Wiksten Tank v1 "70's Curtain" *Finished Object*

The Seamless Pledge and The Pregnancy Pledge are well and truly underway!* 

*Any makes, charity/ thrift shop finds and upcycling will be tweeted using the hashtag #PregnancyPledge on Twitter, if you're interested!

I have finally used this African wax print I, shamefully, picked up last year in April.  The fabric is fabulous and I am trying to 'stash-bust' as I save for this child! It's working; I am getting through a backlog of fabric, wool and trimmings. 

Alas, the more one makes- the more one wants to make (and spend). 

I bought the fabric from The Fabric Godmother, who regularly has beautiful African wax prints in. I love their uniqueness. Every centimetre of the fabric is hand-dyed and really is beautiful. 

So here is the first of many, many pregnancy tops....

 I love this top! Colour-wise, it's a major statement print. I will undoubtedly wear this top with the obligatory leggings/ jeggings and pretty sandals. I think a few wooden accessories will really bring out the modern-ethnic look of the piece. There is loads of space in the front too, ready for the ever-growing bump. Those pattern adjustments did the trick, it's much longer now- but not as long and tapered as the dress version included with this pattern. I hate to even think about wearing leggings with a short top, it simply must come down to the thighs- or I don't want to know! Modesty.

Front

Back

Hidden pocket! For the tokens, loose change, train tickets... this is for my holiday as a 6 month pregnant woman, who knows what little secret treasures I'll need this pocket for then?! Probably some confectionery of some form, no doubt.  I thought I would play around the pocket location on the top. Originally, this was meant to be a breast pocket. I changed it; I don't EVER use a breast pocket when I have them on a piece of clothing. So I decided that a hip pocket would be more useful. Also, with the bold and clear print... I was able to totally match the pocket with the main top- so it's almost a secret pocket.

Bias-bound armholes and neckline. It's a frustratingly small bias strip to guide and sew around these areas! I am slowly getting used to the art of the bias-strip application and use, but it is still the definition of 'finickiness' as far as I am concerned. 

Behold... my first ever french-seam finish. I am very impressed. It really gives the feeling of class, I think anyway. I will use this wonderful technique again, what do I need to a little maths to work out how to apply it to other pieces that I sew...

1/4" + ? = 5/8" 

What is the value of ? and particularly, what is it in metric?!

On that mathematical , I shall leave you to mull this over and help out an over-worked, perpetually-tired, constantly-hungry expectant-mother!

My overall review of the Wiksten Tank is totally positive. Adaptable, easy and quick. I think with the right environment, the right amount of need, the right amount of willingness... it would be very easy to churn out 3 or 4 of these in an afternoon session. Clear instructions and a beautiful stash-buster, I highly recommend this to anyone. I actually prefer it to the very similar 'Sorbetto' from Colette Patterns, its a more wearable and versatile design; tucked in, with leggings, skirts, jeans... you could even wear it on top of a bikini/ swimsuit at the beach in summer. The length is easily adjustable.

Cost: €8 for fabric. Thread from stash (navy)
Time taken: 3 hours
Make again? Yes!!

Bundana 

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Slippin' 'Eck!- First project for someone else...

You can get away with imperfections and omissions when you are creating and making a garment for yourself. How about when a friend asks you to make something for them? This is my dilemma right now. I'm sweating!

This dress is a lace long sleeved dress, which looks fabulous on my friend. However, the 'slip' is a nude/beige slip which looks lovely underneath but has been worn to death by my friend (the same dress is appearing on Facebook 'tags' too many times, we all know what that's like!) and now she wants a black slip and also, maybe, a turquoise slip. Would you make one for me Caff? Yeah, why not.

Here is the dress in its entirety:

Here is the slip on the outside:

Here is the dress on the inside:

Interfacing in elastic bound to sit at the bottom of the bust, snuggly. Obviously overlocked using an industrial machinery.
This slip fabric components:

45% Rayon
25% Cotton
15% Nylon
15% Spandex

This pattern appears to be ticking the right boxes:

McCall's M4979 Camisole 

Ditto Fabric's Black Stretch Satin is a Polyester/ Lycra Mix. The Lycra content is only 3% however, compared to the 15% of the original fabric.

Let me know what you think and if you have any further suggestions.

Bundana

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12 in 2012... My Challenge and Lists!

I'm in, I'm in, I'm really REALLY in! If there is one thing that can keep me focused in life and achieve goals- crossing an item of a list as 'done'- is it. I love it, so satisfying. 


Suzie @ Su Sews So-So has a group of peeps (me included) to come up with 12 aims of the year and work to attain them goals- and write about them on their blogs. So, here is mine:




12 Dresses...


1. Angela Kane's - Pinafore Dress -DONE  
2. Jamie Christina - Sunny Day Dress - DONE
3. Burda Sewing Handbook Dress
4. Colette Patterns Sewing Handbook- Sweetheart Neck Sheath Dress
5. Colette Patterns Sewing Handbook- Asymmetrical Flounce Dress
6. Colette Patterns Sewing Handbook-  The Lined Dress with Gathered Sleeves
7. Sewaholic - Lonsdale Dress
8. Jamie Christina - Honey Girl Dress
9. Colette Patterns- Peony
10. Colette Patterns- Eclair
11. Colette Patterns- Macaroon
12. Colette Patterns - Rooibos


12 Separates...


1. Colette Patterns - Sorbetto DONE and a few more refashions from old clothes (pending...) 
2. Burda Sewing Handbook - Skirt
3. Burda Sewing Handbook - Blouse
4. Burda Sewing Handbook - Bag
5. Butterwick - Cape 3566
6. Colette Patterns - Negroni Shirt
7. A pair of Jeans
8. Colette Patterns - Clovers (Trousers)
9. Colette Patterns Sewing Handbook - Scalloped Hem Skirt
10. Colette Patterns Sewing Handbook - Flutter Sleeve Blouse
11. Sewaholic - Pendrell Blouse
12. Colette Patterns - Beignet


12 Skills...


1. Darts - DONE!
2. Inserting Elastic - DONE!
3. Bias Tape - DONE (ish)
4. Zips
5. Inserting Sleeves
6. Cuffs
7. Gathering
8. Lining
9. Tucks and Pleats
10. Pockets 
11. Necklines and Collars
12. Buttons and Fastenings


12 Things...


1. Dressmaker's Dummy
2. Pinking Shears
3. Burda Sewing Handbook DONE!
4. Colette Sewing Handbook
5. French Curve
6. Overlocker
7. Tracing Wheel - DONE
8. Invisible Zipper Foot
9. Rolled Hem Foot
10. Blind Hem Foot
11. Wildcard
12. Wildcard


Seeing as I am a late comer to the 12 in 2012, I have included some of what I have done already in 2012 to catch up somewhat. Acceptable, I think. I'm sure Suzie will tell me if not!


What I will do, is as I complete a project I will refer back to my lists of 12 and then cross them off accordingly with updates of my progress. Now I have 4 lists of 12, I feel its attainable but a stretch... exactly what's needed to get myself going. 


My ultimate aim this year is to truly feel like I have gone from 'novice' to 'intermediate' this year. My sewing classes were cancelled due to lack of interest and numbers, so I am going to teach myself with the amazing patterns, books and tutorials, community and blogs available online. Please feel free to be critical about what I do, I won't improve if I never get any critcism!


I'm going to make Clovers from Colette Patterns and refashion this dress into a Sorbetto. That's next up.....

... with black bias tape? I think its a winner? I love this dress, but I am a tad bored of it. It's about 5 years old. I think a Sorbetto would be cool with a pair of shorts and sandals for summer.

                                            Bundana

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