The Sew What Club: Maren Dress

This is a brief intermission from my fall sewing plans. Sigrid needed a new dress for a birthday party, I had this liberty fabric in my stash and along came the Maren Dress Pattern from The Sew What Club. It was meant to be.

The dress has a small peter pan collar, kimono sleeves and a dropwaist design with pleats. It comes in size 2-12 years old.

I don't know if you have heard of The Sew What Club? It's a subsription for pdf patterns. You get to choose between the childrens edition with two patterns a month or the women edition with one pattern a month. The patterns are designed by different indie designers - The Maren Dress is designed by Hey June Handmade.

With two girls it's great getting new inspiration on what to make for them. I didn't think the Maren Dress pattern was to Selma's (10 years) liking, but she has requested one in chambray. I guess a chambray version will be less cutesy than this floral liberty version. Better get on with that.

The dress came together easily. I didn't follow the instruction, but they appear to be clear. I changed the back keyhole to a smaller slit, since the fall season here in Denmark require a vest underneath. I subsequently changed the back facings and added a small roleau and button.

Here you can see the pleats. They are distributed towards the sideseams.

Sigrid was so happy with her new dress. I really should make more dresses while she still prefer the handmade to the storebought dresses.

I have a few items to show you from my fall sewing list as soon as I get photos. I guess the list wasn't quite complete, since new patterns suddently jumped the queue.. Sewing is a hobby so it's okay to bend the rules sometimes right?

Do share your fall sewing plans. What are you working on?

Happy sewing

Mette

Oh Coco! - classic jacket for fall

The Coco jacket from Schnittchen Patterns is the first item to get ticked off my fall sewing list. - I still feel all organized following my plan. Lets see how long it will last before I start a new sewing project on a whim...

From the Schnittchen Patterns website:
Coco convinces through its plain cut, rounded corners and 3⁄4 length sleeves. It is fully lined.


I can confirm that the Coco convinces me. I love this jacket. I rarely feel that about a new item, but this is one of those rare moments when colour, pattern and fabric choice just make everything so worth it.

I made a few changes to the pattern. First of all I added snaps - I even bought one of those tools to set them in. I think the snaps give a classic jacket a more modern edge. Then I added four selfdrafted pockets in two different sizes to keep a classic vibe.

This is my first time working with bouclé. It's a tricky fabric where the fraying was almost driving me nuts. I made sure to cut a 3 cm seamallowance and then I did a zig zag stich on all patternpiecec to prevent fraying. I used interfacing on the bouclé where I set in the snaps and on the facings. I also made a back stay on the top of the backpieces to prevent the jacket from stretching out. As a final touch I like to use piping in the seam between facings and lining. The pattern is well drafted and came together easily. I can really recommend this pattern as a go to pattern for a classic jacket.

I know my method of treating the bouclé is not the couture quilting method. I'm hoping this Coco jacket will give me the last bit of courage to finally tackling the black chanel fabric I bought to make "the real deal" with all the couture methods.

How is your fall sewing coming along? Next on my list is a silk shirt dress - have you got any tips for sewing with silk?


Happy sewing.

Mette


Pattern: Coco jacket from Schnittchen
Fabric: cotton bouclé from Paris - I can't remember the name of the fabric shop.

Fall sewing plans

Hello there!

I hope you all have had a nice summer. Mine definitely was. I spend two weeks in France and also enjoyed the (reasonably) good summer we've had here in Denmark this year.

France was brilliant! I spend the holiday touring around Paris and the western part of France with my hubby and three kiddos in an campercar. The countryside was beautiful, the weather was great and the wine and the cheese... But I know you don't stop by here for the wine and the cheese alone but also for the love of sewing. You wan't to know the dirty deeds. Yes I did some fabric shopping! Yes i bought 30 meters to kickstart my fall sewing! I bought some lovely bouclé, cotton, wool suiting and lots of silk. I'm not sure why it's so difficult (and expensive) to buy silk here in Denmark so I went a bit crazy in Paris where the selection and prices are a very different story to here.

I've started to collect a few ideas for what I'll sew for the upcoming season. This year I've decided to be more focused in my sewing and less impulsive.. Lets see how that will go.. I hope my keyword for this fall will be wearability.

I'm planning to use my bouclé to sew a Coco Jacket. I've made one (unblogged) version before and this pattern is a great basic if you want to dip your toe into jacket making. It's a simple and rather easy pattern, but it still features a two piece sleeve and it's lined. On my first version I added welt pockets but I think I'll go for classic patch pockets in the fraying bouclé. I'm hoping making the Coco will give me courage to start making the real deal: a chanel bouclé jacket with all the couture features. I have had all the supplies for this for over a year but I can't get over my fear of ruining it all so I haven't dared making it yet...

I have seen that turtle necks are back this fall and think I'll have a go if I can find som decent jersey. I'm planning to use this burdastyle pattern:

Kirsten, Kirsten - I'll never tire of this pattern. It's a classic in my wardrobe and I'll make a few more for to wear with jackets and cardigans this fall. Did I mention the pattern is a free download?

I have a really nice grey ponte in my stash that will work well for this pattern. I really like the asymmetric pleating and the zipper in the back.

As soon as I saw this in the august number of Burdastyle I knew I had to make it. It will be perfect in the blue og black stretch silk I bought in Paris. The pattern is plussize, but I'm not too concerned about sizing down since its a loosefitting dress.

I bought the Wenona Dress pattern by Named Clothing back in spring but this is really a dress for fall and winter. I really like the lines and I hope this will be a winner for winter.

I'm hoping to make a few a-line wool skirts too and a kimono.. I hope this plan will keep me from fabricshopping (too much) since I already have the fabric for most on this list.

I think I like sewing for fall even more, than summerdresses. I really like the texture and colours in the fabrics for fall. How about you - are you excited about sewing for the next season or do you prefer the summerdresses? Have you started planning? Have you any other surgestions for cool fall patterns?

Happy sewing


Mette

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

Cuteness overload

A cute kid and pandas in the same picture - it doesn't get any cuter than that!

I'm on a kids sewing binge and I finished this little outfit during my easter break.

The fabric for the dress is of course from Stofdepotet - no surprise here. This particular fabric is not available online anymore, but this is the same quality and really cute too. The fabric is a summer sweatshirt knit and maybe best for sweatshirts and Hudson Pants. Now, in our house there is not a great need for another pair of Hudson Pants at the moment so instead I made a dress and received the mommy of the year award - pink, pandas and spots will qualify you if you are interested:)

The pattern is Onion 20045. It gives you a few variations - among these ruffles. I'm planning to use this pattern again, but next time, I'll use a more drapy jersey instead. The pattern is really simple so don't stir away because of the danish language.

The fabric for the leggings is a remnant from a non-blogged Plantain T-shirt for me. Also from Stofdepotet. You can still buy the fabric here. The fabric is a drapy viscose knit with small dots and a really nice quality. I have been wearing my Plantain T-shirt every week for the last two month and the fabric still looks great. I hope Stofdepotet bans me from their website sometime soon - it's just too tempting...

Here is a flat shot sans kid so you can really enjoy the pandas:)

The good:
The sweatshirt knit was a bit expensive but it's a really lovely quality. The pattern is easy - would be perfect for summerdresses too with short sleeves.

The bad:
I haven't photographed the clothes I have made for myself recently. Why is it such a hazard to get decent pictures? - perhaps a new camera will do the trick? If you will like to follow my journey in clothesmaking more closely, you can find me on Instagram - my username is "sewbluedresses". I hope, you stop by and say hi!

Have you started planning your summer sewing projects yet?


Happy sewing

Mette

Moneta dress - comfy and stylish pyjama

Hello sewtionistas!

It's about time I show you the rest from my winter sewing binge. Especially since this is a stylish pyjama - perfect for work. You can sit all day by your desk without feeling sufficated by your jeans. You can even eat a big lunch and still feel comfortable - comfortable is the number one word in my book!

The Moneta Dress by Colette Patterns is a classic fit and flare dress with a low-ish back sewn in a knitfabric. I chose this nice and quite stable cotton jersey from M is for Make. If you need inspiration for this classic number theres plenty of beautifull versions online. Try taking a look at this or this

The Moneta is easy to fit since its a knitdress. It's quite short though - I'm 1,65 m and I like the length on me.

Here you can see the scoop back neckline.

I have a woolskirt more to show you - and then I switch to more spring appropriate sewing - so stay in tune.


Happy sewing

Mette

Pattern: Moneta Dress from Colette Patterns
Fabric: Cotton jersey from M is for Make

Workstaples - Simplicity 1366 and a knitskirt

Work work work - how can I get away with wearing sweatpants and being comfy all day? Enter the skirtversion of a pair of sweatpants: the knitskirt! I can't begin to express my love for a good knitskirt - and I have made my share in my sewingcareer. Its soft and comfy, looks allright for work and you can make it in an hour. Only thing you have to worry about is choosing a knit staple enough not to show all your lumps and bumps.. This last point gets more and more important every year.. SO, because i'm in my late thirties I chose a thick knit with a subtle pattern from Stof2000. To add a bit of interest I added pockets zippers. Otherwise its just a selfdrafted knitskirt with an elastic waist. Perfect for the day, your collegue brings cake!

You can't go to work in a skirt alone - not in my job at least - so I made the famous Simplicity 1366. There are so many beautiful versions out there - please check this one by Groovybabyandmama and this one by the talented Mixed Emotions.

It's a boxy top with 3/4 length sleeves. Nothing much to say there, except that I love this pattern. I'm not too sure about my fabric choice though. It's a bit too thin and blah. I have actually only worn this top while taking these photos. I'll consider it a wearable muslin and make one in a better fabric.

On another note, I'm beginning to consider making a springcoat - perhaps it's already a bit late for that with my sewingpace, but nevertheless. I had so much fun making my mohaircoat and would like a bit more experience before I make a proper tailored coat for next winter. Any surgestions for a nice pattern? I was thinking about this and this - or perhaps this - what do you think? All from Burdastyle (and if anyone can show me how to copy the pictures from Burdastyle to this webpage, I'll be happy:))


Happy sewing


Mette





Pattern: Simplicity 1366, knitskirt is selfdrafted
Fabric: Knitfabric purchased locally at Stof2000, the rest unknown from stash