Waiting!

Remember this skirt?  The poor thing has been sitting in my sewing room.  Waiting.  Yes, waiting!  Ohhh yeah, that's right... you're not the only one who would rather start sewing from scratch instead of altering an ill-fitting garment.  So... it's been waiting.  Waiting for about 18 months for me to decide that I really need to get a move on and fix it so I can be wearing it again.

Even when I first made this skirt back in 2011, I was never happy with the fit of it.  The design sits lower than the waist but isn't low on the hips either.  For me, this isn't a very comfortable design; it just seems to float around.  Because I have a small waist, it defies gravity and doesn't stay put resulting in a skirt I didn't wear.   I decided an alteration was necessary if I wanted to wear it again so into the sewing room it went to wait, and wait it did!

Fast forward to 2013 and I finally did it.  It was way too big all over so I removed the waistband and took it in 4cm (2cm doubled) on each side all the way to the hem.  I made two extra darts in the front to accommodate my small waist, reattached the waistband and here we  have the end result.  A skirt that fits, is comfortable and I will definitely wear.  Often!  It looks much better now, don't you think?

What about you?  Do you leave things this long, or maybe longer, before you actually get around to doing alterations?

Don't know what's going on with the frown!

Note to self:  Take more than one picture; straighten your clothes and make sure you're ready for the photo to be taken and stop frowning!!

In the jar - a vintage skirt

One item down, eleven to go!  Yes, my Sewlutions commitment to make at least one item per month is actually achieving the desired effect.  To get me sewing again.  Made in a navy Bengaline Suiting fabric which I've had in my stash for about six months, my first make for 2013 is finished.  I finished it a week ago and I'm only just getting round to posting about it now.

I really shouldn't do that wash'n'wear look with my hair - terrible!

The pattern; a simple 6 gore vintage skirt pattern that was my mothers.  I'm not sure what the vintage is, but I think it's around late 1940s or 1950s.   I'd love it if anyone can tell me.  It's Australian Home Journal pattern #12158.

Having never used a vintage pattern before I found it to be a very interesting experience.  Never doubting for a moment, I opened the packet and found all four pattern pieces inside and in very good condition.  There were slight tears in the edges of all pieces as you would expect considering its age and a piece of tape mending a little tear in one.  What surprised me was the fact that there were no instructions just the layout diagram on the envelope which as you can see on the left, is very faded.  Now, I know that the free patterns you get with the magazine have the instructions in the magazine but I think this is a purchased one.  Meeh... I don't need instructions, it's a six gore skirt and I've made them before.  It'll be easy.

Luckily I read the packet first as it turned out that seam allowances were NOT included.  The pattern is an unmarked pattern so I'm like, where's the straight grain?  The two center panels are on the fold, not a problem.  Guess I'll just eyeball the other two pieces.  I think I got it right because the skirt hangs well as you can see.

I chose this pattern because it has no waistband and being short in the waist this is my best option for skirts.  My biggest problem with no waistband and no instructions was how should I finish the waist.  I remembered that mum had often used petersham (the real stuff, not the grosgrain ribbon often used nowadays) when I was young, so I decided to try that.  Well, that was stupid!!  With the zipper in the side, I had been taught the correct way to insert it was to do a lapped zip.  So I did.  Turns out it's almost impossible to finish the petersham on the inside at the zip opening and anyway it was sooo... scratchy I ripped it out removed it and made a facing, which by the way is not finished well inside at the zipper either, but at least it doesn't scratch me.

Knowing that vintage patterns are less roomy than modern ones I didn't trim the seam allowances in case it was a bit tight leaving me with plenty of room to let it out.  The sizing on the pattern fitted me perfectly and being the lazy person I am I left those seam allowances in :)  The only alteration I made was to shorten the length by approximately 10cm then I took a 2cm hem which wasn't allowed for.   Because of the new length I styled it with a modern t-shirt and cardigan instead of going for a vintage look.  If I make this skirt again I will insert an invisible zipper and make a longer length to style it in a more vintage way.


Details:
Skirt; Australian Home Journal # 12158
T-shirt; Target - years ago
Cardigan; Target also years old.

The challenge continues...

I really must finish sewing for this Grandbaby as I sooo need to get some things made for myself.  I've been trying to work on a few things but feel I'm getting nowhere fast.  So there's nothing spectacular here.  I fear you've seen it all before.  I have so many projects lined up it's going to take all Winter and beyond to get through them but I need them NOW!  Ohhh... how will find the time?

Day 9

I spent the day running errands and sewing for the baby who is now overdue.  I really must get it finished or the baby will arrive before I'm done.

Details:
Top; Simplicity 4076 details here
Skirt; Target
Belt; Target
Sandals; Target

Day 10

Details:
Top; Kwik Sew 3617 details and my review of this pattern here
Jeans; Sussan had for years and they are really looking faded and need to be replaced
Belt; Tempt

Day 11

Today's photo mini challenge was ugly places.  I certainly think this fits.  I found this in the car parking area behind where my DD works.  

But then this was directly opposite and I couldn't decide which was uglier.  You have to wonder about that sign though.  Could parking here mean that your car may be covered in graffiti when you return.  Mmm...I wonder - I don't think I'll take the risk.  Hehehe.

Details:
Top; Susanne Grae
T-shirt; Susanne Grae
Skirt; Butterick 3438 made last winter
Scarf; Sportsgirl
Tights; Bonds
Boots; missM from Faulls Shoes
Bag; Katies

Day 12

Kushka decided he wanted to be in the photo today.

Details:
Top; Kwik Sew 3338 details here
Cardigan; Target
Jeans; Susanne Grae
Shoes; Rivers

At this stage of the me-made month I'm feeling that I don't have anything to wear.  Most of my things are too dressy for my current lifestyle and probably wont be worn during this challenge.  I'll have to re-think my wardrobe needs and start sewing more suitable garments.

Is anyone else feeling that their clothing doesn't fit their lifestyle?

A quick project

I have to say,  I was not feeling very inspired to sew after that epic effort to complete my shirt.  I needed a nice quick project to recover.  In an earlier post I told you about my list of things to sew for August.

1 skirt - for weekend wear
2 or 3 long sleeve t-shirt tops
1 dress - I'm joining the Rooibos Sewalong but I'm planning that one for Spring/Summer wearing so maybe another dress as well

Having made this public I thought perhaps I should get started on it.   I decided to make the skirt first as I already had some cream coloured corduroy fabric in my stash.   I wanted something that would be comfortable to wear.  I've seen quite a few people have made the Beignet skirt from Colette Patterns and I really like it so I ordered the pattern, but that will have to wait for another time as I want to get started now!


I chose New Look 6843 - a simple A-line skirt.  I thought a couple of seams and a zip that won't take long.  The pattern suggests 1 hour but I like to hand stitch the waistband and hem.   It was very easy and took me about 2 hours to complete.

I finished it last week and this is the first time I have worn it.  The skirt rests just below my waistline resulting in a length a little longer than I would like.  I'm not sure if it should sit below the waist as there is no description on the pattern.  Possible reasons for this could be that the fabric stretched before I attached the waistband which is the most likely cause as the waistband was a bit short when I went to attach it and I had to use smaller end seams to make it fit or I have lost weight since cutting it out (not likely - but possible).  Nonetheless I still like it and it's comfortable to wear.  So unless I loose more weight hehehe rendering it too large I'm sure it will be worn a lot.

(Note to self -  replace very old and worn garments in my closet e.g. top and cardigan I'm wearing in this photo.)

That's one thing ticked off my list of August sewing.  I've started the muslin for the  Rooibos dress but I better get cracking if I'm going to make those t-shirts before the end of August.  What are your sewing plans for August?  Are you making any progress?