The Top Issue

Just stopped by to say hi!

I have been having a big crush on Instagram lately and have been neglecting my poor blogg. I still like to write blogpost and connect with you guys, and I shall try to make it up to you. In the meantime I'll show you what I have been up to top-wise in the last few month. Without futher ado I present to you the Sewbluedresses Top Issue:


Cotton silk pleated t-shirt

This is the The Pleated T-shirt by Salme Patterns made in a lovely cotton-silk blend I bought from a new danish on-line fabric shop called Fabricminds. Oh how I love this shop already. They carry a nice selection of designer and high end fabrics. Enough to feed all your dreams. They ship to Denmark, Norway and Sweeden but do contact them for shipping information if you live elsewhere. I made the top a year ago as a wearable muslin in a viscose of some sort, but this fabric is an entirely different league (no, I do not get sponsered by Fabricminds - but is very much open to the idea:))


Archer in the garden

Another favorite pattern of mine - and my go-to pattern for classic, oversize shirt is the Archer Shirt from Grainline Studio . I've made this pattern 3 times before and knew it would be right for this drapy viscose fabric (and yes it is a homemade selfdrafted lace cami under the shirt). This is possibly the best viscose fabric I've bought and I knew I had to use every last scrap of it - therefore I used the rest for this:

Burda blouse for hot weather

I knew I wanted a v-neck so I browsed through my old Burdastyle Magazines. I found a tuniq in the plus size section of the march edition from 2013. I cut the pattern shorter, lifted the v-neck by 3 cm and took it in a bit at the sides. It's an oversize blouse so I wasn't too concerned about fit. I only had enough of the expensive designer viscose for the front so I bought some plain viscose from Stof og Stil - and what a remarkable difference in quality. I'm sure the front of the blouse will hold up beautifully, but not too sure about the back...

Closet workhorse Archer in white

This is yet another version of the Archer pattern from Grainline Studio. This time made in gorgeous white Liberty fabric I bought of Ebay. I've actually never owned a classic white shirt so it was about time. I made it back in may and have used it a lot since.

Simplicity 1366: duck egg blue sandwashed silk

This is yet another version of my beloved Simplicity 1366. I've made it two times before and it's a good basic pattern to show off nice fabric. I like to use simple patterns when I use difficult (expensive) fabrics. This is sandwashed silk from Stof og Stil. It's a lovely quality and wasn't too shifty to cut into. I made sure to do all the right things. Staystich, french seams etc. As a simple design feature I cut a back slit late one night - which by mistake ended up in the front.. This hasn't prevented me from using this blouse a lot - but next time I'm cutting slits I'll make sure they go on the right side.

Simplicity 1366: the cheap version

This doesn't come near the silk simplicity 1366. It's a (cheap) viscose twill from Stof og Stil. I really like the pattern and the colours but the fabric just feel too cheap. I have only been wearing this a couple of times since I made it, so I guess that the price pr. time a garment gets worn can be high - eventhough the fabric initially was cheap. (good excuse to buy better fabric from now!).

Afternoon Blouse

This is the Afternoon Blouse pattern by Jennifer Lauren Vintage I'm not really that into vintage patterns, but I really like this shape. I've made it twice so far and maybe I'll make one more in plain black. For this version I used viscose crepe from Stof og Stil . I like the texture of this fabric and plan to use aaaall the colours available.

Plantain scoop neck tee

I have a few tried and true knit t-shirt patterns that works everytime for me. This is the (free) Plantain t-shirt from Deer and Doe. I like the scoop neck and the slighly flared style. Makes good room for them hips:). The fabric is a nice viscose jersey from Stofdepotet. I have been hoarding this fabric and have been saving every little scrap to use for details in t-shirts and so on.

Pineapple Plantain

This is another Plantain
This time with short sleeves. I used this really cool pineapple fabric from Aime Comme Marie bought at Metermeter. I think the print looks really cool, but I'm so disappointed in the quality of the fabric. I'm not too sure it will hold op in the wash for more than a few times. I washed the fabric before cutting into it and it already looks a bit frumpy (and so do I, when I think of the price..)

Lace cami

I love lace - it ads a bit of everyday luxury. This is a stretch lace bought locally at Rita Stoffer (no website). It stretches beautifully and feels wonderful. I used and old tanktop to make the pattern. It's a fast make and will surely not be the last lacetop I make.


Alice Top

The fabric shop Tessuti from Australia also sell their own pdf patterns. I downloaded the Alice Top from their website. The patterned fabric is thrifted silk crepe de chine from a dress and the solid is of unknown content from stash. I'm however not to sure this style suits me, but will give it a go this summer.


Sutton Blouse by True Bias

The last one - and then I'll shut up - promise! - is the Sutton Blouse by True Bias. Kelli from True Bias is the genious behind The Hudson Pants. The Sutton Blouse is for drapy fabrics and feature a yoke, v-neck and a flowy sillouette. I made this using a subtle leopard jaquard weave white viscose from Citystoffer. Citystoffer only offers a small part of their fabrics online, but do pay them a visit if you are in Aarhus. They have a great selection of dressweight fabrics. The Sutton Blouse came together easily, but you have to make sure, you are precise, when finishing the v-neck. It's a great blouse for warm weather, but can also be used with a cardi, when the weather cools down again.

So, that's it! I guess I have enough tops for the time being (who am I kidding - never enough!). I'll make a childrens issue soon - and maybe a dress version..

Have you made any sundresses yet? I'm always pondering if I'll bother to make a sundress here in the danish climate, since there's rarely (and sadly) any occation to wear it, but this year I think I'll make one since we are going to France on holiday! I'm so excited - better make a sundress with enough room in the stomach area since both cheese and fabricshopping is on the to-do-list:) Have you got any favorite sundress pattern and can you recommend any good fabric shops in Paris?


Happy sewing

Mette

Basics - to do -ta da

Min sidste forpligtelse i Christinas "To do - ta da" udfordring var at sy en t-shirt til mig selv. Jeg har altid været virkelig sløv til at få syet t-shirts, da jeg synes, de er lidt kedelige at sy. En cost-benefit analyse ville dog nok vise, at en sammenligning mellem sytid og hvor meget tøjet efterfølgende bliver brugt ville bringe t-shirten ind på en førsteplads. Festkjoler er sjove at sy, men de tager lang tid og helt ærligt - hvor tit bliver de brugt? Denne udfordring var den perfekte anledning, til at komme ud af røret.

Jeg har syet to t-shirts. Denne første er tegnet af efter en yndlings t-shirt fra moss copenhagen (T-shirten fra moss er en fin model, men stoffet er desværre allerede ved at falde fra hinanden efter 3 vaske - hrmff!). Stoffet er tungt viscose jersey fra Stofdepotet.

My last obligation in Christinas "To do - ta da" challenge was to make a t-shirt for myself. T-shirt making has never been a strengh of mine. Its really difficult for me to get enthusiastic about making a t-shirt - but I really should, because I love wearing them. Making a quick cost-benefit analysis between time to sew and how much I use the clothes afterwards would probably come out with a recommendation to make more t-shirts! They are cheap to make and get lots of wear.

So, I made two t-shirts. This one is a rub-off from one of my RTW favorites. The fabric is a heavy drapey viscose knit from Stofdepotet.

Den anden t-shirt er endnu en Hemlock fra Grainline Studios. Jeg elsker denne model - og så kan man endda downloade mønstret ganske gratis. T-shirten er løs de rigtige steder (læs: omkring maven)og stram i ærmerne, så man ikke forsvinder helt. Stoffet er viscose jersey fra Stof og Stil. Hvis du har lyst til at se min tidligere version, kan du se den her.

The second t-shirt is another Hemlock from Grainline Studios. I love this pattern - and it's a free download on the Grainlines website. The Hemlock t-shirt is loosefitting all the right places (read: mummy tummy) and has got slimfitting sleeves to give a bit of shaping. The fabric is a heavy drapey viscose knit from Stof og Stil. If you like to see my last version, you can see it here.

Tjaa - alt i alt er det jo bare t-shirts - men jeg ved de begge bliver brugt - tak Christina for at skubbe mig igang:) Hvordan har du det med t-shirts - begejstret eller har du svært ved at komme igang?

Well - these can't count as exciting makes, but I know they will be used a lot. Thank you Christina for the challenge. How do you feel about sewing basics - does it rock your boat or can't you be bothered?


Fabric: Striped viscose jersey from Stofdepotet, white viscose jersey from purchased locally from Stof og Stil
Pattern: Striped t-shirt is a rub-off from an old t-shirt, white t-shirt is a Hemlock from Grainline Studio

Happy sewing

Mette

PS. Boys month is coming soon - read more here

Archer i liberty - To do - ta da

Jeg er snart igennem junis syliste. Udover denne skjorte mangler jeg kun en T-shirt til mig selv - det må da være til at klare ikke?

Dette er endnu en udgave af Grainline Studios mønster Archer. Jeg har tidligere skrevet om mønstret her.

I have soon finished my to do list for june. A part from this shirt, I still have to sew a T-shirt for myself. I think I will make it in time.

This is yet another Archer shirt from Grainline Studios. I never get tired of this Classic pattern. You can see my previous version here.

Jeg har ikke ændret meget i forhold til sidste gang - kun skåret en enkelt cm af skulderbredden og alligevel synes jeg skjorten har et helt andet udtryk end den anden. Selvom stoffet er Liberty tana lawn er stoffet alligevel tungere end den lette bomuld-silkeblanding, jeg brugte i min sidste version. Stoffet er stadig lækkert, men jeg føler denne skjorte er mere massiv - kan man sige det om en skjorte?

I haven´t changed much since my last version - only taken one cm off the shoulder. In spite of this I think this shirt feels very different to Wear from my last version. Eventhough the fabric is Liberty tana lawn it still feels "heavier" than the silk-cotton blend used in my last version.

Min sidste Archer skjorte er allerede blevet brugt meget og jeg er også sikker på at denne nok skal blive brugt.

My last Archer is already in heavy rotation and I'm sure I will use this a lot also.

Når jeg ser dette foto er jeg dog sikker på, at jeg ikke kommer til at gå med skjorten på denne måde. Den lægger liige 10 visuelle kg til. Ikke ønskværdigt!

When I see this last Photo I'm sure I'm will never wear the shirt like this. Wearing the shirt this way visually adds 10 kg to my weight - not something I'm looking for!

Alt i alt er jeg rimelig godt tilfreds, mens skal lige vænne mig til, at skjorten føles tungere, end den forrige. Jeg har også noget helt hvidt tana lawn liggende og jeg planlægger allerede nu en helt simpel hvid skjorte - det er en klassiker, man bruger i mange år.

Hvis du ikke har set Grainlines mønstre før, kan jeg kun anbefale at tage et smut forbi deres hjemmeside. Jeg håber, at jeg inden alt for længe også får syet deres Moss Mini Skirt.

I'm quite happy with my new shirt, but need to get used to the heavier feel to this version. I have some plain white tana lawn in my stash and I'm already planning another Archer shirt.

If you haven't stopped by Grainline Studios website before I will encourage you to do so - Jen makes modern, minimalist patterns - I like! I hope to make the Moss Mini Skirt soon.


Fabric: Liberty Tana Lawn called "Marco" from the spring 2014 Collection - bought at Ebay
Pattern: Archer from Grainline Studio

Happy sewing

Mette

Basic - Hemlock and Tiny pocket tank

Jeg øver mig til stadighed i, at blive bedre til at sy tøj, jeg rent faktisk også kommer til at bruge. Svært - men hvor mange kjoler, har man egentlig brug for? Hvad man til gengæld altid kan bruge flere af, er basis t-shirts og toppe. Ikkke så spændende måske, men de bliver helt sikkert brugt.

Dette er Grainlines gratis t-shirt mønster Hemlock. Det kommer kun i én størrelse, men den passer til gengæld også de fleste.

I have to restrain myself not to only make (blue) dresses. How many dresses does a girl need? What you always need are basic t-shirt and tanks. This is a free pattern Hemlock by Grainline Studios. It comes only in one size, but its a pretty loose fit.

T-shirten er løs i snittet omkring kroppen, men med stramme ærmer, så der bliver lidt facon. Meget behagelig:)

Eventhough the t-shirt is a loose oversize model, it has got tight fitting sleeves. This adds a bit of shape to the t-shirt. Very comfy:)

Jeg fandt stoffet på Stof og Stils restebord. Der var 1,5 m. og det var lige nok til en t-shirt og nææsten nok til en tanktop også. Dette mønster er også fra Grainline og hedder Tiny Pocket Tank - jeg har dog syet den uden lommen. Mønstret er egentlig beregnet til fast stof, men det fungerer lige så godt i jersey.

I found the fabric at the remnanttable in Stof og Stil. The remnant was a piece of 1,5 meter and it was almost enough for a t-shirt and a tanktop. The tanktop is also a pattern by Grainline Studio called Tiny Pocket Tank. I made the tank without the pocket. This pattern is actually made for wowen fabric, but is equally nice in jersey.

Som du kan se manglede der en smule stof for at være nok til en tanktop. Det blev løst med en lille rest sort jersey fra skabet. Alle fejl og mangler er designfeatures ikke;)?

As you can see, I was a bit short of fabric - I solved this little problem by adding a bit of black jersey from stash. I choose to think of this as an interesting designfeature:)

Alt i alt er jeg godt tilfreds. Det er ikke så tit, jeg gider sy t-shirts, da der ikke er meget udfordring i dem, men man kan jo ikke gå i balkjole hver dag? Hvordan har du det med syning af basistøj - gider du eller vil du hellere gå i H&M?

I'm happy with my two new tops. I'm sure they will get a lot of wear. I wish, I could bother to make more of these - you can't wear dresses every day right? Do you bother to make basic t-shirts or do you just buy them at H&Ms?

Pattern: Grainlines Hemlock and Tiny Pocket Tank
Fabric: Jersey purchased locally at Stof og Stils remnanttable, black jersey from stash

Happy sewing

Mette

I made a shirt! smugness and all the details

Advarsel: Dette bliver et billedtungt indlæg for jeg har lavet en SKJORTE MED DET HELE!

Warning: This is a really pictureheavy post I got for you here today 'cause I made a shirt! A real shirt with collar, undercollar, buttonplacket, sleeveplacket and everything.

Som du kan se, kan jeg ikke skjule min egen stolthed (og overraskelse over at det lykkes).

I can't hide my own sewing-smugness about this make:)

Skjorten er helt klassisk og passer godt til både nederdel og jeans.

This is a complely classical shirt that goes with both skirt and jeans.

Mønstret er Archer fra Grainline Studio
Jeg har aldrig syet sådan en type skjorte før, men mønstret tager dig i hånden og følger dig hele vejen igennem processen.

The pattern is the Archer shirt from Grainline Studios
. I've never made a shirt like this before, but the instructions takes you by the band and walks you through the process.

Mønstret er så godt, at jeg er tvunget til også at vise Jer et billede af ryggen.

This pattern is so great, I was forced to put a picture of my behind on the internet:)

Stoffet er en bomuld/silke blanding i lysegrå med små sorte sommerfugle. Stoffet var nemt at arbejde med og er en drøm at have på.

The fabric is a cotton-silk blend i light grey with tiny butterflies. The fabric was really easy to handle and it feels like a dream to wear.

Skjorten har en lille krave og er med underkrave, ståkrave (hvad hedder det på dansk?), skjortemanchetter og knapper.

The shirt has a tiny collar, collarstand and sleeveplacket

Ærmerne var lige det længste til mig. Istedet for at forkorte selve ærmet inden montering af manchetten, valgte jeg istedet at forkorte manchetten, da jeg bedre kan lide smalle manchetter på kvindeskjorter. Jeg er oftest forskellige størrelser mellem bryst, talje og hoftemål. Jeg valgte den størrelse i skuldre og bryst, der passer mig og skalerede ud til to størrelser bredere i hoften. Det fungerer fint og jeg er virkelig glad for at have en skjorte, der passer om barmen og ikke er for stram om hofterne.

The sleeves were a bit too long on me. Instead of removing the length from the sleeves before installing the sleevecuffs, I chose to shorten the sleevecuffs instead. I really like a narrow cuff on a womans shirt. I'm between sizes and I did my usual scaling between 3 sizes from my narrow shoulders to my wide hips. It worked quite good I think.

Jeg er virkelig glad for denne skjorte. Jeg tog mig god tid til alle de små detaljer og selvom det for en udenforstående er en ret almindelig skjorte at se på, ved jeg, at denne skjorte er helt speciel, da det er den første jeg har lavet - men bestemt ikke den sidste. Dette mønster kan hurtigt gøre dig afhængig. Prøv iøvrigt at google mønstret og se de mange fine versioner af Archer skjorter talentfulde kvinder over hele kloden har lavet. Kunne du finde på at sy denne?

I'm really happy about this make. I took my time making all the details as perfect as I could. Any non-sewing person probably would'nt see this shirt as anything special but to me this is first, but not the last shirtmake from this pattern. This pattern makes you addictive and craving more beautifull shirts. Please see all the beautifull Archers online made by talented ladies all over the globe. Are you tempted to make an Archer?

Happy sewing

Mette


Pattern: Archer fra Grainline Studios
Fabric: cotton silk blend from Stofdepotet. Found here