Tuesday 5 July 2016

I'm Sew Excited

We've had a mini break, not really a holiday, just a break from home.  Grace went to Glastonbury (which she really enjoyed) and while she was away, we stayed at her flat in Sheffield to look after her hamster!

I don't know whether Juno the hamster appreciated us being there because she spent all her time trying to chew through the bars of her pen to escape!



Anyway, we had a lovely time in Sheffield, very relaxing.

Now that I'm settling into dressmaking and feeling more confident, I've been watching The Great British Sewing Bee on TV.  This is the first time I've watched the series, which is now in Season 4.  I really enjoyed watching this and feel that I've learnt quite a few new things.  At the moment, my dressmaking projects can be classed as "Easy" or "Beginner" but I'm determined to branch out and tackle some more challenging projects in the future.

For the time being I'm making nice, simple summer dresses.  Here is the latest one I've made.

(I never look relaxed when my husband is taking the photos!)

I have again used the Simplicity 6262 pattern, but having put sleeves in the previous version I made, I have decided I'm more of a sleeveless dress person - at least as far as summer dresses are concerned.  I added a ribbon around the waist this time.  It adds quite a nice trim, but I could have done with applying it better - next time I'll be able to do it better.

I'm hoping for some warm and sunny weather now, so that I can wear it.

Whilst we were in Sheffield I was looking at the sewing machines in John Lewis.  I thought I should maybe update my machine and I was interested in finding out more about how to do buttonholes.  When I got back home, I thought I would check the handbook for my machine to see what it could do as far as buttonholes were concerned.  I was amazed and overjoyed to find out that my machine does one step buttonholes that are precisely sized to the buttons you want to use.  I've only had this machine a mere 21 years, and who knew that it was as clever as that!  I really need to explore what else it can do, I'm clearly not using it anywhere near to its capabilities.

Tomorrow I'm planning on cutting out another summer dress, pink this time - let's hope my optimism is rewarded with some nicer weather.

23 comments:

  1. I LOVE your summer dresses.

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  2. Lovely dress. How satisfying to make your own wardrobe. I love the Sewing Bee - so sad it is over. x

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    1. Thank you. Yes, the Sewing Bee was great, I just wish I'd watched the earlier series.

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  3. What a pretty dress, Janet! You inspire me to finish the skirt I'm making.

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    1. Thank you. I'm enjoying making my own clothes and I'm glad that I've inspired you.

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  4. Its amazing what a sewing machine can do, I was amazed a couple of weeks ago when I discovered all the different stitches it did. Beautiful dress, I love the waist trim.

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    1. Thank you Lorraine, I suspect my sewing machine is far clever than I am!

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  5. Enjoy your sewing and the buttonhole making! That is something I need to learn, I know the machine has the foot for it, but I don't have the brain cells to operate it!

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    1. Thank you Amy. Besides taking 21 years to work it out, it also took a lot of concentration!

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  6. You look amazing in your new dress x

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  7. Your dress looks super. I've been enjoying the Sewing Bee too, and been working on a garment. Infuriatingly I can't get a good stitch on my machine to finish it off. Very frustrating.

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  8. Well done on your new dress. I haven't got a clue about half of the functions my machine can do. Well. more than three quarters to be precise x

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  9. You look fabulous in that dress Janet, it is a terrific pattern. Cute hamster.
    Meredith

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  10. I bought one of John Lewis's little £50 machines. Mine's lilac. I had given my Frister and Rossman away ,with my overlocker too about 3yrs ago. They were too heavy for me. But this little beauty ,I can pick up with one hand. It only does the basics but I love it. Your dresses are so pretty. that style really suits you. Oh...missing the Sewing Bee already. This was the best series up to now.

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    1. My daughter Grace has the same machine as you, hers is purple. It is lovely and light weight.

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  11. This style of dress is very flattering on you, and would look great with a light sweater if it's too cool (you can knit one right?). I haven't made button holes in years, but when the machine does all the work, then no worries! Have fun with the pink dress!

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    1. Thank you Lynne. I do love with style of dress and it's ideal for pairing up with a knitted cardigan. I need to get knitting now.

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  12. It's lovely Janet, you really suit it, I love the British sewing bee Ive seen them all and always feel inspired to start sewing I haven't so far because I know whatever I make will never get worn my sewing is so bad, I'm looking forward to seeing your pink creation. :) xx

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    1. Thank you Linda. My confidence is growing the more I sew, so I'm certainly enjoying it and don't feel quite so stressed.

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