A Jaycotts post
We all need some very basic sewing skills so I want to show you how to do two of them - how to sew a button on and how to shorten jeans.
Let's start with buttons.
Usually when you buy a garment there will be a spare button included. If it is a shirt button you need they are readily available , if it's something like a coat button you may need to replace them all of you cannot find the spare.
But how to sew the button on? A lot of people can't do it so you are not alone.
You need buttons. You may have a box full or you may need to buy a new set.
Jaycotts have a great selection Buttons from Jaycotts
Sewing blog aimed at beginners. Lots of tutorials and reviews . How to use an overlocker, sewing machine , coverstitch and embroidery machine. Storage ideas and much more I am keen to Re use and recycle.
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.
Thursday 16 July 2020
Sewing on buttons and hemming jeans
Thursday 18 June 2020
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.
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.
Saturday 30 May 2020
My Gorgeous Jumpsuit
This gorgeous Jumpsuit is a MCBN post
This jumpsuit is amazing. I have made one before but found it difficult to get in and out of, not so with this one
It reminds me of a WW2 siren suit. These were all in one garments which everyone wore over their normal clothes to keep them clean as air raid shelters were filthy. They were also quick to put on at night over nightwear. Sir Winston Churchill wore them, but his were hand made by a Saville Row Tailor!
Do read all about this fabulous pattern and fabric and learn how to make your own Bias Piping too!
Please go to this link My Gorgeous Jumpsuit I would really love it if you made one too
Thank you
Angela
Saturday 23 May 2020
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.
Labels:
Bags,
Gift,
Lingerie,
pyjamas,
Sewing for newbies
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.
Labels:
Sewing for newbies,
sewing machine,
stretch fabrics,
Top,
Trousers
It's Sew Easy to Sew Lingerie, My Collection in Pink.
Sewing Lingerie
There are many Lingerie patterns around and lots of people seem to be wanting to try them but are scared to even start. The problem is they look fiddly and the list of haberdashery seems daunting. However if you look again at the instructions you will reconsider . It really is not that difficult to achieve amazing results.The fabric requirements are as follows,
Viscose fabric for the slip,
The viscose fabric and the cotton jersey for the pants were from MinervaCrafts Viscose dress fabric and Cotton jersey fabric
The stretch laces, elastics powernet and stretch mesh were from my own stash, but they are widely available. Minerva Crafts stock them too.
The bra findings are from Jaycotts.co.uk or MinervaCrafts
Bra underwires
Bra fasteners
Bra accessories
Shoulder strap elastic
Simplicity Underwired Bra and panties pattern
Butterick slip and panties pattern
Thursday 23 April 2020
Vogue 8825 in Lady McElroy "Bolton" stretch jersey knit.
A Minerva Crafts Blogger Network post
How to sew Stretch fabrics.
Lady McElroy Fabrics are very high quality and are superb to work with. This one, named Bolton, is a 96% viscose 4% spandex Jersey Fabric. It is fluid and drapes well and the print is just stunning.
To complement the fabric I chose Vogue V8825. There are two choices of outfits to sew in this pattern, a dress and a tunic and trousers.
I had intended to make the tunic but when I looked at the fabric I realised that I had just about enough to make the dress if I was inventive with cutting out........
..... Please do read the rest of the post, the link to this and other Lady McElroy fabrics is on the post, together with a pattern review and tutorial.
Lady McElroy is one of my favourite fabric brands and I hope you will love them too
The post is here. The lady McElroy Bolton dress
There are lots of other photos on the post too.
Stretch fabrics - used for sportswear in the program - are featured in the GBSB 2019
I would love your comments
Angela
Do watch my YouTube video all about other dresses on my blog
Elegant Poppy Dress
My Beautiful Poppies dress
Sometimes magic happens with sewing and by sheer chance the perfect fabric and fabric combination happens. This is what happened to me when I received this fabric to try and this pattern literally jumped out at me when I went into my sewing room to see what I could make.I absolutely adore this dress. It is the most elegant one I have seen in a long time and I am looking forward to wearing it very much, It is perfect for any occasion, I only wish I had a wedding to attend as it would look stunning.
The fabric is a cotton poplin which has a beautiful poppy print on a black background. Cotton poplin poppy print fabric
But don't stop reading yet - please read the full post on this link Elegant poppies dress
Thank you to Minerva fabrics for this beautiful poppy print
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.
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
Monday 6 April 2020
Sewing for total beginners - a Simple jacket, top and pants
This is a Jaycotts.co.uk blog post.
Kwik Sew 4250 Jacket, top and pants. A blog post for total beginners or those returning to sewing after a break.
I thought long and hard over this blog post.
The first thing I considered was how much detailed instructions to give, and how much opportunity should I allow for you to follow the actual pattern instructions. It is vital that we are able to read a pattern but I appreciate that they don't always make sense. I hope that I achieved a balance which is right for you.
The pattern I used is this one Kwik Sew pattern K4250
I love Kwik Sew patterns - view the range here Kwik Sew Patterns at Jaycotts
They are good for all levels, have a good design range and are printed on better quality tissue paper than most.
This is the range of fabrics which I used to make each garment featured in the pattern. These fabrics are a very good quality quilting weight cotton from - believe it or not - Jaycotts! They are only available in store at the moment. You cannot buy them online.
You will however easily find good quality pure cotton in most fabric shops. Do choose a medium weight or quilting weight cotton as it will make sewing your garments so much easier.
Mix and match colours however you like, sewing is all about making something which you enjoy wearing.
By the way these particular fabrics are quite narrow, Dress fabrics tend to be wider.
If I could make another suggestion as to fabric comfortable for lounge wear, I would choose a Cotton Lawn it is easy to work with and comes in at all sorts of prices .do take a look.
Fashion is very personal. I showed the pattern we will be using to some friends and asked them where they would wear it, some said lounge wear, some said beach, some said everyday wear, all depending on the fabric chosen.
I have worn my garments in different ways and matched them with other garments and I wanted to leave it to you to decide where and when you are going to wear your lovely new garments without influencing you.
We are going to start by making the jacket. The pants and top will follow in another blog post. I didn't want to put you off by doing too much all in one go!
In the next post I will show you how I styled all of my garments and there will be photographs.
These are the fabrics I chose to use for the jacket. We are always told never to mix prints but never be afraid to bend the rules , these two prints actually sit very well together.
We are going to start by making the jacket. The pants and top will follow in another blog post. I didn't want to put you off by doing too much all in one go!
In the next post I will show you how I styled all of my garments and there will be photographs.
These are the fabrics I chose to use for the jacket. We are always told never to mix prints but never be afraid to bend the rules , these two prints actually sit very well together.
Labels:
Jaycotts.co.uk,
Lingerie,
pyjamas,
Sewing for newbies
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