Wow Fabrics Wilder Gown

Whilst I was scrolling IG as you do and came across  a Wow Fabrics post of a beautiful floral print  I fell in love with instantly. I had put myself on a self inflicted fabric ban so thought I would send a cheeky message to see if I could have some of the fabric in return for a blog- the rest is history as they say. I have signed up with an affiliated program which means I will do a blog post every month and  I will earn commission if you buy any of the fabrics I shown. I’m so excited as this company ticks every box for my future sewing adventures. 

J273 Water Colour Floral Print 

Wow fabrics offer a unique service where you can select a design and it can be printed on a choice of 13 fabric types. I knew instantly that I wanted mine in Chiffon to create a floral, floaty, romantic ‘Wilder Gown by The Friday Pattern Company.’ 

Wilder Gown The Friday Pattern Company 

 The pattern has raglan sleeves (so no sleeve insertions) no zip or lining, due to the fluidity of this beautiful chiffon I found sewing with my Janome Air Thread overlocker the easiest way to construct, using the narrow hem function to professionally finish my dress. 

 For the first time I used the gathering function. This was a revelation saving 

time that it would have taken doing the gathering the conventional way,  of two rows of basting stitches.

The instructions encourage your to rip the rectangles of material that make up the tiers that tearing sound is like music to the ears, so satisfying!

This has to be the quickest turnaround round to date it arrived on the Thursday and I was wearing it for the knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate on the Sunday!

Tips on sewing chiffon
1. Depending how fine your fabric is you can place it onto tissue paper and use weights to cut out your fabric. If the fabric moves a lot cut one layer at the time remembering to reverse your pattern pieces for the mirror image.
2. Use a finer sewing needle and if you want to use pins add them to the seam allowances to hide any potential snags, or do what I did here and used my overlocker.
3. Use a walking foot on your sewing machine and avoid back stitching so your hungry sewing machine doesn’t try to eat the fabric.
4 . If your fabric puckers shorten your stitch length.
5. French seams are great if you want the inside to look as beautiful as the outside. I just wanted mine on!

I am a total flower girl so this fabric was perfect for me, there is however lots of choice here are a couple more of my favourites.

S670 African Wild Mix Print

J246 Pink Black Base Birds Print

I’m so excited to be working with this company as they also offer a bespoke printing service of your own work. I sew to be individual but I do see a lot of the same fabric on offer.  I cannot wait to use this service. Myself and Sam @purplesewing cloud have organised ‘Sew North Soirée’  23rd May 2020 a meet up to celebrate our sewing skills. I want to design every aspect of my dress so I can’t wait to collaborate next year.

Thank you Wow Fabrics

Here is a sneak peak  I’ve ordered this with the loop backed finish to make Hey June Handmade Sheridan Sweater 

V258 Multi Merge Floral Print 

Get me I’m A Brand Ambassador!

I received a lovely message via my IG @jenlegg4 asking if I would be interested in being a ‘Brand Ambassador ‘ from The Fabric Guys. Free material for a blog post.

Hell Yeah I’m in !

I’m a North East creative girl who has a sewing addiction that has lead me to open a sewing school above my hair salon in Middlesbrough. I love jumpsuits & florals, I’m also a serial Sewist I will take a pattern push it with different fabrics, hack it, and of course wear it!

The Fabric Guys have a lovely selection of material and prints but strangely it’s hard to decide what to choose when you can have anything! Also what to make when you have extra pressure to do The Fabric Guys proud. 

I had my light bulb moment when @sewisfaction launched one week one pattern #owop19. Over the last 3 years I have made 6 versions or @pierplacementpatterns #sewingkempton. I’ve made them in scuba, re-fashioned a charity mans suit, pleather, stretched denim, curtain material and fur, I have have hacked each one but knew I had an idea for another.

I strike again making my life harder by choosing this amazing  Soft Spandex Pearl Faux Leatherette. I found matching it up with the lining Jacquard Dots in Cooper really easy from the pictures and descriptions, the website is easy to navigate. I coordinate the colours from inherited fabric of my late Aunties stash giving new life to the remnants of her living room curtains that became the binding.

It arrived in this lovely box that has made me change my sewing habits by keeping all the pieces neatly together. I sew at home and in-between hairdressing clients in the Sewing School I’ve created above my salon. How lucky am I?

This pattern involves a lot of preparation as you are basically attaching both the outer and lining pieces together using Hong Kong seams prior to making up the jacket. Even though I have had plenty of experience I did sew the binding incorrectly to the first pieces! You have to remember the binding is getting attached to the outer fabric then wrapped trapping the lining and secured with the ‘stitch in the ditch’ foot again along the outer fabric. Don’t make my mistake-pass me the seam ripper !

The one on the right is right!

I sized up and added 3 inches to each of the pattern pieces. Seeing all the pieces tougher can seem really daunting but just work through methodically. The thing about this make is the shoulder seems are the last to sew so you have to wait to try it on! It’s worth that wait I promise.

As I’m loving the frills that are currently trending I wanted to add one to the cuffs. I did a little story on IG and the gained a lot of love so I knew I was onto a winner. We all need a bit of reassurance don’t we?

The end process involves hand sewing which I love.

I absolutely love the end result. It looks so professional and ready for the festive season.

Tips for sewing with Leatherette. 

1. Use a tried and tested pattern, that you have no fitting issues with. You can unpick seams but it does leave slight needle marks so it’s best to avoid.

2. Use clips or pin in the margin areas to avoid the puncture holes.

3. Depending on the thickness cut pattern pieces separately. I didn’t with this project, but I used all purpose scissors So as not to blunt my dressmaking ones.

4. Many blogs say to use leather needles but with this fabric I found they were to thick so I used a 90 universal needle.

5. Again many blogs say to stick to basic seams, again I went against this using ‘Hong Kong Seams’ it was bulkier on some seams but using a cloth (don’t iron the right side) and a ‘Tailors Clapper Point’ to press out the beautiful insides. 

Thank you for the opportunity The Fabric Guys looking forward to the next one. 

Selvedge and Bolts

I’m Jen Legg aka @jenlegg4 in my post about The Muse I mention the fantastic new online fabric shop Selvedge and Bolts. I have bought some amazing fabric from Dibs so I was totally flattered when she asked me to be part of her blogger team! I’m hoping it was because of the beautiful clothes I’m making with it and not all the money I’ve spent on her amazing fabric since she’s opened. I cant resist she buys ‘dead stock fabric’ from Italy a lot of them are ex designer like Vivienne Westwood, Escada etc... I started to sew because I hate wearing the same as everyone else, since I started this sewing journey I found a lot of fabrics were repeated on many online places so this is why my obsession with Selvedge and Bolts began! 

I was so excited to be selected but my Leggylad didn’t believe that I was actually going to get fabric for free-I had to show him the message, this isn’t because he objects to my sewing addiction. It because I’m always saying I can stop buying fabric- not sure who I’m trying to kid!

Dibs did have a selection of fabric left on the website that I hadn't bought and I choose 3 metres Italian Wool Jersey 1 metre of each colour as I loved the colour combination on the IG page. 

Sometimes its obvious what you want to make but with this choice it made me have to really think about how I could make it work for me. The pressure as I didn’t want to let myself or Dibs down. I did change my mind a few times but once the fabric arrived I had my lightbulb moment. Sometime you have to have a feel and stroke don’t you? It is the best quality and felt great after the pre-wash. 

I found a recent purchase from my stash that matched perfectly and brought these three colours to work harmoniously. 

Ready to go!

I choose the #gemmasweater @namedclothing to enhance contrasting fabric colours. I had the pattern and tried and failed 2 years ago to make it. This time however I followed the instructions and it came together without any mishaps, with happy dances and clapping like a seal every time the seams where lining up and matching perfectly.

‘happy dances and clapping like a seal ‘

 It was a little tricky as the spots jersey is finer than the Italian Wool Jersey. My Leggylad is my biggest critique and he was totally on the fence with this one as I was making it. I’m not sure about you but I always like another opinion (as long as they love it) at the time of trying on I only had one sleeve sewn together with my pj bottoms on saying “it’s obviously not finished yet!” The whole outfit was a relatively quick sew with the majority on my 
Janome Air thread overlocker 

I have a fear of button holes as they never work for me, or should I say the test one always does! However the button hole gods were on my side and they worked. As we are limited in our area to haberdashery shops I bought the fastening cord in this beautiful saffron colour. I think it works perfectly. 

To match I choose  @namedclothing #ruripants they are the ultimate secret pyjamas with some beautiful design features they look great and they are so comfy. I have made these previously so Pattern was also ready to go. I used a contrast waistband and I took the elastic round further to the waist seams. I would like to tell you this was to add to the design feature but I simply mixed up the waist pattern pieces! I had been concentrating so hard on my seem matching I went into auto whilst making these. I was going to rectify but I honestly like how the sit, so it equalled a happy accident. They have a lovely button or snap fastening detail at the ankle area of the trousers. I choose to add a button hole here as I loved the jeans buttons I had left from Textile Garden Picture below. 

I have absolutely loved trying something new with this first blog for Selvedge and Bolts. Leggylad did love the final outcome and didn’t object when I was asking/ making him take the final pictures. For those of you old enough reading this it really reminds me of a ‘Dash’ lounge suit from the 80’s.

  

I know I’m going to get lots of wear out of these as a full outfit or as separates. This is something I am trying to be mindful about prior my recent makes as I’ve got to admit I do have a good few items in my wardrobe I’ve only worn a few times. I do think every make is a learning process so all isn’t lost and my family and friends love it if I have a good sort out. 

Thanks for asking me to do this Dibs I am totally privileged to be in great company. 

The Muse - Sew La Di La Vintage

Caroline of Sewladilavintage has done it again! 

Anyone who follows me knows my love of a great jumpsuit and I first discovered ‘Margo Playsuit’ early into my 4 year sewing journey. It has a vintage look and it’s so flattering to wear. It’s one of my all time favourites. I love to Pattern hack and I’ve used the trouser pattern lots on other jumpsuits I’ve made.

Back to the dress that is named ‘The Muse’. I have been given a PDF copy in return for my thoughts in this blog. It has two views basically with or with out the frills. It’s has a princess line bodice that you have the option to line or face. I choose the latter. I cut out a  size 12  as this match my measurements exactly. I am fortunate I never really need to adapt many patterns. 

 I have recently discovered a new online fabric shop called Selvedge and Bolts. Dibs is sourcing the most amazing fabrics a lot of it is ex designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Escada to name a few I may have purchased... for this pattern I love the intensity of the colours and of course the florals I have an addiction! I have selected this satin for  ‘My Muse’ it’s more suitable for a wedding or the races but I never feel you can be over dressed so I’m sure I it will get a lot of wear. 

The fabric was beautiful to sew but I tried to take a short cut with the zip and inserted it with reinforcement hence unpick interface and re apply the zip. 

The pattern pieces fitted together perfectly. I have a full cup size 32F so I needed to adjust slightly under the bust and I also have a sway back so again I took this in slightly to help the fit.

This dress pattern is a must for Sewist’s like myself who love the chance to play about and add your own creativity details that make it completely you! I posted a few options on insta stories to help me decide on the final length of the sleeves with the frill. I also opted to add the same width frill on the bottom of the dress. 

How lucky am I to have a super talented photographer friend Nikki who lives 2 mins away from me and captured how beautiful this dress and the details I have added.

I’m thrilled with the way it has worked out and will definitely be making another in an everyday type of fabric... so watch my grid @jenlegg4 

Thanks for reading my first ever personal blog post !