Tasha Sews

Pattern Review: New Look 6123 I am pleased to say that I have finally finished New Look 6123  after this when on hold in 2013 due to sewing machine issues. This dress came together really easily and am delighted with the result.  The fabric is a wine coloured ponte knit that I picked up from Ridley Road Market in Dalston, priced at £6 per metre. The fabric was a delight to work with as it is sturdier and thicker than jersey.  I had to take in a fair amount in at the back towards the neckline, but other than that I pretty much sewed this out of the envelope. I am sure that this is because I was working with a stretch fabric. I cut a size smaller than usual and relied on the negative ease to do the rest of the work.  To be honest, if I cut this out in a woven I have no doubt that I would be plagued by fit problems, such as grading in at the waist, out at the hips and dealing with the wrap bodice. I am pleased to say that although the V neck is a...

I know I am super late with this kind of post, but I thought that it would be really important for me to do this process. This is one of the reasons I decided to create a blog, so that I can look back and reference what I have made. One of the great things that I can see is that my sewing has definitely improved over the year. At the beginning of 2013 I resolved to do a couple of things, for example to make more muslins, to really take time over fit and matching seams etc and I think that this is apparent in my finished garments. Anyway here are my best and worst of 2013. Click on the pattern names to link through to the relevant blog post. Best/Most Worn Kwik Sew 3844 This has to be one of my most worn items that I have sewn. I wear it to work, out in the day and also dress it with heels if I am heading out in the evening. The pattern itself is just a standard tank, but I think that my fabric choice for this top is what makes it such a versatile piece in my ward...

Pattern Review: McCalls 6695 Hello and Happy New Year everyone.  I had a lovely festive holiday spent with family here in the UK and with my godparents in France.  I did finish this dress before the 1st Jan but was without internet in France so this post is a bit late. Not that this is anything new! I celebrated my birthday 10 days early and had a joint birthday celebration with some friends yesterday. It was great fun and I had made this dress for the occasion, although I decided to go a bit more casual on the night and ended up wearing a top and jeans. Anyway here is the review of the party dress. The pattern is McCalls 6695.  Both the pattern and the fabric have been in my stash for ages, and I just needed the right excuse to make the dress. Initially I was worried that all of the pleats around the waist and hips would make me look large, but I think that it is fine. Surprisingly, there are not many reviews on Pattern Review for this dress, so I di...