Handmade Style Tunics

The pattern for this tunic made in cotton was from a book called "Handmade Style" by Anna Graham  and features an overlapped shoulder detail which means it does not need a zip or other opening.

On the first version I accidentally reversed the shoulder overlap.  This did not notice very much and I found the garment came together very easily.

I decided to make a second tunic but  I found the shoulders harder to work this time and they did not lay correctly, so I sewed on some buttons which corrected the problem.

This photo shows the shoulder detail with added button.  I also added buttons on the sleeve cuffs.

The tunic also features two front pockets.

The cuffs also overlap and turn back on themselves.

I love this book as there are so many great projects in it.

This is the first version which I made in a grey cotton with the shoulder flaps going the wrong way.

I have worn both garments many times.

Make Me Something Jacket

I bought some interesting fabric at the Knitting and Stitching show last October and decided I would try out  the coat pattern from "Make Me Something".

I had to modify the pattern slightly as I did not have enough fabric and so it is shorter than the original, and more like a long jacket.

 I could not decide which side of the fabric I liked best and so made the coat reversible.

There are no buttons on the jacket, though it could be fastened with a pin or broach.

When the jacket is worn open, the collar creates a waterfall look.

I added pockets on both sides.

Another two "Julia" Tops by Make me Something

Another version of the Make Me Something "Julia " top but this time made with sweatshirt fabric  and with the round neckline.

I liked  the style so much that I made yet another one in a bright pink boucle knitted fabric.

Sweatshirt Top by "Make Me Something"

This is a new tunic top I have made from a great pattern by " Make Me Something" called the "Julia Top". The ant covered soft lined sweatshirt fabric was perfect for the design, though I had to widen the sleeves slightly to accommodate the thickness of the fabric.

The shape is loose and boxy and this is the cowl neck version of the pattern.

Favourite Vogue Tunic

I couldnt resist this vibrant stretch fabric at the Knitting and Stitch show last October.  The pattern is huge and I didnt realise in my haste to sew this top that I had not centred the front.  I was very cross with my self but in my self defence I was very short of time.  This Vogue pattern, numver V89582  which I have made many times is so comfortable that I have already worn this top several times, regardless of the wonky pattern.

A Bit of Dressmaking

Sorting out my new sewing room is an on going task but I did discover that I had far too much dress making fabric unused.

Until now I didn't have somewhere clean to lay out and cut fabric and my kitchen island has worked out ideal for this.

The first dress I made was with a free simplicity pattern from a magazine.  The fabric is rayon and was very easy to work with.

You will have to excuse the fact that Doris the tailors dummy is my model but I had no one around to photograph me in the dress or other clothes that I have made recently.

The pockets are slightly elasticated and the sleeves have a pretty edge, both with roulo bows.

The pattern I used.

Blue Linen Jacket

My sister Jeannie kindly agreed to model the blue linen jacket I made earlier this year.  The jacket is unlined with a draw string at the waist and hem.

You can see she really got into the modelling!

She actually did a brilliant job.  I wish she could model all of my hand made clothes for this Blog, but she lives too far away.

I was very pleased with the jacket and found it was straight forward to construct.

I couldnt resist putting this one in!

The pattern I used was this Burda Young number 7047.

Black Kimono Top

I bought a metre of black sheer fabric for £3.50 last year from Fabric land with the idea of making a simple kimono cardigan. I don't like sewing with this sort of man made fabric as it is hard to handle and this experience didn't change my mind. However the print was gorgeous and I couldn't resist buying it.

I couldn't seem to create a  perfect unpuckered seam even though I tried a couple of different methods.  When shopping I looked at commercial garments and found that they were just the same, so have decided that it is just the nature of the beast!

I folded the fabric over sideways with the selvages along the bottom.  I cut up the front of the cardigan to the fold and at this point cut sideways each side to allow for my neck. I removed some of the fabric to make a rounded area at the back of the neck and to shape the front to make a v shape.  I then removed an oblong of fabric from each lower corner to create sleeves.

I sewed up both sides and neatened with my overlocker and then turned back all of the other edges.

Black is a bit harsh on me as my skin is pale but the cardigan may be useful around Christmas time. 

I left the bottom edge raw as it had a pretty fringe along its length.  I sewed on some lack ribbon to hide the selvage holes.