Colette Sorbetto

I conquered bias binding!

For my previous Sorbetto muslin I tried to make my own bias binding.  Never. Again.  Purchasing is the way forward for me!

I used a very slippy peach skin (that's what the lady who sold me it said it was!), possibly crepe?!? I finished the hem with the same colour thread for the bias but I'm not sure about it.

The Sorbetto is such an easy pattern and all for free!  I love Colette's flicker group too (although I'm still learning how to use it!) After browsing the web for inspiration and found lifeisexamined.   I'd love to make a box pleat one next!

 I've got a lovely little selection of crepe's at the moment so it was a tough decision! (Someone over order on the bias binding, hmmm!)

I wanted to make an army of Sorbetto's for my summer wardrobe and the fabric on the right is a lovely crepe de chine so I'll probably start on that one next.  Which bias colour though, hmmm.

Denim Moss Skirt

Here's my denim Moss Skirt.  I lengthened it with the band at the bottom this time so that it's a more "decent" length.

Still issues with the waistband, as you can see.  It's just too short!  I'm now convinced it's the pattern and not me!  I thought perhaps I had overstretched the fabric on my corduroy Moss skirt so didn't lengthen it for this one, rats!

I highlighted the fly with some white stitching (not proper top stitching-I'm still learning, will try that next time).

I shall mostly be wearing my denim Moss skirt with this...(not made by me, made by Zara).

Footnote- it's long enough to cover the waistband, phew!

The Great British Sewing Bee

To Bee or not to Bee!

I loved watching the Great British Sewing Bee on BBC 2!  Where to start...!  First of all I think all the contestants did amazing well!  I'd have been an absolute bag of nerves.  I can't help but feel so proud of Tilly.  Tilly and the Buttons was the first sewing blog I came across when I first started sewing and she's been on an amazing journey teaching herself to sew to now producing her own patterns.  I bow down to thee Tilly Buttons!

I thought the good old Beeb did really well with the format of the programme.  Not too much technical jargon to put off the non-sewers - Claudia Winklebob (Josie and May's term!) was a great choice of presenter and it was fantastic to see men involved in the Bee!  Good going chaps!

Ann - flipping Ann!  Where do I start.  Dangley yoga, I want me some of that!  Her sewing was awesome too!  Loved that neck line!  And Patrick, mmmm Patrick.  Beard,suit,  man that talks sewing, how you doinnnng!

So good luck Tilly and everyone!  Can't wait for the next episode!

Completed Moss Skirt

The final completed Grainline Studio Moss Skirt

I've finally completed my corduroy Moss Skirt muslin (wearable me thinks!)!

 For those of you following my twitter it's been a bit painful!  I used a fine corduroy (this is actually a muslin) which turned out to have a little stretch in it.  I think I was pulling it around with my man-hands and stretching it out of shape and so couldn't get the waistband to fit, it was just too short.  Jen very kindly emailed me some instructions on how to lengthen it.

At this point in construction Sarah was too lazy to unpick and re-do so opted to add some little tabs to the end of the waistband to add extra length. Which you can just about see here above the zip.

Next time I will use Jen's instructions to lengthen it.  

Sizing 

It fits like a glove!  Around the waist is too baggy but this is not uncommon for me with skirts as I'm larger around the hips, so it doesn't bother me.  It is, as the pattern states, a mini-skirt.  I'm around 5'9 and it's short, short, short but I do love it!

Pattern

It drove me nuts when I got to the fly but it was my first.  I didn't particularly find the instructions very clear (sorry Jen!) the diagrams didn't seem to match left and right! But it was easy enough to figure things out.  I would have struggled a lot more with this if I hadn't had the advice of a friend.  It's difficult to tell whether this is because I was pushing myself as a beginner with something new or whether it really wasn't that clear.

I will definitely make another though, I'm thinking denim (longer version) next time!

Easter

Happy Easter Chickens!

No bunnies only buns

I haven't posted recently due to busy-busy-busyiness with work and studies but I have just managed to complete my Grainline Studio's Moss Skirt, yey.  Photos to come!

Happy Easter x

Sorbetto - Colette

Along side the Moss skirt I've also been working on a muslin of the Colette Sorbetto.  The plan is a summer wardrobe of Sorbetto's for workwear.  I bought this super cheap fabric at the market in the sale and have had it stashed away for awhile.  The Sorbetto requires bias binding around the neck and armholes (is that the correct technical term!?!).  I always struggle to find binding that I like or that matches my fabric so thought I'd have a go at making some.  Off I went to the virtual shops and ordered myself a bias binding maker.  This one is for 12mm bias.

With a little help from Colette's tutorial I just about managed to make some but with such slippery fabric it wasn't even. When I came to sew it on there was too much bulk at the bias seams, but hey live and learn.

Overall I really like the look of the Sorbetto and was hoping for a wearable muslin from this but think I may have to give up and move onto the real thing (maybe buy some bias binding-see how brave I'm feeling!)

Moss Skirt Shortage

So I had in my head I had how I would whip up Grainline Studios Moss Skirt and write a fabulous post about it but it seems I've been thwarted by the waistband!

I conquered my first fly, woo get me! (excuse finger in shot!) but just can't understand what is going wrong with the waistband.  It's a good 2-3inches short!  I checked I cut the pattern correctly, checked the cutting instructions and tried pinning and re-pinning in various positions but nothing seems to work. Any advice would be gratefully received!! 

I'm so close to finishing this super cute little number I can almost feel the brush of the corduroy!

Please help!!