Margot PJ Variations

After making a pair of pyjama bottoms for myself, my mum and Sam asked me to make both of them a pair. I decided to do variations to both pairs so I wasn't just doing the same thing over and over, and to hopefully learn new skills!

My mums pair had the simpler variations: a patch pocket on the back and ribbon for a drawstring. 

I love the fabric, the colours are really pretty. Perfect for pj's! The ribbon is a lot easier to pull than the fabric drawstring I last did. I will probably choose to use ribbon next time too. 

The alterations to Sam's pair were a little more challenging. I finally dug into my stash of Jersey - dun, dun, dun! I figured that pyjamas were the best place to start as if it went terribly wrong no one else would have to see them. I'm quite pleased with the results, though. It stretched a bit but I just brought the seams in. I also decided not to add a drawstring but instead make an elasticated waist, this helped with how much it stretched by bringing it in. 

Putting in an elasticated waist was actually quite simple. I just didn't make a drawstring opening and sewed down the waistband as you usually would, leaving a small gap at the back. I cut some elastic, a few inches smaller than the waistband; threading it through with a safety pin attached to one end. I then did a quick size check, realised sewing the waistband had stretched the material (again!) so cut the elastic a little smaller, another size check (all good, phew!), hand-stitched the elastic ends together and then finished off the waistband. 

Two more pieces to add to my repertoire! Now I really really really want to get on with making my first dress, I have to make a muslin/toile first which I've never done before. Here's hoping I can get it done in the next two weeks before my holiday!

Georgia

Vintage Pattern: Style 2360

I have been very fortunate to have been given a gorgeous Style pattern from the lovely Claire at I Want To Be a Turtle (After watching Finding Nemo I have to agree, who wouldn't want to be a turtle?! 'Duuuuude!') She has a great blog, you should go over and give her a read!

The top this pattern makes looks so lovely and whimsical and depicts the 60's/70's hippy era for a housewife in my eyes. I think it would be a great addition for my housewife wannabe wardrobe. I plan to make this my next project once I finish the book I'm working on - which may be a little while away as my mum and Sam have both asked me to make them pyjama bottoms after they saw mine!

I thought this looked like it would be a challenge and I would have to wait until I was a little more advanced but after taking it all out and studying it I feel confident I will manage it! The variation I think I will begin with (view 3) only requires two of the same pattern piece and doesn't involve all that much instruction which I was pleasantly pleased about. So here's hoping!

Something I'm going to have to learn though is sewing elastic into a garment. I plan to teach myself this weekend when I make the next two pairs of PJ bottoms as that is something I really wish I had in my pair. Any tips would be appreciated! 

I will keep you posted when I begin this, I hope I find a lovely material to do the pattern justice :)

What vintage patterns are you planning on making?

Delphine Skirt

My first homemade piece of clothing that I can wear out of the house, and I have done just that - more than once! The style of the Delphine skirt is such a classic, versatile look. I plan to make many more! It is the third project in Love at First Stitch by Tilly from Tilly and the Buttons.

I am still learning the names for different fabrics, like the different varieties of cottons; but I used a thick cotton which has almost a wool like texture to the outside. I was at a flea market recently where there was a chap selling vintage fabrics, he let me fill a suitcase full for £5! Believe me it was very hard to squeeze the lid shut when I was done. A lot of the fabric is jersey materials which I know you are supposed to avoid as a beginner, any suggestions for simple jersey makes to get me started?

I am particularly pleased with the neat row of top-stitching at the bottom. It doesn't stand out from far away either which I was worried it would do.

I went on a short sewing course with one of my sisters, we learnt basic skills like invisible zips so I was pleased to put this skill to use. You can tell that I'm a beginner by the fact that I'm proud of putting in a zip! 

There had to be a mistake in there somewhere, didn't there?! As you can see, where I overlocked one of the side seams some of the stitching can be seen on the outside. I didn't notice it until the first time I wore it out. I think I must have cut the seam allowance to short and then the overlocker must have gone over some of the stitching. Does anyone know if that's right? Next time I will be more careful with how small I cut the seam allowances!

Has anyone else had a go of making the Delphine Skirt? How did you get on?

Georgia

Margot Pyjama Bottoms

I just love the name Margot, don't you?! I also just love these pyjama bottoms. I thought it would be really difficult and was surprised that they were the second project in Love at First Stitch. I was happily surprised, though! These were the outcome of two afternoon's work which is record timing for me. (The stripes mess with your eyes in the photos and there is a lot of evidence that someone has been lounging in them due to all the creases, whoops)

Why am I leaning forward like this?! Haha

There were a couple of gripes I had though. Firstly, I seemed to have an issue with sizing when I pinned my trouser legs together - as you can see in the photo. Not sure what happened but I managed to fix it.

Secondly, when I sewed a rectangle around the drawstring opening I seemed to manage to sew through two pieces of fabric so that my drawstring wouldn't thread through. I didn't realise until I had finished the waistband so I had to just unpick the enforcement and leave it without - As I didn't fancy unpicking the whole waistband for such a little mistake! Does anyone have any tips to prevent this happening next time? The waist is too large for me so when I wear them I have to really tighten the drawstring so I worry about it coming undone.

I am pleasantly surprised at the overcome overall, it's so nice to have something in my wardrobe handmade by myself that I can actually get use out of regularly. Next stop, something I can wear outside of the house!

Brigitte Scarves

While using my vintage pattern I had to keep referring to the internet for help and there was one blog I kept finding myself at, Tilly and the Buttons. So when I realised she had released a book I quickly purchased it. My plan is to go through it chapter at a time and do each project in the order she writes it in, I like to be methodical!

It's a really clever book - each chapter has a project and each one is harder than the next. The chapters don't bombard you with information, she teaches you all the skills you will need to complete that garment. Then the next section will use the skills you just learnt and teach you some more. It is exactly what I need and I recommend it to any beginner, like me!

So the first chapter taught you to make the different varieties of the Brigitte scarf, including creating your own pattern for it. Really simple but it give me good practice sewing in a straight line, making it look neat and I learnt about the seam allowance marker that's on the machine - I can't believe I never knew this before, my eyes have been opened and the world seems so much clearer! Haha

Brigitte Scarf 1

I made this out of a pillow case, I was nervous to cut into any new fabric as it was my first attempt! I think the pattern looks really pretty though and not too old lady-esque. Perfect for a chilly summers evening!

Brigitte Scarf 2

I made this one out of a bundle of vintage fabric I got at a flea market. This one is a large square which is hemmed along the sides. It's a really unique retro look which I will probably get more use out of come Autumn.

Well, I was looking to add my scarf collection and I can't think of a better way to do it! What do you think? Have you made any scarves? Next, Margot pyjama bottoms!

Learning To Sew

So I have been dipping my toes in to the sewing world slowly, everything about it defies my inner nature. I mean, taking it slow, being patient and reminding myself that I'm only a beginner so it's not going to be perfect straight away - it all goes against the grain.

I started slowly making a couple of drawstring bags which turned out to be very useful besides giving me good stitch practice.

I then made a set of cushion covers and a bolster cushion out of a vintage table cloth which are so cute and retro but they just don't go with my colour schemes in my home so I don't know where to put them!

Next I turned to a vintage pattern which was a huge test! After a couple of weeks I made a skirt but there were a good few thigs wrong with it and to be honest it's not something I'm ever going to wear. It threw me in the deep end though and I learnt a lot from it.

My first (gathered) waistband

Ignore my totes in the background!

I've decided that for now I am going to leave vintage patterns until I'm a little more experienced! I cannot explain how much I struggled with it haha but it is definitely something I would like to go back to.

I've enjoyed sharing my projects so far with you, let me know what you think! What were your first projects as a sewer? X

Seamstress In The Making

Just over one year ago I made my last post and I am back. Over this last year I was just slightly busy getting married and buying my first house hehe so I put things like my blog to one side.

A little snapshot of me on honeymoon in Venice

As you know I have a passion for vintage, the clothes and lifestyle! I love clothes and when I pick new pieces for my wardrobe I like to think they're going to last me for a long time. This is how I chose my name Satiable Fashion, I want to be satiated by the fashion I wear - not left feeling like I don't have enough! 

Love these frocks!

Dressmaking is something I have wanted to learn for a long time and now I have time to pick up a new hobby that's what I have decided too. I have been reading sewing blogs the last few weeks and found some great inspiration and help which are all now added to the bookmarks on my iPad. I'm hoping writing about my projects will keep me encouraged to carry on even when it gets hard and I hope to meet other like-minded sewers who I'm sure will inspire me. 

Thats all for now! Georgia x