Hi all!

Can you believe that I haven’t blogged since November! I’m so sorry, life has been quite upside since I’ve been diagnosed with b12 and Vit D deficiencies, I’ve been back and forth to GP fo injections, medication and appointments. Fingers crossed things will be on an even keel soon but thankfully some of my energy is returning and managed to get some sewing! But then to top it all off i’ve gone and fractured my knuckle!! So I’m a little bit annoyed that everything has come to a stand still yet again!

A part of my treatment is to get exercise back into my week but slowly and not to overdo myself which will set me back so I attend my local leisure centre at least once a week with a PT session to see how I’m getting on and making sure I don’t over do it lol, easier said then done though!

So I thought to get my sewjo going I’d make myself a Gym top.

I choose the awesome Saturn Spandex which is more like a scuba in the way it drapes and it’s thickness but it’s really good quality. It’s perfect for activewear! Just look at how cute Sammy packages your goodies!!

I’ve had Melissa book of sewing your activewear for a while but not dared to make anything from it till now! I put on Instagram that I was going to tackle my first activewear project and Melissa kindly replied to tackle the loose fitting top.

First of all, i read the instructions and carefully looked at the sizing chart to make sure I get the correct fit.

So armed with my tracing paper, hello kitty pencil, grading ruler I made a start of tracing my block. Melissa’s instructions are really good to get the perfect fit. At least i did remember to add the Seam Allowances too! 

The loose fitting top is only 4 pattern pieces – front, back, sleeve and neckband. Gotta love simplicity!

Armed with Mr and Mrs Singer I was raring to go!

To give my top an extra special touch I decided to use a twin needle finish to hems and it didn’t take long to get the tension/stitch length right for the fabric.

So here we are the finished results!

My Gym Gear and of course Moi in the leisure centre changing rooms…. I like to be colourful!

It’s also a fab too for running in too as it didn’t ride up  I started back to running/walking last week with the eldest wanting to join in. Well at least i managed to get this made before my accident so its been washed and put ready with my Gym clothes to make a return soon as i’m all healed!

Happy Sewing!!

Sal xx

**All Fabrics and Habersashery were given to me to free of charge for promtion of SewCrafty Shop**

The post Sew Crafty Design Team Project -My 1st activewear Top! appeared first on The Yorkshire Sewist.

At last i am finally sharing with you all my latest make for the Sew Crafty Shop! I made this way back in July and for some reason never hit the publish button till now!!! Durrrr!!

I originally planned an hack on the Orsola Dress byhandlondon but unfortunately my fabric was just wasn’t wide enough for the skirt and didn’t feel confident enough to pull off a pencil skirt.

So after wrecking my brains and on instagram, i decided to go with a Tried and tested Deer and Doe Belladone with the beautiful cut out back version.

The Fabric is a beautiful stretch cotton with large Pink Peonies adorning it and its the most comfortable material to work with even though i decided to keep it safe and use fine dressmaking pins.

I made my usual adjustment of taking in the back pieces in by 1/2″ so that the back lays flat rather than sticking out.

Even though the pattern states to use bias binding and for it to be on show… i personally ain’t a fan of it and decided to hide my binding to the inside and topstitch down so it didn’t interfere with the clean look of the dress.

A little tip for matching your waistband when installing your zip! I like to baste my zip by hand 1st as i find that a lot easier that way to keep the zip in place.

Once you have sewn in one side of your zip, zip up your zipper to the top.

Place a horizontal pin in the unstitched side of the zipper tape, perfectly aligned with the waistline on the stitched side. 

Now unzip your zipper (keeping the horizontal pins in place!), flip the loose tape over ready to be pinned into place down the other side of your dress. Use the two horizontal pins to dictate where the zipper should be placed – pin the tape so that the top pin is be flush with the top of waistband and the bottom pin to the bottom of the waistband on the unstitched side. Pin the rest of the zipper in place to secure it and stitch!

I love how the skirt hem is finished with a facing, it makes it sit really nice and gives a crisp hem.

I managed to get this beauty sewn in a few days even with the back adjustments, but for some reason it still stood away from my back a little but im thinking i needed to take in the seam more at the zipper but that’s the only issue with losing weight, you need to keep making adjustments!

I proudly worn this to SewdownDewsbury meet up with fellow sewists on Saturday 28th July. I can’t believe I’ve never been to Dewsbury before….how bad does that sound being a Yorkshire lass!!

We all had so much fun and its turns out that i am indeed an enabler and making the others buy things!!! I only came away with 3 pieces….. Here’s a pic with Alex and Lisa, Thanks Amy for the photo as for some reason never did get a full photo of my wearing the dress!

Had such a lovely day at #sewdowndewsbury and was pretty restrained with my purchasing too! Thanks ladies ? #sewingfriendsarethebest #sewcialists

A post shared by Amy (@normalkitchen) on Jul 28, 2018 at 10:14am PDT

Here’s another pic of me (2nd photo in) from Carol, with me looking at the bargain Denims!!

But here is some photos of this beauty before being worn!

So there you go folks, hope my little trick of matching your waistband was helpful!

Ta ta for now!

Sal x

The post Sew Crafty Design Team Project – A Floral Dream appeared first on The Yorkshire Sewist.

Hi All! I’m back for my 2nd year with The Sew Crafty Design Team and kicking off my 1st Project for 2018 showing you how to make your own Passport Cover! Honestly, It is really easy as i say it is!

List of Supplies:

• Pattern Ruler
• Pins
• Medium weight fabric for the outer and the inner – I’ve used the ever so gorgeous Blend Faraway Forest Dream a Little Dream in Grey
• Medium weight woven fusible interfacing
• Chop stick/Skewer! I ain’t that fancy to own a point turner but if you have one then use it.
• Tailors Chalk
• Scissors
• Gutterman Thread and Full Bobbin
• Sewing machine Needles 80/12

Let’s make your Cover!

Fold the Fabric Right Sides Together.

I calculated for a UK Passport that i needed a rectangle of 31cm wide and 16cm high and includes a seam allowance of 1/4″ (o.6cm). It’s all written down in my Sew Crafty Journal, which is a fab tool as it had plenty of room to add my notes and calculations instead on a scrap piece of paper which i would end up losing!

I drew on the fabric using my tailors chalk and my Pattern ruler and tried my best to get it straight with the aid of the Ruler and my mat but i am only human after all!

Cut all the way around the fabric, following the outline we just drew.

Lay one piece of the Cover onto lightweight woven fusible interfacing. Pin and cut out one piece. I cheated a little, i folded my piece in half and then did the same for interfacing and pinned in place and cut out which meant less cutting! So now you should have 2 pieces of the fabric for your cover and 1 piece of interfacing

Sewing it all together!

Fuse the interfacing to the outer layer of the fabric with the glue side of the interfacing facing the wrong side of the fabric.

Place the two layers of fabric right sides together. Pin around the entire piece leaving a section about 2″ wide marked to be left unsewn for turning the piece right sides out.

Sew around the perimeter of the pieces using 1/4″ seam allowance starting at one side of the opening and remembering to Pivot (That word always reminds me of the episode of Friends with Ross and Chandler are moving the sofa to Ross’s apartment!!) when you reach each corner. Then back tacking at the otherside of the opening.

Trim the corners to reduce bulk. I trimmed at a 45-degree angle and also shaved off a little bit on either side of the corner to create nice corners.
Carefully turn the entire piece right sides out through the opening left in the bottom. Use a point turner or chopstick like i have to form nice corners after turning right side out.

Fold the seam allowance into the opening left in the bottom of the fabric and press the entire piece.

Now to finish the Cover!

Measure and fold each end of the fabric 2.1″ (6cm) into the inside. Pin in place all the way around the entire piece, and press.

Edge stitch the hole closed and the flaps in place all at the same time by stitching the perimeter of the cover at 1/4″ (0.6cm) seam allowance. Be sure to pivot at each corner. Press the entire piece after sewing.

Slip each end of your passport into the end flaps (hahaha!) sorry i am crude at times, and you’re ready to go!

So here is my lovely cover with 2 other covers!

Of course the boys needed one a piece doing! Ethan went for Star Wars Darth Vadar Fabric and Rhys went for Spiderman Comic Fabric – which are both are currently on sale for £3 per half metre, bargain!!

Mr K had already bought himself one from Amazon so it saved me a job! So my fist lot of Holiday Sewing! Can’t believe it’s only 10 weeks away till we go away to Florida!! Best get a wiggle on on sewing my holiday wardrobe then!

Happy Sewing!

Sal xx

The post Sew Crafty Design Team Project #001 for 2018! Passport Holder Tutorial appeared first on The Yorkshire Sewist.

Well it’s been of a bit of a strange couple of months, my sewing mojo totally went awol and my hubby hasn’t been very well at all, a week of him being in hospital and just me holding it all together at home, juggling work, kids, back and forth to hospital etc it took it toll on me.

So fingers crossed, everything will get back to normality soon I just hate being in “limbo” feeling.

Anyways! Finally, last week I decided to get my act together as the hubby and I had a very rare opportunity to go out and meet up with friends, eat good fatty food and have a good laugh! it spurred me on to make my Sew Crafty Design Team Project!,,

When I received my Gift card and browsing the lovely Sew Crafty Shop, I came across this beautiful Cherry Print 100% Cotton Fabric it screamed at me for a Dress! It’s a steal at £4.85 per half metre as its fantastic quality and to boot it’s 150cm (60″) wide, get in! So for a new challenge I decided to pick the Hawthorn Dress by Colette Patterns.

What a combo right with the Fabric and the pattern?!

Truth be told…. I’ve never mad a Shirt Dress before but I thought it’s always good to learn new techniques! With Colette Patterns they are great to follow with clear instructions and their Patterns fit me great without the need of taking the skirt up or making a narrow shoulder adjustment!

But to be on the safe side I decided to make a toile of the bodice as this was unknown territory of making a shirt dress and wanted to make sure it fit nicely across the Bust.

For the toile I used some scrap fabric and followed the instructions all the way to finish the bodice without the buttonholes.

As always I pre-washed my fabric on a 30 degree wash and it hardly shrunk and kept it vibrant colour, you can tell it’s a good quality fabric!

According to my measurements, I cut out a straight size 8 no grading out for the hips as it’s a half circle skirt yay!

After Cutting it all out and sewing the Darts it was time to get cracking sewing it all together!

It is pretty straight forward to sew together as always Colette Patterns have beautiful diagrams and easy instructions!

1st time ever, I’ve used the bias binding technique for armholes and my word it’s so neat!! I will have definitely have to remember this when finishing armholes in the future!!

With the help of the pins and my Simflex Expanding Gauge (My Sewing Bestie Becca aka Redwsews gave myself one for my birthday recently!!) to get the button placement right, i’d mentioned on my insta feed that i always struggle with rtw blouses/dresses, I would have ended up with a safety pin in between to stop the boob exposure but not this with Dress!!

Now the boring task on stitching 15 buttons by hand!!! Yes the pattern does state that it requires 13 but with my movement of said buttons for no gapping I just need a few extra

Now at this point…. All I wanna do is hem by skirt and get ready for twirling but no…. the instructions stated to slipstitch the hem!!! What?!!!

I was definitely not in the mood for that especially as i needed the dress all ready for the day after…. So Mr Singer came to rescue with his blind hem foot!!! It just made it a lot easier and quicker

And here is the Hawthron all sewn up!! Isn’t she a Beauty?! Maybe a little bit biased here….

Moi modelling on the Train Station! Yeah my shoes got cut off the only pic so here are my beauty of irregular choice cherry print shoes to match!!

unfortunately I’ve not been able to wear my heels at the mo to get a better overall outfit photo shoot as I’ve got blumming soft tissue damage in my right foot so I’m on high dose of anti-inflammatory from the hospital to bring my swelling down and instructions to rest and ice

But here is my fancy Dr Pepper alcoholic Cocktail and Best Brownie ever when we met with Friends in Hull and ate at the NYC Bar and Grill! Nom!

So here you go folks my Design team Project at last! I’ve got my shopping list in for my new Project coming soon!!

Sal xx

The post Sew Crafty Design Team Project – a Very Cherry Delight of a Dress appeared first on The Yorkshire Sewist.

Welcome to my Latest Project for Sew Crafty Shop, The Fifi Pj’s from Tilly and The Buttons!

You all know me by know that I am self confessed selfish sewer! When you get fed up of the same old same old pjs in High Street Stores, you know you want to sew yourself something pretty!

Now when my package arrived it arrives like this inside the plastic outer!! So beautifully packaged!

So i decided to give the Fifi PJ’s a go from Tilly and The Buttons, i must admit in the past, I tried the Francoise and Zadie which were fitting disasters!! But I thought I’d bite the bullet and try again! Well why wouldn’t you as Tilly’s patterns look fabulous and so nicely packaged!

Now this is where the hard part begins of picking which lovely fabric to use!! Sew Crafty have copious amounts of beauties ready to be snapped up! I finally decided on this delicious looking Hawaiin Print which is currently on offer at a mere £2.56 per half metre and its 60″ wide to boot! Win Win!

According to my measurements i needed a size 5 cutting out for the top and a size 7 for the bottoms, yeah I’m on with the Diet and Exercise to that peksy weight off!! Oppsss well I’ve started going back to the Leisure Centre for my Weekly Fix of Les Mills Body Combat and Running twice a week

Oh look my Oh Sew quaint Pattern Weights have made an appearance again! Don;t they look divine?!

Now upon reading the instructions, the Seams are finished by French Seams which I’m ashamed to say I haven’t tackled till now! Now Tilly’s instructions are super clear and look at these beautifully finished seams which are perfect when you are making some luxurious PJ’s for yourself!

When it came to the Bias Binding straps, i did have to take 3 ” off the straps to fit me but it soon came together and i topstitched the binding using my 1/4″ quilting foot (at the 6mm line) which meant i didn’t need to fath with trying to figure the exact  width as it was actually marked out on the foot.

The Elastic went in a dream again Tilly’s instructions were spot and look how nice and eat it is inside!

Now I wish i trusted the pattern sizes a bit better as the shorts are quite big opppsss so for next time I’ll shall go down a size and to alter the cups slightly bigger as they don’t keep the girls in!! Hahaha! But for an actually finished Garment and a Complete Tilly and The Buttons Project complete, I am really happy with them! So my recommendation is that if you are a more than C cup i’d suggest going up a size for the Top.

Here are the complete Set!

Thank you Tilly and for a Comfortable yet stylish Sleepwear!! Of course a Big Thank You to Sew Crafty Shop too for providing the supplies to make these!

Sal xx

The post Sew Crafty Design Team Project – Tilly and The Buttons Fifi PJ’s! appeared first on The Yorkshire Sewist.

Now this project was supposed to be all done and dusted by the end of March but i just didn’t realise of how much it would take out of me with my new job and working Monday to Friday and that hand stitching is very time consuming!! Hahahaha!

Now when i was browsing through the Sew Crafty Shop for my Design Team Projects, I came across this kit from New Craft House to make your own Cushion Cover using the English Paper Piecing technique. EPP is the technique of folding fabric over paper templates and hand sewing these together.  The paper template shape ensures the blocks are accurate and also makes it easier to piece angles together.

You know me being me just lately….. i’d thought i would give something new a go! It’s suitable for a beginner sewer too as the majority of it is hand sewing and is a great first project for trying out English Paper Piecing.

Here’s whats in the Kit:

22 Quilting Cotton Hexagons, in a choice of three print ranges. All the prints are Dashwood and the plains are Kona solids.

22 Paper Hexagon Templates

Matching Quilting Cotton Fabric for the back of your Cushion

Hand sewing needle

Matching thread

Fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions

So all you need to do is to buy yourself a 40cm cushion pad insert

Of course you’ll need your sewing machine to sew the cushion cover together at the end and pins.

So when you open the tube, which i do like! It’s all nicely contained and folded nicely rather than stuffed in

Now, i’m totally new to EPP and at first i thought what the heck I have got myself into?!

But after the reading the instructions and letting them sink in, I was aware of how to make it!

All you have to do is to take one pre-cut Hexie and one Paper Hexie, fold the fabric over it and baste the fabric so that the Paper Hexie is encased to give it that lovely sharp edges

Then once you have basted all the 22 Hexies, it looks like a lovely pile but this is where the time consuming but comes in!

According to the instructions it’s best to take one Hexie and then attach different ones from each side using a whip stitch:

Then you just go with the flow and try to remember to make a sqaure with the remaining Hexies, so you something like this with them all hand sewn…. now ain’t going to lie…… this is time consuming! I’ve lost count really of how long this but has taken me as I’ve been wanting to get this done back in March! So i ended up doing a bit on a couple of nights in the week as I’ve been bushed with my new job!

Now it’s taking shape! Nearly there!

I had to make into a square so out came my trusted Rotary Cutter and Mat and trimmed it down.

Then onto making the Back of the cushion was really easy to say this is my 1st ever cushion…. i’m not sure why i haven’t made one before, i think i just chucked myself into the deep end when i first starting sewing by making garments hahaha!

I really like the simplicity of the Envelope back of it too, so it’s ideal for a beginner as it doesn’t involve zips!

So here it is, with a bit of a flat cushion pad…. I recycled it from another cushion as I couldn’t be chewed going to the shop!

So now the cushion is living on my sofa and nobody else’s…. It’s my baby! After all, I’m the one that put in the hardwork! I’m such a Selfish Sewer!!

Yay! I’ve caught up with March Design Team Projects! This project kit is fantastic value at £18.00 and it is ideal for beginners to sit and sew in front of the TV but i am impatient sewer and like my Projects to be done within the week lol but i’m thinking i need to readjust my thinking now that i work full time and to take my time and enjoy the process as i did with this

I’m now onto a Pattern Hack of Sew Crafty’s Shift Dress! For a start I’m making it out of Jersey and then adding a few tweaks! So watch this space!

Sal xx

The post Sew Crafty Design Team March Project 2 – Yeah it’s a little late… appeared first on The Yorkshire Sewist.

Hello you lovely people!

Today I’m showing one of two Projects for March for Sew Crafty Shop!

Now i don’t normally buy Kits as such as i quite like to choose my own fabrics, threads etc but when browsing the Shop I came across this ever so cute ‘Tea is the answer’ Cross Stitch Kit by The Make Arcade.

I’ve not done any Cross Stitching since my teens and thought I’d have a reminisce and it’s always good to have a change once in a while!

This kit uses a 4” wooden embroidery hoop and includes simple instructions to cross stitch the ‘Tea is the Answer’ slogan. The Bright Orange cross stitch lettering stands out against the white background and artwork also has a sweet Blue and White Stripy Teapot. The finished cross stitch can be hung on a wall the wall or propped on a shelf with other cute and kitsch bits and pieces – perfect for kitchen or tea making area!

The kit comes packaged in a sturdy kraft box for you to store your stitching in if you get disturbed mid task and making it great for journeys and holidays or a fun secret santa gift or witty stocking filler for anyone… It’s not gender specific!

The kit includes: Aida fabric (thats the stuff you stitch through!), DMC embroidery threads, wooden 4” hoop, needle and felt to back your work when you are done. All you need to provide are scissors and some tea and cake – always craft with refreshments! Hahahaha! How cute is that ickle envelope that keeps the threads and needles safe?!

Now, this is great to do whilst watching the Tele and be in the ‘Room’ rather than have my back to the family in the Living Room if I’m at my Sewing Machine.

The Instructions are really easy to follow and it even shows you how to Cross Stitch so It’s aimed at anybody that is willing to give Cross Stitching a go! No previous experience necessary!

I completed this over 4 nights doing a couple of hours each night so if you was on a mission you could probably do in a day but i wanted to enjoy the simpleness of it, if that makes sense?

Now onto the fiddly bit of sewing the felt onto the back! You just need to make sure you catch both the felt and the Aida when sewing

Here is the finished Piece! Now doesn’t look fab!!

So that’s Part 1 of my March Design Team Project for Sew Crafty!

Now onto this Beauty! I’ll be making a Cushion!

Never tried English paper Piecing before so wish me luck!!

Sal xx

The post Sew Crafty Design Team March Project 1 – Tea is the Answer!! appeared first on The Yorkshire Sewist.

I’ve seen Claire and Eleanor Post’s about their Fabric Answers and I’d thought I’d join in a timely manner for a change…. better than my Seamstress Tag Post which was a little late only by 5 months….but hey who’s counting?!

This is a fab idea was started by Lisa Emerita and Renata of RunningNStyle. Thank you ladies!

1. What is your favourite fabric to work with?

It is hard to choose……but you can’t beat a beautiful Cotton Lawn it’s a breeze to sew with yet so beautifully soft whilst wearing but then I do love a good thick Jersey which you can whip something up in it in no time at all!

2. What is your least favourite fabric to work with?

It definitely has to be chiffon as it is soo slippery and lightweight! You need to be extra careful of placing pins and getting your thread and needle right or it will leave big holes in it… just too much faffing for me!

3. What is your favourite fabric to wear?

Mine at the moment has to be Jersey! It fab for keeping me warm and doesn’t crease easily!

4. What is your least favourite fabric to wear?

Urggghhhh polycotton! Yes it’s cheap to buy but you can tell, it doesn’t have any nice feel to it and really stiff but yet its good to try a toile out of it though.

5. What is your favourite texture to work with?

I am loving jersey at the moment, especially with the use of my Singer 14sh754 Overlocker I can make a top in a couple of hours from cutting to sewing

6. What is your favourite print?

I do like my birds and animals but then i do like ornate prints too but these are on my wish list:

Confetti from Dashwood Paper Meadow Cotton Collection. This would make a great smart work shirt… I just need to decide which pattern to use!!

Modern Reflection Paper Cut Floral Cotton Spandex Knit Fabric by Girlcharlee from their Bolt Collection. I made a beautiful little lingerie set from this and would love to make a Dress out of it!

Then who can’t resist a bit of Art Gallery fabrics?!! I love this Nightfall Moon Stories Spark Knit i bet it would make some

7. What is your favourite colour palette?

As you can tell….It has to be dark colours, i love navy, purple and black but i do like to throw in a bit lighter colours now and again.

8. What is your least favourite colour palette?

Definitley pink!!! Pink doesn’t suit me in the slightest plus lighter pale shades will show how messy I can be after eating meals! Hahahah!

9. What is your favourite fibre content to work with?

Oh it has to be Ponte Roma Jersey with its Double Knit Construction yet still has some stretch to it but its fab to disguise any lumps and bumps!!

10. What is the first fabric you worked with? 

It was a cheap blue polycotton that i got from Boyes as i didn’t want to splash out on the ‘Pretty’ fabrics incase it was a massive failure!!

11. What is your ultimate fabric goal to work with?

I think it has to be Silk, I love the look of the fabric and forever stroking it but i’m sure i would snag it somehow when sewing or cutting. Someday I’ll pluck up the courage to use it!

12. What is your ultimate garment to construct with your favourite fabric?

Now that is a question! The ultimate garment for me would be to tackle the Kelly Anorak by Closet Case Patterns that involves Zips, Snaps, Linings and Flat Fell Seams!!

I’d probably use Navy Twill for the Outer and then a Jazzy and fun cotton lawn Lining! Fingers crossed I’ll get round to making this at some point!

Now It’s your turn! Tell me about your Fabric Addictions!

Sal xx

The post #FabricTag! 12 Questions for Fabric Addicts! appeared first on The Yorkshire Sewist.

I had some left over Black and White Textured Rose Print Jersey which is still on sale over at Sew Crafty Shop at just £3.41 per Half metre and its 140cm Wide, Boom!

I needed a nice Smart Top for an Job Interview and It was the Day before and i had a Panic Moment!!

Now looking through ‘Stash’ of Free Printed Patterns from Magazines…..I had plenty of New Look/Simplicity that was classed as ‘Smart’ Tops but to me they seemed dated and frumpy to me.

So i thought I’d look through my PDF Collection and for some reason I haven’t got round to making The Bronte by Jennifer Lauren Handmade before!!

Thankfully with Jennifer’s Patterns, she tells you which pages you need to print for which version your making rather than printing the full documents! Yas!

Upon Printing and sticking my sheets together i noticed that the Top came a little shorter than i wanted it to sit so i just lengthen it by 2 inches so it sat on my Hips and made the Long Sleeves into 3 Quarter, I am a bad un…whenever I do have Long Sleeves, i always roll them anyways so it made sense not to waste the pretty fabric!

I cut out a size 12 for the Shoulders and Bust and then graded to a Size 14 to the Waist and Hips for some comfort as it is a Smart Top, I didn’t want to be showing every Lumps and Bumps hahaha! Not forgetting to use my Oh Sew Quaint Fondant Fancy Pattern Weights!!

Now i ‘tooled’ up and got my Overlocker at the ready and my Twin Needle on my Singer Quantum Stylist 9960, which by is now my best friend for finishing hems on knits/jerseys!! Love it! As you long as you take your time to keep it straights its awesome!!

Now this is how i use my Pins when i’m using my Overlocker! I have been asked a few times what i do with mine, so here you go!

I whipped up this top in a morning i would say from printing and sticking to getting it all sewn together! Jennifer’s instructions are very Clear and with the lovely detail of the neckband you would of thought it would be more complicated then it is!

So I’m glad i whipped this up as i felt super confident in it and knowing i made it myself just given me that a little bit of a boost!

Guess What?!!! I got the job!!! I’ll be an Activity Co-coordinator for a Care home for Adults with learning difficulties, so it’ll be up to me to get them engaged with activities and plenty of fundraising for the Home too!! Exciting times as there is plenty of training and planning involved but it means i have my evenings and weekends back as it’s 9-3 Monday to Friday!

So what’s your Stitchy Plans this weekend?

Sal xx

The post Jennifer Lauren Handmade Bronte Top appeared first on The Yorkshire Sewist.

Hi All!

Welcome to my 1st Project as a part of the Sew Crafty Design Team!

With my Project being in the Month of February, I couldn’t resist it being a Valentine theme!

So armed with my Giftcard and a brew, I browsed the Shop extensively trying to make my mind up, I’ll tell you It’s very hard to do with all the lovely goodies that they have!

Finally, I decide to make myself the Moneta Dress by Colette Patterns which is a Steal for £12.50 as there is a lot variations to it! In the Pattern, it does state to use Clear Elastic to Gather the Skirt but in my past experience of using thin 6mm Elastic (which comes in 3m lengths by the way!) to Gather, i used that option instead!

Now to keep with my chosen theme, I decided to go for the Black and White Textured Rose Print Jersey which is on sale at just £3.41 per Half metre and its 140cm Wide, Boom!

Here are a few pics of my lovely package that was sent very quickly might I add, which is always a bonus when your itching to make a stat on a very eagerly awaited Project! Now aren’t they beautifully packaged!! Of course I couldn’t resist a new Fab-ri-co-lo-ogy Shopping Tote either…well I had some left over pennies so I treated myself!

With looking at the Instructions to the Moneta, It is one easy Dress to make so it’s ideal for someone who hasn’t sewn with jersey before. It doesn’t have loads of different pattern pieces either!

According to my measurements, i was a smack on Medium and it stated on the Pattern that you go with your Body Measurements rather than the measurements of the finished Garment as you are using Jersey it stretches and it’s supposed to hug your curves

So after i cut out the pattern and made the necessary adjustment of shortening the Skirt Pieces as i am only short! Thankfully I only needed to take an 1″ off, Yay!

I was Ready to begin! Armed with My Black Guterman 250m Thread, a new 80/12 Ballpoint Needle and a very new to me technique of using a Twin Needle to use in My Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 together with My Singer Overlocker, I was ready to make a start on my Project!

As some of you may seen on my Instagram Feed, Its is a very quick Sew! In 15 minutes, I had the Bodice and Sleeves sewn!

A photo posted by Sally Kendall (@theyorkshiresewist) on Feb 3, 2017 at 12:52am PST

I finally plucked up the courage to use my Twin Needle for the 1st time! Yay! After I stitched the Neckline Hem, it stood out a little from my Chest. I must have a slight shallow chest which makes sense as i do have to make a narrow back adjustment with some patterns, So with a quick adjustment of turning the hem again and stitching in place again using my Twin Needle, It sat great on me, so i used 3/4″ hem for the Neckline Hem. I must say though that using a Twin Needle isn’t as daunting as it sounds as long as you take your time and don’t rush, that’s where you won’t get a nice even looking stitching

The only time consuming part of this Dress, was making sure I had the Elastic spaced out evenly and took my time to make sure it was stretched properly.

Also not to forget to use The Make Arcade Glitter Brooch Kit to finish off my Dress nicely! It’s such a cute and fun kit where you basically trace round the Wooden heart on the back of the Glitter Fabric, Cut and Out, Glue it to the Wooden Heart and then attach the Brooch back and boom!! One Cute Brooch!

Now the Moneta being modeled on ‘Dorris’. Love the proffesional and clean lines on this Dress if i do say so myself!

Of course Moi out and about! First of all with my outing to the Stitching and Hobbycrafts with my Sewing Bestie Becca aka Redwsews. Oh we was getting funny looks from the ‘Card makers’ LOL they don’t undestand us ‘Sewing Bloggers’ hahaha!

Then of course I wore this out to a very nice Valentine meal with the Hubby as unfortunatly I’m at work Valentine Night so we made the most of a child free evening together! Bowling and eating scrummy food in peace! I’m no longer a Nando Virgin! LOL

So here you go folks, my 1st Design Team project for Sew Crafty! Hope you enjoyed and keep your eyes peeled in March for my next Sew Crafty Design Team Project!

Sal xx

The post My February ‘Love is in the Air’ Project for Sew Crafty Shop appeared first on The Yorkshire Sewist.