Last of the Summer Sewing Part VII - Random Roundup

 

 'Last' of the summer sewing seems a bit extreme this time as although it's now the end of August and autumn days approach - it's still hot, humid and a billion degrees outside. And I've just made swimwear (more on that in another post!)

Today I thought I'd do a little roundup of all the makes that didn't make the blog including a couple of sewing fails!

First of those 'fails' was not really in the sewing. I actually spent a lot of time and effort making Mr. Crafty Clyde a formal shirt in some amazing wildlife cotton from Rainbow Fabrics. It was made JUST in time for a work event where we whipped it into the bag and thought no more. Until he tried it on in the hotel room and it looked.....weird. Flouncy? Feminine? There was a lot of 'blouse' happening despite the measurements being accurate. I'd used the Cameron Shirt by Helen's Closet and unfortunately it just wasn't for him. I should have stuck to ol' faithful M6044. Thank goodness he had brought a spare!


 A useful make I whizzed up by drawing around an old t-shirt dress was this Nerida Hansen print jersey! My love for Australian design continues and this jersey just needed displaying in the simplest way. Plus I only had a meter. 

 Usually I can rely on Style Arc for a good fit and so I ventured into making an Ariana Dress. I cut a 16 (I'm usually a 14/16) but wow it came out small. 

 The back consisted of the nation's current obsession - shirring - and so I thought it would be comfortable but I was basically just squeezed into the dress with my back spilling out. Not a great look. I'll spare you that photo.

Shirring can kiss my **** - I don't know why everyone loves it so much, it's not that difficult but it is incredibly TEDIOUS to do.  #controversialopinion

I even had to omit the front placket as I couldn't do it up. My fabric choice was also poor and I have now discovered I really don't suit white or cream, my skin being kind of translucent anyway. I snipped the skirt off to salvage the fabric for a cami top which may work better.

Going back to the good times - a successful and very quick make was the Closet Core Tee. This one was a lovely surprise as it's FREE (great stuff) and also has a lovely shape to it. I thought it would be another 'boxy' tee with straight sides but it's actually got some good curves. 10/10 would recommend. 

The fabric here is Doops Designs cotton jersey. It's yet unworn but only because it's too humid for sleeves right now.

Should we even talk about this next one?! It was supposed to be Simplicity 9136. A lady at my sewing class had made some utterly beautiful versions of this pattern and the raglan sleeve appealed to my broad back. I actually had to buy the pattern twice as I was a fool and got the wrong version to start with. My toile was...... I can't look at this without thinking of someone's Nan on the way to Benidorm. 

I did not have the mental capacity to do any high intensity fitting at the time so off it trotted to the recycle pile. 

The Saltwater Slip made another appearance as the 'go to' of using up any scraps I've had. You can squeeze the cutest cami out of a few leftovers! This fabric is from Minerva (bought!) and is just fantastic - still in stock here if you want to buy some.

There was also a Lahja Robe which finally got made last week as I'd been needing a non-fuzzy dressing gown alternative for the weather. I used some lovely Lady McElroy cotton lawn for this and it's nice and crisp for the heat. 

 Finally I'll end with a non-garment make which was a little bag to keep my knitting in. You may have seen on Insta that I keep making all sorts of insects and creatures and so a handy little bag to keep yarn and eyeballs in was just the job. 

The fabric was from Fleur et Ors and the pattern loosely based on the Seamingly Sane pouch. A wonderful little pattern if you were after something similar!

Well that's about it! As you can see it's always a mixed bag with regards to success and failure and not everything gets documented.

I hope you've had a lovely summer and a great season of sewing! x

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Indigo to Go

Coming in today with not one - but three (!!) Indigo dresses.

I am referring to the fairly infamous Tilly and the Buttons - Indigo Dress. I have to be honest when this pattern first came out, the TATB pictures really didn't sell it to me. It just looked a bit fussy and 'babydoll' in style which is just not my cuppa tea. 

It was only when versions started to pop up on insta (and in real life - Sally I'm looking at you) that it piqued my interest. Realizing it didn't need all the ruffles and jazz I gave it a go. In February.

Yep, my first version was a winter make. I never did any proper photographs of this dress as my sister saw and loved it, and it was hers. (I willingly gave it away I have to say!) This one was made in some fab cobalt leopard viscose from Rainbow Fabrics.

I made a Size 7 throughout (I normally use 7 graded to 8 for Tilly and the Buttons however there is so much ease at the hip there was really no need to grade). 

There is no other way to do gathers in my opinion, than using shirring elastic, and so that method was used for both tiers! (Normal thread in the top, hand-wound elastic bobbin in the bottom, whizz it round the edges and DONE. Pull to required length to pin it to the bodice.)

There were helpers involved with this first make too and so the label felt appropriate:

It wasn't until recently that I picked the pattern up again as it transpired my sis, unbeknownst to me, had been wearing this dress to death (always a nice feeling) so I offered to make her another. 

Again from Rainbow Fabrics I picked this amazing Scamp & Dude dead stock viscose crepe. (I also used this for a Saltwater Slip previously). Both pattern and fabric lent itself pretty well to a Scamp & Dude replica for her!

I just adore this colour combo. The dress is now in the post so fingers crossed it arrives safely! As per her request I also made a little skinny belt to take the waist in. A great detail which I also decided to replicate on my own version. 

Yes, it has pockets. Big deep pockets.

Another little adjustment I made to this version was to omit the neck facing and use bias binding to finish it instead. I think it gives a much cleaner look and the facing isn't flapping about.

I then cracked on and finally made myself an Indigo dress! I was very kindly gifted some more Exclusive Viscose Challis from Minerva in exchange for a post on their blog. The perfect excuse to whip up another Indigo from this pretty epic rainbow tiger fabric. 

Once again the UK is in heatwave mode so any easy breezy creation is a joy right now. Indigo no exception!

I'm not sure if the Indigo is supposed to be midi or maxi with the extra tier on the bottom however you can see it's about mid-calf on me. For reference I'm 5'7" and it seems about right. I actually quite like that it's out of the way of my feet when walking instead of tripping over a maxi length dress!

The shape of the top is great - I love how it has darts but a loose fit - I actually wondered about making a woven tee version. The bodice sits quite well in length and is about the right height for the belt ties to cover the waist seam.


 It's a casual dress so I'm not too concerned about a perfect fit with this. It feels nice and that's more important to me right now. 

Once again Clyde came to check out the action (and try and nip a toe - the perils of summer). 

I can't believe it's mid-August already - is there still time to make hot weather clothes?! Reckon a couple more would be ok....

Stay safe all wherever you may be.

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