I'm sure you will sigh when reading the title but yes, I have discovered (later than everyone else as usual) the joys of Pintrest!
I do forsee some issues with constanty being on it at work whilst I get over the novelty factor but hey its pretty damn good!!
If you haven't experienced the amazingness that is pintrest, get over there and have a look!
Wednesday 2 May 2012
Thursday 26 April 2012
Help with pattern cutting
Well, I promised some cute cat pictures every now and then. Here is Mr Biscuit "helping" me pattern cutting. He does make an excellent pattern weight though. More updates on bridesmaids dresses to come!
Thursday 12 April 2012
My first christening gown
So what have I been sewing recently? Well the first few bridal commissions are under way, which is very scary! Thank goodness there is someone helping me on those. I'll put some pictures up soon.
Aside from that, I set myself the task of making a dress for my friends gorgeous baby. The little Miss was due to be christened and my friend was looking for something like this;
Sadly this dress costs 200 Aussie dollars which is more than she is able to spring to. I happened to remember a gorgeous piece of latte coloured duppion silk I had at home so thought I would surprise her with a little gift. I took the picture as a starting point for the dress but needed a pattern to work from. Ever the cheapskate I didn't want to buy one as I would be adapting it anyway, so I employed a method used in the industry (well according to my pattern cutting book) of ripping off a pattern from a ready made garment. I popped to my local department store and picked up a simple dress in the approximate style. I then traced the seams using a tracing wheel on to pattern paper and voila a free pattern. If there it's call for it, I may do a tutorial on this (comments on the ethics of this also welcome, apparently all the big chain stores do it to get their ready to wear collections ready so quickly after fashion shows, designer rip off anyone?) Anyway, after I had my pattern I needed some more fabric and I really wanted some lace to go over the top of the silk. I decided to take a trip to Ridley Road market, having never been before I heard it was a good place to go. I like exploring new areas in London so armed with my mum (with the promise of a Vietnamese meal afterwards) we went to Dalston Mill shop. From the outside the place looks like it's going to be tiny but once inside it is a fabric buying heaven. It may be true that there is a little too much to see and it's slightly overwhelming but hey if you can't find it here there isn't much hope anywhere else! I picked some beautiful embroidered tulle which was a little pricey (£22 per metre) and some soft lining.
A slight fail in my calculations meant that i didn't really have enough lace for a really full skirt so I decided to get some super soft tulle to do a border at the bottom. I got this in Shepards Bush (A One fabrics).
Anyway, what do you think?
I'm really pleased with the little improvised sleeves, I think they are cute. To give a little stiffness on the bodice I underlined the silk with some silk organza which I had lying around (this baby is wearing good quality gear!!). I'm also really pleased with the little buttons and loops, it took me a while to decide on the closure method, anyone ever spent ages making a project only to ruin it at the last moment with dodgy button holes? I think that is an area I really need to practise in!
The little dress has winged its way to Oz and my friend loved it, I'll try and get a piccie of little Indiana wearing it.
I really enjoyed making this dress, as it was so small it came together quickly and was a great opportunity to try lots of techniques.
Have you ever made clothes for little ones? What did you enjoy or dislike?
Aside from that, I set myself the task of making a dress for my friends gorgeous baby. The little Miss was due to be christened and my friend was looking for something like this;
Sadly this dress costs 200 Aussie dollars which is more than she is able to spring to. I happened to remember a gorgeous piece of latte coloured duppion silk I had at home so thought I would surprise her with a little gift. I took the picture as a starting point for the dress but needed a pattern to work from. Ever the cheapskate I didn't want to buy one as I would be adapting it anyway, so I employed a method used in the industry (well according to my pattern cutting book) of ripping off a pattern from a ready made garment. I popped to my local department store and picked up a simple dress in the approximate style. I then traced the seams using a tracing wheel on to pattern paper and voila a free pattern. If there it's call for it, I may do a tutorial on this (comments on the ethics of this also welcome, apparently all the big chain stores do it to get their ready to wear collections ready so quickly after fashion shows, designer rip off anyone?) Anyway, after I had my pattern I needed some more fabric and I really wanted some lace to go over the top of the silk. I decided to take a trip to Ridley Road market, having never been before I heard it was a good place to go. I like exploring new areas in London so armed with my mum (with the promise of a Vietnamese meal afterwards) we went to Dalston Mill shop. From the outside the place looks like it's going to be tiny but once inside it is a fabric buying heaven. It may be true that there is a little too much to see and it's slightly overwhelming but hey if you can't find it here there isn't much hope anywhere else! I picked some beautiful embroidered tulle which was a little pricey (£22 per metre) and some soft lining.
A slight fail in my calculations meant that i didn't really have enough lace for a really full skirt so I decided to get some super soft tulle to do a border at the bottom. I got this in Shepards Bush (A One fabrics).
Anyway, what do you think?
I'm really pleased with the little improvised sleeves, I think they are cute. To give a little stiffness on the bodice I underlined the silk with some silk organza which I had lying around (this baby is wearing good quality gear!!). I'm also really pleased with the little buttons and loops, it took me a while to decide on the closure method, anyone ever spent ages making a project only to ruin it at the last moment with dodgy button holes? I think that is an area I really need to practise in!
The little dress has winged its way to Oz and my friend loved it, I'll try and get a piccie of little Indiana wearing it.
I really enjoyed making this dress, as it was so small it came together quickly and was a great opportunity to try lots of techniques.
Have you ever made clothes for little ones? What did you enjoy or dislike?
Wednesday 21 March 2012
Hello to all of Blog land!
Well I have finally got around to starting my own sewing blog. After many months of eagerly checking every one I follow, I have decided to take the plunge and write my own.
Firstly readers, what can you expect from this blog? Well, I am a relative newbie in the world of sewing, so I can't claim I will be able to offer incisive tutorials (unless I learn them from someone else!) but you are welcome to join me for the exploratory journey!
Sewing is something that I have always enjoyed but it wasn't until a long holiday last year that put my need to become more productive into perspective (those long holidays have a habit of doing that!)
I have a very particular interest in wedding dresses (crazy I know). Having worked in several bridal shops and planning weddings at a fancy London hotel, there isn't much I don't know about weddings and Bridezilla's (yes they do exist and are very scary!!). I have decided I want to start making my own wedding dresses (for other people, don't think Mr M would be too keen on me rocking the Miss Havisham look every day).
Scary isn't it!
Aside from making wedding dresses , I lovemaking clothes for myself the idea of making clothes for myself but at the moment don't have all the knowledge I need to do this very successfully.
As such I am learning at a rate of knots, lots of this has been at college (various) but also a lot through the amazing community of sewing bloggers. It amazes me that so many people want to share their knowledge and it has been a privilege to meet some of them in real life too!
So welcome, I hope you learn something or at least enjoy some of my musings. (I promise there will be cute cat pictures from time to time too!)
Mrs M
Well I have finally got around to starting my own sewing blog. After many months of eagerly checking every one I follow, I have decided to take the plunge and write my own.
Firstly readers, what can you expect from this blog? Well, I am a relative newbie in the world of sewing, so I can't claim I will be able to offer incisive tutorials (unless I learn them from someone else!) but you are welcome to join me for the exploratory journey!
Sewing is something that I have always enjoyed but it wasn't until a long holiday last year that put my need to become more productive into perspective (those long holidays have a habit of doing that!)
I have a very particular interest in wedding dresses (crazy I know). Having worked in several bridal shops and planning weddings at a fancy London hotel, there isn't much I don't know about weddings and Bridezilla's (yes they do exist and are very scary!!). I have decided I want to start making my own wedding dresses (for other people, don't think Mr M would be too keen on me rocking the Miss Havisham look every day).
Scary isn't it!
Aside from making wedding dresses , I love
As such I am learning at a rate of knots, lots of this has been at college (various) but also a lot through the amazing community of sewing bloggers. It amazes me that so many people want to share their knowledge and it has been a privilege to meet some of them in real life too!
So welcome, I hope you learn something or at least enjoy some of my musings. (I promise there will be cute cat pictures from time to time too!)
Mrs M
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