The Seamstress tag

Thank the heavens above that it's finally becoming Autumn. And not just because it's nearly October, I mean because it's getting to that time of the year when it's dark when I still go to work, it's slightly chilly in the evenings and I can actually wear a cardigan without feeling I'm going to boil my insides. 

I've seen the "Seamstress" tag floating around Youtube over the last week or so, and although I don't have a Youtube channel, I still wanted to join in. So, here's my go at the tag!

1. Who are you?

I'm Philly (that's me above!), I'm 23 and I live in the West Midlands.


2. When & why did you start sewing?

I first started sewing around the age of 17 as I was taking a Textiles course at school but this was more creative art rather than dressmaking, however I properly started sewing around a year and a half ago. I watched the first series of the Great British Sewing Bee and instantly bought my first sewing machine, a Brother LS14. I wanted to learn the "art" of sewing because if I'm being honest, I get really fed up with buying clothes that everyone else seems to already own. I love being able to have an idea in my head, and actually make it in to a wearable garment.

3. What is your favourite or proudest make?

By far, my proudest make is my New Look 6449 dress shirt. It's a fairly recent make of mine, however it's the one that challenged me the most and actually made me think of how a garment is constructed. Before now, I never really appreciated just how much work goes in to pattern matching, attaching a collar or sewing in the cuffs on a sleeve. I've already got another one of these on my adjustoform, although this has taken a bit of a backburner as I just haven't had the chance to sit down and concentrate!


4, What is your most disastrous make?

The most disastrous make is possibly my denim shift top as it just really does not suit the shape of my body, being such a stiff fabric. I do think this'll look better sleeveless, so the sleeves may be removed in the near future! 


5. Where is your favourite place to go fabric shopping?

Honestly? Ebay. I know it's a bit of a risk as you can't physically see the fabric in front of you, however I purchase 90% of my fabric from the Textile Center on ebay. They have fantastic customer service and their prices are extremely good, given the quality of the fabric! 

6. What is your most used pattern?

The Sew Over It Ultimate Shift Dress. I absolutely love this pattern because of it's versatility, in total I think I've used this about 7 or 8 times already and plan to use it so many more times. It was my PDF pattern I purchased, and my first time actually trusting a small company (as opposed to one such as McCall's or New Look).

7. Your most dreaded sewing task is...

HEMMING. I hate it! I can't hem to save my life and if I have to admit, all of my hems are just turned over twice and sewn down. I can't be dealing with the other fancy hem techniques out there.

8. And your favourite sewing task?

I think my favourite sewing task is probably cutting out the fabric. I love laying out the pattern pieces and making sure the pattern pieces are on the grain, checking the pattern matching and also seeing the pieces I'm about to construct. 


9, What is your favourite 'sewing entertainment'?

Okay so this is probably going to be a bit odd, but I absolutely love watching The Sim Supply on Youtube when I'm sewing. I find James' videos to be great background videos as they're quite long, and they also allow me to get my Sims fix....

10. Printed or PDF?

I'm still really torn on this one. I love the though that if I cut a pattern out wrong, I can reprint the PDF, but I love the convenience of a paper pattern. I do only tend to buy patterns when they are on sale though, and do find myself reaching for paper patterns more.

11. What sewing machine do you use?

My beloved Singer Starlet 6660. I've only had this machine for about 7 months but I love it. It's my little workhorse. 


12. Do you have any other hobbies?

Apart from sewing, I'm also partial to a bit of crochet, baking and gaming. I'm a right little oddball! 

♥

What have I been sewing? : June 2016

June has been a wonderful month for me in terms of having spare time to myself, my other half has worked a couple of Saturdays this month so I've been up and about super early when he's gone to work, meaning I've had plenty of time to get my act together and bulk out my me-made wardrobe. 

First of all, I've made two self drafted skirts. One was made in a slightly stretchy, lightweight denim, and the other was made in a woollen fabric which I had leftover from making a cape late last year. 

Each of these skirts were made using 1m of fabric and a length of elastic, I really can't believe how easy they were to make! I even made the woollen one with pockets, which was my first time in inserting pockets into a garment. I was surprisingly shocked at how easy this was too. These skirts are simply made by hemming the bottom edge and creating a channel for the elastic to run through on the top, folding the fabric in half and then sewing up the side. I think these literally took me about half an hour to sew up. I can see myself making sooo many of these as I've worn these two to death already! 

Next up are the two tops I've made this month. 

I've used the Sew Over It Ultimate Shift Dress pattern again for these tops and cut them off at the "top length" line. I really love the shape of these tops as they look lovely regardless of whether they're tucked into skirts and jeans, or even just left un-tucked. 

Again, the photo I've taken of these tops really do not do them any justice. Especially the one on the right, I think this is my favourite fabric I've ever bought. It's so bright and colourful, every time I pick it out of my wardrobe it instantly brightens my day. You may not be able to tell, but I've also used the last of my rabbit print fabric making a shift top. 

My sewing plans for July include making a few more skirts out of the fabric I have left and also possibly making a pinafore dress out of a lovely purpley-green tartan fabric I've purchased. I also want to try making a few more knit items as opposed to viscose, however I've put myself on a fabric-buying-ban until I've used everything in my stash! 

'til next time!

♥

What have I been sewing? : May 2016

Let me just say one thing before I start. I really, really do not like this hot weather. Being a natural ginger, I feel the heat quite easily and if I'm being honest, I struggle! Although it is nice to actually have a summer this year, it would also be nice if I could go a day without feeling like I'm melting. 

Okay, now I've had my little whinge, I'm finally getting round to reporting my makes for May 2016 - this month was relatively quiet in the sewing front as I just couldn't find the time to do it, however what I had made, I actually really like. I'm a bit miffed that I didn't join in with Me Made May but I just simply didn't have the time to get everything made so I could wear "me made" items throughout the whole month, but there's always next year, right!

First item was my McCalls 7200 Kimono jacket (view C), and yes, I made it in the bunny fabric. I've actually come to the end of this fabric now, but I'm super happy with how this turned out. 

I first laid eyes on this pattern when I was browsing through katemakesadress on instagram and thought, Philly, you need this in your life if it's that simple to make. This was a relatively simple item so put together, once I had figured out the instructions. For the life of me, I could not read these instructions and understand them. My Mum had also read them and looked at me like "what are you even on about..." but something just wasn't letting them sink in to my head!

The only alteration I had to make was that I had to readjust where the tie-belt straps were sewn in. Due to me being quite short, the location of the straps meant that they were sitting right on my bum and it really didn't look right, so I moved them up a few inches and now they're sitting perfectly on my waist. 

Would I make this again? Yes, I think I would. I'd probably make it a little shorter though, as this is quite long on me but I suppose it's quite good as it does cover my bum, so if I do end up having leggings on which are slightly...see through...at least my dignity is covered on my derrier! I'd also make it in a plain(er) fabric so that I could wear it with more of my clothes. I love how versatile this pattern is and how I actually like what it looks like both tied up at the front and also at the back. 

My second make for May was a Sew Over It Ultimate Shift dress top. Now, I don't have any decent photos of this top as of yet so bare with me - the photo I do have does not do this fabric any justice though! 

Apologies for this being horrendously creased in this photo, I'd taken this top to Cardiff with me and didn't realise how easily it'd crease! As much as I love viscose, this one really does crease easily. 

This top only took me around 2 hours to make, as I've really managed to master this pattern. I think this is probably the 5th time I've used this pattern now (3 dresses and 2 tops) however the first time I'd tried to make a top out of the pattern, I really didn't like how it looked. I don't know if it was because of the sleeves or whatever but it just really didn't look right. 

A few alterations were made to make this top fit me better. I increased the size of this by about an inch and a half each side, as I wanted the fit to be slightly baggier. I also missed off the facings and used a single turned over hem to finish off the arm holes, neckline and bottom hem and I actually like how it turned out. It's extremely comfy to wear and I've already got another 2 pre-cut and ready to start sewing this morning. 

The one thing I love about this pattern is that it just suits every body type. I'm not the smallest of girls by any means, but this dress pattern, and top pattern for that matter, really make me feel a little slimmer. 

 So those are my two makes for May 2016! As I said above, a relatively quiet month on the sewing front, however June is already under way and I've managed to make something already, so hopefully I'll have my other items finished and I'll actually get that post up on time by the end of June...

'til next time! 

♥

Singer Starlet 6660

I've spent so many hours of my life looking at all the fancy computerised sewing machines and thinking wow, I'd really love one of those...but what I didn't love was the price tag that came with the majority of them! 

If you've been around for a couple of months, you'll know that I recently moved out of my privately rented flat and back to my Parent's house, meaning I had a lovely sum of money coming back my way in the form of my deposit! I though that there was no better way of treating myself after such a stressful time than to buy a new sewing machine. Don't get me wrong, I loved my little Brother LS14 but I just wanted something a bit more...substantial now I've really gotten into the swing of dressmaking. 

On one of my many trips to Hobbycraft with my Sister when she's up from London, we headed straight to the sewing machine aisle, just so I could have a look at the ones they have on offer, as I like the fact I could physically see the machine and have a go, should I choose to. I fell in love with one, but was a bit iffy about spending over £200 on a machine! We had a bit of a walk about and I thought, Philly, do your research first, you can always come back. 

After about...an hour...of thinking do I need this, can you justify it, blah blah blah, I decided I wanted to go ahead and buy one. I went back to Hobbycraft the morning after, walked to the till with the sewing machine box for a Singer Starlet 6660 in my arms and before I knew it, I'd spent over £200 on a new sewing machine. What, I must be mad. 

Okay no, really, I am so happy I spent this much money on a computerised machine. The quality is just unreal, the whole thing just feels so damn sturdy and I love how easy the interface is to use. I like how I can see all of the stitch "library" on the front of the machine, rather than on a dial like on my Brother. Also, one thing I never thought I'd use is an automatic needle threader - but I can honestly say it's a must on any machine I have going forward! I also like the fact you get a little bag of goodies to get you started as well. 

So, here it is, my new baby!

The one thing that I've noticed myself doing a lot more is experimenting with stitch lengths and widths. I don't recall having this option on my previous sewing machine (Brother LS14), but I found this so easy to have a mess with using the push buttons. 

I'll admit, I haven't used all of the stitches as of yet as I need to find a scrap of fabric big enough to test them all out on, but again, it's super easy to change stitches using the two arrow buttons. One thing I have had a go at doing was using the buttonhole stitch and couldn't believe how easy this was...the foot that was supplied to create buttonholes is quite nifty as you place your button in a little crevice on the foot and it creates a perfectly sized buttonhole. Needless to say I was absolutely amazed. 

The one thing that I worried about was spending all this money on this machine and not actually noticing a difference in the quality of my creations - but I'm so wrong. The stitches just seem a lot more...robust and everything just seems to feel that little more professional. I don't know if that's psychological but I can definitely tell a difference. Another big change for me is the fact that this is a side loading bobbin, as opposed to a top loading bobbin. I think I might actually prefer it, as I seem to have less tension issues - or am I just having a bit more luck lately than usual?! 

I could ramble on for ages about this sewing machine but if you're looking for a "budget friendly" computerised machine, I honestly would have a look at this one. As I said above, I purchased mine from Hobbycraft for £219.00.

♥

What have I been sewing? : April 2016

Now the trees are turning a little bit greener and the flowers are in full bloom, I'm finally feeling a little bit better and more optimistic about everything. I had a week or so where I felt like I was at a dead end, but truth be told, I've had a bit of time to myself to think about everything and I feel much better for doing so! 

Jumping right in to what I've been sewing, I didn't make a lot last month with moving back home, settling back in etc. I only made two dresses from patterns I already have but made them sleeveless so that I can wear them in both the summer and winter! 

The first dress I made was a Merchant and Mills dress shirt in a navy and pink arrow print shirting cotton from Fabworks, which was £5.00 per meter.

This is a gorgeous fabric and it's really surprised me at just how durable it is. I've never used a "proper" shirting cotton before but you can definitely tell the difference! I opted to make this dress sleeveless as I'd already tried setting in the sleeves, but it just didn't look right! I've found that I've worn this more since taking the sleeves out and I suppose I could wear this with a long sleeved top underneath when it becomes winter again. This didn't take too long to make and set the sleeves in initially, but I had set it aside for quite a while whilst I moved house and settled in, but in total I'd say it probably took me around 3 hours. 

The second item I'd made was another Sew Over It ultimate shift dress in a rabbit print viscose from thetextilecentre on eBay. I've purchased fabric from this online shop a couple of times and I've been so impressed with the quality of the fabric so far. 

Not the best photos but I absolutely love this dress. I made it slightly bigger than I normally would have done and also sleeveless, I think I actually prefer this dress without the sleeves! Again, I've left the sleeves off so I can wear a long sleeved top underneath. 

Now, I've got a couple of new posts lined up and also a review of my new Singer sewing machine, which will hopefully be posted within the next week or so.

'til next time! 

♥