Shut In Sunday Scribblings ending 24 May

More information garnered by our members during the past week.
Members have suggested interesting sewists to follow-
Emily Hallman - on Instagram @emilyhallmandesigns and her blog : this week's post on her blog is called 'Why I Sew in Collections' http://emilyhallman.com/2020/05/20/why-i-sew-in-collections/
Martha Moore Porter- on Instagram @burieddiamond

The Stitch Sisters have produced a youtube video on draft it yourself dungarees. https://www.thestitchsisters.co.uk/diy-dungaree-overalls/?mc_cid=0423e83af9&mc_eid=9f0155556a

If you are interested in bra-making or thinking about it here are 3 videos by Liz Sews that may help https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9MuxfFaiDc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TwOrw1bJRo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UnCCRwE6d8

 The Fashion Box in East London have launched a service for making pattern blocks to your specific measurements so, If you have been struggling to get a bodice/ trouser/ jacket block to fit you, this might be what you need.
https://www.thefashionbox.co.uk/blocks

 One member cracked the blind hem by machine with the help of a you tube video - clear explanation. She has other videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/madetosew

Happy sewing to you all.

Shut In Sunday Scribblings ending 17 May 2020

 

 Another week in lockdown and more information from members with ideas to keep us occupied

Free pattern for limited time only. From "Michelle Sews" comes what looks like a beautifully drafted pencil skirt, fully lined with kick pleat, zip guard and pockets and very clear instructions. https://michellesews.com/agnes-skirt/

Are you in love with vintage patterns then this one is free now https://www.mrsdepew.com/blouse-and-dress-patterns/1930s/1930s-neglige-robe-or-dress.html

Another free pattern from Mrsdepew.com enables you to add a vintage touch to a dress or top with these collar and cuffs   https://www.mrsdepew.com/accessories/1940s-collar-cuffs--jabot.html

Another free pattern, a button front skirt with pockets, from Ready to Sew. https://readytosew.fr/en/shop/9-justine-skirt-free-pattern.html

Useful post on the Tilly and the Buttons blog on how to do a full bust adjustment on a dartless bodice. https://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/2020/05/full-bust-adjustment-fitting-dartless-bodice.html

Youtube instructions on how to draft your own jumpsuit from Rosery Apparel 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RykWzIMc5U

More from Rosery Apparel just uploaded on youtube- free pattern for bucket hat. Anyone intending to go trekking in the African bush or even strolling along the promenade at Brighton, you definitely need this hat.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vDXTc_PYmI&list=UUbPC0wmKa51g4JdIRC9Td2Q&index=2&t=0s

 Thank you to everyone for their contribution and chat.  We will also be chatting online with a Zoom meetup next Sunday so come and join in.

Shut In Sunday Scribblings ending 10 May 2020

A number of topics came up in this week’s Shut in Sunday Scribblings so here is the information from the members that took part- thank you to all of you.

Swimsuit patterns and Swimwear Fabric

The following are all available as PDF downloads and the first 3 are free patterns to download

https://www.moodfabrics.com/blog/the-sherwood-swimsuit-free-sewing-pattern/
https://www.moodfabrics.com/blog/the-reed-swimsuit-free-sewing-pattern/
https://www.moodfabrics.com/blog/the-cordia-high-waisted-swimsuit-free-sewing-pattern/

https://stitchuponatime.com/product/two-piece-bundle/

Suggested Fabric Suppliers for Swimwearsuggested by members - Sew me sunshine https://sewmesunshine.co.uk/ have some swim fabrics.  Funki fabric having a good selection  https://www.funkifabrics.com/

Fabric and alternative patterns are available from  the following site  

Vintage Style

Free (lockdown offer) digital vintage 1930s button front skirt pattern 32 inch waist from Mrs Depew
http://www.mrsdepew.com/blouse-and-dress-patterns/1930s/1930s-slim-skirt-3057-1933.html

Check out more of this site for lots of other vintage goodies and freebies http://www.mrsdepew.com/freebies.html

Another vintage site where patterns and other information vintage, such as films of fashion shows  etc.,  is available is https://www.thevintagepatternshop.com/  However one member commented on the patterns as follows “There are some fabulous patterns to drool over. But I've bought a couple and I haven't been at all impressed by the quality for the price, as they are somewhat 'hand drawn' tracings. Not to put people off entirely, but forewarned is forearmed.”

Blog posts with useful information.

Brilliant blog post from Sew Sarah Smith on complex pattern matching. https://sewsarahsmith.com/2020/05/06/how-to-pattern-match-complex-prints-sewing-tip/#more-21866

If you feel like drafting your own dress then the latest blog post from "The Shape of Fabric" is for you.
https://www.theshapesoffabric.com/2020/05/04/5-dress-pattern-ideas-for-the-summer/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=draft_your_own_dress_patterns_for_the_summer&utm_term=2020-05-04

Embellishing your garments

One member had a go at machine smocking as seen on The Great British Sewing Bee, episode 3 and posted photographs on the Meetup site.  It looked very effective and is a quick means of achieving an effect that , done by hand stitching, takes some time to do.

Another method of embellishment, which seems to be more popular in the USA, is a method developed by Natalie Chanin.  Definitely one for those into slow sewing. Check it out -https://journal.alabamachanin.com/tag/stencils-patterns/https://journal.alabamachanin.com/tag/stencils-patterns/
Here is Natalie on The Moth talking about handsewing practice, making peace with Alabama and making ‘New York City Fashion’ by hand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka-ok3vD-j8&list=PLwqPCA5hHQBb4xcSAmic5yWxcwrASWfHq

Documenting your making

I was given a Sew Crafty Sewing Journal https://www.liveitloveitmakeit.com/2015/08/sew-crafty-sewing-journal.html but I am coming to the end of it now and would like to continue recording my making. I wondered what other methods there are so I asked members if they kept any record and how.

6 people responded, 2 of these did not keep a record of their makes, 1 used Trello to record their patterns and made notes on this or on the PDF download, 2 used Instagram but, in addition, one also took photographs and used her blog and the other also kept an A5 notebook  dedicated to dressmaking with all kinds of ideas, sketches, inspirational pictures, technique notes etc. to enable her to look back upon her thoughts. 1 member uses an A4 clothes design sketch pad with figure outlines and recording size used, pattern alterations, notes for amendments in the future.  The sheet is then hole punched and stored in a ring binder. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fashion-Sketchpad-Templates-Designing-Portfolio/dp/0811877884/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=clothes+design+sketchbook&qid=1589191217&sprefix=clothes+design+ske&sr=8-4

I have been thinking of creating my own Sewing Journal along the lines of this one made and described by With My Hands Dream( and with free downlodable sheet to print out).  https://withmyhandsdream.com/2017/07/17/make-your-own-sewists-notebook-free-printable-templates/

I have created my own croquis, using a photograph taken in my underwear of my front and my back, so perhaps I will use this together with some of the ideas gleaned from the above contributions to make a Journal that has all the features that I want.  

Join us for this week's Shut In Sunday Scribblings on the Meetup site, you can add your comments at anytime and do not have to wait until Sunday   https://www.meetup.com/dressmakers/events/270580916/

Shut In Sunday Scribblings ending 3 May 2020

We are carrying on sewing most definitely. Alix and Clare have been sewing PPE and still had time to do some sewing of their own.  Maureen is practising sustainable sewing and will be using a GIANT charity shop t-shirt to cut up for fabric- look forward to seeing what you make.  Clare is about to tackle a UFO.

Here's some information that came out of this week's Meetup Scribbling.

Free pattern download. Really, really simple dress. https://www.lisawagnerlondon.com/?fbclid=IwAR0cglgwmAaBbIVxVuPmjZ-AlOB88b76bdyjgEZ90Qa8URGpv2ick66saR4

Podcasts we like

Currently  issuing episodes
 Sew and Tell  https://www.sewdaily.com/category/sewandtell/
Love to Sew https://lovetosewpodcast.com/
Clothes Making Mavens http://www.clothesmakingmavens.com/

 Past podcasts to listen to
While She Naps  https://whileshenaps.com/category/the-podcast/episodes/

 Blogs we like because they show how they achieve their makes in detail

Wanderstitch - a weekly blog https://www.wanderstitch.com/
 Catherine Daze- https://blog.cyberdaze.org/

That's it for this week.  I hope you are all staying as safe as you can and managing to get some sewing done.  If you have any Podcasts, Blogs or Vlogs that you think interesting and inspiring, please let us know in the comments below.  Better still if you have a blog, vlog or podcast yourself  please give us the link.