and buttons and the facing securing.

And here is another layout of the applique on the skirt

revised applique idea

2007-01-20T14:24:00.000Z

Well I looked at some RTW items with embellishment and my petals seemed awfully large, so I am trying again with smaller petals.
Similar design layout, but much smaller petals, how does this one look?

Applique ideas

2007-01-19T21:57:00.000Z

I cut some petal shapes out of the scraps of the orange fabric and arranged them with the cord on the brown skirt.
What do you think? Does it look like a huge price sticker or do you think it could work as a flower (I used all 10 petals I cut maybe 5 would be better?)
Maybe it would look more like a flower if I did stitching in the brown thread round each petal?

Maybe this version is better, you can see all the petals individually and a few up the stem as well.....

Orange blouse progress

2007-01-18T23:31:00.000Z

See the photo of the now OOP New Look 6315, this was produced in 1994 when sleeves were looser and shoulders wider (fits me perfectly avoiding having to make a fat arm alteration). I have basically cut view B (on the far right) only with short sleeves as I was a bit limited on fabric, but in a size 18 so doesn't look quite as slinky as the drawings.

Progress has been slow sewing up the orange blouse as I have carried on being ill, but today I started to feel a little better and tried on the partly finished blouse to see what the fit is like. The back fits very nicely and I think it will work best as a light summer jacket over a camisole top though it can be worn alone as a blouse.

I marked the button cord loop placements, cut the lengths and fray checked the ends of the cords ready to apply soon.
I have some cord left over and some scraps of the fabric and they are saying floral applique to me. Maybe a tote bag or plain skirt...... something like this gorgeous skirt from Monsoon (http://www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/91183947)

Work on the orange blouse has begun

2007-01-13T23:25:00.000Z

I have started on my orange blouse and boy is it orange! It's a mystery slubbed home dec fabric given me by MIL. The pattern doesn't overlap at the front, instead it meets and has an underlap to prevent show through with buttons and loops.
I think it could work almost as a jacket in the summer with a camisole top underneath and loose skirt or pants. Its a little short looking though, although cut as per the pattern (and I used all the fabric doing so).

The blouse's button loops are made from a bias strip and although I have made one successfully in this fabric it is still pretty chunky. I made thread loops as well but they don't look very good.
I did think I would go with the bias loop and maybe have 4 slightly larger buttons than the 5 smaller ones, but I had also thought of having ribbon loops, and Marji from Artisan's square suggested cord loops as used by Erica B, whilst KarenT suggests using rubber hair elastics in a toning colour. Being a borning brunette I only own hair elastics in dark brown!

I went to the sewing shop today and bought some orange cord for the loops and some darker orange buttons. I got 6 buttons as they are very small (maybe too small?)

Oops got the flu

2007-01-10T18:32:00.000Z

This week I have the flu which is hampering my SWAP progress badly LOL! I haven't had flu for many years and I forgot how exhausted it makes you feel.
I shall try not to fret though, but just see it as having a sit on a bench whilst on my Woodland Walk.

Where next?

2007-01-07T21:34:00.000Z

OK I've hit a wall with the brown extras I've been sewing and I think actually that once I have put the zip and waist finish onto the current pair of pants I will stop with the brown. Then change the serger threads to burnt orange and sew the orange blouse I have ready cut out. I only have one burnt orange garment to sew but its a top (which I'm short of thus far in the SWAP) and orange will be cheerful to sew in the gloomy rainy weather we are having right now.
Then the teal green stuff and hey who knows what will be happening after that.

Loes Hinse Gore Skirt

2007-01-06T15:39:00.000Z

Pants were frustrating me and I still had brown on the serger, so I decided to sew View C from the Loes Hinse Gore Skirt Group. This has four slightly flared panels, a machine hem and elastic waist. I sewed an XL which feels a little loose around the hips. Any smaller though and I would not be able to get my hips through the waist to pull the skirt on so.....
I haven't pressed it yet, but the idea is as well as being a suitable bottom for the SWAP, I can sew a matching 'safari' styled shirt to wear with it as a summer suit.

Wearing the Simplicity 4375 pants

2007-01-02T20:39:00.000Z

Well having worn the Simplicity 4375 pants today I can tell you I am not a fan of the ribbon waistband treatment as it seems to cut in at the waist rather. For the next pair I shall make my own shaped facing pieces as this style is more comfortable to wear IMHO.

I'm also not sure that the narrower legs are all that flattering if you compare them to the wide leg pants made from the same fabric further down the page.

And its better when I have my jacket on covering over my saddlebags!
Oh and I did look smarter at work in my kitten heel ankle boots but changed into my flat casual shoes at home this evening.

Another divert and then the orange blouse

2007-01-02T00:08:00.000Z

I am back to work tomorrow, but over the next few evenings I hope to finish off another mostly finished pair of pants in brown with ivory pinstripe which would also co-ordinate but is not on the plan!
My orange blouse (part of the plan) is all cut out and I now have thread to match for serger and sewing machine so I think that will be the next item to sew. I resisted the call of some lovely faux leather in my stash, which wants to be a fitted waistcoat it says, as I can't see what occasion I have to wear a faux leather waistcoat!
After the pants and the orange blouse I think my next move will be the dark teal pants, skirt, print blouse (and non SWAP Part 1 Print skirt), and then the jacket......

Simplicity 4375 Pants

2007-01-01T14:54:00.000Z

The pants from Khaliah Ali Simplicity 4375 are completed.
These are straight legged pants with a side zip and ribbon waist finish.
These are also made from the chocolate brown cotton/linen mix fabric as New Look 6054 wide leg pants and although not planned to be part of the SWAP could be incorporated.

I will try to do a photo of me wearing them as they hang strangely from the clip hanger.

slight detour on my woodland walk

2006-12-28T09:35:00.000Z

Well whilst my overlocker was threaded up with dark brown I took a slight detour away from the SWAP to sew a new cover for the cat's footstool (the only item of furniture she scratches) and try some new pants patterns with slightly less wide legs than my TNT. Neither of the pants came out any better than my TNT pattern although both are wearable and co-ordinate with the SWAP. So on relfection I think the teal green pants will be the wide leg pants pattern again.

SWAP Part 2

2006-12-24T14:48:00.000Z

SWAPPING_AHEAD: I have only sewn 2 garments from my SWAP plan and I am already dreaming ahead to SWAP Part 2. This will have all the things that would not fit in part 1 like a print skirt to match the print blouse I plan to make in part 1, a long denim jacket, a chocolate brown linen shirt jacket, a brown velour gored skirt, navy pinstripe pants.

I've been re-reading the plans for the original Stitches SWAP, parts 1 to 4, and Its interesting to see that the 1 jacket : 4 bottoms : 6 tops ratio drops down as they make more pieces and ends up more like 1 jacket: 2 bottoms : 2 tops by the time the whole 4 part collection is complete.
Part 1: 1 jacket, 4 bottoms, 6 tops,
Part 2: 1 jacket, 4 bottoms, 4 tops,
Part 3: 2 jackets, 3 bottoms, 2 tops,
Part 4: 3 jackets, 3 bottoms, 2 tops
giving an overall total of 7 jackets, 14 bottoms and 14 tops

to redress the balance a little in my official SWAP I think I shall sew one of my collared blouses so it can also be a soft jacket so I'll have 2 jackets, 4 bottoms, 5 tops.
I really like Simplicity 4198 for something like this.

Garment 2 - Brown Pants modelled

2006-12-24T13:01:00.000Z

Here I am wearing the RTW top with the brown linen look pants. I wore this to church today and 3 people said how lovely I looked, nice outfit etc which was very nice :-)

The pants are hemmed so they can be worn with flat shoes, but still look OK with small heels (kitten heel ankle boots) as they come across the foot at the front.

I don't want to get too carried away with brown, so I shall change the overlocker thread to dark green and sew the wrap over blouse in the leaf print and the pants and skirt in dark teal next I think. We are fairly quiet over Christmas so I hope to get quite a lot of sewing done before going back to work 2nd Jan 2007.

Garment No 2 completed - New Look 6054 brown pants

2006-12-23T23:24:00.000Z

The New Look 6054 wide leg pants are now completed. Made up in a linen look cotton mix they do seem to crumple with wear (so maybe do contain linen too?) but should be very comfortable.
I followed the pattern instructions except I machine stitched the deep hem rather than handsewing. This matches the stitched down facing at the waist and the fabric has enough weight to take it quite well I think.

I plan to wear these tomorrow (Christmas Eve) with my RTW top from Wallis in browns and blues. As the clothes do tend to look a little better when I wear them than on the hanger I will try to get a photo of me wearing them.

Lets hope they turn out to be a very useful item given the pain I caused myself. When I had done pressing the pants I bent over to unplug the iron from the extension lead on the floor. At this point my foot caught the iron cable pulling the hot iron down on my back at the point where my RTW jeans and tee don't quite meet at the back. OUCH!

2nd item - brown pants

2006-12-21T23:09:00.000Z

Yesterday I started the second SWAP garment, brown pants in my TNT wide leg pants pattern. The fabric is cotton/linen mix I think and appears to be ultra wide sheeting, although quite heavy weight. When going through my stash for the SWAP I discovered I had bought this fabric, twice in the brown colourway (from two different stores) and also in the plum.
The fabric on the left is the partly assembled jacket for the SWAP and the fabric on the right is the fabric for the pants in progress.

The pattern I am using for these is new look 6054, a TNT which is ready altered for my larger than usual rear. These are very comfortbale pants and flattering on my size 16+ pear shaped body.

Wore the first garment today

2006-12-21T21:13:00.000Z

I wore my reversible skirt today (no I can't wait until the SWAP is all finished) and two things occurred to me 1- its still WAAAAAAAY too long and 2- I don't like the just serged hem it has currently, so will need to think up some sort of more finished hem treatment that looks good from both sides. I have some fringing I made from the selvedges so I am thinking of turning up a hem which just looks like a stitched hem from the dark side, but has the fringe or other trim coming out of the hem the other side I dunno I will try some samples first. Another option would be a shaped piece applied to the hem in the same way I did for the elastic casing. Any ideas?
I'd like to keep the dark side fairly plain and classic, but I am OK with something more 'interesting' happening on the other side.

1st garment

2006-12-16T11:55:00.000Z

I started sewing the first garment on Wednesday 13th December.
Using Butterick 3972, the view on the right shown in tan almost ankle length, I am sewing this in a light weight denim which is dark indigo blue one side and medium brown the other. I'm using flat fell sewms rather than the construction methods in the instructions as I want this to be my reversible garment for the competition and I have shortened it very slightly. Once shortened (at waist and hem) I was astonished to find that it could be cut from a piece of 150 cm fabric just over a metre (1.1m) which makes it a great candidate for using up large scraps).
Another view uses several contrasting fabrics in similar colour ways, so again a great way of using similar weight/content fabric scraps.

I think I will do a simple serged hem (testing on scraps first to see which side looks less obvious, and then cut the very top of the skirt again to make a casing which can be semaed at he waist to keep the colours right on both sides (we've been on a day today trip to see family before Christmas but hope to finish this Monday evening, and I'll then post a photo.

Here's the finished skirt, showing both sides , the colour is slightly off from the flash, but hopefully you can see it is brown one side and dark indigo blue the other.

Timmel's SWAP (Sewing With A Plan) 2007 competition

2006-12-16T10:55:00.000Z

I have been a big fan of the SWAP (Sewing with a plan) concept for a while now, but decided to take the plunge and enter the official Timmel SWAP this year.
As I am in the UK and Timmel's is in Canada I ordered independant patterns rather than fabric.
My SWAP is in toning colours of teal and chocolate with a splash of turquoise, ivory and burnt orange.
The competition began on 1st December and so far I have started sewing one garment - a skirt to be my reversible item (this year's twist).

Here's my plan for the 2007 SWAP as it was written down on 3rd December 2006. I'll leave it up and see how closely I followed it when we get to the end of sewing time in March!

Teal weave wool jacket - oop Burda 3064 (a UFO started 4/5 years ago)
Brown/indigo denim reversible skirt - Butterick 3972
Teal side zip pants - New Look 6054
Brown side zip pants - New Look 6054
Teal gored skirt - Loes Hinse pattern from Timmel
Burnt orange blouse - oop New Look 6315
Wrap blouse in teal/brown print - Butterick 4659
Princess seam blouse in ivory or teal stripes - Butterick 4659
Knit tops in - teal burnout velvet, teal/brown print, turquoise using one or more of Jalie crossover top from Timmel, Simplicity 4076, Butterick 3344