Everything is always so last minute!

Hello, hello!

In which world did I think I was going to have time to make my summer holiday wardrobe! 😂

I had these massive plans! A couple of skirts and trousers, a handful of tops and a bikini.

I have 4 evenings left in which I get 1-1.5 hours of time to play with so it’s not likely I will get anything else done other than a top to match a nearly finished pair of trousers.

Let’s remember that I am taking a sewing machine with me, so I can make things there, but I will obviously need some clothes to wear until then. 

I’ve decided that it’s a better idea to have some projects cut out instead of taking a whole bunch of patterns and scissors. Especially since I prefer to cut out with a rotary cutter.

I have an idea of some of the projects I would like to make, so I need to make sure I have time to prep these, including all the notions I need for each - thread, interfacing, elastic, buttons.

Plus I will need to overlock some things before because I don’t want to finish them with a zigzag or overcast stitch. 🫣

My eldest highly suspects we are going to Portugal now. She has heard conversations with people we know and I have slipped up a couple of times because of mentioning I have no time left to sew before we go.

We just keep on denying it, but she is at an age where we can no longer fool her. We’re trying until the very end though. 😂

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A little retreat update… 

All spaces are now sold out! I am so grateful to everyone that is coming and that this retreat was well received, especially since it’s the first one. ♥️

Now I can focus on some details to make it the best weekend away.

Since I’m going on holiday soon, I’m not sure how much time I will have while I’m away for planning, but I’m excited to get it all organised!

Thank you so much to everyone for your support! Whether you’re coming, told your sewing friends about it or even put a like on one of my posts - I really appreciate you all! 🥰

Stitches of the Week

New Look 6518

I bought 1.5 metres of black and cream gingham fabric at Leon’s to make trousers for my upcoming holiday and the original plan was to make the Tilly and the Buttons Safiya.

But I decided to check my pattern stash to see if there was another pattern I could use.

I’ve had this New Look 6518 for years and I thought it would be a great alternative.

Now I originally got the pattern because I loved the top so I thought a gingham set would look nice and I could mix and match the separates too.

According to the pattern I needed 1.4 metres for the trousers and 1.1 metres for the top making it a total of 2.5 metres.

I managed to squeeze all pattern pieces, including the lining from the 1.5 metres I had!😱

I did make some changes though. I didn’t cut the bottom band of the trousers, I just extended them and the top part of the top I cut on the straight grain instead of on the crossgrain like it said to.

At Sew&Bond last weekend, I took this along to sew just in case I sat down for a few minutes and I actually did pull it out!

I started on the trousers and I managed to sew 3 seams on the day! 😀

I’ve since picked them up here and there and I just need to finish the hem now.

As it stands, the whole top needs doing. It’s going to take a little while though because it has thin tie straps, a lined bodice, a button placket at the back and a gathered ruffle.

I would like to have this one finished in time to pack in the bag. I have 4 evenings left in which I get about 1-1.5 hours in my sewing room.

Materials: Poly black and cream gingham from Leon’s Fabrics

Size: Top - size 6, trousers - size 10

The Drama: How does a pattern need 2.5 metres and I manage to cut it out of 1.5 metres?! 🤯

The Win: The trousers are nearly done!

Brindille & Twig - Ringer Tee (Free Pattern)

My partner asked me a while ago to make something for one of his friends in Portugal who recently had a baby boy.

Of course I kept on putting it off, then eventually forgot about it and this week, he reminded me again.😅

I thought about the Heyday Dungarees but the pockets take so long. I needed something a little quicker.

Nothing else came to mind from my pattern stash for a boy so I decided to make a couple of jumpers using the B&T Ringer Tee.

I made a few of these for my eldest when she was younger and they lasted a long time!

I finally made use of some fabric I had in my stash that I bought during Covid.

The light fabric is an organic cotton jersey I got in a surprise bundle with more fabric (that still lives in my stash😂).

The brown fabric is a french terry that I’ve used before to make a romper and this same tee.

I used cotton jersey for the cuffs and neckband, and again, all from my stash.

The child is just about one, but I went with the 18-24 months size because you can never be too sure on the size. At least if it’s bigger they can grow into it.

They are both finished and ready to pack. Now I can continue with my holiday sewing.

Materials: French terry and organic cotton jersey

Size: 18-24 months

The Win: Gift finally out of the way and they were quick to make. It’s been a while since I’ve made a jersey garment. I think last August was the last time when I made my daughter’s friend a yellow t-shirt for her birthday.

Summer Lee - Trompe Le Monde from The Sock Project book 

They are officially done!🥳

But not without another hiccup.

I started decreasing for the toes and about 8 decreases in, I realised that I wasn’t decreasing evenly.

I had more stitches on one needle than the other.🤦♀️

This had to be adjusted because if not, I would have more surface area for one side of my foot than the other.

I moved them over by 6 stitches to even them out and it’s a little wonky, but you can’t really tell.

I am so happy they are finished as it’s been a while, but I have a lot of weaving in to do from the colour changes.

And I’m on the fence about whether I like them or not. Maybe I will feel different after they are blocked.

Now these are finished right before our holiday, I need to choose which knitting project I’m packing for the trip.

Yarn: Drops Fabel in pink, cream and brown yarn from Portugal.

Size: Started with an L for the legs, decreasing to somewhere in the middle of M and S.

Needle Size: Cast on with 2.5mm and transferred to 2.25mm for the rest.

The Drama: Wonky toe decreases and too many loose ends to weave in.😶🌫️

The Win: Finito!!

Maker Spotlight

This week’s spotlight goes to @sew_more_clean_less!

Cathy was one of the lucky winners at the Sewn at Midnight Gala in May and received a Fabric Godmother bundle where she chose 3 meters of this gorgeous fabric!

It is a viscose linen made up beautifully into a Puff and Pencil square neck dress which has a shirred back.

Cathy’s only issue with the dress is that it’s missing pockets. I think we can all agree that everything we make needs pockets! 😂

Well done Cathy! It’s you look beautiful in your new dress!

Want to be featured in my newsletter? Just reply with a pic of your make and a little about it, I’d love to see what you’ve made!😍

 

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Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
Bye for now, B! xx