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/