52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEKS NINE AND TEN

Week Nine

With so much travel, my machine has been unloved. All I managed was a quick pair of boxer shorts for Jarvis. He choose the two fabrics and I love how he has managed to match/contrast them.

Image is the reality of the boxer shorts. After wearing them to bed, in the morning they get dumped on the floor, sometimes in the bathroom, sometimes in his bedroom, mostly willy nilly around the house.

Week Ten

Last week I opted to make something for myself. Jarvis again picked the fabric, and I got it made in quick time. So much so, I have already worn this new skirt twice.

The skirt has been named Honor, after Honor Blackman, the actress who plays Pussy Galore in the James Bond film Goldfinger.

The fabric is 100% cotton, and as you can tell in me naming it, has cats all over it. As usual all seams were either given the Hong Kong seam treatment with yellow bias, or French seamed. 

Also to note, Jarvis's love of colour yet again influences my style, note only is the fabric pattern something I would not normally choose for myself, but the yellow is not a colour I have in my wardrobe. The posses were also directed by Jarvis. Yes, he makes my world fun.

BEATRICE: SHE WHO MAKES HAPPY

It is the little things that I like to take my time with when sewing. French seams where possible, if not a Hong Kong seam with a contrasting bias. Decorative stiches. Definitely hand made. But hand made with love.

I originally bought this fabric because of Jarvis's love of bees. But, now it has gone on to a customer who deserves to have 'Beatrice' in her life.

Beatrice (Italian):  is a name derived from the French name Béatrice, which came from the Latin Beatrix, which means " she who makes happy".

This skirt definitely made me happy while making it. I sure hope it brings Same happiness as well. 

IT"S WHAT IS ON THE INSIDE THAT COUNTS. HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH SEAM

I have not done a post on sewing of late, as a lot have been Christmas presents. However, I took a break from Christmas sewing about two weeks ago and made myself a skirt to wear for Jarv's birthday.

Rather than just showing another skirt I have made, I thought I would show the inside and reveal I am as OCD with my sewing as I am with cleaning.

All seams are finished on the overlocker, then turned to hide this by using a French seam. A French seam is often used when the fabric is too delicate to overcast the seam allowance to prevent raveling. The construction of a French seam provides a clean, finished, professional look to the inside of the garment. But I like to use this on most garment, regardless of fabric.

Step 1

Make note of the of the difference between the “right” and “wrong” side of the fabric you are using. With a French seam's construction, it requires that you be aware of the difference so that they are properly oriented in each step.

Step 2

With the right sides facing out, pin material together, pinning entire length of edge where the French seam will be. You will be sewing the seam to the outside of the garment in this step.

Step 3

Overlock, or machine sew the edge. If machining, use pinking shears to finish the edge.

Step 4

Unfold with the right sides up. Press entire length of trimmed seam allowance, pressing both edges flat and to one common side. DO NOT press seam open! Be sure to use a setting on your iron that will not damage the fabric. Okay for the sake of honest, here is where I admit I always skip this step. I have made it to 45 without ever owning an iron.

Step 5

Fold material along newly created seam with wrong sides out. Now you are working on the inside of the garment. 

Step 6

Press entire length of seam flat at fold on wrong side. Be sure to use a setting on your iron that will not damage the fabric. Again I skip this step

Step 7

With wrong sides out, pin folded material together, pinning entire length of pressed seam created in Step 6.

Step 8

Stitch a 3/8" seam allowance along the entire length of the edge pinned in Step 7. Remove pins after the seam allowance has been sewn.

Step 9

Unfold with the wrong sides up. Press entire length of seam flat to one side. Be sure to use a setting on your iron that will not damage the fabric. Or again skip this step if like me you hate irons.

Step 10

Give yourself a pat on the back. The OCD in you will be happy with the neat finished seams!

This does add some bulk when you are using a heavier fabric, yet because of the style if skirts/dresses I like and sew this does not matter.

Now in keeping with the honesty, I will show some of the images that happened. Okay, so I am no model!

Ha! Look at me being all serious and model like!!

Close up of the fabric.

Thanks goes to Tamika for taking the photos for me.