weekend sewing
So, I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I've been doing some sewing and this weekend when I finished the green corduroy dress I thought I'd take some photos to share here.
I showed the sneak peek of this Lisette Portfolio Tunic in that other post. I still love this pattern. It's well-written and gives some great tips (wonderful for people like me who have to consult Google to understand the terms used in sewing pattern instructions). The tunic is very comfortable and I love the big pockets. I had a bit more trouble than I remember having the first time around mainly with the collar and I'm wondering if using the linen for the collar and the for body of the dress just made everything bulkier and therefore harder to sew.
And then came the green corduroy dress.
This one was very quick. It's Simplicity 3835 which I've used a number of other times to make tops and a dress. Just like with that first dress, this time I simply added the dress length to the shirt version of the pattern, leaving out the yoke, longer sleeves and zipper. I made the sleeves bigger, hoping for a little more puff and I cut the front neckline so it would have more of a scoop. The thing that took the longest was figuring out what I wanted the pockets to look like. I had an image of rounded, gathered pockets in my head, though I also had a few other ideas. I made some sketches and then I searched around on the internet a bit and found this tutorial. I didn't follow it exactly and I lined my pockets, but it gave me a good starting point. The fabric is super soft and I am so happy with how the dress came out.
Now comes the big decision of what to sew next. I have a few different pieces of fabric to choose from, I but I'm not sure if I want to sew another version of one of these two dresses or if I want to try something new. Have any suggestions?
I showed the sneak peek of this Lisette Portfolio Tunic in that other post. I still love this pattern. It's well-written and gives some great tips (wonderful for people like me who have to consult Google to understand the terms used in sewing pattern instructions). The tunic is very comfortable and I love the big pockets. I had a bit more trouble than I remember having the first time around mainly with the collar and I'm wondering if using the linen for the collar and the for body of the dress just made everything bulkier and therefore harder to sew.
And then came the green corduroy dress.
This one was very quick. It's Simplicity 3835 which I've used a number of other times to make tops and a dress. Just like with that first dress, this time I simply added the dress length to the shirt version of the pattern, leaving out the yoke, longer sleeves and zipper. I made the sleeves bigger, hoping for a little more puff and I cut the front neckline so it would have more of a scoop. The thing that took the longest was figuring out what I wanted the pockets to look like. I had an image of rounded, gathered pockets in my head, though I also had a few other ideas. I made some sketches and then I searched around on the internet a bit and found this tutorial. I didn't follow it exactly and I lined my pockets, but it gave me a good starting point. The fabric is super soft and I am so happy with how the dress came out.
Now comes the big decision of what to sew next. I have a few different pieces of fabric to choose from, I but I'm not sure if I want to sew another version of one of these two dresses or if I want to try something new. Have any suggestions?
Anne, they are gorgeous!!!! Beautiful you and beautiful work!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Aga! :)
DeleteIt's fun to do and I'm dreaming of the next things I'll make.
Oh these are beautiful! I've got a little glitch in my sewing machine to sort out and then I really really want to sew something for myself (which I've NEVER done before!) I'm aiming for a Japanese asymmetric top (drape drape 2). Your tunic tops are so "me", so I might try one of these at some point too!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteHow frustrating! Sewing machines can be a pain sometimes. Mine usually behaves, but it's not so good at winding bobbins. I can live with that.
DeleteYour Japanese asymmetric top sounds like fun. I really like all the Japanese tops and dresses I've seen floating around on the internet and in those Japanese sewing books.
Hope you get your machine working soon!
I adore your tunics Anne and wish I was able to make them. The green one is my style definitely! I don't think you could have enough of either of these tunics. Why don't you make the green one again but with rectangle patch pockets or have a look at artists smocks for inspiration? :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Simone! The pattern from the green dress does have rectangular pockets. I made them bigger for the brown linen version I made, which was fun. I'm also thinking about maybe doing angled pockets.
DeleteOh, and I love artists' smocks! Have a few on my sewing board on Pinterest. Well, smocks/aprons. Maybe I'll need to sew something like that next.
Beautiful. I love the green one!
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented.
xx oo
Carla
Awww... thank you, Carla! Sewing is fun, even if I often don't really know what I'm doing. Having worked with these patterns before made a huge difference, though. Lots less time using the seam ripper!
Delete