New Garments

I am technically on holidays.  I'm actually still flat out, however I took a couple of days off and did some sewing.  First of all I finished off a purple shift I had.  I found this shift half finished at work and I was about to send it out as a rag when I thought that as it was my size I could finish it and wear it.  The previous owner had assembled the dress and put the zip in, really only the hem was left to do.  However, they hadn't under stitched the armhole facings and in finishing the outer edges of these facings had stretched them out of shape so that there was no way they were staying tucked into the garment.  I ended up topstitiching the facings to the dress.  It looks fine and there is no chance of them rolling out.  I also had to refinish the outer edge of the neckline facing as it had been hemmed by hand and was undoing.  I then hemmed it and I had a nice new shift dress.  I used the pretty silver Godfrey for this task.

The next project was a very pretty 1940's blouse with a peplum. It is a Simplicity reissue and extremely lovely!  I made it in a lightweight seersucker like fabric on my adorable 99K knee control machine.  This fabric has a line of damage running down its centre and is only approximately 90cm wide anyway, it makes cutting things out very difficult.  I got it (all 5 metres or so) free from work as it was only going to be thrown out and it was rather pretty.  I managed to find a piece that was fault free wide enough to cut the back out but it was difficult.  The buttonholes were made on a Singer 71-30 industrial buttonholer and came out very nicely, after about 20 trial buttonholes!  Although a size 8 I think it is still too big for me, the fact that it sits comfortably on the mannequin pictured below which is set to a size 12 probably backs me up.

In other news I have a gorgeous new machine, although unfortunately it is unusable at the moment.

Finished Projects

Today I'm showcasing two finished projects!

The first is the blue shirt I was making on the Godfrey, it fits very nicely and I really like it!

From the front

Close up of collar and buttons

Close up of sleeve slits

These were the first sleeve slits I had made and I was very happy with how they turned out.  I made the buttonholes on a Singer buttonhole attachment for straight stitch machines but not with the Godfrey.  The Godfrey decided buttonhole attachments were simply awful and made its feelings felt.  I ended up using an Alfa instead.

The second finished project is the blue rose print top.  I bought the material just over a year ago, knowing exactly what I wanted to make with it, it just took me forever to get around to it.  I used an old Style pattern (the number of which escapes me) but added buttons down the front and contrasting binding on the sleeves.  I know it looks really shapeless but when it's on it isn't as bad.  I wear it with a belt or tucked into my trousers.

From the front

Buttons

Binding and the best likeness of the actual material!

I know I never posted pictures of the finished Galactic Satin dress, maybe I'll get around to that too!

A New Shirt

I am desperately in need of 3/4 length sleeve shirts.  I find they are the best at this time of year.  However I don't have a lot of time to actually make any but last week I finally made one.  I used Butterick 6085 which I have had for years and made in 3 sizes.  Size 8 normally fits me best but I wanted a looser shirt so that I could move in it, so I made a size 10.  The pattern has a range of views, mostly just added to the same pattern pieces so I was able to mix and match with ease.  I made the 3/4 length sleeves and put darts in the back but none in the front.  I really don't like the curved hems on shirts, I tuck my shirts into my trousers and wavy hems always escape.  So, I evened out the pattern edge as well.

Unfortunately my Dad borrowed my camera before I finished the shirt, so I have some pictures of the construction but not many.  Below is the pattern envelope.

I have lately been watching Peter and his skill in shirt making and as I normally have difficulty getting a nice collar I decided to be really careful like he is.  I even marked the turning points for the stitching of the collar pieces!

I have to say it turned out much better than usual, all the pieces were the same length when I'd finished too!

For sewing I used the Godfrey, a Singer 15 clone.  It is not working quite right, I think something is wrong in the bobbin area.

As I am a very shirt loving person I also wear vests on top when the weather gets colder.  I was given two of my Grandmother's vests last year and only got around to washing them today.  I think they are beautiful!

In other news, I got a new machine at work yesterday, so tomorrow I should be able to post pictures of that too.