Stashbusting linen project (pt.1)

When I dug out my Salme #113 playsuit pattern, I also found that I had bought another Salme pattern.
A rather nice top with a peplum and key hole cutouts front and back. I remember reading somewhere that peplums are flattering to the slightly uncurvy figure (of which I have plenty), and I suspect that's why I bought it in the first place.

I've made kind of a silent pledge to use patterns, and when possible, fabrics that are already in my stash. Just to keep costs down, and also keep the hoard down (and make room for new fabric, of course). I am happy to report that nothing new was purchased for this project, and it all started with the top.

I initially meant for this to be just a muslin of the Salme peplum top. I found two pieces of light blue linen in my stash that I bought out of a remnant bin. The weave is quite loose, and the fabric is a medium weight, but very soft. I really liked the colour, so if all turned out well, I could see myself wearing it. In some happy twist of events, I also found a piece of silvery grey acetate lining, and a plan started forming in my mind.

The top sewed up great. The instructions were very good, much better than for the playsuit luckily. But it was hard to check the top for fit during construction.  You need to sew the lining to the bodice early in the process, and you won't be able to really try it on until the zipper is in. And for that to happen, you need to attach the peplum piece too, as the zipper is in the side seam, and halfway down the peplum.
The top was a good fit over the shoulders and bust, but baggy below the bust. So, I had to take it apart again to make adjustments. The main issues were the bust darts (and the bodice length). I had fabric pooling on each side under the bust. I noticed that the dart needed to be taken in in the lower half only, so the excess would be taken up in the dart. It did wonders for the bagginess. I also took in a little bit more in the back darts, to tighten it up a bit.

This is the top before adjusting (sorry, bad phone pics)
On the front sides you can see that extra fabric pooling from the bust, and actually folding at the side seam.
In the back, the bodice is too long, causing wrinkles.

The fabric caused a bit of a problem, because it "grows" when handled and ironed too much. I made some wide legged trousers out of the same quality, and that has now got "knee-bags" in it. And a saggy butt. The top really needs lining, but during all the adjusting and unpicking, it had no support and it was hard not to stretch it. It would have benefited to be underlined, but I didn't want it to be too heavy. It was alright, as long as it was handled with care. (Top tip (and note to self!); when dealing with fabric that wants to warp and stretch, it helps to press, not iron.)

I noticed that with a peplum it is very important that the waist seam sits exactly at the natural waist, or the bodice will bunch up if it is too long. I attached my peplum twice before I found the sweet spot, and I also learnt that I'm rather short waisted! Fitting clothing is quite enlightening, and I think it is very interesting to see the huge differences small adjustments make.

Now, there is one thing I didn't like about the pattern, the peplum piece is not lined. This peplum is basically a very short full circle skirt, and we all know what it's like to hem a full circle. If the pieces were lined, you would have a clean finish on the (whole) inside, plus have the hemming sorted in one swoop. I didn't have enough lining fabric anyway, but If I make this top again the peplum will be lined.

I hemmed the peplum with bias binding,
and did the same for the skirt.

The cutout in the bodice is supposed to be closed by a stitch in the corner.
But I like it open, because you can flip down the tips, and have a collar of sorts.
We'll see what I end up doing

A little press and some minor finishing left!

When the top was all done, I still had a decent  piece of linen left. Was it enough for a skirt? Why, yes it was! The thought of a whole linen outfit was tantalising!

The pattern is part of  McCalls #7608 from the 1960s, a suit with a blouse. I decided to use the straight skirt, as it matched my waist size, so hopefully not too much redrafting. It also features a kick pleat in the back. (I also MUST make the jacket from this pattern, it looks great!)

Sadly, there was not enough of the silvery lining left, but I knew the skirt absolutely had to have support, so I went with underlining. You basically cut your skirt pieces in fashion fabric and another lining fabric, baste the edges together and treat them as one piece for the rest of the construction. The seam allowances need to be finished with this technique, and I went for binding them with bias strips of leftover acetate lining. The underlining is very fine cotton batiste, densely woven and ultra light.

When I stitched it up and tried it on it was very frumpy. Comfortable, yes, but oh so frumpy! I shaved off about one inch on both hips, and lightly pegged the skirt, so that it tapers in towards the hem. In all, I narrowed it 8" on the total width, so quite a lot!

There's only some handstitching to do on the skirt hem, and top lining. I also need to attach a hook and eye closure for the skirt and finish the zipper end. But other than that, I am just waiting for the sun to shine, so I can get pictures for the "big reveal"!

Butterick #5895 - Party pants!

The more I sew, the more I notice that I desperately need bottoms.
I went through my wardrobe recently, and sorted my trousers. Turns out, I have two pairs that can be classified as "out-of the-house" pants. And then there are the ones that are stricktly for home-alone use (indoors, definitely NOT beyond the garden borders), also two pairs. One of which is a 15 year old linen cargo thing. Just pathetic. And when I realized that my newest pair was bought in 2012, it is even more pathetic. I guess I don't have to tell you that I hate shopping for clothes?

Butterick 5895 

So I decided to make some effort to change this sad state of my trouser drawer.
I went through my pattern stash, and didn't find anything bifurcated, but then I remembered a pdf I bought on sale sometime last year, the Gertie capri and top, Butterick #5895. Great!

I did a quick search online to see if there was any bad rap, but not much turned up. Tasha from By Gum By Golly has done some intense work with this pattern here and here, and her last pair looked awesome! I was sold, and promtly printed out my pattern. If you are fitting pants, and having issues, Tashas posts linked above, are great, btw! Lots of tips and thoughts on fitting.

I went straight for size 14, and made it up with no alterations. I expected to muslin a great deal, so I just picked some unexciting grey polyester fabric from the stash and got to work. The pants sewed up in no time, all the pieces fit together beautifully and the instructions were clear, no nonsense. (After the Salme playsuit pocket ordeal, this was just pure sewing pleasure!)

As I expected, my first pair was on the small side, but they did zip up. The general shape wasn't all that bad, but needed some adjustments. The side seams were pulling to the back, telling me that the back pieces needed a bit more width up on top, towards the sides. There was excess fabric at the hips that needed to be pinched out, and the mid/lower thighs were too tight. There was some fabric pooling near the crotch, and also under the butt, I suspect because of the tight thighs.

Very tight in the waist and the mid-thigh.
The fabric is also aweful as it highlights every lump and bump...

It is a bit hard to see, but the side seam gets pulled backwards,
taking the pocket with it, causing creases.

I sized my pattern pieces up one size, and shaved off a little on the hip curve. I added some extra on the back pieces at the sides. I also lowered the front crotch curve, and tinkered with the back crotch curve, too.

The second pair was cut, this time I used some silver-striped black fabric I found in a remnant bin. It was super wide, and I suspect it's for upholstery. Just a crazy blend of cotton, viscose, polyester and lurex. The stripes were actually horisontal, but I decided to try using the weft as the grainline. I don't know how this effects the garment, so a working experiment! As the sewing went on, I was really loving these pants! They looked rather smashing, and after setting the zipper and trying them on I was really pleased! So much so that I had to quickly finish the insides where I still could, to make them a wearable muslin.

They even go with my red blouse!

I still think my pants could use some more work. They are a tad bit baggy around the crotch, but overall, they are comfortable, and fit quite nicely. I think I can pinch out a smidge more on the side seams at the hip, there seams to be a little excess there even when I'm sitting down.
I didn't think I would suit them, but I've worn them out already, and really like them. After wearing them a couple of times, the fabric has relaxed a bit and is not restrictive. The pants really goes with everything, too! And silver pinstripes? Yup, totally partyworthy :D

I've had my fears about sewing (fitted) pants, but this was such a nice experience. I love this style, the pants are easy to use with modern tops and tees, and of course the classic 50s style with a sleeveless tie top or a peasant style blouse.
I hope to continue to perfect these pants, and having more of them in my closet!
Oooo, maybe I'll make jeans now!!!!

Salme playsuit #113

Hiya!

I'm back with a new make, this time it's the 113 Playsuit by Salme patterns.
I bought this pattern a long time ago, after seeing some promising versions of it by other stitchers.
Playsuits/rompers haven't been my thing, but they seemed like perfect casual summer wear, and has had a bit of a revival this season. So I thought why not have a go?

I decided to make mine in a plain navy blue viscose, the same stuff my red blouse was made of. The quality is not stellar, but ok for day wear. Most importantly, it's comfy to wear.
I cut a size 10, which is a UK 12 and a EUR 40. The measurements given are a tad smaller than my actual measurements, but I've heard this pattern had plenty of ease so I was confident it would be ok.

I used the PDF version of this pattern, The pattern does not include seam allowances, and I hate that. I know this was pretty standard back in the day, and still is for some pattern companies, but still; I hate it.
The second thing I also didn't care for, was that the waist band was not included in the pattern pieces. So you need to draft that one yourself. In the instructions, lining fabric is listed in the notions, more specifically 28x35 cm. This will not cover your lining needs for the waistband, so not reliable as a shopping list. Also not included, was pattern pieces for belt loops. So there was a significant back and forth action, before all was in order. In the cutting diagram, the pocket pieces are not drawn in for some reason, so I had to rearrange my pieces to make everything fit.

Sewing up the playsuit, went swimmingly, up until the pockets. They are unnecassarily complicated, with their 4-piece construction, and the instructions aren't very good. By the time I had spent hours trying to get the first pocket right and also taking the bother to at least try and finish it to some standard, I totally dropped the ball on the second one and just stitched it like it said in the instructions (still not succeeding, btw). I don't like zig-zag-finishing, it looks untidy, and especially so on fray-prone viscose. If you are considering this pattern, and happen to have the Carolyn pajama-pattern from Closet Case Files, use those pockets instead (or some other normal pockets)!

The facings around the neck was also meant to be finished with a zig-zag edge, and was not interfaced. Far to unstable in my opinion. Needless to say, I slapped some fusable interfacing on there, and finished the edges neatly. All other seams I did the french way. I also finished the armholes with self bias binding.

This pattern is nice if you have sewing experience, and can plan for better finishing than stated in the instructions. If I had made this garment as a beginner, I fear the finished product would not look very tidy. But with additional interfacing and some decorative top stitching, it looks rather good.

After all is said and done, I think the playsuit itself is a good addition to the summer wardrobe, and I am very happy with it. It's easy to wear, and is a good style. I can't quite decide where I like the waist to sit, I left the elastic quite loose, so I can wear it low on the hips, but it might look better with the waistband drawn up nearer to the natural waist. In the end, I didn't use the belt loop pieces, but when photographing, I tried it with a belt. It suddenly looked more dressy, so I might stitch on some loops now. I am not that long in the torso, so I found the length in the back is good. It is always an issue when top and bottoms are joined, you do want to be able to bend forward without getting that dreaded wedgie!!

(Excuse the wrinkles. I sat down...)

The front is closed with snaps, so no visible buttons. During wear, the front gets pulled over to the side, exposing the snaps.  So even if it looks very clean without any visible closure, it doesn't quite work. I tried to pin it on the inside, but then you get pull-lines... If I make another, I'll just use buttons, or maybe small hooks and eyes right on the edge there.

I declare a sewing success, and feel my sew-jo is being rekindled!

I'm spinning around, move out of my way!

No not dancing with Kylie, but I have been spinning!

As some of you may recall, I was very lucky to inherit my late Grans spinning wheel this spring, but due to life and stuff I haven't really done much with it. Until now, that is!

Spinning on a wheel seemed a bit daunting at first, but I had lots of wool and nothing to loose, so it was just a case of getting started. I had a small batch of wool that I had experimented with, dying it with food coloring. I quickly found out that it didn't hold up to sunlight, so it was perfect for practice.

My first bobbin full!
This is one single thread, which will then be plied,
to make yarn.

The interest for spinning is on the rise where I live, so small spin groups are popping up here and there. I attended one, and had a lovely time with six other ladies, chatting, having coffee and playing with fibre. It's a great way to socialise, get inspiration, and also help should you need it.

I quickly got the hang of the wheel, and before long my first bobbin was full. One of the spinning ladies showed me a technique for making 3-ply yarn with one thread on a spindle (Navajo plying), and I decided to have a go at that on my wheel. On a wheel it's called chain plying, and it is brilliant!

To put it short, true 3ply yarn is three individually spun threads plied together, while chain plying takes only one thread which you make large loops into as you go, and then twisting them to form yarn. So it saves you a lot of time, and the result is very similar to true 3-ply. Hard to explain, but if you are curious, here is a short Youtube video showing the moves.

The biggest difference when using a wheel over a spindle (I find), is to control the amount of twist. The wheel has two different settings, that gives more or less twist. The speed of which you are feeding the wool into the bobbin is also going to affect the twist, so I was very curious to see if my thread had enough, or even too much twist. When you are doing things for the first time, it is trial and error, until you get the feel for what is "just right". You cannot be told, you have to experience. Besides, the right amount of twist differs depending upon what you want to do with the spun thread, and how you want your finished yarn to look and feel.

The half on the left was the first half of the bobbin, and it's quite
unevenly plied. I got it better on the right half, even though the single thread
had way too much twist.

So I had my full bobbin with unknown amount of twist. I found a Youtube video, on how to chain ply on a wheel, and got going. I probably used half the bobbin, just to get hands, feet, wool and brain to work together, but after that something clicked and the plying went great. I soon found that my thread  actually had too much twist in it, so my yarn is quite firm. I got some kinks and loops in there, and it is not balanced, but it is my first skein and I am quite proud of it.

One chain plied skein of yarn. 90grams.

The lovely thing about spinning yarn, is that there is no right or wrong! Nobody can tell you your yarn isn't right. It may not be what you envisioned in your mind, and it may not be perfect but it IS your own handspun yarn. A nice lady told me; -Perfect yarn, you can by in the store. Handmade is unique. And if it gets wonky, it's called art-yarn!

New fibre, ready to spin!

More spinning to come............ :)

"New" addition to Pinhouse (and a new blouse)!

Hello, stitchers!

I have exciting news :) I have finally got hold of a dress form (of sorts)!
I've been wanting one for as long as I've been sewing, but never found one that I liked the price tag of.
Then suddenly, an old beat up gal from the late 50s showed up, and I couldn't just leave her out in the cold. Yes, she is stained and a bit crumpled, and in desperate need a new stand and some TLC, but I think she is just lovely and charming!

The only story I have on her is that she used to belong to a seamstress working professionally.
The date 28.11.1959 is written on the dress form stand, so she is a mature lady of nearly 60. I cannot find a size on her, but she is stamped 4 in the neck. She is quite curvy, with a 39" severely pointed bust and a 26" waist, and the shoulders of an Olympic swimmer! She is made from some strange kind of lightweight material. If cardboard and felt had a lovechild, this would be it!

She matches my bust size, but I will have to pad out her trim waist, sadly (or start wearing a corset myself). She is somewhat adjustable, she is assembled with some kind of metal rivets, and there are punched holes at regular intervals on the waist and hips for different size settings. I've never seen this type of dress form, and found it quite interesting.

So what better way of introducing her, than to give her her first modelling assignment? (I've decided she will be my bad-hair-day-stand-in. Oh man, is she going to be busy!)

This is my latest version of the Style #3410 pattern I  first made last summer. Although I loved the finished blouse, it was too short in the body, and the polyester fabric was VERY static and clingy and drove me nuts. I wanted to make a new one with the long sleeves option and with some adjustments to the body for a better fit. I cut the pattern before Christmas, hoping to wear it over the holidays, hence the color. Obviously, that didn't happen but instead ended up in a bag. I finished it just in time for Constitution day 17th of May. The fabric is flowy viscose. A pain to cut, ok-ish to sew, but a pure joy to wear. (I do apologise for the photos, red is not easy on my camera, apparently.)

I think the curved seam on both front and back is a nice detail.

I am really happy with this one, but I am wondering if it would be even better with fish eye darts in the front. It is a bit boxy, but then again it is meant to be tucked in. The style is soft and feminine with the gathered details, and I love the longer, slightly "bishopy" sleeves. They reach just below the elbows, perfect for me, cause I'm always rolling up my sleeves without even noticing.

The plan is to sew a skirt to go with it. Skirts are hard for me, but it needs to be done. Do you have a favorite style of skirt or a favorite pattern?

Feminine frippery!

Although this blog has been silent as a tomb lately, I have actually been making stuff.
I had a serious bout of tatting during most of May, after ordering heaps of lovely tatting thread in various colours and thicknesses.

I really wanted to make some of those old fashioned handkerchiefs, with tatted lace edging, but wasn't really sure about what size of thread to use, and what size the handkerchief itself should be. I asked around online, and got answers from some nice ladies who owned antique ones. I wasn't even sure if the edging should be tatted directly onto the fabric. I opted for making the edging first, and then making a customised piece of fabric. That way, it is easier to get the corners to sit right.
The fabric is cotton batiste, densly woven, lovely and feathery light!
All edges are hemmed by hand.

Dainty little flowers, they look complex
but they were rather quick once you got going.

The thread most commonly used are size 80 to 100, which are very fine threads, and you get very dainty lace. It is also a pain to see in a poorly lit living room, and if you loose concentration, and make mistakes, they are harder to correct than thicker thread tatting. But the end result is stunningly beautiful!

Tatting has been around since the beginning of the 19th century, and it was very popular in the Victorian era. I would imagine every Victorian lady would have loads of these delicate embellishments on their undergarments, in their living rooms on small tables, tatted bookmarks and small beaded doilies over their milk jugs to keep flies off. And they surely had handkerchiefs!

This border pattern is free online, and is called "Iris". Designed by Joelle Paulson.
You can find it here, along with other lovely patterns on Le Blog De Frivole.

After making the edging, my shuttles were still half filled with thread, so I tried my hand once again on the Frauberger doily I made earlier. It is such fun to see the differece in size just by sizing down the thread!

The first Frauberger doily on the left measures 6.5".
The small one is only just over 3" across.
Stitch count is the same.

Have a lovely creative week!