On My Sewing Table: Burgundy Trousers

After two weeks I've got some good news. I've finally finished the burgundy trousers! I've done a button fly, two front pockets, a back pocket, a waistband with belt loops, and turned up hems. And they fit like a dream! Here are some WIP photos...

I'll hopefully share some photos of them on soon, but I finished them at 11pm and the days are so short I barely see the sun as it is.

What I've learned this fortnight...
Although I knew how to make them before, I've refreshed my mind on various construction techniques including double welt pockets, jean style front pockets, and waistband construction.

What's next?
I intend to finish my 23rd Birthday Dress in the next week, it's just got a zip, arm hole bindings, hem, and covered buttons to complete so I think it's entirely do-able. Then I have to finish my ultimate nemesis, Burda 6986. Does anyone else think Burda's patterns are unnecessarily difficult? I feel like ultimately, they don't give you enough instructions! Like they're trying to catch you out!

HRH the Queen of Unfinished Sewing Projects

I'm the absolute worst at finishing projects. I tend to make for special occasions, and if there isn't a specific due date things can take a while, or just be put to one side. I'm intending to not do this any more. I want everything to be finished and beautiful before I start my next project!
I am currently working on three different unfinished projects. I aim to finish two of them and be working on the third by the end of January (let's see how that goes...)!
Project title: Nic's burgundy trousers
Approx start date: September 2015
Intended due date: November 2015

When Nic got onto the Post-Graduate programme with a years placement at one of the best new writing theatres in the country, I kindly offered to make her two pairs of trousers. We toiled in calico and then I started making in burgundy twill fabric. We also bought some grey wool to make a second pair. They're a classic pair of slim fit chino-style trousers, with side pockets, one back pocket, a waistband, and a button fly (the only type I know how to make...)
Trousers are possibly my least favourite make. They have so much fiddly nonsense. Two types of pocket, a fly, a waistband. No thank you. I've also never made trousers without any assistance before so I probably should have just bought a commercial pattern - especially making these plus sized. I think these will look great with stripe tops, button down shirts, and knitwear. And I cannot wait for them to be over.

Still to do:
Fitting in final fabric - 30 minutes.
Button fly - 1 hour
front pockets - 1 hour
back pocket - 30 minutes
Fitting for waistband - 30 minutes
Drafting and fabric cutting for waistband - 45 minutes
Waistband construction - 45 minutes
Hems (turn ups) - 30 mins
Approx duration: 5 hours 30 minutes.

Project title: 23rd Birthday Dress
Approx start date: January 2016
Intended due date: March 2016

I've been working on this dress for almost a year. I was inspired by the Hell Bunny Karen dress, but I wanted something more accurately vintage and without the crossover low back craziness. I loved the contrasting open collar and covered buttons. I'd already drafted a fairly perfect-for-me shirt dress pattern, which I made for the opening night of the Graduate Exhibition I curated in 2015. It's a fairly simple version of a shirt dress from the Winifred Aldrich Metric Pattern Cutting for Womens Wear, and features a back yolk, centre back box pleat, and bound arm holes. So I just used this pattern, making the collar and buttons in contrasting fabric.

When I realised that I didn't have the time to finish it for the due date I just stopped. Folded it up and put it to one side. I really want to finish this in time for spring because I think it would be really light and airy for those warmer days, but would look lovely with tights and a cardigan when it's chillier.
Still to do:
Insert side zip - 45 minutes.
Sew hem - 30 minutes
Make covered buttons and sew on, make button holes - 30 minutes
Arm hole binding - 1 hour 30 minutes.
Approx duration: 3 hours 45 minutes.


Project Title: Winter Coat
Approximate start date: Late October 2016
Intended due date: November 2016

Inspired by both Madeline and Moonrise Kingdom, this year I wanted a coat with a cape. There are a few available to purchase, but due to my ethical veganism and wool allergy, I didn't feel comfortable buying them. I went for the Burda B6986 pattern and faux boiled wool (Polyester Viscose mix) in Navy and started, making the cape detachable and elbow length so I can still wear it in Lewisham Market and not look entirely mad!
Whats Stopping Me?
I realised I'm an extremely lazy person and a coat is a large project. I also had a lot of alterations to do before we went to Disneyland for Nic's birthday at the end of November, then Christmas took over. But now I want to finish it.
Still to do:
Bind Cape with grosgrain ribbon
Construct and Attach collar
Construct and insert lining
Sleeves situation!
Side pockets!
Approx duration:
Goodness me, perhaps a solid fortnight? There's a lot still to do and the only thing making me finish it is the amount I paid for the pattern and fabric!

Project De-Stash: The Beginning! Inventory and Project Planning!

As detailed in my New Year's Resolutions post, I intend to de-stash my fabric collection before we move in August. I've been a fabric hoarder since I learned to sew, holding on to exciting fabrics, or bargain fabrics, or just staple fabrics, for an excessive period of time. Some fabrics are deemed 'too nice to use', or just don't have a purpose yet.

Once I have de-stashed I will purchase with the following rules:

1. Fabrics must be for specific projects, to be started within 6 weeks of purchase. 

2. Fabrics for special events must be started within 12 weeks of purchase.

3. Fabrics from stash must be used before any new projects can be started.

So, in that regard, I have sorted through all the fabrics I own and decided their future! Fabrics must have assigned projects, or be sold or gifted to friends, or donated to the charity shop. I do have some Christmassy fabrics that I have left at my parent's house, as this does have an intended purpose, but not yet. I will use this fabric before any new festive fabrics are purchased, and add them to my database when they are back in my hands!

Fabric:

Description: 

Grey and Pink check

Size of Fabric: 

Two pieces. 1: 156x105cm 2: 156x108cm

Fabric Content: 

Polyviscose?

Reason for Purchase: 

Intended to make a Peggy Olsen style dress for a college project. 

Duration in Stash: 

5 years

Project: 

60s Cigarette Trousers - Pattern: Vintage Simplicity 4548

Fabric: 

Vintage Navy Velvet with Pink Floral Print

Size of Fabric: 

93x317cm

Fabric Content: 

Cotton Velvet.

Reason for Purchase: 

Bought at a vintage fayre. I thought it looked nice!

Duration in Stash: 

3 years.

Project: 

Winter evening dress.

Fabric: 

Navy and Green Tartan

Size of Fabric: 

157x186cm

Fabric Content: 

Polyviscose

Reason for Purchase: 

Cheap in a Charity Shop!

Duration in Stash: 

5+ years

Project: 

60s Cigarette Trousers - Pattern: Vintage Simplicity 4548

Fabric: 

Grey Wool Blend

Size of Fabric: 

160x227cm

Fabric Content: 

Wool Blend

Reason for Purchase: 

Work Trousers for Nic

Duration in Stash: 

1 year 5 months

Project: 

Nic's Trousers

Fabric: 

Grey Faux Boiled Wool

Size of Fabric: 

154x120cm

Fabric Content: 

Poly Viscose Blend

Reason for Purchase: 

Leftover from a skirt for my sister.

Duration in Stash: 

1 year.

Project: A-Line button skirt. Pattern: 

Tilly and the Buttons Delphine

Fabric: 

Red floral on cream.

Size of Fabric:

115x286cm

Fabric Content: 

Cotton-ish

Reason for Purchase: 

Bought at a market with no Purpose.

Duration in Stash: 

6 years.

Project: 

Wearable toile for Simplicity 2444 

Fabric: 

Cyclists

Size of Fabric: 

111x419

Fabric Content: 

100% Cotton

Reason for Purchase: 

Leftover from a dress for Nic.

Duration in Stash: 

5 months.

Project: 

Summer Dress. Pattern: Simplicity 2176 

Fabric: 

Green Floral Printed Cotton

Size of Fabric:

144x99cm

Fabric Content: 

100% Cotton (or thereabouts)

Reason for Purchase: 

Gifted to me by my Granny.

Duration in Stash: 

10 months

Project: 

Gathered Skirt

Fabric: 

Dark Green Floral Printed Cotton

Size of Fabric: 

91x207cm

Fabric Content: 

Cotton-ish

Reason for Purchase: 

Gifted to me by my Granny.

Duration in Stash: 

10 months.

Project: 1950s inspired Pinafore Dress. Inspiration Image Here

Fabric: 

Mr Men Bedsheets

Size of Fabric: 

1 double bedsheet and 2 pillows!

Fabric Content: 

Polycotton

Reason for Purchase: 

Our old bedsheets. Too fun to donate.

Duration in Stash: 

3 months.

Project: 

Dress for Nic and gathered skirt for me. Pattern: Simplicity 8096

Fabric: 

Vegetable Print

Size of Fabric: 

150x99cm

Fabric Content: 

Cotton-ish

Reason for Purchase: 

Bought an offcut in Ikea because I thought it was funny.

Duration in Stash: 

5 months

Project: 

Gathered skirt.

Fabric: 

Roasli Floral Print

Size of Fabric: 

154x103cm

Fabric Content: 

Cotton-ish

Reason for Purchase: 

Bought an offcut in Ikea because it was cheap and essentially Cath Kidston.

Duration in Stash: 

5 months.

Project: 

Gathered skirt with lining (slightly see through!).

Fabric: 

Yellow with White Polka Dots

Size of Fabric: 

115x296cm

Fabric Content: 

Cotton-ish

Reason for Purchase:

Bought at a Market with no Purpose

Duration in Stash: 

6 years

Project: 

Summer Pinafore Dress. Pattern: Cynthia Rowley x Simplicity 2215

Fabric: 

Navy with White Polka Dots

Size of Fabric: 

114x90cm

Fabric Content: 

Cotton-ish

Reason for Purchase: 

Leftover from 23rd Birthday Dress

Duration in Stash: 

6 years

Project: 

Flared Summer Shorts. Inspiration Image Here!

Fabric: 

Car Print Bed Sheets

Size of Fabric: 

Unmeasured, most of a single duvet cover and a pillow case

Fabric Content: 

Polycotton

Reason for Purchase: 

Leftover from a Christmas present.

Duration in Stash: 

1 year.

Project: 

Men's Shirt

Fabric: 

White with Small Blue Flowers

Size of Fabric: 

114x49cm

Fabric Content: 

Cottonish

Reason for Purchase: 

Charity Shop Bargain

Duration in Stash: 

5 years (approx!)

Project: 

Camisole.

Fabric: 

Lilac and Mustard 60s Floral

Size of Fabric: 

106x69cm 

Fabric Content: 

Cottonish

Reason for Purchase: 

Leftover from Graduation Dress

Duration in Stash: 

1 year 5 months

Project: 

Camisole

Fabric: 

White with Red Floral

Size of Fabric: 

Two pieces: 1:114x315.5cm 2: 114x96cm

Fabric Content: 

Not Cotton but Looks Like It!

Reason for Purchase: 

Bought for a college project. Lots left over!

Duration in Stash: 

5 years

Project: 

Long Sleeved Dress???? Who knows! I have so much of this!!!

Stay tuned to see if I actually make these things! Fingers crossed!