Fall Essentials Sew Along (FESA)

I had already half written a post about my sewing plans when the announcement for FESA popped up in my blog roll so I decided to scrap that and join in.

I participated last year (on my old blog) and even though I didn't get all my planned items finished I also didn't do too badly either. For those who aren't familiar, the sew along is the brainchild of Sarah who blogs over at Rhinestones and Telephones which is where you will find out the full details of the sew along categories.

Having had a good think about it, I have decided upon a few definites, and a few "if I get the time" items.


Fabulous Foundations For Frosty Weather:

Closet Case Patterns Ginger Jeans

Simplicity 2700 (source)

I have the denim pre-washed and ready to use for two pairs of Gingers. My remaining full leg length pair finally went pop and wore through at the thighs so replacements are a must. I decided to make two at once since it is most definitely trouser weather here now and I should wash them more often than I do (yeah that's a bit gross I know).

If I get time I will make another pair of the Simplicity 2700 amazing fit trousers. Not sure if I have anything in the stash suitable and I am loathe to use my precious yardage of herringbone linen on them.

Chic Chemises For Cooler Climates:

(source)

I guess this one is a bit of a cheater... I have two blouses basted together that have been dumped in a basket for several months that I will be finishing, they were cut at the same time as my beloved polka dot blouse from the pattern I bodged together.

I also have an unfinished New Look 6212. I have no idea why I thought this was a good pattern to purchase, I was swayed by being able to use up some of my chiffon stash. Aaaand I didn't notice there were no bust darts for shaping. I have the main body of version B sewn up, Just the collar and button plackets left (I don't want the pockets) but I am going to have to do french seamed fish eye darts in the front for a last ditch attempt at salvaging this. I look hideously enormous with no shaping.


Fabulous Frocks:

(Source)

I will make no secret of the fact I will always love this pattern. It may not be the popular shirt dress of the blogosphere but I can't get enough of it! I have made 5 dresses and 3 blouses from it so far - that may not sound like much but I am a more conservative sewist than some so proportionally it is a lot.

I have some black flannel lined up for a 1/2 or 3/4 length puff sleeved, full skirted, cozy winter dress.


Underneath It All:

I intend to make a half slip from some suitable black fabric found lurking in my stash. It must have been hidden there for over 7 years! If I have the yardage in my stash I will pop a lace trim on the bottom, if not it will remain plain.


Tender Tootsies:

I would be optimistic if I said I will knit some socks, but I would like to at least start a pair.


Those Cozy Nights:

Does a hot water bottle cover count? Can't commit to it entirely but it is something I have been meaning to get around to doing. A good way to practice some Intarsia or Fair Isle techniques.


Baby It's Cold Outside:

(source)

(source)

This is the most important category to get done! I have a hoodie, and a thick men's cardigan to serve me as outerwear. I muslined up the Leanne Marshall coat last December and was short on fabric to make the long version. I may see if I can fit the short length version on my existing yardage. If not I will have to look at putting aside some cash for some new fabric, or finding a different pattern.

I have fabric and notions for the Cordova jacket, I just need to print off the pattern and faff around with grading it up and a fba. Which is a less than thrilling series of events. I also intend to lower the neckline into a V, for no reason other than I would prefer it that way.


So those are my grand plans, 10 garments, 2 knitted items. I may add a cardigan or sweater to the list if I have all the correct needles/notions/yarn in my stash. I think a myrna is a possibility, I can always frog my badly fitting one if I need extra yarn. As this is fall essentials I won't include any plans for a Christmas dress, not that I really need one.

How is everyone else doing with their plans?

"Lady Skater" Style Dress From SBCC Tonic Tee

Happy Friday folks!

Last week I finally got round to taking some photos of my Lady Skater rip off dress, and of the billion taken a few were not entirely terrible even if I do have a touch of the "about to start impersonating Michael Flatley" kinda vibe in them.

I made this dress in April, I wanted a new dress to wear for my birthday so most likely I started it in good time....the day before ;)

Sleeping or looking at something interesting on the floor - you decide!

I lightened the pics to aid in actually seeing a black garment, and yes, knickers and bra also match...

So I started off with the SBCC Tonic Tee pattern and scooped out the neck at the front and back, then shortened it to hit at my natural waist. I may have measured it, or just put a bodice pattern on top to compare lengths, it was a while ago and I can't remember exactly.

I feel like the princess of darkness with these glorious sleeves!

There look to be drag lines in this pic but I'm not sure if it is the position of my arm. I drafted some facings for the neck and it sits pretty well. I sewed down the back facing but not the front and it stays in place fine without flipping. I have noticed a bit of gaping in the neckline in some positions so I would consider a bit of clear elastic in the seam in future. I used the sleeves I made up for some other garment, possibly for the Lisette Traveller dress. I really need to invest in some hilarious 80's patterns for some statement sleeve goodness, I L-O-V-E puffy, gathered, ruched, layered, pleated, bold sleeves. It's just a thing...I cant help it! I put a little lace over the shoulder seams for added interest too.

Is that a donut over there?

I believe I used the skirt pieces for the Lisette Traveller dress which is just a gathered A line. I will have shortened it from the top to increase the gathers and keeping the width at the bottom. I used clear elastic in the waist seam but my overlocker just seemed to push it out from under the foot whenever possible, and my sewing machine hates it too. I would try using a regular elastic next time perhaps. I'm not sure if there is better clear elastic available but the "Hemline" brand stuff which is all I seem to be able to get my hands on is pretty wide and a bit rubbery, not like the stuff I have seen used in RTW. If youknow of a UK source for that type of clear elastic please tell me!

This kinky shot reveals the special surprise of this fabric - it is grey on the other side! The fabric is a double sided ponte, gloriously thick and soft, and had I known how nice it was I would have ordered more! If I had put more thought into it I could have made the dress reversible, but lets face it, I would not wear such a light grey! As you can see I just overlocked the edge and sewed a small hem.

Overall I am thrilled with this dress, and now the temperature has dropped again I look forwards to wearing it more often - although really in England it is only July and perhaps a week either side where it is too hot for anything other than a flimsy sun dress. It could do with being taken in an inch either side of the bodice, but now it is in my wardrobe I am less inclined to mess about with it, a belt suffices to be honest.

This was an easy "hack", and I recommend it wholeheartedly if you haven't purchased the Lady Skater and don't mind a tiny bit of work making the facing pattern pieces....and y'know it's cheaper!

Enjoy your weekend!

Project Wardrobe: The (Late) Half Year Update

Well 3 months late isn't too shoddy hey?! I will only talk about items here that were made, to the best of my knowledge, before June. After that the items will feature in my S/A plans.



Where we left off earlier this year I detailed the current state of my wardrobe, and also my W/S sewing plans. I actually got through most of those with the exception of the Bruyere rip off and the gingham dress refashion. I also had additional projects planned out because of an unexpected holiday to Turkey. A quick survey of my wardrobe suggests I have made the following:

1 x polka dot blouse
4 x SBCC tonic tee
14 x Rosy Lady Shorts (including 3 "sexy" pairs)
1 x Lady Skater style dress
1 x Ginger Jeans
1x Ginger Jeans capri length
1 x Lace trim tank
1 x Hippo dress to lace trim tank refashion
1 x dress to skirt refashion
2 x cropped length leggings

A total of 27 new items! I think I need to sit down with shock!

I can explain the 14 pairs of pants, or 11 not including the three experimental lace pairs, as a holiday necessity...it was an 8 day holiday, plus I needed a pair for the day either side, and a pair for the day after we got back and my other pants were in the wash. So I made 7 pairs of knickers specifically to make up this number. I have also rag bagged the old RTW knickers that were all ill fitting/had holes. It makes me laugh that I now only have plain black knickers (with different coloured elastics) in my undie drawer, even if it was only because I was using black jersey from my stash.

The cropped leggings were sadly too short in the waist, and a little tight. Made for holiday, well traveled, never worn. I will wait until I have shed a few pounds and then remove the existing elastic and add some more jersey and a new waistband. Nobody will be looking at that part of them so I'm not worried about weird seaming.

The full length Gingers are almost worn through at the thighs now, the capris were a juicy bonus as I made them using the leftover denim from my first and second gingers (same denim from the same place) so they felt like a freebie! I didn't have enough to put back pockets on but I don't mind. They fit a bit snug in the waist due to the combined effects of woven facing and the waistband being cut on the non stretch grain. I thought that it wouldn't matter as I always used a non stretch facing before, but it does make them a little bit tighter.

Wearing my black lace strap tank and Ginger capris in Turkey. Trying to surreptitiously get photo with the camel!

I'm super pleased with the grey dress refashion, that jersey has made a lovely tank, so slinky, very flattering to wear. The dress to skirt refashion is not so hot. Considering donating it.

The Lady Skater style dress is well worn, not for the warmer months, and would change a  few things if I made another. The SBCC tees are 50-50. the two I made first were in a bad choice of jersey and a little short in front. I think it looks quite trendy, but I prefer more coverage. Second two were made longer but I would actually still add a bit more length.

Star of the show is the blouse. I bodged a pattern for it out of the New Look pattern my tartan dress was made from. It wasn't precise, or perfect, but the resulting blouse is in constant rotation. Only problem is I forgot to interface the button bands and two of the lower buttons come open occasionally. I could sew the placket up to eliminate this if I wanted to as I can get the blouse on and off without undoing it.

Terrible mirror selfie on holiday! Love my blouse though <3

As far as existing wardrobe items are concerned, there are a few I am considering getting rid of, but not a huge amount. I think that a sizable amount will go in the new year though. A few of my RTW tops are now getting to the past it entirely stage, I also purchased a kaftan from Sainsburys which was ok in Turkey, but is too holiday item looking for me to put on at home. They had no black the buttheads. I have also purchased a fine knit cardigan as an emergency item for a job. I like it a lot so actually have little buyers remorse. I can't knit a cardi that fine, and sewing one would probably look like a dogs dinner for my first few attempts.

How is every one else doing with following sewing plans?