Breaking the Pattern- Review

I was excited to see a new sewing book at my local library last week. Without much thought I checked it out. The book is 'Breaking the Pattern' by Saara and Laura Huhta. It retails for $35.

There are 20 projects in the book plus endless ideas on breaking the patterns. All the patterns are included with the book and there is also an option to print the patterns. Also included is a section of pattern alteration, measuring and sizing and fabric selection - the usual information you would expect to find in a sewing book. 

I made project one - The Nummi Bag. this is the only non-clothing pattern and possibly the easiest make in the book.Each project increases in skill level, therefore starting at the beginning is advisable for a beginner.

Making this bag introduces the maker to four different seams- plain, French, flat felled and bias bound seams. Instructions are clear and easy to follow and are accompanied with illustrations.
I did not read any tips on how to deal with thick seams- however there should have been  some mention  in regards to this because by the end of the project the side French seams together with the flat felled seam at the corners  gets very thick -especially when using denim. but then i admit to not having read the book cover to cover.
i added a patch pocket to the interior and a D-ring tab to attach my keys to. i expect to use this bag at the beach or pool in the coming months.

Happy New Year!

I very much neglected this blog last year. But I feel I am not the only one, many of the blogs I follow are rarely updated. It is a shame because I enjoy reading them and I am grateful for the ones that  are regularly updated. My favourite  Handmade by Carolyn.

Anyways moving on to my latest make. Its the Erin Skirt by Lisa Comfort (instructions and pattern from issue 22 and 23 of Simply Sewing). I started the skirt in November and its been sitting on my sewing table for a while waiting for buttons. This morning with the children back at school. I put on some music (Savage Garden) and got to work.

The fabric is a stretch navy blue corduroy (98% cotton). The buttons are spectrum cool size 1 1/8 in (28mm).

Its the third time making this pattern. I have enjoyed wearing my first skirt very much but I feel that its a little short in length. (it may have shrunk) so this time I added an extra 2 inches in length. This is the only adjustment I made to the pattern.

Sequin Top

I made this top with 3/4 length sleeves using Simplicity pattern D0657. I have used this pattern once before to make a dress.
The fabric is an interlock knit with a sequin butterflies pattern all over. I removed the butterfly sequin from the neckband because I did not want them to irritate the skin but it was not easy. It took longer to removed a few sequin butterflies than to sew this top together.

Pokemon makes and a skirt

I recently brought a yard of quilting cotton with a busy Pokémon print to make a few things for daughter. The first item is the Knickers pattern from issue 9 of Simply Sewing.  This pattern is designed for woven fabric. The lingerie elastic  I used is 3/8in (.95cm) by Dritz.  The next item I made using up  the scraps is a headphone purse. This pattern is from issue 38 of Simply Sewing. I also made  a scrunchie from the scraps (not photographed) and still have about half a yard of fabric left. Thinking of  using it to make a bag.

About  a year ago I made this denim skirt using Simplicity Pattern D0718 and never got around to hemming it. Finally today I finished the hem with white bias binding, Sorry I just realized its difficult to see in this photo. I made view B from the pattern and eliminated the centre front seam. The denim is heavy and stiff. a piece i was given. This skirt is still a work in progress. I hope to finish this skirt off with some light distressing, by using sandpaper on the seams.

Sew Serendipity - Skirt

I love this fabric is it 100% cotton chambray. I original made it into a gathered skirt for my daughter  but after a year of it sitting at the bottom of her drawer I realized she was never going to wear it. So I unpicked the skirt thinking I could reuse the fabric for smaller projects.
Inspiration to use it to make a skirt for myself came from looking through Sew Serendipity. All the skirts in this book are made from 6 panels and all use a combination of fabric. Ideal for using up small pieces of fabric.
I chose the tailored skirt, its a knee length A-line skirt with pockets and invisible back zipper. There is a contrast fabric at each seam and on the pocket tops.
I had enough fabric to cut the 6 panels and 2 pockets without worrying about pattern matching. Honestly I think the only people who will notice and mind I have not pattern matched are other sewist, a small number.
The facing and inner pockets I cut from the contrast fabric.
I cut a size medium, the finished skirt sits comfortable below my belly button. I made no alterations to the pattern, the finished waist measures 32 inches. I did not see listed any finished measurement and for me 2 inches wearing ease on a skirt is a lot. Now that I know how it fits next time I will use a wider seam allowance to eliminate some of the ease. For the zipper, instructions are given to install an invisible zipper using a regular zipper foot. Handy if you don't own an invisible zipper foot.
This skirt came together nicely all the pieces aligned exactly. The instructions are well written and easy  to follow as long as you don't mind flipping back and forth to all the different steps sections, the skirt instructions are on page 40, general skirt instructions on page 30 and zipper instructions on page 22.  The nice thing about this book is  all the included pattern pieces are full size. There are 6 variations on the skirt pattern . Also included in the book is a dress and jacket pattern with 6 variations each.  Patterns are graded from  XXS to XXL.
Sew Serendipity by Kay Whitt retails for $27.99. I got my copy from amazon for $9.99.

So very Happy!

Remember this cotton + Steel Mesa lawn fabric? Back in January I made a dress with it and just hated the dress, so I unpicked it and  made something  I do like with the dress skirt. so very happy I could salvage some of the fabric from the rubbish bin.
Its a New look pattern that came with  Sew magazine Feb 2018. I made style B the shorter top version, since I was working with cut piece of fabric. I cut a size 14, when I made up the sides and tried it on it felt a little tight, so I unpicked them and used a 1cm seam allowance instead of the 1.5cm allowance. its a better fit now. for the back closure instead of the loop and button I used a hook and eye that I already had. otherwise I made the top up as per the instructions which are easy to follow.

The Drape Top

The Drape top is a sleeveless top with a scoop neck line. Ordinarily I would not choose this style for myself but the pattern is rated  as a great beginner project so I thought yeah, why not try making it.
 I used up the rest of 100% polka dot cotton jersey so its a no extra cost make.
I measure a 14 in the waist and hips and between a 12 and 14 in the bust. I made a size 10-12 and the fit is good.
All I need now is some warm weather so I can start wearing my new Drape top.