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Saturday, 14 March 2015
Introducing the Lillia T-Shirt
Do you Know those days when all you want is to feel comfortable in your clothes? When you want to feel loose and free from any restrictions?
On my bedside table at the moment is a biography of the fashion designer Coco Chanel. An independent woman with drive and the determination to succeed. What interested me, when I read it the other day . was the that fact we have her to thank for the introduction of jersey fabric into women’s fashion. It is a fabric we take very much for granted now to give us the comfort and ease of movement we demand in our casual and leisure wear. I don’t know what we would do without it. So thank you very much Coco, along with the little black dress, shorter skirts and the perfect Chanel suit of course.
The Lillia T-Shirt is possibly the most comfortable top you will ever wear.
You will reach for it over and over again. It can be made from any colour or print of stretch jersey fabric, from light to medium weight as long as it has a two way stretch, so it stretches in both horizontal and vertical directions on the cloth. I included how to do the stretch test in the Red Body con dress blog.
The fabric I am using today is a medium weight jersey lace with a good quality stretch to it. I thought that it would add a touch of femininity to the look, as well as function. So I am making the Lillia T-Shirt top in the longer sleeve version and also the longer length but without the side vent detailing. I’m making the neckband from the same fabric too, however you could choose to use a contrasting fabric for the neckband to add a bit of interest if you wanted. In the picture above I am wearing the cap sleeve option in navy blue light weight jersey, with the side vent openings.
How to make a T-Shirt
When you have downloaded and printed off your pattern, tape it together and cut out your chosen size and style. You can have the cap or long sleeve options with either the shorter or longer lengths, the choice is up to you.
I wear a US size 8 (UK 12) and I am a little taller than average, therefore I have chosen to make the longer style today.
When you are sewing with stretch fabric use a small zigzag or stretch stitch setting on your sewing machine. A ball point needle can also be a useful tool.
When you have cut out your fabric pieces, the first step is to stitch the shoulder seams together. This is the same method for both the long and short sleeved style options.
To make the neckband you first join the two ends together.
Then fold the neckband in half with the right side facing out. Baste along the open edge to hold it closed.
Pin the band to the neckline at the centre back, centre front and at the shoulders. Space it evenly. When you stitch the band in place, stretch it a little as you sew to make it fit.
With the right side of the Lillia T-Shirt facing upwards, top stitch around the neck edge, about ¼ inch/ 0.6 cm under the seamline. Work slowly and carefully around the neckline to create a good finish.
Turn the garment so that the right sides are together again and stitch the side seams. Snip into the seam allowance at the underarm to allow for a neat curve.
Hem the sleeves and finally hem the bottom edge to your required length.
Once you have practiced and mastered putting on the neckband you will be making this Lillia T-Shirt in all your favorite fabrics. You could play around with the design, for example, by adding an exposed zip at the back, making contrasting neck and arm bands or lengthening it into a tunic. Last summer I made this top from two completely different fabrics, using a silk on the front and a jersey for the back. If you try this, make sure you can still get it off over your head.
There are infinite ways to make and style this top. You can make it for all age groups and for every season.
Please enjoy making your very own Lillia, I love all mine.
Happy Sewing
Sarah
Friday, 13 March 2015
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Saturday, 7 March 2015
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
Saturday, 28 February 2015
CAMELLIA TOP PDF PATTERN NOW FREE IN ALL SIZES
Exciting News
As promised I am very pleased to announce that the awesome Camellia Top PDF pattern is ready for you all to download in sizes US 4-20, UK 8-24 and EU 34-52.
This is the link to the pattern store page where you will find the Camellia Top in three different size ranges. Choose the one you need, fill in your email address and you will be able to get your FREE copy downloaded instantly.
The smallest pattern in sizes US 4-10, has been available for a month now and has been very popular with many hundreds of happy sewing enthusiasts downloading the pattern to use. Now that all the sizes are available I hope many more of you will be able to enjoy making this lovely top for yourselves.
This is a fantastic project for both beginner and more advanced sewers. It consists of two pattern pieces and as with all my patterns it comes with full instructions for download, assembly and construction to make your sewing as easy as possible.
Take a look at all the new patterns in my pattern store which updates regularly as new PDF downloadable patterns are added.
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Happy Sewing
Tuesday, 24 February 2015
Floral Fabric Designs for Dresses
Do you plan your fashion sewing projects season by season?
As you know I love taking inspiration from the catwalk shows and designer’s latest looks. One of the key influences that I have noticed for this spring is definitely florals. Big bold prints along side tiny, fussy small ones. Both light on dark and pale on light backgrounds.
I am excited about using all of the different styles in various sewing projects.
I’ve pinned some of my favourite floral inspiration pictures to share with you. They include designs by Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen, Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera.
I have a confession to make though because I have been collecting floral print fabrics throughout the winter months eagerly squirrelling it all away in anticipation of using them in the springtime. I feel that it is time for me to move on from the dark winter colours to lighter, brighter shades.
There are some pieces of clothing that I definitely need to include in the floral makes. They include a new over sized shirt or two, an easy fitting dress and a jersey T-shirt top.
Oversized shirts seem to be everywhere in the shops right now. I will use the basic pattern and maybe add a bit more fullness across the lower edge of the yoke on the back and fronts.
I’m not one hundred percent convinced that I like the florals on a dark background trend, however I am going to give it a try with the black cotton and make a short sleeve, easy fitting Dallia dress with added inseam pockets, for a casual everyday style.
This purple, viscous, floral fabric moves beautifully so I’m thinking about using it either to make a second comfort fit shirt or seeing how it would work in a more fitted dress style. Maybe with a bold pink accent colour piping at the neckline and on the sleeves. Sometimes I think that floral prints can look a bit old fashioned and dated so I will be mindful of creating the look I want with the correct type of fabric qualities.
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Happy Sewing
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