ABOUT ME

I am Angela and I love to sew. I started sewing as a child and by the time I was a teenager I was wearing the very latest fashions to go out in. All me-made. I am passionate about reducing the amount of textiles sent to landfill, and encourage you to repurpose fabrics and clothes I started this blog in order to have a way in which to pass on my gained knowledge, and my professional knowledge to you, Sewing is empowering, you can save money by making items, make money by selling then, You can pass your knowledge on to others. What is there not to love? Interestingly I am a direct descendant of the Flemish weavers who came over to England in the 1300's. I find that fascinating especially as most of my family from as far back as I can trace are somehow involved in the manufacturing of fabric . . I have a degree in tailoring with a special interest in WW2 fashion.
Showing posts with label Top. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top. Show all posts

Friday 14 April 2023

Butterick Sewing Pattern 6856 in linen Look cotton fabric

 



This Butterick top was made in this gorgeous cotton fabric from Minerva.com and can be purchased by clicking the link below highlighted in Blue 
Minerva Core Range Washed Vintage Linen Look Cotton Fabric  Minerva linen look cotton
I had intended to make this over  Easter but my lovely son "forgot" to tell me he was coming to stay. I was delighted of course and hastily converted my craft room into a bedroom. It was his birthday too.so it was a wonderful time 




Little Coco was overexcited, she is only a few weeks old and hadn't met Matthew before.





Anyway, back to sewing.
If you are a newbie then you may not want to go through all the prep but trust me on this, you need to do several things before putting sewing machine to fabric.
Firstly wash and press your fabric,I never skip this bit as fabrics can take you by surprise and shrink in the first wash.
While this is happening take your measurements and compare them to the measurements on the pattern envalope. I also check the finished size but this can involve a hunt as some pattern companies place them on the relevant tissue pieces, others put them somewhere on the envalope or the instructions. A cup of tea is welcome at this point.



Butterick Sewing Pattern 6856


Transfer your pattern markings onto your fabric and then iron on any interfacing.




It may take a couple of days to do all this prep but now sewing the garment can be carried out easily and quickly. One final point is to press each seam as you sew it. It makes the difference between a homemade garment and a Handmade, bespoke garment. It is far better to spend time before sewing to get everything done and will save time in having to make alterations or wondering which is the right side of the fabric.
Well, I shall get on with sewing it then I can wear it.







The pattern is fairly straightforward but in one or two places it left me to figure out which way round some of the bands were meant to be sewn. Studying the diagrams recommended.






I spent ages top stitching the entire garment but it took the blouse from the very casual look I wanted to something a whole lot smarter. So I spent an evening unpicking all the top stitching, maybe it was an unnecessary thing to do but I wanted to stay true to when and where I wanted to be able to wear it.
The altered sleeves are successful, one of the photos shows how I did it.
I shall wear this again and again, it's perfect.








#Sewangelicthreads 
#sewingblogger
#sewing
#tutorial
#blouse
#shirt
#butterickpatterns 
#butterick6856
#cottonfabric

Tuesday 7 March 2023

Sew House Seven Cosmos Sweater and skirt in Stretch Sweater Knit

 The Sew House Seven sweater and skirt 

A Minerva.com post 




I have a page on Minerva.com where you can find more of my posts. This is one such post so to read more on 

My posts on Minerva.com are on this link so do click on the text where you will find photos and fabric details etc

 







The pattern I used is this top and skirt combo from Sew House Seven details on my Minerva.com page 





The fabric is a glorious sweater knit,which is an absolute breeze to sew 







I took the hem up by about 8" in order to balance the loose fitting top 




The skirt needed taking in quite substantially 





I am very happy with the results so please don't forget to follow the link at the top of this post and see what else I have been making



#Sewangelicthreads 

#sewingblogger

#sewist 

#sewing

#sewhouseseven

#sweaterknit

#fabric

#knitfabric

#tutorial 

#MinervaBrandAmbassador

#minervamaker

Tuesday 13 December 2022

Vogue 8854 in dark green Velour Rib

 This is Vogue V8854 made in this absolutely butter soft cord. From Minerva.com 





This absolutely gorgeous velour rib knit is from Minerva.com,  available in many different colours.  Do please click through this link to view more details about this fabric  

Velour cord knit at Minerva.com   Velour cord strech knit fabric

Although it is an "easy" pattern if you are unsure then I suggest that you do a mock up of the front first, any fabric will be fine for this, especially a woven. This cord stretches and care needs to be taken with the front.




To prevent the fabric edges from curling up then I suggest iron on seam taper - it really helps.

There are one or two alterations I want to make, the sleeves need shortening by a couple of inches and as I won't wear the collar up I may as well remove the top popper







The pattern is very roomy, so compare your measurements with those on the pattern.

This is a sucess I feel 😍


My posts on Minerva.com can be found on Sewangelicthreads on Minerva.com



#MinervaBrandAmbassador 

#sweater

#Sewangelicthreads 

#voguepatterns 

Saturday 3 December 2022

Vogue Designer lounger wear using gorgeous French Terry Fabric

 

Loungewear Set.





Iam greatly impressed with this fabric. I received 2•5 metres which meant that I could make not only a tunic top but trousers too. It was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle fitting all of the pattern pieces onto the fabric, and keeping the animals the right way up and the grain line accurate, but in the end it was not so difficult.




The fabric is exclusive to Minerva.com and is available here:_ French Looped Back Terry

I have parkinsons disease and have a lot of days when just the act of getting dressed exhausts me and I will not be able to do anything for the rest of the day. I find that if I spend a day doing housework, shopping or even just meeting with friends means that I have to pay it back for the next day or so.
I therefore love nice loungewear which is easy to put on is comfortable to wear especially if I am going to be resting a lot, but it has to look amazing too, because quite frankly wearing something lovely really cheers me up. We all need to look good don't you think. Of course a chocolate biscuit always helps 






I do love Vogue patterns and for the top I used a Marcy Tilton design for Vogue. You will. No doubt notice that I have used this pattern before. Each design has its own set of pattern pieces which means in effect that you,In this case, get four patterns!
For the pants I used an old pyjama pattern, I am sure that you will have a suitable pattern to use.


I am excited about this project, the French Terry is so gorgeous. Plus it is mostly cotton, this is important to me as natural fibres help to regulate my body temperature



It is always the same for me - I try on a new Minerva Make in order to take photographs and I love it so much that I do not take it off!
This is my new loungewear, different to pyjamas as loungwear, to me anyway, is just a but smarter and more fitted, the pants in particular.
This Vogue pattern is so very easy to make and with three separate patterns in the envalope there are lots of choices to vary each make.









The pants are from a old pyjama pattern, but I took the width in to give them a more streamlined look.
And as for the fabric! Wow! This French Terry has such an amazing print, very much like the jungle prints I wore in the late 60's yes, sadly I am that old.
For me, loungewear is a special part of my wardrobe, as I have mentioned before I have parkinsons and need plenty of rest days, but I still love visitors - I had a coffee morning yesterday, so even if I am not going anywhere I boost my own self esteem by dressing nicely but comfortably. This outfit is perfect


Do look at the fabric, it is gorgeous 





 Thank you to Minerva.com for the fabric.  Do please follow this link to view the entire website including sale items Minerva.com



#sewing #sewingblogger #Sewangelicthreads #minervabrandambassador #minervamaker #loungewear #voguepatterns

Tuesday 20 September 2022

The Sewing Workshop BRISTOL DRESS and TOP

 The Bristol dress and Top


 This is one of  my go- to dress patterns . I always have one in my wardrobe in Black as it is so elegant and effortless to wear. It is actually my funeral and singing in the choir dress.



 


This dress is perfect for sitting around in and for travel as it is so very comfortable 





It is a very unusual shape with bands around part of the Hemline. However it is extremely easy to sew 


Sunday 11 September 2022

Re-use, recycle. Will you take the challenge?

 Re-use, recycle.  Make Do and mend. What is this all about?  Why should it affect me?


I am alarmed after doing some research  just how much clothing, some of it unworn, goes to landfill. We purchase a lot of cheaper clothes which soon lose their appeal and out they go. Our wardrobes are crammed with things we hardly ever. Or never wear.

Not just clothes, I have been rescuing furniture too







Did you know that Dunelm take back textiles? I shall be doing this 

The website is Dunelm Take Back Scheme

Monday 7 February 2022

1940's Vintage Blouse in 100% Premium Organic Cotton Fabric from Jaycotts

 I am so excited to be back blogging, and a little nervous too, but doesn't it feel great to be moving forwards at last

The Simplicity 8593 vintage blouse collection.

 A Jaycotts post 


The Fabric is an Organic Cotton fabric by Cloud9



Everything used in this post is from Jaycotts Jaycotts web site and I will give links as I write the post. For any queries or to place an order do not hesitate to contact them direct.





Monday 22 November 2021

A very beautiful blouse in fabulous Art Gallery Fabrics stretch cotton Jersey

I do not normally wear blouses and I was thinking about why I don't. I realised that I have always sewn them in a woven fabric and I feel too restricted when wearing  fabrics like cotton  Lawn,  no matter how beautiful  it is , it's  just not me.











So I was glad to have been gifted a length of this fabric and also a copy of the pattern,  so it was the perfect opportunity


Saturday 20 November 2021

My fabulous Lurex Pants suit

 Channeling my inner Abba in this fabulous pants suit


Have you thought about what you are going to wear for Christmas yet? I wanted something glamorous yet comfortable and a lurex pants suit fits the bill perfectly.




 

The top is the  Simple Sew Nancy tunic which I adapted slightly by cutting the front and back off on the diagonal from hem to just below the armsyce and stitching the triangles on again but this time the front goes on the back and vice Versa.i also altered the sleeve shape . All this was easy to do 







Monday 2 August 2021

Vogue V8952 Pullover Tunic Top

 A Minerva.com make

You can read the post in full and view more photos as well as finding out how to order this fabulous fabric and pattern on this link My Vogue 8952 top on Minerva.com

What an amazing pattern this is. I love all three views but in the end decided on the version with the cowl neckline, however I am already planning on what fabric to make the other two versions in. This does seem to be a popular pattern and since purchasing mine I have seen quite a few versions and they all look fantastic 





The fabric I used is a Viscose Jersy knit and it hangs really nicely don't you agree. It comes in four colours and is modestly priced especially as you only need 2m

This isxtgeclink to this gorgeous fabric which comes in several different colours 

Viscose Jersey Fabric

Thursday 21 May 2020

Make some super smart Stay At Home wear


Let's make some lovely staying at home clothes to wear 


Maybe like me you never thought about what to wear when staying indoors for long periods of time. I know some people are wearing PJs but really I think it is better for morale to make a clear distinction between day and night. If you are wearing something which you feel good in and which is comfortable you will feel more " normal"

These are some items I have made for myself to wear and I am really happy with them.


I made a pair of trousers in a stretch fabric (another pair is cut out ready to sew)
The top I am wearing is a piece of jersey with a silver sparkle running through it.
The front top I am holding is made from the same fabric as the trousers with the addition of a scrap of fabric taken from a t-shirt I never liked.



The top on the left is made from a more cuddly knit fabric and it has a cowl neckline.



Thursday 23 April 2020

The Sewing Workshop Liberty Shirt

A MCBN post

The Sewing Workshop liberty shirt


If there are two things I love they are Art Gallery Fabrics and The Sewing Workshop patterns.
Lucky for me this post uses both.

The fabric is Endless Paradise Chambray  from the Denim Studio collection by Art Gallery Fabrics.  This has to be my favourite fabric brand.  I love their innovative designs and the quality of the fabric is superb.
This pattern is suitable for beginners who have a bit of sewing knowledge. The instructions are superb.







I am sure that you too will want to make this fabulous shirt so do follow this link to read the rest of the post and find out how to order fabric and pattern.

I know you will love this shirt too
Angela 






Tuesday 4 February 2020

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

Thursday 3 October 2019

Summer Pants and Cheesecloth Tops


I have wanted to make these trousers for a while, I made a wearable toile (or test garment) and I am so glad I did! 

I also wanted to make some Cheesecloth Tops and I hand dyed some of a plain white fabric to make them with . More about that later






This is a fabulous outfit and I absolutely love it, but it was not without its problems!

Problems are just puzzles to be solved in my opinion and I enjoy the creative thinking required to sort them out.



This is the Pietra Trousers by Closet Case Patterns . I have made the Ginger Jeans many times and love them so much that I made five pairs!


Friday 10 May 2019

Palazzo pants and a darted printed top

A short pattern hack 

This is a continuation of a previous blog post Sew yourself Cropped pants and a matching top

The last post was an embroidered pair of crop trousers with a top featuring the same embroidery. I appreciate that some of you have no desire to embroider by machine or hand so this is another idea - Block Printing. 



 Everything is the same as in the previous post
All of the machines, zip, thread and habberdashery etc are from Jaycotts.co.uk Contact Jaycotts




Saturday 26 January 2019

Sewing The Mondrian style top from the GBSB 2016 (Sewing an all in one facing )

This is a top made to embrace the 1960's Mondrian style in honour of the iconic Mondrian dress by Yves Saint Laurent.

A Jaycotts.co.uk How do I do that post


Skills shown in this post are

  1. All in one facings
  2. Invisible zip 


SewAngelicThreads


I love the colour block dress from the Great British Sewing Bee book From Stitch to style, but before I invested in the fabrics I wanted to try out the top first in fabric left over from other projects. This top is based on the MONDRIAN dress created by Yves  Saint laurent in 1965. Made to be worn as a cocktail dress the Mondrian was made from heavy silk crepe so that it hung straight in the body.  It quickly became the most iconic dress of the 1960s

This top was made in Art Gallery Fabric , this particular fabric is a very high end cotton print. You can use any cotton fabric  so long as you get a good contrast with the black bands.  All the fabrics need to be the same weight.
If you do fancy indulging yourself and buying some Art Gallery fabric Minerva Fabrics sell it,  Art Gallery fabrics .these are print fabrics but are gorgeous.


There are other linen, cotton ,and linen blends available too Cotton and cotton blend dress fabrics

And if you want to go back to the traditional colours there are lots of plain cotton's too, these are. Cotton Lawn fabric
The quality and price of all of these is excellent


The original Mondrian was made from panels of blue, white and acid yellow interspaced with black. My modern interpretation is in a light coloured print fabric with black bands added to form the iconic design.


The top is amazing don't you think and can be made fairly quickly.
 This tutorial shows you how to do an all in one facing.


You need to follow the link below to read the rest of the post.....

Sunday 6 January 2019

Sew yourself some Croppped Pants and a matching Top

This is a Jaycotts.co.uk post using Simplicity 8391

This is such an easy outfit to make, with or without embroidery. It is suitable for beginners upwards.

Skills learned

Centred Zip
Pintucks
Pressing
Positioning of embroidery/applique
Button loops
Zipper foot



When I first saw this pattern I wasn't sure if it would suit me or not. Wrong! I decided as soon as I tried it on that I love this outfit.It is perfect for holidays, flattering and easy to sew. I like the 3/4 length wide trousers, they are cool to wear in the sun - I like to cover up mostly and I want garments which are easy to wear and light to pack.
I have paired the outfit with a pair of navy wedges.



The pattern is by Simplicity and is available to purchase from Jaycotts Simplicity 8391  In the envelope are patterns for a top, skirt, pants and shorts, everything you need for your holiday in fact.
The fabric is from Minerva Crafts and is a linen look Cotton, Linen look Cotton fabric This fabric is cool to wear and very easy to sew.
The pattern shows the garments made up in cotton trimmed with eyelet fabric or lace, but I wanted to use embroidery on mine - of course!

Thursday 12 April 2018

Vogue 1246 Designer shirt by Lynn Mizono in Linen Fabric



 This is a Pattern review for this fabulous designer shirt/ jacket by the American designer Lynn Mizono.

Labels 

Tacking, marker pens, tailors chalk,


I am delighted with this fantastic Vogue pattern and with the whole outfit



The pattern is from Jaycotts and can be purchased here Vogue 1246. The fabric is quite old and I have been longing to use it for ages but never could decide what to do with it. I thought it perfect for this jacket though, and even though there wasn't enough fabric for the entire garment I decided to go ahead anyway. It is an embroidered linen with flower applique on it, purchased as I said several years ago.There was just enough to cut out the main body of the jacket and a small piece was left over for the contrast panel on the top. I had another piece of linen in the same weight but plain. This went into making the sleeves and collar and the trousers. My final piece of linen went into making the bulk of the top. It was a bit of trial and error with pattern placement bit in the end the fabrics go together very well.