My green floral Jersey Dre ss

 This beautiful dress is also on the Minerva.com website and isn't it fabulous

I feel like a goddess in it .  View the full post on my page on their website too, the link is 

My green Goddess dress

The #BLACK FRIDAY SALE CONTINUES AT Black Friday sale at Minerva

This beautiful green Viscose Jersey can be purchased on Viscose Jersey Fabric

MORE BAGS TO SEW - EASY TOTE BAGS.

 Easy to sew, eco-friendly, perfect for gifts.....

Not just any Bag

What do you do with your leftover bits of fabric? I like to use every scrap of my fabric and this is my go-to favourite  project.

We all need bags now and what could be better than to make your own? A pretty bag is less likely to be left at home and no matter how simple the design they are always admired. In fact mine are often admired so much that I give them away and end up with none for myself

This particular Tote bag was made almost entirely on my embroidery machine. Sweet Pea Australia

 It is made from quilting cotton and trimmed with fau

McCalls Siella in Navy Crepe. A version of the BUFFET DRESS featured in the GBSB 2021

  This style of dress, the Buffet Dress was featured in the Great British Sewing Bee episode 1 2021

This post shows alternative ways to style it 

Video at the end of the post 

Sew Over It Zoe Dress with The Ultimate Trousers

 I was gifted this fabric from minerva and I knew instantly what I wanted to make with it.

Update.

I love these pants so much that I have recently made three more pairs.  Once you get the fit right these pants can be made in a flash.

If you have never made pants before do try these. Choose a heavy fabric with some stretch and you will be amazed.

Sewing Seams and Sewing in Straight lines

This is a tutorial about working seams,finishing seams, and sewing straight  seams

A Jaycotts.co.uk blog post

Recently I have had people tell me that it is years since they  last used a sewing machine  and could not sew in a straight line.

I remember when I was learning to sew my seams were never straight either. Like everything else it only comes with practice.  Luckily there are now lots of gadgets to help.

                                            A spot of hand sewing

What is a seam?

A seam is much more than joining two pieces of fabric together. A seam can provide subtle shaping to a garment and when correctly made can be almost invisible. Decorative seams add design and interest to a garment.

So what are the rules in sewing a seam?

• Pin the seam together right sides of the fabric together normally, but there are exceptions which we will come to later
• Pin the seam edges together matching the ends, notches and any other markings
• Hand tack the seam. You can omit this if your fabric is easy to handle and if you are experienced at sewing.
• Stitch the seam with thread which exactly matches your fabric and buy the best quality thread you can afford
• Finish the seam edge appropriately
• Trim loose threads
• Press every seam every time. Pressing gives a crisp edge and makes the thread sink into the fabric making the stitches invisible.

NB Please note that in order to show you the different seam finishes  more clearly I am using a contrast thread. The only time you should sew a seam with a contrast thread is when it is a design feature for example top stitching.

How to sew a straight seam - some tips 

Seam allowances are usually 5/8" wide, there are occasions when 1/4" or 1/2" seams are used so do check your pattern.

Why is this important? 

Quite simply if your seam is too wide or to narrow, your garment will not fit. 

There are lots of ways to ensure your seam is the correct width and straight(ish) The simplest method of all and is what I do is to quite simply attach a piece of tape ,masking tape will do, positioned 5/8" away from the needle. Then when you are sewing align the edge of your fabric with the side of the tape nearest your machine. And there you have it! Straight seams at exactly 5/8" from the edge.

BUTTON LEG TROUSERS

 This is a post which you will find on Minerva.com website

These trousers are amazing - I have in fact made a second  pair since. The design feature on .the legs makes them special and the fabric  is oh so comfortable.

The detail on the legs is outstanding 

.....for the trouser legs, leave an opening on the lower leg at the large dot, or at your own marking, finish the seams and press, cut out the facings and attach a medium weight iron on interfacing.

The front should fold over the back.

Measure the hems and press. Press the facings and mark the position of the three buttonholes. Then finish the hem work a button hole at the waistband too

Do a little bit of hand sewing now, just to sew the buttons on. I also like to add a hook and eye to the top of the zip underneath the facings to stop any gaping.

The buttons on the legs make these a really different pair of trousers and there are other suggestions in the pattern too. By the way each size has its own pattern piece making this a really good value pattern. Simplicity patterns come with excellent instructions too, so you can't go wrong.
These trousers took a few days to make as there are a few components to sew in place - pockets, fly, buttons etc so this is not a very quick make. It is worth while taking time to get the fit right 

Think you Minerva for this great fabric, I shall be wearing these for months (as well as making another pair 

Fabric and pattern. Details  on this link 

gorgeous Trousers

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