Baby Shower Sewing

Last Sunday I went to my first ever baby shower, my DD's friend is having twins in the New Year. This has not been a straightforward journey for her and I am delighted that she is having a little girl and a little boy, very exciting.

Well, here is the young Mum-to-Be in the maternity dress I made for her, when she was at the height of  'all day sickness' and feeling terrible ...

... and now you can see why the fabric choice was perfect for her! She loves this dress and I am so pleased to have been able to make such an individual dress for her.

I'd never made baby shower gifts before so I kept it simple:
I had bought some clothes and hooded baby towels so I made drawstring bags to put them in - I thought they'd come in handy for storing nappies or as laundry bags for the babies.

And a couple of matching tag blankets. I've seen these about (they hadn't been invented when my children were born) and I made sure to use ribbons of different colours and textures. Everything is very securely sewn, just to be on the safe side, and I used flannel on the back to give another texture.
I know they're simple but S was really pleased with them.

The fabrics were from my precious stash bought in Japan last year, both of theses were from Yuzawaya. I only had a metre of each - all I have left is scraps :)

Jacq
x

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"Autumn in Tokyo" Dress - The Sew Weekly Reunion

I have tied myself in knots - staggering I know, it's totally not like me to give myself a hard time!



See that smile?  That's because the dress fits at bust and shoulders with
no pulling at the front and no gaping at the back - result!

 

 

 

In my head this is how The Sew Weekly Pantone challenge would go:

1. I would make a garment using the Pantone Autumn 2013 colours
2. I would finish it well before the deadline
3. It would be a dress - because I need some and I would be brave and overcome my cowardice fear of accommodating my bust - thus achieving my Sewlution too
4. I would use one of the 2 fabulous patterns sent to me by Barbara as part of the swap - both of which were dresses, how serendipitous
5. I would definitely incorporate some of the beautiful notions Barbara sent me
6. I would use only stash fabric, thus adding to the total for August for the Style The Stash sewalong and removing some of the guilt about the amount of fabric I've added to my stash in the last few weeks!
7. I would make sure the inside of my dress was as well finished as the outside, I have an overlocker after all
8. I would follow the instructions to the letter

Well, I managed 1, 2, 3 and 6 - so I guess 50% is pretty good!  I am not going to beat myself up over it.

My fabric choice made a huge impact on my plans.  I'd identified 16 possible pieces but when I looked afresh I felt that this was the best match for colours:

I bought this in Tokyo last September, it's a beautifully soft cotton.
There were challenges because it is actually a sarong, so very narrow - more
on that below

Because of the limited amount of fabric I had to work with I couldn't use either of the dress patterns Barbara sent me in the swap - they just needed more than I had.  So, it was back to the drawing board and a search through my patterns.

I chose Butterick B5450 because it requires so little fabric.   Also, because of the way the bodice is constructed with pleats I thought it would give me the opportunity to tweak a little bit and end up with a fitted dress that didn't pull across the bust.  I made a muslin of View A and, with a bit of faffing around, had a fit I was happy with.

I am so thrilled about this I can't express it - if Karen comes checking up on my Sewlution I have totally nailed it, I won't need to hide behind the sofa!

Sadly, my fabric choice didn't work with any of the notions Barbara sent me either - but that just gives me something to look forward to when I'm not so constrained by colour choice.  I already have a plan ...

So here goes, The Sew Weekly Facts:

As you can see, I was right at the end of my fabric,
I spent a lot of time figuring out how to make all the
pattern pieces fit

Fabric:  A beautiful sarong that I bought in a flea market in Tokyo last September.  The colours were perfect for this challenge, the size of the fabric was not!  Although I had 2.2 metres in length the fabric width was about 75cm.  It was tight!

On the plus side, width doesn't count in the Style the Stash sewalong - as it's the only thing I've managed to make in August I need to count every centimetre.

 

This is how much fabric I had left from each end of the sarong - literally scraps

Notions: Just a recycled zip (charity shop find) and thread. 

Pantone Challenge colors:  Acai and Vivacious.  There are also slight hints of Linden Green too.

Pattern:  Butterick B5450

Year:  Circa 2010.  I bought the pattern last year as an OOP - part of a bundle of 3 for £5 last September at a craft fair.

Time to complete:  This is tricky.  I spent one evening after work making and fiddling with a muslin.  It was totally worth it though and I'm so glad I did.

I made the dress on Sunday - apart from hand stitching (bodice lining and around the zip).  I definitely added time because I really didn't like the instructions for putting the dress together.  I was determined to try to stick to them (because for some reason I'd put that on my list!) but the lining instructions were bonkers - I'm not doing it like that again - there was swearing!

And the zip insertion made no sense to me so I reverted to Winnie's brilliant tutorial - she's never let me down yet!  That meant I inserted, removed and inserted the zip again.

 

All in all, probably about 10 hours - I'm slow obviously.

However, when I make it again, and I will, it'll be much quicker.  And I'll finish all the insides properly - this is totally ridiculous but I forgot to use my overlocker - seriously.  You couldn't make it up could you?  I think I got so befuddled trying to make myself follow instructions I didn't like that I just picked up my pinking shears without thinking!

Most importantly, it fits - so that trumps absolutely everything else!

First worn:  Today, for work which included a multi-agency meeting - I wouldn't wear all of my handmade garments in that environment, this dress felt smart enough :)

Wear again?  Absolutely, I've had so many compliments today.  My favourite was a male colleague asking me if I make my dresses to match my existing jewellery!

Total Cost: 

• The fabric was 440 yen, at today's exchange rate that's about £2.90 
• The zip was part of a bundle I bought in a charity shop, probably about 10p
• I've had the thread in my stash for ages, I have no idea how much that cost, I'm calling it £1
• The lining fabric was scraps leftover from part of a dance costume my daughter had years ago so I'm calling that £0.00. 
• Cost of pattern was about £1.70

Grand total - £5.70 - woo hoo!

Forgive the wrinkles (on the dress not me!)
Photos get taken at the end of the day, when P is here to take them,
at least that way I know garments have passed the wearability test!

 

Well, I've really enjoyed taking part in The Sew Weekly Reunion - thank you to everyone who organised it for all of your hard work.

Jacq
x

Lisette Continental Dress - The Sequel

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Night (please select appropriate greeting!)

It's another beautiful day here - I'm so glad I made another of these dresses

Close up of the triple stitching on my neck binding - I'm really enjoying the things I can do with my new machine. This photo is a much better indication of the actual colours.

P and I are trying to figure out if the terrible photos are my responsibility because I:

1. can't abide having my photo taken
2. take all the photos in this family (see 1) so he doesn't get much time behind the camera
3. am much shorter than him so he has to stand very awkwardly to get a straight-on shot - often resulting in a Hall of Mirrors effect!

or, his fault because

1. he's failed to find any way to make me comfortable when I know I'm having my photo taken
2. see 2 on my list
3. see 3 on my list, not helped by P's bad knees!

Needless to say I don't do the garment's justice but any attempted photo taking does end up with us both in fits of laughter so that's positive :) Apparently Doris is a lot less trouble.

I got brave and used some of my precious fabric stash from Japan - at current exchange rates this works out at about £6.30 for the 2 metres, I have only scraps left. It's lovely quality, really soft as if it's already a well-worn piece that's been worn a few times - does that make any sense?

This is the second item I've made in a couple of weeks that is linked to a trip we've taken - I think this is the best type of souvenir :)

I'm not going to review how this make went as I did that in detail with my red version last week. I'll just add that I cut the straight 8 this time and it's perfect. Oh, and I forgot to mention properly last time but one of the things I really like about this is that it's a cool, sleeveless summer dress but I can wear a normal bra - I avoid strapless as much as possible, have never found a comfortable/flattering one yet.
So I have No 3 to make for my DD's pregnant friend and then I'll put this pattern aside and try something new.
x

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Is it time to get up? Fabric shopping in Tokyo & a Giveaway

As I'm sitting in bed at 3am with a cup of Earl Grey and a cereal bar I thought I might as well do something constructive - and it's a bit early to get the sewing machine out!

So, here is what I bought in Tokyo (I didn't go looking for fabric when we were in the mountains). I'll do another post with more details of plans for each fabric but here's an overview:

This little lot was bought over 3 separate days and adds up to 29 metres, do I have a problem?

I actually found the experience quite stressful which seems ridiculous because I was so looking forward to it. I'm clearly a total muppet but here's the thing - I am just not used to having the choice, it was literally overwhelming. P, J & F were so supportive but it was a group trip and I didn't want my craft buying to take over. We split up and did our own thing when P and I went to Nippori which was totally the right thing to do. I read a lot of advice before travelling to Tokyo but, for what it's worth I'll add my view:

1. If you only have time to go fabric shopping once go to Nippori - it's easy to get to, the public transport system is great. The shops are condensed on one street and over a few blocks. It will look overwhelming at first but you can eliminate some shops by type of fabric they stock. Tomato is brilliant and spread over 5 locations, by fluke I realised I actually made all my fabric purchases in branches of that store. You will not get fabric cheaper than in Nippori in a store*. Buy it, you'll regret it!

My Nippori stash, laid out on the hotel bed.

2. Do not expect to find bargains in fabric stores - I'm not saying this is a problem, you will actually find amazing choice and beautiful fabrics and notions but they will not be cheap, I found no significant difference in prices to the UK. Liberty fabric and american quilting fabrics were well stocked but far more expensive for obvious reasons.

These are my purchases from Yuzawaya. There are branches all over the city. We went to the one in Takashimaya Times Square building in Shinjuku. If you're travelling with non-fabric buyers this is great as there are lots of other stores for them to visit in the same complex and restaurants (very important if you travel with my brother who needs regular cake and coffee!). Tokyo Hands is also in this building - go there, it is brilliant, we got fabulous things for Christmas stocking gifts. (Apologies if I've offended anyone by mentioning the 'C' word in September - I'm a planner!).

The fabric shopping trollies in Yuzawaya were perfect.

3. Get yourself to a flea market* - this is where you will find bargains outside Nippori. We were limited as we didn't have a shopping Sunday in Tokyo and that's when most of them take place. However, F found one on Saturday and it was amazing! There was an entire Craft section, we all bought loads of different things, a great way to spend the morning. I loved this fabric shopping the most, I think I enjoy the randomness of what you'll find, finding a use for something no longer wanted or needed by the previous owner - or I'm just cheap! I don't have photos, it wasn't appropriate and I didn't want to offend anybody there. Do an internet search before you visit, F found it easy to get info, and you may well get to see an area of the city you wouldn't have visited.

My fabric finds at the flea market - 10.4 metres in total for about £12. I'd have paid far more than that for 1 of the cat fabrics at home.

And these are the non-fabric crafty purchases I made:

There were loads of stores I didn't get to, Marunan in Shibuya being one on my list, but I did OK, no complaints. And my non-sewing travelling companions were the best and a bit disappointed that I didn't buy much - seriously!

Having bought myself so many things it seemed only right to have a little giveaway. I'm still slightly bemused that there's anyone out there reading my ramblings, let alone taking time to leave comments, I do appreciate it. I'll happily post anywhere so, if you're a follower, please leave a comment and I'll adopt the really technical approach of putting names in a hat. You've a good chance of winning on my little blog, here's what's up for grabs ...

A bin kit (the beautiful paper is for covering the bin and it's perfect table-top size for threads etc when sewing), 2 buckles (1 navy, 1 brown), a brooch kit (as with the bin the instructions are mostly drawings so I think will be easy to follow), 2 rolls of sewing themed washi tape (close up below) ...

Don't you just love it? The gift rolls are still pristine and wrapped but tricky to photograph, the opened ones above are mine.

Deadline for comments is Sunday 30th September - good luck.

:)

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Jet Lag is Not My Friend

We had the most wonderful time in Japan, we met family there too as my brother Yoda and his partner flew from San Francisco which made the trip even more special. We packed so much into the week but knew we'd never manage to do everything on our cumulative lists - still, we gave it our best shot.

But I am knackered, properly "can't retrieve the correct words" weary. I was just getting over the jet lag on the way out and we got on a plane and flew home. My brother spends his life flying long haul, I have no idea how he does it.

And Blogsy is not playing ball today, I don't have the foggiest idea why not but have no energy to wrestle with it!

So, here are a few photos of random wonderfulness, if you ever get the chance to visit Japan I'd recommend you grab it with both hands.








Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden









Shibuya crossing





Tokyo Skytree





Sensoji Temple with Yoda (Brother No 1)





Paper shop in Asakusa

Tsukiji fish market

The Three Wise Monkeys at Nikko

Our amazing room at Hotel Honke Bankyu, Yunishigawa-onsen

One of 15 (yes, 15) beautiful courses we ate for dinner
I'll plough through the washing today! Perhaps take a little nap, and then photograph my purchases (there were a few!) to share. I even have a little giveaway planned by way of a thank you for following my ramblings - Arigato.

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Postcard from Nippori

Wish you were here ...

Love

Jacq

X

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Sayonara

And we're off ... one more sleep. I am knackered, too excited to sleep properly this week, really busy at work and social commitments for the last 3 evenings. I'm ever hopeful this means I will sleep on the plane ... Something I am hopeless at. I'm so glad I broke the back of the packing on Sunday. Just need to throw in the last few bits, paint my toe nails and we're good to go!

When do you feel like you're actually on holiday? My boy is taking us to the airport tomorrow and we need to be there at silly o'clock in the morning so traffic should not be an issue but you never know with the M25. For me it's once we've checked in - I love that pottering about at the airport stage, having a cuppa and browsing through the Duty Free (which I never, ever buy but just have to look at, I think it's compulsory isn't it?).

So this is where I plan to be next week:

Woo hoo!

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