My First Swirl

But certainly not the last!

So I finished sewing up my Swirl a few weeks ago, but have been so busy, I haven't had a chance to blog about it (or take decent photos wearing it) before now.

I was uncertain about the swirl at first, but now I love it, and will be altering the pattern a bit and making many more. The first time I wore it out, I got so many compliments! And it is just so easy to throw on.

Last time I blogged about my Swirl, I only had an embellished bodice with no facings.

So Firstly, I sewed the facings together and put Bias on the raw edge (that wont be sewn to the neckline)

Sewing Binding onto the Facing

Front and Back facings together with binding

Then I cut out my Pockets, as I hadn't done that yet. I decided to use a plain white cotton to line them, to save a bit of my fabric, so hopefully I will have enough left over for a matching bag. I then sewed each pocket together, leaving open a gap, then turned them right side out, pressed and added a bit of bias for decoration. All of these steps can be found here

cutting out the pocket pieces

Sewing the pockets

Turned right side out and ironed

Bias Binding added to the top middle seam

Then came to sewing the 4 skirt pieces together, which I then finished the edges with my pinking shears and Ironed the seams open. Next thing to do is 2 narrow hems either side and a wide hem along the bottom. I wasn't sure I could do a double fold 1 inch hem on a curve with my fabric, but with plenty of steam from my Iron like Beccie suggested, it didn't go too bad (I think I ended up with 2 pucker/pleats in total) The skirt is then sewn to the bodice, easing in 2 sections at the sides of the front with gathering stitches. Beccie explains it much better in her post.

Sewing the skirt pieces together

Pinking the Edges

Then I Pinned the pockets where I wanted them and top stiched them in Place, followed by carefully hand stitching the back facings in place.

Top stitching the Pockets in place

Hand sewing the Back Facings in place

Once the dress was all together, I tried it on, and realised I a couple of problems. Firstly, the bodice was too long on me, so I had to unpick the waist seam, shorten and redo it.

Finished Bodice

Secondly, it was a bit too big. Not a huge problem due to the wrap design of the dress, but it meant when I pinned the back of the neck (where the button is supposed to be) then tied the dress on, the back got really warped and weird looking. I couldnt just move the button further along, due to the curve of the neckline not matching up, so to solve the problem, I copied an alteration that I saw on a vintage swirl listed for sale on Etsy that one of the members of the swirl sew-along had posted the link to. I folded down each corner (as much as the facings would let me) and tried it on. It worked much better, and looked pretty cute too!

Bodice back, with a slight alteration.

I have since sewn a red and white polka dot button to the middle of each corner (and through the bodice) to help it keep its shape.

I wore my Swirl all day a few Sundays ago, and then Monday evening 2 weeks ago to my local CWA meeting, mentioned previously here and got plenty of comments on it. As soon as I have made the few changes to the pattern, I will certainly be sewing more of these dresses. They are comfy and easy to wear, and, when made of a light breathable fabric like cotton, they are perfect for an Aussie Summer

Beccie has just posted a sew along round up so go here to see everyone's Swirls from around the world!

Dixie O'Dare

Remnant bag tutorial

So last Saturday I went around to my friends parents' house and ended up helping her sew up a pair of pants out of a very funky cotton drill with a print of old movie posters and sci-fi magazine covers. When we had finished cutting them out of the fabric we had a bit over 1/2m left, which she didn't know what to do with, so I offered to sew up a matching bag to go with her new pants. She responded saying that would he great, and that I should write it up as a tutorial for my blog. Good to know my friends and family read my ramblings. 

So here goes:

I started by measuring the pieces I had. My friend wanted a big bag so she could get the most out of the remaining print panels on the fabric, so I used the entire width of the fabric for the main part of the bag. Luckily, my friend's mum had some leftover black lining satin from another project, and it was the exact amount I needed for this.

Both of these pieces measure 21" by 42" they will make up the main part of the bag (and lining)

Then with the rest of the scraps, I worked out the straps and a few pockets. We luckily had another strip that was the whole width of the fabric, due to where we placed the pants pattern pieces on the fabric before. This piece I cut in 2 and used as the straps. for the rest of the pockets, I tried to find pieces of a Usable size that still had a fair bit of a panel, or a reasonable amount of readable text left. For each pocket piece, I also cut the same out of the lining fabric

the 2 straps measure 5.5"x 42" The piece in the middle (which will become 2 internal Pockets) is 5"x 25.5" the large patch pocket on the left is 9.5"x 11" and the small one on the right is 8"x 7"

The next step is to fold the straps in half length-ways and sew down the long open seam (don't worry about the ends, they will be sewn into the bag later anyway) then sew around the sides of the pockets, leaving a gap open in the bottom seam to turn it right side out. You can see I have sewn the long pocket piece into 2 sections. I then cut in between my sewing lines so I had 2 separate pockets. Clip the corners

Fold the 2 large Pieces in half (to make them into squares) and sew down the side.

Turn the Pockets right side out (use something pointy like a knitting needle to make the corners sharp) and Press with your Iron.

Turn the straps through and Press

Sew up the bottom of the main 2 pieces 

To give the bag more shape, I gave it box corners. Open up the bag, point a bottom corner towards yourself, and flatten the bag, lining up the side seam with the bottom seam underneath.

Measure and determine how deep you want your bags sides. I went with 6" but could have easily gone bigger due to the size of the bag, but I didn't want to take too much away from the print on the fabric.

Pin along your chosen line (keeping perpendicular to your side/bottom seam) Do this for both corners on both your outer and lining fabrics. One side wont have a side seam, so it may help to press a crease so you know where to line up.

Sew along your Pinned Lines

And cut off the excess

Turn your bag right side out

And Press. I have folded in the sides and bottom (kinda like an Enviro bag)

This shows you how I have folded in the sides and bottom

Then decide where you want your pockets and pin in place. I see this as being the front, and have placed this small pocket over a part of the print that is the same design (except slightly different placement)

The Front with the small pocket (good for keys, shopping list, phone, etc)

Large pocket on the back, I tried to center this one, as I didn't have a panel of the same print (we are working with scraps here, remember?) This larger pocket I feel will be good for my Friends' Kindle, so It is close to her, wont get damaged in her bag, and wont be an easy target for thieves.

1st Interior Pocket

This one I will be stitching into 3 small pockets, good for phones, mirror, lipstick, usb, small things that get lost easily in the bottom of a bag, etc

2nd interior Pocket. This will be stitched into 2 pockets, along the line between the 2 different prints. After you have pinned them all in place, stitch along the sides and bottom, leaving the top open.

Lay out the outer for your bag right side out and decide where you want your straps to be placed, then pin them there (do this for both sides)

Turn your lining wrong side out and place your outer bag (with straps) inside your lining, matching up side seam and edges

Pin all around the opening, remembering to move the pins holding your straps in place so they hold the lining as well (otherwise you might forget they are there and break a machine needle when you sew over them)

Sew around the top of the bag, leaving a reasonable size opening to turn your bag through. I made my opening between the straps on the back of the bag.

Turn the bag right side out and give it press along the top edge (and anywhere else it might need it)

To help keep the shape of the bag I pinned both sides and ran a short line of stitching down the edge (about 1.5")

Then I hand sewed the opening closed and attached a press stud in the center, to keep the bag closed.

And now you have a Finished bag

Here is the bag on me. As you can see, it is quite big, and the straps are long enough to wear across the body

Or just on one shoulder if preferred.

I dropped the bag off at my Friend's Mums' Place after Church on Yesterday. Hopefully She likes it!


Dixie O'Dare

A New Fabulous Job!!!

A day after my boss cut my work hours at my Job (not her fault, business is slow in December) down to one day a week :( I received a call from my friend, Rachel, who owns the Fabulous Elsie George Boutique in the Hunter Valley, offering me 1-2 days a week work in her shop.


HELL YES!!!


I went for a trial for a few hours to see if I was a good fit for the position. I had just bought this Precious Pansy Frock from the shop the day before, so figured it would be good to wear while working there.

Just a quick snap from the day I bought it :)

I styled the dress properly the next day, with heels, petticoat, make up and curls.

And

I looked so good in my new dress, a customer who came in wanting a dress to wear to next years Kurri Kurri Nostalgia festival, saw me wearing mine, tried one on for herself and bought it. Yay! My first Retail sale!

If you love Elsie George as mych as I do, or just want to support local independant business, PLEASE vote for us to win a new website! You can vote everyday, just go to http://www.rescuemysite.com.au/nomination/elsiegeorge-com-au// and click to vote, its that simple!


Now I'll leave you with a photo of me dressed up in my new Pansy Frock, all ready for church

Dixie

Vintage Pajama Party Sew Along

So seeing as I have finished my Dress for the Sew Retro Rose Swirl Sew-along (Completed post still to come) I thought I might try to make the dead line for this Vintage Pajama Sew Along which is Dec 6. This might be a little ambitious, especially with the Christmas Presents I still need to sew, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway. 

I need to have a look through my Patterns and Fabric Stash, but I will probably go for something 1950's styled like these:

This Teens pajama pattern is so cute, you could wear it out!

These nightgowns are ultra feminine

Traditional little babydoll with cute bloomer style shorts

Peasant top style night gown

Very simple and very feminine

More of a 60's feel but still very cute. I might even have a similar style pattern....

The front tying version of this looks like beachwear

More traditional style pajama, but I love that the girl on the right has the top tucked in, it almost looks like a cinched waist onesie!

Oh, so many options! Any that you particularly prefer? I need help deciding!

Depending on what I have at home this may be a self drafted pattern, but that has never scared me before! Hehehehe!

Anyone else tend to join in things late and give themselves ridiculous deadlines?


Dixie O'Dare