Vogue 8854 in dark green Velour Rib

 This is Vogue V8854 made in this absolutely butter soft cord. From Minerva.com 

This absolutely gorgeous velour rib knit is from Minerva.com,  available in many different colours.  Do please click through this link to view more details about this fabric  

Velour cord knit at Minerva.com   Velour cord strech knit fabric

Although it is an "easy" pattern if you are unsure then I suggest that you do a mock up of the front first, any fabric will be fine for this, especially a woven. This cord stretches and care needs to be taken with the front.

To prevent the fabric edges from curling up then I suggest iron on seam taper - it really helps.

There are one or two alterations I want to make, the sleeves need shortening by a couple of inches and as I won't wear the collar up I may as well remove the top popper

The pattern is very roomy, so compare your measurements with those on the pattern.

This is a sucess I feel 😍

My posts on Minerva.com can be found on Sewangelicthreads on Minerva.com

#MinervaBrandAmbassador 

#sweater

#Sewangelicthreads 

#voguepatterns 

Vogue Designer lounger wear using gorgeous French Terry Fabric

 

Loungewear Set.

Iam greatly impressed with this fabric. I received 2•5 metres which meant that I could make not only a tunic top but trousers too. It was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle fitting all of the pattern pieces onto the fabric, and keeping the animals the right way up and the grain line accurate, but in the end it was not so difficult.

The fabric is exclusive to Minerva.com and is available here:_ French Looped Back Terry

I have parkinsons disease and have a lot of days when just the act of getting dressed exhausts me and I will not be able to do anything for the rest of the day. I find that if I spend a day doing housework, shopping or even just meeting with friends means that I have to pay it back for the next day or so.
I therefore love nice loungewear which is easy to put on is comfortable to wear especially if I am going to be resting a lot, but it has to look amazing too, because quite frankly wearing something lovely really cheers me up. We all need to look good don't you think. Of course a chocolate biscuit always helps 

I do love Vogue patterns and for the top I used a Marcy Tilton design for Vogue. You will. No doubt notice that I have used this pattern before. Each design has its own set of pattern pieces which means in effect that you,In this case, get four patterns!
For the pants I used an old pyjama pattern, I am sure that you will have a suitable pattern to use.

I am excited about this project, the French Terry is so gorgeous. Plus it is mostly cotton, this is important to me as natural fibres help to regulate my body temperature

It is always the same for me - I try on a new Minerva Make in order to take photographs and I love it so much that I do not take it off!
This is my new loungewear, different to pyjamas as loungwear, to me anyway, is just a but smarter and more fitted, the pants in particular.
This Vogue pattern is so very easy to make and with three separate patterns in the envalope there are lots of choices to vary each make.

The pants are from a old pyjama pattern, but I took the width in to give them a more streamlined look.
And as for the fabric! Wow! This French Terry has such an amazing print, very much like the jungle prints I wore in the late 60's yes, sadly I am that old.
For me, loungewear is a special part of my wardrobe, as I have mentioned before I have parkinsons and need plenty of rest days, but I still love visitors - I had a coffee morning yesterday, so even if I am not going anywhere I boost my own self esteem by dressing nicely but comfortably. This outfit is perfect

Do look at the fabric, it is gorgeous 

 Thank you to Minerva.com for the fabric.  Do please follow this link to view the entire website including sale items Minerva.com

#sewing #sewingblogger #Sewangelicthreads #minervabrandambassador #minervamaker #loungewear #voguepatterns

The SOUTHBANK SWEATER DRESS BY NINALEE

 Sewing for winter 

This has to be one of the most flattering dress patterns there is, especially suited to wearing in  winter with thick tights and boots it is guaranteed to keep the chills out 

I made my version in a sweater knit from Minerva.com,  link at the end of the post 

The Sewing Workshop BRISTOL DRESS and TOP

 The Bristol dress and Top

 This is one of  my go- to dress patterns . I always have one in my wardrobe in Black as it is so elegant and effortless to wear. It is actually my funeral and singing in the choir dress.

 

This dress is perfect for sitting around in and for travel as it is so very comfortable 

It is a very unusual shape with bands around part of the Hemline. However it is extremely easy to sew 

Re-use, recycle. Will you take the challenge?

 Re-use, recycle.  Make Do and mend. What is this all about?  Why should it affect me?

I am alarmed after doing some research  just how much clothing, some of it unworn, goes to landfill. We purchase a lot of cheaper clothes which soon lose their appeal and out they go. Our wardrobes are crammed with things we hardly ever. Or never wear.

Not just clothes, I have been rescuing furniture too

Did you know that Dunelm take back textiles? I shall be doing this 

The website is Dunelm Take Back Scheme

Storage solutions , sewing room and other places.

 These are some of my storage systems both in my sewing room and the rest of my home. In pictures 

Vogue 1787 Asymmetrical Wrap Skirt

 Vogue 1787Asymmetrical Misses skirt 

This misses wrap skirt has shaped bands, asymmetric front button closure with hidden snap, stitched hems. Sits below the waist.It is suitable for Advanced beginners 

This skirt is fabulous and makes a wonderful autumn outfit .
The pattern is  Vogue 1787 and is from Jaycotts.co.uk,  as is the fabric. 

An easy way to learn how to sew - and save money

If you are anxious about learning to sew then have you thought of starting off with making dolls clothes? It's how I first learned to sew.

When I was very young I learned to sew by making dolls clothes. I feel that if you have little girls in your family you could also save a fortune as dolls clothes are very expensive Dolls clothes  are easy to make but will demonstrate perfectly how you would make an adult garment   as you use the same processes. Making dolls clothes is a great way to learn to sew for any age as the garments are small enough to be completed in one go.

All about Trousers

 This is a post for Jaycotts.co.uk 

New Look 6544 trousers in Organic Cotton with Lycra 

If there is one garment worthwhile sewing it is trousers. If like me you struggle to purchase the perfect fit in ready to wear then this post is for you. I started sewing my own pants years ago and quite honestly will never buy them again.
My Handmade Jeans in particular are the most perfect fit and I love them. The fabrics I use are high quality like the fabric in this post, but because they fit so well and they wash well the cost per wear is minimal 

The fabric is Organic Cotton with lycra ( stretch Denim)

Simplicity Shirtdress in Organic Cotton Denim from Jaycotts.co.uk

 Simplicity 8014 Shirtdress in Organic Denim Fabric. A Jaycotts post 

To read this blog on Jaycotts web site go to Jaycotts Blog

A Shirtdress is timeless and classic, and I love mine, I wear them in lots of different ways throughout the year.

I wear it as a summer dress or with a pullover underneath and thick tights or leggings  when it's cold.  But my favourite way to wear one,, especially when made in Denim, is to wear it as a coat over trousers and a simple Breton . A Shirtdress is so adaptable.. 

I chose to make view D which is the shorter version with the curved hem. I also made a pair of trousers using the pattern next to it,  but I feel that trouser making merits a separate post, so that is what I will do, look out for the post in a week or two.The fabric is from Jaycotts, and it is a wonderful indigo organic cotton with just the right amount of lycra. This fabric also comes in beige which is fabulous for summer , and in red. These do not contain lycra .

When I was pinning my pattern pieces to the fabric it became clear that I would have plenty left over. With some frugal cutting and omitting the pockets and self fabric belt I was amazed to find that I could make a pair of trousers too, I was absolutely delighted at this.

How to make a Mans collarless shirt

HOW TO MAKE A  MAN'S collarless Shirt

This is showing you how I make collarless shirts, my next post will show you how to add interest with a contrast yoke and piping, and it will include a collar.
There are many mens shirts patterns, all the major pattern companies have one.The one I am using is an old one which I adapt time and time again.

For this project I am going to be showing you how to make a shirt for a man, of course the same principal applies to making a shirt for a lady. Please do not feel daunted, it is not as difficult as it sounds.
I have made plenty of shirts for my other half and he delights in helping to choose the fabric but the buttons are all his own choice!

So, you will need a pattern.i am using McCalls M6044.
Interfacing,  the weight will probably be a medium unless he intends to wear a tie with it when you would choose a heavy weight sew in. For this project though a medium should be sufficient.I am making it without a collar, but will explain how to do one with a collar on the way.
You will need some buttons too.and matching thread.
If you intend using a contrast fabric for the collar and cuff linings you will need a small piece of fabric which coordinates or clashes with the main fabric in the same weight and same fabric composition.
The reason for using the same type of fabric is that you want it to wash and wear evenly, without going limp or shrinking.
                                   

,
The fabric has been ironed and pinned together along the selvedge - this makes sure the grain is correct which is so important.
The pattern has been cut out, so I am all prepared to cut it out later this evening. Please look again later for photographs and updates on my progress. Meanwhile find some spare fabric and make the tie, you will find it easy and rewarding.
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Butterick B6655 in 100% Organic Cotton from Jaycotts.co.uk

 Butterick B6655 in Organic cotton From Jaycotts.co.uk 

When you think of Jaycotts what instantly springs to mind? Most people answer sewing machines, patterns or thread. Well yes, that is perfectly  correct , But when did you last look at their website, because they are now major suppliers of exceptionally high quality organic cotton fabric. 

  

The fabric I used to make my dress  is a wonderful organic cotton. You can view the range available on Organic Cotton from Jaycotts  
The photo above shows just a very small selection available , there are more on the link and even more instore

Lapped Zipper Insertion. A tutorial

 

Most garment need a  closure of some sort. This is my favourite 

The lapped zipper Tutorial 

There are three basic  ways of inserting a zipper - lapped, centered and invisible.  I am going to show you how I insert a lapped zipper which is my preferred choice.

There are many different ways of sewing a lapped zipper, over the years I have found a method which works and is easy to sew and I want to share it with you.

The OLISO-TG1600-SMART-IRON from Jaycotts.co.uk, Reinvented for Sewing and Quilting

 A review of the OLISO-TG1600-SMART-IRON 

From Jaycotts.co.uk 

Choosing your iron is as important as choosing your sewing machine. A good sewist will set the ironing board up every time she sits  down at to sew. 

Why is this important?  Put simply if you press every seam and every dart as you sew them you will end up with a far superior garment to one you did not bother to press as you went along. It is the different between Handmade and Homemade . Handmade is special, it is bespoke, and it looks and feels great to wear. A garment which is not put together with care will never look professional. 
It stands to reason that your iron must fulfill all the functions needed to produce a high quality garment, this one hits the spot totally - and more
You will have taken a great deal of time and effort choosing your sewing machine and as your iron is equally as important it makes perfect sense to choose a high quality iron too, 
Your iron is used just as much as your sewing machine so why skimp on quality? 

Easy to sew and fabulous to wear nightwear

 

Very easy to sew nightwear 

What is nicer than cool cotton pj's?  These are fabulous to make and even a total newbie can make them 

Do read on and discover how you can make some too 

Beach Huts Summer Dress in Organic Cotton

Beach Huts Summer Dress 

This post is also on Jaycotts.co.uk  blog Summer Beach Huts Dress

The fabric is not photographing very well sadly, it is very bright in every room. The fabric is actually more vibrant than it seems, the stock photo is below.

Sewing with Simplicity Organic Cotton Printed Fabric from Jaycotts

 

Gorgeous Simplicity Fabric from Jaycotts.co.uk. 

Have you seen the high quality fabrics now on sale at Jaycotts If you haven't then you are missing out. 

This fabric is made from 100% Organic cotton , there are many other  fabulous prints on  their website,  but it is the Simplicity  designs I want to show you today and give you some ideas what you can  make with them 

 

The Liberty Bella Tea Dress

 This Tea Dress by Liberty London is made in a patriotic London print fabric in honour of Her Majesty's platinum Jubilee and is also my Birthday Dress 

Tea dresses are so flattering and fabulous for when you want to feel dressy but not uncomfortable 

This Liberty London design is very typical of the styles worn in the 1940's with shoulder pads and simple lines 

Shoulder pads were added to almost every garment in the 1940s,  it was a nod to the military and seen as a sign of support to our Armed Forces

I have owned this pattern for ages and had forgotten about it, but with Her Majesty's platinum Jubilee fast approaching it seemed appropriate. 

As did this fabulous fabric which I have  owned for several years but never found the occasion to use it. It is absolutely perfect!

The pattern is suitable for confident beginners 

How to sew Jeans

How to sew Jeans.

Also on Jaycotts blog How to sew jeans

This is perhaps the most daunting yet the most satisfying garment you can ever master. Jeans are  personal and we all have differing views of what the perfect pair should look like.

Get them right and I guarantee that you will love them so much that you will never buy another pair again. I know I won't

An easy way to embelish almost anything using The Circular Embroidery Attachment

Circular embroidery attachments from Jaycotts.

I do love machine embroidery but I appreciate that it is not for everyone for various reasons. I was intrigued therefore when I was browsing Jaycotts web site and came across these special machine feet.

These machine attachments are perfect for adding circular embelishing to clothing, table wear and anything else you can think of. They make beautiful quilts and make circular applique incredibly simple.
I also like the idea of circular pockets and felt coasters and tablemats.
This is the BROTHER CIRCULAR EMBROIDERY ATTACHMENT  (There is a video showing it in use on the above link.)

1940's Vintage Blouse in 100% Premium Organic Cotton Fabric from Jaycotts

 I am so excited to be back blogging, and a little nervous too, but doesn't it feel great to be moving forwards at last

The Simplicity 8593 vintage blouse collection.

 A Jaycotts post 

The Fabric is an Organic Cotton fabric by Cloud9

Everything used in this post is from Jaycotts Jaycotts web site and I will give links as I write the post. For any queries or to place an order do not hesitate to contact them direct.

My McCall's Cape in wool mix coating

 I am still working on my cape. I want to make sure that everything is perfect because on a simple garment such as this every mistake will be instantly visible.

The fabric is a wool mix coating. View it here Wool mix coating

It is on sale too! 

The Avid Seamstress A-line Dress

 I love this pattern so much. The bodice is nicely fitted and the A-line skirt adds a bit of swing when you walk . This is such a love!y dress which I know I will wear time and time again.

Do spend time on fitting the bodice as it is a massively important feature, and it will draw the eye in a bad way if it is Ill fitting.