Back in the swing of things

Hello October, the cooler evenings have reminded me of something I always go through at this time of the year.  Difficulties in finding a nice coat that is within my price range, is smart enough to wear anywhere but doesn't make me feel overdressed, as I am a very casually dressed person usually, and a coat that is not to long or to short nor one I will overheat in.  Don't really have much luck in finding a coat to fit these criteria strangely!  Then inspiration suddenly struck! I could make one! I found this simplicity 1067 pattern and went from there.  Easy-to-sew apparently.  We shall see!

I have decided on the one the model is wearing view A with a shawl collar and patch pockets and a simple fasting.  I did consider a tie belt, but it just then looked like a dressing gown to me in the illustrations.  Strange mind I have right?

I went for a wool blend fabric, it's a little darker than it is showing here. It's not to heavy.  Also this is an unlined garment so decided on a blend so it wouldn't feel itchy next to the skin

Fastenings wise, a lot of umming and ahhhing went on.  I am still not 100% sure on this hook and eye decorative fastening. I may decide to go with a big decorative button yet. Will try this one first after the coat is made up and see how I like it. We shall see.  Hopefully can get this made up and any adjustments done in time for need a coat season.





Had to pop out today to get interfacing.  Was mildly amused when shop assistant said it seemed hard making a coat. Seemed to me a great way of putting people off sewing not encouraging them. She then asked was it hard? Pointed out I had no idea as I had never made any coats before. I would go back and let her know. Had taken along an off cut of coat fabric and the pattern envelope, which is why it looks a bit crumpled. Wasn't until I had gotten home I realised I had made the jacket of doom, so as long as it isn't as eventful as the JOD it should be easy.  Will find out on Thursday when I get on with it all.  So far all is cut out, pieces that need interfacing are interfaced. Sewing machine has had a clean. All I have left to do is wind a few bobbins and get out the serger. Can't wait to start.

Take care
Jules xx

tents and a skirt for a sewalong

Whoo, it's been busy and hot lately.  This summer holidays with the kids has certainly kept me busy and amused.  Which unfortunately means away from here and most of my social media to. On the plus side it's all been good fun up until I got a summer cold/cough yesterday. I will live though don't worry.

We have been very lucky having the granddaughters over a few times a week while my daughter works, not quite sure who is having more fun us or them? On Monday I decided a wigwam type tent was needed for them to play in.  So, off I went to the corner of the garden to retrieve some bamboo sticks that had been hidden in a tangle of honeysuckle.  Bit of string to tie them together in a square triangle, and a duvet cover and pegs and the girls were very impressed with their little hideaway. 

We have also been out to find 'magic' sticks and so far we have been decorating them with small gold and silver stickers.  Next week I think we are going to cut out some felt stars and maybe make them padded and add to the end with some ribbons. What little princess doesn't need a magic wand?

Just right for eating lunch in and finishing off a tube type yogurt out of the sun.

Katie at Inside number 23 both on YouTube and ravelry. Is hosting a sewalong using the Hollyburn skirt by sewaholic. Looks pretty simple and a lovely skirt so I thought I would give it a whirl.  Took me until tonight to cut out my fabric.  A light weight black, floral denim with sparkles? I am hoping you can see them in this photo?

Ruler for reference there for size idea

And this pocket is just genius, first of all I thought there was a pocket piece missing, but no, this piece folds in half to form the complete pocket.  Which means it's less complicated than the last few pockets I have attempted

1 am is just the right time to blog, enough quiet to concentrate and it's slightly cooler in the house.  Not much though.  I have to say I am not complaining about the weather at all.  It's lovely to have such nice weather for so long.  Saying that I a now looking at patterns to make a winter coat.  I figure if I start thinking about it now and start organising things I might actually end up with a new coat by the time the cold weather starts up again.  Just one problem is all I have, what colour to make a coat in?

I'm back!

I know, I know went and vanished for a week! Blame it on the weather and migraines. Really messed my head up lately.  Back to normal today though.

These photos are from the other day so I will introduce what I am making.  My daughter and her little family are off to a wedding next week so I offered to make the gorgeous granddaughters dresses :o)  Can you tell I am happy about that. So I found this pattern.

Started off the boring bit of tracing off 2 sizes and preparing everything.

I have a white lining satin type fabric and a chiffon fabric with butterflies as a border print.  We are keeping the top a kind of light cream and the bottom gathered skirts will have riots of butterflies. Cool huh?

I am so behind on the sewing and have almost got the tops and straps sewn together now. Give me a few days and I will have them finished. I thought the fabric choices were going to be a pain the neck but all is working out so far OK.  

I am carrying on with an audio book series by Jodie Taylor the chronicles of Saint Mary's.  Loving the series so far,  I have laughed and cried and really enjoyed their varied escapades and stories. 

So for now I am about to start my weekend and will hopefully will be back on here really soon.  I still have been doing some crafty things just haven't blogged them yet.  

Take care and stay crafty

Jules x 

Carrie Trousers

As I mentioned yesterday I had cut the pattern out for these trousers. I went looking today for fabric I had already and come up with this glorious butterfly print.  I have had it about a year but hadn't been confident enough to cut into it up until today.

They aren't as tight as they look here, Trying to show off the pockets has distracted from their flowing drapy quality

Same for the back. These are so comfortable I might need to make them in all the fabrics.  Well light draping fabrics at least.

And the pockets are such a generous size, I love pockets. Always feel a bit lost if I don't have pockets to carry my phone or put my hands into while stood around. 

The trousers are made from the Carrie Trousers pattern from sewoverit.co.uk/ I discovered Lisa Comfort through YouTube last year. She really makes things seem more achievable.

Only problem I had today was I run out of my preferred black thread. My machine happily ticked over with a cheaper brand, which is unusual for it. No complaints from me on that score.  Will treat her to a few more reels of the good stuff tomorrow though.

Sunday confessions

Hope you weren't after juicy gossip! I admit I missed blogging yesterday, to be fair I think blogging over the weekends is a bit overambitious.  With family around etc I would rather be spending time with them than stuck to a screen or worrying about blogging. 

On Thursday I had to pop into town as had to pick up sons new blazer.  I also popped into a few charity shops.  I picked up a game of Triominos for 99p.  This was a game I spent many hours playing with my Mum over the years.  It's like dominos but they are triangles and a bit harder to match up. I offered Luke a game and he caught on and loved it luckily. May of found myself a new games partner. 

Another thing I have been up to is sorting out some patterns to get started on this week. My email alerted me to the fact that sew over it had a new online class and there was a voucher code yesterday for money off.  2 patterns were included, the ultimate trousers and The Carrie trousers.  After eyeing up the Ultimate trousers for some time I jumped at this offer.  We had family over today and this evening so I couldn't dive straight into this, but this evening after I had happily settled into pyjamas I spent a while printing off, then sticking together and cutting out the Carrie trousers pattern.

Every time I start taping together these PDF patterns together I say to myself I really prefer to be tracing a pattern off a standard  pattern. I say I prefer printing and sticking PDFs than tracing when I am tracing off too.  My least favourite part of the whole process. At least tomorrow I can start with cutting out the fabric when I get back from the school run and the gym.

Other than that I've not been to productive this weekend.  It's been hot and humid, making it harder to breath. 

Take care and stay crafty

Jules xx

Colette Clover trousers

I have been eyeing this pattern up for quite a few months now.  I have seen these made in a youtube video and a few blog posts and Pinterest posts. I was smarting a bit at the price of the pattern though.  By luck I popped in to my local fabric/haberdashery/wool shop Boutique Haberdashery last week for elastic.  They didn't actually have the elastic I wanted but they did have a 40% off sale table with a lot of patterns including this one.  So I grabbed it and last night decided after everyone else had gone to bed to trace out the pattern.  I did version A and no pockets

These need a  press but I was so pleased to get them made and almost all going well that I took photos pinned to my Dressmakers Dummy instead of parading around the garden and getting Gary to take photos.  As a side note my iron seems to be not working to well and only produces steam when it feels like it and same for heat.  Definitely going to have to invest in a new iron. People who know me well will be laughing at that thought! 

It's a nice cotton with subtle stripes and embroidery flowers and leaves.  Look a lot better than the photos are showing.  They have a side invisible zip that somehow I have managed to put on the right side instead of the left side.

The embroidery isn't as shiny as this and seems to be hard to photograph.  I will try another day or when I first wear them more like. I might crop them to a 3/4 length for the summer, I haven't made my mind up on that just yet.

As for the pattern itself, it was a breath of fresh air compared to some of the mainstream patterns you can buy.  I felt things were explained really well.  I did wonder at the thoughts of putting it as a beginners pattern with an invisible zip fastening it it.  But as I said it was explained well and there was also a video link you could go look at if you got stuck. Definitely becoming a fan of Colette patterns.

Hope your weekend has been a great one but for now

Take care and stay crafty

Jules x 

New clothes and pattern review

I have been sewing again, not that is a surprise.  Things have gotten a bit more urgent on the sewing clothes for me situation. I had a sort out for clothes to donate for charity.  I then discovered about 70% of my clothes were way to big since I have lost just over 3.5 stone. So I made a list of things I needed to make and had a search through fabric I have and a suitable pattern.  And chose this Butterick B6026 It's hard to see from my photo but it has some lovely radiating fold and stitch details from the neck area, on bottom outside of sleeve and from the waist area. 

           

This might show them up a bit clearer.  I made mine up in a nice chambray. Only part that really worried me was the collar and collar band.  I just could not for the life of me remember how I used to do these before. I always struggled with the pattern instructions for these years ago.  So I put my trust in the instructions and read them 192 times I think. And they worked, yay!

In fact the only problem I had with the whole thing was my own silliness.  Those pleated lines are actually done by the folding along a line and then sewing a 16th of an inch or 2 mm away from the edge and then opening out the fold again. After you finish one section you baste stitch along the edge.  There are 4 of these areas on the shirt front and every time I basted I forgot to set the stitch length again. I then went and sewed the folds at basting length and had to unpick them all and redo 3 times for the remaining 3 front shirt areas grrr.

Next problem is I didn't realise my face was in this photo so didn't smile, sorry

One more view of the side.  I am so pleased with this and am already planning another one and a sleeveless version to.  It fits so well with no need to adjust it in any way :o)

Other news today was I had my nails done.  I do love this blue colour, it has a very slight glitter to it that isn't obvious but makes them look a little more brighter.

Popped into Fabric Land and picked up the fabric and bits I needed for a jacket I want to make.  Hopefully I will be able to get a start on that soon but probably not until next week. Other than that we are just readjusting with school restarting this week. It was a brilliant Easter break, I am though finding it a little hard to get back into my usual routines.  So for now

Take care and stay crafty 

Jules x 

Newest sewing project

 I have set myself the task of sewing some basics. It's OK to have the most beautiful colourful tops or separates, as long as you have something to wear them with. I am going to be sewing some skirts, trousers and tops in 'plain' colours that will go with a variety of other fabrics. I started this skirt yesterday. It's actually a bit big on me so the shaping isn't as obvious as the patterns model.  It might just be I don't have a models body, but we work with what we have. 

Butterick B6326 view B is the pattern I used. 

I love denim so wanted a few denim basics.  I spent a little while in the shops the other day noticing denim is popping up more again, which pleased me. 

This skirt was a dream to sew up. It's made up with 8 panels and and a facing for the top waistband.  As long as you don't put in notches on the pattern then serge over them, then sew 2 panels upside down it goes great. Not that I would do anything that silly *coughs* I wasn't asked to use an overlocker/serger I just decided to finish the edges off before I sewed anything as I find it easier to do this before sewing the seams. 

 Here I am 'trying' to show off the waist shaping , but I think I am just showing off the shape of my hips and stomach. Still it gives you an idea of the panels and top stitching I hope.

Here is me trying to give an idea of the little split at the back.

I didn't prewash the denim so it will probably shrink a bit, which is no bad thing as it is to big a touch.  So I will wash it then retry it on.  If it needs taking in I will do it along the side seams. 

That's all for today

Take care and stay crafty

Jules x 

Finished project

This skirt amazed me.  It looked simple enough reading through the instructions.  If I think it is simple I will usually find the pattern finds someway of not working out right. But it did yay! I even got the zipper in without even one curse word under my breath. Last few zips in garments I tried ended up with me threatening to throw garment and sewing machine out of the window.  

I used a very very fine light cord with some embroidered swirl details on it.  Not the perfect fabric for this as maybe, as a touch to heavy for the flounce to be flowy enough maybe? I like it though.  I plan on making some more flowy, brighter versions for spring and summer. And after over 3 stone weight loss I am getting more confident to wear skirts and show off my legs a bit more

The post arrived with a lovely parcel of patterns I found on sale on line at the weekend.  6 were for children so not all for me. 

5 patterns for me :o)  

These bananas are driving me slightly mad. Doesn't take much really does it? The bunch on the right I bought almost 2 weeks ago and are a bit greener than the picture shows.  Are still a little to unripe to eat but are getting black spots. The ones on the left got bought today by Mr Bradhen so we could actually eat some. Just so strange how long some can take.  Some days you can't get yellow ripe bananas as they are all green wherever you go to buy them. Just a rambling thought.  Been a bit difficult to get edible to eat now bananas sometimes  when sometimes there are a small tribe of children who want them. I bet I will end up with a sudden glut of over ripe bananas to deal with very soon.  The fun will be finding new ways to use them up   

We have had the dreaded lurgy of a bug sweep through the house lately.  It suddenly knocked me out last night.  I was feeling  better this morning but very tired and achy tonight. By the time I had done my sewing and cooked a butternut, carrot and ginger soup for tonight's tea I am ready for bed again.  I am hoping for more energy and less pain tomorrow as have plans with a friend and to see my daughter. So for now I am going to curl up quietly and knit for a while until bed time.  Time to catch up on some TV while on the sofa knitting

Take care and stay crafty

Jules x

Weekend fun and review

It's been an eventful weekend here at the Bradhen household. I always forget from one sleepover with the grandchildren to the next how much energy a 4 year old and a nearly 2 year old have. So many giggles, cuddles and noise. Can't be anything but fun right? After we got the youngest one off to bed the eldest GD and I broke out a pompom kit from Hobbycraft and some glue.  So many giggles and things sticking to where they shouldn't be. We got there in the end.  Straightforward enough for a 4 year old to follow and achieve.  So without further ado meet Rapunzel and Nana. For a £1 we got a good half an hours out of this and still have enough to do  blue and a white bunnies too.  These went home with GD today with her haul of Easter egg finds this morning.

This morning I broke out my new pancake pan.  It's a Nordicware pan.  I bought this from Costco before Shrove Tuesday but haven't used it before now.  So cute right? I am easily amused so it came home with us. Mr Bradhen doesn't even question me these days just lets me get on with these things. Anything for an easy life maybe?

After a quick spritz of Fry light we loaded up each section with 2 tablespoons worth of the thick and fluffy kind of pancake batter and over a low medium heat we waited for them to dry out a bit and bubbles to pop on the top side before turning.

We did 2 lots and one batch was lighter than these but all cooked and infectiously cheerful.

We broke out a few chocolate chips and chopped strawberries. There wasn't much left so must of gone down well.  

They are a novelty and I am not sure how often I will actually get to use the pan to be honest, But the pan cooked the pancakes well and you could really see the smiley faces well.  They released without any faff.  I have a few of their bundt tins and they have never not released well either. I think the other design in store was farm animals, might of just been funny animals.  I can't remember more than it was some kind of animals. We shall see if it becomes a tradition for sleepovers in the future. 

It's been a busy Sunday.  After dropping the girls back off home I managed to escape upstairs to do a bit of sewing.  I finished a top I had almost finished,  Will show it off later in the week, I need to find my camera charger to get some decent photos.

While son was in the bath I took the time to trace off  the pattern pieces I needed for this pattern.  I saw it made up and reviewed on the youTube channel Sewn in her transitioning for spring vlog and loved how hers looked so got the pattern.

The bit I don't usually  like in the process of creating a project is tracing off the pattern.  I think it goes back to years ago when I used to get Burda magazines.  Not only did you have to work out which pattern pieces you needed in what can only be described as a spaghetti junction of pattern lines, you also had to put on your own seam allowances afterwards. Really put me off tracing for a long time. With only 5 pieces to trace tonight though it went smoothly and quickly. And I cannot wait to get into this tomorrow afternoon hopefully. I have chosen view E, second from bottom on left of pattern envelope.  It's a bit longer and with my legs that's a good thing. We shall see how it all goes. I have 2 fabrics in my stash that I am deliberating over at the moment so we will see how I feel when it comes down to cutting it out and if I have a matching zip for it.

Pattern is McCall's 7287

Excuse the photograph quality,  I really am not doing well indoors in the later afternoon/evening/night time lately and my camera charger is top of my list to sort out for blogging some better photos with. 

But for now I think a cup of coffee while the house is quiet and a catch up online before bed. So for now

Take care and stay crafty

Jules x