Tasha Sews

Simplicity 2690 After needing a quick fix, I decided to go with an easy top that I could whip up in a few hours. Obviously, this didn't go exactly to plan... For some ridiculous reason I read the reviews on Pattern Review after I cut out the top, and a couple of people mentioned that the front bodice is cut a little small if you are larger than a C cup in the bust. I ummed and ahhed for a while and then decided to re-cut the front bodice and modesty panel adding 2". To make the pattern fit I graded the bodice pieces from the same length as the back bodice at the sides. So the shape of the empire line seam is more of a W than an upside down V. On the plus side - the fit is perfect. I guess that the only change that I would make would be to possibly make the sleeve depth shorter as it is quite deep and there is a slight risk of it not being bra friendly. I was worried that the empire line elastic and gathering would bulk at the tummy, but it's fine. ...

Pattern Review - Vogue 1189 Yay! I have finally finished this dress. After much blood sweat and tears over the plait it finally all came together.  If anyone has read these reviews, you will know that doing the plait is a mission, and extremely time consuming. However, this dress has hardly any reviews on Pattern Review, which I am really surprised about - as soon as this pattern came out a couple of years ago I picked it up asap and knew instantly that I wanted to make it with black jersey. I picked up this black jersey from Simply Fabrics for £2/metre. It has a lovely sheen on the right side, and is really easy to work with. Sorry - Southbank Centre doesn't have the best light I love the pockets on this dress! This is the first time I have made pockets where it is topstitched to the skirt front. I think that it works really well. It also makes the dress amazingly comfortable. The only things that I changed were to omit the topstitching on the elastic on the c...

So I am no longer a curtain virgin! For some reason I was stressing that it would be really complicated. (probably because I didn't have a pattern to fall back on) But once I had figured out the measurements required it was really easy. I didn't tack or baste anything, just pinned and sewed. The lighting in our living room is not the best, but here are some pictures anyway:-  The fabric is a heavy satin upholstery fabric, purchased from Simply Fabrics in Brixton for £6/metre. I lined the curtains with some kind of heavy cotton polyester mix for £2. These curtains definitely help to keep out some of the draft that comes in through the large bay window. When these curtains are drawn and our log fire is going, the living room is so cosy! Couldn't resist a tourist shot Other sewing news is that my machine is poorly. So it's being repaired this week. Something is catching around the bobbin area and it causes everything to get jammed. It's ...

  New Look Patterns!   I have been a bit absent of late. This is partly because I have been away with work, but mostly because I took a sad trip to Wadderville.   But anyway, at least I have some new patterns (thanks to the New Look sale which meant these were all £2.95 each!) to soothe my wadder woes...     New Look 6122     I would make this pattern as a cute halter top - not a dress. I would like to maybe make view A as a cute top too.     New Look Pattern 6122       Who doesn't love a fun maxi dress - I think that the shorter version is nice too, but I would have to make sure that it doesn't bunch too much at the tummy, especially as this pattern is drafted for a knit rather than a woven.     New Look 6782   Nothing very exciting here - just some standard wardrobe building.     New Look 6123     I have seen lovely reviews of ...

Pattern Review - Simplicity 1872 I am always whining that I need some more nice tops to wear out at the weekend, so when I was in Simply Fabrics a couple of weeks a ago I picked up this satin for £3 per metre - Bargain! I used Simplicity 1872 This is me trying to get the last of the sun before winter, so no apologies for the sunfilled photo! I am bad for 2 things - 1. Cutting a 14 on a bodice when I always have to take it in! 2. Not doing a FBA. So when I list the necessary adjustments that I had to make (taking 1.5 inches on each side and being miffed that the skirt section falls shorter than I would like) it's no one's fault but my own.... I love this fabric, it is really soft and has a lovely drape. However this did mean that it was pretty 'live' so I took my time when working with this project. I also added a modesty stitch at the bust (and it still sits pretty low!) - reading other pattern reviews, many people have to do this with many of the...

Pattern Review - Vogue 1247 Skirt I have needed a black miniskirt in my wardrobe for ages and this  pattern fitted the bill. This pattern is actually easy, as some of you know sometimes an 'Easy' Vogue is far from it. I used a lightweight stretch denim purchased from Fabricland. The skirt was completed one leisurely Monday afternoon/evening and came together very easily. I omitted the pockets and went without the waistband and just finished it with binding. I really like the shape of the skirt and I like the instructions to finish the inside seams with bias binding - I think it looks neat - it both senses of the word. Inside View  You can see my review on Pattern Review here.  I currently have Simplicity 1872 on the sewing table. Hoping to finish this over the next week or so . I am still on a sewing high following my recent pattern and fabric purchases!  

New Simplicity Patterns So I saw that Simplicity had a sale and I couldn't resist! Most of these are not very exciting patterns, but good to have in my stash. I bought some fabric on a recent trip to Brixton, but I will blog about that later. First - patterns! These are my purchases. I really like the dress in orange on the front of the pattern envelope. It's also a suitable work type dress pattern.                   I actually have very few skirt patterns and if I do I find it hard to find suitable fabrics or other clothes in my wardrobe to wear with them. I thought that this one is pretty versatile and will give me a chance to try welt pockets. I like the top/dress options in this. I would like to make the top in either a jersey or a sheer. And the dress would look nice in linen as on the pattern envelope. Who doesn't love a bit of Cynthia Rowley - I kno...

Pattern Review - McCalls 6503 I have had this fabric in my stash for ages and not known what to do with it, as it is pretty stiff and wouldn't have much drape. When I bought this McCalls pattern here.  I thought it would be a good match and at least provide me with a wearable muslin. The only downside is that the busy fabric hides alot of the nice details. Front View I am actually pretty happy with how this turned out - I was worried that the pleats in the back would make my bum look like a shelf, but the pleats are actually quite flattering. Although the result is more retro than originally intended. Back View Even though I cut my usually size 14, I had to take in the bodice LOADS! And I mean huge!Originally when I was cutting this out I thought I was been pretty risky in not either cutting out a bigger bodice or doing a FBA. However, I ended up deepening the darts in the back and taking 2 inches in on each side. As a result the midriff is super fitted...