Finished: trench coat

The trench coat's been finished for a while, I was just too lazy to edit the photos. This colour was so difficult to photograph! Irrespective of the camera settings, the colour never seemed right. It looks almost genuine now, after some editing.

 

Anyway, I'm very happy with the trench coat. It's very comfortable to wear, due to the box pleat in the back. The pattern instructions were comprehensible, except a few parts. 

As you know, I made a few alterations to the pattern. I'm the most satisfied with new fitted sleeves, which can be worn down or rolled up. I love the contrasting lining and belt buckle covered with the same fabric. The collar and lapels are 1 cm or 3/8 in. narrower and the button and buttonhole are a little higher than the instructions say.

 

 

I added a hanging loop and my signature, of course! This time I printed it directly on the fabric before sewing. Too bad you can't touch the fabric. It has a very soft, brushed hand and it's waterproof. According to Fashion for fabric, it's called polyester sateen. Have you ever worked with it?

 

I'll check back soon with my next project - jeans!

Tiger T-shirt

The trench coat isn't finished yet. I decided to order a custom-made fabric covered belt buckle and I'll have to wait for it for about a week, so let me just show you the T-shirt I made a while ago.

It's BurdaStyle's Pete pattern with a few modifications. It's stitched with an overlock (which I love!) and topstitched with a twin needle. I was really surprised at how quick it was finished!
 

 

To make it special, I printed the tiger silhouette on a piece of self-adhesive foil and cut out the design with an art knife. I stuck the stencil on the T-shirt and painted it with a white textile paint. I would've used freezer paper (instead of the self-adhesive foil) to make the stencil, because it would stick better to the fabric. Unfortunately, they didn't have it in any of the shops I went to.

Tikva trench

A little update on the trench coat. A fellow BurdaStyle member said that the pattern runs large and she had to take it in at the side seams. That's why I decided to make it in size 34 instead of 36 as usually. There were a lot of adjustments to the pattern, so I used old bed sheets to make a muslin (does anyone enjoy making muslins??). I had to shorten both bodice and skirt of the coat (as predicted), narrowed the collar and lapels, and made new, full length, fitted sleeves. In the long run, I'm happy I made a muslin, since I shortened the bodice a little too much at first. :) 

 

Gotta go back tracing pattern markings on the real fabric ... Have a nice Sunday!

Handmade wardrobe: spring 2012

A lot of clothes that I make for myself don't go well together with bought garments. That's either because of the specific colour or due to the style of my handmade pieces. Clothes that I buy are usually more casual than clothes that I make. That's why I decided to make a plan. I won't sew separate garments, I will make outfits. In the next two months and a half I will make (or at least I hope so!) three outfits and a trench coat, which will be the first project in a row. Let's take a look ...

Whew, that's eight garments total and I'll take you through various construction stages of each and every piece. I'll be using bought patterns for three of them and making my own for the rest.

Ready, set, go!

Image sources: Tikva Trench, t-shirt, jeans, floral blazer, pleated trousers, blouse 102, maxi skirt, blouse 3C.

Spring bag with a bow

Made for a friend who's crazy about pink colour, this bag is the perfect way to greet the spring. I used the same pattern as for the floral bag, with a few modifications. I omitted the gathered top of the bag, added a big bow, and made the strap wider. The inside of the bag has two separated compartments and two pockets for small articles such as phone, lip balm, hankies or keys. It closes with a zipper and it can be worn either in a hand, on a shoulder, or cross body. I used white findings and decorative buttons to keep the tender look of the bag, and added my label as well.

Bags, bags, bags

I took some pictures of the finished bags and of another one on the way.

This is the bag I made from my own pattern. Even though it isn't interfaced, it wears well. I added a zipper for the opening.

The BurdaStyle bag turned out sooo lovely. I would've kept it, if it wasn't made for a friend's birthday. :)

This is what I'm making now. It's for a friend who gave me an incredible pile of fabric.

All I've been making this year were different accessories like bags and make-up bags. I can't wait to start sewing a real garment. Should happen next week ...

BurdaStyle bag

The BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook came into mail in late December and lately I've been reading it and writing a review. I intended to make a bag for a friend and the beautiful bag variation Chie at Vivat Veritas made for the book seemed just perfect. I wanted it to be violet, but I couldn't find the right colour in the fabric shop. Lastly, I picked wool fabric in a versatile neutral colour. I made a few changes to the pattern and sewed in a handmade label for a more professional look.

Overlock machine

I got an overlock sewing machine, yay! :) I bought it a few months ago. Since Janome celebrated the 90. anniversary in 2011, I also got a bunch of sewing feet as a gift.

I was pretty confused by all the threads and buttons the first time I used it. The instruction manual contains only basic information and directions. But I got myself a book to help me understand the settings for different stitches and their use. I have already sewn jersey (amazing, a T-shirt was made in no time!), cotton, cotton batiste, and polyester blend. I made a few stitches on satin and chiffon as well. I love how flat and neat the seams are now. It's a great machine!

On my sewing table

This is what I've been sewing lately - a bag. I'm using printed cotton canvas that I bought last year, rayon lining in cream colour, white lace, and brass findings. The bag will have two handles and an adjustable cross body strap. I've already made a little mistake - I didn't use interfacing on bag's two main pieces. I thought the fabric itself would be enough, but I'm not so sure any more.

What's on your sewing table?

2011 review

I did a little investigation of my sewing practice. Although I didn't reach my goal of completing 52 projects in 2011, I'm pretty satisfied with the outcome. Making one project a week turned out to be rather impossible for me. Not because I wouldn't have time, but because I tend to take up so many tasks at once instead of focusing on just one or two. In the end nothing gets done. That shall change in 2012. Focus!

  

P.S.: Happy New Year! ;)