Sara Jacket Progressing .....

I'm progressing along with my Sara Jacket ..... here is my lining - it's rayon - I think it's called Shimmer Rayon - for reasons that are self evident. Still need to attach the sleeves.

 A couple of notes about Sherry's wisdom in this sew a long..... Seam Allowances - my pattern (Style Arc Sara Jacket)  has 1cm seam allowances and 6mm seam allowances around the neckline and around pocket pieces. Yes! The narrower allowance does make sewing much easier - she explains it all here.

The great thing about the Sara Jacket is that because it is "industry based" all of the pattern amendments that Sherry recommends have already been done - like the mitred corner on the sleeve cuff ....

 And the "steps" at the ends of some seams .....

 And I have found my new Sleeve Board absolutely fabulous ...

 Here is one of my pockets - flap and jet - hoping the other one works out as well!!! Her instructions and photographs are just perfect!

 Block fusing is the other fabulous part - here is the fusing I have used and the body and handle it gives the fabric is just wonderful!!

Anyway, you can probably see that I'm enjoying this project very much and I totally appreciate how much effort Sherry has put into it ...... just before I go, you have a little more time to get your entry in to win a Sara Jacket Pattern - leave a comment here ..... it is a Size 10.

RTW Jacket - Style Arc Sara Jacket Toile

So I ditched the original Burda Coat pattern that I started for this Sew A Long - Sherry was right - it is a coat meant for a European winter - so my idea of just shortening it wasn't going to cut it - no matter which size I chose.  So I purchased a Sara Jacket from Style Arc and made a toile - Size 10.

 I think it is a huge improvement! But still a little snug - especially across the back.

 There are some problem areas at the armhole near where the side panel seam meets the sleeve - it is a bit bunchy - so will have to try something to fix it ... I will also have to add a little extra at each seam - mainly at the back to prevent that pulling at my waist.

So back to the table I go!!  And if you'd like to win your very own Sara Jacket Pattern (Size 10) leave a comment here.

Modified Sling Bag

Inspired by this

I made a Sling Bag - I modified the design by lengthening the body of the bag by 3".

 I raw edge appliqued a variety of printed fabrics to the body of the bag.

 I made this for my nephew's fiance's birthday ... Happy Birthday Kim!!

And to close with..... a couple of my daughter's snaps from this Easter weekend ....

Sunset at Valentine,NSW 23rd April, 2011



Have you entered my give away? You could win a Style Arc Pattern - a Sara Jacket - leave a comment on this post.

Style Arc Pattern GIVE AWAY

Ever since I heard about Style Arc, a new AUSTRALIAN pattern company, I have been stalking their website .... I've been drooling over their designs, but really saying inside my head that "No, I already have too many patterns..." ....well, after my recent rather horrible toile of a jacket for the RTW Sew Along - which I chose from a Burda Magazine because it really was the only suitable jacket pattern I had and I was determined to NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER PATTERN........ well, I had a change of heart and went along to join Style Arc as a member - after all, it seemed the patriotic thing to do!!

I ordered the Sara Jacket pattern as my free pattern with my membership and I also received a cute little gift in my parcel! I plan to make a toile of the Sara Jacket this weekend. I have been emailing Chloe from Style Arc and chit chatting in general about patterns and such, and she kindly sent me another Sara Jacket Pattern as a gift for a giveaway! WOW!

So, if you'd like to be in running to win this great SIZE 10 SARA JACKET Pattern from Style Arc. This is what you must do.....

1. Go to the Style Arc Website and have a look at their designs. While you are there - enter your email address to receive their newsletter. Then leave a comment here on this blog and tell me your favourite design. 
2. To increase your chances of winning you can also:
3. "LIKE" the STYLE ARC Facebook page - just leave another comment here that you did that.
4. Post about this giveaway on your blog - providing a link back to this page - and leave a another comment here to say that you did that ....
5. Please remember to leave your email address in your comment so that I can contact you if you win. Alternatively you can privately email your contact details to me via info@handmadesewing.com.au

SIZE 10:  Please check this page for details on how they size their patterns.
This pattern is for experienced sewers, they provide brief step by step instructions, but if you check out Sherry's Jacket Sew Along - you'll get very detailed instructions for a jacket of this style.
Good luck!!! Winner will be drawn on May1st, 2011.
ETA: Everyone welcome to enter - a global give away!

 

Libby Dress

Kate Dress

Terry Tie Cardi

ASG Industry Day

ASG Industry Day today at Niagara Park. As always there were 3 excellent speakers who enticed us with their skills and knowledge. Firstly Larraine Jenkins presented a range of helpful tips for general dressmaking, including lots of products to assist in the process. She recommended some products from Judi's Studio in Orange. I purchased a new sleeve pressing board to replace my old constantly collapsing one. I already had the pattern weights and clapper from Judi's - great products and she does mail order.

Out with the old ....

Then we had Marina Lindsay - a fibre artist from Sydney. Marina showed us her embellishing techniques (needle felting) and her lovely range of embellished items. Then she demonstrated another favourite of hers - the couching foot - which was great. I have dabbled with the embellisher previously, but my most recent experience involved lots of broken needles, but after today, I feel that I could give it another go - it is a great technique.

Feeding specialty yarn through the couching foot.

Finally, Maureen Locke Maclean from the Central Coast gave us a presentation of her Shibori techhniques where she uses natural indigo dyes - a process that is just amazing!! She also uses the embellisher machine - not so much to "felt" fibres to another fabric - but to give interesting effects to a fabric alone. I am constantly amazed at the talents of people like our three speakers today - I can totally appreciate their time and skills to produce work that has developed via their passions over many many years - and we are so lucky that they share their enthusiasm and ideas with us!!

Ready to Wear Tailoring Sew - A - Long Part 1

I've joined up with Sherry's RTW Tailoring Sew- A - Long. She has put so much effort into this so far, I'm lagging behind, but, will catch up eventually.

Step 1: Choose Pattern: BWOF 12/2009 Coat 126 - Except I probably don't need a long coat - so I'll make it a shorter version.

 Step 2: Choose Fabric: Good 'ole exciting BLACK!!!!!

 Step 3: Make Toile
So I traced a size 42 - according to my bust measurement. Needless to say, there will be some adjustments to this pattern.......

At this stage, these are my plans to refine the illfit of this jacket:

1. Adjust for forward shoulder.
2. Shape in all side seams to give a slightly less "boxy look" - just give more shape definition at the waist.
3. Now, I don't have shoulder pads at the moment (I can't believe I disposed of all those 80's shoulder pads!!!) - anyway, I still think it is too wide at the shoulders - will trim that back about 1cm.
4. The sleeve - I'd like some advice on this - take in both seams? Reduce the head of the sleeve? Not exactly sure what to do - I have some "fit" books at the ready.