Back in Black

I've had a bias cut black skirt waiting on my dressform since before my vacation, so I quickly sewed up the hem today, to make way for my SWAP sewing.

The skirt is from New Look 6546, a one piece pattern on the bias with an elastic waist and a narrow hem. Despite sitting waiting for 4 weeks, it could've been sewed up in an hour. This skirt was my "bottom" in my 6-PAC. Although the sew-along is finished and they've moved on to the winter collection, I have 3 out of the 6 items now complete. I will still finish up the planned dress and coat, as they've both been cut and ready to go. They will have to wait till April though, as I will be concentrating on SWAP 2010 for now.

Black Silk Blouse

I've finally finished my second garment for the Autumn Sew-along, which was actually started first. It is a TNT pattern, Simplicity 3887.



I'm still trying to improve the photo taking, but at least you can see the detailing on the black in the bright light.

I think it was the first time I've worked with silk and it was a little tricky, especially since I didn't want pin holes everywhere. I fudged the neckline on my first attempt, as the silk slipped and I sewed it on skew. It took several "surgical" procedures to get it looking at least symetrical. This is the reason for the long break, I started this in September and looked at it with a fresh head yesterday.

This will be a basic blouse to dress up for my numerous events.

Looking back at my original 6-PAC Plan, I think I'll try to finish the skirt and dress before the end of the month and will start the planned raincoat at a later stage. I'll be scrapping the idea for the patchwork vest, I'll use the fabric for a quilt or another project.

Sewing Workshop Bamboo Shirt

I've just finished the Bamboo shirt and am pleased with how it turned out. The shirt is designed larger, so I made it in a size "small", a size smaller than my measurements and it is still very roomy, but I don't feel like I drown in it.





According to the pattern envelope, the Bamboo Top is: Very loose-fitting, unlined jacket/top has slightly forward shoulder seams, extended shoulders, shoulder pleats, mock neck band, front band and yoke shield, vertical welt pocket and long two-piece sleeves pleated into button cuffs.

Quite a mouthful.

This was my first welt pocket and my first successful buttonholes with this machine. I've had horrendous problems in the past making buttonholes and have avoided making them like the plague. But I chose this pattern to force myself to resolve the issues.

My machine is a Nina, a basic Bernina, that was sold in South Africa. It seems to be equivalent to a Bernette 70/75. Yes, I know I need a newer machine...but now that I've fixed this issue, I'm content with this one. It uses a one-step buttonhole method.

The buttonhole solution:
1) A fresh machine needle
2) a freshly wound bobbin
3) Proper positioning of the buttonhole lever
4) Making sure that the stitching area is smooth, I actually moved the placement at the bottom button and the third one down so that I wasn't making buttonholes over seam allowances.



So my confidence has returned!!! I've also finished my first garment in my 6-PAC Plan. I can now change serger threads and move onto all the black garments, I still have until the end of the month to finish.

Firsts!!!

One of my goals in life is to learn, always learn new things and try out new experiences. So in this spirit I specifically chose the Bamboo shirt by Sewing Workshop for the Six-Piece Autumn Collection sew-along. To make things simpler it will now be called the 6-PAC. Thanks to Elizabeth (ejvc at Stitchers Guild) for coming up with the acronym.

I spent yesterday working on the shirt and have now made my very first welt pocket. It got off to a rocky start as I confused the pockets' right and wrong sides, but I just adjusted the markings and made the pocket bag smaller. The vertical welt pocket is just a design detail, as I wouldn't really put anything into such as pocket, so it really didn't matter if I goofed the pocket bag.



I was also busy making tucks and pleats on the back and have more pleats to look forward to on the cuffs. I also want to look for flesh toned interfacing. Do they make this?? I don't like the way the white interfacing shines through the white fabric.

I'm dreading making the buttonholes, as my machine seems to wig out every time I flip to the automatic buttonhole setting. But I will persevere and figure something out.

On a positive note....I have my serger back from service and it's stitching like a dream. It has never worked this well.

Six-piece Autumn Collection Sew-Along

I've joined the sew-along at Stitchers Guild. My colours are black, white, mist and grey.




I started a black, white and grey capsule last year from mostly ready-to-wear (RTW) garments and would like to continue. I have a large amount of black in my stash and would really like to use it up.


The Plan

The "rules" state:
skirt or trousers in the neutral colour
3 blouses/tops one to match, two to complement
1 layering top or cardigan to match bottom
Jacket in coordinating neutral

I've decided to add a dress instead of the 3rd top and my coat will match and my layering item will be a vest/waitcoat.


1) Black silk blouse in Simplicity 3887 View C
2) White blouse using Sewing Workshop Bamboo shirt
3)Black dress with black/white polka dot accent using New Look 6589 View C (middle blue on pattern envelope)
4) Black skirt using New Look 6546, an a-line just below the knee



5) A waistcoat or vest using Amy Butler Fabric from her Daisy Chain Collection.

I have these fabrics below and will find two others to make a patchwork of the grey & mist coloured fabrics. It should look nice against the black and white tops.



6) A black raincoat using Burda 7750, the longer coat with the hood.