Putting on the Regalia

 This was not a pattern I ever though I'd be into - ruffles and 'fluff' but I loved it so much I made it twice! 

The Regalia Pattern by Sew House Seven  first came onto my radar last year during Sew April Blouse challenge on insta. I liked the look of it on other makers and figured it would be a good one for a flat chest. I bought the pattern but of course it languished about and never got made up. 

Sew April Blouse rolled around again for this year so it was the perfect time to try it out. 

What I also thought was not very 'me' was some floral viscose that I bought in Barcelona. I was however really drawn to it as it had almost oil paint brush stroke details. 

We had just been to an art museum and seen Damien Hurst 'The Virtues- Politeness' and the fabric just represented that really well as a token of our trip.  I figured it would be rude not to buy a piece of fabric while we were there. 

 Turns out I bloody love both - the fabric and pattern! I think they work really well together. I especially like the high collar on this blouse, it gives it a bit of edge.

This is the 'normal' length (as opposed to tunic and belt view) with short sleeves (and no cuff gathers). I was enjoying some gathers but let's not lose our minds here.  

The ties at the back are a joy and the construction method makes this a really straight forward sew. The front and back yoke are fully lined with a 'double burrito' method. And who doesn't love that burrito. 🌯

I didn't have enough fabric for my facings so improvised with a bit of viscose from Guthrie Ghani (another one languishing in the stash begging to be made up).  

 I made a straight up 16 and made a grand total of ZERO CHANGES - wooooop! 

This blouse sews up really quickly and so I squeezed in a second as I wanted a reason to use my blue Cobra Corsage fabric.

Bizarrely, I think I may prefer the floral one. (Gasp). That being said they will both get worn - hopefully when the weather picks up a bit. 

This little biscuit label was the perfect colour combo for this Regalia blouse, in it goes. I think it was a freebie with some Hey Sew Sister fabric a while ago. 

 Have you made this? Let me know what you are all up to :)

I'm hoping to sew up a few fun makes next so hopefully I can bring you that soon.  

Feel free to comment and come and say hello on Instagram, Facebook, and Bloglovin too xxx

Making Moves - New Trews

 Hold up - I made a pair of trousers with a new pattern. Whhhhaaattttttt?!

Having spent the last 10 years making the same pair of Style Arc Fifi or Parker pants on repeat, the fact I tried a new style is a bit of a shocker for me. Especially when the pattern is a bit 'trendy'.

You've seen all the barrel legs out there - I wasn't convinced I must be honest. But I do love Pattern Emporium and I do love using up stash. So caution to the wind I gave the Making Moves pants a go! 

And I don't hate them!

As usual I went into these thinking I'd have to make 1000 adjustments to the fit - however I made just 1. Scoop the back curve out a bit for this larger booty. Would you know, it worked.  

I cut a size 16 - there was a minute where I thought I had made a big mistake as the waist looked significantly smaller than normal, however it did come together and I can get them on without issue even with a big hip/waist difference. 

 My first pair were made from some black stretch linen from the deep stash - I just wanted to check the fit and not waste anything too precious. 

I had to chop about 5 inches from the hem thinking they would be 'cropped' however they ended up being about right! 

I appreciate black trousers are not the most interesting thing to look at or see any details. 

There is a 2 piece back leg which gives a gentle curve around the leg, a nice 'beginner barrel' shape. 

 The second pair I made in some leftover stripe soft denim (used for a jacket here) - the pattern says not suitable for stiffer fabrics however, I ignored that and gambled on them being ok. It's elasticated trousers. It's fine. Not as drapey on the bum but they still fit which is great.  

Here is the fabric and pocket shape close up:

Of course a fun little label was required and I popped that on the back waistband.

I have just realized this is the same label as in my matching jacket - maybe I could wear this as a co-ord?!

 Comfy little beasties these are. 

If you are after some easy-to-wear and easy-to-make trousers this season I would definitely recommend the Making Moves. 
 

Feel free to comment and come and say hello on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and and Bloglovin too xxx

 

Jenna - it's not you it's me.

Or is it?

For the first time in my sewing 'time' I have fallen out with a Closet Core pattern - gasp!!

 

Did my beloved betray me? Or did I just reallllly bodge up this shirt.  

I was so chuffed when I found some beautiful Japanese Liberty Lawn with Snoopy on - it wasn't cheap but I treated myself and thought I would make something 'simple' so as not to ruin the fabric. I've made shirts a zillion time before so the Jenna should be no problem right? Wrong. 

The idea was an easy breezy crisp blue shirt for Spring - looking all cool like this lady on the packet:

Jenna Shirt Closet Core

 I look more like some bloke called Steve in accounting.  

Edit: I've just re-read the pattern description and it does say 'menswear inspired'. Nailed it then. 

The size put me at a 16, pretty normal for me. I was expecting it to be a VERY oversized shirt but it isn't. So just beware pick your actual size for this one.

It is one of those makes that just went a bit awry. Firstly I didn't ave enough fabric for the full shirt due to width issues, so I had to get creative with 2 different colourways. 

The collar stand I found far too shirt for the neckline and really had to wrangle that in there. The collar then looks a bit awkwardly big in comparison.

The bit the annoyed the bejeezus out of me was the hem!!! I must have unpicked that thing 4 times. It's such a steep curve that it was getting wrinkled (ok, that has a solution - baby hem) but then joining the sides of the shirt together to the pre-hemmed pieces was a mess.  

 For that reason I had to chop off the now raggy hem and do it again. That meant I had to take in the side seams considerably to get them to line up with the hemmed lower shirt. Voila - one too small shirt that does not fit the brief of chic. Ah well. Win some loose some.  (To be fair I don't think I have ever been chic so no real loss hehe).

 

 Found cute Snoopy buttons from Button Box Devon though - so there's that.  

Having just had some time apart and taken some better pictures I don't think it is as disastrous as first thought - just not what I had in mind. It's wearable. And that's about it. 

I like it - but it's not love Jenna...

Feel free to comment and come and say hello on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Bloglovin too xxx 

Spindrift with a Twist

Hello again!

I seem to have sorely neglected the blog again of late, however I was poorly for a good 3 weeks in March so that also explains things. 

Today is a more involved project and a new one for me - the Helen's Closet Spindrift Jacket.

I'm going to start by saying that this pattern is GLORIOUS. Well drafted, great instructions and really straight forward to assemble. It's a jacket that looks far more complex than it is, and definitely worth a go if you were on the fence. 

This is a unisex pattern with lots of options regarding length and hoods etc.  I really wanted to make a casual jacket for the 'in-between' weather. Not a cropped denim jacket, something a bit longer and elevated. This fit the bill.

Measurements - I cut a 16/18 and made no alternations in that respect. It IS oversized but that is the style. You could probably go down a size if you wanted it a little more fitted.  

I made View B, without the hood.  I did make a little change which worked really well - I added 1 inch to the length so that I could include a drawstring at the waist. The design of this jacket is very boxy, and I really wanted some shape - or at least the option of shape. 

It was a really simple adjustment. The pockets all went where they were supposed to, but I cut a long length of fabric and created and outer casing for a drawstring in that extra 1 inch gap. Topped with a couple of cord stoppers it was good to go!

The fabric for this jacket is from Pound Fabrics - 8oz washed denim in Dark Blue. The fabric is such good value and I would definitely recommend it. I have used the 4oz aswell for shirts etc and it washes and sews up very well. 

 

The cords and stoppers are from eBay and Trimming Shop and I found some wonderful buttons for this project too.  

At the time I was making this we were watching A Knight of the 7 Kingdoms and he has a beautiful sigil on his shield of a tree under a shooting star. When I saw these lovely buttons from Buttons and Things I just had to use them. 

 

I am pleased to report I got it finished in time for a short break and have been wearing it ever since! A great trans-seasonal jacket as they say.

 

 

 

Have you made this? What did you think? I love seeing all the versions online! A small attempt at a video below...we'll see if that works.

 

 Feel free to comment and come and say hello on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Bloglovin too xxx    

Summer Breeze - In February

 Just FYI I'm aware it's March...just when I made the dress!

Sharing a Minerva Make today because the fabric is so bloomin' cute. Look at those little snails!

(Don't forget to use code STARSCLYDE for 10% off any and all orders with Minerva - doesn't expire and you can combine with other discounts!) 

I was gifted this fabric but would have happily bought it as it is just gorgeous. I also have to start by saying, how wonderful the name of this fabric is – Escargot Garden!

 

This lovely print looks like stitched embroidered plants and flowers with lovely snailey roaming amongst the vegetation. This particular base is the EcoVero Viscose Twill – a breathable fabric with great drape and a diagonal twill weave.

For this fabric I fancied a go at making something that could be worn in all seasons. Especially as the print lends itself to being summer or winter with the colours and images. Mission accomplished! (Picture is not AI, just your classic clipart and faffing.) 

Pattern Emporium are fantastic for quality patterns that I know will fit well, so I selected the Summer Breeze dress. A really easy and beginner friendly pattern if anyone was looking for a simple sew.

As with all Pattern Emporium patterns, there are lots of versions to choose from. I opted for the drawstring shoulders as I wanted to get that gathered fabric effect over the bust.  

The size chart put me at a 16/18 so I cut that out. I think the fit is pretty spot on really. I made a couple of changes to the dress but nothing too extreme. The first was that I raised the hem to a midi length. This was because I didn’t want a maxi version trailing about in mud and water if I did wear this as a winter option. 

The other change I made was to use elastic at the waist rather than a drawstring. I thread 1cm elastic into the waist casing – nice and comfy and it pulls the dress in at the waist where needed.  

I added a back neck- tie aswell just to stop the sleeves from falling off my shoulders. Although not on the pattern pictures, it is something they mention in the instruction book as an option for anyone having that issue. 

The armholes came down quite low on me so I just stitched them together 2 inches higher than the pattern markings indicated. Still plenty of room for movement but less skin flashy. 

The skirt shape is lovely – it is a gentle A-line shape which gathers a little at the waist elastic but doesn’t have any bulk to it. The maxi version has side slits which look lovely and give good beach vibes.

It’s hard to tell which is the back and front for this dress (I think it makes little difference if you don’t add the back ties) and so I popped a label in the back seam to remind myself. 

I’m really pleased with how this turned out and can see it getting a fair bit of wear as intended! I will definitely use the pattern again in summer for a brighter version as it is very comfortable.

 Feel free to comment and come and say hello on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Bloglovin too xxx    

The Faithful Fifis

 The Traitors season may have ended but there is still time to share my Claudia inspired clothes!

 One pair of trouser that 'are and have always been Faithful' are the Style Arc Fifi woven pants. 

I have made these many times over to the point wheer they barely resemble the original pattern anymore. The original has a very convoluted waistband construction which I personally felt was a bit pointless. Mine just get a long rectangle waistband with elastic threaded around it. 

If I want a flat front, then I smooth it and stitch at the side seams. If I want it drawstring, add some eyelets. Simples. 

If mismatched tartan offends you, avert your eyes now. 

There was an attempt to pattern match however my fabric allowance was not sufficient to make that successful. Plus, I also tapered the shape of the legs which distorted the pattern aswell. I frankly, do not care, but I appreciate someone somewhere is having palpitations about the misalignment. 

 

 

The Fifi trousers are wide leg in style but I wanted a bit more of a tapered look and so took them in about 2 inches from the ankle, grading upwards to the hip. I also created a cuffed hem to go with 'the look'. 

I like to add belt loops and wear a belt with them, which hides the gathers and makes them look like fixed waist trousers when indeed, they are comfy, elastic and pull-on...mwhahahaha. Having recently make the Closet Core Rika Pants I nabbed the criss-cross belt loops idea for a bit of added interest.  

I had a bit of purple sweater knit leftover from a previous project and turned it into a little popover top. Great for some added warmth. This was the Closet Core Tee (free pattern here) - with arms omitted. Did the job nicely.  

Winter wardrobe addition complete - more purple than I ever thought I'd be wearing! 

Feel free to comment and come and say hello on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Bloglovin too xxx