Tying up loose threads - Miss D's sewing review part 2

Hello dears,

Well I got kind of sidelined on my mission to post the second half of my sewing review basically the bit where I tell you what I hope to create in 2012 partly because I've been off creating and partly because life has been v busy.  Anyway no matter I'm here and I'm typing now.

I left you last time with the astonishing realisation that I made 21 items of of clothing in 2011.  Well astonishing at least to me because I thought I'd been much more idle than that.  I also filled you in on my hard drive nightmares, which are still unresolved but the positive being that I now have to make loads more memories to fill up the new one.

I have also finally got round to writing the about about me section, which has been on my to do list since I started this blog nearly 6 months a go.  So please feel free to have a read and find out a little bit more about this lady you see lounging around in leopard with half a glass of Babycham.

Right I think I have sufficiently preambled enough so down to business.

This year I hope to achieve the following:

Going in search of a great fit

I am diving head long into the fitting process especially the region I refer to as the girls because they're one of the reasons I got into sewing in the first place.  I have the proportions of an exclamation mark all top tapering down to hardly any bottom.  The plus being I have carte blanche to wear clothes that make a statement!  I often joke I was put together just before the team of body construction people were due to go on tea break.

My first muslin (ever) for the Pastille dress and first of three or fourish

Last year I kind of winged it because I was wanted to crank out as many things as possible with my new found skills.  However, I now understand that fitting and the time it takes is just as important if not more than the time spent with Brenda (my sewing machine).

I've joined in with the Colette Handbook sew along to assist with this, which is hosted by the lovely ladies Sarah at rhinestones and telephones and Erin at misscrayolacreepy.  The fitting I've done with their great advice for the Pastille has definitely put me on the right road.  I've nearly finished it and will blog shortly about it whilst trying to catch up on the next project the Truffle dress.

Taking time to smell the flowers or taking projects slower and enjoying them

I've always had a tendency to want things done yesterday especially when I get an idea for something fabulous, which I guess is a good and bad in equal measure.  I realise now that last year I rushed through quite a few items that I made and I wasn't as happy with the finished article as I could be.  So going forward I will slow down and take the time to learn all I can from each make as well as taking time patch up the things from last year that need a little TLC.

Need to sort out the wonky hem and the missing button on the sea of love dress.

Get involved with the community spirit of sewing

Reading people's blogs is so inspiring and now that I'm a little more settled into my sewing I'd like to take part in more challenges, meet ups and do a few give aways of my own.  So far I've signed up for Sew Colette and the gorgeous Julia Bobbin's Mad Men Challenge.  I'm working on a Joanie because she's the best fit for my vital statistics.

This is the Joan look I'm working towards just need to find myself a gold pen necklace.

Being less selfish or making for others

I have to say I have been quite good at making presents since I discovered my creative streak but this year I plan to take it to the next level because one of my dearest friends, Laura has not only asked me to be her bridesmaid but has also given me the challenge of making the bridesmaids' dresses. We met several years ago while on Erasmus exchange in Spain and we have been great friends ever since.

At my cartoon party - Sara (a gorgeous bridemaid to be), me (Betty Boop), Nick (dashing groom) and Laura (beautiful bride to be)

I can't tell you how thrilled and honoured I am to be asked.  The process is already under way.  We  have chosen the vintage pattern we want to go with Simplicity 3592 and have decided on pewter duponi.  It's going to do wonders for my learning curve and I'm just so touched to have direct input into what is going to be such a special day for someone that means so much to me. 

We've chosen version 2 with the full skirt and I will be reaching out to all your seamstresses for advice a plenty.  I think we're going to look like a 60s girl group :)

Life is one long lesson or I'm going to learning to knit and how to overlock amongst other things


The last teaching I had was my pattern cutting class in September, which was great but I feel like I'd really benefit from extra tuition on intermediate techniques like piping and overlocking so I'm heading back to Kat's sewing school for some lessons.  I did manage to get a quick workshop in on overlocking at the Make Lounge in February, which was great but still feel like I could do with a little more instruction.

The napkins that I made on the overlocking course.  A good excuse to throw a dinner party ;-)

Having become such a happy hooker (keen crocheter) I have decided I need to tackle knitting mainly because I spotted this beauty in Claire Montgomerie's book Knitting Vintage.

My life will be complete when I can rock my hand knitted tangerine Aran cardigan

I'm very luck to have a great stitch and bitch group near me at a lovely wool shop called Purl.  I've been going there to crochet, drink wine and laugh a lot for the past 6 months and now they're going to teach me to knit.

Stitching up a storm with the happy addition of wine ;-)

The master plan or the top 5 things  I plan to bring to life this year

1. The Salvador Dali tribute bedding

I am going to applique a huge black felt moustache on a plain duvet cover and then make a border of tiny moustaches using my printing kit gifted to me by the lovely Aymi.  Then on the pillows I will applique two large lobsters.  I think it will be the bed of dreams.

Nutty as a fruitcake but I love him and find him very inspiring plus he has one of the best tashes ever.

2. The Vogue 8280 aka the Roland Mouret Galaxy dress take off

To stay true to form I'm planning to run up V8280 in leopard print and then lean characteristically in a doorway wearing high heels and drinking a large mojito ;-)

I'l be going for middle version on the right hand side

3. Simplicity 9302 or my homage to Barbara from The Good Life dress

I scored this pattern some time last year off of Ebay and it's been in my must make pile ever since.  It's quite a bit smaller than me but since having had a good bash at an FBA using the this excellent tutorial at Sew L.A. I feel ready to conquer it.  I heart the ass off the sleeves in the lefthand version.

I will wear this frock barefoot when I volunteer at my local community garden - hippy chic at it's best

4. V1137 the award ceremony outfit or any reason to get dressed up to the nines dress and coat 

This was a pattern that I purchased a few weeks after I learnt to sew last year with the intention of it being something to aim for.  When I saw some pics of Adele at the 2009 Grammys I just knew I had to make it happen.

Just need to find a milliner to make me a fabulous fascinator.

5. Minnie Mouse was a bad girl bombshell dress

I bought Gertie's bombshell dress course back in July 2011 and started on it straight away but then stalled when I realised I would have to do lots of alterations.  Now though I'm looking at it as a huge learning curve with the added bonus being that I could never buy this ready to wear because of my proportions.  Once I crack the changes the bodice is so versatile I'll be able to put it to a great many uses.  Plus I've seen so many gorgeous finished ones around the blogosphere including Karen's of Did You Make That, that I have to get on it.

Still very much a work in progress but I'm going at it with renewed vigour :)

So that's the plan Jan!  Wish me luck I think I'm going to need it.

Before I scoot off to bed I'll give you a quick whip round of what I've made so far this year.  That way I can start a fresh with a post on the my new frock next time.

I thought I'd give cross stitch ago and purchased subversive kit it gives this gentle craft a twist ;-)  Also Caitlin Moran's book is amazing and I highly recommend reading it.

The polka dot double agent dress made from Oonaballoona's ace tutorial and worn to the excellent ElleKaye play.  Go see them they're ace!

Next came what I'm calling the librarian with attitude dress made from Vogue 8413 and worn to the bloggers' de-stash meet or as I like to refer to it - a sewocracy.

All the gorgeous blogettes braving the cold thanks to the wonderful Zoe and Claire.

 My haul from the meet up!  Just check out those high waisted trousers. I'll be going all Dolly P with big hair and big attitude!

My lovely friends received a little handmade card from me on Valentine's Day and I got chocolate and cake in return. Spread the love I say.

The superman 3/4 circle skirt made using Patty's calculator.  Excuse the mad pics I was trying to show the full swish potential :)

The Mysterious Cities of Gold Sorbetto made with the fabric I bagged from Kathryn of Yes I Like That

 The Pink Wafer on Acid tea cosy made for the my lovely friend Jo of the Royal Wedding high tea fame.  This cosy is as gorgeous on the inside as it is on the outside just like her.

And finally folks my most recent make the crocheted man about town tie for the one and only Jarvis Cocker.  I'm just about to package this baby up and send it to BBC6 music.  I have high hopes he'll wear it next time I see Pulp at the end of the month.  It's part of my cunning plan to knit my way into a job in radio.  After the success of the Hoxton bonnet for Radcliffe and Marconi this cannot fail ;-)

That's all folks!

Until next time keep calm and carry a spare pair of tights,

Miss D

xxx

Coming apart at the seams - Miss D's 2011 sewing review Part One

Aloha my darlings,

I bid you an Hawaiian greeting to combat the icy temperatures whipping around Demeanour HQ here on the South coast brrr time to warm up the left over mulled wine.

Well, well only a few days between this blog post and the last so I am getting better.  That said I acknowledge that I'm arriving a little late to the party in doing a review of last year's escapades when we're already into the second month of this year.  I do have a good excuse *presents an offering to the blogging Gods* unfortunately over the Christmas break my laptop did just that.  Well specifically my hard  drive cue much panic and a visit to the Apple shop with Legendary Uncle (LU).  He will feature a great deal in my blogging future because a) he is a legend and b) he's a technological whizz.

The lovely fella aka Apple Genius told me, "Boom your hard drive is shot!  But I'm sure you have a backup?!" or words to that effect.  I can't really remember because by that point in my head, "I was thinking I don't, I have lost everything.  Oh Lord it's just like in SATC when Carrie's laptop packs up and she loses all her writing from over the years.  Except I'm not in New York I'm in Kingston upon Thames and I'm not wearing Manolo Blahniks but I am wearing a dress I made, aha Carrie I've got you there!"  LU then broke my chain of thought by suggesting he take me for a commiseratory slice of cake. We then had a discussion about how we might retrieve the last 5 years of my life that was currently trapped inside a small metal box.

I wish it had been this simple to sort out :s

Fast forward a month from a huge slab of brownie and a few tears and I have a new hard drive installed by LU with the old one off to the computer doctors to see if they can do anything and I have now retrieved from Facebook photographic evidence of my first year as a seamstress.  Thank heavens for social media I say.

Rooting through the timeline I can't quite believe how many things I've made but before the opening of this post gets anymore text heavy without further ado and in chronological order here is what I stitched.

First thing I ever made was the stripy bag stitched at Kat's sewing school when I learnt to sew in January 2011.

The Go Wild dress the first of many, which was also made on the course using trusty M2401 and always reminds me that now I can sew I can forever live in leopard.  Photos by the delectable Aymi D :)  I'm sew grateful for her help for taking photos of my endeavours and even lending me her sewing machine when I was waiting for my own to be delivered.

 

The Sun Shines Out of My Ass skirt, which I made at Wendy Ward's excellent skirt workshop.  I still love it but fully acknowledge that it makes me look like a mad children's TV presenter.

The Minnie Mouse Sencha where my love of polka dot fabric began.

My self-drafted Mime Artist stretch top in black and silver glittery jersey.

The Royal Wedding Macaron, which like Miss Middleton's dress has only been worn the once to celebrate the auspicious occasion with my friend Jo aka Queen of High Tea and cake.

The Queen of Hearts Ceylon, which was meant to be finished for the nuptials of my gorgeous friends Jo and Martin Badder-Goode (seriously she was Miss Goode he was Mr Badder it was always meant to be).  It didn't get done in time but to be honest I feel it's slightly too girly a dress for me and it's in my jazzing up pile.

                                                        

The Hello Sailor double breasted wiggle dress, which was my first attempt at a vintage pattern and finished just as I was walking into the ceremony of my lovely friend Lana's wedding. Doesn't the bride look just lovely :)

 


The Dali tribute mini skirt made using Simplicity 2451 (a thoroughly excellent pattern), which has been worn to death.  The pug in the pic is Jo's dog Kenneth Dougray Valentine Evans or Ken to those who come bearing sausages or jewels.

 

The You Are The Sunshine of My Life modelled skirt modelled expertly by Delilah (she was my sewing bargain of the year at £12.49 from Ebay!) made from gorgeous vintage fabric gifted to me by the ever generous Zoe.  I used this really good  tutorial and I had a new skirt in an hour ah the joys of sewing :)

The 60s Summer Holiday A Line dress that I wore to the Pride Parade.  As luck would have it I had dyed my hair marmalade orange and it matched perfectly with the print :)  It was drafted from a tutorial in the winning beginner's sewing book by Eithne Harris, Yeah I Made It Myself!  It's such a great book and I bought it a few years before I learnt to sew and now find myself delving into it often for inspiration.

The Crustacean Celebration Macaron made to go and support one of my besties, Michelle at her son's prom parade.  Doesn't she look proud :)

My upcycled denim shorts from a tutorial on Gem's blog, who featured on one of my fave programmes from last year Super Scrimpers and my huge little brother Jamie.  He's a carpenter and I'm Sew Grateful for him because he's fixing up my sewing table and he was man enough to pose for Self Stitched September :)

The It Can Be Summer Every Day top.  It started life as a mini dress version of M2401 but I decided I liked it more as top so I lopped off the bottom and the sleeves.  Whenever I wear it I feel I have carte blanche to drink a cocktail.

The Curtain Couture shirt dress made using M4769  and a pair of vintage curtains given to me by Zoe for my birthday.  This dress makes people smile I think it's because it looks I'm wearing the sea.

The Seaside Cafe Owner's skirt, which is the bottom half of a Macaron with a self-drafted waistband.  It appeals to my nautical nature and the belief that I was a mariner in a former life.  You may also be able to see my heart of gold brooch, which is made by epic jewellery designer Sarah Meredith.

The September Heatwave stretch dress and my first attempt at sewing with my newly purchased Janome 134d overlocker (another Ebay bargain £47!).  I used the Neon Twister pattern from Burda.  It was also the last handmade item for my first try at a sewing challenge Self Stitched September.

The Peppa Pig pillowcase dress that was made for Peggy's wonderful pillowcase dress challenge and a reminder that sewing people are very kind folk :)  I was also lucky enough to attend a night of pillowcase dress embellishment at Drink, Shop and Do.  At the last count an epic 177 dresses were made for amongst others the wonderful charity Dress a Girl Around the World

My first piece of crocheted clothing a bowtie from a pattern Craftzine.  I wore it proudly with my pork pie hat and braces when I finally got to see The Specials on their reunion tour.  They were so good and Terry Hall is still dreamy.

The Spirit of Captain Morgan Cape - I sew for pirates as well as land lovers.   I made it for one of my Mum's friends' husband.  That's Pete and Trish on the right in full pirate regalia.  He was so pleased with it he's asked me to be his personal costumier!

The Bertie Bassett skirt blogged about here.  I made the pattern when I returned to Kat's sewing school for pattern cutting lesson.  It's really smart so great for work but I just love how bright it is and the electric lining is just the icing on the cake :)

Accessorising with bunting at the first Craftaganza craft market co organised by Zoe in March.  Despite my larking about it was a roaring success. 

Sewing took a back seat to crocheting throughout November and into December as I whizzed up woollen decorations, bike seat covers and bowties for my stall at the excellent craft event that was  Christmas Craftaganza.

I got a little lost with the pattern for my first bike seat cover and it was the equivalent of over egging the pudding.  It came out huge but the entrepreneur in me marketed it as horse riding saddle cover :)

Here's Jo and me manning our pitch on the day.  For the dog lovers among you Jo runs a luxury handmade dog treat company Star Barks and they look so good that we had to put a sign up to let people know they weren't for human consumption! (Well I say technically not for human consumption but they're mainly fruit and grains so I tried one and it was nice).

Last and but no means least my final make of the year was the Bet Lynch Eat Your Out NL6000 made for Scruffy Badger's Frock Fest.  This was a great frock to see the year out and got plenty of use over the party season.

Phew, for those still with me all told that means during my first year of sewing I made 21 items of clothing whoopee!

Anywho I think this post is sufficiently long enough for me to be deserving of a little glass of something.  So I will bid you farewell and see you in part 2 with my plans for 2012.

Until next time my lovelies for heaven's sake back up,

Miss D

xxx

If it doesn't fit well hell turn it into a bag.

Hello my darlings,

Oh my another pause in blogging owing to much general running around and dog sitting.  I've got so much to tell as I've already made a couple of dresses this year and I've just finished the muslin for the very special project.  I'm not sure if I'm allowed to talk about the very special project yet as I need to speak to the lovely Laura but rest assured when I get the go ahead I will share because I'll be looking for all the help I can get.

For now I will just write a little about a lovely shoulder bag I refashioned from a sweatshirt.   Well living in Brighton offers the obvious joy of being a stone's throw from the sea but also a hop, skip and a jump to some great and very cheap vintage shops.

It was the other week when I was trotting through the lanes that this baby caught my eye in the window of a little shop.  I unfortunately don't have the initial photo but use your imagination to visualise it as a sweatshirt.  The time was 6pm and the shop was closed but I was convinced if I went back the next day that no one else would have decided to snap up a small Hooters sweatshirt.

I was correct in my thinking and when I popped back to Dirty Harry in Sydney Street it was still pinned up in the window.  I bought it for the princely sum of £5 and then went about my business.  

Well I got home on Blue Monday (Monday 23rd Jan or last Monday) and checked the label and it was for a 9 year old and although I have lost a fair bit of weight in recent months I have not gone backwards through puberty and with all the best will in the world my girls were never going to fit no matter how stretchy grey marl is.

So I mused and thought if a girl can't have a Hooters sweatshirt she  can certainly have a Hooters bag.  

So this is what I did.  First of all I cut the bottom off to be repositioned at the top, cut straight down the sides so I would have even seams and then chopped the arms off to fashion a strap.  Luckily I had quite a bit of stretch left over from the Double Agent Dress, which I will blog about separately but here's a pic teaser :)

Agent Miss D reporting for duty.

So I overlocked the left over fabric and used this great tutorial from Sew Mama Sew to insert the lining.  Ooh I do love a dotty lining.

Here's the bag in perspective.

And close up with my pleased as punch expression.

I finished this baby just in time to run out the door for 2 for 1 mojitos with my lovely friend Sarah who's down working in Brighton at the moment.  We went to Misty's in Hove, which I can recommend highly for delicious and very reasonable cocktails plus there's a tiki lounge at the back, which as you can imagine totally appeals to me :)  

So the only thing that was blue about my Monday was the lining on the bag!

Until next time darlings don't be blue.

Miss D 

xxx