3 Fat Quarters and a Skirt

At the Boonah Guides Quilt & Craft Show recently,

I bought 3 fat quarters from http://www.apatchyquilting.com.au/ 

and set myself the challenge of making a skirt from them.

I kept it simple - a 6 gore straight self drafted skirt.

The right front and back panels are contrast to the other 4 panels.

I made sure I planned the pattern layout carefully before cutting out, because I wanted the right front & right back panels to be yellow.

Remember to measure twice and cut once.

 

Sigh, vanity makes you unpick.

The master pattern was drafted a couple of years ago, and

it seems a centimetre or two as well. The skirt was a bit snug with

15mm seams so I restitched them using a 4-thread overlock

and unpicked the machine stitching. Much better.

Of course then the facings didn't fit, so I lined the skirt

without a facing and under stitched it at the waistline.

I love under stitching - it's the perfect finish for linings and facings.

I pressed the seams away from the centre panels and

topstitched using a yellow/gold rayon embroidery thread

and my ditch stitch foot.

Hems are so easy on straight skirts.

I overlocked the raw edges and turned up a 1" hem, and also tucked

under the overlocking (just because I felt like it) making it a 3/4" finished hem.

If you are going to finish the hem this way (no visible raw edges) it is not necessary to overlock first. It was a last minute decision.

The easiest way to measure a straight hem is to place the

skirt wrong sides up over the end of the ironing board.

Then measure 2" (twice the finished hem width) from the

overlocked/raw edge and poke a pin into the ironing board.

Fold the raw edge up to the pin, move the pin to secure hem,

and press before sewing.

I used an invisible zipper in the side seam.

The sewing up was relatively quick and easy. It just takes a little

time to plan something not straight out of the box.

A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Check out the Sewing Space

http://thesewingspace.com/free-files/

How much fabric do I need to make a ...

This link will help you 

http://lenamerrin.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/how-to-calculate-amount-of-fabric-required-to-sew-a-garment/

Vintage Pattern becomes Modern Dress

Ellen loves a touch of vintage

She has used a vintage Butterick pattern and made some very simple adjustments.

By leaving off the sleeves and yoke, folding over a casing and adding a tie, she now has a modern summer maxi dress.

Ellen has also been making some overalls for her nephews.

Cute hey!

Learn To Sew - Tuesday Evening classes starting soon

 

LEARN TO SEW

Tuesday evening class starting soon (6 x 3hrs)

This  course enables beginner or refresher students to start reference samples & sew a pair of pyjamas featuring  a collared shirt and elastic waist boxer shorts. Techniques covered may include hems, seams, zips, gathering, buttons and buttonholes, corners and curves, basic stitches, collars, pockets, sleeves, elastic casing, & patch pockets. Students will also learn about the use and care of your machine, the importance of quality, needles, threads, fabric choices, selecting the correct pattern size, anatomy of patterns, and basic pattern adjustments. During class students will also learn to use an overlocker for basic overcasting.

Students will need to bring their own sewing machine and supplies.

Details available upon registration.

Students must be able to attend all classes.

Due to the format of the course catchup classes can not be offered.

 

A few photos from the last month

I decided I needed a new apron for Christmas. I've had Kwik Sew 3787 for ages. So I rummaged through my stash and came up with green gingham and pale pink homespun. A subtle combination for Christmas, but also suitable for other occasions. I'm very pleased, it's so pretty.

Dance costumes - there was definitely lots of red, white and blue in the Studio during the final weeks of costume prep.  Surprisingly the sparkly blue was quite easy to sew and it didn't fray like we all expected. There was still glitter and sequins and sparkles to vacuum up after class though.

The BeauDance Academy end of year concert was very good. It was the story of a little girls birthday party, and while playing pin the wand on the fairy, the birthday girl was transported around the world of dance. She went to Asia, Africa, America, Europe, and the Arctic. Lots of variety. 

 Kate made a simple cool top for Summer from a lovely cotton

she picked up at a garage sale.

Rather than putting a button and loop at the back opening, we decided to stitch the flaps down and create visual interest instead.

Buttons could be used rather than simply stitching, but we decided the fabric was patterned enough without them.

  

Emma-Lisa made a few retro stuffed toys for the Darlington Markets.

She used vintage fabrics including a chenille bedspread. 

They were gorgeous.

Teenage Classes

Boxer shorts

Hanging Pockets

Zippered Pencil Case
Pressing Hems

Maggie and Geogia's Projects

Maggie and Georgia are both 10 years old.

Here are some of their projects so far.

Hanging Pockets
Fabric Boxes

Elastic Waisted Skirt

Reversible Satchel

Interesting Photograph for a Plus Size Pattern

This is a gorgeous dress pattern, on a gorgeous model.
So what size do you think the pattern comes in?
6-16?
Nope - way to small.
It is 18W to 24W.
Who would have thought!
A little bit misleading I think.
I wish pattern companies would use real sized models
for their Plus Size patterns. Well actually, real sized models for
all their patterns would be ideal.
Check out the other views at the link below.

http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6801-products-47110.php?page_id=101

Boxer Shorts and Skirts in Children's Classes

Georgia

Maggie

Darcy

Maggie

James' T-shirt

I HATE shopping for boys t-shirts. If you don't like skulls or creepy things or distasteful things then it's very difficult to find a decent shirt. So I came up with an embroidery idea on a basic t-shirt I found at Best & Less (3 for $10). I created a crossword design using things that James likes - surfing, Bionicles, Rangers Apprentice, Lego, Heros, Starwars,Shrek etc. He helped with the placement and chose the colours and away we went. He's very happy with his unique t-shirt. I even created a My Favourite Things label for the back.