Normal knitting content will resume shortly, but I have so enjoyed making things on my sewing machine over the last few weeks, that I thought you might indulge me in recording them here on the blog…
I know that lots of people have had a renewed interest in sewing over the last few months. Whether it was because you wanted to make a mask to wear when shopping, or simply as another hobby to keep you occupied at home, sewing machines around the globe have been dusted off and put to work.
I sewed lots of my own clothes as a late teenager. I think for me it was an extension of the part of my brain that had always enjoyed Lego kits. Working with a pattern and fabric is very similar in my view! I used my Mum’s machine, and so when I left home to go to university, my sewing fell by the wayside.
Fast-forward a little over ten years, and Jim and I were setting up home here in Frome. I had inherited my Gran’s sewing machine and I started to make simple tablecloths and cushion covers. When Millie Moon opened its doors on Catherine Hill, it took little encouragement for me to fall down a very deep quilting rabbit hole! I absolutely loved making quilts for friends and family – particularly for new arrivals that were coming thick and fast at that stage!
When our own family arrived in 2013, my sewing machine was packed away to make space, and we no longer had anywhere that I could leave it set up. I did a few projects with the kids in the early days, but I’ve not sewn regularly in more than five years. How bizarre that one of the side effects of lockdown for our family, was that we set up a table in the far end of the living room, and I now have somewhere to keep my machine? It’s out and ready to use, and that makes such a huge difference to me.
I guess the take home message of that is that if you want to do something, you need to make both space and time for it!
So this was my first lockdown sewing project. It is the Cabin Dress pattern, that I got from Beyond Measure at the Ally Pally show in October last year. I used some gorgeous Dashwood Studio viscose fabric and pre-made viscose bias binding, both of which I got from Guthrie & Ghani, who I was lucky enough to be opposite at The Stitch Festival in late February. It was my first time sewing with a more slippery fabric, but it went pretty well. I made the tunic version of the pattern, but I cut out the dress pieces, and folded up the excess. The pattern has good instructions, and I did a weltless pocket for the first time, along with a smart box pleat at the back. Applying the bias binding was fiddly, but I’m pleased with how it turned out. The pattern stated that it required a “pack” of bias binding, and I wasn’t able to work out what that meant, so I purchased 3m, which turned out to be exactly the right amount. There was a fairly scary moment where I thought I was going to run short, but in the event I had about 3cm to spare! So if you decide to make this, I’d recommend getting at least 3.5m of bias binding as it is used all round the neck, armholes and hem. I’ve worn this really regularly since I finished making it, and I’m looking forward to making a longer dress version in some needlecord before too long.
My next pair of projects were also expertly enabled by Guthrie & Ghani… If you sign up for their newsletter, you can also choose the option to join the G&G Sewing Society. It’s basically a monthly option to purchase sewing kits. You don’t have to pay to join, you simply sign up for the newsletter, and see whether you fancy the kits when they are released. The last but one pair of projects was the Ogden Cami top and the Eve Trousers, and I loved the look of both kits and went a bit wild!
I could not have been more happy with both kits. They came with pattern and fabric, as well as key haberdashery requirements and access to exclusive hints and tips videos from Lauren (she was a finalist on the first Great British Sewing Bee). The videos were unbelievably helpful. If you’re fairly new to sewing, as I am, these are packed with helpful hints and tips. I have learned SO MUCH from these two patterns, and I wish I had made the cami top (and watched Lauren’s video) before I made my Cabin Dress, as I would have done a much better job of it. Not that it’s really bad – just I’ve now got some finessing skills up my sleeve!
In the trousers, I learned to sew a lapped zip, as well as fitting a waistband (I had a hiccup there as I pressed the seam allowance down instead of up, but rewatching the video I got back on track!), and generally I had a great time trying a heap of new to me techniques.
I’ve been thoroughly bitten by the sewing bug! Next in my queue is another Ogden Cami in this lovely viscose twill, followed by another Cabin Dress in some red and pink needlecord.
Katherine and I have been shamelessly enabling each other with our sewing projects. I was really inspired by her beautiful blue linen Shirt No. 1 from 100 Acts of Sewing (see above), so I’ve now got that pattern lined up to use the ample leftovers from my Eve trousers, while she has just cut out fabric for an Ogden Cami… Friends who enable each other’s crafting endeavours are friends indeed!
There’s also a new sewing and making podcast that I’ve been enjoying. It’s called Un:Cut and is hosted by Juliet Uzor (@julietuzor_ – last year’s Sewing Bee winner), Atia (@thebrightblooms) and Alice (@the.polka.dot.palace). The pilot episode talks a bit about where to find inspiration and how to get out of a creative rut. The episodes aren’t too long, and I really enjoyed it. I hope you might too.
Happy sewing, knitting, or whatever you fancy crafting this weekend!