The Indiesew Fall Collection Tour

Just the other day Indiesew launched their Fall Collection 2015 which includes 5 patterns.

• The Cabin Dress by Blueprints for Sewing
• The Beatrix Blouse by Made By Rae
• The Laurelhurst by Straigth Stitch Designs
• The London Backpack by LBG Studio
• The Sloan Leggins by Hey June

This lucky dame has been invited on the Indiesew Fall Collection Tour and has chosen to work with the Cabin Dress pattern. 

The pattern includes both a dress and a blouse version. I give you the 'Floral Silk Cabin Blouse - gathered not pleated' (how I wish I could get Sean Connery to say this: 'Gathered - not pleated')

I adore me a good pleat - but I also love me a good gather, so I tried this simple alteration to the pattern and it worked out just as I had hoped and imagined. I also lengthened both front and back a bit and curved the hemline. Very simple alterations indeed. Furthermore I skipped the bias tape hemming and did a narrow hem on both sleeves and bodice and drafted a facing for the neck. 

I am somewhere between the Cabin size 8 and 10. Based on the finished measurements I made the size 8 and the fit is great. 

I'm very pleased with the outcome. Elegant and comfy. Very pleased indeed. 

The silk is from Stofdepotet - sold out I'm afraid. 

 

Here's the rest of the Fall Collection Sewing Team - be sure to stop by and show those talented ladies some love.

Monday, August 24th: Lauren | Right Sides Together
Tuesday, August 25th: Lori | Girls in the Garden
Wednesday, August 26th: Kimberly | Straight Stitch Designs
Thursday, August 27th: Trine | Groovy Baby and Mama
Friday, August 28th: Taylor | Blueprints for Sewing
Monday, August 31st: Erin | Sewbon
Tuesday, September 1st: Elena | Randomly Happy
Wednesday, September 2nd: Tara | Girl Like the Sea
Thursday, September 3rd: Lola | Love Lola

The Pirate Princess // Japansese Sewing Books

It's no secret that I have a soft spot for Japanese sewing books/patterns. I'm attracted to the often simple and easy to wear yet imo beautiful and elegant Japanese clothing style. 

Therefore I didn't hesitate to accept when Tuttle Publishing asked if I would be interested in reviewing some of their English translated Japanese pattern books. 

It's not the first time I use Japanese patterns for children's clothes. I remember when I first tried a Japanese pattern - I was worried that the fit wouldn't be great for my tall and slender kids. Surprisingly I found the pattern/fit to be equal to European sizes and not small/short at all as I would have expected. I can't say that this goes for every Japanese sewing pattern but it was also the case with the two patterns I've used for this outfit below. 

The pattern for the top is design g 'Tiered Blouse' from the book 'Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids'. 4 pattern pieces and a ribbon and then you have the most adorable blouse! I mean - just look at that blouse. I love it. The fabric is a soft, gray chambray from The Sweet Mercerie. 

There are 20 different designs in this book from sizes 2-8. Wilma is a European size 9 or 10 (140) but the size 8 from this book is absolutely not to small for her. I made the top a little while ago and I might have lengthened it a bit but honestly I can't remember. That's the only alteration if any. A while back I made Bertram shorts based on a pattern from the same book. He's also a European size 10 but the size 8 from this book is spot on!

Most of the designs from the book are pretty simple - some are a little more challenging, but you are guaranteed at great outcome no matter which pattern you choose, I'm sure of that. 

The bermudas are based on 'Basic Pattern 4' from the book 'Sewing for your girls'. This is as simple as it gets! Two front pieces and two back pieces and there you have it. I did change the pattern a bit and added a separate waistband instead of just folding down the top of the pants to create a casing for the elastic as suggested. Just my personal preference. This book is a a little different from the other Japanse sewing books I have. This book has 8 basic patterns and 7 applied patterns to make variations of the basics. You are guided through every single design and all techniques used in the book; how to sew on a button, how to make double-folded and single-folded edging, how to create at back opening etc. A great and very detailed book. I probably chose the easiest design from the book but I really wanted to make some sweet, simple (pirate) shorts to go with the top. In fact it was Wilma who chose the shorts. I also suggested a skirt, but she wanted shorts, so shorts she got! Fabric from Stofdepotet.dk 

I love how this outfit turned out. Wilma is pretty pleased as well.  

   

 

The Anna Dress

It all started with a party. A virtual instagram party that is. 3 talented seamstresses decided to throw a party to celebrate the popular 'Anna' dress pattern designed by By Hand London.

Anna is not a newly released pattern. She's been all over the www for the last couple of years. A simple yet super flattering dress with kimono sleeves and double bust darts. You can choose to do a midi length or as I have done here a maxi version.

The 'International Anna Party' was the push I needed to make this dress. I've had the pattern in my stash for two years now!

The dress itself is not difficult to make - but when you choose a dreamy but shifty silk velvet for your dress you need all the patience in the world! This make included a lot of pins and swearing!!

However, I love the outcome. It's got some serious diva vibe, right? Now I just need a red carpet invitation. And some cocktails. Lots and lots of cocktails.

Dress: Anna//By Hand London
Fabric: Silk velvet (silkevelour) from Stofdepotet