Decision time ...

As is evident, I haven't blogged for some time.

I have made a decision, that I will blog more plus, I've come up with a solution to my sewing.

Over the past few years I have blogged every week for a year, tested patterns for about a year, and completed the Ready to Wear Challenge in 2018. My blogging has slowed down since then.

I really enjoyed pattern testing, but found that although I would meet the deadline for completion, if there was a change to the pattern I found it difficult to meet the second deadline.  I work full time and just don't have enough time.

The RTW (Ready to Wear) challenge where I did not buy any clothes, except for bras, was also good.  I promise, I haven't purchased an outfit since then.

Since then I appear to be accumulating more and more fabric, some through people passing on their mother's stash and me doing less and less sewing. Even though I have given away a fair bit of fabric, I find what I have as overwhelming.

The other day, whilst looking for a piece of fabric that would be suitable for a recent pattern purchase, I got so frustrated trying to find a piece of fabric that I decided to change my approach.

What's this change?

I would choose the fabric from my stash and make from it what was most suitable for that fabric from my patterns.

The change worked, I have begun again.

Maybe in time I'II be able to sew down that stash, and maybe never, but, it is better to begin, than to not to have at all.

Follow me on this journey. There are always new beginnings. What is your journey?

Happy sewing

Sandra

#vintagesewing;  #vintageinspired; #handmadewardrobe; #memade; #memadeeveryday; #isew; #ilovetosew; #lovetosew; #handmadewardrobe;  #handmadeeveryday #sewcialist #letsmakethings #letssew #handmadeclothing #sewinglove #sewingproject #sewing #sewingpattern #handmadewithlove #imakemyownclothes #isewclothes #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizefashion; @sandraadee.a; #CSCMakes; #Melbournesews,  #sewcialist, #letsmakethings, #letssew,  #sewinglove, #sewingproject, #sewing, #sewingpattern, #handmadewithlove, #lmakemyownclothes, #lsewclothes, #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizesewing, #RTW2019, #sewover50; #CSC

Mamma Can Do It - Classic T-Shirt Pattern

Hi everyone

I have been quiet on my blog for a little while, but not so quiet on Instagram.

I have been undecided whether to move my blog to another platform.  For now, I will remain here.

Recently I was chosen to test the Classic T-Shirt Pattern.  I like testing for this business when there is a women's pattern to test (as unfortunately I do not have children to test the children's patterns on). 

I like these patterns for their ease of sewing, but, most importantly, I really like communicating with the owner Elizabeth Singler, as she is such a lovely person to deal with and is very good in answering all your questions.

So, let me tell you about this pattern.

The Mamma Can Do It - Classic T-Shirt Pattern I made up was in the plus size range.  This pattern's sizing ranges from 14W to 40W.  The fabric that is meant to be used needs to have a 40% stretch to it.  My fabric had a 30% stretch, so I sized up and made the 22W.  It also comes in a regular sizing of 00 - 20 (you need to check the size charts to suit you).

Of course, it's Winter here in Melbourne, Australia; and of course I didn't have enough fabric to make it in long sleeves, so, short sleeves it was with an unintended seam on the back piece.  The fabric was purchased from @rathdownefabrics

http://MammaCanDoIt.com?aff=132


I like the pendulum look to the bottom of this T-shirt, it is comfortable to wear.  Plus, I would like to make it up in a winter knit, make it with long sleeves and a polo neckline.

I would highly recommend this pattern for it's ease of putting the PDF pattern together to the instructions for construction.  It is quick and easy to sew up and comfortable to wear.  May need to make more of these for our summer!

Anyhow, if you want a quick and easy, well fitting pattern, this one is worth trying out.

Happy sewing.

Sandra

#mammacandoit
#Melbournesews
#Brunswicksews
#CSC
#Sewover50
#curvysewingcollective
#plussizesewing
#plussize
#rathdownefabrics

Sandra Loves Sewing: Suzy dress by A K Patterns

Sandra Loves Sewing: Suzy dress by A K Patterns: I made it through my Ready to Wear fast in 2018.  I will be continuing it through 2019. It wasn't so hard, considering I make most of ...

Suzy dress by A K Patterns

I made it through my Ready to Wear fast in 2018.  I will be continuing it through 2019.

It wasn't so hard, considering I make most of my clothes anyway, I just did more of it, down to underwear - not bras, but maybe this year.

I need to set a new goal with my sewing.  The heat of our Australian summer is finally beginning to lift and will be more conducive to sewing.

I started the year by testing for @akpatterns, at the same time that the heat began ramping up.

I made this dress from fabric I purchased from @rathdownefabrics.  A lovely cotton stretch fabric.

This pattern is easy to follow and sew.  The size range is from a US 0 -24, it's great when a pattern company caters for us larger girls.

With our hot weather it's also been the perfect dress (that's why I chose a cotton stretch).

The Suzy dress is a pleasure to sew and to wear.

Happy sewing everyone.

Sandra

#vintagesewing;  #vintageinspired; #handmadewardrobe; #memade; #memadeeveryday; #isew; #ilovetosew; #lovetosew; #handmadewardrobe;  #handmadeeveryday #sewcialist #letsmakethings #letssew #handmadeclothing #sewinglove #sewingproject #sewing #sewingpattern #handmadewithlove #imakemyownclothes #isewclothes #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizefashion; @sandraadee.a; #CSCMakes; #Melbournesews,  #sewcialist, #letsmakethings, #letssew,  #sewinglove, #sewingproject, #sewing, #sewingpattern, #handmadewithlove, #lmakemyownclothes, #lsewclothes, #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizesewing, #RTW2019

#sewover50; 

Sorrel Dress - Jennifer Lauren Handmade

I tested the Sorriel Dress pattern by Jennifer Lauren Handmade.

My first toile was a bit of a patchwork piece, although, because the pattern on the fabric is so busy, you would hardly notice.  This was fabric I had been given and added to my stash, it was not wide, but there was four meters of it.  I had to make an abdominal adjustment to the front piece of the pattern.

After adjustments were made to the pattern and the toile I made the dress up, twice, in two vintage fabrics I had on hand:

With the green dress I decided to use different buttons in the same colour range as the fabric.  I quite liked the effect.

The second dress was again made out of a vintage fabric:

Amazing how the same pattern can appear different from the choice of fabric.

I enjoyed making this pattern.  It quickly came together, I would recommend it to both the skilled or the novice sewer.

Luckily, I did not have to wait very long to wear both dresses as the weather has quickly become hot over here in Australia.

Happy sewing everyone.

Sandra


#vintagesewing;  #vintageinspired; #handmadewardrobe; #memade; #memadeeveryday; #isew; #ilovetosew; #lovetosew; #handmadewardrobe;  #handmadeeveryday #sewcialist #letsmakethings #letssew #handmadeclothing #sewinglove #sewingproject #sewing #sewingpattern #handmadewithlove #imakemyownclothes #isewclothes #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizefashion; @sandraadee.a; #CSCMakes; #Melbournesews, #JLH, @janomeaustralia, @JenniferLaurenHandmade, #sewcialist, #letsmakethings, #letssew,  #sewinglove, #sewingproject, #sewing, #sewingpattern, #handmadewithlove, #lmakemyownclothes, #lsewclothes, #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizesewing, #CSCMakes, #RTW2018

Ottobre Design Woman Spring/Summer 2/2018 3. Vivian

This issue of Ottobre, to put it plainly, is just exciting.  It is so retro, that there is not one pattern in it I dislike.  Combine this with finding fabric that is just right, and you have the perfect match made in heaven.

I purchased this fabric in January this year. I remember it well, it was an extremely hot and uncomfortable day, and I'd just discovered a new fabric store to visit.  The fabric I found was so 1960s in vibe and in my favourite colour - red, that I could not, not buy it.  Downside, there was only enough to make a top.  So when the current issue of Ottobre arrived, I knew exactly what should be made with this.

There is nothing difficult about making this pattern, it's beauty is in it's simplicity.  Use a wild and adventurous fabric, like I did, or tone it down in another fabric.  It is a fun and comfortable top to wear.  I made no adjustments to this pattern.  I just wish I had more of it to make a full dress.  I had just enough to make underwear!

I know I've been quiet for a while.  I got quite ill from bronchitis and felt I had to evaluate how I used my spare time and balance that with work.  Starting a new job has not been easy, but, I think I have it sorted now.

Check out other makes of this at Fans de Ottobre

Happy sewing everyone.

Sandra

#vintagesewing;  #vintageinspired; #handmadewardrobe; #memade; #memadeeveryday; #isew; #ilovetosew; #lovetosew; #handmadewardrobe;  #handmadeeveryday #sewcialist #letsmakethings #letssew #handmadeclothing #sewinglove #sewingproject #sewing #sewingpattern #handmadewithlove #imakemyownclothes #isewclothes #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizefashion; @sandraadee.a; #CSCMakes; #Melbournesews, @sinclairpatterns  #sewcialist, #letsmakethings, #letssew,  #sewinglove, #sewingproject, #sewing, #sewingpattern, #handmadewithlove, #lmakemyownclothes, #lsewclothes, #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizesewing, #CSCMakes, #RTW2018, #Ottobredesign

S1046 Claudia Godet Style Knit Dress With Flutter Sleeves

Sometimes testing a pattern allows you to discover a pattern company that is reliable with it's sizing.  This is what I like about Sinclair Patterns.

The fabric for this make, I think is a lycra.  I say I think because I still consider my knowledge of stretch fabric to be new to me, up until about a year ago I avoided sewing with stretch fabric, where I could.  That was, until I purchased a coverstitch machine.

Having said that, you don't need a coverstitch for this dress, I just use it for the hems.  Other than that it's largely made on the overlocker.

This dress comes together so easily, I really enjoyed making it, as will you when you try it.  The fabric was purchased from Spotlight Stores, however, has been sitting in my stash for a bit.  This dress will be easy to wear on a hot summers day.  I am currently making a second dress in a black and white stripe (the fabric I used on the side panels in the photos below).

It's on sale until June 10.

Happy sewing everyone.

Sandra

@sinclairpatterns; #sinclairpatterns #vintagesewing;  #vintageinspired; #handmadewardrobe; #memade; #memadeeveryday; #isew; #ilovetosew; #lovetosew; #handmadewardrobe;  #handmadeeveryday #sewcialist #letsmakethings #letssew #handmadeclothing #sewinglove #sewingproject #sewing #sewingpattern #handmadewithlove #imakemyownclothes #isewclothes #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizefashion; @sandraadee.a; #CSCMakes; #Melbournesews, @sinclairpatterns  #sewcialist, #letsmakethings, #letssew,  #sewinglove, #sewingproject, #sewing, #sewingpattern, #handmadewithlove, #lmakemyownclothes, #lsewclothes, #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizesewing, #CSCMakes, #RTW2018, #claudia, @spotlightstores, #spotlightstores, @markavellinoweddingsandevents, #markavellinoweddingsandevents