The Hunter Tank

A while a go I had the opportunity of testing the Hunter Tank for Jennifer Lauren Vintage. The pattern has been released this week, so grab yourselves a copy. This is a lovely summery top with a tie at the front waist. It is designed to sit at the waist.  and would look fantastic paired with high waist skirt or trousers. I made this in a light weight navy cotton with a strawberry design and used navy bias binding for the neck and armholes. 

This is a quick make and I made it in an afternoon. The fit was good and I liked the design, although I'm not sure it really fits with my style. My daughter really does love this and it goes really well with her skinny jeans.

If you're looking for something to sew for your holidays then this is a good option. I made this using less than 1m of fabric.  

Tops galore

I've been busy testing patterns again and have made the second of three, which was very sucessful, but not really my style, but my teenage daughter loves it! Obviously I cant share yet!

I also made a top from this month's Burdastyle. This must be a first - making something within a week of recieving the magazine. It's a cute little tank with pleated neckline (#118 04/2016)

I cut the size 38 (which is my normal Burda size), but found it a little generous in the width. So if you are planning on making it do check the pattern width against your required finished measurements.
I'll cut a 36 next time, and I do plan to make more as it was so quick to sew. Including tracing the pattern and actually finding the fabric in my stash the making took less than 2 hours and I made my own bias binding.

The fabric is a batik remnant that I had left from making the wrap top a couple of years ago. I picked up a bargain 2m of it in a Charity shop for a whopping £2. There was less than 1m left and I really did have to squeeze the pattern in and piece many sections to make the bias trim. I think this would be a cute addition to any summer wardrobe and great for layering. The example in the magazine is made in silk - this would look amazing in silk, teamed with high waisted skirt or trousers.

I have also done a spot of refashioning. Late last year my mum gave me a shirt in a faded blue fabric. It was too big for me and not really my style, but the colour id in trend for this seeasons blues! I cut the sleeves to form cap sleeves and used the rest of them to create a godet at each side seam, adding a swing element to the top. I thin created a curved hem by cutting the front just at my waist and grading to the original length at the back. All edged were neatened with the overlocker and pressed and hemmed - very simple and it looks a whole lot more wearable.
Next up - Mission: Decorate the hall!

Testing Testing

I'm doing some pattern testing at the moment so I can't share what I'm making, but this is a glimpse of the fabric I'm using. I'll share more once the pattern is released.

This weekend we also decided that the dog needed a hair cut. This is something we've done ourselves for a while, but on this occassion it was rather tricky. Daisy has become rather matted over the winter months as she often gets wet. The clippers would just not go thriugh the mats in her fur, so it was back to scissors and comb. I've got the worst of it out and will comb out the rest and tidy her up next week. I'll do her tail and ears then too.

I've also been looking for a summer dress pattern that I can use for travelling. I'd been looking at the Kielo Dress by Named. Initially I had not given this a second glance as I hated the fabric choice on the promo version. But recently I've been seeing some lovely versions around the web.

I love this Knee length version from Busy Lizzie.

And this one from Donna at Sew Independent.

Now I'm just on the look out for some nice fabric for my own version.

Pattern testers wanted

I'm dipping my toe into the waters of pattern drafting and grading and hope one day to be able to release my own patterns.
I know I've got a way to go, but I'm in the process of doing my first test pattern and would like some folks to test accuracy for me.
So if you're interested in helping me out by testing my pattern in the next few weeks comment below - making sure I can contact you easily or send me an email art (dot) coopsville (at) gmail (dot) com.

Please let me know the size you sew and your sewing confidence and I hope to get back to you within a couple of weeks. Hopefully the testing will take place in early July.

thank you.