December 2017 – Emma and her Machine

Hi everyone,

Sorry I have been a bit M.I.A. I replaced my last blog post with a vlog and didn’t manage to get one together for last week – plus most of my makes are christmas related at the minute so I can’t share! I definitely will afterwards. Anyway, I finally blogged my Cleo on Friday and thought I’d throw in an extra post as an apology and it’s a good one because…

I made a coat!!

This, my friends, is the BEST thing I have ever made!

It is a very classic trench coat pattern which has literally just been released by Rebecca Page so I chose an ex-Burberry waterproof coat material in an Aubergine colour with a pink and blue floral lining both from The Fabric Man on ebay. I’ve always wanted a coat with a funky lining so I was pleased with this find. It uses quite a lot of fabric but I don’t mind because it’s the kind of garment that will stand the test of time. I wanted the lining I chose to be a little bit stable so it wasn’t too fiddly so I went with a thicker viscose. I also utilised vast amounts of spray starch which helped hugely and is my new best friend!

I made this as part of a being a brand ambassador and it came at just the right time as I was ready for a project that would stretch my wings a little… and have they been stretched! Sadly, I have had to step back from working with Rebecca because I can’t keep up with work, uni deadlines and my sewing so I won’t be making anything else prerelease just now.

😦

Anyway … The Coat. It comes with lots of different options, such as front and back yokes, welt or patch pockets, sleeve tabs and a hood.

I chose to do pretty much every option but the hood (as I didn’t have enough fabric). I knew I was making it challenging for myself but I wanted to embrace the challenge and do as much of it as I could. So, my version has:

Front and Back Yokes

Welt Pockets (My first welt pockets!) I attached one upside down and all the unpicking meant it went back in a little messier than I would have liked but I’m pleased just the same!

Shoulder and Sleeve Tabs

Vents – some sewists chose to omit this and just joined the pieces in a straight line.

I think all of these elements add together to make a real classic trench look. I really enjoyed doing all the individual parts as it meant it was a absorbing make which I could really take my time with.

One of the reasons I knew I would be able to take this challenge is because the Rebecca Page patterns are always so detailed. They talk you through every little step and I would recommend them to newbies in a heartbeat (though maybe not the coat!)

I really enjoyed the process of making this, I did every little step with precision and really took my time to get it right. I was super fussy and unpicked parts that I wouldn’t usually, such as small bits of top-stitching I wasn’t happy with or slight ruffles.

I’ve learnt so many new skills through doing it. I’ve never done welt pockets before or tailored sleeves (which were super tricky!) The trickiest part was the lining though. I have never lined anything and although I feel it is ever so slightly lumpier than I would like, I’m really pleased with myself.

I followed all the markings for the buttons, exactly but I still feel it is a bit off centre (it uses a shed load of buttons by the way- I’ve never spent so much on buttons!) I think I will just do one row next time!

What do you think?

When your mum thinks it’s hilarious to photobomb you…

Call me crazy but I have also bought some yellow waterproof fabric and I intend to make a short version with a hood too. though that will definitely be on hold until after the uni deadlines!

Look out for lots of Christmas makes posts over the festive period, I’ll be so glad to finally share!!

Hi everyone,

I’m massively late on the bandwagon with this one… But I’ve made a Cleo! The pattern, by Tilly and the Buttons, (incase you didn’t know) has been made by pretty much everyone, in every shape, size and hack going but I was convinced it wasn’t for me. I didn’t think the shape would suit me.

Then, the black Friday sales rolled round and I could resist. I saw so many sales on pattern kits from some of the bigger companies and thought, I’m going to see how much it would cost me. Here goes :

Cleo pattern: 25% off in the sale: £7.13.

1 metre Needlecord: 20% off in the sale by Sewmesunshine.co.uk: £8.80

Prym clips: also 20% off by Sewmesunshine.co.uk: £3.28

Total: £19.20 – a bargain when many of the bundles come in at £40!

This Needlecord is from Sewmesunshine.co.uk, she always has great offers on Instagram, with themed weekend specials too. Harriet who runs it is full on amazing!!

Even though they have a pink Needlecord too, it had to be the navy, I knew I would get more wear out of it. An unusually sensible decision for me! I got my Prym clips from her too.

Anyway, I wanted something a little bright so I dug out a small piece of Liberty Strawberry Thief that I had ready for the facings and got started.

I bought a metre of the Needlecord and you get the pattern out of a metre easily, which I love! I buy my interfacing by the metre and the odd shape facings really seem to eat in to it, not life changing but something I’ve noticed!

Everyone says it’s easy to do and it really is. As with all Tilly Patterns, even though I’ve had sizing issues with some, they’re so easy to follow and come up good everything. There isn’t many seams or many hems, you don’t have to insert anything and the facings are easy to use. I think when I make another one, I could have it done on an hour. I can totally see why people have several. I can see it being a win for some of the thicker upholstery type fabrics I have.

This needlecord was a pleasure to see and it means I could practice a bit of top stitching without worrying; I think it’s come up quite neat. ☺

I’m so glad I have my overlocker too because it makes the insides look so neat!

I thought I might use buttons for the straps but I’m glad I went with the clips, as they look really professional.

I’m so glad I changed my mind and went with all the lovely ladies who have made this! I think it’s such a reliable wardrobe staple and I’m actually surprised to find it’s not horrendous on my shape like I thought it would be. What do you think?