Much Sewing

I had to look at my old post to remind me of where I left off ;) 

I needed some sleepwear so I sewed 3.  These were really easy and the patterns are from a Japanese book translated to Mandarin.  I don't know both.  That's the thing about these Japanese books, the illustrations are excellent.

The bodice had ruffles on the front of the original dress

Mine ... sans ruffles

Another similar to the above

In front is a sleeveless top also from the same book.  The other is my client's A-Line skirt in the making

Her selection of fabrics for the shell and lining.  Did not need to use the satin bias tape after all

Invisible zip construction.  Lots of pining, hand basting and then sewing

It is now finished and sent out to my client.  I added a little card with some info

Sewing for a client brings a whole different dimension to sewing.  You bloody well get it right! LOL!!  I sewed up a toile (fancy word for muslin) for her fitting.  There were some small adjustments here and there, the pattern was drafted again with these corrections.  The lining pattern was copied from the original with some changes.  Only then the proper cutting of the actual shell and lining fabrics are done.

I am recording all my sewing of garments with snippets of fabrics used and adjustments done on the main pattern.  And I slip these notes into the pattern envelope.  Gosh ... I don't know where all these organizational genius is coming from!

Drafting the pants pattern

Toile of my pants with the tailor tacks still intact

Next were my pants.  Talk about a challenge.  No wonder I had poor results with commercial patterns because they didn't cater to my shameful pot belly :(  I had to make quite a major adjustment to the slopper as you can see above.  The pants turned out really well except for it being a little loose.  Maybe if I added the zipper and the waistband it would help.  Okay it's a learning experience and once I get the slopper down I have a really good foundation of a pair of tapered pants!

All this little gem needs now is some binding love

Still quilting ...

 I can see the end now of the quilting for the Depression Blocks quilt!  I am on the last leg of the border.  Just 3 more sides ... just 3 more sides ...  Don't look too closely at my big stitch ... because they are MEGA!  I just can't wait to get this over and done with.

He's Coming to Town (freebie). Designer: Red Bolly

My second Red Brolly Christmas sampler is all stitched.  Love how it turned out.  I won't be doing the 3rd one as the design doesn't really appeal to me.  Now to think about the finishing.  Most likely as a wall hanging or a cushion cover.

Stashing, Stitching & Sewing

 

 A couple of charm packs by Aneela Hoey and yardage from her line 'Little Apples'.  I have a quilt planned for the charm packs but I will need to stitch most of her stitchery designs first.  This will be quite interesting.  Maybe 1 design a month. that'll be a nice goal for next year.

See how suited the fabrics are with the stitched piece?

Some lovely Blue Hill 'Colonial Poison Green and Cheddar' reproduction fabrics and Howard Marcus 'Collections for a Cause'. 

'He's Coming to Town' is really so pleasurable to work on. Intend to finish this before Bronwyn issues her 3rd Christmas stitchery design.

New Look 6598

 This was a pretty intense blouse to sew.  A lot of hand sewing went into it.  Mostly were like pin, hand baste and them machine or hand sew. I used Hong Kong finishing for my seams and that's a lot of work too but it's always good to try different seam finishes.  The back neck facing was quite difficult to get right but I do like the details of the side vents, notched sleeves and back tie.

Little Apples

Little Apples. Designer: Aneela Hoey (Freebie).  Floss: DMC310, 321, 433, 3848.  Background fabric: Kona White (interfaced)

I think she's a cutie.  Although it took a bit of time with the filling it wasn't that tedious since full 6 strands of embroidery thread was used.  I'll finish it as a cushion cover.  I've bought some Little Apples fabrics and it should be here next week.  So I'll be good to go then.  Also got a couple of charm packs i.e. Shebert Pips and Little Apples both by Aneela Hoey for Moda.  I've got a quilt planned ...

Christmas Sampler.  Designer: Red Brolly (Freebie),  Floss: DMC.  Background fabric: Muslin (not interfaced) and Kona Snow

I love this sampler. These stitcheries / embroidery work up pretty quickly.  The borders for the appliqued pieces gave me some grief as it's difficult to get all accurate when there is no marking.  It's still wonky ... an acceptable wonky.  I've got another piece of muslin all washed and ironed for Bronwyn's latest Christmas freebie 'He's Coming to Town'.

Cake Stand / Basket blocks Doll Quilt Top.  Designer: Kathleen Tracy for SQT Challenge.   Size: 17" x 22-3/4".  Fabric: RJR red & Kona Natural

Can't get enough of red and whites ... thinking if I should make some Anvil blocks next ...

I love the details in this top.  This is the back tie, to accentuate my non-existing waist perhaps?  There'll be a notched sleeve hem too, so that'll be interesting.  I'm trying to push to envelope in sewing, challenging myself with trickier constructions.  The fabric is Heather Ross' Mendocino for Free Spirit.  I am constructing this blouse meticulously and adding some fine finishings, I've been learning.

About time I organised my garment patterns ...