New Pattern!!

Hello All,

So what so you think of this?

I'm super excited by it!! I'm thinking denim with bound button holes, sigh!  It's on my list!

Bye for now! Gem xxx

The Jumpsuit that's not a jumpsuit. . .

Hello!

So today I decided to take you back to a piece that I made pre blog but that I am so proud of.  

My Maxi Dress

I must apologise for the terrible picture, I may actually redo these!

So this is the dress that wasn't meant to be a dress.  I bought Vogue Misses Jumpsuit Pattern 1249 

with the intention of making just that, a jumpsuit, but I couldn't find a fabric I liked at the time.  Simultaneously I fell in love with this knit fabric:

And the idea of a maxi dress based on the pattern was born.  Now at this point I had sewn one item of clothing for myself and I needed this dress for a night out the following weekend so not only were the pattern and my timescale fairly ambitious in the first place changing the pattern should have scared the 'beep' out of me but it didn't so let me tell you what I did. 

Here's a view of the front taken from the Vogue pattern sleeve.

I was going to show you the pictures of the pattern pieces but I think in maybe not allowed to do that so I'll try and talk you through it.

The Bodice

Fully lined in the same fabric

Sizing I cut a 14 on top based on my measurements.

The main differences in the pattern and my construction are:

1) As I made it in a knit fabric I had no need for a zip which as a newbie was quite good news for me.

2)  The bodice is intended to be made in 5 pieces. 1 front, 2 side front, 2 side back and 2 back however due to the absence of a zip I was able to make the back in one piece. (This doesn't include the lining which was separate) 

3) I added straps. Simple enough to do.  I chose the bra I intended to wear with it and once my bodice was nearly completed (prior to attaching the lining) I decided where I wanted the straps to sit, how wide I wanted them to be how long I needed them to be and then cut out 2 strips of fabric, rectangles, to the width and length I needed them plus 5/8" seam allowance. I folded right sides together lengthwise, and sewed down the edge.  Then turned right side out, ironed and set into the bodice. 

4) I wasn't going to keep the grill along the bust but cut it out anyway to try it and I loved it so kept it. 

The skirt

Unlined as the fabric was heavy enough not to need it

Size I cut the largest size in order to make it as full as possible.

1) Instead of cutting 2 trouser legs on the fold, I still lay the pattern on the fold but I didn't cut the crotch out.  I extended the width of the waist by cutting from the fold straight across to the top of the pattern and over.

2) Before attaching to the bodice I created box pleats in the front as gathers are not very flattering for me but I obviously needed to make the skirt for to bodice properly. 

I'm really hoping all this makes sense?  This is definitely a patten I intended to use again both in the same manner to make another maxi dress and to make a jumpsuit too.  Perfect for  Project 2014!  The actual jumpsuit utilises boning which is something I'd love to get my teeth into. 

So what do you think? 

Thank you for reading, Gem xx

Blythe Challenge Lauren

Hello everyone,

I'd like to introduce you to the second of my Blythe challengers today so without further ado I bring you:

Lauren is a lovely lady who I met through a few Facebook sewing groups but have since become friends with in real life!  How mad does that sound? 

'Im a foster carer from south west scotland, I love to sew and have an addiction to fabric'. (She's not lying about the addiction folks, what Lauren doesn't have in her stash isn't worth having!) 

Lauren learned to sew at school but has been doing it as a frequent hobby for the last couple of years.  Along with sewing children's clothes Lauren makes gorgeous quilts which you can see on her lovely page on Facebook,  Made By Lolly S

I sent Lauren this picture 

Original source: Custom Blythe Clementine by Rabbit Without Tears

Laurens make . . . 

A sweet baby girl dress in age 6-9month.

Complete with back sash and delicate frills.

When I asked Lauren why she got involved with this challenge this was her reply:

'cause I'm daft!!! Gem made idea sound interesting so thought 'why not!!' 

I think the inspiration Was clear from the get go, very girly and the same colour scheme.  

'The picture terrified me but after lots of stressing and panicking I made a decision'

Didn't she do a wonderful job?  It's most certainly the kind of dress I'd have put Bug in as a baby!

Thank you for joining us today Lauren! Hope you have a busy festive period at Made By Lolly S

Do you fancy taking a turn in the Blythe Challenge?  Drop me a line at gemscarsmith@googlemail.com and we can chat.

Thanks for reading, Gem xxx

Blythe Challenge Eleanor

Hello

Today I'm sharing my blog with the lovely Eleanor of CraftCreaseCrumb. 

As well as running CraftCreaseCrumb 31year old Eleanor is a home schooling mum, to a  brood of 5, from the south wales valley.

' I love creating "things". At the moment I am enjoying a sewing phase. But I also love to cook, crochet, needle felt, glass paint and make jewellery' 

She has taken The Blythe Challenge so let's she what she came up with.

I sent her this picture:

Original source can be found  here though I found it on Pinterest. 

Eleanor's make. . . . 

A beautiful bag based on Blythes own in the picture. 

(How beautiful is this?) 

So how did this gorgeous creation come to be?  I sent Eleanor a little questionnaire to get find out. 

1) First off: who are you and how long have you been sewing? 

 'Ive only been sewing for a few months. Started out making a bedroom runner and matching bed cushions and then got hooked on making clothes and bags!'

2) What made you to take part in this challenge?

'I love, love, love surprises and learning something new so this gave me a chance to do develop some new skills and have fun too!'

3) How did your picture inspire your creation?

'I instantly got grabbed by the oh so cute mini bags. I bought handles before I started sewing as something I "needed". Got the inspiration and supplies, sorted.'

4) Anything else you would like to add?

'In future I will be viewing pics on the laptop before I get inspired. On the iPhone the (original) pic looked red, oops.'

I'd like to thank this wonderful lady for taking part in my challenge, 'you did a great job, Eleanor'.  Good luck with both your Blog and Facebook Page!

Tomorrow we have Lauren joining us from Made By Lolly S can't wait!

Thank you for stopping by today!

Gem xxx

The Blythe Challenge

Morning!!

Do you remember this post when I told you about my slight obsession with Blythe dolls?  

If not I'll tell you again!!! I absolutely LOVE them and if I could change myself I'd want to look like one.  It's ok if you find that weird, hubby does! Anyhoo so I love them and they will feature in this blog LOTS mainly in the form of The Blythe Challenge now I do appreciate not everyone knows what they are so here is a wee link. 

Check out my Pinterest (Gem Smith) you'll find a board on them. 

'What is this challenge??' I hear you cry! Well as the meerkats would tell ya it's 'simples'

Anyone taking part will be sent a Blythe picture by me and the aim is to use it to inspire a make.  This 'make' can be as close to or as abstract to the picture as you wish and can be anything! An item of clothing, an accessory, a quilt ANYTHING the only stipulation is that it must be a sewn item (or knitting). 

I want to see people Go wild!!

So pop in on Monday to see the first Blythe Inspired make from Eleanor from the blog CraftCreaseCrumb and the Facebook page of the same name. 

If you fancy giving the challenge a go feel free to drop me an email at gemscarsmith@googlemail.com

And I love chatting for feel free to drop me a comment below.

Bye for now! Gem xx

Stalking the postman!

Hello all!

I've been stalking the postie, should I really tell you that?  Does it make me sound odd? Or do you understand?  I was waiting anxiously/ nervously / excitedly for 2 pairs  of bamboo circular needles!  And guess what???!

They are here!!!!!!  Please ignore the wool in this pic I was too excited to wait for new wool so I cast on and had at it haha!

Eeeeeeeek!! 1 size 4.5mm (US 7) and 1 size 5mm (US 6) As you know I LOVE to knit but I've never done a big project and I've never used circular needles.  This is about to change when I start working on the the beautiful cardigan they (who? Eh all bloggers everywhere!) call the Miette!  It's a free pattern you can find here on Ravelry.  I've seen it on a few blogs such as Making It Well  so go have a look and while you're there go and read it ALL it's a fab sewing and knitting blog and Jo who writes it has very kindly agreed to help me should (read when) I get stuck, thank you Jo.  

Ok so go read and have a fab weekend! Gem xxx

Wearable nearly!

Hello all!

Ok so don't laugh, they aren't exactly stunning BUT here's my first pair of knickers nearly finished!!

I have learned so much which I will share with you in the next couple of days when I have collected my thoughts a little better on them.  I am super keen to make more!   Project 2014 is taking shape!

Also next week I am going to be showing off the work of 2 of my sewing friends.  I set them a little challenge recently and I'm so excited to show you what thy both came up with!

Bye for now!