Red skirt worn

I wore the red moleskin skirt yesterday. Managed to get the Thoughtful Man to take a photo.
Keep in mind that I wore it to church and to make dinner, not too bad.

The lower waist worked, but I need to make the waist more snug (Hurrah!) so I still turned the band over when I was wearing it to make it tight enough not to slip around and let my blouse out!

Wearing it with a white on white embroidered lawn blouse and a purchase 3/4 length sleeve cardigan.

Red skirts

A while ago I was sewing along with a Pattern Review Wardrobe Contest. Then had to stop and work on textile art things. My wardrobe was based on red, black and white.

Now it is time to begin the finishes as and when I can.
First up, putting hook and bar closure on the waistband of these red skirts! Not hard really.
Why 2 red skirts. One is a bit darker more of a blue red, if you know what I mean. So they will go with different things.

red moleskin A line with flare skirt

dark red corduroy trumpet skirt

I was trying the idea of making the front just a bit shorter, as I always seem to have to fold over the waistband in front to make it even. I do know how to describe this pattern and fitting wise, but this has been a very bad head day.

Sorry for hanger views. With the bad head, I wasn't up to trying to do model shots. When I get one of the blouses done, I will do the skirt and blouse model thing.

a little selfish sewing

I wanted to fill a few gaps in my wardrobe. I haven't much by way of clothing that works for in-between winter and summer. I started some last year, but only got so far when my brother died. Okay, I could finish off some of those blouses and the black linen skirt. But instead I decided to go along with this year's Pattern review wardrobe.

Because it is 2 months this time, I worked out a plan to sew clothes 2 weeks in Feb and then finish the Refugees. Then sew 2 weeks in March (hopefully finishing the garments) and then work on a possible entry along the same lines for Wide Horizons V. But let us keep in mind that they want you to do 10 garments and I don't sew knits. I am not signing on the dotted line until I know I can do it. This will become important in the story, so hang in there.*

Okay. Here were most of the fabrics I had out to choose from to start. I decided to get a bit of colour in there, but the black and white can go with other things I have.

A few on the left side were deselected because of the amount of fabric needed for what I thought they might like to be. I was able to get 9 garments to the point where the main body was complete by the finish of the 2nd week in Feb.

Required: 2 bottoms (skirts, trousers, etc.)
As of today, I have two red skirts to the point where they need the waistband stitched down and then after trying them on, the hem taken up.

red cotton moleskin is flared gored and dark red corduroy is trumpet style.

Required: 2 tops (blouse, shirt, etc)
I have 4 blouses to the point that they have all the vertical seams and/or darts done. Not a little amount of work, I tell you.
Photos when they look better!

5 your choice:
Along with the extra 2 blouses,
3 dresses. one with cap sleeves done and needs hem. The fabric isn't in the photo above. It is a burgundy with small flower print.
one with sleeves about to be done, but needs cuffs and hem
one to the point of vertical seams. This should be lined, but may be an after thought!
Photos when I get the sleeves in at least.

Required: 1 topper
1 jacket not cut - had to change plans because I realised I was thinking cap sleeves and nearly all the blouses/dresses have long sleeves and my gorgeous silk velvet remnant won't do. But I have just the right amount of a black velvet offcut someone gave me.
This should be lined, but also may be an afterthought.

*The bit of the story that goes with not signing up yet...today I heard my dad has fallen again. Broke his leg below the knee. They are waiting to hear from the surgeon as to when he can go to the big hospital for surgery. As it happens, both my sisters are there, as my sis from Alaska is visiting, and my sister's son was staying overnight with mom and dad. So, my mom had someone there last night when dad fell.

This leg is the one that he fell and the hip was broken around Easter last year and they had to do a partial hip replacement because he carried on a week with pain killers then asked his doc for something strong and carried on another week before my mom made him go to hospital.
This leg is the one that he fell and the thigh bone was broken just after Father's day because he was using his walker to hang onto while bending down to get wood.
My son said they should just give him a wooden leg so they don't have to worry about it any more!

So, today, while waiting for word about Dad, putting in a sleeve in a floppy viscose fabric was a good distraction. Whether I can deal with the tension and the sewing for the rest of the time, I don't know!

Wardrobe - Trumpet skirt

Today's piece of the wardrobe is an off-white gabardine trumpet skirt with a faced waist finish.

Trumpet skirts fit to the hip and flare out from there, but the flare is integral to the pattern piece, rather than being added to the sides. The resulting pattern piece looks like...a trumpet bell!

I used a variegated white and black embroidery thread to topstitch at the waist and at the hem. This gives continuity for the black knit top. I am debating a topstitched motif or geometric shape, but will ponder that a while longer.

I like a faced waist treatment for skirts like these because I am short waisted. With an interfaced facing in the top, it still gives the support to the skirt that you would get with a waistband, but doesn't take up any more space.

Thanks for the feedback on the lacy jacket! Good ideas. I finished my article tonight, so perhaps I can get some more sewing done. Hopefully I can get photos of these garments whilst modelling them!

auditioning for the Wow factor

Auditions have been taking place in my studio...fabrics that is. That is what it is called when you are having a look at whether this fabric will work in a project or if that one will.

Initially these fabrics were in the running. the orange fabrics were ones I commissioned from Valeri at Farne Designs for my 50th birthday.

The synthetic brocade was soon edited out.

As you know, I chose the dark teal for the main fabric. I discovered I had taken a photo of the back of the skirt before I stitched the pleats.

This is where I was checking the look and the hang with the pleats I had folded. I think I made a couple changes after this, but similar.

and this week I have been auditioning for the Wow factor to use in the skirt.

3 oranges?

or 4 oranges

red/orange hand dyed waistband from the Farne Designs fabrics?

with red ginko leaves fabric waistband?

Okay lets go with 4 oranges after much sketching out of squares and triangles and sums and finally drawing it up full size on drafting paper so I could see what I was working with.

And the red hand dye? I think.

The camera still can't decide if it is dark teal blue or dark teal green.

It is actually somewhere in between.

More efforts on this behalf to come!
Still need to work out the waistband, how the front attaches to the back and the getting in and out of this skirt (But I actually have a zip which is the exact colour of the fabric!)

Ah, and even more exciting from that point? Further decoration to really make it stunning!

Embellished skirt - pleats done

I have been working on the skirt of this ensemble for Fashion Sans Frontieres.
I used the length of fabric I had left from the blouse and pleated it using box pleats to get the size for the waist which I wanted, not the whole waist. This will be the back and sides and the front will be filled in with other fabric.

I haven't a photo of the length of it, but it is a scoop hem which will be longer than the front...sometimes called a mullet or high/lo skirt. But this will be my own take on that.

And like the bodice, I have used the top stitching as a guide to embellish with beads.

The colour is difficult to get. I call it dark teal. Is it blue teal or green teal? Depends on the surroundings!

refashioned t-shirts

I haven't had a chance to refashion much lately because of some of the other things I have been doing. I got a reminder from Re-fashion Co-Op. So it was time for jumping into a project and not second guessing myself like I usually do...and end up putting it off. or hanging round my studio waiting for me to get the confidence.

A Certain Young Man left a bag full of clothes he didn't want, but couldn't bear to throw out himself. Some of the things were mostly okay, but with the odd tear or stain.

These 2 looked like they would make a comfy skirt for just throwing on in the summer to wear round the house. or even to the shop and not be embarrassed.

So I cut them out using my gored flared skirt. I used the T-shirt hems for the skirt hems. I also cut the pattern adding extra on the sides because I wanted it a bit more flowing.

Then when I pinned the bits together, I adjusted the pinning to lay nicely so the seam didn't pucker or bag.

I tried it on and took in the different seams at the top a bit more because the t-shirt jersey is stretchy and my pattern is for woven. I could have cut it smaller to start with. But I didn't know how much stretch I would be dealing with.

Once I got it fitting nicely at the waist to hip area, but leaving room to get it on and off, I stitched it to a wide elastic. I had already cut the elastic to a length that was comfortable but would hold the skirt in place.

When I was working with it, I forgot there was a stain on the inside hem area of the piece I had cut for the back panel. You couldn't see it from the outside of the skirt, but I didn't want it to inadvertently show. So, I just added a bit of the contrast shirt in a similar way to some of what I have seen in ready to wear - often on sleeve hems.

and voila.
front

side

back

and it is comfy!

I doubt it will be worn with a pink top but that's what I had on under all my keeping warm layers.

skirts 20 -26

I have some more skirts finished.

This photo includes 15-19 most of which were cut and sewn in August, but needed elastic. The greenish one with the ruffle is where I had stopped because the piece of fabric wasn't long enough and I needed to piece together the remnants to make it longer. So, I did that the other day.

So all the ones on the left, including the red ones, were from the good parts of the sheets my friend gave me. I used some already fused fabric to create a bit of decoration because they were a bit plain.
There are 3 greyish ones - they actually still need elastic...I will do that tomorrow. as well as the black one with yellow speckles printed on it...donated remnants from another friend.

So, all those together should just come up to the 2kg limit - around £26. It goes up astronomically once it is over 2kg. I will try to get them posted next week, but it is a very full week, so it might have to wait til the following week.

4 more skirts for Ethiopia

So, now that I have caught up with the blouses I had cut out, I am taking time out to do some more skirts for the girls in the orphan village where my friend works. This is the sneak peek. Most of these are already sewn...just need to put elastic in the waist. I won't count them til I do that though!

I didn't put the computer on til about 5pm, so I was able to keep going without distractions.

Some of these were from duvet covers a friend gave me. I cut round the stains from the leak in their airing cupboard. The rest of those covers aren't good enough for clothing, so ('shock') I will have to toss them. But it is better to get 1 or 2 skirts out of them beforehand.
Another positive... it has also meant more space in my room!

skirt finishes

I finally got the finishing steps done on the two skirts I started a few weeks ago.

One needed a zip and I didn't have any darker zips. But when I did buy some, then I was on to another project.

So here is the blue skirt finished. It replaces a straight skirt from the same fabric that I was overzealous with overlocking took in too much when I lost weight a few months ago. I still had enough fabric to make another.

I decided I would prefer an A-line skirt instead of a straight one this time.
Here is a glimpse of the lining. I used up a bit of this and a bit of that because I hadn't got enough of either. So, it is a bit of a secret with the posh shot taffeta!

I did a free hanging lining and stitched French tacks to keep the layers together.

The other finish is the skirt I made from a duvet cover a friend gave me. I need some basic summer skirts, so this will be a 'beige' version, even though the fabric is a quiet tan stripe.

To be honest, it was a bit too plain, so I have stitched a line of little shell sequins here and there. Three spaced lines in the front and one at centre back.

The detail shows the centre back. If you click on the photo, it should enlarge enough to show how the beads are secured with a metallic bead.

It will keep the skirt interesting, but still allow me to wear it with blouses that make their own statement. A bit like tone on tone embroidery.

Finished on Friday

...the thin blue skirt has become a thin blue blouse.

Wow does it ever feel nice on! It has that soft worn feel that cotton can get. And for once I think I got the fit spot on.
 I shall have to remember what I did!

The rest of the story was yesterday showing the skirt I started with.

And here is the result:

With it buttoned right up, it looks rather Asian.

And with a few buttons on the top undone.

I will definitely get on to stitching blouses now with that result.

thin summer skirt to blouse

This skirt keeps making an appearance while I am shifting fabrics and patterns. So I decided it was time to refashion it. I think I picked it up somewhere at some charity shop because I love the colour and print.

You can see how much longer it is than I wear by comparing with the not-yet-hemmed-skirt-from-duvet in progress next to it.

The waistband was very small. Here you can see after I chopped off the waistband how much fabric was gathered into it!

and the cutting mat has the inches side upwards!

So there was plenty fabric to do something with. The fabric is very, very lightweight cotton. I am not sure just how you could wear it for a skirt without wearing a lot under it for decency and without feeling like it would tear getting in and out of cars or catching on briars on a walk.

However, it would make a lovely blouse for a very hot day. And with a cami under it would do for regular just plain hot summer days.

So I used my basic blouse pattern and had plenty of fabric to cut out the blouse, extra button stands, cap sleeves and a mandarin collar. I cut it out and got it mostly sewn together today. It needs button holes and the hems of sleeves and bottom hem sorted and it will be done.

Scraps left piled in the front.

I was going to use the button stand from the button down front of the skirt, but the spacing didn't work with the blouse layout. I will also be using different buttons, since these were a random purple colour. So, I would have had to fuss with the existing buttonholes and trying to match to make extra. It will be easier to create buttonholes that go with whatever colour I select from my stash.

Perhaps that will happen tomorrow.

No it isn't summer, it isn't even warm anymore. But it will be a great blouse for next summer!
Now to sew the other blouses I had cut earlier in the year. I have been enjoying just 'making' without a purpose or deadline for a change.

you can do what you like

So, I decided because of the loose weave of the blue skirt, I really could do with a lining. Well, I wanted one, so there.
Anyway, I got out my box of lining and shiny-could-be-used-as-lining fabrics.

Without digging far, I found I had almost enough for a lining in a greyish silver taffeta and just enough for a bit of lining in a greyishblack. So, as it is my skirt, and no one goes round checking out linings when you are wearing them, and sometimes it feels special to have a bit of a secret going on---or perhaps you could call it a designer look ---I have put the lining together of the two fabrics.

The greysilver taffeta is a bit rustle-y, so I cut the back sections from the other. I have no idea if it will be less rustle-y for sitting down, but that was the idea.

So here is a photo of the lining. It is my skirt and I can do what I like!

back view

 

I went to the ironmongers to see if they had a zip. yes, but 7in and I needed 9in. However, they did have a couple other things I hadn't been able to find in the market previously. So that was a good result.

****
update:
no problem getting the blood test. phew.

skirt 18 + 19

Today I have been doing a bit of puttering and sorting whilst listening to the 5th test match of the cricket.

I also cut out 2 more skirts for the girls at Grace Village.

From some quilting fabric I have had in the cupboard for ages. Leaves with pinecones.

finishes

I have been doing a few finishes today. Sorting the back pleat on one of the skirts I made. Somehow the way I caught the lining down made it pucker.

and then finishing the hemming on this one...It was one of the UFOs I was trying to do at the end of July. So, now it is done and ready for when the weather gets a bit cooler.

Back view...front is just plain.

Signature button at the back - creates interest and secures the vent when sliding in and out of cars or whatever.

Trying to clear the decks so I can make a few blouses.

skirt 15,16 +17

Now that I have the busy time of the year out of the way, I want to make a few more things to send to my friend in Ethiopia for the over 10 year old children.

I got word the other day that Pattern Review were offering my a free pattern as thanks for managing the Fabric Stash contest in June and July. Normally I do my own patterns, but I have been looking at the Jalie board shorts pattern. Instead of drafting a boys shorts pattern and having no one to try it on to see how and if it works, I thought I may as well use an already made pattern for this. Skirts are not such a problem with fitting, but shorts/trousers have a bit more to them.
So, the pattern is on its way! As I understand it, there are several sizes included. So I can compare with the sizes I would have drafted in...keeping in mind the lads are more wirey than western kids and the fact that it looks like the pattern is drafted with a lot of ease.

In the meanwhile, I cut out and sewed the seams and edges for 3 skirts today. If I work at it a bit at a time I should get the waists and the hems done this week.
Here is a glimpse of the fabric. They are inside out at present, so the turned back section is what the outside will look like.

This was the fabric that was a bit peach with red...and when I prewashed it with a teal fabric ( a seperate length left from making the Epic Quest coat) the teal somehow hadn't got all the dye washed out, so I ended up with this rather curious flowery tealgrey. In a way, it has a bit of elegance to it. So, better for a few girls to wear the skirts than for the fabric to stay in my stash til inspiration has struck.

tartan skirt wearing photos

I realised I didn't have enough time to do the review on these skirts because I was still doing some bits and pieces for the contest til midnight my time. But anyway, I am glad I got them done.

Here are photos of the tartan skirt. I am wearing it today.

front

back

skirts

getting the photos up to link to quickly before bed.

Blue skirt - finished. This started out life as fabric I bought at Bombay Fabrics in Bradford ages ago. Some kind of blend I think. The selvedge says Perfect Fabrics! I tried to make a bog coat long jacket from it and failed utterly! So part of it was made into one of the skirts for girls in Ethiopia. The rest was made into this!

Front

Back

Detail of the walking slit at the back.

The unlined tartan skirt - finished. This fabric is cotton/linen blend. I got it in a sale of fabric at the National Needlework Archive.

No time for wearing it photos, but it is the same pattern as the blue.

Detail of the walking slit at the back...and pattern matching!

The other one will have to be finished another day.

Fabric Stash contest

Tonight is the deadline for the Fabric Stash contest. At the time of this writing over 975 yards have been sewn by a little over 80 members of Pattern Review. There are 786 items! Although that includes 150 little favour bags by one lady, and some other group items.
It may take you ages, but you can see all the work if you go to the Contest Gallery . Perhaps it will inspire you?

After clearing up from the Festival of Quilts entries, I came across these skirts I had started around January or February.

Why did I stop with only the waistband to be stitched down? They are already hemmed even! Oh, yeah, these were for Spring and we didn't have one! Or at least it was so delayed that I kept wearing the winter skirts and started on my textile art deadlines.

I have been quite busy with managing the contest and making the artwork. Plus then going up to Yorkshire the last few days. However, during July there has been a UFO contest as well. So, whilst the fabric stash contest is in the finishing stages and I am trying to keep up with the last entries, I am seeing if I can get these done. I have the waistbands stitched down and now need hook and eye closures.

There is also this skirt which is lined.

As well as the waistband, it needs the lining stitched down around the zip. And the hem on both the lining and the skirt. For now this will be a narrow hem on the lining. and possible the skirt, too, but I might get it hand hemmed you never know.

And if I do, I will get them all into the UFO contest. or at least the first 2. Not to win, but just because!

harris tweedlike skirt

I finished another one of the winter skirts I started in January. Some how I am beginning to think that if I don't get them done we will never have Spring! I have 2 winter ones left. They only need the waistbands and hems done. I have been grateful for the ones I did finish!

The actual colour isn't as bright a blue as this. The daylight bulbs in my room are lighting it a bit too much. It is more of what some call Air Force blue.

This fabric was a bit of a surprise when I went to cut it out. I think I picked it up at a sale over at the National Needlework Archive. So, I just went by the length and cost on the tag they had added. But when I went to lay it out, I discovered it was the very narrow width one associates with hand woven wool like Harris Tweed. Okay, it hasn't got a mark, but it feels of the same quality.

At any rate, I just managed to get the front and back cut out both on the fold...no room for a back seam. So, it has a lapped zip at the left hip. I am looking forward to wearing it to the Good Friday services. We are going to meet up with some other churches so I will need something warm for travelling there!