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Wednesday 28 February 2018

Kunzea Skirt by Sew Knit Love

I've really been enjoying wearing my Rae Skirt - my foray into the land of the woven skirt/elastic waistband has got me wanting more. But being lazy I want an easier option that sewing all the panels together that comes with the Rae Skirt.

I saw the Kunzea Skirt on Instagram somewhere and thought I'd give it a whirl...it's simply two rectangles of fabric, an enclosed elastic waistband and pockets. I'm sure the entire world, bar me, would just do this without a pattern but I like having a pattern for cutting out and especially so I know the correct placement of the pockets.

Long story short, EPIC FAILURE as the fabric I used (a denim looking cotton bought from Tomato in Tokyo when we were there at the beginning of the year) was just too stiff and the skirt had no drape. If I'd sewn a smaller size, thus using less fabric around my body, it might have been OK but as it was it was just too much fabric to be gathered around my body.


You'd think I'd be upset about this not working out but I've passed it along to a friend who has more curves than me. I think the volume of fabric will sit well on a more curvy figure. I'm really glad it's gone to a good home as I think my friend really likes the skirt.



As for the pattern, the instructions are OK but I think they are lacking in a few areas that may trip up a brand new sewist. I did refer to certain steps in the Rae Skirt pattern to make sure that I was doing things correctly (for example, how much to turn down the waistband).

I'd like to give this skirt another go once I have some nice, drapey fabric.
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Pattern
Kunzea Skirt by Sew Knit Love
Size: J
Modifications:  none.
Fabric: denim looking cotton

Changes for next time: probably would sew a smaller size so I have less fabric happening. 

Sunday 11 February 2018

Kimono class at Sew Make Create

I made this kimono is a class at Sew Make Create - the class ran for 6 hours over two Saturday's and I'm super happy that I actually finished it (with a bit of sewing in between the two classes). I wanted to take this class so that I had some hand holding sewing a fabric that has gotten the better of me in the past...rayon!

The pattern is essentially a bunch of rectangles joined together with a lot of French Seams thrown in. The pattern is drafted by the sewing teacher, Angie, and comes with an order of construction but no step-by-step instructions SO if I'm going to make another Kimono (which I am) I'll need to buy a pattern as I'm already forgetting how this got put together. I'm thinking the Papercut Kochi Kimono as it's pretty similar in shape to this one.


The fabric is a rayon that I bought from the markets in Ho Chi Minh last year. I bought it (along with another piece) as it was pretty but with no idea what I'd do with it (especially as I really do not ever sew with woven fabric). When I tried the shop sample on in Sew Make Create I knew that this soft, floaty rayon would be perfect for a kimono.


The fabric was actually fairly easy to sew with it (which I wasn't expecting) - it held a press REALLY well which made things easier. It's not as stable as cotton so it was a bit fiddly in places but I didn't really struggle as much as I thought I would. The main problem I had with it was when cutting out - it's fairly fluid and moves around so I guess it's fabric that use for a more loose, flowy garment where it does not really matter too much if things are a bit wonky when you cut them out.


I'm really happy with my finished Kimono (so happy that I wore it straight away and got Melissa and Pepper from Sew Make Create to take some photos for me)! One of the big reasons I decided to sew the Kimono in this fabric is that I thought it would make a GREAT layering piece for my trip to Cambodia next month...it will definitely be coming in my suitcase with me.


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