Show-Stopper V Wrestling Glamour

Update alert....here are a couple of commissions I've been working on and just had to share with you. Hope you likey. 

First up is this dress alteration and serious "flounce-up " is there such a word?? The commission was for the birthday party of my client..Sue. It was to be a red-carpet glitz 'n'glamour through the era's theme and she had a clear vision of  a 20's look of what she wanted to achieved for herself. 

This beautiful navy lace evening gown was to be the basis of the look and had been purchased from a boutique in Ireland, Initial fitting alterations were required to create a perfect fit, so with a deep breath and a little Dutch courage the back zip was taken out and reinsert, bust darts added to eliminate the risky gaps at the side and with three layers if fabric this equated to 6 in total! and finally shortening the hem ..all three layers.

Then came the fun part... 1000 crystals, 2 pots of  glass beads, 2 meters of blue netting, 8 pheasant feathers 6 meters of diamanté trim later this was the result...

The crystals around the base of the gown were hot-fix so relatively straight forward, just had to watch the placement on the lace as they would slip through to the under layer  if not careful; the glass-beads on the bust and chiffon waist panel were hand sewn!! whoo somewhat time consuming but once a rhythm was found I was on a roll. 

Well, she asked for a show-stopper - do you think I delivered? 

Next up ... oooh hold your breath.. steady your pose - wrestling gear!! It's a burden I fear, but alas someone has to dress these fit young guys! My brief was a robe like Ric Flair - nope I'd not heard of him either but quite au-fait now. Well-known in the wrestling world for his flamboyant robes a recreation or as near to one was the spec of the day.   

Butterick 5537 gave the basic format and I really do mean basic- It could have been easier to have drafted a pattern from scratch after the front lapel was redrafted to produce a wider and pronounced collar as was the sleeve to create a fabulous bell flare and the overall length slashed at two points to provide over 20 inches in length. 

This boarder embroidery design was used to edge the entire robe - each one took 35 minutes to align, load and stitch-out, 32 were completed in-total.. yowsa!  

                                                             

An array and close to 1800 crystals were applied throughout along with these awesome crystal and bead appliqué motifs, which were sourced on a trip to a recent trade-show; these did however have to be hand stitched on due to their sheer weight and the thick pile of the velvet would never of with-stood or stayed put with fabric glue.  

 

Completion of the robe was cut fine to say the least -  hemming the bottom at 5.30pm as it was due to debut at 7.30pm! just in time I think that's called! 

So without further ado, let me introduce to you in all his glory Eddy Woods  - 

Last but not least is Adam Idol I was asked if I would make him some tights, and on agreeing and giving a rough estimate of meterage required, the pair of them went off fabric shopping! I would so of loved to of been a fly on the wall for that shopping trip - I was presented with a bag of fabric containing  pink, black and sliver velour Lycra- my mission, appliqué  pink over original singlet, apply name to leg and hands to the butt! Oh yes, I can confirm they are my hand-prints and placement was required through fitting. 

Understandably, I have had a ball creating these outfits. I was utterly proud to see them both in action when sat in the front row, think I have found a new interest in slam wrestling. 

I leave you with this action shot!   

Blog Land, Blog Land, Wherefore art thou.....

Seriously .. November since my last post..Well my hunnies, that is ridiculous and WAY WAY too long. "Oh" how I've missed you all; I have tried to keep track of all the fabulous makes that you have been producing over these few months and boy have there been some beauties. Life has been so unbelievably mad, that even stopping briefly to drop the odd comment has seemed like mission impossible.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

I really don't want to make this an epic post, so after reading all the wonderful round ups of last year from you all, I thought I'd do a quick round up of the posts that should have happened since the  last ...Eiffel tower top here  psst ...There's some more excitement to spill but a  little more on that later.

So...to the sewmobile -oh, and please excuse the poor quality pics! 

First up is McCalls 6896 made mid Nov

This was the first attempt at a FBA on princess seams- I was fairly pleased with the results, albeit a few issues with easing in the additional fabric and avoidance of conical pointy boobies! 

I also think I still need to take the plunge and drop down a size,  as the back and the shoulders are still roomy. The most pleasing aspect of this sew was the pattern matching- I certainly don't mind admitting the numerous scratchy head moments and the fact an additional 3/4 mtr was required to be purchased  for the sleeves, after its insatiable appetite for gobbling up all that pattern. 

No. 2 how'd you like you eggs? well in a Butterick  5711 of course! This cotton viscose was added to the stash last summer, it reminded me of the poached egg flower!   

It's a nice comfy blouse to wear- and quite fancy doing a long sleeve version at some point 

No. 3 - 

Okay, not a wardrobe item but still a sewing triumph in my eyes..The longest decorating project in history was  finally topped off with Curtains, which also involved another set the other end of the room too!  

No 4. 

Up next was an assortment of craft items put together for Christmas..Aprons, Cushions and little squidgy Christmas tree ornaments 

Well with the December hols descending I was determined to do some selfish sewing- we have a family tradition of Christmas Eve Pyjamas- so McCall's 5348 was just the ticket - like I say, this was selfish sewing so only made mine! and shop bought the rest of the families!! NO way was I modelling these on the worldwide web- but rest assured they fit a treat and really very comfy 

Christmas day always requires a new outfit, out came easy vogue 8749 and in a jiffy TaDa! one leatherette skirt ( no hemming even better) and Simplicity 1325 a great liitle staple round neck jersey top in a fab animal print gggrrrrr My daughter thinks this is a bit rude.. she was quite disgusted in the fact that the fabric was so shear !!

I can not recommend this skirt highly enough- I totally LOVE this -and have had loads and loads of complements on wearing- added a flat fell seam through the front and incorporated beautiful contrast pockets and facings with the September blue seedlings fabric from Dashwood Studio. 

How cool!!

Finally, the last make that managed to sneak its way into 2014 are what can only be described as totally bizarre but funky trousers- the verdict is kinda out on these, both my kids are MOM WT..are you wearing! These bad boys are from the Burda tough love collection  and in true Burda style the instructions are as much use as a chocolate fireguard! pros and cons.. well, they are ooober long, even for some one as tall as me with a 32 inside leg! are very very full in the leg, have great pockets, high waist and turn up cuffs!

I learnt a fair bit from making them - not from those instructions either! - but cracking welt pockets and a fly front zip! big ticks all round. I would quite like to remake these at some point and tapper the legs in I think - what about you? 

Now then, the final piece of news I have to tell you about is .... 

whoo I'm rather nervous in saying it out loud...

but figured, you all so lovely and supportive, offer great encouragement and tips with sewing dilemmas that why would this be any different!  

My very own sewing studio- where I have been teaching sewing classes, selling fabric and hopefully haberdashery soon too.  

Stay posted as web site coming very soon!

Ta ta for now - I promise not to be away as long before the next post! 

xx

The Eiffel that needed a triffle taming!

Yawn, Yawn, Yawn... apologies... another top!! In my defence this was made last month when I were still in top mode.. "clutching my straws tight!"

Butterick 5610's older sibling was delivered back here in the summer, and it has to be said been worn lots n lots. With this in mind, it only seemed fair to let the other version poke its snout out of the packet to do its stuff!...only nearly turned out to be the runt of the litter!

A smidgen of the blame here has to be proportioned on the makers choice of fabric here... don't they say a bad tradesman always blames his tools! 

Still learning my fabric mixes, it's definitely cotton but with a hint of poly! but not as much as a full poly-cotton if you get my drift ... making sense? anyway, the result, a whisp too much of (un)reasonable body to it. Blowing caution to the wind and loving the little Eiffel's I ploughed on regardless. In fact I liked it that much,I bought more in this colour way !! Bad me !

The main problem with the body in the fabric were the pleats, boy did they "bellow out"... I managed to create an effect that was more of like the sails of the Black Pig (Captain Pugwash- any body remember it?)  

Scratchy head moment and pattern instructions read...over n over, yep them pleats  were only supposed to be anchored top n bottom.These beasties needed to be battened down.

Not wanting to see top stitching on the front and retain a pleat affect, a line of stitches were run along the pleats on the inside edges...

Simple in itself one would think!-HAHA had two stuffed up goes! .. its that reverse mirror thing. .. you never done that when you looking at a garment and end up getting left n right cofuzzled?

The result then, a much tamer version me thinks and on the plus side wearable.

I added a couple of darts in the back to give it a little more shaping and had a random black button knocking around so placed this on the neckline for added detail.

DAFT OUT TAKES

 Outcome ..I really like the top but to be picky ( as we all are!), either the neck band/collar is a tad too big or the stiffness encourages it stand out a little hmmm!
will consider making this again but in a much draper fabric to do a little compare and contrast exercise.

Thanks for dropping by: Happy sewing Amanda XX  

Boing Boing -It's A Blog Hop

Well howdy folks - how's you all been?

Once again the cloak of radio silence has fallen over me, 
what a mad time of late, but loving it!

(I also need to get my camera fixed asap) 

Well, I am very humbled to have had the blog hoppin baton passed to me from the amazingly wonderful Annie  from the Enantiomer Project- seriously this woman is  like "super" cool... a sewing scientist! she's totally witty, and sews a wardrobe out like a blinkin rocket! I really don't know how she manages to produce so many items that are so god darn beautiful at lightening speed.  So Annie, I salute you. xx 

Why do I write? 

To be honest....I have no idea!  Initially I set my blog up to be able to follow others that had/did/and still do inspire me, pick their sewing brains by showing my wares and gain insight tips that I struggle with.

After having a number of sews under the proverbial belt, like most I wanted to document and record my journey of makes. I'd also found that the back of an my diary was filling up on the useful things I'd found out, learnt or just flippin useful. This led me to thinking that it'd be kinda neat to locate all of this info and more all in one place, and a blog seemed to be the perfect solution. 

The whole "it's my personal space, a place to log events is oneside...... but lets be honest there is that secret hope that someone out there might read it! as for comments well woooo I still get a giddy thrill if that happens. Finally, one additional reason is the old connective rambles of yardi sew yar with like minded peeps. As hubby works late evenings and young peeps that really couldn't give a bobbin, it does allow the sewing world to partake in your obsession interest and offer support and vice versa. Love it!  

What am I working on at the moment?

Technically - I'm not working on this "now" but have just completed this week this here Irish dance dress for little girl who dances at little Wyatt's class. I'd been asked to make her a dress ready for the Grerat Britain Championships... and long story short somehow I mixed the dates up! what would normally take 3-4 weeks I had in days!!! my machine needle was moving up n down a fast as Michael Flatley's feet!
A couple of 3am's were called for but got there in the end phew!!  I've not ever done a post on an Irish dress - not sure if there would be much interest ?
  

Up on the oche table next ...well that will be a scramble, there really are too many to name, so many pieces of fabric ready washed and poised to be matched with a pattern. I am pretty determined to move away from tops though after making a fare amount lately and not posted at least three of them! Aha - nearly forgot I am working on this lovely cardi - its in Alpakka wool which is so super soft, I only do a little at a time so its taking for ever  

How does my blog differ form other sewing blogs?
errrmm... probably the biggest difference is that its pretty boring! I'm feel really very inexperienced at this blogging malarkey and would love to be able to post whimsical notions full of enlightening sewing stuff !
Having interesting photo locations would be another plus! 

I would love to put some tutorially bits together in the future, after covering/teaching a sewing class in the  summer,  I totally loved engaging with the ladies, they gave me such wonderful feedback, I'm now looking to develop new ventures that incorporate sewing!! eekkk watch this space! 

How does my writing process work

This is quite a hard one! lots of ways I suppose; sometimes a title will pop into my head, a bit like fabric/print/pattern association! My last couple of posts have been linked musically, which can be quite annoying as the song keeps going over n over in my head!

I love to run and find it's a great opportunity to focus and departmentalise areas of my life or projects, which I can then formulate key areas that I want to chat about on a project- More often than not though, by the time I get to sit down a write I've forgotten most of it!  

The writing itself can be painfully long winded, jumping from one incomplete sentence to another...enter the cut 'n' paste tab, swiftly followed by the delete button to put the regurgitated waffle in its place- Awwww and that one hurts! 

Pics are very much the latter import to a post, I am acutely aware that I really should take more pics along the assembly way and have numerous Bridget Jones talks of "note to self"  when posting. 

There we have it, my blog-hop post- My nomination for a hop, is to the lovely Jennifer and her sewing space    another Sewing Scientist(y) bod with aeroplanes no-less!!! 

Getting my Kicks on Route 66

A quick little post; 1) because this is the third post in less than two weeks (unbelievable) and 2) there's not that much to say about this make!

I ran this Butterick 5354 up about three weeks ago on a selfish sew evening - I seem to be doing lots of other sewing to do with either craft projects or for others lately and quite frankly I was feeling neglected and deprived. all together now awwwww. 

The remedy- a speedy stretch jersey top to satisfy the cravings. The fabric is from Barry's in Birmingham- it's super soft and I loved the American vibe going on in the pattern. 

If My memory serves me correct,  I cut a straight size 10 as this is classed as a loose fit top and I prefer a slightly more fitted style, especially with the "wearing ease" this fabric gives you. 

Check me out ...I can say that now, I went on a course a couple of weeks ago ( info to blog about later) but as a small point I learnt about considering pattern design wearing ease and fabric ease! - pretty obvious now but huzzar its certainly helped on the sizing side of things.

Any how with just four pattern pieces, this was soon thrown together. 

The pleats are slightly lost in the print of the fabric but who cares! 

I know they're there :) 

If I make this again- which I'm pretty sure I will, I may lengthen the body and sleeves by 1/2 inch. There're kinda fine as they are, but being a lazy bum I left the sleeves and hip line as an over-locked finish. I quite like the casual finish and after wearing a few times now I think if they had of been hemmed up they potentially could be border line short (my excuse and sticking to it!)

  Well there we go short 'n' sweet -

Posting this it has made me conscious that tops have played a prominent part of late; with one other to post and one on the sewing table that's been finished off! May-be it's because they are quick fixes, fulfil the gratification mood and work the wardrobe well- do you have an item that you hone into, for a quick fix?
I have plenty of patterns and fabric lined up, raring to get they're stitches into skirts, dress', trousers and a jacket  even- so note to self - must get more focused!

Bye for now, thanks for stopping by- Amanda X

 

Didn't we have a lovely day, the day we went to #SewBrum

Blimey O'Riley, what an amazing day out yesterday! 

The lovely Charlotte  from English girl at home, only went and organised a sew meet-up and it was one heck of an awesome day. Thank you!

Still classing my self as a newbie, I've never had the proverbial's to go to a meet up but when I saw it was on familiar stomping ground and in my regular fabric haunts of Barry's and Silk Store it seemed the perfect opportunity to loose my sewing meet-up virginity! Plus the double whammy to go to Guthrie & Ghani 

Not sure if my heart was beating so hard after legging it over town to meet at the train station or excited nerves! On my dash, thoughts went through my mind; would I spot them easily, would I recognise many from their blogs, what is the collective for a gathering/group of sewists? a bolt of, a ruffle of, ....It wasn't difficult to find everyone cus we're all dress in amazing original outfits!

We snaked our way to Barry's in the rain, but no spirits were dampened;  the chatter of introductions and sewing tails filled the air.   

Apologies for the total lack of pics from the day- think I was so in-awe of the whole event I totally forgot! It was lovely to chat to everyone (well a fair few, near-on impossibility getting round everyone)  clutching a bolt or two, three even four at times and discussing their plans for said fabric, it was such a treat to see how other minds interpreted fabric, shared advise and generally exchanged "fab-ric" tips. 

Some did managed to restrain themselves on the amount of fabric purchased, not me though- here's what was purchased - top left- tapestry type cotton print for a tunic, along with a gorgeous crepe de chine that was deliberated over with one delightful sewer who's name totally escapes me - a stretch animal print jersey, a circle print chiffon at £2.00 a mtr (rude not too) an adorable peacock feather cotton sateen that will probably end up as some sort of top and a great faux leather for what I'm hoping will work as a circular skirt. 

 

What do you reckon - will it work okay?

Some Christmas fabric- hoping to do a craft fayre  beginning of Dec 

The afternoons proceedings were spent out in Moseley at the divine HQ of Guthrie & Ghani-Not only is Lauren the dearest sweetest individual but her fabric cutting ladies are super enthusiastic and attentive. 

Drool time - think I fell in love with practically every piece of fabric,to the point I nearly didn't buy anything! ... however, sense prevailed and the credit card came out again! ouch- I went for this gorgeous pink fleck wool mix for a fitted panelled pencil skirt and a flouncy speckled purple blouse that's not quite been confirmed yet.     

Upstairs  in the workshop room we gathered to chat some more, drink tea, lemonade and eat cake...adorned with enable button no less!!!. The high-light of the afternoon was to partake in what only can be described as the best ever raffle, books, notions, patterns and a whopper of a sewing machine! - never have I seen such amazing raffle prizes, each and everyone you  would just die for....ticket clutched in clammy palm but alas I never won, however warm fuzziness knowing all the proceeds are going to the great cause of Parkinson's UK. A pattern and fabric swapsie completed the day's ensemble, lots to oooing and arrrrring (and that was just me!) I picked up a couple of patterns and a piece of fabric (yes more fabric) I finally bid my farewells and left feeling very chuffed that I had decided to attend- A massive thank-you has to go out again to Charlotte for organising such a superb event and a huge wave to all those that I had the immense pleasure in meeting and conversing with.  Many of which I will be tracking down to follow, if not already,  through the powers and linkage of social media's.

Have a great week  Amanda XX 

Cynthia, I wonder do you understand this strange thing you give..... Well baby is it your style!

Okay - First up- Question. How the jigery do we ever find time to go to work, raise a family sew and blog?!!! Think I had some hair brain idea that without the work thingy, life would be a breeze and posting my makes would be "a doddle" errrr wrong!! (having a broken camera doesn't ease the situation either, so apologies now for some dodgy phone photograpghy!).     

Cynthia Rowley, just gotta love her patterns, she manages to to have an edge, twist or quirk within her designs, so my tribute to her is in the title to this post; Anybody familiar with the track "Cynthia"? by the Boss-akay Bruce Springsteen phwaaaa. Anyhow, on with the musings.

I was first drawn to this skirt of Cynthia's (Simplicity 2512) by the lovely Karen of Willowwears on good old Facebook and ended up doing a bit of an impromptu pattern swapsie with her. 

I eagerly picked out some fabric way back at Easter; a fabulous silk dupion check and a grey silky satin lining to complete view A/B, only for it to take a whole five moths for it to reach the table never alone the blog-spot (I even have fabric for the other view,  but lordy knows how long that will ever take to morph into a wearable item!)  

Now, there were some initial concerns, that the sizing for this would be a little "snug" never alone pretty darn short, given the finished garment measurement is a mere 19 inches long! WHAA (at 5ft 10 and a little maturer, hmmm the days of a 19 inch skirt are definitely long gone), modifications then included a graded up from a 12 to 14 and a whooping 5 inch lengthening. 

Construction on this pattern is easy enough, albeit some of the instructions aren't perhaps the clearest- the trickiest part was ensuring the self-binding edging was good and even on that gorgeous high waist, a good hot(ish) iron to press the stretch out of the bias, soon tamed that bad boy.  

             

                                                                      Mid disaster point of first make-up!                                                   

So basically it's, pop in the all important pockets, whip up the side seams and gather between circles back and front- fine and dandy right....hmmm that gathering, quite considerable due to the amount of fabric, and all concentrated slap bang in the tummy area...alarm bells! yet ploughing on, on went the waist band. 

Fitting time, Holy Mo, disappointment overload, I really should of taken some pics but trust me when I say, I looked like an over puffed-up hippo in a tutu! and that is an understatement and an injustice towards the hippo!. 
What did I have - extra length that totally threw the whole shape out and all the tummy gather YUK! Taking to the blog world for reviews, the consensus confirmed that the fullness was..well full. The various pics of fellow bloggers indicated that most distributed the gathers evenly all round.
Loving the fabric and not one to be defeated, Plan B needed to be formulated; out-came the trusty seam ripper and fabric shears. Once de-constructed, 4 inches were sliced off the length and the panel sections reduced to a size 8! 

                         

The gathers switched to pleats, for a more flattering, smoother appearance hopefully and the result.... I really like it, no really really like it. It still has a fair amount of puufff but definitely with more control.  

I think (well I know)the lining gives a lovely finish- it feels lovely and the fact the pockets are so soft mmmmm 

I also backed the waist tie in the same grey for contrast and drape.   

Over-all I think it's a pretty striking item with all of Cynthia's detailing, OO for high waists, OOO for deep pockets and a double OOOO for the self-binding. 

Well, cheerio then sorry, for the long delay in posting - hopefully the next wont take quite so long , but don't hold your breath. 
Till then my fellow sewists' happy construction. XX