Cataloguing Unblogged Clothes (Made-By-Me) - Part 1

So I am having a massive clean out, as I am packing up and travelling/moving to the Alps. I've amassed so many things in the 5 years I have been back in the UK, and in the last year and a half with a sewing hobby things have really got way out of hand. So I have been sorting, binning and bagging up for charity. I still have a long way to go, but I have come across loads of handmade clothes that for one reason or another have never been bloggged. Before these disappear I have taken a photo and have written a little about each one, to record them. This is mostly for my own purpose because I am just to sentimental.

From the top, left to right

The Office "Chair" Dress - Burda 8072
My first dress, and probably the most successful yet. I chose a thick scratchy wool/unknown poly. The material reminds me of the sort of fabric that is used to upholster chairs in offices and doctors surgery’s, hence the Office 'Chair' Dress. I loved the shape of the dress on me, thought it was a bit tight. I think I am going to keep this one...

Light Grey Top - NewLook 6807 (view B)

I have made 6 versions of this pattern. This was my first and I think only my second attempt at sewing clothing. It came out satisfactory, though I cut a size 14 when I should have gone for a 12. The next time I made it I cut view C, in a dark blue heavy jersey and it was a complete failure. I also hacked this pattern half to death when I made the Yellow Flower Top and the Yellow Flower Tee with 1/2 Length Sleeves. I wore this grey version several time, but the fabric was very cheap and it soon lost all shape. 

Chevron Tank - Feminine Knits by Iene Holme Samsoe

I knitted this probably a year before I started this blog. I was really starting to get into knitting at the time and this was my first 'big' project. I really liked working the ladder lace to make the chevron pattern. I used Patons Smoothie yarn, in a colour combination which really did not suit me. I also knitted it slightly longer than recommended, but still found that it did not quite meet the top of my jeans (long body syndrome). It was not total failure the biggest problem being my lack of taste when choosing the colour combination.

Lesson learnt: I should really stay away from lime green.

Pink T-Shirt - NewLook 6979 (view B)

This was my first clothing item I ever sewed. I used really cheap fabric from the market and the simplest pattern I could find. I could not believe that I could make my own t-shirts so easily and cheaply. I was hooked on this sewing thing. 

Purple Plaid Top - NewLook 6965 (view A with straps from view D)
I made this top twice. The Purple Plaid Top and a Blue Flower Print Top. I made the blue version first. Making this top really pushed my limits as a novice sewer. I found lots of terms in the instructions that I did not understand, so I hit the Internet and found lots of amazing blogs explaining what to do (this was when I started following blogs). I made lots of mistakes with the blue version: cutting too close to the seams and melting the fabric with a too hot iron. It looked really good once it was finished, but did not last past its first wear as the seam ripped under the yoke. I learnt from my mistakes when making the purple plaid version, but the smooth fabric went really knobbly when it washed and no amount of ironing has gotten rid of the funny texture.

The Aubergine Dress - Burda 7659
This picture really dose not do this dress much justest. I ironed it a little for the photo (not well) and it has some really funny creases in it not present when worn. I used the left over fabric to make the Burda Skirt (my favourite project of all time). It came out OK. The arm holes were a little tight, so I only ever wore it a couple of times, along with he fact is was a little too school girl for my taste.

Burda Front Knot Dress - 3/2012 108b - Take 2

This was the second version of this dress that I made. I blogged about the first one here. The first one looked great on, but it had a few problems with the lining which needed resolving. This second one was made perfectly, only when I tried it on, it looked awful. The fabric was so cheep, when I washed it all the colour ran out, and when worn it made me look very pregnant. Not just a little pregnant, but very, very pregnant. I wore it a few times, because I am stubborn ('I made it, therefore I shall wear it'). Somebody even got up and offered me a seat on a tram, after that I gave up and I shall never wear it again.

Tank - Burda 119 3/2012

This 'kinda' has already been blogged about, but it never got finished (hemmed). It was made out of that really thin material I used to make that failed peter pan tee. Latter I made a scarf out of the left over fabric, which I wore a lot over the summer. 

Burda Skirt - This Time With Buttons

This is almost the outfit I wore to my resent successful job interview, a few weekends ago. I thought I had better wear something made by me, as I had let it slip that I have been trying to make my own clothes. I finished it what seems like months ago, but I have never really had chance to take photos. I took these last week but gave up after only four photos, because I was just not in the mood. Today I had chance again as the weather was beautiful, but I just had the wrong location. So I am writing this post now or I never will.

This skirt is pattern 118/119 from the May 2012 addition of Burda magazine. I changed the closure at the front, from a jeans style zipper to a button-up front. There are loads of button-up skirt patterns doing the rounds on the Internet at the moment, but I knew that this pattern worked well for me the first time I made it. Modifying the pattern was really easy. I just cut off the zipper slit under laps and extended the central seam out enough so I could fold it over twice, to create a placket for the buttons and button holes. Despite having to change the pattern, it was so much easier than inserting the original zipper. 

Again I am really happy with the result. This pattern has been my most successful yet. My last Burda skirt I have worn almost to death, so I really needed this one to add some variety to what I wear. It is a plain navy (faintly plaid) polyester. I think it will go with well loads of different types of tops, so it should be pretty versatile piece. Only I cant see my self wearing it over this winter, as I am heading to the French Alps. Though this will be one piece I shall not throw out in my mission to de-size my belongings when I move out of this flat.

Sewing in the Alps?

Source

Working a ski season in the French Alps, I thought that sewing would be out of the question. Yet talking to the ladies in my interview, I found out that the apartment where I will live has two vintage sewing machines. Perfect. They have also tested them out for me and as far as they can tell, they still working. This is so exciting, its like this job was just made for me! 

So my head has started spinning again with sewing ideas. I really like the idea of sewing something special as a souvenir of my time there. I've had my eye on the Deer and Doe patterns, possibly the Sureau Dress. These patterns are in French, so perfect for learning about French sewing vocabulary. Also Anna from paunnet is hosting a sew along soon in English, so ill be able to dip into her blog, if I get in trouble.

However all these plans depend on me being able to work these sewing machines. I'll also have to order everything I need over the Internet. I only have a 20Kg luggage limit on my flight and sewing stuff  is just not that essential (I have already sectioned off a good deal of space for my knitting stuff).

Talking about knitting, all this thinking about cold weather has really activated the knitter in me. So I have spent the last couple of months planning my knitting projects, should I get my dream job in the Alps. I even spent £25 of good money on yarn the day of my interview. Hoping that I would get the job and I could take it with me. So I got the job, and hats, scarf's and socks will be knitted up, whilst the weather is too bad for skiing and exploring. I can't wait.

Future Plans

In the past I have travelled a lot, but there is still so many place that I have not been, and stuff that I really want to try. So I have been getting the travel bug again for sometime. Life just seems so dull to me if you are not constantly exploring and trying new things. So I decided I would like to try skiing.

I love the outdoors and the mountains and the snow, but I have never been skiing before. I have had the opportunity, but I have always stayed away on grounds of cost. Then it occurred to me I want to travel, live aboard, quit my mind-numbingly boring job, why not get a job in a ski resort? So I have been looking for jobs abroad, especially in the French Alps. I did not really want to write much about this before, as I was uncertain if I would get a job or not. This uncertainty has stopped me buying patterns and fabric that I really wanted to, because if I got a job I would not be able to take my sewing machine. So for months I have been worried more about finding a job than knitting or sewing.

Anyway I am so excited to say I GOT A JOB! I am going to be working in the Chamonix Valley over the winter. I am so excited there is almost no words. :)

I'll be working for a holiday company who have luxury chalets all along the Chamonix Valley. I will be working in the housekeeping department, cleaning, not get distracted by the stunning scenery.  I might also have to travel some distance between chalets, so hopefully there will plenty of time for me to adsorb my location. I'll also get days off, of course. I get a ski lift pass as part of my work package, so ill be learning to ski.  If Skiing fails, I could probably just ride around on the ski lifts with my camera, happy all day :)

More to follow, I have so much to think about right now:)

Note: All the photos are taken from Pinterest, for the sources please see here.

Green - Star Crossed Slouchy Beret

Whipped this up at the weekend, using my leftover yarn from my Arleen. The yarn is Cascade 220, made on size 8mm circular needles.  The pattern is Star Crossed Slouchy Beret  by Natalie Larson (Ravelry link to pattern). The pattern worked out well, i missed out one round from the middle as i was unsure if i would have enough yarn to finish the hat, it turned i had plenty. The pattern recommended using DPNS to start with in a smaller size, I did the whole hat to the same circular needles, and the front band could be tighter so if i make this again i might start on 7mm circular needles, i don't see the point of investing in DPNS when i have circular needles in the same size.  

I managed to finish the last 1/4 of the hat on the bus, making myself very travel sick on the way to Shrewsbury. I have done a lot of crochet on buses before and have knitted in cars and it has never made me feel sick, this was a first. Though the bus journey between Newport and Shrewsbury is along very twisty country lanes, and that cant of helped. Still i am happy that i finished something (despite the nausea), i have so much else which is unfinished. Currently i am working on a Style 4485 dress and the Elbow Patch Cardigan both of which still have a long way to go. Not to mention a growing pile of UFOs.

Victorian Crochet Collar - Ta-da!

This is the Victorian Crochet Collar project that i have been going on about all last month. I made it for a small Victorian arts themed festival in Shifnal, Shropshire (the town where i grew up). The festival is now over and i missed it all, except i managed to take a few photos at one the the venues (Trinity Methodist church) before all the displays were dismantled on Sunday. 

The pattern is from The Crochet Book by Eléonore Riego de la Branchardière (1847), the pattern is Point D'Angleterre, and it is made using NO:30 crochet cotton. This collar took me a long time to make, when i first agreed to do this i thought i could finish in a Sunday afternoon. No such luck, it took all month, but i did have trouble getting used to crocheting with cotton thread and i did make several mistakes reading the pattern, so there was plenty of unpicking. Despite this it was really nice to use such an old pattern. I find that a lot of patterns from this era tend to a bit vague in places, but this one seemed to use consistent language and similar terminology to modern patterns, so it was not hard to use. I did find a few errors in the pattern as follows.

Row 10 - should read, 3 chain, miss 3, (3 treble, 3 chain, 3 treble in the 3 chain of last row,) 5 chain, miss 9, 3 treble in the 3 chain of last row, 5 chain, miss 1, 3 treble in the 3 chain of last row, 5 chain, miss 9, repeat from ; end as last row.

Row 14 - should read as 9 chain not 0 chain (when viewed form my smartphone the 9 really did look like a 0)

Now i have this collar i don't know what to do with. It is so pretty but its not really the right kind of dimensions that would fit around any of my clothes. Any suggestions?

Turtleneck Tee - Burda 104 9/2012

This is the second top that i made last weekend and the third Burda 9/2012 make. I was going to post it with the Stripy Lace Back Tee, but ended up with too many photos. 

I cut a Burda size 40 grading down to a 36 on the sleeves form pattern 104 view a. I made no changes (apart from grading down the sleeves). I used the same fabric for the Stripy Lace Back Tee, it is a soft jersey with grey and white strips.

It was very simple to make; just zip up the seams, then add the turtleneck and sleeves. I must have sewed it in under an hour.

 Verdict: It is a really comfy tee, I have already worn it three times and i can see me wearing this as a base layer in the winter. The only gripe i have is the turtle neck is a little too loose. I noticed that the model in the magazine also has it very loose, but i think it looks a bit odd.

For my next make i promise colour..... Ok, no i don't (but i want to).

Stripy Lace Back Tee - Burda 123a 9/2012

I am getting Burda magazine obsessed. I really don't want to be buying anymore patterns or fabric, because i am hoping to move in a few months, and probably wont be able to take much with me. However, as soon as Burda magazine is in the shops, i am down there scanning the pages, and the last two months this has resulted in purchases. The August issue was good. The September issue was amazing, the parker, the mod dresses, and loads of knits. I want them all!! So far i have made all three knit tops, the cowl neck top, the turtle neck top (not yet blogged) and the shoulder yoke top (here).

This is Burda 123a from the 9/2012 issue in size 40. I think this is a really nice basic long sleeve tee pattern, however i could not understand why there was only a front yoke. So i improvised and made a back yoke. It was quite simple, i just traced the original pattern piece for the back, and drew on the back yoke. Then i retraced my new pattern pieces and added seam allowances. The hardest part was sewing the two curvy back yoke pieces together. I also eliminated the keyhole at the back, as it was unnecessary and would have made the back far too fussy with the lace. The other alteration i made was to the arms, after making the turtle neck top i found the arms to be far too baggy, so i cut them down by about 1cm each side on the top.

Update - Victorian Crochet Collars

Wow, it been a busy making weekend for me. In the lead up to the weekend i washed, laid out and cut the fabric for three garments: two long-sleeve tees and a second Burda Skirt. I finished the tees, but the skirt is still on my to do pile. I'll blog about the tees later as have been too busy to take photos today.

On my Victorian crochet collar project i have started to make some progress too. After my first initial fruitless searches for Victorian patterns i have at last have found some. Google Play has some free e-books (scanned copies of Victorian crochet books). I was definitely overly excited at finding them.


These old crochet books make for an interesting read, i love reading old knitting and crochet books. The way the crochet and terminological is presented has not really changed. The book i have chosen to use "The Crochet Book" has some good illustrations of the stitches, so could be used by a beginner. There are also some interesting patterns for bags in other books that i might give a try, but there are no pictures, so it will be a case of follow the instructions and see what takes shape. Which will be fun to do when have the time, but for now my focus is making some Victorian crochet collars for the Shifnal Arts Festival. It starts in only a month so i cant really experimenting as much as i would like.

So first i am making this collar:

The ref is: Eléonore Riego de la Branchardière, 1847, The crochet book, Simpkin, Marshall.

I have never done crochet, using crochet cotton and small hooks before. Working with fine cotton and small hooks is  definitely  a skill, and it took me a good couple of hours to get the knack of hooking the cotton. But the result is rather attractive. Despite spending all afternoon and evening on the collar, progress is slow, my work still fits easily into the palm of my very small hand.

Victorian Collar Project

This year i have been asked to participate in the Shifnal Arts Festival. The arts festival has been running for several years now, and runs between the 4-7 of October 2012. The festival is inclusive of all arts and crafts, from music, painting, theatre and knitting. This year they have decided to have a Victorian theme to the festival. Focusing in on local Victorian history.  As people know that i like to do a lot of knitting and crochet they have asked me to crochet some Victorian lace collars for next month.

I gave an tentative yes, if i can find a pattern, pictures etc to work from, then i could not see the problem. Only there is a problem, finding a genuine Victorian crochet lace collar pattern, or picture that i can work form is nearly impossible.  I also have the added blessing/or curse that "Victorian style" collars are fashionable again. Making it nearly impossible to find genuine usable examples on the Internet. But yet i am still finding loads of beautiful collars with a more contemporary feel to them.

The best pattern i have found, so far is: Godey's Lady's Book, Vol. XLII, May 1851. This is an American journal from this era. It contains a pattern for a lace cuff (Etruscan Lace Cuff), that i shall give a try. 

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I would hate to display a set of collars knowing that they are not genuinely of local or British Victorian construction. I have people telling me that it does not matter, and that they are just making stuff up and saying that it is Victorian. However, i am a perfectionist and it matters to me.

I know that a lot of the other artists are also having similar problem, some of their there art forms or crafts just did not exist in the Victorian era. Others are painting Victorian era houses with PVC windows and other later attachments. The fact is that not much remains form this period, which can be recreated by amateurs with little historical knowledge of their craft in the Victorian era.

So far i have started work on one collar, making the pattern up as i go along. I don't know if it is something that they would have worn in the Victorian times but it is a start. I'll just have to make it clear in writing that it is, what it is. Plus i shall make the Etruscan Lace Cuff.

So i am making a call to anybody who can help me out in the next few weeks. Do you have a Victorian crochet collar that you can send me the pictures of, or even better a written pattern? Please help...