Clutch Class at Sew Make Create

Not much (or any) sewing has taken place this year, but I did attend a Clutch Class at Sew Make Create towards the end of 2018. In the class we made two clutches and it was a good chance to use some small pieces of fabric that had been languishing in the stash for a little too long.

The first clutch was a simple little lined purse. There was an option to add in box corners to make it more of a make-up bag, but I wanted to use my for work. I added in a fabric loop, d-ring, and strap to make it functional for running around at work when I need to have my hands free. I've used it quite a lot at work and it's really useful. It's starting to wear now so I might make another one day as I have quiet a bit of the outer fabric left (if I remember how to do the dreaded zipper - honestly, I've done SO many classes with zippers and still can manage it well on my {especially when there's lining to test my spatial abilities too}).



The outer fabric is from Spotlight, and the lining is the chambray that I bought from The Fabric Store to toile my Dress #1 (I hated it so chopped it up to use for other things). Pretty sure the zippers came from Lincraft?

The second clutch is a little fold-over number. I wanted the option to use it as a clutch, or a bag, so I added two fabric tabs and d-rings and bought a cooper handbag chain from Voodoo Rabbit. I also couldn't resist buying the twee little handmade tab so that everyone knows that yes, I made this myself (and NO I won't make one for you)!



The outer fabric is a remnant that I bought from Marimekko about 18 months ago. Their fabric is SO expensive that even this tiny sliver of fabric cost about $20! The lining fabric was bought from Tomato in Tokyo back when I thought I'd be sewing lots of tops and dresses out of woven fabric - ah, how clueless I was back then. I have quiet a bit of both fabrics left over so can repeat this purse at any time. The leather is a nice suede bought from The Fabric Store which is where I also bought the zipper from.



I'm not 100% happy with this bag as one of the fabric tabs is longer than the other and it kills my brain to look at it. I've also not yet used the bag as I'm not sure the depth of it is very practical. BUT I do have it hanging on a hook on the wall at the end of my bed so I can look at it constantly.

I really enjoyed this two day workshop and I especially loved walking away at the end of each class with a finished clutch...very satisfying!

Dress No. 1 from 100 Acts of Sewing

Here's something you probalby weren't expecting from me! A WOVEN dress! And, I had to trace the pattern! I don't even know who I am anymore.




I got it into my head that I wanted to make the Dress No. 1 from 100 Acts of Sewing but I kept putting it off as the pattern was only availble as a paper copy that I had to order from the USA. Eventually I caved and forked out A LOT of money to have it shipped here. And then I had to trace it TWICE as my muslin was too small across the bust.




For the price I paid I have to say I was expecting...more. The pattern is just a single sheet with the same piece for the front and back (good if you have no boobs, or boobs on your back to even things up). In order to lower the neckline the instructions have you cut into the front of your dress to get your desired neck depth. Hmm....I'd rather do this via the pattern than cutting into the actual, partially-made, dress.

The second muslin turned out OK...but I hate the fabric (it's stiff and crunchy and feels yuck) and the addtion of the fox patch is so twee that it feels like I made a dress for a very large two year old (ie me). The Liberty bias binding is pretty, but the extra folds it has made it hard to handle. And...after I attached the binding under the arms I decided the underarms were too gaping so some surgery happened. I'm going to cut this up to use for bag lining so all is not lost.



Third times the charm as they say. Well, sort of. 

This dress looks pretty (made in fabric from Tomato in Japan) but I didn't find it very comfortable wearing. I'm used to s-t-r-e-t-c-h in my clothes and wearing this dress made me feel like I was in a straight jacket even though it's basically a roomy sack. I think some of the issues may be attributed to the fact that the fabric is very stiff...it would probably be nicer to wear in a soft fabric with lots of drape.





After sewing the chambray version I decided that I really dislike patch pockets. I feel like there's no way for me to attach them without them looking like a craft project. I added pockets into the side seam and I really like them. I stitched the down to the front of the dress to stop them flapping about and getting bunched up.

I wore this dress out last Sunday to the Sydney Spoolettes inagrual Croqs and Frocks event. I won my first game so thought that was a good time to retire from my Croquete career and sit in the club house keeping cool and eating snacks.



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The new old Mandy Boat Tee

I've been sewing Tessuti's Mandy Boat Tee for over four years  (and 20kgs ago). I made my first one in a class at Tessuti and the pattern was WAY too small for me then - one size does not fit all! Back then the teacher modified the pattern to fit me by making the sleeves and arm holes bigger. It was my go-to top pattern for years but recently, with the...ah...fullness of my biceps getting..fuller...it just didn't really fit anymore *sad face*.

Just recently Tessuti re-released the pattern and it now includes four sizes. I decided to give the size 4 a go. I wasn't feeling optimistic as the new sleeve pattern was the same size as the modified one I had from my class all those years ago. HOWEVER....I'm very please to say that the new pattern fits me very well! Whilst the sleeve pieces are the same size as my old pattern the shoulders on the size 4 are dropped more so the sleeve/armhole join no longer hit me at the fullest part of my arm.

I've worn this top a few times since finishing it a few weeks ago and I really like it. The length is as drafted and it works well with my current wide-legged pants obsession.

The fabric* (some sort of viscose knit) was a nightmare to work with but the print is great. I bought the fabric on a Spoolettes shopping trip to Cabramatta a few weeks ago - $7/meter. It was cut badly and was off grain but I like the end result so the pain of sewing it is a distant memory.

Of course when you make something you like you back it up straight away by sewing a second one! I added an inch to the length of this one but sewed a 2" hem (I didn't like the mean little hem on my first make). Despite my sad face in these photos I LOVE THIS TOP. The fabric* (some sort of viscose knit) was bought from the markets in Hanoi so has good memories attached to it. It's been in my stash for 18 months and I'm glad to finally have it made into something I like.

Here's a close up of the fabric - cute, right? And it looks extra cute with the twee little birdie necklace.

Of course two of these tops is just not enough so I'm in the process of sewing up a black one. It,s going to be too hot soon to wear them but I'm hoping they'll work from my trip to Taipei at NYE.

* both of these fabrics are very light, drapey and quite stretchy. If I was to make this pattern in something with less stretch I'd probably not be quite so happy.

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