Hello!
I'm back to update you on how my adaption of New Look 6224, which I wrote about last time, turned out. I was very pleased with my short sleeved version, and I have already worn it quite a lot, but wondered how it would work without sleeves!
The pattern is so nice to make and the pattern has several variations, but not a sleeveless version, which is probably my absolute favourite hot weather wear.
I cut the pattern in exactly the same way, setting aside the sleeve pattern pieces, of course, having decided to just bind the armholes with some home made bias binding. This is so easy to make it really is worth the effort.
The easiest way to make it is with a special bias binding maker. These come in different sizes, and I have a few different ones. You will need to cut some strips of fabric on the bias, or diagonal, of the fabric. The package will tell you how wide they need to be for the bias binding maker you have. To get an idea of how long to make the strips, measure around the armhole on the pattern and add a few more centimetres to give you some wiggle room.
Take the fabric strips to the ironing board and have your iron on a good steam setting. Cut one end of the fabric strip on the diagonal, to make it easier to feed through the wide end of the maker. You want to have the right side of the fabric facing outwards. If you need to ease it through a bit it is easy to do so with a needle or pin in the grove on the underside. You want to have about half a centimetre sticking out at this stage.
Turn the bias binding maker over so it's right side up and grasp the ring handle in one hand and the iron in the other hand. Press the end of the fabric with the very tip of the iron to hold it firmly and then steadily pull the handle so the maker slides along the fabric and the neatly folded bias binding will appear at the other end. You will slide the iron along the strip of binding as it appears, 'chasing' the binding maker. Press the bias binding as soon as it appears, otherwise it will quickly unfold itself! Be very, very careful with the hot iron though, so as not to burn yourself!! (Ask me how I know this...)
Leave the bias binding for a few minutes to cool completely and then it's ready to use! If it all goes wrong, press the strip flat and try again. Trust me, it gets easier with practise!
If you are adapting a pattern with sleeves to a sleeveless one you need to take into account the fact the pattern will have a 1.5cm seam allowance at the armholes, and bias binding is normally applied with a much narrower seam allowance. I forgot this the first time I did my sleeves and whilst they looked fine, they were feeling a little bit tight by the end of the day, so I unpicked them the next day and did them again, placing the first fold of the bias binding along the 1.5cm sewing line. The result is slightly wider armholes, which are perfectly comfortable.
Apply the bias binding in the usual way and then turn to the inside and topstitch close to the outside fold. Give everything a good press and ta dah! You've made a sleeveless dress. Here it is! I must say I am rather relieved it doesn't actually look like a pair of curtains that I was worried it might do!!
I am so pleased with my new dress and I will certainly be making this pattern again! I am going to try the three quarter length sleeves next, ready for the autumn weather!
Donna x
Hello friends,
I am happy to report that things in the life of Creative Mummy Bear and her loved ones are looking much brighter and breezier, and getting back to a more even keel.
One measure of this happy development is the resumption of my sewing. When my mind or heart are troubled I find sewing very trying and don't enjoy it at all, so I put it aside and gently shut the door of my sewing room. Joyously I have now thrown open the door, plugged all the machines in, dusted off the desks and away I go!
I started by making two dresses for my daughter, for her birthday. These are both tried and tested patterns that I know she likes and wears all the time. The first is in cotton lawn, and is Simplicity 1873, designed by Cynthia Rowley.
I have written about this pattern before, as I have made about a dozen of them to date! It's DD's absolute favourite pattern that she finds cool and comfortable for work, or can dress up for social events.
I haven't ever shown you the back, which I think is equally pretty, with pleats that go all the way around, and a neat, concealed zip.
I really like the unusual print, which is a sort of stripe in a way, but close up reminds me of lines of Edwardian ruffles.
The second is a washable wool blend pinafore dress - McCalls M7188 - again, one I have made for her before. DD is tall in the body, so I have added an inch to the bodice length. This makes it look overly long on Valerie, the mannequin, but perfect on DD.
I am pleased with this fabric too, as it looks very businesslike, with its small check.
I then decided to make something for ME! I chose a new pattern and some cotton lawn from my fabric cupboard. As you can see, the pattern is New Look, 6224, and one I actually hadn't made before!
I settled on View D, but added nearly 3 inches to the length, and swapped the long sleeves for the shorter ones, retaining the narrow binding to match the neck.
I'm really pleased with how it turned out and it is such a comfortable dress. It was quick and easy to sew too! The skirt is a full circle, cut in two pieces, with a side zip. As this is such a directional print, with hindsight I would have adjusted the layout of the skirt pieces so at least the flowers appeared upright in the middle. However, hindsight is a wonderful thing and I shall still enjoy wearing my dress, with its unique 'design feature'.
I like this pattern so much I have started another one! Some more lawn from my fabric cupboard. (I am enjoying 'shopping my stash'!) The print is so busy I was concerned it would look like I was wearing a pair of curtains, so I decided to make it sleeveless. I cut some bias binding from the scraps left after cutting out and will bind the armholes. I will let you know how it turns out!
I can't tell you how good it feels to be back in my sewing room again. Small pleasures are often the sweetest.
Donna x
Hello friends,
Well, it's finished! The sockie, scrappy blanket that was meant to be a really long, ongoing project, became therapy. I worked away at those little 4ply solid granny squares at every opportunity. I was fortunate enough to be gifted lots of sock wool leftovers by my lovely, yarny friends, so I kept going and going until I ran out of the background colour. I couldn't get any more of that so used every last piece!
Here it is!!
The finished blanket is 12 squares by 19 squares, so 228 squares in total. The finished size is 130 cm by 83 cm, making it a really lovely lap size. The solid granny square pattern is courtesy of my lovely friend, Lucy, Attic24, and can be found here. I did an extra round, to make them slightly bigger, as I was using a finer yarn. I used a 3mm hook.
I edged my blanket in some plum coloured sock yarn, which sets it off quite nicely I think. I did three rounds of half trebles (UK) and then a final round of crab stitch.
The background colour is Patons Diploma Gold, and felt a bit scratchy, so I used the trick that Christine (Winwick Mum) told me, which is to soak the finished item for five minutes in warm water to which a good squeeze of hair conditioner has been added. It really does soften things up nicely!
I laid it on the dining table to photograph and then wobbled about on a dining chair to try and get a decent picture. I tried an arty photo too ;)
I have loved this project so much and was a bit sad when the final square was done. However, last Friday Lucy very generously gave me all her sock leftovers... (Sock Yarn Leftover Heaven!)
...other ladies kindly rummaged in their project bags and I was so excited I made a start straight away!
I am planning on making this a full size blanket, and will buy some wool for the background colour. I was originally planning a natural colour, but am thinking of a pale grey, as the two sofas in one sitting room are a grey Yorkshire wool, and I think this would look rather nice. I shall keep pondering. And making squares... :)
Donna x
