Burda Girls Harlem Trousers 05/2013

For those of you who follow my blog regularly will know that I have a younger cousin who lives quite a while away and whom I only get to see once or twice a year. Last weekend I was in her neck of the woods, so of course I had to drop of a gift. The pattern I decided to make for her was the burda Harlem trousers, which you can find here. 

This was such an easy pattern to make. It has only two pattern pieces (the front and the back). I then choose to add a yoga style waist band and cuffs around the ankles. As the pattern was so easy to follow, this piece took around two hours from start to finish.

For the fabric, I choose this light blue jersey that I've had in my stash for nearly 4 years now. The fabric originally came from a 60p and was perfect for this pattern.

 

Sadly I didn't get to see my cousin try on the trousers but I did get a call from my aunt, saying that my cousin really liked them.  

How I increase the cloth size of a pattern

In Full Bloom 06/2017 (A Burda Pattern)

So I used the same super easy pattern to make tops for all of my friends as presents for their birthdays. However I needed one top to be a size 20, which this pattern didn't accommodate for. In the past I have needed to increase the lengths of patterns however I have never personally needed to increase the size. So I thought I'd share with you how I went about this but in the knowledge that there maybe a better way to go about this. This being said, this method worked out perfectly for this pattern.

So starting on the side opposite the fold line, I measured the length of the pattern line for the smallest side. Then I measured the length of the pattern line for the next size up. I worked out the difference between the two. I did this for the difference between every pattern line and was glad to find out that the difference was the same for each size increase. Similarly the distance between each of the lines where the same.

Therefor the next step for me was to multiply these figures by the difference in size from the largest size on offer and the size I wanted. I used these figures to then draw out the new line.

I repeated this for each of the sides for the pattern. Like I said before, there is probably a better method for this, so if you have any hint and tips they would be greatly appreciated.

Book Review- A Guide to Sewing

A Guide to Sewing

By igloo

This was the very first sewing book I ever bought myself. I found it reduced at 'the works' and boy am I glad I did.
Although I originally bought it for it's projects, I actually found that the guides at the front where the most useful parts of the book. The book has a really detailed guide about types of fabric, types and sizes of needles and threads. As well as lots of hand drawn instructions on various had stitches. I think the aim of this book is to give a brief introduction to sewing for complete beginners but I think it goes well beyond that and gives beginners and wide range of information that comes in useful time and time again.

In terms of projects, I have successfully completed the infinity scarf, the coin purse, the Retro Cushion, the headscarf top, the pillow case dress and drawstring skirt.

I found that the project instructions lacked visual sources and relied far to heavily on text. Although the hand drawings that accompanied the instructions on occasion, where a pretty little touch in terms of the graphic appeal of the page, they did little to help explain the method being used.
Overall I'd recommend this book for beginners that want to get a deeper understanding of materials, threads and needles.

Burda New Collection: In full bloom 06/2017

I made this top as a birthday present for a friend. I bought a Burda Style magazine whilst on holiday. Although the instructions are in a different language, it's nothing that google translate and basic expectations of what the pattern was going to say, I was able to knock up this beauty.

Sadly I couldn't find this pattern anywhere else, nor could I find the official name for it. So for the title of this blog post I went for the name of the collection that was on show in the magazine.
As you can see I choose a sparkly and see through fabric. It wasn't an easy fabric to sew with but since it came from a £1 bundle, I can't really complain. I used the pattern as a basic template and then added my own embellishment (the lace). I used the lace to cover all the raw edges and for the straps. This made the pattern even easier. It also added to the fancy/ party feel of this top. With a vest underneath, this top will be perfect for a night out.
I can see myself making more tops with this pattern, due to how quickly I was able to make this one. It took less than an hour!

Book Review- Learn to crochet

Learn to Crochet

By Coats

Edited By Sally Harding

This book was my very first crocheting book. My Mum bought it for me once I had mastered the basics of chaining, slip stitch and double crochet.
The books primary aim is to teach the reader how to crochet with a set of simple and clear diagrams. I found that although the diagrams helped, I did need the assistance of a few YouTube videos on occasion. As a result I feel that the book would have better achieved it's aim by coming with a DVD that had video tutorials that accompanied the diagrams. However I was able to teach myself the finer details of crochet through this book and have referred to it many times since.
I have also lent this book to a friend who was learning to crochet about a year or so ago and again the book was greatly appreciated for it's quick over view of crocheting techniques and terminology.

I have personally successfully completed several projects in this book. The include: the striped cushion, scallop cushion, cotton afghan, wool afghan and hand towel edging.

Sally Harding has also written Crochet Step by Step, which has an average of 4.9/5 and 4.3/5 ratings on the book people and goodreads respectively.  This seems to be a much more detailed book, with it explaining 100 different techniques and stitches compared to Learn to Crochet, which only explains 20.  However having not read this book myself, I can't comment on whether the book better addresses the staticness (for want of a better word) of the diagrams.

Christmas 2016

"Libby, you disappeared again!"... I know and I'm sorry.

This Christmas I was extremely busy and so didn't have anytime to make anything big or difficult for my family. However I did stay up until 3am one night beavering away on these finger-less mittens for my friends. In total I made 8 pairs in one night, each taking 30 minutes. They where a real success, mainly due to the fact that no one was expecting anything.
The reason why this project is so quick, is that the wool used is super chunky. If you want to make a pair for yourself or as a gift for a friend, then use any wool that requires the use of a 10mm hook.The rest of the instructions can be found bellow.

ch- Chain
dc- double crochet
Create 2
Row 1- ch 15, then dc into the second stitch from the hook. dc into the next 13 stitches.
Row 2 to 9- ch 1 and then dc 14
Row 10- dc 14
To assemble the mitten simply sew the two shorter sides together remembering to leave a gap for your thumb.

I hope this has inspired you!

Sewing inspirations- How to create your perfect modest swimming costume

It's finally here! I released my very first Ebook about a month ago and now I'm able to share the second Ebook, that has been written especially for those wanting to sew modest swimwear. If you'd like to read it follow this link.

I hope this has inspired you!

Misses Top (Newlook 6816)

Well hello again! I know it's been ages since I last posted but I'm back!
I've almost finished all of my exams. I've got one more, tomorrow and then I can well and truly welcome in the summer.

Today I wanted to share a top that I started to make a while ago, with a piece of fabric that was only 20p. When I started making this top, I was completely in love with this pattern and to be honest, I still am. If you want to see the first Newlook 6816 top that I made, you can find the post here.
This top has been lying in my to do pile for a good couple of years however I finally got around to finishing it when I went to this craft evening.

I pretty much followed the pattern to the letter, except for the fact that I added in a jersey strip along the back, as otherwise the neck hole would have been too wide. I do really like the way that this top turned out, however if I do regret not being able to pattern match the sides, due to not having enough of the fabric.

Overall this pattern is great for an easy sew, that has nice wearable outcomes.

I hope this has inspired you! 

The jumper dress

Hey guys! So today, I want to share with you a dress that I made for a photo shoot last weekend. The dress was super easy to make. In fact I made the dress I'm about to show you in one afternoon.

 I sourced the jumpers that I used from my local charity shop, so as to save money on the cost of the project and because it meant I would be using items that where already finished along the edges. This made the whole project a lot faster and made the final outcome look more professional.

If you'd like to make one for yourself, here's what you'l need:

• A sewing machine
• thread
• 2 jumpers
• 2 cardigans (or 1 if you skip the part where I replace the arms)

So with out further to do, let's get onto how I made the dress:

1. Firstly I took the first cardigan and carefully removed the sleeves at the shoulder seam.
2. I then removed the sleeves (at the shoulder seam) from the other cardigan.
   
3. I then placed the sleeves of one cardigan on the other by simply reattaching the arms at the shoulders.
   
4. Next I measured out the width of the cardigan (this includes both the front and back) and the divided the measurement by 4. This measurement will be the top width.
5. Using this measurement as the top, I created trapezium like shapes from the two jumpers, making sure that I used the full width of the jumper at the bottom of the pattern piece. At this point don't forget to add seam allowance. 
6. Then I cut out these trapeziums, which left me with 4 pieces to make the skirt from.
   
7. I attached these pieces to each other, making a complete skirt.
8. Finally I attached the skirt to the cardigan (when doing this, it's important that you make sure that the cardigan is buttoned closed)  

And there you have it, how to make a jumper dress. So as always,

 I hope this has inspired you!

Most popular posts of 2015

So I wanted to look back over 2015 and I thought the best to do that would be to look at the top 3 most popular posts of 2015.

My Tartan Skirt

The owl dress

Old t-shirts to new pyjama bottoms 

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what 2016 has in store.

Pyjama No.5

I know this is a little later than planned but I'm currently up to my eyes in pyjamas, as well as other commitments.

Today I wanted to share with you the complete set of pyjamas that I'm giving my sister for Christmas. The first of the bottoms, is made out of two angel pillow cases, whilst the other is made out of a really cosy throw. The angel shorts matches with one of the men's pyjamas, whilst the throw is completely unique to her. It's up to her, whether or not she wants to match on the night.

The set includes:

Long sleeved top: Primark (£3.50)

Shorts: Made by me out of second hand pillow cases.

Trousers: Made from a tartan throw, I found in a random shop.

I made a pattern for the bottoms by borrowing my sisters favourite pyjama bottoms but of course me being me, I added probably a little too much wriggle room.

When it came to making these shorts, I wanted to keep the ruffle that was already on the original pillow case, so I simply made the ruffle the bottom of the shorts. I also think, that although they are shorts, the angels add a bit of Christmas spirit to them.

I couldn't get the full trousers into the photo, but you get the general idea. Again I used the detail on the throw to create detail on the bottom of the trousers, which can be seen bellow.

I hope this has inspired you!

Pyjama No.4

As you may be aware, I have a younger cousin. Sadly she won't be spending Christmas with my family this year but that doesn't mean she can't take part in our family pyjama party in spirit. Please forgive the slightly dim lighting in the photos, I was in a rush to get the dress sent off in time.

I made this night dress out of a pillow case and a piece of elastic fairly quickly, and I have to admit it was one of the easiest and nicest patterns I've followed in a while. You can find the pattern I used here.

The only changes I made to the pattern, was to add little rectangles to join the front and back instead of using a tie or ribbon to join them. As I didn't use a ribbon, I used elastic, to make sure that the dress would hold up. This created these ruffled sleeves.

Of course at the end, the dress had to be wrapped in frozen wrapping paper.

I hope this has inspired you!

Pyjama No.3

Here's another one! Today I want to share with you the pyjamas that I've made for my Mum.

These will no doubt be the best fitting pyjama bottoms that I'll be giving this Christmas, as my mum was able to try them on at every stage, making them the perfect set of bottoms. My mums very much like me, tall and skinny, and so has the same problem, with finding trousers that are long enough.

Top: Primark (£3.50)

Trousers: made by me out of a second hand bed sheet (originally from H&M)

When it came to getting a top to match the pyjama bottoms, I wanted to again pick up on the more purple tones of the fabric I had used for the bottoms and as the bottoms are full length, I decided to get a long sleeved top.

To make the trousers, I drafted a pattern from a pair of her jeans and then I added an awful lot of seam allowance and wriggle room to make these really loose pair of pyjama bottoms. Finally I brought in these trousers at the top with a medium height elastic, which I cut to the measurement I had taken from my Mum.

So now we're almost half way through the pyjamas, so I hope this has inspired you!

Pyjama No.2

Hello again. I have another set of pyjamas to share with you today. This is the set that I will be wearing on Christmas eve, which is when I plan on giving everyone else their pyjamas.

I used the same fabric as I used for my Grandmas Pyjamas which you can see here. But decided to get myself a different coloured top, which also has a slightly different style.

Top: Primark (£1.80)
Bottoms: Made and designed by me. The Fabric is from a charity shop but was originally a bed sheet from H&M.

For the top, I decided to draw attention to the more purple pinks in the fabric,so I got this super soft t-shirt from Primark.

I made myself a pair of shorts for pyjama bottoms, as I already have a couple of longer pyjamas. Also I didn't have enough fabric to make something longer. To make them, I simply created a pattern by drawing around some of my existing pyjama bottoms and then simple added a couple of extra centimetres for wriggle room. I have included a useful video bellow to show how you too could draft yourself a pyjama bottom or another type of trouser.

I hope this has inspired you!

Pyjama No.1

Hi there! Today I'm going to share with you the first of my self designed Pyjama bottoms. I'll also explain to you how I made them.

This set is for my Grandma and is made from the fabric that all the women will be wearing. When I saw this fabric I knew it would be perfect as it has that subtle hint of red that gives them that slightly festive feeling.

Top: Primark (£2.80)

Bottoms: Made and designed by me. The fabric I used was a bed sheet that I bought at the charity shop (Originally from H&M)

I decided that I only wanted everyone to be slightly matched and so on a recent Christmas shopping trip, I went to Primark to pick up lots of plain tops. For my Grandma I went for a simple white t-shirt. 

To make the bottoms I simply drafted a pattern from my Mums trousers. Before you ask my Mum is in on the secret as she walked in on me making a pair for my Dad and I've found her help to be very useful as she knows all our sizes and has managed to get her hands on trousers from different family members, without them suspecting a thing. Anyway, back to what I was saying. My Mum and Grandma are the same size only my Grandma is shorter, so I drafted a pattern from my Mums trousers but made them a lot larger, to be on the safe side and to allow for plenty of wriggle room. By adding elastic to the waistband, I'm now sure they will fit her. As I'm not sure exactly how tall my Grandma is, I decided to add ribbing to the bottom of these three quarter lengths, so as to make them more adjustable in length. So that's how the design was made.

Stay tuned to see the rest of the Pyjama bottoms and as always I hope this has inspired you!