HOW TO SEW AN ALL IN ONE FACING ON A 1960's SHIFT DRESS AND MAKE A MATCHING JACKET

Vintage sewing, the late 1960's. 

This is a post from  three years ago but I want you to see it as the technique of finishing the neckline is so very useful.

This is an iconic style of the 1960s, it was the first time in history that teenagers had their own style and the shift dress was certainly one of them. Made in heavy fabric so that it hung straight on the body it was short  bright and fun to wear.

For fabrics look at MinervaCrafts Cotton dress fabrics as they have an almost endless choice 

Perhaps one of the most daunting challenges is when you choose a pattern only to find that it has an all in one facing which encloses the neck and armhole edges both at the same time. But don't worry, it's simple when you know how. I am using New look patterns. Both available from Jaycotts.co.uk. But there are plenty of similar patterns, just look for a sleeveless shift dress

There are many methods but this one is in my opinion the neatest and the easiest. So, choose a pattern for either a shell top or a sleeveless dress which includes an all in one facing.

Sew a Beautiful Lingerie Bag

A pretty lingerie bag to give or keep 

I have made a lot of lingerie recently and I thought that it would be really nice to have a lingerie bag to keep them in. It is nice to put your night slip in during the day and they are useful to take on holiday too, they look really pretty sat on your bed.

They are not difficult to make and take very little fabric. They can be made any size you want and you could even make a small one for handkerchiefs. They make wonderful gifts too.

This is my lingerie case sat on my bed. I only ever buy or make Egyptian cotton bedding and always in white. I add lace trimmings to sheets and pillowcases and always add my initial. I therefore get the quality I enjoy at a good price  and can personalise it to suit my own taste.

How to sew very Easy Totes and Shopping bags

Be plastic free at the supermarket

I am often told that many of us are inspired to make our own bags and we go and buy a lovely pattern, but that's as far as we ever get - mostly. The reason seems to be that these patterns require so many different and unfamiliar fabrics,interlinings and other notions which are either hard to obtain or are too expensive, or both.

In this post I am going to show you how to make a very easy Tote bag for your shopping and then I will  adapt the same design by first of all adding a lining, and then by making the bag larger to make a practical beach bag and finally a stylish faux leather large Tote with embroidery. 

Why not use a patterned fabric, do some simple applique, print your logo  or even hand embroidery, it doesn't really matter. 
In fact it's a great way to use up fabric scraps or even discarded clothes. The whole point is that we all need shopping bags and if you know how to make your own you will never be short of a bag again. The best thing is that if you use leftover fabric they are free!

Skills learned

Labels

• French seam
• Making a basic tote
• Adding a lining
• Sewing with faux leather 
• Using a commercial bag pattern
• Adding a zip

A Classic Skirt in Derbyshire Tartan

My very special Derbyshire Tartan Skirt

I would like to show you how to work with difficult fabrics. In this case a Tweed which needs careful pattern matching.The thickness of the fabric also requires a lovely finish to the waistband - a faced waistband, which is a couture technique. The waistband also has an  abutted closure at the back. All this makes for a beautiful elegant skirt.
To make a skirt with handsewn zipper and waistband , not to mention pattern matching, is a garment requiring patience and time. A project to be savoured and enjoyed.
 

If you have just a bit of sewing experience, this is definitely within your grasp and will help you to grow as a sewer.
Please remember that nothing and nobody is 100% perfect so if your garment makes you happy then that is all that matters, even if something is not quite right. The point is you made it yourself and that is certainly worth celebrating.
My skirt was made with a length of stunning Derbyshire Tartan. This Tartan comes in different weights and for this project I am using the Harris Tweed on the left of the photograph below

This Tartan was created by my lovely friend Fiona and  her husband, and is registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans. They moved from their successful business and  home on the Isle of Harris to Derbyshire and were inspired by the colours in the Derbyshire countryside and it's heritage to design this beautiful fabric.

To find out more about what the colours represent and to order goods or fabric then please visit their website Derbyshire Tartan  I really admire how they had the courage and inspiration to look around their new home and to express it's very identity in fabric.
I therefore feel honoured to be given the opportunity of working with this Tartan and decided it deserved some of my very best work.

Click to read on ......

The perfect wrap front Knit top

A MCBN post

The perfect close fitting wrap top in a beautiful printed Ponte Roma Knit fabric.

It will thankfully soon that time of year when we want to wear a top with sleeves in place of a heavy pullover.
A long sleeved top with an interesting draped wrap front is the perfect transition garment.
The rest of the post can be found on this link  The perfect wrap front top  you will find details of the fabric and pattern used on the post

Thank you to Minerva for this lovely fabric. Do make this top, you won't regret it .

Sewangelicthreads

The BROTHER 3034D Overlocker

 This post is all about my Overlocker - and  rolled hems

The Brother 3034D from Jaycotts

 My overlocker is the  Brother 3034D  from Jaycotts.co.uk.  To look at it on the web site click - Brother 3034D overlocker   There are plenty of other choices and Jaycotts will  be happy to talk about and  demonstrate other models to you if you visit them or telephone them
An overlocker is used to finish most seams very neatly, it can be used as a hem, it can be used instead of a regular sewing machine to stitch stretch fabrics together. It can be in a matching thread or a contrast.

Embroidery Machines

A Jaycotts post

What else can I do with an embroidery machine other than embroider clothes?

"An embroidery machine is an investment, so what else can I use an embroidery only machine for" is something I get asked a lot and I know Jaycotts have the answer!

These are a few of the items I make on my Brother embroidery machine.
To view the range , this is the link Embroidery Machine

If at all possible it is well worth a visit to try a few and to discuss options

I have to admit that once my embroidery machine comes out, I never want to put it away, I find it addictive and before I know it I have been sat at it all day long.

So I hope that by sharing some of the things I use it for will make you realise that they are a really good investment. There are so many ways to use it and even when you think you have tried everything you could purchase the software needed to make your own designs!

Fascinating to watch, no matter how many times you have used your machine

Troubleshooting your Sewing Machine By Jaycotts.co.uk

A Jaycotts Blog post by Alex Jaycott

I asked Jaycotts about troubleshooting Sewing machines as we all have problems from time to time and we don't always know where to start to sort it out.

This is their advice:

Alex,

The biggest issue we encounter is mis-threading of the sewing machine 

Having sold and serviced sewing machines for over 30 years I can honestly say that the biggest headaches for customers are actually caused by mis- threading the sewing machine!

everyone does it from time to time whether beginner or expert, novice or sewing teacher 

What do you mean by that Alex, what should we be doing?  Angela

Alex

Well , it is important to thread the machine  exactly as shown in your manual.For example  if someone miss-threads the take up lever, they usually don’t notice it and when the machine jams it looks as if the problem is the bobbin area  - when in fact it isn’t

So I guess my point should be that if you have an issue, the first thing to try is: re do your upper thread, taking care that the thread goes right into the take up lever. Incorrect threading can cause the machine to jam almost immediately.

If you  still have problems after that then go on to checking the bobbin area.

The Blue Dress

The Blue Dress 

A MinervaCrafts Blogger Network post 

We all need a special dress in our wardobe, something which makes us feel and look fabulous but which is easy to wear.

This stunning blue dress is perfect for parties and I can't wait to wear it. 

The fabric and pattern are as follows....

But wait! I do want you to read the whole post so head on over to MinervaCrafts website and all will be revealed The Blue Dress

Not only will you find out what the fabric and patterns are you will learn about negative ease and lengthening a pattern and much more! 

Thank you for reading this post, it is appreciated

#sewangelicthreads

Sewing for Beginners - Fabric, Cutting out, and Patterns

This is a Jaycotts Post

All about Sewing Patterns, Fabrics and Cutting out.

It is daunting knowing where to start isn't it, so I am going to talk about the basics of cutting out and why you need to follow the guidelines on your sewing pattern.  I am making two garments, one in velvet the other in suiting and at the end of the post you should be well on your way to cutting out with confidence.

You can start with any garment but I have chosen a pair of straight leg trousers which are actually simple to make and always look good on.
All the links to patterns and haberdashery are given in the post making it easy for you to place you order with Jaycotts
When choosing a pattern consider what styles you already own and like and look for patterns which are similar. After a while you will want to make garments which are new to you, so it is a good idea to go and try clothes on and  to take a photograph if at all possible, then you can look for patterns in a similar style.