Saturday 5 April 2014

Sewing Clothes

Thanks for the lovely comments on my last post!

One of my goals for this year was to make an item of clothing, and watching The Great British Sewing Bee has definitely inspired me further.  I'm sure a lot of you agree!

When I think about it, I have actually made the odd couple of items of clothing in the past...


I made the asymmetric top above about 9 years ago, when I was 25.  I did wear it out two or three times, but I haven't worn it in many years - not so sure about having a sheer fabric over my belly these days!  I didn't have a pattern, I just made up the design (which is probably why it's a bit of a strange one!) - I can't even really remember how I did it now!

There's even a fairly neat zip and hook-and-eye fastening on the back:


In fact, the more I look at it the more I think that it wasn't that bad really, especially as I made up how to do it as I went along!  I'm sure that lots of things weren't done in the way they are supposed to be done, but it looks alright.  Not that I'd wear it now.

Then a few years back, I attempted to replicate a simple top I had and loved wearing.


This picture was taken in 2010 when I made this top.  (I think I'd recently been on holiday as I'm sporting a lovely tan.  Tan?!  Yep, that's me tanned - I'm a pale creature!)  It's a long top to be worn with leggings, in a stretchy knit material with a wide band along the bottom.  (I clearly hadn't heard of pattern matching when I made the band - it didn't even occur to me!  Although, I actually like it like this - it shows that it's a separate band, and I like the [unplanned] flower placement.)  This top got more wear than the other one I think, but again not something I wear these days.

I now want to try making something "proper" - something using a pattern!  Something that I want to wear now, and will get a lot of use out of.  This is where I'm struggling.  I've seen Bunny Mummy's lovely skirt here and thought that it seemed a simple pattern to start off with, which I like the sound of.  BUT, I'm trying to get a balance between making something simple and making something I'll actually wear.  The problem I have with skirts is finding a top to go with them.  Even though I really like the skirt and want to make it in some lovely colourful fabric, I know I won't wear it.

I'm currently going through my decluttering process, and my wardrobe needs a lot of attention and clearing out.  The last thing I need is to start filling it with homemade items I'm not going to wear.

So my current quest is to find a pattern for an item of clothing that isn't too tricky to make, but will look great on me and will be regularly used!  I wouldn't hold your breath...

As I typed the above, I couldn't resist trying that first top on again - looks like I just about squeezed into it!  I got the Lumberjack to take some pictures... don't judge too harshly - remember this was made for 25 year old me to wear, not 34 year old me!!


I'm on tiptoes (for some reason) so was using the door to keep my balance!


I ummed and ahhed over putting these photos on, but thought "what the hell!".  I know when I see other people's handmade garments, I always like to see them on the person - gives a much better idea.

Now to find a pattern for something more appropriate!


7 comments:

  1. Good luck with finding your perfect pattern, but you know your silky top is amazing! you must be so skilled! You made the pattern yourself and it's a tricky fabric to work with! What a fab job and I think you still look hot in it now, what does Lumberjack think? I like your stretchy knit top too - again not the easiest fabric to sew, and it looks really professional. I'm glad you posted pictures of you wearing your garments - it makes it more real and that's good! Enjoy the rest of the weekend, Sam xx

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  2. I think that you have made your top very well!! The zip looks very professional to me. I hope that you can decide on what you want to make next and I look forward to seeing it when you do!! xx

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  3. What lovely makes, you look gorgeous in both of them, you are a very talented lady. A lovely post, thank you. Sending you lots of love
    Dorothyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  4. I love that top and it looks great on too. Good luck with the skirt. I can never seem to get skirts to fit right these days and again its finding the perfect top to match, x

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  5. Lovely makes Maria...and your pics are beautiful (and those are quite tricky fabrics to work with too)...I used to make lots of clothes and the Sewing Bee is definitely making me want to start making more again..
    Happy Tuesday,
    Susan x

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  6. I found your Blogtacular outfit ;) But SERIOUSLY, that top is effing amazing! I love asymmetrical stuff (ahem, my fringe), and you look absolutely top drawer in it. Ugh, I'm very jealous of how petite you are.

    I love pencil skirts and I've been thinking of trying my hand at making a couple of them for myself. I also love peplum tops, but I'm not sure how difficult they would be to make. I think I'll just stick with pencil skirts ;)

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    1. Hahaha - yep, perfect for Blogtacular - I won't feel uncomfortable at all...!!! I am also thinking of making a pencil skirt for work - because it would be something I'd get use of - surely they can't be too hard...
      Regarding the peplum tops - I saw this tutorial for a simple peplum, by Chinelo from this year's sewing bee: http://chinelobally.com/2014/02/12/the-six-piece-top/ - might be somewhere to start!

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