Ginger and Edith

 

 

Two finished garments to discuss today Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Files and Edith Top by Maria Denmark (also a dress pattern). These patterns work well together as a summer outfit (if we ever get some summer appropriate weather here)

First Up Edith:

I’ve made this before – maybe two years ago (I think the pattern is around that long). It comes in a B and C cup option so that is great is you are a C cup – it eliminates the need to do an FBA. I still had to do my other regular adjustment – for broad back and a forward shoulder. I used Nano Iro double gauze fabric and it is so soft and feels great to wear.  I got it from Miss Matatabi during the winter.

I got a new button hole attachment for my machine and it improves the whole buttonhole making thing tremendously.

It looks like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got it from an eBay site – I don’t remember which but you can easily find them on there.

I am so excited about it I made a video of how it works. Here is the link to the video – my first YouTube video!!

This is the finished buttonhole:

 

 

Ginger Jeans

There been lots written about these jeans pattern and I have to say I agree with all the good stuff. I’ve made up a few trousers & jeans patterns up over the last few years and this one needed the least amount of messing around with to get to this point. I made up a quick muslin of size 12 in View A – low rise version with a bit of stretch denim I had leftover and had enough to muslin a shorts length version – (that’s gone to the bin – I don’t wear shorts anymore – just not me!).

After fitting the muslin, I added about 2 cm to the body length front and back – usual adjustment for me and fired away. They are super comfortable in this grey stretch cotton sateen. I only had enough fabric to make cropped trousers and unfortunately haven’t been able to wear them yet as it’s still freezing here in Ireland.

 

There seems to be a lot of drag lines going on here. If anyone has any comments please feel free to let me know where I might be going wrong. I think they could be tighter in the legs and the waistband definitely need to be reduced as I have to wear a belt with them.

Heres a full length version:

 

 

Overall, I am really happy with this outfit. It’s very easy to wear and I can suck up the weather and throw a cardigan on top and just wear it!!

 

My photos need a bit of work, I haven’t taken many timer photos of myself lately, but decided to give it a go in my new workshop/ Dress Fabrics HQ. My fabulous sewing space and soon to be online fabric store!!

This is the sewing area:

 

If you are on Facebook would you please give me a like – I’m trying to promote the shop in the lead up to launching in the summer. Here I am!

May 2015

May is a funny old month in this part of the world – one day you could be out in short sleeves and sandals and the next a woolly jumper and big boots. Well -this year its more of the wooly jumpers and boots!

I’m following Me Made May and posting an occasional pic on IG, it’s lovely to see everyone else’s outfits – I find it very inspiring and start to decide what I really need to make for myself. Check out Zoe’s blog post on Me Made May 2015 to catch up on the crack.

So in other news – I’m working on Ginger Jeans finally – I’ve a pair half made in a khaki sateen – I only had enough for a cropped pair but didn’t want to use my nice grey denim till I tried a proper pair first. I did muslin in some left over denim but I want to wear them for a few days before I decide if any further adjustments are needed. But straight out of the packet – they are a great fitting pattern.

Also made recently is a Granville shirt (Sewaholic Patterns) in lovely Cotton and Steel Frock rayon fabric. Unfortunately I didn’t have enough for full length sleeves  so made them short sleeved.

 

My best Collar ever!!

The Jasper dress pattern from Paprika Patterns is also a new TNT pattern for me, I tried it out as a sweatshirt first and then went ahead and made a ponte version of the dress and I love it.

 

Jasper Dress – no pockets

Jasper Sweatshirt – Love the pockets (Also Fehr Trade PB Jam Leggings)

 

 

 

 Newsflash-

 

So before I go and make my coffee – I’m just going to let you know of my plans – I’m in the process of setting up an online fabric shop – based in Ireland.  I hope to be up and running over the summer – I’m working on the website and our premises at the moment and I shall be fabric shopping at the end of June – beginning of July. If you want to keep updated – like my facebook page facebook.com/dressfabricsdotie and subscribe for my newsletter on the website – www.dressfabrics.ie

 

A very Late and Brief word on Me Made May

 

 

I’m giving you all my thoughts on my first experience of Me-Made-May. No massive photostream for you today – if I don’t publish this post right now, its never going to happen!!

 

In general my outfits are too boring I think to write a blog post about. I have documented lots of outfits on instagram I decided to only put up new outfits (as in no repeats) on Instagram, so it was not too boring for both me and you!

As Zoe said initially, its not about posting photos, its essentially about our relationship with our me mades. I think I generally wear lots of my handmade clothes at this stage as they are slowly taking over my wardrobe. I rarely buy anything RTW except a few pairs of jeans, tights/socks and bras in the last 2 years. I’m getting better at making normal clothes: knits, underwear and even trousers. I’ve found what MMM has helped me with is trying to wear more of my memade clothes and not wearing the same things over and over.

 

Ive made a rough plan in my head what I need to make over the coming months and as soon as I can write these thoughts down I’m going to blog it so I have it set in stone and maybe stick to the plan!!

Theres a few new patterns that have just been released or just about to be released and they are at the forefront – all nice and cosy knit patterns.

However sewing is going to be parked in these parts for the next month or so, I just got a job that needs to be done yesterday as usual. It will involve lots of fieldwork and loads more report writing and GIS (which I used to be a whizz at before kids but am so rusty- I’ll be learning on the job!! Thank you for YouTube tutorials).

I’ll be posting lots of photos on instagram (maeve39) of nice views/ plants etc for distractions on my long days of solitary fieldwork. And I’m sure I’ll be ordering lots of fabric to distract myself with when I’m writing up in the office.