Jennifer Lauren - Laneway Dress

I'm sure if you've been sewing as long as I have you would have to agree that the internet has been a wonderful thing for us.  Instead on relying on books and magazines as our only source of new ideas, and relying on the big pattern making companies, we can now search the internet for indie designers all over the world.

There are some talented people out there.

Although I can pattern draft, I work a full time job, so don't really have the time to draft and test my own patterns.  The process is long, but, worthwhile.  However, when a girl just wants to make a garment in a weekend, the girl wants what the girl wants and so, I use patterns from other designers.  I can use my skills to alter a pattern, when I need to (believe me, as I've got older, I need to alter more).

I purchased the the Jennifer Lauren Laneway Dress pattern after I got picked as one of her pattern testers for the Afternoon Shift Dress. I really liked the style of the pattern, and knew that the design would suit me.

I had purchased these vintage buttons ages ago and decided they would look great on the bodice fold on this dress:

Yes, yes, I could have relied on my stash, that I have sworn several times that I would not add to. I failed. On a fabric shop expedition, I came across a poppy fabric in the remnants bins at Rathdowne Fabrics 2.5 metres for $14.50, how could I resist?  It was red, and spoke to me, and it evoked memories of travelling in the UK and seeing poppies wild in the fields near Stonehenge.  (Trouble was, I had to go back the next day to buy another 20 cm to finish the sleeves).

It was worth breaking my deal with myself, I absolutely love the finished garment.  The pattern itself allows for different bust cup sizes, and I added length by adding a black boarder at the hem of the dress.

The PDF pattern is easy to put together.  I quite like the way this has been planned by Jennifer.  Instead of having 50 pages printed out and put together in one length, she has planned it into more manageable pieces.  (I don't then cut this, I use this as my master and trace off it).

I like the fit of this pattern (including any adjustments I made for my measurements).

I think that the fabric is absolutely fabulous for this pattern.  Having said that, I have just bought some wax print fabric, but first, I must tackle a Gertie Hirsch pattern.

Happy sewing everyone.

Sandra

4 November 2017

I was nicely surprised to see that The Curvy Sewing Collective featured this dress on their blog.  I am flattered.

@rathdownefabrics, @jenniferlaurenhand, #handmadewardrobe, #memade, #memadeeveryday, #sewcialist, #letsmakethings, #letssew, #handmadeclothing, #sewinglove, #sewingproject, #sewing, #sewingpattern, #handmadewithlove, #lmakemyownclothes, #lsewclothes, #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizesewing, #CSCMakes 

Sinclair Patterns. The Alexis Relaxed Fit Hoodie

I was one of many who was chosen to test Sinclair Patterns, Alexis Hoodie. I thank them for giving me this opportunity.

I must admit, we are going into Summer over here, and l didn't really think l would get a chance to wear it before next year!

Melbourne hasn't let me down. In typical Melbourne fashion after finishing the dress, we had a week of 30 degrees, followed by a change in temperature to a more winter type day. This was finally my time to wear my new outfit!! Plus, it was Friday and a time for something more casual.

So, let me talk about the pattern.

I procrastinated initially about my fabric choice. In the end l settled on a ponte and for the sleeves a stretch knit from my stash.

It took me about 4 hours to put together. The pattern comes together easily. I like the fit of it (the pattern has now been altered to reflect suggestions from testers). The instructions are clear, and easy to follow.

This outfit works well with leggings or tights. Dress it up if you like with some high heels (preferably red, in my case),  and you have another look. Its soooo comfy, l feel like l've been in my pajamas all day, but, with a bit of style!

The compliments have been positive.

So, thank you Sinclair patterns for selecting me.  It was a challenge to get it made in a short time line, but l enjoyed the discussion amongst other testers. I do want to more pattern testing. So, if you are a pattern designer, you know where l am.

I have purchased another pattern off this company. You'll have to watch this space to see which one, that's after l finish an Ottobre dress, a Gertie dress .... And the list goes on.

Happy sewing everyone.

Sandra


4 November 2017

I was very flattered to find this morning that my instagram post on this hoodie was in the round up of instagram accounts on The Curvy Collective blog.  Thank you.

@sinclair patterns
#handmadewardrobe, #memade, #memadeeveryday, #sewcialist, #letsmakethings, #letssew, #handmadeclothing, #sewinglove, #sewingproject, #sewing, #sewingpattern, #handmadewithlove, #lmakemyownclothes, #lsewclothes, #justkeepsewing, #plussize, #plussizesewing, #CSCMakes

Sandra Loves Sewing: 2. Art Student denim skirt. Ottobre Design Woman ...

Sandra Loves Sewing: 2. Art Student denim skirt. Ottobre Design Woman ...: I'd been eyeing off this pattern in Ottobre Design Woman Autumn/Winter 5/2017 for a few months now. The pattern calls for a stretch...

02. Art Student . Ottobre Design Woman - Autumn/Winter 5/2017

I'd been eyeing off this pattern in Ottobre Design Woman Autumn/Winter 5/2017 for a few months now.

The pattern calls for a stretch denim, and since denim in any other colour other than black, blue or white is hard to find, it was not going to be made out of denim.

Besides, I have fabric in my stash...and so I found this piece of red polyester suiting to make it from.  I really like the way it turned out.  

1. Fit - I enjoy the fit of Ottobre patterns.  Although I did have to adjust the pattern to allow for my waistline.
2. Construction - this is an easy to construct pattern.  I could not find a metal zip in red and so decided to settle on the white zip (which possibly could be too heavy for the fabric I used).  Lots of topstitching.  I didn't think at first that the pattern would look good on me, however, it looks good on.
3. Instructions - are easy to follow.
4. Pattern - pattern needs to be traced off the master sheet, but the magazine's printing makes it very easy to identify each of the pattern pieces.
5. I deliberately did not topstitch the waistband, I want to loose some weight, so did not want to have to unpick this later down the track.

Do try Ottobre patterns.  If you subscribe online it works out cheaper than purchasing individual copies.

Check out Fans de Ottobre for wonderful creations from fellow sewers of Ottobre garments!

Jennifer Lauren Laneway dress is next on my sewing table.

What have you under your sewing machine needle?

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; @anakiequilter, #OttobreDesign, 

Jennifer Lauren Handmade. The afternoon shift dress and blouse.

I was so excited to be selected as one of the people to pattern test this dress and blouse.  Yes, I decided I wanted to make both.

When you look at this pattern online, it is as simple to make as it looks.  Since a friend and I are travelling to Singapore this December, where it would be hot, hot, hot, I felt I needed to complete a dress that was uncomplicated on those hot and humid days.

It was always my intention to make the dress and the blouse. In the end I made two dresses and the blouse.  (You may tell from the look on my face that I hate having my photo taken).

Made from a voile - William Morris print

Cotton fabric

Polyester fabric

A bit of background story is needed to the fabric used in the blouse.  This fabric is about 15 years old.  My brother brought it back with him from a trip to Malta (with another piece of fabric).  It is only now that I have used this one.  Because I haven't used the fabric until now, my brother said he wouldn't buy me any more fabric on his trips overseas.  So, now I'm wondering, have I half redeemed myself and go back into the category of brother looking for fabric for me overseas?

Thanks to my brother Mark Avellino, from http://www.markavellinoweddings.com.au/ for the photos.

So, here is what I think about the pattern (although you may have gathered that I did enjoy making it from the two dresses and one blouse!

1. Fit- I found the fit to be great.  It is a comfortable fit.  I didn't make any changes to the pattern.  It turned out as I expected it to.
2. Construction- This pattern came together as planned.  I had no problems (didn't mean I didn't make mistakes).  As named 'afternoon shift dress', well I made a dress and the blouse in one afternoon (helps if you are using the same colour thread on your machine)!
3. Instructions- The instructions are easy to follow and clearly explain anything that may at first appear complex.  I actually followed the instructions this time around (I have a habit of not necessarily following pattern instructions; however, as I was reviewing this pattern I thought that I better).  I would recommend this to a beginner sewer.
4. Pattern Printing- I used the print-at-home version, and everything came together well.  This pattern is clever in the manner it is printed. When you print it you print off according the pieces your require.  I had no problems figuring out my size.  The instructions are very clear and would suit a beginner sewer.
5. I was going to add a mini piping onto the neckline of the red and white top, however didn't.  My decision not to had nothing to do with the pattern itself, but rather the fabric.  Oddly enough this polyester fabric kept slipping and felt that the mini piping would add an unnecessary weight to the neckline and warp it.  Having said this, I would like to make this blouse/dress again in more of a mid weight fabric that could take the added weight in the neckline, I think this would add a different effect to the neckline and in effect give it another look.  Also, next time I might increase the length of the dress so that  it is a tad longer.  However, this is a personal preference rather than a criticism of the pattern.

Do try this pattern if you are looking for an easy to sew dress.

On my sewing table at the moment, is an Ottobre Skirt to go with the blouse and the Jennifer Lauren Laneway dress.

What have you been sewing?

Sandra

@jenniferlaurenhandmade; #jenniferlaurenhandmade; #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; @anakiequilter, @markavellinoweddings

Hexagon madness

What starts off as a quick idea, eventually is not. Especially when you don't have enough fabric. All good, sorted.

I love hexagons, however, I'm hardly going to do them by hand.  Unfortunately, there aren't enough hours in a day for this.

More pregnant women discovered at work, so, it just had to be hexagons .... large hexagons, very large hexagons, machine sewn.

Place your pins in at the ends at the angle shown here:

The key to sewing hexagons by machine is to stop short on each of the edges by 1/4". Place your line in at the angle shown here.  Make sure you lock your stitches at the beginning and end of this line, as this will ensure that your sewing won't unravel.

Continue with this method until you finish the entire quilt.

Trust me, it works.

I like the finished quilt top, it beats sewing squares together and is quite effective.

What have you been up to?  I hope your day involved sewing.  I'm excited about what I'm working on next...you'll have to wait until next week!

Sandra

Did you say "Chanel"?

There's nothing better than receiving a gift that you didn't expect to receive. Even better when it's sewing related.

At first my reaction was, "no, not another book".  The book is called "Famous Frocks.  The Little Black Dress" by Dolin Bliss O'Shea.  On further inspection it was a book with patterns included, and to boot there is an interpretation of a dress by Coco Chanel. Now you've got me interested. Having said that, I don't think I'II ever purchase a Chanel outfit, one, because of price and two, because of my size (I doubt that I am their target market).

However, I do appreciate the design style.

The book looks like the instructions are very clear and easy to follow, my criticism is that the sizing could have been extended up another two dress sizes.

The author interprets designs worn by Ava Gardner and Audrey Hepburn.  However, I look forward to making the interpretation of a dress by Coco Chanel!

Watch here to see my interpretation!

Happy sewing everyone.

Sandra