Denim Skirt re make

This is the skirt I made earlier this Summer. I was very pleased with it but after a couple of wearing, I felt the waistband was too tight, it wasn't comfortable plus the band was too high.
 Knowing that if I did any changes, I would leave marks when any of the seams were removed. Should I - shouldn't I. I jumped in the deep end, took of the waistband and removed the back darts. Working with steam, a damp cloth, a "ham" and pins. I started pressing. At first, I just pressed the dart over the ham. While the fabric was still damp I stretch it and held the area  taught with pins and pressed again. After I had released the pins I continued to stretch the damp fabric. That helped pull the white denim threads back into place.                 With caution I trimmed the front then  I cut a new curved facing type waistband.

I really pleased with the results.
Its very comfortable and rides lower on my hips.
I've come to the conclusion, its better to do a re-sew than have someting that is taking up closet space and not being worn.

Skirting Around.

I have to make a dress grey skirt but before I start I thought I would do a couple of trail runs. The pattern is my own with the waist band from New Look 6017. No pockets with a back zip. Fully lined.  The  black/grey mixture fabric is a denim with spandex (The colour shown not very good). For flash, the lining is bright red! I did cut it on the bias to give it some ease as I sit.

On the second one I was able to smooth out the hip/waist line. Just a little tuck about 3/4".  This the same pattern in a taupe/cream mix. Bias cut lining which you can see I went over the top. Something that was hiding in my stash for many years. I will use any fabric that is slippery as lining.  First time around this giraffe print fabric lined a Traveling Jacket, one that had lots of hidden pockets and zips.
  
I know now that  I only need .75 mt x 130cm for a straight skirt for myself.  No more leftovers!

More Tees

I made this tee a few weeks ago. I'm not totally happy with it.  I find the neck just a bit low to what I am used to wearing. So as Summer is passing along I thought I would have one more try.

 

This tee went well. As my serger is in the shop, I had to do  all the interior work with my regular machine.  That turned out very well too.  I still not sure about the neck line.  I do like the raglen sleeve.  

Mustard Tee 2

This a mustard coloured tee I made a few weeks ago.  Looked good on Rosie but I was not too happy when after I had worn it once.  So I decided to change a couple of things.

It was too plain and it felt more like  a Fall colour.  So I took it all apart and made this one.
I had a small amount of a crimped woven fabric which I pressed out the crimping. The colours matched really well. I was able to cut it out on an approx  20%  bias which went well around the neck line.  The sleeves were a bit more of a challenge but I did manage it in the end.The sleeves end at the elbow and after the 3rd attempt, the  sleeve now  moves easily when I bend my arm.  I not totally happy with the sleeve and front .  It looks great on Rosie but I put it on, I get some wrinkles where the sleeve meets the front .  I think I need to adjust the armsycle on the front and reduce it.  Now I will have to make  a skirt to go with the Fall colour.  Fabric store here I come!

Larger than life!

Note to self: Do not leave scarey things out side the bedroom door so it is the first thing you see when you open the door heading for the bathroom!

Dora needed a neck shield. Little ones could look up and see the neck of the person wearing the costume and could spoil the illusion.  (There is a helmet inside the head which supports and takes the weight of Dora's head,  it does not rest on the shoulders.) 
 So it was decided to attached some form of neck/collar "dickie".  I had some swimsuit lining which costume makers use as flesh tones  for figure skaters and dancers to denote bare skin but still has substance and support for their performance costumes.

I measured the diameter of Dora's 'neck', approximately 38"  I cut the fabric , a rectangle 38"x13". The seam was set at the back and quartered to the sides and front.   The rest was hand work.  Dora is ridged and soft. I had to use a small upholstery curved needle to sew the shield to the inside edge. When the head is in place the shield falls on to the shoulders and can actually go over the shoulders.
I will have to do some final adjustments when I fit it with the rest of the costume.  Dora's off to her first parade on Saturday.