Making for Mummy

I have spent the day sewing for my Mummy, using my modified Simplicity 2147 pattern, scaled up to fit. All of it was sewn today, finally I am speeding up a bit, I have only basted the top and body together for now as it was time to call it a day and make dinner

Not too much left to do so it will definitely be finished by next weekend. I adore the Ikea birdie fabric and fully intend to make myself a matching one. Fingers crossed I have made it the right size for my mummy.

 

Sunshine and Photos

I hate having my photo taken as you can probably see, but feel after a week of holiday from work and lots of sewing I have to show off my efforts. It has been lovely to have some time off after a hard winter, I work less hours during the summer months, which have now started, so lots more free time for my new hobby.

My denim dress is finally finished and I was so excited to wear it today, it's incredibly comfortable and I am going to live in this during the cooler days of summer.

The tunic I have nearly finished, using my new body pattern for Simplicity 2147, it is a perfect fit now. I am going to make different sizes of the pattern after work this week so I can make a looser version for me and some for my Mum.

Fabric Spree

Yesterday I went on a bit of a fabric spree to prepare for a summer of sewing. I intended just to go to Ikea in Southampton but the entrance is right next to West Quay shopping centre so I popped in to see what I could find, no sewing shops in sight but I thought I would try John Lewis, to my amazement they had a massive fabric department and stock lots of dress fabrics and quilting cottons. I also got some half meters for my Mummy for mothers day, to quilt with, the perfect present for a mummy like mine.

All of these are for me to sew with..

Pink Chambray

Fabrics by  Renee Nanneman - Need'l Love

Amy Butler - Charisma in Blush 

 All the fabrics below are from Ikea

Rosali - £4.99 / Meter

Cecilia - £2.99 / meter

 Gullan Frukt - £2.99 / meter

Gullan Blom - £2.99 / meter

Almost simplicity 2147

Having attempted this pattern twice and failing to alter the existing pattern pieces, I decided a complete re-design was the only option. The body part of this pattern ends up being shaped like a barrel once pleated and is horribly unflattering. I love the A line shape of the Lisette Portfolio tunic and used this as a template for the shape of the new body.

I measured the top of the pattern piece with the pleats folded in (24cm Sz10) and made sure I made the top  of the pattern this width. I used the curve of the top of the pattern piece with pleats folded to get the correct shape, I then used one of the portfolio dresses I have made and followed the curve down from under the under arm to the bottom. This made the template for the back.

For the front I decided to gather instead of pleat so made the pattern piece wider at the top but followed the same curve. I used the original front pattern piece for the top of the pattern and left the middle pleat unfolded to get the extra fabric for gather.

Top part of the Tunic made using more fabric from Ikea.

 Left is the body made using the original pattern.         Right is the body using new pieces.

 Practice run to test my new pattern before I cut the nice fabric. I have tried it on and it fits perfectly and more importantly is flattering, not a barrel.

I am going to try and finish my spotty Tunic tomorrow so will update with the results.

Simplicity 2147

I have been admiring versions of this pattern on other peoples blogs and decided to try to make one for my Mummy, I adjusted the pattern slightly and the neck may be a bit wide now, I haven't had the chance to try it on her yet so will find out soon. I love how easy this pattern is and how little fabric it took to make. I used cotton fabric from Ikea which cost £2.75. I am going to press the pleats down better and finish it today, then start one for myself, to get a more clear idea of sizing.

Simplicity 2147

Denim Portfolio Tunic

I am completely obsessed with this pattern and just had to make another one. A lovely lady in Australia send me 2.5 Meters of lightweight denim fabric just for this purpose. I set to work on it after Christmas between gaps in working and it has taken me until now to complete it. Mainly because I could not hem it! I asked my mum for advice and she took it home to try, I didn't want to rush her so left it until last weekend to ask for it back. I re-did the hem on Monday using my new machine, I made it a lot wider than intended but I am desperate to wear it so I am leaving it as it is.

 

I chose this seam finish around the arms and shoulder seams to make it even more comfortable.