McCall's M8179 for Matilda, Zara and Connor's wedding

 

More sewing from that special day.

Matilda was pretty cruisey to sew for. She requested a mini dress, fitted but not too tight, with an A M A Z I N G  sleeve.

After some research we found McCall's 8179.

Matilda chose View B.

I will warn you, this dress is short. Very, very short. 

I took Matilda's measurements and then decided to 'wing it' (no muslin as I had lots of fabric, naughty, I know).  I cut the size 14 but added some 'wiggle room' (literally) at the hips and I slightly 'pegged' the hem.

I sewed up the main and then fitted it.

The fit was pretty good. I pinned the sleeve in place and used a rubber band to help create the 'poof'.

It looked so cute!

The pattern had good, solid instructions.

It produced an editorial looking garment with little more effort than sewing a sundress.

I stitched the boning to the lining, as instructed, shaping the ends and finishing above the waist line and Tilly reported it was quite comfortable.  

The stunning fabric from Designer Ends is a woven jacquard.

It's heavy hand gave a divine 'puff' to the sleeve.

The sleeve cap is gathered with elastic which is comfortable to wear.

It also allows the dress to be worn pulled down on the shoulders.

I left the extra elastic length in place to allow for future adjustments.

With lots of girls in our family, frocks tend to get worn and re-worn in this house.

As I said, it was very, very VERY short.

Tilly is barely 5ft tall.

If I make it again I will definitely add more length. 

That said, because it was fitted so well to her to didn't 'creep' up.

I did purchase some apricot nail polish to paint the zipper pull but in all the last minute excitement I forgot to do it!

I just love this fabric and it was really nice to sew. Very crisp and it took a good, hot, steamy iron.

The gorgeous 'puff' was achieved without and stiffening, just simple bemsilk lining.

The colour was perfection on Matilda.

I really, really, really enjoyed myself with this sew. Matilda looked incredible and I feel our whole family pulled together nicely to give Zara the elegant, editorial feel that she wanted.

Our gorgeous family is growing all the time.

Thank you for reading, stay safe and well... xx Nicole 

Aime Comme Monsieur for Ben

 

My favourite mens shirt pattern.

Aime Comme Monsieur (While linking this pattern I noticed that the sizing has increased, previously it was only S/M/L and this is a medium. It now goes up to XXL so I may be able to make one for Jerry)

This is my 23rd version of this pattern. I have so many other shirt patterns but I always seem to pull this one out.

Ben is turning 21 and I wanted to make him something really special 

I have a roll of this crisp, Italian cotton shirting and I thought the emerald would be perfect with Ben's green eyes.

This fabric is lush to sew.

I went with green top stitching. Luckily I had the perfect shade.

I chose small, white Riverstone buttons, sturdy but elegant.

 I really like the high, shaped back yoke.

And the neat shaping at the waist.

Silly boy!

I think I should sew him some shorts next ...

In conclusion, my go to shirt for the fellows, lovely sew, good results plenty of bang for your sewing buck.

He still models like a penguin!

When I sew a gift, I like to include a wee zip lock bag with a fabric swatch and a few buttons, just in case.

Thank you for reading... xx Nicole 

Lisette B6296 pjs for Matilda

 I will admit it, I love sewing pyjamas!  Usually you are sewing with a cotton (often flannelette) which isn't slippery and the fussy details like piping are easy to attach. They also get worn to death so lot of wear for your sewing buck!

To this day, I have made 17 full pairs of Lisette pjs and two pairs of extra bottoms!

 Liesl Gibson's Lisette B6296 is one hard working pattern.

Tildy requested a gingham pair piped in navy. I wasn't sure about that combination but I was surprised and pleased with how snappy they looked!

The gingham pattern was printed not woven and it was not printed true to grain. I decided to fussy cut the cuffs and pockets (so they were technically off grain) and I cut the pocket trim on the bias (but interfaced this piece). I cut the main body true to grain and stoically ignored the pattern not matching perfectly (this was not easy, trust me, my brain likes symmetry)

For the first time, I didn't interface the sleeve and hem cuffs so I will be keen to see how they wear. The pattern does not instruct you to interface these pieces, it is just my usual choice to.

I always enjoy myself piping ALL the edges.

I do sew my cuffs a little differently to the pattern instructions. I like to inclosed all my raw edges for a perfect finish rather than leaving an overlocked edge. It's a little more work but worth it. I topstitch the cuff in place along the edge of the piping.

Piping the back yoke can be fiddly and it is best if you neaten those two seams before attaching the piping for ease.

I neaten my waistband too, top stitching from the right side inclosing my raw edges, leaving a gap in the side seam of the waistband to thread the elastic through.

Cute, cute cute!

As per usual I narrow the shoulders by an inch, grading that down to the top sleeve notch. I made Tilly the size 10 top and the size 12 bottoms. No FBA is needed.

Navy piping and buttons set off her beautiful big blue eyes!

All the details make these a very up market pj set.

Another little finish technique I use is to stitch the pockets in place. It stops them riding up and and they launder much nicer. I also do a French seam on the pocket bag edge if I am using a light fabric.

A lovely sew for my sweet, sweet girl.

Thank you for reading... xx Nicole