Printed Patterns - Burdastyle's Tea Dress

Hello all...I do apologise for the lack of posts however life has been a little hectic of late and my sewing room is getting boxed up therefore the actual sewing portion of this blog may have to go on pause for a while.

I can however still cruise for patterns and the latest little lovely I spotted was this Tea Dress on Burdastyle.

Photo from Burastyle.com

I love how its got that effortlessly chic look about it - You can't see from the picture but the dress has capped sleeves cut across the shoulder.

Picture from Burdastyle.con

 I have a massive heap of Black Prada fabric just begging to be made into something fabulous (once I have a fully functioning sewing room again) and I think this may be the pattern. (Available from Minerva crafts) The fabric is crepe one side and silky satin on the other, therefore it would be perfect winter attire, as tights would not stick to the satin insides of the dress, and there's no faffing about lining it.

I was also thinking, to make it a little more interesting, reversing the under arm panel - so the dress is matte black with shiny satin panels at the sides.

Burdastyle have a massive catalogue of patterns available and they are all 'Print at Home'. Just download the file and print away! You do have to spend an eternity cutting and pasting it altogether though - this one was about 50 pages!

I also have found Burdastyle patterns to be a little on the large size, even when using the measuring chart properly - this one will probably require a  practise run in some rubbish fabric or muslin cloth in order to get the sizing right before cutting into anything decent.

Has anyone out there much experience of sewing Burda patterns? Would love to hear your opinion and tips! :-)

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Dinosaur decorations - Scrap Challenge?

Ok so this is not technically a sewing project - but it is crafty so I'm going to broaden the horizons of this blog and add a few generally craft bits here and there. There's been a lack of post as my sewing machine is currently hidden under tons of clutter to be 'sorted out' at some point.

I just thought I would share the art of decoupage or 'decopatch' as the branded products call it. This is basically just gluing...but MAN is it therapeutic. I'm not joking give it a go - its like meditation.

There are tons of decopatch animals and models in our local Jarrolds store in Norwich but you can get them online here and of course on ebay and from other craft retailers.

Essentially you get a paper mache model, a load of different coloured and printed tissue papers and some PVA glue and go for it. Any fool could do this. According to uber-crafty people on pinterest you can even use the technique on furniture and various household objects to jazz them up a bit.

Just tear off scraps of paper (actually you can use scrap fabric for this as well, it does work and gives a different texture) - glue the model, put on the paper, then slap glue all over the paper and the model again so when it dries, the glue dries all clear and shiny.

I chose this rather fetching brontosaurus as I had some weird notion of having as a bit of a centre piece type living room house decoration...and I don't do normal. It is massive - its shown here on my kitchen floor! I would like to tell you that the wine comes with the kit but I'd be lying - but it should. In fact was it the decopatch that was relaxing or the effects of the vino? I chose a green leaf print paper, but ripped up the leaves just made it look like scales which was good.

Here he is! You can't really see in the pic but underneath his belly is light green and scaled 'reptile' print paper.

Have a Google and see what other folks have made - the possibility is endless. Here is one my sis made aswell:

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Burdastyle - 50 Best Bloggers for Sewing Enthusiasts!

I just thought I would do a little post to announce that Sew What Are You Waiting For has been nominated in Burdastyle's Top 50 Best Sewing Blogs!

Burdastyle is a fantastic online sewing community where people can upload their creations, learn new techniques, acquire patterns, share ideas and get help with all things sewing related. This is where I started to learn to sew about 5 years ago...from this website. A few years ago I also featured in their Sewing Handbook. 




Thank you very much to Burdastyle for adding me to the list I am very grateful.

I am under no illusions of winning anything, its a pleasure just to make the list, however if you did fancy hopping over there and giving me a vote that would be much appreciated! Just follow the links on this post or the icon at top right of the blog. :-) Thank you to those who have, you are all awesome.

If anyone wants to vote or take a look at Burdastyle and how it works - here it is.

See you soon :) xx

Lined Zip Pouch Tutorial - Make up bag/Headphone holder/Pencil case - Whatever!

Here is a simple little tutorial for making those handy zip pouches that you see all over the show. Use them for anything! I love making these its so quick to do and uses up lots of scrap fabric.

You will need:

• 2 rectangles outer fabric
• 2 rectangles lining fabric (I was making a wash bag so used laminated cotton - waterproof plastic coated cotton fabric perfect for the inside of toiletry bags)
• 1 zip

Step 1 - Cut out your fabric

Decide how big you want your bag and cut 2 outer pieces, 2 lining pieces and if you want it sturdier, iron on some interfacing to the outer fabric. My laminated cotton was sturdy enough so I didn't bother. The zip needs to be the same length as the side of rectangle you want the opening at (if that makes sense).

Step 2 - Attach the zip

Now I apologise for some poor photo instructions here. What you need to do is place the zip across the top of the outer fabric, FACE DOWN. i.e. the zip is upside down on top of your nice outer fabric. Then place the inner fabric on top of this, so the right sides of the fabric are touching each other and the zip is trapped between the two layers across the top edge. Pin it across the top edge of the zipper tape all in place to hold it together.

Can you see the zip trapped?

Pin the 2 layers and zip together - zip sandwich.

 Put the zipper foot on your sewing machine and sew the layers into place close to the zip edge.

sew it all down securely

Once sewn you can fold back the layers so the pretty sides are showing and your zip should be all attached where it should be!

This is what you should now have - hopefully

Repeat on the second side of the zip tape. Remember that the zip should be face down on the outer fabric to get it the right way round.

Second side

Once both sides are sewn on, when you open it out you should have a side of outer fabric and a side of lining fabric attached nicely.

Inside layer

Outer layer with the zip the right side up

Step 3 - Make the pouch

What you now need to do is place the outer fabric pieces right sides together and pin around the edge. Then place the lining pieces right sides together and pin but leaving a small gap (4 inches approx) for turning inside out. A good tip here is to slide your zipper down half way at this point. When you come to turning everything inside out it will be a lot easier to grab hold of that if its fully closed - you'll see what I mean.

Slide the zip halfway

Pin outer fabric right sides together; lining fabric right sides together

Leave a gap at the bottom of the lining half

Now sew all the way around the square. Start at the open edge of the lining gap and go all the way around, passing over the zipper tape on both ends (make sure the open zipper end lines up before you sew over it to ensure the zip is neat when turning inside out) and then end sewing at the other open edge of the lining gap.

All sewn up

Step 4 - Turn inside out (or right way round!)

This may be a bit tricky, but pull the bag through the gap you left in the lining. At this point you need to reach in and fully undo the zip - that is why we left it half open when sewing - so you can grab it. If you didn't you need to grab it through the fabric and coax it open. Keep pulling it all through.

Reach in and undo the zip - start turning inside out

You now have this

Step 5 - Secure the lining and turn inwards

Pin the gap of the lining that now remains. You can hand stitch it neatly so stitching is invisible - or you can just machine a line clear across the bottom. (It is on the inside of your bag after all). I went for the lazy sew straight across it route.

Pin the gap shut and stitch across to secure

Now push your lining into the outer fabric to create your pouch!

All done!

Step 6 - Use it for stuff

New wash bag for overnight stays!

Teeny tiny one for headphones - no more handbag tangle - added tag just in case it went on a keyring

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