Results and Moving On

I am thrilled to share with you that I came third in the Artisan's Square SWAP this year. Wow! I know that my collection was a slightly unconventional one, and there really was some great stiff competition. Woot! I really must drop a line to Tina Givens and let her know! Thanks to all who voted for me, and those who set me on this track to try out these patterns. One last pic . . . . . !

So, what next? Well, one of the garments that would enhance this collection is a cardigan/jacket and I spent an inordinate amount of time auditioning patterns, and not really getting anywhere. And then I saw a sew-a-long on Artisan's Square for a 6PAC (6 pieces of clothing). The guidelines
- One lightweight jacket or sweater in a neutral
- Another lightweight jacket, sweater or shirt in a colour or lighter neutral or a print
- A pair of shorts, trousers, or capris in a neutral
- A skirt in a neutral or colour
- A shortsleeve shirt, blouse, or t-shirt in a neutral
- Another shirtsleeve shirt, blouse, or t-shirt in a neutral.

Hmmm. Interesting! Well, here are the fabrics that I am going to use:

All linen/cotton fabrics, off white, pale blue, navy and dusky rose (I know that it looks like baby pink, but it isn't.  Honest!) So here is what I have made so far . . . . apologies for using my body double - but there are times when it is too much effort to get all dressed up, sort out the camera, tripod and timer, organise the houndies so they don't photobomb the pics, get all showered and sort hair etc.,etc.,etc.,

So this is what I have made so far:

I started up with a pair of trousers in the off white fabric. Same as before, I used the Jaqueline pattern from Tina Givens.  And these are the changes that I made:  Lifted the crotch to a regular height (I used my regular pants pattern and therefore created front and rear crotch curves), created side seams (the pattern has you cut both legs on the fold), add seam allowances and cut out pockets using the Phoebe pattern.  The first time I made these took some time due to the pattern changes, but now I can make them up pretty quickly and they fit me well!

I then used the Phoebe pattern to make a casual jacket.  I moved the front pattern piece (that is usually cut on the fold) about 1.25" away from the edge of the fabric, and cut out two pieces.  I only use the inner pattern pieces, although I suspect this would look pretty cool with two layers.  For this version I used a rolled hem for the bottom of the jacket and lengthened the sleeves to 'bracelet' length.  I used bias binding for the neck edge - (self fabric, using a Clover bias binding maker). I cut my BB at 1.25", the extra .25" seems to make a better binding to my mind.  For the facings where the buttons/buttonbands are, I attach a piece of ribbon to the right side near the edge, then press it to the wrong side and sew it down.  This gives a smart, non-bulky finish.

And I sewed a couple of patches on the back. Just because! It is shown here with my white linen Jaqueline slip from my SWAP (the one with a lace patch on the front) and a necklace that I made (more on the necklace in a future post).

Then I made another Jaqueline slip.  For this version, instead of having an asymmetrical hem (which is a pain to cut out) I cut both the front and back pieces in half, and cut them out using the longer dropped hem edge.  A bit like a Zelda really, but without the frill. This time, for the arm and neck openings, as as well as the hem, I attached bias-binding, just folded in half. I used a three step zigzag stitch and it seems pretty sturdy. Here are my three off white pieces together:

And some more patches!

This is the reason that I was happy to use a raw edged binding. I had washed my white linen slip (that had a raw edge neck and arm opening) and the finished result is a soft and fluffy binding:

That is three pieces all finished - I have another two two pieces completed - using the dusky rose fabric - and will share those in a couple of days!  Here is a sneak peak of the off white jacket and pants, with the rose top:

What are you working on? Wardrobe building or having fun with individual pieces?

More Tina Givens - The Phoebe Top and Trousers and a Touch of Jaqueline

I've made the Phoebe trousers a few times already, but hadn't made the top that goes with these trousers.  Here is the pattern from the Tina Givens website:

Actually, I'm kind of lying a bit.  I have made the top out of white rayon (under layer) and blue patterned cotton (upper layer), but I cut the blue too short and the proportions were not very flattering, and the combination of fabrics looked like an apron that my grandmothers would have worn, so I did not complete it.  Nonetheless, I wanted to give it a go - and I made it as part of the garments I was sewing for the 2015 Artisans Square SWAP:

As you can see, I only made the one layer and chose the longer inner layer.  I changed the sleeves up a little and made cap sleeves, and made the same changes that I would ordinarily make - sloping shoulders, dartless FBA. I also put a seam in the back to save a little on fabric and to break up the expanses of fabric.  I used my serger to make a rolled hem, and shaped the neckline a little to make it more 'v' neck.  I made a small facing that I attached iron-on interfacing to support the neckline, and sewed it down with some top-stitching to keep it from rolling to the right side.

It is a cute top that looks great in these photos - once the volume has been tamed.  There is a lot of fabric in this top, and when I make it next, I will take out some of the volume.  What I do like - and this is rather strange, is the side seams that are curved to give tulip shape.

One of my cottons cardis (Simplicity 2154), co-ordinates very nicely with this top - and the Phoebe trousers - I'm just not sure if I would be better off with a cardi with a shaped hem, rather than a straight, horizontal one.  I need to think about that!

The fabric is a white linen - the same line that I used for the trousers (above and below), and another 'Jaqueline' top (below) that I made with a cute lace patch on the front:

Here is a close up:

This is my 'Ruth' of Core Couture pose.  She often stands side on/quarter turn and always looks fab!

Nothing new about this slip or the co-ordinating trousers - But I love them!

And what about the 'props'?  The chair with a bag and a cowboy hat?  I was taking (dozens) of photos that show all the items that I had made for the SWAP that I have titled 'Out of Alberta' so I had to throw in a cowboy hat!  I'm nothing if not subtle!

Out of Alberta - Part Deux

I have to say that I love long weekends - and I managed to make this Easter weekend a five day sewfest.  And where to begin?  To start with, I picked up some lovely linen/viscose blend (Azalia Natural Prints and Solids) from my local fabric shop (Fabricland).

You can just about tell from the photos that the fabric has a lovely linen texture, but doesn't crease quite so much.  It also is a great weight and drapes beautifully.  I wanted to add some more colour to my Tina Givens Collection, and thought that these would go well with the mostly neutral pallette that I have so far.

And this is what I made:

Let me talk you through these goodies.  From the left is a white Zelda dress, the Peplone jacket from before - but now with buttons (!), two pairs of Jaqueline trousers, one pair floral and the other from the same fabric as the Peplone, a green Kika top (minus the frills) and a fushia Jacqueline slip.

Here are all the garments so far:

The very first white slip that I made, from rayon, is not included here - I plan on making a better fitting slip out of white cotton - the same fabric as I used for the longer skirt on the pink and white dress.

Now some photos and details!

White Kika dress made from the linen/viscose fabric.  The top is based on my 'Sorbetto' top and and I added the pleat and some pretty buttons.  I am wearing it here with another pair of Jacqueline trousers made from the same fabric as the Peplone jacket.

Green Zelda slip - without a frill!  Again with the same traousers as above.

Pink Jaqueline slip.

Peplone jacket from my last post worn with some floral Jaqueline trousers.

And with the fushia slip . . . .

And the green Kika.

I then thought that the Peplone and matching trousers would make a great TG suit, so I paired them with a green Sorbetto that I made a couple of years ago - looks pretty good I think/  And then my camera battery ran out!!

I have loads more to write about - close ups, comments on the patterns as well as playing around with 'looks' using these garments, but it is getting late and I need to go to work tomorrow (something to do with earning the money to pay for the fabric . . . . !)

Out of Alberta - My Tina Givens Style

I mentioned in a couple of previous posts (here and here), that I was exploring Lagenlook and in particular, the patterns by Tina Givens who describes her style as 'Out of Africa with a 1920's twist.  I am paraphrasing here and there is more involved, but this is what I am drawn to!  Would you like to see what I have been up to?!

I have made six pieces so far, one pair of cropped trousers, three slips, one dress and a jacket/coat . . . . but first, a couple of apologies.  I can only take photos after work (I could take them at weekends, but I am too busy sewing, c'mon!) and our deck is west facing so it gets very sunny, so I am wearing sunglasses in these photos - it was that or a squinted up face.  I know which one that I prefer!  Secondly, I have been a bit boring with accessories and shoes . . . . I used the same throughout.  OK, photos:

Tan rayon trousers with the first white rayon top.  This was the first top and the armscye is too big, however, with a jacket or top on, it is perfect.   Jaqueline pattern:

And with the Peplone Jacket in a lovely, soft cotton.  I need to add some buttons to the front of this:

Tan trousers and tan slip.  This slip was supposed to be a different dress, but I cut the neckline too big so used the Jaqueline pattern as much as I can.  This top has a typical 'Tina Givens' feature - a scrap of fabric stitched to the front.  I also used my TNT Sorbetto top so this fits me better on the shoulder, bust, neckline and armscye.  I was also running short of fabric so had to add a centre front seam:

It looks great with the jacket as well!

The coral slip is made out of linen, and was mentioned with the white slip and tan trousers here:

And finally, I made the Briare Dress.  It is actually a free pattern, but I have linked to the version that you pay for as you need to sign into the website to get the freebies.  The top is a loose fitting vest top with two layers pleated and attached for the skirt.  Both fabrics are cotton - the pink has a slub finish and the white is almost a 'pulled thread' type of fabric.  Both are very light and airy:

It was really sunny outside - gorgeous!

The dress can be worn both with or without the trousers, and I was lazy here and kept them on!  I may be moving a little into milkmaid territory here, but I love it!!!

So there you go.  These are the first six pieces for the 2015 SWAP and I am rather liking how it is turning out.  I have lots of close up details and other info, but this post is getting rather long, so that will follow in the next couple of days.

As ever, my faithful boys were watching the 'shoot', checking that all was well!  My tripod was balanced on the iron table, in case you are wondering what the contraption is!

Have you started your Spring sewing yet?  Could you be tempted by loose, cool layers straight Out of Africa?!

TG - 1, 2, 3

So far, so good - I've made three pieces for my Lagenlook/Tina Givens SWAP.  And I am really please with how the pieces have turned out so far.  Unfortunately I've not had chance to model the pieces myself - so 'hangar shots' will have to suffice.

OK, here we go!  First of all we have Jaqueline, and this is the photo from the website:

Source

All these garments are from woven fabric, and I have made a pair of the trousers and two of the slips.  The first was in a white rayon and drapes beautifully.  Gosh, my photos look rather drab in comparison - I will need to learn to photograph like she does!

As you can see - pretty plain, nothing really to report.  I used my serger to complete a rolled hem and bound the neckline and armholes.  Those armholes are HUGE!  It is a good job that I will be layering this top as it verges on the indecent as far as the armholes are concerned!  I had to add two little darts to take in some of the excess fabric around the armhole - you can probably just see one in the photo above.

I sewed a small linen bias square on the centre back which will fray when washed - a little bit of whimsy!  And if I don't like it . . . . I'll just unpick it!

I then made another slip - after all, when I have been known to make just one iteration of a pattern?!  This time I used a gorgeous coral coloured linen.  I made a number of changes to the armhole and neckline (no armhole darts this time!) - I actually used my Sorbetto pattern which I had fitted many moons ago.  I did not include the bust dart or the centre pleat, and the fit is fabulous.  Really!

I have quite sloped shoulders, and as all the best sewing/fitting teachers will tell you - get the shoulders right and everything else will fall in place.  Well mostly.  But you get my drift!

And lastly - some trousers.  Ms. Givens appears to favour dropped crotch trousers, and I am not quite ready to embrace that as yet, so I used my TNT trousers pattern.  That dealt with the waist/crotch and I used the Jaqueline leg pattern for the pleats, binding etc.  I did shorten them a few inches so that they sit mid calf, rather than the designer ankle length, but will probably make a longer pair next time.  I used some tan ramie for these, and I am pleased with these as well.

I know, I know, hanger shots are not that inspiring, but I wanted to have a complete 'outfit' before taking 'person' shots, but also wanted to record my progress!  Next up with be the cropped top which is likely going to be based upon the jersey cardis that I have been making recently - Simplicity 2154.  I will shorten the top and then add a frill/peplum to get the 'feel' of the TG pattern.

I have to say that I am loving these garments.  They are pretty quick and easy to make, they fit well (when I sandwich them with my TNT's for shoulders, crotch curves etc) and the fabrics are gorgeous.

The next pattern on my list is the Phoebe:

Source

Closely followed by the Peplone:

 Source

And the Briare, which incidentally is a freebee pattern!

Source

I am having to be very careful with fabrics - I don't want to look like someone from Little House on the Prairie, so I have a lot of plain fabrics planned so far, and have swapped out a couple of the patterned fabrics I had as I think that they will look a bit too cutesy . . . . but that means I can use some of my more brighter and bolder fabrics.  Watch this space!

A word or two on these patterns, there is not much in the way of line art.  if you are interested, it is worth downloading the instructions (from the website, and free of charge) to get an idea of pattern pieces and style lines.  I think that they are are great starting point if you have some TNT's that will assist you with fit, like I have done.

Finally, I was pleased to see that Beverly Johnson, the Fairy Bra Mother, has a new Craftsy class - Sewing Bras Designer Techniques.  I managed to pick up my class for half price, and will be making some designer bras over the next few weeks.  Details to follow!

I think that I am getting a handle on my Spring sewing, and the SWAP - are you sewing into the new season?