Jen Sews

Was browsing Love Sewing magazine and found a fab, simple, quick make, perfect for the ever-growing small person in my house. I have made these in 3 different sizes already and they only take about 30 minutes - well, they would if I could cut out at any sort of speed - which is exactly what I need because my mum has taken hours over making the Mini something, only to have it sniffed at, or last approximately 2 weeks before getting grown out of!

This was the next project, a 20s inspired (I may as well stop saying that, it’s pretty much a given) little light cotton sundress. Again, this was a no pattern special and I took the basis of a Sorbetto top, lengthened it and added in a short knife-pleated skirt. 

I had a dress made from great fabric but was a really bad look on me, so I cut it up for the contrast pieces and homemade binding.

As with all of my makes, it is FAR from perfect; the shoulder straps are slightly too far apart and the pleats are uneven (there is one more on one side than the other) but I love it and, 8 months later, I still wear it all the time, work and play. The fabric is comfortable and drapes beautifully (thanks Liberty), I have worn it throughout the winter (with a number of layers underneath I’ll grant you).

This was the first project that I made for myself with no pattern, just drawing on techniques and shapes from two other things that I had made to make something new. It was almost exactly how I imagined it (slightly shorter...ooo-er!). It gave me real confidence to just picture it and go for it.

After a tip off from a lovely sewing buddy made during our workshop with Heather (see below) I discovered the free downloadable Sorbetto by Colette Patterns.  I downloaded this fab little bias-bound top with a central front pleat. 

The third item of clothing I had ever made and it took me probably around half a day to make. Granted, I did have to unpick some of the binding on the neck, remake it and reapply - the fact that I actually bothered to do this is testament to the fact that I had got The Bug big time.

Finished a project today, a little challenge I set myself; otherwise known as a waistcoat. I will post photos and some info on the making process in a few weeks probably, but just felt the need to get some of it down on “paper”.

This project really got me excited, I had a clear picture in my mind of what I wanted it to look like. Rather than look for a pattern, I made it completely from scratch; using an existing waistcoat as a guide but mixing it up. I traced and designed the pattern myself, working in a contrast lining and back and including a bow rather than a buckle tie thing (sorry, no idea what they are called). 

I even made a toile, which is unheard of for me. 

I got all excited this morning choosing buttons, having to wait outside the lovely Sew Me Something for it to open (had an excellent coffee while I waited so it was no hardship). I love a haberdashery. 

I did buttonholes on my new machine too. 

I’m really pleased with the result, it looks pretty much as I imagined it (with MUCH better buttons). It is slightly gapey round the front sadly but I’ll live with that. 

I have a full outfit planned out for this great pinstripe fabric as I have LOADS left over. And I have an idea for a 20s inspired shirt to go with it. I’m going all Peaky Blinders; the Girl Edition on this one. 

Watch this space for more info and photos soon!

So, this is where the dressmaking bug started...

After my initial course at Sew Me Something (the one taking it back to the very basics) I decided I wanted to make more than cushion covers and makeup bags; I wanted CLOTHES.

So, in April (I think) 2014, I signed up for a couture course with Heather (Winner of Great British Sewing Bee 2014), also at Sew Me Something.

Given that I had never previously made any item of clothing a couture day was a bit ambitious but it was GREAT.

As I’ve said, the 1920s is my bag so, naturally, I chose to try to make a 1920s dress - they are very simple in terms of the shapes and techniques involved, the garconne silhouette means that there is very little fitting or darting needed. I hit the internet and discovered an article from an original 1920s women’s magazine, it was free cutting, all based on proportion and your own measurements. My thrifty side was thrilled too - everything about the pattern was formed around getting the most out of the least fabric; two metres of material and you have a full on dress. What’s not to love?!

Supposedly it could be completed in three hours, but that assumes a certain level of experience; instructions that consisted in their entirety of “make the bias binding” phased me a bit! (I HATE making bias binding by the way).

I made life even more difficult for myself by choosing a fabric with a very bold, definite pattern that meant I had to cut it in a different way from the way the article described but with Heather and Jules on hand, we made it work.

So, just over a year ago I went to a sewing class. The most basic of all sewing classes; how to thread a machine was included in the course so that should tell you the starting point. 

I had sewn things before, hand-sewing mostly, but had also had a crack on my great aunt’s original hand-crank Singer (still battered, loved and cherished and on display in my lounge). Not at all accomplished. 

Since that course I seem to have become addicted. I don’t do anything properly and I seriously lack technique, but I am learning and making things that I love. It is a wonderful thing to picture something in your head, or see a photo of something, and to be able to make your very own version of it, exactly as you want it. 

This blog will catalogue my attempts at sewing. Apologies in advance, many will go wrong, if you want tips then this is probably not the place to get them. I want to get some online sewing friends to share my woes and (hopefully) my triumphs).

The 1920s are the era that really get me going. My grandmother (b1902) is an inspiration to me in so many ways but, specifically in terms of fashion, she was an original “flapper” and I find myself scrutinising photos of her from the era to get ideas. She worked in a haberdashery and made most of her own clothes. Imagine living through the time in which women were liberated from their clothes?! From the prison of the corset to the freedom of a dropped waistline and slinkily loose fits; the restriction and formality of the waltz to the abandon of jazz.