The Eco-Super Squid Suit

What a title.

But here is why:

I made what feels like another super-hero suit!

So ok it's more Octopus/Kraken than squid but you get the picture. I missed a 'Cracking Kraken' pun dammit.

This was available from Sew Dynamic Fabric made from recycled plastic bottles! If you want to see how it's made hop over to their website there's some good info on there. 


Not going to lie - it wasn't cheap because I had to pay import fees HOWEVER when it arrived that was all forgiven and it was totally worth it. I love that it came with sew in labels, a pin badge and a message to say that my 2 yards had been made from 32.4 plastic bottles.

I did hesitate in cutting into this for fear of messing it up however biting the bullet a couple of weeks ago I just went for it.

The leggings are my trusty Fehr Trade 'Active Leggings' with yoga band waist (and added elastic for security). I'd say these were the 'compression' version of the pattern. Although I didn't buy the compression add-on, I did spend time fitting these to be tighter and a 'TNT' pattern for me to use over again. If you like a tighter leg, she's now done the hard work for you and the add-on is available on Melissa's website.
 

The top is the Mighty Sports Bra by Evie La Luve  It's a brilliant sports top, great support and shape and surprisingly quick to put together. 

The top is fully lined and I've also used some foam 'modesty inserts' that are removable. 

 


My fold-over-elastic work needs some practice but it will do. The top will only be worn under a t-shirt I'm sure unless it's for yoga at home or something.

To go the whole hog I also made a loose tee in some bamboo jersey from the stash. (Originally from RayStitch). It's nothing spectacular, just traced the basic shape of a t-shirt then snipped the arm holes to get them nice and loose for a workout. Bamboo is great for this as it's cool, soft and very breathable for any sweaty classes!

I used my Cricut to cut an octopus from some spare HTV and popped that on for a bit of a theme!

 I pretty much love my new super-suit and yes I did wear it about the house the day I made it. Two great patterns and some pretty amazing fabric - perfect combo!

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Arlo - Hers and Hers Track Jacket

 Hello people... hoping you are all well.

Today brings a mini sewing fail/rescue attempt which started life as the Arlo Track Jacket by Friday Pattern Company.

This beauty of a pattern is a really stylish lightweight jacket/layering piece with a sporty vibe. Right up my street. And my husband also wanted one for cycling to work!

The fabric I used here is some brushed back jersey called 'Amazing Ants' from Anglian Fashion Fabrics. I'd bought it a couple of years ago and so a great stash bust. The black contrast is also some little scrap bits of sweater I had saved for a rainy day.

I remember this purchase was controversial as some people said it made them itch with the ants - the truth is it is ridiculously soft and cosy, and the ants are fabulous.

 The pattern is 'Unisex' and so I set about making my husband's jacket first. We measured up for a size XL and I figured if that fit him, the next would definitely fit me.

This was the first project I had made in a long while and I think all my sewing skills got forgotten. It stretched quite badly when I was sewing the panels together, and despite measuring several times, the zip just went awry.

NOPE.
 My husband then tried it on and... it was tiny and did not fit one bit :( The sleeves especially came up very short. I should have measured the pieces!

A glass of wine and a pep talk from my sewing group later, I decided to attempt a rescue mission and sat unpicking the topstitching and zip for a second attempt.

I then remembered the joy of Wondertape and whacked that on the zip to hold everything in place while I tried again. 

It's better but by now the hem band and neck bands have both stretched out quite badly. Not to worry.

As my husband could no longer use this I thought I could retrieve it for myself, but even I couldn't get the sleeves to a sensible length. The original cuffs got the chop and I cut some much longer pieces.

 As you can see the cuff is significantly bigger on the final version! I'm thinking I must have cut the pattern pieces wrong on the whole thing as the sizing was way off.

So in no reference to the pattern or the fabric - simply my sewing on this project - the Arlo got allocated it's sew in label.

So what was a mini disaster, is kind of wearable if you don't look too closely. I have actually reached for this top a couple of times now as it is super cosy for colder days and actually very comfortable.

I can't get it over my hips too well as a straight jacket however if you flip the hem band up it has a bomber jacket vibe which I don't hate. Excuse the pic - the best I could do with a cold and tiredness!

The Arlo jacket - mine was not his and hers, just 'hers' unfortunately. Tips for this one - measure the pattern pieces and crack out that Wondertape!

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In the Hood - Minerva Makes - the Hey June Halifax Hoodie

 Hello!

Today I bring you yet more hooded comfortable goodness - this time in the form of the Halifax Hoodie by Hey June Handmade. 

I'll get to the point straight away - it's amazing.

Pattern - Hey June have some wonderful patterns and I'm a big fan of most of them as they seem to be drafted really well and have taken very little fitting, if any. For me, they are true to size and the instructions fantastic. This was my first attempt at a separating zip and the pattern takes you through everything you need for a great finish. 

Fabric - the main fabric I used was some Petrol Sweatshirt fabric from Minerva. Full disclosure - the sweatshirt fabric was gifted to me in exchange for a tutorial on how to put this hoodie together. If you want a step by step guide taking you through the Halifax Hoodie you can find it here on my Minerva profile :)   (Ps. I don't intend for all my posts to be Minerva related, I'm just catching up with the writing at the moment!)

The lining of this fabric is an AMAZING reptile print cotton. This was also gifted to me in a wholly different way. The lovely Azapops gave me an incredible 2 meters of this at the Sewing Weekender, just because she knows I like reptiles. Such a lovely thought I was very touched, sewing people are amazing right?!

Using cotton for the hood lining and the zip facing/neck facing was great as it also gave great stability where it was needed and sewing over it was so much easier then the sweat shirting directly. A walking foot is highly recommended!

The perfect final addition - a tortoise zipper pull!

Should the need arise for another hoodie, I will absolutely be reaching for this patter again!

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Re-usable Grocery Bag Tutorial with Minerva

Hello all

Today is a little different as I bring you a FULL tutorial on how to make the awesome reusable grocery bags in conjunction with Minerva and their brand spanking new website!

 


 Full disclosure - whilst I do not get paid for this I DID receive the wooden-effect canvas for free to make these bags.

Click here to hop on over to my 3 Part Tutorial on how to get sewing up these massive shopping bags!

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The Hoodigan - AKA Castillo Cardigan

 Pronounced like Hooligan - but softer and cosier. Hoodigan. 

This is actually the Castillo Cardigan pattern by Itch to Stitch - but I couldn't get that to stick in my head. 

 


Another excellent pattern by Kennis - this one is a throw on knit/jersey cardigan, with a hood, open front so no buttons to mess about with and a great cover up for cooler days or popping out.

So I actually made the first incarnation of this back in March! I made it for my sister and she chose these rather marvelous applique. It turned out to be fairly appropriate as she is a key worker and about a week later lockdown started.  CV19 this one's aimed at you.

My favourite part of the pattern is the covered neckline seam that has you trap a piece of bias or twill between the layers then flip it up to enclose all the raw edges. I think it looks great.

Pink for my sister's version and a blue for me. I used a jersey binding so it's really soft on the neck.


It's got quite deep pockets which I have found really useful when running errands out as it can take a phone/keys/mask!

The sizing of the pattern is spot on - these versions are actually a couple of sizes too big as we wanted 'roomy' but need not have bothered as it was plenty big enough anyway.

Fabric-wise, this was a stash one originally bought from Material Girl Laura. It's bit like a thick jersey/thin ponte with a texture to it called 'Styke'. 

So six months later I finally put together my version and chose this First Nations Painted Turtle applique that I bought in Vancouver. Just for a pop of colour. 

 Not much else to say really apart from it being a great staple pattern and a really useful hoodigan!

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