Thursday 21 July 2016

C.W : Dress Alteration

Changing Wardrobes : Dress Alteration






This beautiful dress is a halter neck, with ruched panels and a high low skirt that starts low on the hips, and comes just above the knees at the highest point. My aunt had plans to wear this at the end of May, it was too long even with heels on.

So I got myself a rolled hem foot, and got her to try it on a couple of times before sewing this - to make sure its right:

- First time, i took measurements and roughly pinned the hem to test the length. She wanted it to the heel of her foot, which was just the length of the lining.

- The second time, I again took measurements, pinned more carefully and asked if there were other adjustments needed. the straps had been adjusted by the previous owner and were fine. As well as the rest of the fit. After this I pulled the skirt at the back, front, and sides to lift the skirt, not much, but just enough to fit the skirt a little higher. This meant I could trim the hem a little less. It also meant I didn't need to completely re-hem the front, only the sides and back.

- I fitted the dress a third time before hemming - as I hadn't cut the dress yet. I did adjust what I had pinned before. And pinned the lining as well now. This needed fitting on the sides first before the hem was adjusted to see that it fitted right with the adjustments I had already made. So there was quite a bit of switching between the dress being inside-out and the right way round.The hem was just longer than the dress.

This is want it ended up looking like. I'm quite pleased. As was my aunt - she paired it with this lovely velvet jacket. There were some things I didn't want to alter - the straps as  it could be quite hard to hid the details from the front of the dress, and the center front panel could have been adjusted but the fit was too nice to edit it for a small change. I know small changes can improve a fit a lot. But felt it wasn't worth the risk with this fabric.
The fabric is a synthetic like silk - high end polyester blend. This means it can easily be wrecked when sewing if care isn't taken and it can be quite slippy to sew with.




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Tuesday 19 July 2016

- G.0. : New Pieces

Getting On : 

New Pieces

Buying new equipment is an investment for me - it makes me as happy as buying fabrics, but also makes me much more prepared, rather than inspiring new projects and adding to my very long wish list. I do a lot of comparison online and what I can find locally. I'll get into new bits and pieces I've gathered but for this post I wanted to share some of the fabrics I've brought!


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Sunday 17 July 2016

Welcome Back!

I've been quiet for a long time - I've explained and checked back often though. Work and sewing has kept me busy, but with everything going on I have wanted to come back and keep this blog up. I really enjoy blogging and how it motivates me. I'm looking at video design, I get to design, organise and work on projects to sew and research. I get to help share some information and ideas.

So, I want to say welcome back everyone, my schedules changed a bit 4/5 blogs a week is too much at the moment still.

Also, hello to new readers too. 

I'm happy to say I have made some big plans and some smaller ones too, I've also completed a few projects, while I've been gone. - Which I'll share the details later, but there's not a later I haven't mentioned before so there won't be many surprises. Other than bits I've brought  - yep! New Equipment! New Fabric! New Sewing Machine! 

I usually buy fabric but with new projects I needed to use the right tools to complete the finishes I wanted so research led to buying some things you guys might want to see. And I love buying new tools to try them out, as much as researching new techniques for me to try.

Getting things new or second hand is always good. And oddly exciting - but different to buying more fabrics. This also means I just have some pieces to just try out  & practice with. Doing all I can while I have a pay check coming in. This means a lot of traveling for me every week., but it's worth it. I get to sew in my own space, work and be home. I've also had the chance to got to markets and shops in my work area- and there's a lot more than in my local area. 
There's a plenty of fabrics unless I am after something specific but that's usual for most people. And I like to be picky if I have something in mind. The stalls are great for fabrics, and odd pieces, and there's two shops with equipment. - Though there's only one for sewing machine feet, a little sewing machine shop & repair. I'm afraid one of these days I'll leave with an over-locker or more sewing machines. I do want one!

Anyway - back to posts - I'll be doing a few polls if anyone's interested in changing things here. Thy'll be among my blog posts as I get back into a rhythm. My first few post will focus on a lot the new equipment I have, my trip to Bowes museum & an alteration pieces & new patterns!

Thanks for reading - I hope you all enjoy the things to come.


Saturday 25 June 2016

G.O & C.W : Back!

I know I've been really quiet, but when I started my job I had to take some time - but oddly I've done so much sewing and drawing, but I've had to leave my blog behind for a while.
I was creating clothes, alterations, planned projects and my own photography on the weekends, with plans to document it all here. And I still want to.

I'm coming back. I am losing my job ~ for business reasons, and looking for more work. This will keep me busy, I want to share on here, a lot of what I do.

So I hope you like - full sized back packs - cloaks (going for belle's winter cloak, from Beauty and the Beast), lace paneled shear skirts and a some practices. I'm aiming for button holes. Something I need more practice on, and I could do so much more. Also going to try quilting for the first time. It seems more scaring than button holes.

I also have some patterns and lovely fabrics to share.

I am aiming to start posting by the end of July.

Thanks for reading, I hope to have more to share soon. x