One Week, One Pattern 2014 - done!

This week I've been taking part in 'One Week One Pattern' an online challenge designed to make you use your sewing patterns more than once! Basically you choose a pattern and wear as many versions as you like for seven days. I chose Deer and Doe's Plantain t-shirt, partly because I had four already when the challenge was announced so it wouldn't involve any panic sewing, and partly because I love the pattern - it's comfy, it's flattering, and it's free. Lovely!

Here is my recap of the week;

Day 1; kicking things off with a soft grey jersey Plantain. I extended the hem by 3 inches and added a little bit to the short sleeves. Would you believe I have three grey coats?! I made this to go underneath them and coordinate with my scarves which also have grey in the print.

Day 2; long sleeved purple jersey, again extended by 3 inches to make a tunic length. This top turned out a little big everywhere and I have no idea why. I was able to fix things round the sleeves and down the sides but unfortunately the neckband was sewn on and I couldn't alter the shoulders so the neckline slips off and shows my bra straps if I'm not careful.

 I wasn't feeling brilliant when this was taken so it's just a quick snap by the wardrobe doors.

Day 3; the 50s Hard Rock Cafe Plantain (that's what the fabric is called). I was super-careful with the placement of the print on this one which is why I'm pointing at the record player in the centre back - it could have been unfortunate if I had ended up with JFKs face on a boob. 0_o

Day 4; this is my favourite Plantain of all. The fabric is called Seashells. I wore this to the fabric shop where I bought it and got complimented by the assistant, she has some of it in her stash too!

Day 5; the mermaid Plantain. I have to confess that I only wore this for a little while. I love the sequins, combined with the colour they make me think of scales on a mermaids tail, but they are so itchy! I totally understand now why RTW garments don't usually have sequins all over, if I made it again I would use a different fabric for the back, sleeves and neckband, and I would line the front. 

Never mind, live and learn. 

Day 6; the black micro sequin disco Plantain. This one is a little less itchy but so glam that I never go anywhere without feeling overdressed wearing it. This was the first Plantain I ever made.

Day 7; a plain black Plantain worn with Anita Ponte pants made from wild print scuba jersey. This is another top made to coordinate with things already in my wardrobe, it's very versatile.

Thoughts on OWOP;

This was my first online sewing challenge and it's been fun. I've really enjoyed sharing my pics on Instagram every day and seeing everybody else's makes. I've found some new and inspiring people to follow and I'm looking forward to seeing their future sewing projects. I've started to hope that Me Made  May will be possible for me next year if I continue building my handmade wardrobe.

BUT (also Instagram related) I have to admit that I've compared my t-shirts with other people's beautiful blouses and dresses and felt that I may have chosen practicality over style while making my Plantains. I realised that I've only made one long sleeved top and it doesn't even have the elbow patches that are a feature of the pattern! What about a lace overlay? Or some kind of colour blocking? Or a wonderful zebra print body with striped sleeves??? My versions have expanded my wardrobe but I don't feel like they have captured the creative aspects of the pattern.

Hmmmm, I guess that means I'm not done with the Plantain just yet.....

Thanks to Jane for organising the challenge and giveaways, it's been an interesting week. I've certainly been thinking about gorgeous style vs boring wearability due to OWOP and anything that generates new ideas is great for me. I hope she will do it again next year :)

New Look 6181 - summer sewing!

I have to admit that I would never have looked twice at this pattern if it hadn't been included for free with  Sew Home magazine

It seems to be an unloved design with the rest of the world too - no-one has reviewed it on Pattern Review, I can't find any other bloggers with photos of the finished garment - it seems to have sunk without trace.

Which is a shame because it turned out well for me! I've been wearing it since the middle of August when I got desperate for something cool to wear. I've worn it casual, like in the photos, and smart with posh shoes and jewelry. It's a really versatile dress. 

I added a thin fabric belt round the waist to mirror the thin ties on the back neck. I also threaded silver beads onto the tie ends to give a bit of interest and weight. I love the bias drape of the back cowl neckline!

This pattern is definitely worth a second look. One little bit of advice; the pattern allows a lot of ease above your body measurements so its worth looking at the finished measurements on the pattern and asking yourself how loose you want the dress to be. Otherwise it's a straightforward pattern and I thoroughly recommend it.

Colette Sorbetto

If you can sew then you've probably already made one, and if you can't sew then you probably could make one - Sorbetto top from Colette patterns. It's a free pattern, download it now! http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/sorbetto

This top cost under £5 to make, which is a total bargain because it turned out so cute! I used 'Brighton Bows' poly cotton fabric, and pre-made green bias tape, both from Fabricland. Then I bought some green bow earrings from eBay to match the print, you can just about see them in the picture. (I'm pulling that face because my husband was messing around! Sadly the door in the background isn't our house, we were visiting the Vyne (National Trust) and I decided it would be a good photo opportunity for my top.)

I did make a muslin to check the size, which I would recommend. It's not a close-fitting design - you can see where the fabric is blowing round my hips in the breeze - but I had to take it in a little under the arms to make sure that the armholes wouldn't gape and display my bra to the world. Not a good look when you are nearly 37.  ^_^

Anyway, I love it and I may even make another! And on the strength of this pattern I bought the Colette Sewing Handbook which I will hopefully post about soon :)