In the making

A quick view of the two projects I am currently working on:

First one is the Cooper Bag from Colette Patterns. I love this version in waxed canvas.

I bought the kit from their new online shop Gifts for Crafters 

I like that the pattern offers three different takes on the bag. My first go will be version 1, the messenger bag.

So far I have finished the lining and the strap. I am still waiting for the tailors clapper to arrive so I can press the waxed canvas. As usual, Colette Patterns has excellent instructions. They also have a sew-along for all three versions of the bag on their blog. I am looking forward taking this bag with me on my Christmas vacation.

The second project is this wrap dress from Burda:

I made it before in the short version with cap sleeves. The fabric I am using is a dark purple strech poly silk charmeuse. 

I would have loved this fabric from Mood Fabrics

 Silk Crepe de Chine in crushed berry, but it was slightly out of my budget. Maybe next time.

Why am I making this dress? Because I can!

Burda Capri Pants and Simplicity 1716

The capri pants are from the 04/2013 issue of Burda Style Magazine. I still have to figure out my sizes in Burda patterns. I made these in a size 40. They are a bit wide, but very comfy. 

 

 

 

 The top I am wearing is Simplicity 1716 in view E without sleeves. The fabric is a structured knit I picked up last year at Denver Fabrics.



 



 

Here a back view. The top is a very easy quick project, and I love the draped front neckline. There is really not much more to say about this top.

 

So far I made three pairs of these capri pants. This is actually the third one. I had some leftover fabric from the border print I used in the last skirt of this post. My initial plan was to make it completely in the plain fabric, but there was just enough fabric left to squeeze in the legs. So I ended up using the border print (which is actually embroidery not print) as the waistband. And as it turns out I love it.

 

All seams are serged.

 

 

 

 

This is the back waistband

 

And the front waistband

 

 

Here a detail of my first ever used piping

 



 

This was the first pair I made. The fabric was leftover from a pair or Thurlow Trousers I made. (blog post to follow) Brown piping.

 

And another pair, again from leftover fabric of a pair or Thurlow Trousers. White piping.

 

I do love that they have a side zipper instead of the front fly. But I miss pockets. Besides that this is the perfect pair of pants for summer, since I am not a fan of shorts.



Miette Skirt

Quite some time since my last blog post. I was in a bit of a hole and didn't feel like sewing, but now I am back with my version of the Miette Skirt. Tilly from Tilly and the Buttons designed the cute and easy to make Miette Skirt. After I saw quite a few beautiful versions of this pattern I had to get my hands on it. 

The fabric is some kind of poly chiffon, but I really have no idea. Because it was sheer I interlined it with poly silk or something. Again, no clue. I just know it is very lightweight and flowy. The Blouse is from Burda Magazine 04/2013. More on that further down.

The Miette Skirt is a very easy and quick pattern, as long as one doesn't want to make it in chiffon that is!

 I used French Seams throughout. The little white patch on the waistband is fusible interfacing. I cut into the fabric while trimming the seam allowance of the waistband. Stupid me! Luckily it is on the inside.

 The blouse is from Burda Magazine 04/2013. Here the picture from the issue and the technical drawing.

I really love most of the patterns in the Burda magazines, but it is a pain in the butt to trace them. Especially because they don't add the seam allowances. Really, how hard would it be to include them in the patterns? And the other thing is the stupid instructions. Those Burda instructions are really not meant for beginners. One should have at least basic knowledge about garment constructions. The have a whole long paragraph about how to understitch the seam allowance of the facing, but I couldn't for the life of me not figure out how to pleat those sleeves. I ended up just ease them in there with some gathering stitches. 

I bought the fabric at Hancock. It is some lightweight cotton. This picture shows how sheer the fabric is. Not too sheer though.

I wish instead of photographing their models in some weird poses they could rather show more details of the garments to help for the construction. It took me a while to understand how the tie thing was meant. The ties are a little bit too low. The left front should hit the corner to prevent the front from gaping. Which mine does because I placed it too low. This was my first Burda pattern for a top, and I think I can go down a size. This is a 38, but it is quite big on me.