Fall to Pieces

I didn't update last week, I know, I know. So I managed to finish my toile with minimum fuss. There were quite a few changes to be made, but it didn't take too long. I also sewed on the sleeves, I was pretty pleased because I didn't have to rip them off and start again- I got them right first time! The pattern said to gather the sleeves, however my tutor just told me to ease them in. I'm not sure what is more difficult but I hate gathering so I was pretty pleased!

This week I didn't get a lot done.  I hadn't spent any time in between classes doing the things I didn't need help for- totally my fault. So this week was spent TOTALLY deconstructing my entire toile so I could use it as a pattern. I did, however, get it ripped up and cut out PLUS the front of the bodice done. Sadly I managed to iron a crease into the bust accidently when I was pressing the seams, it just won't come out now :( 

So next week is my final week, I know I'm not going to get it finished in class, but I'm pretty sure I know what I'm doing. This week I need to cut out my lining and my interfacing and do some stay stitching...I will do it this week...promise!

Through many dangers, toiles and snares

My toile is sort of coming on ok. I had a few minor set backs. My one week crash diet (HA!) worked a little too well and now my toile is a bit big across my back, but now totally fine at the bottom. Ok, so I really just let out the seams. I've had to chop big bits off of the bottom of the bodice since, according to my tutor, I have 'a short back'. Great, I'll put that on my CV.

But just look at this (horribly edited so it shows up against the white backround) baby, IT ACTUALLY RESEMBLES A DRESS! I know my pleats aren't in line with my seams (I agreed with my tutor that I'd fix them on the real thing because I wasn't willing to sacrifice another stitch unpick on this thing) and the bust is now uneven (I had to take it in a little). But come on, this is my first real dress making project and it already has a skirt and everything!

There have been a few hurdles, I didn't transfer the dots from the pattern since I didn't know what they were (and my policy seems to be, if in doubt, miss it out), I didn't stick to 'right sides to right sides' which I TOTALLY know, and I didn't mirror my markings... These are small mistakes but meant time was wasted, going back to re-mark. I needed the dots to sew the gathers...but I missed them out and pleated instead anyway. It'll be fine....I've unpicked more of this pattern than I've actually stitched. Sewing is a frustrating business!

I also took in the bust, which has made it wonky. So to remedy this I'll measure the two sides, add then half the total then adjust so they're even. I whined at my tutor 'do I have to'. She looked at me, laughed and said 'do you want it to fit or not?!'. I guess I'll be measuring and adding tomorrow then...

I'm really enjoying the class and I am definitely learning a lot. I'm so glad I started with a toile...but then I realised the toile fabric was more expensive than the real stuff. Whoops...

What are you working on?

Hooray For Boobies

Now, before I go any further, I need to explain the title. At my class on Tuesday I made the bodice for my dress toile. I must admit that I got quite excited- when I started sewing I didn't realise that what I was doing would end up creating such a great shape! I waltzed home and announced that I had 'made a boob' much to my mother's confusion. She kept asking me what I'd done wrong...oh dear.

It was a little bit tricky, but I've learned a lot. The most exciting thing being...I finally know what the little arrows on the pattern pieces means! Ok, so I realise I could have just Googled it and it would have told me, but that's too sensible for me. ANYWAY, for those of you who don't know, you simply match the arrows up when you connect another pattern piece. It's fairly simple I guess.

So, my only problem is that it doesn't actually fit. So I've had to rip the stitches several hundred times. My seam ripper is now my new best friend. Actually, its not, it needs thrown out because it BROKE. The seam allowance is pretty big so I'm cutting it down from 5/8ths to 1/4. Hopefully that will help, if not my tutor is going to help me insert an extra piece. Or I'm going on a diet.

I also nearly wound up sewing it right up- forgetting I need to leave the back open for the zip!

So Tuesday will see me trying to sort out my fatty problems, and having a go at the collar. I'm going to play around with the tab and decide whether to use it or not. Oh and I have the sleeves to do too. I'm getting there, slowly. Not convinced it will be done at the end of the four weeks I've got left at the class nevermind the real thing.

In other news my royal mania is continuing; today I bought this awesome shopping bag:

Puzzle

Tuesday night's evening class went well, Cardonald isn't the handiest to get to but it's a lovely new college.

I've got everything pinned to my fabric, ready to cut out to make my toile. It took me the full 2.5 hours to get through cutting the pattern out and pinning it- although I did chat a little too much! This dressmaking business is rather time consuming. It is a bit like a jigsaw puzzle, you have to fit the pieces on to the fabric so they all face the correct way. Of course certain pieces must be on the fold so it's a bit of a faff!

I nipped into my favourite fabric store last week and picked up some rather lovely lining for my dress at a pound a metre. It's navy blue and spotty so looks perfect with my navy fabric.

I also bought myself a new sewing tin (I've been needing one for a while). Ok, so it's an M & S shortbread tin, but it's the perfect size for all the bits and pieces I need to take to my class. I'm a little bit in love with the Royal Family so this will go nicely with my Royal Wedding tins!


The toile should start to take shape this week so hopefully I'll have something a little more interesting to report soon!

Material girl

So...I signed up for another night class.

I have a rather fraught history with taking craft (and photography) classes. I've done a few- from the amazing to the awful. My favourite by far was the 'Vintage Accessories' class I took last year- I learnt a lot and really enjoyed it. The tutor was brilliant and really took the time to make sure everyone at the class gained new skills. My least favourite was purchased through Itison- it was meant to involve afternoon cake and tea and lots of crafty goodness. Instead we sat in a freezing shop, listening to 'Hark the Herald' on loop and drank cold tea (with Tunnock's biscuits) while a disinterested 'tutor' served customers. Let's just say I won't be returning there for any of my craft supplies.

My latest class is in dressmaking. I'll be honest, I have absolutely no dressmaking experience whatsoever. I can't actually sew on buttons (that's my mum's job- they're too fiddly for me) so this should be a 'challenge'. I'm starting to worry a bit about what I've let myself in for.

Anyway, here's the plan. Each week I intend to photograph my progress and document how I'm getting on with my project. I'm thinking I want to make a pencil skirt, preferably for my graduation. I doubt I'll come up with anything wearable, but it's worth a try.