SarahLizSewStyle

Finally my dressings are off my face( I had a couple of troublesome moles removed, all okay) and I can take photos again.  I had fun doing the pose above - I don't wear tank tops except for showing clothes on blogs, and I don't have attitude.  Not that sort anyway:) This skirt is made from stretch cotton sateen, which I purchased from Spotlight.  The skirt is a slim fitting, elastic waist skirt so it is really quick and simple to make.  I used Kwik Sew 3765: I made a middle length skirt - not quite as long as skirt B above, and not quite as short as skirt C. The first thing I did was check and measure the pattern pieces.  I planned to use XS.  I measured the hips which were to fit 35inces.  You would expect that the waist would also need to be 35 inches if it was to go over the hips.  It wasn't.  It was a lot smaller than that.  The other problem was that this skirt does not have a cut on band - you fold the waist over for casing (see picture below).  As y

Sometimes it is not always a good day for sewing.  I've had a few of those recently, although I make sure I spend 15 minutes a day working on my sewing projects.  And sometimes, on those sorts of days I also do some preparation, either for the next stage of the garment I am working on, or for a future project.  I thought I would share some of these activities with you in case you find something of use in them to help with your sewing projects. The first little job was a burn test on some fabric I purchased from Spotlight that was just marked "fabric/textiles".  I suspected one was polyester from the handle and feel of it, but the other felt that it might have a natural fibre (cotton or viscose - probably soft cotton/mix).  I just do burn tests now  without too much thought, but if you want to find out what to do, just google "fabric burn test"and you will find lots of information on what to do. White - Probably polyester. Fused quickly, melted away

 A week or so ago I told you about the Lucky Pattern Game - you can find details here. After a tedious week or so ( my husband's practice is moving soon and guess who is "helping"),  I was in need of some light relief today.  I have done some sewing, and do have a few plans to make some basics for winter, but I needed something a little more interesting to look forward to.  Or at least something not "planned and useful".  So I thought today would be a good day to play the game... Out with the pot: Close eyes (with one open for the camera shot) , rummage and take out a slip:  What do we have:  Vogue 1316, in the Designer patterns (that is what the D is for). And when I go and find the pattern, this is what I have "pulled out".  A Rachel Comey design, now OOP.  Funnily enough, it was on my list to make for winter this year - to wear over a jumper, not as a low neck dress.  More as a pinafore dress.  In fact, I had already stashe

It's taken me a while to post this little skirt - I made a lot of casual "bottoms" last year - all of them fairly forgiving if the figure changes.  This means I won't have to make any more casual bottoms for years - and can start making other things! This is also the last of my unposted 2013 garments. This little skirt is my current favourite - New Look 6129.  It is slightly A-Line, has options for pockets, and elasticised waist with a drawstring - I didn't add the drawstring as it adds a bulky line under little t-tops: New Look 6129 I made this skirt out of leftover broadcloth - I didn't have enough for a skirt, so I added a band at the bottom - like the skirt in the top left hand corner of the pattern picture above.  I thought that the slight difference in colour from the different dyelots would not be so obvious with a seam and topstitching - and if it was, I decided that this was alright as well - it would be a subtle design feature!: As

I decided that it was time to replace the trousers I made years ago - when baggy pants were last in style - that had come to an unfortunate end after I attempted to redye them black - only to find that when I wore them on a 45C degree day that the dye ran as I was so sweaty.  They were a well loved lightweight linen pair, and so I thought I might like to make  another linen pair if I found the right pattern.  The pattern that I chose to test for this was  McCalls 6514: McCalls 6514. I thought that the view on the top right hand corner would work, but first I thought a test garment was needed.  So I used up the rest of my stashed black calico to trial the pants.  I laid out a pair that already fitted me around the crotch, and these pants did not look too bad.  I adjusted for a flat seat, and then cut straight out.  I wasn't too worried about the fit,  because baggy pants always tend to hang down quite nicely. The pants have a flat waistband at the front and elastic at the

Late last year I busied myself sewing a collection of house basics in cotton fabrics - skirts and pants.  Later I will be making the tops to match.  I've long wanted a set of basics for working at home that look good enough for when you pop out to the post office or other sorts of errands. The pattern I used for these trousers was New Look 6126.  Here is the line drawing: The pants have an elastic waist with a drawstring at the front.  I omitted the drawstring as I do not like added bits at the tummy.  Under a top they are not needed - and just add a "lump"under the top.  The pants also have nice roomy pockets. I cut out a size 8 and made these up in a black calico that was in my stash.  It is a lovely soft fabric - I would never have thought of calico for garments, but in black it looks fine.  And cotton is cotton... Now for those front and back views (and I am wearing a little camisole for these photos - in real life I would never look this undressed!):

A few days ago I mentioned that I was going to play a pattern game with my pattern collection.  I have a large and lovely pattern hoard . I will always add to it, but I have a tendency to keep buying and not using the ones I have.  Not that this matters of course - because sometimes when you really want a style line you can't buy it - so I always add things that I think may be useful. But really, I think it would be a good idea to go through the patterns and start making them up - if there isn't a more pressing sewing obligation (such as the winter pants I really must make before winter - for work and for casual wear).  And, in all honesty, except for things I need, I tend to get stuck choosing - I want to make everything, but don't know where to start.  So I thought this game would help me decide :) So, I will play a lucky dip pattern game if  I don't know what to choose and have nothing else planned.  Maybe you would like to play it too :) This is what I ha