Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

children's clothing, kids clothing, sewing

Pinwheel tunic and slip

Let’s see if I can remember the details of sewing this outfit – it was way back in September that it was sewn!

The pattern is the Oliver + S Pinwheel Tunic and Slip. The pattern description from the website is as follows: The two pieces in this versatile outfit can be worn together or individually. The short-sleeved, bias-trimmed tunic has a keyhole back-neck opening with ribbon ties. The narrow-strapped slip dress looks adorable as a simple summer dress or as a nightgown. Both pieces feature a bias-trimmed flounce that overlaps at the inverted V-shaped front bottom edge. Worn together, the pair makes a spectacular flouncy dress. Suggested Fabrics: Light- to medium-weight woven fabrics like quilting cotton, shirting, poplin, broadcloth, lawn, voile, batiste, rayon, and linen.

http://oliverands.com/images/product/OLV-OS039PW/OLV-OS039PW_Detail.jpg

The fabric came from Spotlight, and is a woven rayon. The print is from the Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy line – apparently there was some sort of collaboration with whoever supplies Spotlight with fabric to translate some of the quilting fabric designs to garment fabric. It has a beautiful soft handle. I made bias binding for the edges from silk/cotton from Darn Cheap Fabrics.

Size wise I think that I sewed size 7, and it’s still fairly roomy. Stella is pretty skinny for her age, but almost average height, but I usually find that Oliver + S patterns appear to be cut more on the slender side than the wider. Not in this case! Rather than using ribbon to tie the back of the tunic closed, I simply extended the neck bias binding into ties. Easy peasy! By the way, this slip and tunic requires HEAPS of bias binding – make certain that you make plenty!

This wasn’t a difficult outfit to sew. You do need to pay attention to reinforcing the centre front point where the flounce attaches, and take your time a little to ensure that everything fits together nicely. I used my overlocker for much of the construction, but basted some pieces by machine.

Stella wore this outfit to her cousin’s wedding in September and was very happy in it. Stella is quite sensitive to textures and irritations and a soft fabric like viscose is perfect for her (she will absolutely not wear any clothing that she perceives as annoying in any way). The slip slips on over her head (as expected!) and the tunic is also easy to get into. The soft silk/cotton bias binding around the edges, combined with a ribbon tie rather than a hard button, also meets with her approval. I aim to please!

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015 by thornberry

adult's clothing, sewing

Another simple tunic

This is another pattern repeat. I last sewed the Simple Tunic from the book Bold and Beautiful Easy Sew Clothes back in early 2014. I found that I wore it fairly regularly, especially once the weather got hot, so decided to sew another before our Queensland/NSW trip in September.

Once again I sewed the smallest size – which as you can see is still very roomy – in linen. This is an enjoyable garment to sew. Seams are topstitched after overlocking, and the hems and neck facing are topstitched in place as well.

There’s not much to say about it – it definitely is simple! If you are tall you might want to consider lengthening the top a little, as the front is shorter than the back and curves up quite high in the centre. As always, it just depends on what look you are after.

I have one of the jackets from the book cut out at the moment that I hope to sew over the summer break. More detail about the book is in my earlier blog post.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015 by thornberry

adult's clothing, sewing, tessuti patterns

Mandy and Mabel – yet again!

Laura asked about the black and white striped top that I was wearing in one of my Sewvember photos. This is it!

It is the Tessuti Mandy boat tee (free single sized pattern) sewn pretty much as per the pattern. The was a remnant from Darn Cheap Fabrics, and I had just enough to squeeze out the top.

This pattern is my go-to for when I want a quick but satisfying sewing experience that I know I will wear. I find that the Mandy tee works beautifully in Melbourne’s weather, where it is often between seasons. Construction was almost all on the overlocker. The neckline is finished by turning it to the inside and topstitching it in place before the shoulder seams are sewn. I use a twin needle for the topstitching, which I also use to secure the bottom and sleeve hems. All are secured with Vliesofix tape before stitching.

The skirt is the Colette Mabel. Like the top, this is a quick and satisfying garment to make, and always gives me the results that I am after. I sewed the longer version of the skirt, with panelled front and back centre kick pleat.

Construction was mostly on the overlocker for this as well. The fabric is stretch denim from M. Recht. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to use the selvedges as a detail, and inserted them into the side front panel seams, then topstitched them down. The hem is simply secured with Vliesofix tape and not even stitched in place. Sometimes stitching across the grain with fabrics that contain lycra can result in a bit of a wobble. I decided not to risk it and take the easy way out!

So here I am with a basic everyday outfit that is easy to wear. Each item works with other garments from my wardrobe, which is also handy! Both were sewn at Sewjourn in November. Now I’m into summer dresses!

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015Saturday, 11 February, 2023 by thornberry

THORNBERRY

Day: 8 December 2015

Pinwheel tunic and slip

Another simple tunic

Mandy and Mabel – yet again!