Tuesday 27 January 2015
Sandra Loves Sewing: How does colour affect your choice of fabric?
Sandra Loves Sewing: How does colour affect your choice of fabric?: l was sewing last night. Nothing unusual about that really. But, whilst sewing l pondered on colour. My favourite colour is red. I love a...
Sunday 25 January 2015
How does colour affect your choice of fabric?
l was sewing last night. Nothing unusual about that really. But, whilst sewing l pondered on colour.
My favourite colour is red. I love a red evening dress, and usually make one for Christmas. This year l didn't, l found a RTW outfit that looked good and was reasonably priced.
lf l were a fashion designer my last outfit in my collection would be reminiscent of Valentino and always be red, red, red!
How does this affect my overall choice in fabric? My eye is, l am afraid drawn to red, however l do try and make sure my entire wardrobe isn't red. If l am wearing a black outfit l like a bright jacket or coat (contrary to Melbourne, Australia dress code of black). On a gloomy day l like something bright and cheerful to brighten the mood. On a summers day, l like bright colours that make me feel cool.
The choice of fabric is about whimsy most times and usually reflects my mood. Hence the very large fabric stash.
Curious, how do you choose your fabric? I'd like to know.
Happy sewing.
My favourite colour is red. I love a red evening dress, and usually make one for Christmas. This year l didn't, l found a RTW outfit that looked good and was reasonably priced.
lf l were a fashion designer my last outfit in my collection would be reminiscent of Valentino and always be red, red, red!
How does this affect my overall choice in fabric? My eye is, l am afraid drawn to red, however l do try and make sure my entire wardrobe isn't red. If l am wearing a black outfit l like a bright jacket or coat (contrary to Melbourne, Australia dress code of black). On a gloomy day l like something bright and cheerful to brighten the mood. On a summers day, l like bright colours that make me feel cool.
The choice of fabric is about whimsy most times and usually reflects my mood. Hence the very large fabric stash.
Curious, how do you choose your fabric? I'd like to know.
Happy sewing.
Wednesday 21 January 2015
Sandra Loves Sewing: Ottobre...I love you
Sandra Loves Sewing: Ottobre...I love you: Over a year ago I was introduced to the magazine Ottobre Design. I love this magazine because I like the fit of the outfits once they are c...
Ottobre...I love you
Over a year ago I was introduced to the magazine Ottobre Design. I love this magazine because I like the fit of the outfits once they are complete.
I now subscribe to this magazine, but lately I have been 'exploring' back issues. I purchased Ottobre Design spring/summer 2/2007 as I liked design 10 Wraparound dress. However, there are three things I didn't like about what was in the magazine (sorry Ottobre): the fabric choice, the tie around the waistline and the sleeves:
I must apologise for the poor photo, I had to use my mobile phone and not my camera (I've misplaced the cord to the camera).
So I decided that there could be three possible changes that could be made to give this dress three possible looks. For today I will show you two different changes I have made.
In my first dress made from a retro inspired print, I have shortened the sleeve (approximately 10 cms from the underarm and squared off) and kept the tie in the same fabric as the rest of the dress, yes it has the collar (but you can barely see it in the picture):
For the second dress (again in green) I did not put a collar on it and again used the shortened sleeve and ties in the same colour as the rest of the dress. I used a beautiful Japanese cotton voile that I purchased on one of my fabric adventures:
I am happy with the results. The third style I will make (when we near winter) is a long sleeve version, however the sleeves will be a straight sleeve version.
I've decided to make a half slip to go under these dresses (as wrap around dresses always seem to swing around open in the wind). I will share that with you next time.
Happy sewing everyone.
Sandra
I now subscribe to this magazine, but lately I have been 'exploring' back issues. I purchased Ottobre Design spring/summer 2/2007 as I liked design 10 Wraparound dress. However, there are three things I didn't like about what was in the magazine (sorry Ottobre): the fabric choice, the tie around the waistline and the sleeves:
I must apologise for the poor photo, I had to use my mobile phone and not my camera (I've misplaced the cord to the camera).
So I decided that there could be three possible changes that could be made to give this dress three possible looks. For today I will show you two different changes I have made.
In my first dress made from a retro inspired print, I have shortened the sleeve (approximately 10 cms from the underarm and squared off) and kept the tie in the same fabric as the rest of the dress, yes it has the collar (but you can barely see it in the picture):
For the second dress (again in green) I did not put a collar on it and again used the shortened sleeve and ties in the same colour as the rest of the dress. I used a beautiful Japanese cotton voile that I purchased on one of my fabric adventures:
I've decided to make a half slip to go under these dresses (as wrap around dresses always seem to swing around open in the wind). I will share that with you next time.
Happy sewing everyone.
Sandra
Saturday 10 January 2015
Sandra Loves Sewing: Scraps, scraps ... and less scraps
Sandra Loves Sewing: Scraps, scraps ... and less scraps: When, a long time ago, I kept my sewing purely to dress making, I could easily get rid of small scraps of fabric. That was such a long time...
Scraps, scraps ... and less scraps
When, a long time ago, I kept my sewing purely to dress making, I could easily get rid of small scraps of fabric. That was such a long time ago.
Then, later, I also took up patchwork. Now I can't get rid of the smallest of fabric - because it could be used in a quilt in some form of the other.
Lately, I've been cutting up those bits of fabric and cutting them up into 2", 3 1/2" and 5" squares and putting them aside to use in quilts. I pinched this idea from the magazine "Quilt Your Stash" (great magazine). This stash of bits and pieces was building up. One of the things I'd like to work on in 2015 is reducing my fabric stash. Making this ironing board cover was an endeavour to work towards the reduction of fabric.
In my last post I had made a simple ironing board cover for my mini ironing board. However, my regular sized ironing board was in need of some renovation.
Ah, my regular sized ironing board - my mother's from the 1950's, solid steel - hernia worthy. I always made fun of this with mum, it's very heavy. However, I long ago realised that when making evening dresses, that modern ironing boards did not meet the grade and tended to topple over with the weight.
When my wonderfully stylish mum (to the very end) passed away- here's a picture of mum in her hey day, I made the decision to hang onto the ironing board:
Ah, when I need to get it out I remember why I probably shouldn't have hung onto it. We live in an apartment, so I have to continuously take it out and put it away; it's just one of those things that need to remain out all the time. Otherwise it's back breaking work. So useful though for dressmaking, especially bulky items. So, it's here to stay.
I could have made my ironing board cover in an instant with one piece of fabric. No, I decided I would make it from my 3 1/2" scrap squares. Good thought when I began; "why did I do this?" thought whilst making it; "Great idea" I thought when I finished. I'II never make one like this again. However, I feel it was worth doing for myself to have a cover with a difference. I think us sewers are probably good at giving away our work, and sometimes not so good making household things for ourselves.
As I said the cover was made from 100% cotton scraps, so here it is:
The underside is an Ikea fabric, left over from curtains in one of our bedrooms:
All done now, am very happy with it.
Until next week, where I'II show you how one pattern can look so different with two different adjustments from my favourite magazine "Ottobre". I didn't realise until I looked through my stash how much green fabric I've actually purchased - and it's not even my favourite colour!
I digress, I'II save this for next week.
Happy sewing everyone.
Sandra
Then, later, I also took up patchwork. Now I can't get rid of the smallest of fabric - because it could be used in a quilt in some form of the other.
Lately, I've been cutting up those bits of fabric and cutting them up into 2", 3 1/2" and 5" squares and putting them aside to use in quilts. I pinched this idea from the magazine "Quilt Your Stash" (great magazine). This stash of bits and pieces was building up. One of the things I'd like to work on in 2015 is reducing my fabric stash. Making this ironing board cover was an endeavour to work towards the reduction of fabric.
In my last post I had made a simple ironing board cover for my mini ironing board. However, my regular sized ironing board was in need of some renovation.
Ah, my regular sized ironing board - my mother's from the 1950's, solid steel - hernia worthy. I always made fun of this with mum, it's very heavy. However, I long ago realised that when making evening dresses, that modern ironing boards did not meet the grade and tended to topple over with the weight.
When my wonderfully stylish mum (to the very end) passed away- here's a picture of mum in her hey day, I made the decision to hang onto the ironing board:
Ah, when I need to get it out I remember why I probably shouldn't have hung onto it. We live in an apartment, so I have to continuously take it out and put it away; it's just one of those things that need to remain out all the time. Otherwise it's back breaking work. So useful though for dressmaking, especially bulky items. So, it's here to stay.
I could have made my ironing board cover in an instant with one piece of fabric. No, I decided I would make it from my 3 1/2" scrap squares. Good thought when I began; "why did I do this?" thought whilst making it; "Great idea" I thought when I finished. I'II never make one like this again. However, I feel it was worth doing for myself to have a cover with a difference. I think us sewers are probably good at giving away our work, and sometimes not so good making household things for ourselves.
As I said the cover was made from 100% cotton scraps, so here it is:
The underside is an Ikea fabric, left over from curtains in one of our bedrooms:
All done now, am very happy with it.
Until next week, where I'II show you how one pattern can look so different with two different adjustments from my favourite magazine "Ottobre". I didn't realise until I looked through my stash how much green fabric I've actually purchased - and it's not even my favourite colour!
I digress, I'II save this for next week.
Happy sewing everyone.
Sandra
Thursday 1 January 2015
Happy New Year
Happy New Year everyone!
I finished off 2014 making notebook covers as Christmas presents, here ar some others that were done:
I decided that I would just quilt straight lines on this:
Now to tackle the larger ironing board cover, decision, do I patchwork it or not? Depends, do I spend my time doing this or sew a dress?
Onto my next task. Have a great day everyone, I'm hiding from the heat today under the air conditioner.
Sandra
I finished off 2014 making notebook covers as Christmas presents, here ar some others that were done:
For today, I needed to do some practical sewing. You know, the everyday stuff you put off, but, need to do.
So, I decided that my ironing board covers need replacing. I thought I would start with my small ironing board first. I just wanted this to be simple, but yet using a fabric that depicted one of the things I really loved.
I began by tracing the outline of the ironing board onto the wrong side of the fabric, then, added a 2.5cm (1") allowance around it and cut along this line:
Then I basted this on with a basting spray onto a batting and a backing fabric:
Cut around the edge (the top that is in the shape of the ironing board).
I then cut a 8 cm (3") wide strip the diameter of the ironing board cover. Fold in half, press, and use the over locker to attach this to the top. I then threaded elastic through the casing, tied it together. Placed it on the ironing board.
There you are, my new ironing board cover...
Onto my next task. Have a great day everyone, I'm hiding from the heat today under the air conditioner.
Sandra
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