Something floaty for Jess

My daughter is off on her travels to somewhere warm so I thought I would make her a little something to pop over a bikini

The pattern is New Look K6575 and I chose a sheer fabric which has butterflies all over bought from my local fabric store Calico Laine

I wouldn't normally use something that frays so badly but my new overlocker makes simple work of edges and has revolutionised my choice of fabrics

The front has double facings that form the collar and a deep V opening down to a draw string waist. I decided to go with a satin ribbon drawstring and popped two hand made beads on each end.

I altered the pattern which has an integral casing for the drawstring  but with such a sheer fabric I decided to use a wide ribbon  inside to thread through. This makes the casing much stronger and smoother to draw the ribbon through

It works very well and is easy to make look very professional.

Working with stretch fabric

I am really enjoying my new sewing machines - the overlocker has taken quite a bit of getting used to but I think I have it now.

I bought some medium weight stretch jersey for a hoodie for Joel and wanted to use ribbing with it. This is the same pattern as the fox hoodie but then I didn't try ribs I just did straight hems.

this is the super material - sort of paint spots

this is the pattern which is quite simple but has lots of ways to alter and adapt it

using ribbibg for the sleeves and hems

the technique for ribbing is quite tricky but I researched the web and also used a good book from Tilly and the Buttons

 here is the finished hoodie

next step is to make a pair of matching joggers

They're done!

In February I wrote about my decision to unpick and frog my hubby's large cable jacket to make a much smaller one for his new sleeker self. Plus our grandson's mini me version which was too small for him.

So here is hubby's new version - down from a 46inch chest to a 40inch.

I used the left over wool to make a new veriosn for Joel.

His is slightly different to last time because he is now 4 and the original pattern was for for 2-3yrs.
The yarn is Stylecraft Life which is an acrylic/wool mix and washes well.

Hopefully these will last a little longer than last time

summer cardigan

A few weeks ago I was in my local Hobbycraft and came across Sirdar No1 stonewashed aran yarn. It is so soft and I fell in love with the Used Blue colour.
Totally unlike me I bought enough for a cardigan even though it was more than I would usually pay per ball - it saddens me how expensive yarn has become.
However - having bought the yarn I then had to find a pattern and to be honest none of my numerous patterns were summery enough so I  downloaded Sirdar's own summer cardigan which is actually a very quick knit - all plain with a slightly  unusual rib feature.
 The yarn knits up very quickly so within a couple of weeks I had finished and here is the result.

I love it - the cardigan is super soft and very lightweight - perfect for a British summer!

There are 7 buttons so I decided to make my own with polymer clay.
I used a mix of blue, pink and white which I marbled and am very happy with the result. The extra pop of colour makes them stand out rather than just match.

I rather like the washed denim in the range so might be tempter to make another!

Dinosaur summer shirt

After my first try out of a shirt pattern for my grandson Joel - which fits really well and he likes - he asked for a blue short with dinosaurs on. No pressure then!
Amazingly I have been  able to find exactly that material - and in my local shop Calico Laine !

This is the pattern - McCalls shirt, T shirt and two types pf ummer ahprts for youngsters.

I chose this pattern because it has the option for both cotton and stretch tops which makes it very versatile.

The only thing that causes me problems is the collar and how it works with the front facings. I still don't really understand what they want you to do so am fudging it. I am sure I will owrk it out eventually!

struggling to work out the facings

turning a narrow hem on the shirt bottom

I love my automatic buttonhole foot on my new machine so making buttonholes for the front is no problem.  I chose a sparkly orange button which picks out the colour of some of the dinosaurs.

I really like this pattern and plan to make a few more but I think next it will be some shorts for Joel using the owl material left over from the first shirt.

NEW PATTERN TRY OUT

I got a free pattern in a sewing magazine for a summer top so I thought I would give it a first try in a cheaper material to see how it sewed up.
The polycotton is a dusky green with a small polka dot and although slightly too heavy to drape well was a good price for a try out.
I don't think the front placket with a pleat is designed brilliantly and when I sew this again I will change it slightly - there is no need for interfacing with anything but the lightest material. There are too many layers to sew neatly and lie flat.
However the simple collar sews up well and the simple gathering on the shoulders looks good and the boas bending on the sleeves works well.
I like the dipped shirt hem but I think I will make the front a little longer next time.
All things considered I am happy with the top and will wear it - and considering it cost less than £10 not a bad buy.

Summer shirt

I am really enjoying using my new sewing machine and being able to make the most of my local haberdashery shop.
I have a McCalls boys pattern for T shirt, casual shirt and shorts so I bought a piece of super fun printed cotton which is perfect for this sort of project.

I like the collar which uses fusible interfacing. I have also been able to make good use of the automatic buttonhole foot which makes getting the right size buttonhole so easy and gives a very neat finish.
I like the relaxed curved hem at the back.

I can see this will be a pattern I use quite often!