...and relax

Yes I know I was going to post photos of the things I've been making today, but I can't yet! The will come soon  - I promise.
Today is my Birthday, So I felt the need to just chill out considering the manic sewing related week I've had. I opened my pressies this morning, and what a fab collection they were. - Vouchers for my favourite shop; The first of my Threads subscription (which I have already read cover to cover); Corset making kit from Sew Curvy; A stunning necklace and earring set; A onesie - just right for snuggling up in in the evening; beautiful fabric and a new bag. Not to mention the album download I received from friends a few days ago. I am truly blessed and enjoying having a few days away from the sewing machine.

The Dress - it is finished.

I have spent the whole week sewing - finishing off bridesmaid dresses and my dress factor dress. The latter required loads of hand stitching - neatening curved seams, bias neck and armhole facings and the hem. So yesterday eve John was out, I sat on the sofa watched about 5 episodes of Smash and finished the hand sewing - I now have RSI!
Photos tomorrow of my dress and the bridesmaid dresses.

Catch stitching

Catch stitching the curved seam allowances. Now this is an epic task!

Dress Factor Progress

So the Dress is constructed. Lots of very tight curved seams. Just zip, hem, bias facings and seam neatening to do.

to busy to blog

I just don't have time to post anything much at the moment as I'm sewing like mad! feels like it's non stop. I have a massive amount to do and want to get it done, then I can have a rest and share the outcomes with you all soon.

Cutting out

My dress factor dress is progressing. I washed and pressed the fabric. Laid it face down. With the underlining on top. I then laid the cut pieces from the muslin on top. Pinned in place and cut.
The two layers were machine basted and the many match points were marked.
Next step. Sewing it together.

Dress factor - on the way

So I've started my Dress Factor dress. I began with a self drafted fitted bodice and semi circle skirt.
I was going to use an A line skirt with godets in, but it didn't feel quite right.
Design lines have been drawn on, carefully to ensure that dart points are on the new seam lines. This will make sure the pattern pieces lie flat when cut out.
I have cut these out and decided to underline my fabric - I'm using a lightweight cotton curtain lining.

Crafty cool vid

This is Steriogram's Walkie Talkie Man.
I just thought all you crafty folks out there might enjoy this.

Anyone want to recreate it?

Dress Factor Fabric

My fabric for my dress factor dress arrived this morning. It's a lovely light cotton printed with polka dots in red and white.

However, now I am faced with a dilemma. The white fabric is translucent and I'm worried the seam allowance may show as they are quite complicated curved seams. So my question is - Do I underline? Do I line? or do I do both? What do you suggest? I know what i'm erring towards, but would like a few different opinions on this one.

Another quick question - I think I know the answer to this one - How would you finish the seams on the curved seam lines?

Work in progress - a sneak peak

So I'm working on the three bridesmaid dresses for Bob & Jess' wedding on the 28th July. I'm almost done,  just final details - like covered buttons & loops and waist stays.

Just the hems and sashes to make and they'll be done - they should look stunning!

Whho Hoo I'm a finalist!

I got a lovely email today, telling me I was a finalist in the Dress factor. It's a design and sewing competition run by The Sewing Directory and Abakhan fabrics. I submitted three designs and this one was chosen.

I'll be sent the fabrics next week and have just over a month to make up my design and send photographs in. I never though I'd even get shortlisted. It's such a surprise and I'm soooooooo excited to make this project.

Now to get planning!

...and I have, like, this great big pile of stuff to complete...

So I haven't been posting much about some of the sewing I've been doing recently. I look at my blog posts and think - I haven't done much; but I have! I spent most of last week making 3 corselettes for bridesmaid dresses, checking fit and adding the boning, zips and linings. I am now starting on the shell dresses, now I know that the foundations fit well and I'm hoping to have all but the hems completed this week. The skirts are bias cut and need to hang a little before hemming to ensure an even hem.

I am also developing a design for a grooms coat and trousers. I've never done this before and I'm finding it quite stressful. I'm also making his wife to be's wedding dress, and I have that all planned. I just haven't ever sewn for men and I'm really nervous about mucking it up. The design has a distinct historical influence, I just hope I can do it justice. So it anyone out there can offer any advice on sewing dress pants and coats for men I'd be very grateful.

I will post photos of all creations once the big day arrives. Now - to find something for me to wear to the weddings. Have I got time to make something or is it going to be something from my wardrobe?

Productive, non productive day.

Saturday is our Non productive day - this usually means it's the most productive of all, but usually in a creative way. I was planning to get on with the bridesmaid dresses, but I got caught up in the bottling process!

We had a load of wine that needed bottling and racking. so I spent the morning scraping labels off wine bottles and sterilising them. We bottled our apple wine - quite dry, a red - which I think was elderberry - fruity and quite sweet, more like a port in taste.  We also made this year's batch of Elderflower cordial. Recipe here!, it's now ready to be put in bottles and we made double this year as it doesn't seem to last long. John has also started off a batch of Elderflower wine and Elderflower champagne, Can't wait to try them.

I had discovered Cai's school shoes had a hole in the sole, so with just 3 weeks of school left we had to get him new school shoes :(. We headed to the nearest Clarks outlet at Royal Quays. Thankfully they had a sale on. so not only did we get Cai's shoes we also got Ieuan some as well. His were half price :) however due to his immense growth spurt he is now in size 9 shoes!

I finally got around to a bit of sewing on the bridesmaid dresses at about 9pm last night.