tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27172553275314027392024-03-18T04:06:22.739-07:00Random Crafting Adventuresa blog about my favourite things - sewing, crafting, organisingKatie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-54963570604600561722017-08-05T09:00:00.000-07:002017-08-05T09:00:01.982-07:00Cross Front Maxi Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Many years ago, I bought myself a maxi dress at Target in Melbourne. This was the most comfortable, easy to wear dress. It's a stretch fabric with an empire waist crossover top, and a shirred skirt. Over time, despite very careful handling, the neckline became a little stretched. I made a tuck in the front to fix it, but it's not perfect. </div>
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I like this dress so much, I decided to have a go at copying it. I started by tracing off a front and back bodice pattern. I didn't bother with the skirt as I just needed length and width measurements.</div>
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I then visited Chinatown and picked up some 150cm wide stretch fabric at the bargain price of $3 per metre. I bought three metres just to be safe, and ended up having enough to make Samantha a dressing gown as well.</div>
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What does it look like on? Very nice, I think!</div>
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To make sure the neckline didn't sag and stretch, I carefully sewed a small channel around the edge, and threaded 1/4" elastic through it. Overall I was quite happy with the fit of this make. I think the cross-over panels are a little bit long, so I adjusted my pattern before starting on my next make.</div>
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Now that I'd tested my pattern, I popped into Chinatown again and bought another stretch fabric. This one was $12 per metre. I only bought two metres this time and had plenty for my dress - it helps to be short!</div>
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I'm happier with the fit of this dress, but I still think I can take out a bit more fabric from the cross-over panel. I also messed up slightly with the join between the bodice and the skirt, and will add in an extra row of shirring above the join next time. By not having a row of shirring above the join, the seam has stretched and gone a bit wavy. <br />
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Overall I'm very happy with my two dresses and they get a lot of wear. I've already bought one more fabric for a fourth attempt. Hopefully I'll get it perfect this time.<br />
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<br />Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-71232751301294988752017-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:002017-07-29T09:00:23.061-07:00My Sorbetto Obsession<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju3Eb_FRWDBGBNZpwHszshPcaDTU0dz5hQmvNHpnRswJgUdEhT3JVVCRGDgmjgdgKtp1fZAbrkQPBFIXdY1k2SqdJ_FgUkTKfNzHYTKcODPdYr_HI95ZocKAdmXZ9L26lhZBAz5Vl52w/s1600/Sorbetto+Obsession.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju3Eb_FRWDBGBNZpwHszshPcaDTU0dz5hQmvNHpnRswJgUdEhT3JVVCRGDgmjgdgKtp1fZAbrkQPBFIXdY1k2SqdJ_FgUkTKfNzHYTKcODPdYr_HI95ZocKAdmXZ9L26lhZBAz5Vl52w/s400/Sorbetto+Obsession.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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There's nothing better than a simple sleeveless cotton top in Singapore. It's comfortable, goes well with shorts and always looks a bit neater than a t-shirt or singlet. Collette Patterns have a free, downloadable pattern for a simple sleeveless top. You can download your copy of the Sorbetto from their <a href="https://www.colettepatterns.com/catalog/sorbetto">website</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.colettepatterns.com/catalog/sorbetto"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpr8vHgp9Qfv5KC2HOZ5jfbutpmhlutThZyqOlUFpkX-f1Dw_VJtNmmq52qVVFnNmJbOqHnPWlsF9FvIp9C3NOdcSoP0Wa_o-rom99pDVTt12SYOBr6V9UKyFbpy9OMl5AolxRnF3AYA/s400/cp1037-sorbetto-01-large-cb424e1d12e9e05dc7af4f4e94dcc3985d48fe26edc2733dd2a309442502664f.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.colettepatterns.com/catalog/sorbetto">Source - Collette Patterns</a></td></tr>
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I made my first Sobetto back when we lived in London. I used some white shirting I had leftover from Samantha's christening gown. I wore that top to death every time we got warm weather. It was eventually so stained and ragged that I had to ditch it. I decided to make myself a few more in different fabrics. So far I have three which get a lot of wear.<br />
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This first one I made in a very fine Japanese lawn I bought at Spotlight. Unfortunately, I slightly stretched out the neckline and armholes. <br />
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I made this one in a beautiful linen shirting I bought at Mustafa. I used an improvisational pleating technique I saw on <a href="http://birchfabrics.blogspot.sg/2014/03/tutorial-improvisational-pleating-3.html?m=1">Birch Fabrics Blog</a>. The pleating does require a really good pressing, but I like the effect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAjOLTfnIv2VZZftOvURv5c5_Ho5ez2jxC7uelTUQayW5biROmFR1QcoPrLmrR9-f-zixxijj58Dj8az-ts_W7v6zvGrSbWuAedUWZgSqCpphnq5M4NM5grgS_Rn32tbV89A608fD6J4/s1600/IMG_9662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAjOLTfnIv2VZZftOvURv5c5_Ho5ez2jxC7uelTUQayW5biROmFR1QcoPrLmrR9-f-zixxijj58Dj8az-ts_W7v6zvGrSbWuAedUWZgSqCpphnq5M4NM5grgS_Rn32tbV89A608fD6J4/s400/IMG_9662.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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My final Sorbetto is made in white shirting from Mustafa with some pintucks down the centre front. I started by removing the pleat from the front panel of the Sorbetto pattern. I then decided it was much too difficult to work out the pintuck fabric requirements, cut the pattern then sew the pintucks. Instead, I sewed the pintucks into the fabric, then cut out my pattern. I'm sure this method is cheating, but it worked like a charm.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9boPswznX24wS8YGeKj3UN7I897TxQYDQynWpNskRkErMUr9iDuqECwfGk588eswqapJRcLjJbFHy-lVX_RneHiCly4eZ48voWbP8ppxjQ1GZUBtka5GtBHE1FiLPpENslIuUQwY7Qo/s1600/IMG_9666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9boPswznX24wS8YGeKj3UN7I897TxQYDQynWpNskRkErMUr9iDuqECwfGk588eswqapJRcLjJbFHy-lVX_RneHiCly4eZ48voWbP8ppxjQ1GZUBtka5GtBHE1FiLPpENslIuUQwY7Qo/s400/IMG_9666.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I love the simplicity of these tops and wear them all the time. If you haven't tried out the Sorbetto pattern yet, I highly recommend it.Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-59573890547317359792017-07-25T00:41:00.001-07:002017-08-07T19:37:58.016-07:00The Charlie Caftan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5mcrCpWBI-LGC5WGOBD_7_cEn46zLVf4Q02v1abT0_utG7r7fZIeb9-Z3HgClwsY40x1QIF3OixBvrYrOAhZGq697TNvh8VXH2fCldu8w7cGhF3JsuvGajZMfDWiE-Mu0x5kHn8o0Tc/s1600/The.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="charlie caftan" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5mcrCpWBI-LGC5WGOBD_7_cEn46zLVf4Q02v1abT0_utG7r7fZIeb9-Z3HgClwsY40x1QIF3OixBvrYrOAhZGq697TNvh8VXH2fCldu8w7cGhF3JsuvGajZMfDWiE-Mu0x5kHn8o0Tc/s400/The.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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A couple of weeks ago Karen from Did You Make That wrote a post about the making of her Charlie Caftan.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://didyoumakethat.com/2017/06/25/closet-case-patterns-charlie-caftan/"><img border="0" alt="charlie caftan"
data-original-height="964" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKXQrBMBqq4B_nzXNC2AuVrco2Qrz5L9SAbJx-gjZg7zd9CFYnjWc4klJukJ945R29d7snPIwRIf7a9Mo_ByDSg3a4mtA8aVcZ4pVZST-HNOkV5gRBDuZcyiYFT77ozd2jESbyY2Dwms/s400/charlie-caftan-bench.jpg" width="265" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://didyoumakethat.com/2017/06/25/closet-case-patterns-charlie-caftan/">Source - Did You Make That</a></td></tr>
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I wasn't drawn to the pattern immediately as I didn't like the length of it or the fit of the bodice, but then I clicked on the link to the pattern and found this ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://store.closetcasepatterns.com/products/charlie-caftan-pattern"><img border="0" alt="charlie caftan" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R0pNrflaFGJEa-FTv_TD0HBXbqR5puRvRHLI5HW2Jll2uAoSEKOt4jFV9fG2HWKcy9tVtHInLrUwMH4U2Rr9YXs_8l75MOIlmFtRJxhwWERb817FiBQbgN4jc72zZOMuw09qwIqi_Qg/s400/Charlie_Caftan_Pattern_Kaftan_Sewing_Pattern_1280x1280.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://store.closetcasepatterns.com/products/charlie-caftan-pattern">Source - Closet Case Files</a></td></tr>
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I absolutely adore this longer version. It also looks like the perfect dress for sticky Singapore weather.<br />
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Several months ago my mum was visiting me in Singapore. We spent a few hours wandering around Arab Street and did a bit of shopping. I spotted this lovely hand printed, Indian cotton fabric in Dilip Textiles. They mostly sell tablecloths and cushion covers, but they also have a small selection of pre-cut fabric lengths.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8Y6Ylp2DTKHeI5kySibml9SlSZLHZNUV-RHpIh6hZde2__-CRiB0TpMDcuwmG_85mNE3bUqhNlpYqRVnpPhIeg5lA6wcl6mxKuaMsbZUSmbfJBMRN_4kP_X_wx-fKdqCksxwFBC8xqU/s1600/IMG_9639+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="charlie caftan" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8Y6Ylp2DTKHeI5kySibml9SlSZLHZNUV-RHpIh6hZde2__-CRiB0TpMDcuwmG_85mNE3bUqhNlpYqRVnpPhIeg5lA6wcl6mxKuaMsbZUSmbfJBMRN_4kP_X_wx-fKdqCksxwFBC8xqU/s400/IMG_9639+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I had slightly less than 3m of fabric, and was able to cut a size 3 pattern. I had to take about 1" off the length to fit it in, but as I'm rather short the length worked out perfectly! The fabric is a soft, lightweight cotton (a bit heavier than a lawn).<br />
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While I love this fabric, I wouldn't recommend using geometric print. I especially wouldn't recommend a hand-printed Indian cotton where the geometric pattern is slightly wonky. It adds an unnecessary level of complexity in matching up that incredibly visible centre front seam. That being said, I think the minor imperfections just add to the charm of this fabric.<br />
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There are a couple of tricky parts in the construction of this dress. The first is getting a neatly aligned centre front seam. I started by taking extra care when folding the fabric and placing the pattern piece. Once the front panel was cut, I carefully staystiched the neckline to ensure I didn't stretch it out while I was working. I then pinned the seam and checked the alignment. It took several goes, but I eventually got it lined up perfectly. I'm pleased I took the time to do this carefully, as it would have been horribly obvious if I'd got it wrong.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6q4F4UGtYm1RWnEYG19MuRC9uftLOvDeX29S7o47mFBqBlcVslKbdZTBu1pksxu67X8VuAZ2C8QwHK9pQkxJoTo7EvAh_wpkroO6RU9FokI5MJIMVGUmWYhMeNyd0dFcsQR1je0S9UpA/s1600/IMG_9606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="charlie caftan" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6q4F4UGtYm1RWnEYG19MuRC9uftLOvDeX29S7o47mFBqBlcVslKbdZTBu1pksxu67X8VuAZ2C8QwHK9pQkxJoTo7EvAh_wpkroO6RU9FokI5MJIMVGUmWYhMeNyd0dFcsQR1je0S9UpA/s400/IMG_9606.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Those of you with eagle eyes may have picked up that this isn't actually a perfectly aligned seam, as the pattern doesn't meet perfectly on the centre seam. The only way I could have achieved perfect pattern matching would have been to take 2-3cm out of the gathered portion at the cutting stage, so that the repeating pattern met along the white dots in the centre of the star. Personally, I quite like the way it worked out.<br />
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The second difficult step is the insertion of the "waistband" panel in the centre front. I started by very carefully lining up my pattern piece so that I got a good placement of the star design in the fabric. The pattern instructions for inserting the waistband are a little bit confusing. Fortunately, Karen had shared her tips on how to complete this step, and it ended up being quite straightforward. I drew the stitching lines on the back of waistband panel using my trusty Frixion pen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJADqShX55XkeXnjeDFku8RY6qTuhOF3QwX4qFHq9hlfp3_YSn4vl6OftJIF98HN29ZcYKTei0sK_pIGBBSV2uEvQI2uw6QWfxu87LTOSSJ5_F-FoLcp-kwY-zZs7F2VV8YE8V2HwhEE/s1600/IMG_9586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="charlie caftan" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJADqShX55XkeXnjeDFku8RY6qTuhOF3QwX4qFHq9hlfp3_YSn4vl6OftJIF98HN29ZcYKTei0sK_pIGBBSV2uEvQI2uw6QWfxu87LTOSSJ5_F-FoLcp-kwY-zZs7F2VV8YE8V2HwhEE/s400/IMG_9586.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I then carefully pinned and sewed the waistband into the bodice using the markings as my stitching guide. It resulted in a really neat waistband panel. The rest of the instructions for the dress are really simple, and I had my Charlie Caftan completed in about three hours.<br />
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Here's the finished dress:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVza9fOk9RFJ5yVhtTpKvG60jgchVH8epv4AlsD8uivoiADPdCSi5z17XmZ5fNVeezI8yTViA_oK1sAHk5-sITh2fQ4WQ7M9gIpgs5RI11hl43RwpeVoydtxxvE-oMWUFiUqA-mKh9n_s/s1600/IMG_9600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="charlie caftan" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVza9fOk9RFJ5yVhtTpKvG60jgchVH8epv4AlsD8uivoiADPdCSi5z17XmZ5fNVeezI8yTViA_oK1sAHk5-sITh2fQ4WQ7M9gIpgs5RI11hl43RwpeVoydtxxvE-oMWUFiUqA-mKh9n_s/s400/IMG_9600.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I've worn it twice now, once on the weekend and once to work. It is such a comfortable, beautiful dress. I'm completely in love with it, and am definitely going to make another.Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-14589988667239335412016-07-19T05:49:00.000-07:002016-07-19T05:49:58.922-07:00DIY Pattern Weights<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDm0ASPvRB8pGJSbrm2_DuMhaQxW5hyDyoIuUvyG82Beko-X9OrPSntLlI45Rfckif0xMgp5Cmk5YD5aGcd-7WxzEc2BobcY0mRVYt3fQn-1WjP6qACd8I-6fSQ84V_NgJOgmnN1bNO0/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDm0ASPvRB8pGJSbrm2_DuMhaQxW5hyDyoIuUvyG82Beko-X9OrPSntLlI45Rfckif0xMgp5Cmk5YD5aGcd-7WxzEc2BobcY0mRVYt3fQn-1WjP6qACd8I-6fSQ84V_NgJOgmnN1bNO0/s400/Slide1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I do a lot of fabric cutting using a mat and rotary cutter. I have never owned proper pattern weights, and generally use anything handy - mostly food tins. </div>
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I've been looking at some tutorials on Pinterest for DIY pattern weights and decided I need to make some. My favourite ones are made with metal washers. I considered wrapping them in ribbon or washi tape, or even painting them. There was lots of inspiration on the web.</div>
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In the end, I decided I preferred them left plain. I think they look neat. I popped into a hardware store near my house and picked up 20 x 2" washers. </div>
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The washers had a smooth edge on one side and a rough edge in the other. It felt like the rough edge would catch on delicate fabrics. A simple solution was to glue two washers together, with the rough edges on the inside. </div>
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I found some araldite glue in my cupboard, a plastic lid for mixing the glue, and some cardboard for working on.</div>
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The first step was to mix up some glue. Araldite glue comes in two tubes, and you have to mix equal quantities of each to make it work.</div>
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I dabbed some glue on one washer, then placed the second washer on top. I gently twisted the washers a little, to spread the glue around evenly. It's important not to use too much glue, or it will ooze out the sides and the washers will slide around while drying.</div>
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I glued all 20 together then left them to dry overnight. I checked them a few times in the first couple of hours, to make sure the washers hadn't slid out of position.</div>
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It took longer than I thought it would for the glue to dry completely - which might be because of the heat and humidity in Singapore. After a couple of days the were completely dry and ready to use.</div>
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They work perfectly and are a great size and weight. I think I might make a second batch, as 10 don't seem to be enough.</div>
Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-14779770366573492352016-07-13T03:49:00.000-07:002016-07-18T00:24:23.909-07:00The Great British Sewing Bee - Week Six Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We head into week five - Activewear Week - with five contestants left. <br />
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We have arrived at the quarter final. The five sewers left have all had good and bad challenges. I don't feel like one stands out as the most likely winner, and I'd be fairly happy to see any combination of the three in the final.</div>
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SPOILER ALERT! I am going to discuss, in detail, what happens in week two of The Great British Sewing Bee. If you haven't had a chance to watch this episode yet, you might like to sneak off and do that before you read this summary, but please stop by again after you have caught up.<br />
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<h2>
The Challenges </h2>
<h3>
1. Sewing from a Pattern</h3>
<b>Sew a mens cycling top in lycra (techniques include sewing with four-way stretch lycra, </b><b>inserting a zip in lycra, </b><b>using an overlocker and coverstitch machine) in 2 hours 45 minutes.</b><br />
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Our five remaining contestants lined up, ready to receive their activewear pattern challenge. All were suitably surprised by the cycling top pattern handed out.<br />
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Patrick, Esme and Claudia gathered around the sample cycling top to discuss just how difficult the challenge was. Patrick explained that they had set this challenge as activewear is expensive, and it takes a great deal of skill to sew it. Esme pointed out that sewers need to pin their fabrics well, or they will end up with puckered seams. The other difficult aspects of the challenge are getting the zip in neatly, the collar on and lined up evenly, and no stretched seams. Esme and Patrick thought this is the toughest challenge they have set yet. I'm inclined to agree with them.</div>
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The steps in constructing the top were as follows:</div>
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The haberdashery had been stocked with a variety of plain coloured, four-way stretch lycra fabrics. There was nothing terribly exciting about the fabrics, but they did look like nice quality lycra. I think the best choices were Joyce (blue and yellow) and Tracey (red and sky blue).</div>
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No-one seemed particularly thrilled with this challenge. Rumana hated the fabric, and it was only the second time she had worked with an overlocker. Charlotte, Tracey & Jade were shown discussing how they were going slowly so they would be neat and accurate. We then cut to Joyce, who was racing through her overlocker seams with obvious glee. There was much discussion of the fine line between stretching a seam and over-stretching a seam. </div>
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The first difficult step was under stitching the collar (without stretching it too much). Rumana didn't seem familiar with under stitching, and did her row of stitches on the outside of the collar. The next difficulty was inserting the exposed zip. Tracey summed it up nicely when she pointed out that the woven zip and the stretching fabric "don't want to play nicely together". Tracey was having so little fun with the challenge she declared she'd rather be back at the dentist getting a filling.</div>
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The next challenge was using a coverstitch machine. If you're not sure what a coverstitch machine does, have a look at the hem on a t-shirt. It makes that stretchy row of double stitching used on hems. Rumana declared "I thought I hated overlockers, and then I met this!" No-one seemed to have used a coverstitch machine and I don't think anyone found it easy.</div>
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Right near the end of the challenge Claude shouted "six minutes" right next to Jade, who retorted with "oh, that is NOT helpful." There was a mad scramble to finish, and I don't think anyone enjoyed this challenge.</div>
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The judges comments were as follows:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Charlotte - collar matches well, centre front seam pulls up slightly, bottom hem and cuffs even, but neckline chewed and stretched.</li>
<li>Tracey - really liked the colours, extremely well sewn, collar sitting nicely, centre front seam not pulling, hem even, but zip does not go all the way to the top of the collar.</li>
<li>Rumana - collar doesn't line up, under stitching on outside of collar, collar stretched out, hem tension not good and thread snapped in places.</li>
<li>Joyce - neatly sewn, collar sits nicely, good colour combination, but neckline seams doesn't match at front and centre front seam pulls up slightly.</li>
<li>Jade - collar stretched and seams not matching, coverstitch not sewn in right place. centre front seam pulling up and three rows of stitching on bottom hem, instead of two.</li>
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The results from 5th place were Rumana, Jade, and Charlotte, with Joyce in second, and Tracey in first (near perfect, neatly sewn and a good choice of colours).<br />
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2. Alter a Basic High Street Item</h3>
<b>Take an eighties adult snowsuit and turn it into a wearable item of children's outerwear in 1 hour 30 minutes. </b><br />
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As you can imagine, there were some fairly hideous snowsuits to choose from. Claudia found it very hard to believe that no-one wanted the fabulous yellow and pink suit.<br />
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Claudia spent most of this challenge being as much of a nuisance as she could, and clowned about in the gorgeous yellow and pink snowsuit.<br />
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All contestants decided to make jackets with their snowsuits. Jade went for a loose fitting bomber jacket with bias trim, Charlotte used her snowsuit lining to make a fur trimmed, hooded duffel coat, Joyce made a bomber jacket with appliquéd panels of embroidered designs, Tracey made a hooded duffel coat with bias trim and Rumana went all out with a flamingo inspired hooded jacket.<br />
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All contestants found it difficult to cut through the layers of thick fabric. There was also plenty of muttering while trying to sew all the layers of fabric and padding. There were several ominous clunks from the sewing machines, that sounded like broken needles or jammed threads.<br />
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The judges comments were as follows:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Joyce - terrific, liked the re-use of jacket elements (like embroidery and fasteners).</li>
<li>Tracey - like the use of stripes and patterns from original snowsuit, hood is a good shape, but jacket is a bit snug.</li>
<li>Jade - love the shape of it, scale of jacket works perfectly, looks fab, very eighties.</li>
<li>Rumana - really fun, a child would really love to wear it, nicely executed, completely different from the other alterations.</li>
<li>Charlotte - fit is right, a functioning piece of clothing, Esme really liked it, but Patrick wasn't a fan of the fur trim.</li>
</ul>
The results from 5th place are Tracey, Charlotte, Joyce, in second was Rumana (very fun alteration, very nicely done), and in first place was Jade (love the shape of it, has a great feel, it's cool).<br />
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Jade was completely shocked by her win, but absolutely delighted. As an aside, I really liked Rumana's alteration and was surprised it didn't take first place.</div>
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<h3>
3. Sew a Showstopper</h3>
<b>Sew a ladies yoga outfit to fit a real model in 6 hours 30 minutes.</b><br />
<br />
Sewing a yoga outfit seems like a really difficult task. It needs to be perfectly fitted and, most importantly, stretched enough so that it fits snugly, but not over-stretched.<br />
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Here is what each contestant planned to make:<br />
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Charlotte went for loose-fitting 3/4 leggings and a draped top with an integrated sports bra. She had one of my favourite fabrics. It was a very fluid, drapey knit with a pink, black, orange and white "V" print. Charlotte was concerned that loose fitting leggings might be controversial, as everyone else was going for tight fitting clothes.<br />
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Jade chose a sports bra with a rouleau strap detail on the back, and fitted leggings with contrast panels. Jade had selected a really nice black and pink printed fabric that looked great with the plain black contrast fabric. <br />
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Joyce went for raglan sleeve t-shirt top and leggings with contrast panels. I wasn't keen on her fabric choices, as the fabric seemed too heavy-weight for a yoga outfit. I also didn't like the colour selection. I think Joyce should have gone for fabrics like the charcoal and blue combination on the pattern envelope.<br />
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Another potential complication, is that her pattern is for a very loose-fitting, long sleeve top, which Joyce was trying to turn into a snug fitting, short-sleeve top. It was an unnecessary challenge, which was likely to result in a badly fitted raglan sleeve.<br />
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Rumana decided to make a singlet top with full-length leggings. Her leggings pattern was very simple (two leg pieces and a waistband). Her top was a nice style, and she planned to add a red lycra trim. This needed to be very carefully handled to make sure it wasn't stretched out.<br />
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Tracey opted for 3/4 leggings with a sports bra top. Her fabric choices were my least favourite. Burgundy combined with an orange tie-dye print! I quite liked the style of the top and pants, but I think they would have been so much better in a nicer fabric combination.<br />
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Generally the contestants seemed to cope very well with the challenge. Most seemed to start with a larger than needed pattern, and then take in the pieces until the perfect fit was achieved. Rumana was still overwhelmed by the unfamiliar equipment, and opted for zigzagging some seams, rather than using the overlocker. All contestants opted to use the coverstitch machine to finish their garments. Despite it's unfamiliarity, it obviously produced the best finish.<br />
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Tracey used a couple of interesting techniques in her make. Firstly, she used flat lock seams. This method involves overlocking the seam (wrong sides together), then pulling the pieces apart, until the seam lies flat, and the stitching shows on the top of the join.<br />
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Another interesting technique she used involved creating criss-crossed straps on her leggings cuff. I liked the look of them, but it seemed obvious from the photo below that she made made the straps too short, and they were going to be a very tight fit.<br />
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Jade sewed six rouleau straps, and using them as the straps on the back of her bra top, it was a really effective feature. She worked out the strap placement by eyeballing them, however, they were slightly mis-aligned and should probably have been checked with a tape measure.<br />
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Joyce finished her yoga outfit early, so decided to whip up a cardigan to go over the top. In her own words "do not be impressed, because when you see it ... well, you won't be." Given that grim assessment, I wasn't sure why she didn't just ditch the cardigan, and sit back with a cup of tea.<br />
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As the clock ticked down to the finish, there were lots of shots of contestants talking to themselves and their sewing machines. I'm delighted to see I'm not the only person who does this.<br />
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The judges comments were as follows:<br />
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Charlotte: The only contestant who didn't do a tight fitting outfit, and it was very successful. Works really nicely, waistband fits well, strap detail very effective. Fabric is bagging slightly on the top and needed a minor adjustment. Overall its a great looking outfit, moves nicely - a lot of positives.<br />
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Jade: exceptional fit, leggings are tight, but still have enough room to move and fit well over bottom. Sports bra fits neatly over bust, straps are not evenly spaced, but the effective is vivid and strong. A brilliant job, it nails the brief.<br />
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Joyce: very neatly sewn, but it's neither form fitting nor loose fitting. It seems lost in the middle. Leggings look more like a trouser and needed to be shorter and more fitted. Top is too loose and length doesn't work, binding was also too loose. The cardigan was rated as "pretty good."<br />
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Tracey: fit of trousers was very good, but there was a small pleat across the front. Esme liked the flat lock seams, but would have preferred the stitches had been reversed (with the ladder stitch on the inside of the garment). There were some issues with the fit of the sports bra - the band was too loose and the front was pulling upwards, the front also seemed to be cut a little too small, but it fitted very nicely across the back. The criss-cross feature on the cuffs was too tight (I had to include a picture as it was turning the poor model's legs purple), and Esme would have preferred it if the cuff colours had been reversed with tie-dye band, and burgundy straps.<br />
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Rumana: really liked the choice of fabrics - the black & white print with the sold black fabric and red trim was really effective. Legs were a very good fit. The big issue was with the binding. It should have been cut shorter, which would have prevented it stretching and bagging. Unfortunately, the red contrast colour, makes the error really obvious.<br />
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<h2>
The Final Results</h2>
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The contestants went off for a coffee, while the judges discussed the weekend's work.<br />
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The judges felt this had been a really difficult week. Lots of contestants hadn't worked with these fabrics before, and lots of them weren't familiar with the machines.<br />
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Rumana and Joyce were both in danger this week. <br />
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The judges discussed:</div>
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Rumana - came bottom in the pattern challenge, really liked the pink flamingo jacket, the yoga outfit was a pretty good fit and nice choice of style and fabrics, but it was let down by the binding.<br />
Joyce - did well in the pattern challenge, judges liked her alteration challenge, the yoga outfit was well sewn, but it didn't fit, and didn't look like sports wear.<br />
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The contestants were then called back in to hear the final results:<br />
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Garment of the week went to … Jade for her Made-to-Measure yoga outfit.<br />
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And now for the bad news. The contestant leaving this week was … Rumana.<br />
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It has been so enjoyable watching Rumana throughout the competition. In the final piece to camera she talked about how much sewing meant to her, and how it had given her such confidence. It was so sweet, and brought a little tear to my eye.<br />
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<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
<div>
I was really sad, and a little bit surprised, to see Rumana go. I thought she had out-performed Joyce this week, and I especially liked her crazy pink flamingo jacket. She has been a lovely contestant and I wish she had stayed.<br />
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Up next week is complicated looking patterns. It was all a bit vague about what would be involved, but it looks like the GBSB team have come up with a horribly complicated pattern for the pattern challenge. I can't believe there are only two episodes left. <br />
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<h2>
Want to Read More About GBSB?</h2>
You might also like to check out these other blogs that have done some posts about this episode:<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://thethriftystitcher.co.uk/blog/" target="_blank">The Thrifty Stitcher</a> - Claire-Louise Hardie is the Sewing Producer for The Great British Sewing Bee. She posts some lovely tutorials on sewing techniques.</li>
<li><a href="https://thefoldline.com/great-british-sewing-bee/">The Fold Line</a> - have a list of all contestants and links to their blogs, website and social media. They have also reviewed the new GBSB Season 4 book.</li>
<li><a href="http://byhandlondon.com/blogs/by-hand-london/117612037-the-great-british-sewing-bee-from-stitch-to-style?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+byhandlondon%2FSQgL+%28By+Hand+London+-+Blog%29">By Hand London</a> - Elisalex De Castro Peake has reviewed the new GBSB Season 4 book.</li>
<li><a href="https://monkseal.wordpress.com/2016/05/26/the-great-british-sewing-bee-4-episode-2/">The Mighty Mighty Monk Seal</a> - Steve & Chris present a very witty recap, which is written as fans of reality television review, rather than as sewers themselves.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.sewmag.co.uk/blog">Sew Style & Home</a> - Sew Magazine publish a recap of each episode on their blog.</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
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If you know any more blogs with interesting recaps or useful advice related to the GBSB, leave me a message and I can include a link.</div>
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Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-67730254951168518772016-06-26T02:56:00.002-07:002016-07-18T00:23:50.419-07:00The Great British Sewing Bee - Week Five Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We head into week five - Sixties Week - with six contestants left. I have given up trying to catch up and am just writing my recaps a full week behind. Hope you enjoy reading.<br />
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Last week saw the departure of Josh, the last man standing. After last season, I was hopeful we might have a good crop of male contestants this year, but they have been fairly disappointing. Jamie showed early promise, but ended his good run with a particularly disastrous effort on lingerie week. Josh seems to have only just scraped through each episode, and succumbed to the inevitable in international week. <br />
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SPOILER ALERT! I am going to discuss, in detail, what happens in week two of The Great British Sewing Bee. If you haven't had a chance to watch this episode yet, you might like to sneak off and do that before you read this summary, but please stop by again after you have caught up.<br />
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<h2>
The Challenges </h2>
<h3>
1. Sewing from a Pattern</h3>
<b>Sew a sixties inspired colour blocked shift dress (selecting colours for an effective pattern, sewing very accurately to create an even pattern, inserting a hidden lapped zipper) in 3 hours 45 minutes.</b><br />
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For this challenge contestants were given a vintage sewing machine. I'm not sure they all had exactly the same machine, but there was a close up view of the Singer 457 Stylist Zig Zag machine. It's an electric machine, which has an adjustable stitch length and can sew straight or zig-zag stitches. I don't have personal experience with a machine like this, but I did learn on a Singer model only slightly more advanced than this, and they are quite different from modern machines.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/m2112/"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhhdtKaNUvWruEXJMv3in5cROJfTAFO2W7qrg7Nnve06x5xY1IFJwMkwIjT2veh0Y0DXMifp4S2ZTuqGFDCPqSDkBmtKGAiy0zehIKp7WYw8ccEtiFjWDZZy8QpeIVUbRibxVeUknluE/s400/E5-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/m2112/">Image courtesy of www.singersewinginfo.co.uk</a></td></tr>
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The pattern was a relatively simple shift dress, and none of the techniques are especially difficult. There were two main challenges: 1) selecting an interesting mix of colours, and 2) sewing the colour blocked panel very accurately. </div>
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Contestants were given an array of plain coloured cotton fabrics. Angeline, Tracey and Joyce went a bit mad and chose a loud mix of colours that didn't appeal to me at all. Rumana selected a lovely combination of aqua, orange and white. Jade went her own way, and opted for a monochrome palette, much to Claudia's delight. Charlotte seemed to spend a lot of time moving around pieces of fabric, before she settled on a really nice colour palette of yellow, orange, jade, white and black.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdLzylDvypquM6pQ4xCrCUqAxq7HvTVB9h2VaI4igPVFo29c9EGF1rsQ3mUDFavGm8xpt4HElQ9jKhZvG5QSPu-bZHoowbHRIsXNeUBfINlgpXR7owz1FdVURQHhhL6bZBcZy-6zRfOQ/s1600/E5-6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdLzylDvypquM6pQ4xCrCUqAxq7HvTVB9h2VaI4igPVFo29c9EGF1rsQ3mUDFavGm8xpt4HElQ9jKhZvG5QSPu-bZHoowbHRIsXNeUBfINlgpXR7owz1FdVURQHhhL6bZBcZy-6zRfOQ/s400/E5-6.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Joyce was determined to follow the pattern instructions to the letter this week, and was ticking off each step as she went. In this challenge, it was important to sew the dividing border between the colour blocks exactly 1.5" wide. Patrick interrupted Jade's sewing to point out that her borders were being sewn inaccurately. Meanwhile, Joyce was the only contestant I saw that used chalk to carefully mark her stitching line on her dividing border pieces. This meant that her horizontal and vertical lines were sewn accurately and evenly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW81f4ZDpw9mEPNLQkizIllE4Aql3p2809VbUshIdssXSelzdSstTQdfMaTfRBQ_EJ6B3gI-tNeKxJFrCJpXPGs5ftVUv5HLFj1uCMFBiI0EYOTtp2h8-fWXFDFE0U4-7FYYGYgdJpzlc/s1600/E5-7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW81f4ZDpw9mEPNLQkizIllE4Aql3p2809VbUshIdssXSelzdSstTQdfMaTfRBQ_EJ6B3gI-tNeKxJFrCJpXPGs5ftVUv5HLFj1uCMFBiI0EYOTtp2h8-fWXFDFE0U4-7FYYGYgdJpzlc/s400/E5-7.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Selecting colours and cutting the pattern must have been a really time consuming task. At the one hour mark, Tracey commented that she hadn't even started sewing yet. Angeline had just finished sewing her front together, when Patrick pointed out that she had produced a mirror image of the pattern. Unfortunately it was too late to do anything about it.<br />
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Angeline, Joyce and Charlotte took the time to switch the colour of their thread during the challenge, to ensure their stitching wasn't visible on different panels of the pattern. Rumana, Tracey and Jade just sewed with whatever colour was in the machine, leaving visible lines of stitching on hems and zips. <br />
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The final difficulty in the pattern challenge was sewing the lapped zip. The lapped zip should be sewn so that the single flap of fabric on the left of the zip, completely covers the zip and the stitching on the right side of the zip. Patrick and Esme showed us what it should look like when done right:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyuDfYxdLIc8X-jIjlsWrywh3BufqCMCjP9f4J8IMMR1J9w26tAcMcL_fNghdLWJEmlpWV6ow_8CAg2pIWGsAW77aOVgq_0UMTnQjRODiFBMBrq1mtliDypfpD36Kld1zzFR2hyphenhyphenJlq2Y/s1600/E5-8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyuDfYxdLIc8X-jIjlsWrywh3BufqCMCjP9f4J8IMMR1J9w26tAcMcL_fNghdLWJEmlpWV6ow_8CAg2pIWGsAW77aOVgq_0UMTnQjRODiFBMBrq1mtliDypfpD36Kld1zzFR2hyphenhyphenJlq2Y/s400/E5-8.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's not a great photo as you can't really see the detail, so here is a photo from a Whafi.com tutorial, that shows the technique more clearly:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://whafi.com/sewing-techniques/how-to-sew-a-lapped-zipper"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eajLpPAaGlxV3_5ldW8rrE9oxqAInqcAS-FK3SJ6QpRXx3NZCqx07aH669NkEtbwYT8TkfVxaYuH4VZHNnY5CTNSCWcblAlg17aW6FwZyEEE-6YX21_owi-eVKTIRotpeOGUqxd6Q0w/s400/E5-9.jpg" width="275" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://whafi.com/sewing-techniques/how-to-sew-a-lapped-zipper">Image courtesy of whafi.com</a></td></tr>
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Esme pointed out that Joyce's lapped edge was not covering the stitching, so Joyce unpicked her zip and had another couple of goes before she got it perfect. Jade, Tracey and Angeline also unpicked their zips and had another go at getting it right. Charlotte and Rumana used the wrong zip technique, and both had to unpick their work as well. As the time frantically ticked away, poor Charlotte looked on the verge of tears. Obviously this challenge was more difficult than it appeared at the beginning.<br />
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Patrick horrified the contestants by grabbing a ruler and measuring the dividing borders. Just like Charlotte, I couldn't help smirking, when at one point Patrick commented he was going to grab his stick.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6lYJpFG4zpUpAaXJKeUPiyUTeuXT-tOes3pPMMD9T3wAdNJk73h-kTUD6mdbusqWLK69U4h2MeUNxyyI9Kv8QsGSITamyhtP7gnyJcF8CrZ-g0jfCkgHshU5_LqEF0oP8VOrDP0puU4/s1600/E5-10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6lYJpFG4zpUpAaXJKeUPiyUTeuXT-tOes3pPMMD9T3wAdNJk73h-kTUD6mdbusqWLK69U4h2MeUNxyyI9Kv8QsGSITamyhtP7gnyJcF8CrZ-g0jfCkgHshU5_LqEF0oP8VOrDP0puU4/s400/E5-10.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The judges comments were as follows:<br />
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<li>Joyce - dividing borders sewn very accurately, used thread that matched the fabric on hem and zip, zip perfectly even, liked the colour combination.</li>
<li>Tracey - colour selection looks like royal colours of Sweden, zip sewn very poorly and lap is wrong way around, used contrasting thread which makes stitching stand out.</li>
<li>Jade - like the monochrome colour choice, dividing borders sewn inaccurately, zip not sewn well, and contrasting stitching only highlights the errors.</li>
<li>Angeline - put colour block panels the wrong way around, neatly sewn, zip sewn well, topstitching thread matches fabric colour, choice of a white panel at the bottom of the front panel gives the illusion of the dress being shorter than it is.</li>
<li>Rumana - colour choice works really well, zip not sewn perfectly, topstitching doesn't match colour of fabric. </li>
<li>Charlotte - planned colour selection very effectively, used matching thread for topstitching, zip not sewn well, but overall should be pleased with her work.</li>
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The results from 6th place are Tracey, Jade, Angeline, Rumana, with Charlotte in second (fantastically sewn, but zip wasn't perfect), and Joyce in first (a beautiful piece of sewing).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphl2be_d_jLLmLQTJhdec80hxXM_wPJbrQyUEOqDw3Gu2MboBivja7IIMwAPPi3cx0P0-xFuW8_Jb7kUhmeN5rESkwhyGU2G4GhF4HQ4tge_enVlQggzR7jJlTBpFO2w3R1HIUNXcf4c/s1600/E5-9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphl2be_d_jLLmLQTJhdec80hxXM_wPJbrQyUEOqDw3Gu2MboBivja7IIMwAPPi3cx0P0-xFuW8_Jb7kUhmeN5rESkwhyGU2G4GhF4HQ4tge_enVlQggzR7jJlTBpFO2w3R1HIUNXcf4c/s400/E5-9.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHm8S9JVwM786ng52HeRUcdAZeOvyIEkzf6xwmSapi17SDta16SO3EznU1jMETyizcWQCN63kPjylKDpp0LyylA3FsqjIAot8hdKvRtLRfVgP1TjzlPC7yb0fS8JK4YWqs_5ZzBf9ZiQ/s1600/E5-12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHm8S9JVwM786ng52HeRUcdAZeOvyIEkzf6xwmSapi17SDta16SO3EznU1jMETyizcWQCN63kPjylKDpp0LyylA3FsqjIAot8hdKvRtLRfVgP1TjzlPC7yb0fS8JK4YWqs_5ZzBf9ZiQ/s400/E5-12.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3>
2. Alter a Basic High Street Item</h3>
<b>Take a PVC raincoat and turn it into a wearable item of clothing in 1 hour 30 minutes. </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjn5ltyv8QtvkYUCoGKYbcQw-h7qBvmknYwcA-ConOSa5lcmqhF2aQdTO0kRjBs3SQdRjS5Fm6HW_r1SUJqJZm0ARn5ZLZAV8k6_mhbPK8KZ1EAXTqteuFvewSynBkvcD9YwxzFiZoSM/s1600/E5-15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjn5ltyv8QtvkYUCoGKYbcQw-h7qBvmknYwcA-ConOSa5lcmqhF2aQdTO0kRjBs3SQdRjS5Fm6HW_r1SUJqJZm0ARn5ZLZAV8k6_mhbPK8KZ1EAXTqteuFvewSynBkvcD9YwxzFiZoSM/s400/E5-15.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Check out the contestants reactions:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGgs3Q5VHOMAz6gXJs73StbBLiwke7tOmFFREgVgzyoOgWDswBpRLhA6tiM8u4RTEAalZnOgAticuROliOKUbbmUZFNg073k0lOU7okQE7v0wapdvIOOiDMGaozOGSyOr1_GeWaMbVLA/s1600/E5-13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGgs3Q5VHOMAz6gXJs73StbBLiwke7tOmFFREgVgzyoOgWDswBpRLhA6tiM8u4RTEAalZnOgAticuROliOKUbbmUZFNg073k0lOU7okQE7v0wapdvIOOiDMGaozOGSyOr1_GeWaMbVLA/s400/E5-13.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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There were some nice, safe solid colour raincoats to choose from, as well as some see through ones. Charlotte came to the very logical conclusion that if you were going to make something ridiculous, you may as well make it see through. The judges pointed out that PVC is very difficult to sew, and doesn't behave like normal fabric. Esme showed off some of her homemade PVC outfits, and left us wondering what she looked like at the Roxy back in the sixties.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEne0b6bxbz0larsdUnV5CCjAU-YK0wmiaiXw1yUG5xbM8pzjdj8Y4DBJzUJSOZyfLiQO1b0S36W08A-h2Fi-Fywi_oY1GSzmAJo5AVujKHP_D3kf0Z_WQtUuaMhOWL1Tc5Hy1eOcRfI/s1600/E5-16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEne0b6bxbz0larsdUnV5CCjAU-YK0wmiaiXw1yUG5xbM8pzjdj8Y4DBJzUJSOZyfLiQO1b0S36W08A-h2Fi-Fywi_oY1GSzmAJo5AVujKHP_D3kf0Z_WQtUuaMhOWL1Tc5Hy1eOcRfI/s400/E5-16.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Rumana got right into the challenge and turned a red raincoat into a single shoulder top/dress with black grosgrain tape trim. Not to be outdone in making sexy PVC clothes, Angeline cut a huge triangular section out of the front of her raincoat and made a dress that was barely decent. The idea was quite good, but the end product seemed unlikely to keep boobs inside. Tracey went for a suitably sixties styled shift dress with red circles sewn underneath to make a "target" feature. Jade made a lilac see-through top and skirt, and Charlotte made a clear polkadot halter neck dress. My favourite effort has to be Joyce, who was utterly horrified by the challenge, and declared she wouldn't wear that stuff if you paid her. She made a smock style top out of her pink raincoat, and added a pocket for paintbrushes. The whole thing was trimmed with black ribbon and a fabric flower. <br />
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There was much complaining about the difficulty of sewing with PVC. It sticks as it goes under the presser foot, it doesn't sew nicely and it tears really easily. This was the final line up of garments:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuggjBe3zop0sKifVSDQ8TA0JSaGPBatBcgOmgrvCfUv9rdVCySO1-m41gUf0tW-kU1jtOq1KAi8B578ozwVIdjh2SoY67s_2vI8BldH85oeWDde_BjzFQ8RgSgRRXDP_KnhaPFYd75Y/s1600/E5-17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuggjBe3zop0sKifVSDQ8TA0JSaGPBatBcgOmgrvCfUv9rdVCySO1-m41gUf0tW-kU1jtOq1KAi8B578ozwVIdjh2SoY67s_2vI8BldH85oeWDde_BjzFQ8RgSgRRXDP_KnhaPFYd75Y/s400/E5-17.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The judges comments were as follows:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Rumana - very bold and sexy, like gathering at the top, well thought out, has an impact.</li>
<li>Jade - skirt required quite a bit of re-engineering, open-ended zip works well, like the way the darts show through the clear fabric, not very complicated.</li>
<li>Tracey - very sixties style, liked the target motif, neckline, and back button closure, Esme wasn't terribly keen on the shape of the dress.</li>
<li>Charlotte - has a fifties vibe, had to join pieces to get enough length for the skirt but judges would have preferred a seam around the whole skirt. </li>
<li>Joyce - really like the "nerdy sailor look" of it, pocket is great, binding matches buttons down the back, but Esme didn't like pompom flower.</li>
<li>Angeline - touch of "Barbarella" about it, has mistakes in the design, won't stay on anyone's bosom.</li>
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The results from 6th place are Angeline, Charlotte, Jade, Tracey, in second was Rumana (loved it, very graphic, worked well, very imaginative), and in first place was Joyce (it's like a liquorice allsort - "It's almost edible").<br />
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Joyce didn't know what to say when they announced her win, but latter declared she was off home to have two glasses of chardonnay to celebrate her two first places.</div>
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<h3>
3. Sew a Showstopper</h3>
<b>Sew a jacket using a vintage sixties pattern to fit a real model in 6 hours 30 minutes.</b><br />
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Contestants were allowed to cut their pattern pieces out at home, which makes a 6.5 hour timeframe far more realistic for making a jacket. Claudia rather oddly said that they have never asked contestants to make a jacket before. In the second season contestants made overcoats, and last season they made leather jackets. Perhaps she was commenting on what they've done so far in this season.<br />
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Here is what each contestant planned to make:<br />
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Charlotte went for a Jackie Kennedy inspired jacket with Peter Pan collar, covered buttons and set in sleeves, made in a blue woollen fabric.<br />
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Joyce chose a double-breasted pea coat with a notched collar, set in sleeves and pockets set in the seams, in a navy blue woollen fabric. She had seen Elvis wear a jacket like this, and that was good enough for her.<br />
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Rumana went for an Audrey Hepburn inspired A-line jacket with raglan sleeves, a flat Peter Pan collar, covered buttons and welt pockets, made in a red woollen fabric.<br />
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Angeline decided to make a jacket inspired by the late sixties and made from an orange wool flannel fabric and a contrast paisley fabric, with an orange and yellow fur trim around the hem. The "psychedelic" jacket style was an A-line style, with patch pockets, a high funnel collar, and covered buttons with roleau loops.<br />
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Jade opted for a less complicated pattern than other contestants. She went with a cropped jacket with a flat Peter Pan collar, elbow length set-in sleeves, and covered buttons, made in a wool & silk tweed fabric. She was aiming for perfect construction and pattern matching, rather than all the bells and whistles of a more complicated pattern.<br />
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Tracey selected a claret coloured woollen tweed for a cardigan style jacket with "grown on" sleeves (which I learned are sleeves cut with the body of the jacket, rather than separately as is usually done), welt pockets and a flat collar. Her jacket was inspired by a similar jacket made by her mum, and worn on her honeymoon.<br />
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During the challenge Angeline changed her jacket after Patrick and Esme said her fur trim was too much like a costume. She ditched the fur trim and opted for a simpler style. There was lots of discussion about interfacing and stabilising. Almost everyone was using iron-on interfacing to give body and structure to their jackets. Angeline, however, seemed to be using it minimally. Patrick was not impressed with her lack of proper stabilising under the front of the jacket, and felt the end result would be too soft. <br />
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The sleeves seemed to be another difficult step in the construction. The contestants with set-in sleeves had to get them in perfectly, without puckers. Meanwhile, Tracey's grown-on sleeves required a rather complicated triangular gusset sewn in the underarm, and much shaping of fabric with the iron and tailor's ham.<br />
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For the lining, contestants seemed to all use the bagging out technique. This involves placing right sides of jacket and lining together, sewing around the edges, then turning the whole thing right side out through a hole in the lining seam. There was much excitement during the turning out process, and many comparisons to it being like a birthing process. Unfortunately Angeline and Rumana had cut their lining too small, and the jacket was pulling up at the hem. After a last minute rush to sew on buttons, the challenge was finished, and Tracey had a teary moment as she thought about how proud her mum would have been.<br />
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In my favourite bit of repartee from this episode, Charlotte commented "there is a black hole in the corner of the room and it's sucking all the time into it", Claudia very quickly pointed out that she called the black hole Patrick.<br />
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The judges comments were as follows:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Tracey - Esme was really pleased with her use of the grown-on sleeve, Patrick would have liked the sleeve tighter at the wrist and felt the seam line was too visible on the top of the sleeves. There was some lining peeping out of the front hem, but it was a good looking, wearable jacket.</li>
<li>Charlotte - liked the wide neckline, and the neat front edge, but the front sections did not meet perfectly at the hem. Charlotte tugged them back in to place and pointed out that they did, indeed work. I also noticed that the shoulder seam was too long, and hung slightly off the shoulders. I don't know if the seam needed to be shortened, or if it needed a better shoulder pad.</li>
<li>Rumana - loved the fabric, welt pockets really well done and pretty even, but the lining is pulling the coat up at the hem, and the buttons were sewn in the wrong place. </li>
<li>Joyce - nicely made, first rate, but Patrick didn't think it was a sixties jacket because of the fabric and button choices. Esme pointed out the front neckline was not sitting flat.</li>
<li>Angeline - Patrick started by describing the jacket as "eye-catching" and the boldest selection of colour, fabric, and pattern. Esme loved the orange and the paisley fabrics. Unfortunately the jacket looked soft and lumpy, the lack of interfacing was causing the front to collapse, the hem was a mess and the lining is too short. Patrick was pleased Angeline ditched the fur trim, however, it might have hidden the awful hem.</li>
<li>Jade - Both Esme and Patrick loved it. They loved the fabric, the style, the fit and the pattern matching (across sleeves, bodice and even buttons). It epitomised the era and was a real sixties style jacket. Jade looked stunned, and kept waiting for the "but", however it was all good feedback.</li>
</ul>
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<h2>
The Final Results</h2>
<div>
The contestants went off for a coffee, while the judges discussed the weekend's work.</div>
<div>
<br />
Jade had a very poor first day and rescued herself with a fabulous made-to-measure jacket. Her jacket was so good, it was in contention for garment of the week. The other top garment was Joyce's near faultless, colour block dress.<br />
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Tracey and Angeline were both in danger this week. Patrick and Esme felt the Alteration Challenge was pretty even.<br />
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This left us with the colour blocked shift dress from the Pattern Challenge and the jackets from the Made-to-Measure Challenge.<br />
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<div>
The judges discussed:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tracey - her colour block dress was not done well (sewn with contrasting thread, and the zip was done incorrectly), but her jacket was really good.<br />
Angeline - her colour block dress was sewn really well, but her jacket was a mess.<br />
<br /></div>
The contestants were then called back in to hear the final results:<br />
<br />
Garment of the week went to … Jade for her Made-to-Measure jacket.<br />
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And now for the bad news. It was lovely to see all the contestants supporting each other.<br />
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<br />
The contestant leaving this week was … Angeline.<br />
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<br />
Angeline has been a lovely contestant - how could you not adore that accent? She knew she had performed really poorly this week, and her lack of tailoring skills really showed in the final challenge.<br />
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<br />
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
<div>
It is so lovely to see the contestants really caring for each other. I've said it before, but it's such a nice change from the bitchiness and back-stabbing of shows like Project Runway. The contestants seem like a close-knit group of friends, and the tears each week are really genuine.<br />
<br />
Up next week is Active Wear. I've worked with knits quite a bit now, and am feeling a lot more comfortable, but active wear is a whole new level of knit sewing. Just to get you in the mood, check out this fabulous Active Wear video:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CYRENWT8lz8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CYRENWT8lz8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<br />
<h2>
Want to Read More About GBSB?</h2>
You might also like to check out these other blogs that have done some posts about this episode:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://thethriftystitcher.co.uk/blog/" target="_blank">The Thrifty Stitcher</a> - Claire-Louise Hardie is the Sewing Producer for The Great British Sewing Bee. She posts some lovely tutorials on sewing techniques.</li>
<li><a href="https://thefoldline.com/great-british-sewing-bee/">The Fold Line</a> - have a list of all contestants and links to their blogs, website and social media. They have also reviewed the new GBSB Season 4 book.</li>
<li><a href="http://byhandlondon.com/blogs/by-hand-london/117612037-the-great-british-sewing-bee-from-stitch-to-style?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+byhandlondon%2FSQgL+%28By+Hand+London+-+Blog%29">By Hand London</a> - Elisalex De Castro Peake has reviewed the new GBSB Season 4 book.</li>
<li><a href="https://monkseal.wordpress.com/2016/05/26/the-great-british-sewing-bee-4-episode-2/">The Mighty Mighty Monk Seal</a> - Steve & Chris present a very witty recap, which is written as fans of reality television review, rather than as sewers themselves.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.sewmag.co.uk/blog">Sew Style & Home</a> - Sew Magazine publish a recap of each episode on their blog.</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
<div>
<br />
If you know any more blogs with interesting recaps or useful advice related to the GBSB, leave me a message and I can include a link.</div>
</div>
Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-91303422629040805642016-06-18T22:48:00.001-07:002016-07-18T00:23:19.616-07:00The Great British Sewing Bee - Week Four Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We head into week four - International Week - with seven contestants left. <br />
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Once again I'm very late posting this review. We've had yet more visitors, and I've been swamped with work. Oh well, better late than never!<br />
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Josh is the only man left standing this season. I'm not sure how much longer he's going to last, as he has struggled so much through the first three episodes. It's hard to say who might last through till the final, but at the moment I thing that Joyce, Rumana and Charlotte are the most likely.<br />
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SPOILER ALERT! I am going to discuss, in detail, what happens in week two of The Great British Sewing Bee. If you haven't had a chance to watch this episode yet, you might like to sneak off and do that before you read this summary, but please stop by again after you have caught up.<br />
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<h2>
The Challenges </h2>
<h3>
1. Sewing from a Pattern</h3>
<b>Sew a Chinese Quipao blouse (sewing with Chinese brocade, inserting an invisible zip, using binding & "frogs" for opening) in 3 hours 45 minutes.</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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The Quipao is a rather difficult piece of sewing. I know, from personal experience, that Chinese silk brocade is a cow to sew. It is slippery, and has a very loosely woven texture. It frays like crazy and stretches out as soon as you pick it up. It's difficult to sew with, and that's not even taking into account the very unusual pattern the contestants have to sew. These are the construction steps:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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Charlotte secured my favourite fabric (running, grabbing and declaring "mine"). It was a lovely blue, with a gold cherry blossom pattern. I also liked Joyce's red brocade, Rumana's green and gold brocade, and Josh's black brocade. Claudia, however, didn't think much of Josh's fabric choice (probably because she was looking at the back of the fabric, which is very ugly).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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There were lots of difficult parts to this challenge. The fabric was slippery and not easy to cut out, so many contestants opted for pattern weights to hold things still. Transferring the pattern markings presented challenges also, as chalk rubs off the shiny fabric. Most contestants used tailors tacks or fabric marker pens. Josh took his chances with chalk. Charlotte went all renegade, and even sewed over pins to ensure her darts were held in place neatly while she worked. Josh seemed to take ages to get started, and was still marking his fabric, when everyone else was powering through the sewing. <br />
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Joyce carefully hand-stitched her bias on the neckline, before discovering she had applied it incorrectly. Jade and Angeline had also done theirs incorrectly, so unpicked it and started again. Joyce, however, decided it looked better that way, threw all caution to the wind, and just left it.<br />
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The side invisible zip closure was another baffling step. The facing had to be secured at the top of the side seam, then the invisible zip was inserted into the seam, allowing the front panel to separate and open. This technique was really confusing for most contestants, and seems worthy of a couple of photos, showing exactly how the side seam and zip opening is constructed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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Compared to the rest of the garment, the collar seemed relatively straightforward. The frogs were also quite easy to add, and just required some hand sewing. While working out the positioning of the frogs, Charlotte hadn't stay-stitched her neckline, and managed to stretch it out when she put the blouse on the mannequin. Finally it was all over, and the contestants lined up their seven Quipao blouses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRvxbm1sRgDRnZFoLYXiX6UYM13YtfW_XEEK4CG6ZT4RsYGTjhnd6_GaIyFGuLvAdndwqqngm4jyyQcxRchZScfe_y70YsOoAMlDrt0Et6w7ksQvtKo_3z5n4NTOx40hT1yU6Ys4Ih0o/s1600/E4-9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRvxbm1sRgDRnZFoLYXiX6UYM13YtfW_XEEK4CG6ZT4RsYGTjhnd6_GaIyFGuLvAdndwqqngm4jyyQcxRchZScfe_y70YsOoAMlDrt0Et6w7ksQvtKo_3z5n4NTOx40hT1yU6Ys4Ih0o/s400/E4-9.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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The judges gave their most positive comments on Tracey (front smooth and flat, collar even, zip done well, a clean, crisp, precise bit of sewing), Charlotte (so much of the blouse was good, but front edge was stretched, and Charlotte ended up in tears) and Josh (collar even, zip food, flat front).<br />
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Their most negative comments were on Joyce (sewn really nicely but didn't follow pattern, front edge binding and side opening sewn completely wrongly), Angeline (sewn too tight, neckline stretched, collar uneven and overall lacking in finesse), Rumana (side opening not sewn high enough and gapes open to show bust), and Jade (also sewed side opening incorrectly and had bust showing).<br />
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The results from 7th place are Joyce (didn't follow the instructions), Jade, Charlotte, Rumana, Angeline, with Josh in second (panicked at the beginning, but did really well), and Tracey in first (a beautiful piece of sewing).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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This was no simple make, and I was really impressed with how contestants coped.<br />
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<h3>
2. Alter a Basic High Street Item</h3>
<b>Take a sari and turn it into a wearable item of Eastern inspired clothing in 1 hour 30 minutes. </b><br />
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The contestants were each allowed to select one sari. They were a variety of colours, and some had elaborate embroidery.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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Rumana made an interesting dress using triangular panels, and attached it to the sari blouse. It gave a lovely flared look. She added a section of trim down the front of the dress at the end, to hide the dodgy front opening. Angeline went for a boxy, t-shaped kimono top, and used her embroidered sari edge as a trim the whole way around. Tracey made my favourite top, which was a simple t-shaped top, that looked like the perfect thing to wear over your swimsuit while swanning around the pool on holiday. <br />
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Jade, Charlotte and Joyce made trousers, and Josh went for a belly-dancer inspired top and trousers. Joyce's pants used the sari edge as waistband and cuffs for her very gathered trousers, but instead of adding a zip, she sewed them to her mannequin - a technique that might work well on Project Runway, but doesn't go down so well with judges on GBSB. Jade's trousers were cut too small, and she ended up adding a puffy triangle of fabric to one side, which stood out like a sore thumb. Charlotte's gathered trousers with an elastic waistband and cuffs worked well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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The judges gave their most positive comments on Tracey (looks great and really well thought out, lovely shape, fantastic use of fabric and trims), Charlotte (beautiful full shape, spot on use of fabric, and Patrick declared he would love to wear them), Angeline (good use of border, and liked the V-shape on back of neckline and hem), and Rumana (nice shape, Esme loved the trim on front, Patrick thought it was because it matched her top).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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Their most negative comments were on Josh (a lot of work, but trousers were not a good fit, and the work wasn't neat and tidy), Jade (a good design, but the trousers didn't fit, and the extra panel on only one side didn't work), and Joyce (although her trousers were a fantastic shape, you couldn't put them on).<br />
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The results from 7th place are Jade, Joyce (if only she had put in a zip), Josh, Angeline, Rumana, in second was Charlotte (who wanted to see Patrick wearing her trousers), and in first place was Tracey (used elements of sari really nicely). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh176zWwpsT2KMIapf9-dXn2BShf1TZ69r-kaFjKsT_wuPX7nrgaFQs8HhWZ1TZH31Nlp-7rw85LoWq9Dl934olgnpqbyJ8a5kwZbK0unkAHhNt9p7NISg5cxNNWmGRaYQqdtVfv9wxg/s1600/E4-7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh176zWwpsT2KMIapf9-dXn2BShf1TZ69r-kaFjKsT_wuPX7nrgaFQs8HhWZ1TZH31Nlp-7rw85LoWq9Dl934olgnpqbyJ8a5kwZbK0unkAHhNt9p7NISg5cxNNWmGRaYQqdtVfv9wxg/s400/E4-7.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKF6Rkl9N92OqoXFyfDBtjix9fyvTrFL4Mgex0kIWYRTWNgBTpl_-t2uaThSzOw6-Ee23sX3SPqMUI7XKCjcKCA57bJvukjwDq86PBNJNtkeSRnw2ibCzrr-rmuNvQ1o_DtE4clMynJI/s1600/E4-8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKF6Rkl9N92OqoXFyfDBtjix9fyvTrFL4Mgex0kIWYRTWNgBTpl_-t2uaThSzOw6-Ee23sX3SPqMUI7XKCjcKCA57bJvukjwDq86PBNJNtkeSRnw2ibCzrr-rmuNvQ1o_DtE4clMynJI/s400/E4-8.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Tracey was beginning to feel like she was getting the hang of things.</div>
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<h3>
3. Sew a Showstopper</h3>
<b>Sew a West African inspired dress using a wax print fabric to fit a real model in 5 hours 30 minutes.</b><br />
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Wax print fabrics are a printed cotton, which can be shaped easily into elaborate shapes. The dresses are often sculptural and very fitted. A quick Google search produced an interesting variety of dresses.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUptj3ESm21iLxGGvAXoEny2d3nPdo0u3CwvoHxcTpxnu0qqwgQnLsUPLjrkNMizB_QF8FI723jZ9RNRBoJM9QwIlDlqXsNZ_Q3ABML0Vf8Cyphn2UZP9CZJ6ChJZVUoqpHZBVFiHJug0/s1600/E4-18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUptj3ESm21iLxGGvAXoEny2d3nPdo0u3CwvoHxcTpxnu0qqwgQnLsUPLjrkNMizB_QF8FI723jZ9RNRBoJM9QwIlDlqXsNZ_Q3ABML0Vf8Cyphn2UZP9CZJ6ChJZVUoqpHZBVFiHJug0/s400/E4-18.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I figured the easiest way to review the patterns and fabrics, was to go through them one by one, so here we go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitG3gGjfBIZztb8P0Ak0BML7_XVtcQc46f5yvk4S8j_E_BOHDyNkV2Kua_Rei3kMe1w-Ch8B95J-bO6eFltJWQVKO-JGAWjDRXyXpDLHJUK65TlIC7cEItaa23TI569F67z9muK6MrLDI/s1600/E4+Angeline+m2m.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitG3gGjfBIZztb8P0Ak0BML7_XVtcQc46f5yvk4S8j_E_BOHDyNkV2Kua_Rei3kMe1w-Ch8B95J-bO6eFltJWQVKO-JGAWjDRXyXpDLHJUK65TlIC7cEItaa23TI569F67z9muK6MrLDI/s400/E4+Angeline+m2m.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Angeline chose a nice blue and yellow geometric fabric. Her pattern was quite simple, but had a lovely shape.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCInNWiNPCCIGiO8FDshd6NxuBF4pNdYG96ops6C9AaVhnz0_bQN-AM182y6mvA1PXg4aONXHcMy7bRtfo2rR1uIGSc7UsBH0NG1CI8ADFQ3frkuH1zAm5T9umXymzSzClr072sPCxXc/s1600/E4+Charlotte+m2m.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCInNWiNPCCIGiO8FDshd6NxuBF4pNdYG96ops6C9AaVhnz0_bQN-AM182y6mvA1PXg4aONXHcMy7bRtfo2rR1uIGSc7UsBH0NG1CI8ADFQ3frkuH1zAm5T9umXymzSzClr072sPCxXc/s400/E4+Charlotte+m2m.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Charlotte chose another nice fabric in an orange, red and grey print. I wasn't particularly keen on her pattern choice, as the neckline seemed too narrow and the gathered peplum gave a boxy look.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfGdxlI9YCcUp6UF0oq3pB6UORN-DwHEnEyxdGb_1iLliQoqL0IDmMmrjkDHrNyX9xPT3-F7E-LslhYQlbKaWBO2f6ZW_PqkOueJIYRC4rVPWAKL2_gkaOWud5-hnLY5DLN_IsuQ7UAA/s1600/E4+Jade+m2m.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfGdxlI9YCcUp6UF0oq3pB6UORN-DwHEnEyxdGb_1iLliQoqL0IDmMmrjkDHrNyX9xPT3-F7E-LslhYQlbKaWBO2f6ZW_PqkOueJIYRC4rVPWAKL2_gkaOWud5-hnLY5DLN_IsuQ7UAA/s400/E4+Jade+m2m.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHH69aB5p8RGdOuJcK1KJtcNVnHF73F2t9GguMjZV3eUgzQobTL-5JjWpJem6tcZC_03xQk1o_CeW3HVXRKuBo8nvsRDTcRU_-P6g5PnQDa1yOVd_bplx512RThG70v0v6e9oLeUjhPw/s1600/E4+Jade+back+m2m.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHH69aB5p8RGdOuJcK1KJtcNVnHF73F2t9GguMjZV3eUgzQobTL-5JjWpJem6tcZC_03xQk1o_CeW3HVXRKuBo8nvsRDTcRU_-P6g5PnQDa1yOVd_bplx512RThG70v0v6e9oLeUjhPw/s400/E4+Jade+back+m2m.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Jade chose my favourite fabric this time. It was a fan leaf print in blue, jade and pink. Her dress pattern was also very nice, although I would have liked the peplum to be longer in the front. I included an extra photo of the back, as I liked her waterfall peplum detail.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCyBbOa6XwESuOl1yMK8MgR-DHM6QiSAkGugQiXfzpTfpyP-HP2U2TLT_BoKdd_dEeNYCAoPLTEsccDImEJFrpcXBmRuxww8_CC_gt52AkYpWfgLllASF9MAhTRhJPD-I6pOICiUEAOs/s1600/E4+Josh+m2m.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCyBbOa6XwESuOl1yMK8MgR-DHM6QiSAkGugQiXfzpTfpyP-HP2U2TLT_BoKdd_dEeNYCAoPLTEsccDImEJFrpcXBmRuxww8_CC_gt52AkYpWfgLllASF9MAhTRhJPD-I6pOICiUEAOs/s400/E4+Josh+m2m.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Josh chose a geometric print fabric in two different colours. His pattern was interesting, and had good impact, but was any flaws were going to be incredibly obvious in such a simple silhouette.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuM1tgv7BX3MkkYtK6RvYjkOXtBjjgheC6fXsh9JCTQKZzXEIQ99IptEQf5gbu1OpHI5bYw8iK1w_2XGjMKrE-sK67IrUuLgBJYkR79tBrbJaYVwUkYmhx4aw5aERVdD6D9IqktkVWtzw/s1600/E4+Joyce+m2m.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuM1tgv7BX3MkkYtK6RvYjkOXtBjjgheC6fXsh9JCTQKZzXEIQ99IptEQf5gbu1OpHI5bYw8iK1w_2XGjMKrE-sK67IrUuLgBJYkR79tBrbJaYVwUkYmhx4aw5aERVdD6D9IqktkVWtzw/s400/E4+Joyce+m2m.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I really liked Joyce's red, circular print fabric, but didn't like the pattern at all. The cap sleeves were un unattractive shape, and the partial peplum wasn't full enough.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixc7ZWqZ2JT2jcNNuXHrcLb4DoJMsaeN36I048seqzJlvKIXvhENYKQrCwdSD6ILTIFgDAbQttHZFoyv0rdXxHNPCq6KtfcaBrWqoBcntEJbYafDQUSAbaCAP5L2ZWrlFpKOU_ThXY2A/s1600/E4+Rumana+m2m.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixc7ZWqZ2JT2jcNNuXHrcLb4DoJMsaeN36I048seqzJlvKIXvhENYKQrCwdSD6ILTIFgDAbQttHZFoyv0rdXxHNPCq6KtfcaBrWqoBcntEJbYafDQUSAbaCAP5L2ZWrlFpKOU_ThXY2A/s400/E4+Rumana+m2m.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Rumana chose two complementary fabrics in blue and yellow. She went for a dramatic cape with a simple fitted sheath dress underneath.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBjVx4pYZPeWT8nzz0qRe3F86-utPzKTKzrAZIwEaELfQTiGhV2lafS3Nk_iNWUmzVILaZzzqczXrTh93vQSkJgeDZOZ2OYQDqOtadZ5yh802yookfo8cHmcIJ7y85TbEkp0kNJGr6Ms/s1600/E4+Tracey+m2m.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBjVx4pYZPeWT8nzz0qRe3F86-utPzKTKzrAZIwEaELfQTiGhV2lafS3Nk_iNWUmzVILaZzzqczXrTh93vQSkJgeDZOZ2OYQDqOtadZ5yh802yookfo8cHmcIJ7y85TbEkp0kNJGr6Ms/s400/E4+Tracey+m2m.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tracey chose a blue and purple fabric with a gold floral detail. I really didn't like the print or the colours. She chose the same dress pattern as Joyce. <br />
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The most difficult part of this challenge seemed to be pattern matching through seams, placement of patterns (Charlotte pointed out that she was trying to avoid "circle boob") and achieving the perfect fit. Josh struggled to achieve a perfect pattern match, and ended up with a dress that didn't fit particularly well. Jade was so focused on the perfect fit, that she ended up with a dress that was too tight. Charlotte's pattern needed to be adjusted, as the upper chest wasn't wide enough, her neckline was too narrow and pulled at the armholes. Tracey's dress wasn't tight enough, and didn't flatter her model's figure. Angeline's dress was really pretty, but her bodice needed to be shortened, and should have been boned. She tried to fix the sagging bodice with straps on the back, but it just didn't fit right.<br />
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The judges comments were as follows:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Tracey - hem crisp and even but it doesn't fit well, neckline is very loose and there was at least 6" excess fabric at waist.</li>
<li>Angeline - dress has a wow factor, scale of peplum works well with skirt length, choker brings whole dress together, but bodice is too long. </li>
<li>Charlotte - terrific impact, thought about pattern placement very carefully, but it was bulky around was it, the darts were too high, armhole was gaping on one side and pulling on the other. Pattern match on centre back was slightly off, but skirt was perfect.</li>
<li>Rumana - dramatic effect, dress very flattering, and there was a saucy peek of boob between cape and dress. Patrick had never seen anything like it before, and commented it was line something from another planet.</li>
<li>Jade - overall impression is stunning, peplum is great, but skirt a little too tight and pulling on the front, and neckline a little low.</li>
<li>Josh - pattern of fabric jarring, dress too long in back and puckering, hips badly shaped and lumpy on one side.</li>
<li>Joyce - very crips, very neat, really well fitted, flat neckline, nice waist, not too tight. Patric wished there had been more peplum, but overall felt the whole thing worked extremely well.</li>
</ul>
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<h2>
The Final Results</h2>
<div>
The contestants went off for a coffee, while the judges discussed the weekend's work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikp8_Jr-vV4DbrvMlvQKZ9GvnIK_E_KDOUtjkZapALvAciD7HpxGMzoiLzwPRpOdEWDvC8raSApTbwcqLhQBwbCMKWZ5BLjQzpgDvBqf_9w1AxayqvZzEiF7QV1_83-JYR_MF36Hwfri8/s1600/E4-20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikp8_Jr-vV4DbrvMlvQKZ9GvnIK_E_KDOUtjkZapALvAciD7HpxGMzoiLzwPRpOdEWDvC8raSApTbwcqLhQBwbCMKWZ5BLjQzpgDvBqf_9w1AxayqvZzEiF7QV1_83-JYR_MF36Hwfri8/s400/E4-20.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
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Jade and Joyce started the second day at the bottom of the heap, but Joyce had rescued herself as her Made to Measure dress was in contention for garment of the week.<br />
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<div>
Those in danger were:</div>
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<div>
Josh - had a good first day, but his Made to Measure wasn't successful at all. <br />
Jade - had a poor first day, but her Made to Measure was one of the better dresses. <br />
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The contestants were then called back in to hear the final results:<br />
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Garment of the week went to … Joyce for her Made to Measure dress.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCK9qsv5L86lEPDoCODG22nzVEMZ298zBja6B_MsauZFIAjvb2ORkpCF_AXUALdWZQzv6GjJhg_ba2NYEwBZZOoOv2BOk9R4q85P8pjHvKdaR3eM1eWAzAJXQTuN4rviQoruP0T4XHqk/s1600/E4-21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCK9qsv5L86lEPDoCODG22nzVEMZ298zBja6B_MsauZFIAjvb2ORkpCF_AXUALdWZQzv6GjJhg_ba2NYEwBZZOoOv2BOk9R4q85P8pjHvKdaR3eM1eWAzAJXQTuN4rviQoruP0T4XHqk/s400/E4-21.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiru_nBOoBLgNt2lk4VXeL_oPL8tI04dwmVNgOMd5JhV-gUHwYj7yCATpeq231WP-vqGgr_22fRWWNSJ6mJBXBv6FOJF-J2jeGcxLgGfODRO3cpMj-P8xpzsMmQMNpehKxVO5lBZvFFWYU/s1600/E4-22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiru_nBOoBLgNt2lk4VXeL_oPL8tI04dwmVNgOMd5JhV-gUHwYj7yCATpeq231WP-vqGgr_22fRWWNSJ6mJBXBv6FOJF-J2jeGcxLgGfODRO3cpMj-P8xpzsMmQMNpehKxVO5lBZvFFWYU/s400/E4-22.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The contestant leaving this week was … Josh.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1pEfldrnqyM7dz85HREXl3HZdqW_ckMATdOfKzVqasZ8ywsbZvdykcCWKRQIUiuL71Ic_ZiIwlo52DMJrOVR-UFybQ2az5ElsESuXjfuz4VRGOh6gc2ZbVbcVgvZ_SRPd0Nk53LxiUI/s1600/E4-23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1pEfldrnqyM7dz85HREXl3HZdqW_ckMATdOfKzVqasZ8ywsbZvdykcCWKRQIUiuL71Ic_ZiIwlo52DMJrOVR-UFybQ2az5ElsESuXjfuz4VRGOh6gc2ZbVbcVgvZ_SRPd0Nk53LxiUI/s400/E4-23.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZgbL_WfF1LRYT7uecaWtNpJg7XXIq44iuzo_7oS3RCy_3kOOE9P5F0Xr4jYlkXqIrAoiHlCNoIByhd2DKmB7PCKUuUUSAsU-F1iENdZ8BCUsIBisgPhEg7h9Iqbm96J_bTnJ_plR7h4/s1600/E4-25.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZgbL_WfF1LRYT7uecaWtNpJg7XXIq44iuzo_7oS3RCy_3kOOE9P5F0Xr4jYlkXqIrAoiHlCNoIByhd2DKmB7PCKUuUUSAsU-F1iENdZ8BCUsIBisgPhEg7h9Iqbm96J_bTnJ_plR7h4/s400/E4-25.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Jade looked utterly terrified in the lead up to announcing the contestant leaving. She knew she had performed really poorly, and there was a look of shock and relief on her face at the end. <br />
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<br />
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
<div>
In his final interview Josh talked about how much he had learnt on the sewing bee, and how much contestants had helped each other. The camaraderie, and helpfulness of contestants is one of the things that makes this such a great show. The British do this so well, and it's so much better than the bitching and sniping of other reality TV shows.<br />
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Next week is 60s Week. The teaser showed contestants struggling with a old Bernini sewing machines, Mondrian inspired sheath dresses, vinyl raincoats and 60s jacket patterns. It looks like another interesting week, and I can't wait to the next episode.<br />
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<h2>
Want to Read More About GBSB?</h2>
You might also like to check out these other blogs that have done some posts about this episode:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://thethriftystitcher.co.uk/blog/" target="_blank">The Thrifty Stitcher</a> - Claire-Louise Hardie is the Sewing Producer for The Great British Sewing Bee. She posts some lovely tutorials on sewing techniques.</li>
<li><a href="https://thefoldline.com/great-british-sewing-bee/">The Fold Line</a> - have a list of all contestants and links to their blogs, website and social media. They have also reviewed the new GBSB Season 4 book.</li>
<li><a href="http://byhandlondon.com/blogs/by-hand-london/117612037-the-great-british-sewing-bee-from-stitch-to-style?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+byhandlondon%2FSQgL+%28By+Hand+London+-+Blog%29">By Hand London</a> - Elisalex De Castro Peake has reviewed by new GBSB Season 4 book.</li>
<li><a href="https://monkseal.wordpress.com/2016/05/26/the-great-british-sewing-bee-4-episode-2/">The Mighty Mighty Monk Seal</a> - Steve & Chris present a very witty recap, which is written as fans of reality television review, rather than as sewers themselves.</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
<div>
<br />
If you know any more blogs with interesting recaps or useful advice related to the GBSB, leave me a message and I can include a link.</div>
</div>
Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-38533070022363337872016-06-08T02:56:00.003-07:002016-06-08T03:00:18.116-07:00The Great British Sewing Bee - Week Three Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We head into week three - Lingerie Week - with eight contestants left. It's taken me a while to get this episode up, but we've had a house full of visitors for the past week. <br />
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Two weeks into the competition there are a couple of sewers who are already standing out. Angeline has done well in the Made to Measure challenges and won garment of the week twice, but has not performed as well in the Pattern and Alteration challenges. Joyce and Charlotte seem to be really competent sewers, with good skills all round, and Jamie has performed really well. Josh seems to have scraped through the first two weeks by the skin of his teeth, and I'd be surprised to see him remain much longer.<br />
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SPOILER ALERT! I am going to discuss, in detail, what happens in week two of The Great British Sewing Bee. If you haven't had a chance to watch this episode yet, you might like to sneak off and do that before you read this summary, but please stop by again after you have caught up.<br />
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<br />
<h2>
The Challenges </h2>
<h3>
1. Sewing from a Pattern</h3>
<b>Sew a soft-cup bra (techniques include cutting itty-bitty pattern pieces accurately, sewing with stretch lace, sewing with lingerie accessories including picot elastic, clear elastic, and slides and fasteners) in 3 hours 15 minutes.</b><br />
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The soft-cup bra is a complicated, tiny piece of sewing involving nine pattern pieces. It has no underwire, but requires skilled sewing to match up seams without stretching them out, sewing with unfamiliar elastics, making sense of complicated rings and slides, and adding the bra closures on the back. These are the construction steps:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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My favourite fabric choices this week were Charlotte's combination of black and hot pink, Joyce's dark purple with a sheer underlay, Rumana's plain black, and Jamie's navy blue and black combination. I liked the colour of Jade's lace, but it seemed to be very textured and lumpy, which didn't appeal to me. I wasn't very keen on the wishy-washy blues that Angeline and Tracey chose, but Josh took the prize for bad fabric choices with his awful orange lace.</div>
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I noticed that several contestants are not great at accurately pinning and cutting their patterns. They either don't get the fabric neat and straight (Josh in particular), or they don't weight or pin properly, pull the fabric when they are cutting, or allow the fabric to slip around. If you don't cut straight, correct size pieces, you're never going to get a good finished product. Jade seemed baffled about how the tiny pattern pieces would ever end up being a bra, and Jamie complained about his "meaty hands" working with such a fiddly pattern.<br />
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Jade wasn't sure whether to press the seam allowance, but gave it a go and ended up stretching her bra out. Josh struggled with the clear elastic and three step zig-zag stitch. Tracey's bra ended up too big (maybe uneven cutting) and stuck out weirdly on the front bottom edge, Jade's looked uneven with one cup sitting lower than the other. Rumana barely finished her bra, and ended up with one twisted strap, and the other strap fell apart during the judging. Angeline seemed to struggle the most, and ended up with an unfinished bra. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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The judges gave their most positive comments on Charlotte (loved the colour combination, neatly sewn, hugging the dress form, picot edge just showing, but small tuck in back fastening), Joyce (seams well matched, picot even, back fastening perfect, flawless job), and Rumana (sits nicely on dress form, picot well sewn, back even & neat, but one strap was twisted, and the other fell apart).<br />
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Their most negative comments were on Jade (not symmetrical, gaping at the front, lace stretched out, back fastening not matching up), Josh (little bit untidy, seams lumpy, strap twisted), and Angeline (long way from finished, straps not properly put together, back fastening not done).<br />
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The results from 8th place are Angeline, Josh, Jade, Rumana, Jamie, Tracey, with Charlotte in second (beautifully made but with a tiny tuck in the back), and Joyce in first (an immaculate bra).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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This was no simple make, and I was really impressed with how contestants coped. <br />
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<h3>
2. Alter a Basic High Street Item</h3>
<b>Take three scarves in silky fabric and turn them into a piece of lingerie in 1 hour 30 minutes. </b><br />
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The contestants were each allowed to select three scarves. They were all different sizes, colours, patterns and fabrics. Some were silk and floaty, and some were sheer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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Lots of contestants chose to make a nightdress or slip. Jamie was the only one to go for something significantly different by making some ladies boxers. I really liked the scarves chosen by Angeline (one dark blue, and the other a white and blue floral), Charlotte (one geometric diamond print, and the other a white and green pattern that matched really well), Rumana (pretty floral pastels, and Tracey chose one of my favourite scarves (a pretty white and blue floral).<br />
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Charlotte and Angeline seemed to have a good plan straight away. They both made triangular bust sections, and attahced a gathered skirt. Charlotte did a really pretty double strap that crossed over in the back. Angeline did something similar, but used lace in her straps, and ended up with a gathering of fabric, lace and fabric flower at the back. Rumana had a really pretty idea, with a twisted front and pleated back, but she made it too large, and it ended up with a flap of fabric hanging at the back. Tracy did a really pretty slip design, however I wasn't a fan of the godets she inserted. I really didn't like either of the boys makes this week. Jamie's shorts were really ugly, and not well finished, and Josh's slip/nightie/thing? was just awful. The fabric choice was dreadful, and I don't even know what it was supposed to be.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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The judges gave their most positive comments on Charlotte (cute back with crossover straps, good use of geometric pattern on scarf, not stretched), Tracey (good use of fabric, used edge of scarf cleverly, well thought out), Joyce (good combination of fabrics, well thought out, even sewing), and Angeline (colours well chosen, used hem of scarf, fits well).<br />
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Their most negative comments were on Josh (odd selection of fabrics, not sure what it was supposed to be), Rumana (front was successful, but large flap of fabric at back, didn't fit mannequin), and Jamie (shirring elastic not a good choice, hem awful).<br />
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The results from 8th place are Josh (not sure what the hell it was), Rumana, Jamie, Jade, charlotte, Angeline, in second was Joyce (nicely made, works very well), and in first place was Tracey (great piece of work).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi394j0a60_VwPvjbW0b0-muHHTH7cTu9acTS2r-efvxIOlndWJ-VMp4nothYmuZ5D73Vf4RgSIQNHFjEGFAeTHtT3Bzc6M2E9P6HzbG05qLzz2rUb3uYaIWvBUL4kpO9cwEdA-IWHEuFY/s1600/E3-16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi394j0a60_VwPvjbW0b0-muHHTH7cTu9acTS2r-efvxIOlndWJ-VMp4nothYmuZ5D73Vf4RgSIQNHFjEGFAeTHtT3Bzc6M2E9P6HzbG05qLzz2rUb3uYaIWvBUL4kpO9cwEdA-IWHEuFY/s400/E3-16.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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<h3>
3. Sew a Showstopper</h3>
<b>Sew a robe in a luxurious fabric to fit a real model in 6 hours.</b><br />
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Contestants had a mix of male and female models for this challenge. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYvvRgLKyMXXf0wHqSYQXY50nT8_lGjKYqXLASSliayn91uqasKr7yHh-F-9AKq9Tb67E8eZ5YGSRRv1qyy2NxK-ALUqcB6geoVLdmgIW5azCD-Y6017woL0KHWdVjf-_tqZ8mel_PD0/s1600/E3-17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYvvRgLKyMXXf0wHqSYQXY50nT8_lGjKYqXLASSliayn91uqasKr7yHh-F-9AKq9Tb67E8eZ5YGSRRv1qyy2NxK-ALUqcB6geoVLdmgIW5azCD-Y6017woL0KHWdVjf-_tqZ8mel_PD0/s400/E3-17.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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The fabrics this week were so much prettier than last week's Showstopper. Jade chose a lovely black and white geometric print, Angeline chose a gorgeous red silk with a red lace for the shoulders, Charlotte had a really nice green and blue cotton lawn (my all time favourite fabric choice), and Rumana had an interesting selection of red lace laid over black silky fabric.<br />
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I liked the simple kimono style robes chosen by Charlotte and Rumana, and the simple menswear robe chosen by Jade and Jamie. Angeline had my favourite pattern choice. It looked like something you'd see a 1950's movie star swishing about in. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeqoRqzPLm-6jIzrvlDOiM5xqgVMxsY30zQK9y0YHhNH6J8TsrTgB0mFFj_UAsWaMzIh_1CedwgZde41Z5L-EOvgD1rwiU2TJnTh3Ky0AqhPWRHlgpsfLfMNZe5zlCwvD2nljHNKco_0/s1600/E3-18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeqoRqzPLm-6jIzrvlDOiM5xqgVMxsY30zQK9y0YHhNH6J8TsrTgB0mFFj_UAsWaMzIh_1CedwgZde41Z5L-EOvgD1rwiU2TJnTh3Ky0AqhPWRHlgpsfLfMNZe5zlCwvD2nljHNKco_0/s400/E3-18.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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By the way, has anyone else noticed in the closeups of the contestants pin boards, the gorgeous photo of Rumana on her wedding day?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUEn-YRYUcemksN6xXHqxRm7SrvpLKFuEfhq9odIilw4wCRAnJcq-6oGIz2vFsb8Jim3R1HXnmE4lOaOTkrG04v_y2KQVjLv5Ndd7L1MGE9RkWsrteXQM7Ul28zBy2wnQcKbQi8bMQsE/s1600/E3-rumana.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUEn-YRYUcemksN6xXHqxRm7SrvpLKFuEfhq9odIilw4wCRAnJcq-6oGIz2vFsb8Jim3R1HXnmE4lOaOTkrG04v_y2KQVjLv5Ndd7L1MGE9RkWsrteXQM7Ul28zBy2wnQcKbQi8bMQsE/s400/E3-rumana.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The judges gave their most positive comments on Charlotte (good choice of fabric, good fit, hand sewing is exquisite, delicacy and lightness to it), Jade (loved the choice of fabrics, length good, pattern matching on pockets spot on, Patrick even said<i> "I'd wear it."</i>), Angeline (very glamorous, very different, lace well handled, well thought through), Rumana (nice combination of fabrics, hangs nicely, looks elegant), and Josh (liked fabric choice, collar sits nicely, cuffs even but pocket was on wrong side and there was a little puckering in shoulders).<br />
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Their most negative comments were on Jamie (under collar collapsing and falling out, gathers in sleeve and shoulders, cuffs uneven, no pockets).<br />
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I couldn't help noticing that Tracey got a very good review, however, the judges didn't comment on her dreadful bust darts. They ended somewhere on the upper bust, and both had a really noticeable dimple in the end. They clearly hadn't been sewn all the way off the end of the dart.<br />
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<br /></div>
<h2>
The Final Results</h2>
<div>
The contestants went off for a coffee, while the judges discussed the weekend's work.</div>
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<br />
The judges felt that Angeline and Rumana had done more than enough to keep themselves in the competition with their Made to Measure challenge.<br />
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Those in danger were:</div>
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Josh - alteration challenge was "a dogs dinner", made to measure gown had minor errors.<br />
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Jamie - alteration was better than Josh but not great, made many mistakes in his made to measure gown.<br />
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The contestants were then called back in to hear the final results:<br />
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Garment of the week went to … Charlotte for her dressing gown. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitB2-wyGxgiu85b-hpFiZTbvVAahbpyRChzX-g5pNWfLe4LJEeHfheH6qzxbNm9SmOLtmXk7XMpC2GMlklFkToZuct7RD4pETU8x5ZKjJXi5SftJFRMg0kYJddr7oARkZ7Nq31knz4Sy0/s1600/E3-20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitB2-wyGxgiu85b-hpFiZTbvVAahbpyRChzX-g5pNWfLe4LJEeHfheH6qzxbNm9SmOLtmXk7XMpC2GMlklFkToZuct7RD4pETU8x5ZKjJXi5SftJFRMg0kYJddr7oARkZ7Nq31knz4Sy0/s400/E3-20.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8apIrqqcfYfs8_MDKjSzw7SxSk86E8urPgxNeUGB9UyDzsq3bdE8FiG408DX-AIqgHi-9YTtqlIhDylDfzvg3_sC-rothnjfhFIw6hpCVmY8iDMBRlahYOFtjkmw9Ytyra8pVg6u6_6k/s1600/E3-25.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8apIrqqcfYfs8_MDKjSzw7SxSk86E8urPgxNeUGB9UyDzsq3bdE8FiG408DX-AIqgHi-9YTtqlIhDylDfzvg3_sC-rothnjfhFIw6hpCVmY8iDMBRlahYOFtjkmw9Ytyra8pVg6u6_6k/s400/E3-25.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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The contestant leaving this week was … Jamie.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcmolcTYL-EnCKiHeu09Ip3OiSpT4ZrsVqGr7EE8XAJOcueYkIYXC1NvZOqJ6XhCcdqKR-dthxukzSb6_NITVUdoKeeTos5shzEXQ2iVgB_sSnyS8NieGeEE1pkfc5gAj2OkzBtggjnc/s1600/E3-27.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcmolcTYL-EnCKiHeu09Ip3OiSpT4ZrsVqGr7EE8XAJOcueYkIYXC1NvZOqJ6XhCcdqKR-dthxukzSb6_NITVUdoKeeTos5shzEXQ2iVgB_sSnyS8NieGeEE1pkfc5gAj2OkzBtggjnc/s400/E3-27.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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Check out the look of shock and relief on Josh's face.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTR7KAAkoqZdTUjRjAotXKgVwSv_yFWdcR6ipXtIZoy0dQRMlXhNBRsIKVbksKvlkfLnj251G4kTA2j533vqHf5AfTFLbvHb7cscHxtY3ulUMpuqQC4Df0IpbgLzzxopgBmC3Zood2es/s1600/E3-26.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTR7KAAkoqZdTUjRjAotXKgVwSv_yFWdcR6ipXtIZoy0dQRMlXhNBRsIKVbksKvlkfLnj251G4kTA2j533vqHf5AfTFLbvHb7cscHxtY3ulUMpuqQC4Df0IpbgLzzxopgBmC3Zood2es/s400/E3-26.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
<div>
I honestly thought Jamie would make it through to the final. He did so well in the first two weeks, and seemed to have excellent skills. He performed poorly in the first two challenges, but it was his disastrous dressing gown that sealed his elimination.<br />
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Next week is International Week. The teaser showed contestants struggling with a cheongsam/qipao shirt in the Pattern challenge, using a sari in the Alteration challenge, and making west african dresses in the Made to Measure challenge. It looks like another interesting week, and I can't wait to the next episode.<br />
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<h2>
Want to Read More About GBSB?</h2>
You might also like to check out these other blogs that have done some posts about this episode:<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://thethriftystitcher.co.uk/blog/" target="_blank">The Thrifty Stitcher</a> - Claire-Louise Hardie is the Sewing Producer for The Great British Sewing Bee. She posts some lovely tutorials on sewing techniques.</li>
<li><a href="https://thefoldline.com/great-british-sewing-bee/">The Fold Line</a> - have a list of all contestants and links to their blogs, website and social media. They have also reviewed the new GBSB Season 4 book.</li>
<li><a href="http://byhandlondon.com/blogs/by-hand-london/117612037-the-great-british-sewing-bee-from-stitch-to-style?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+byhandlondon%2FSQgL+%28By+Hand+London+-+Blog%29">By Hand London</a> - Elisalex De Castro Peake has reviewed by new GBSB Season 4 book.</li>
<li><a href="https://monkseal.wordpress.com/2016/05/26/the-great-british-sewing-bee-4-episode-2/">The Mighty Mighty Monk Seal</a> - Steve & Chris present a very witty recap, which is written as fans of reality television review, rather than as sewers themselves.</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
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<br />
If you know any more blogs with interesting recaps or useful advice related to the GBSB, leave me a message and I can include a link.</div>
</div>
Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-54535927798278497582016-05-29T06:12:00.000-07:002016-06-08T01:53:34.518-07:00The Great British Sewing Bee - Week Two Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHIU6YF_hS-dy3kwU0-MBEJSySk5JJlME6IDuDbg1sQchyDsQkEAzCjI8i3b8GwCo63GsI61M8-HYkga1WHrATvbMf120JM_pq_1N6ufjJbQeKziw_NBSOgeJ-tB49nCw0oT9AOx_vds/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHIU6YF_hS-dy3kwU0-MBEJSySk5JJlME6IDuDbg1sQchyDsQkEAzCjI8i3b8GwCo63GsI61M8-HYkga1WHrATvbMf120JM_pq_1N6ufjJbQeKziw_NBSOgeJ-tB49nCw0oT9AOx_vds/s400/Slide1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We head into week two - Children's Week - with seven contestants left.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFheU11wTZs_ZozVPf-x9zuF3ibmBlDVWylEkgcAw8mZGMvyl5hnX8w-sRLF7SP4rCJWwjHzYFjasZdVkJIEV9QTpjLg03Qx0EmlscXRUDJu5pGA6KznXOj2apbzayyjHuiI0ZrPicHOM/s1600/Slide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFheU11wTZs_ZozVPf-x9zuF3ibmBlDVWylEkgcAw8mZGMvyl5hnX8w-sRLF7SP4rCJWwjHzYFjasZdVkJIEV9QTpjLg03Qx0EmlscXRUDJu5pGA6KznXOj2apbzayyjHuiI0ZrPicHOM/s400/Slide2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After only one week I don't have strong feelings about who I like in the contest. There are some pretty disorganised, and possibly very under-skilled, sewers in this season. I hope it's just the pressure of being on the show that resulted in some rather poor makes. It will be interesting to see how the contestants shape up in week two.<br />
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SPOILER ALERT! I am going to discuss, in detail, what happens in week two of The Great British Sewing Bee. If you haven't had a chance to watch this episode yet, you might like to sneak off and do that before you read this summary, but please stop by again after you have caught up.<br />
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<br />
<h2>
The Challenges </h2>
<h3>
1. Sewing from a Pattern</h3>
<b>Sew a baby grow (techniques include sewing with stretch fabric, sewing a gusset, knit binding and cuffs, and adding snaps) in 3 hours 15 minutes.</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSvtCWVtS1UrhRtI2WOfNzaFI1nxbsvXck45SCsAchq2MYs90UwkiXICm7m8HYeLrJpJ9jGX-C06vn-zbHufegYADWNNAU93HYBN_XI17Z1T7G4VKkshvLwxxoilBeRqaK8T_vwI7S-A/s1600/E2-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSvtCWVtS1UrhRtI2WOfNzaFI1nxbsvXck45SCsAchq2MYs90UwkiXICm7m8HYeLrJpJ9jGX-C06vn-zbHufegYADWNNAU93HYBN_XI17Z1T7G4VKkshvLwxxoilBeRqaK8T_vwI7S-A/s400/E2-1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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The baby grow is a simple one piece, stretch outfit. It has snap fasteners that go up the left hand front of the suit from ankle to neck. These are the construction steps:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQq2_DWn2Tu8P72rkfFUcLl7ZYwvsa8jH0BkwRQWRP20ZrLop5YEROndDYzBixuUFlRhUyoDQuSHjx9hvxFP-4lUR245ace2iJ8OlZXmC51Rabo0z_E2QKtUxPAUhnkCRFz6XtsYmIeg/s1600/E2-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQq2_DWn2Tu8P72rkfFUcLl7ZYwvsa8jH0BkwRQWRP20ZrLop5YEROndDYzBixuUFlRhUyoDQuSHjx9hvxFP-4lUR245ace2iJ8OlZXmC51Rabo0z_E2QKtUxPAUhnkCRFz6XtsYmIeg/s320/E2-2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgna1dcErEeciZQaQVMf3Y2vhxOQMqRg2FVx_PZwPG3Srt9dR3qc_vRVKMl8wmPMzaac2DC_25U1nqqf7-gmQgpd4yWOmwnAd8aTp-t6HoZ30QXYuOAMkoG_sF-X_geUeQZVdsqP9glnfY/s1600/E2-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgna1dcErEeciZQaQVMf3Y2vhxOQMqRg2FVx_PZwPG3Srt9dR3qc_vRVKMl8wmPMzaac2DC_25U1nqqf7-gmQgpd4yWOmwnAd8aTp-t6HoZ30QXYuOAMkoG_sF-X_geUeQZVdsqP9glnfY/s320/E2-4.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
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Jamie chose a really cute tractor print fabric, Joyce an adorable fish print, Josh a cute animal print and Tracey a nice star print with a fleecy back. Ghislaine chose an odd combination of plain cobalt blue, paired with a white and pastel print.<br />
<br />
The gusset seemed to give contestants the most difficulty. Some had puckers and holes, but Ghislaine got it spectacularly wrong when she sewed it off centre, and it ended up in the side of the leg rather than the in crotch. Ghislaine also managed to sew one of her leg bindings inside out, with the seam allowance on the outside. The binding, while fiddly, seemed to be handled well by most contestants. Jamie decided to use a different technique and ended up with a binding that was too narrow. The poppers also gave contestants lots of trouble. Charlotte & Tracy had trouble using the snap fastener tool, as it seemed to require quite a lot of wrist strength. Contestants had poppers falling off, misaligned and even muddled up the male and female parts and so they wouldn't fasten at all.<br />
<br />
Once again, there was some lovely teamwork with Tracey helping Joyce with the poppers and then helping Josh dressing his mannequin. Jade and Charlotte both helped Ghislaine, in a desperate attempt to finish her outfit and dress her mannequin.<br />
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By the way, did anyone see the very scary look Claudia gave the camera after she declared Josh's outfit was "edible".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MUH_EL8hVHomOsyXKws3WL7W1IpUApyVfkpsKc8awHJpaMjDSjwc1ZIMbLqE1xb6_Oxg2RJBlrV00hgbmLF0QnUxX2KJslY8cfmEkEFmp-t7vH-AKtbwXOs8mUKAi4cVzRy0fRSX_LM/s1600/E2-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MUH_EL8hVHomOsyXKws3WL7W1IpUApyVfkpsKc8awHJpaMjDSjwc1ZIMbLqE1xb6_Oxg2RJBlrV00hgbmLF0QnUxX2KJslY8cfmEkEFmp-t7vH-AKtbwXOs8mUKAi4cVzRy0fRSX_LM/s400/E2-5.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
The judges gave their most positive comments on Rumana (overall very neat and tidy, with good gusset and cuffs), Josh (neat but with small mistakes), Jade (binding neat and even with snap fasteners in the middle, cuffs good, but pattern flipped, so it fastens on wrong side of body), and Charlotte (which Patrick declared <i>"looks absolutely first rate", s</i>eams were lined up, gusset pretty good and snaps work).<br />
<br />
Their most negative comments were on Angeline (hole in gusset, gathering in top of sleeve and top snap fastener missing), Tracey (snap fasteners wrong way around, so suit fastens with small side over the top of big side), Joyce (also fastens with small side over big side, one male pair of snap fasteners), Jamie (not following pattern and doing different binding method) and Ghislaine (oh dear!). Patrick summed up Ghislaine's disastrous make by saying it had <i>"all just gone really badly wrong - in all sorts of ways we couldn't have even imagined it was possible to go wrong."</i><br />
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The results from 9th place are Ghislaine (no surprise there), Angeline, Josh, Jamie, Tracey, Joyce, Rumana, with Jade in second (very nicely made, but pattern cut back to front), and Charlotte in first.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFomFVYu86L5Zgrpz9OcTaCGn-y96wpxJhOo18jGxfIhwsBaujXsJB1B1eqqnBK80WSez_qm-uTn220p56grjUPA8uBdZBynu9JShZ6CvcXOocVLOJfsNXbjpEHpZClLh2HWraD2nqTE/s1600/E2-7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFomFVYu86L5Zgrpz9OcTaCGn-y96wpxJhOo18jGxfIhwsBaujXsJB1B1eqqnBK80WSez_qm-uTn220p56grjUPA8uBdZBynu9JShZ6CvcXOocVLOJfsNXbjpEHpZClLh2HWraD2nqTE/s400/E2-7.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozsBKI5aOPFkoJt-JFXvLwxL1pDmpwohZWix9OTog63eguS7I8rsZvMKk4ZIyDfPKqx1vUHJswRtJrtHJ1uqSok7CBTRqDNnDVwsuzKf9sgO7SSdWNT2H-_IWVpevBtR62OQ-Hc94oSU/s1600/E2-8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozsBKI5aOPFkoJt-JFXvLwxL1pDmpwohZWix9OTog63eguS7I8rsZvMKk4ZIyDfPKqx1vUHJswRtJrtHJ1uqSok7CBTRqDNnDVwsuzKf9sgO7SSdWNT2H-_IWVpevBtR62OQ-Hc94oSU/s400/E2-8.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
There were lots of fiddly techniques in these patterns, and overall contestants seemed to cope pretty well.<br />
<h3>
2. Alter a Basic High Street Item</h3>
<b>Take a bridesmaid dress in silky fabric and turn it into an outfit for a child 1 hour 30 minutes. </b><br />
<br />
The contestants were each given a bridesmaid dress, and were asked to be imaginative and creative. Based on last week, the judges are looking for something really interesting. <br />
<br />
Tracey, Rumana, Jamie, Jade, Joyce and Charlotte decided to make party/bridesmaid dresses. Angeline planned to make a mermaid dress with a fishtail, Josh a sleeveless bomber jacket and Ghislaine a sporty jacket and shorts.<br />
<br />
Tracey was sewing shirring at lightning speed, Angeline seemed to be having trouble sewing the light fabric with her machine. Later she added random sequinned sections, that didn't seem to make a lot of sense. Rumana and Jamie both decided to drape on the stand. Rumana later added a sparkly butterfly detail on the front of her dress, hoping it would distract the judges. Jade and Charlotte both added gathered net skirts. Charlotte added a beaded trim on the waistband, but had to rip it off as it prevented dress stretching over the shoulders of her mannequin. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI4-OirnJGQqdvGRkcwrWA7rw5g8Q2djx6jSZ_DRV8o8UaF-kScESMWTXHZT8i9XTO-4l8TSme1v8QcnY5EBm8dFbrj_0GLNx5n2sr6wuh7oqgDYmrSj8ctorzpl6xwdfNW7vXOyp96I/s1600/E2-9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbI4-OirnJGQqdvGRkcwrWA7rw5g8Q2djx6jSZ_DRV8o8UaF-kScESMWTXHZT8i9XTO-4l8TSme1v8QcnY5EBm8dFbrj_0GLNx5n2sr6wuh7oqgDYmrSj8ctorzpl6xwdfNW7vXOyp96I/s400/E2-9.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
The judges gave their most positive comments on Rumana's butterfly dress (gone to town on the draping, made butterfly from scratch), Tracey's petal fairy dress (lots of good stuff on this, liked the petals) and Ghislaine's sporty shorts and zippered top (stood out from all the others, well handled fabric, lovely appliqué details).<br />
<br />
Their most negative comments were on Josh's sleeveless bomber jacket (least imaginative, doesn't fit mannequin), Angeline's mermaid dress (haphazard, fabric hacked up, didn't like the sequins - poor Angeline looked heartbroken).<br />
<br />
The results from 9th place are Josh, Angeline, Jade, Charlotte, Joyce, Jamie, in second was Rumana (really lovely, beautiful handwork and lots of imagination), and in first place was Ghislaine (executed well, with very nice details).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9H05QyM5QFsSiNzaGuwz_1mDbd50SymqOyCB5IGo2SWsUtUl5wQMaRmMM0Kf3T5iMVzb11pkt4xUqQXWxaKriprFzHXyiXwMxz87tnVWeoJ7pDC7Z1F-bJOJYtcrFXWebWRlQW6wmoI4/s1600/E2-10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9H05QyM5QFsSiNzaGuwz_1mDbd50SymqOyCB5IGo2SWsUtUl5wQMaRmMM0Kf3T5iMVzb11pkt4xUqQXWxaKriprFzHXyiXwMxz87tnVWeoJ7pDC7Z1F-bJOJYtcrFXWebWRlQW6wmoI4/s400/E2-10.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h3>
3. Sew a Showstopper</h3>
<b>Sew a woollen cape for a child to fit a real model in 6 hours.</b><br />
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A quick Google search of wool capes for children showed quite a variety of possible choices for the contestants.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccuKIqjX9bz25UYMl-rHKCVx0u5OrLF4Xmzagq3e-Vxttjr8V6xtkQxK4SXgfNS7OfiUSeO8a6E6YuwJuGl7TBXMnSRfLM6ibSxHu8UelEV_7D4PmvyalkmzcWCh3MyVKHgrHQRPn-Ss/s1600/E2-11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccuKIqjX9bz25UYMl-rHKCVx0u5OrLF4Xmzagq3e-Vxttjr8V6xtkQxK4SXgfNS7OfiUSeO8a6E6YuwJuGl7TBXMnSRfLM6ibSxHu8UelEV_7D4PmvyalkmzcWCh3MyVKHgrHQRPn-Ss/s400/E2-11.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of Google</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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There isn't a lot to get excited about with woollen fabrics. Angeline chose a nice red fabric with a tartan contrast, Jamie chose a nice tweed paired with a blue lining that makes me think of Sherlock Holmes, and Josh had a nice checked beige wool. Charlotte chose a very ugly redish-brown tweed, and Rumana went for a very thick grey jersey wool that looked completely inappropriate for a cape.<br />
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Jade selected an interesting pattern with a hood, fur trim, and buttoned panel on front. Charlotte's pattern for a full circle cape looked nice, but did she a weird thing at the end where she folded the edges back at the arms and used snap fasteners to hold them in place. I liked the look of Jamie's pattern choice, but felt it should have been a bit longer. Actually most of the capes seemed to be cut a little short. The worst of which was Ghislaine's, which ended up as a capelet rather than a cape. <br />
<br />
I was rather excited to see Ghislaine doing freehand drafting, but it became obvious very quickly that she didn't really know what she was doing. She cut the neckline too large, and ended up having to pleat the fabric to make it fit.<br />
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The judges gave their most positive comments on Charlotte (nice combination of fabrics, good pattern choice, loved the turned back sleeves), Jamie (very original, fantastic piece of work, pockets well done, although some were unfinished), Angeline (fantastic piece of clothing, godet works really well with the bow feature, lining well handled, "an absolute cracker").<br />
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Their most negative comments were on Rumana (bow looked like a dog biscuit, using a jersey wool resulted in "bouncy" seams), and Ghislaine (an awful lot was not quite right, scallops uneven, collar doesn't fit),<br />
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<br /></div>
<h2>
The Final Results</h2>
<div>
The contestants went off for a coffee, while the judges discussed the weekend's work.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Those in danger were:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ghislaine - produced the least successful cape, baby grow was a disaster, but they loved her alteration challenge.<br />
Josh - made a pretty good cape with perfect pattern matching, but had the least successful alteration.<br />
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</div>
The contestants were then called back in to hear the final results:<br />
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Garment of the week went to … Angeline for her children's cape. Angeline had the best surprised face, so I had to include a couple of pictures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLYBsvdXBZhIGO0u3JYg_QqS6RibpFTsBK-QcXtPuwdJuqdqNb7TRKSg-PJ6rfXgD8Og43QEmSfzFfqfMf8V9KyMmW1miGiF5sYnz4f1GJY22811ZBFMoYSnVz879xLABYE0IEgZk7Vc/s1600/E2-12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLYBsvdXBZhIGO0u3JYg_QqS6RibpFTsBK-QcXtPuwdJuqdqNb7TRKSg-PJ6rfXgD8Og43QEmSfzFfqfMf8V9KyMmW1miGiF5sYnz4f1GJY22811ZBFMoYSnVz879xLABYE0IEgZk7Vc/s400/E2-12.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
The contestant leaving this week was … Ghislaine.<br />
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<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
<div>
Ghislaine had two disastrous makes this week. Her baby grow was as bad as it was possible to be, and her self-drafted cape was full of errors. She is definitely no Chinelo Bally, and should probably have stuck to using a pattern instead of trying to self-draft her cape. Unfortunately, her win in the alteration challenge wasn't enough to save her from elimination.<br />
<br />
Up next week is lingerie. The closest I've come to lingerie is a camisole and knickers set from Tilly and The Buttons, which was quite fun to make, but not so easy to fit.<br />
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<h2>
Want to Read More About GBSB?</h2>
You might also like to check out these other blogs that have done some posts about this episode:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://thethriftystitcher.co.uk/blog/" target="_blank">The Thrifty Stitcher</a> - Claire-Louise Hardie is the Sewing Producer for The Great British Sewing Bee. She posts some lovely tutorials on sewing techniques.</li>
<li><a href="https://thefoldline.com/great-british-sewing-bee/">The Fold Line</a> - have a list of all contestants and links to their blogs, website and social media. They have also reviewed the new GBSB Season 4 book.</li>
<li><a href="http://byhandlondon.com/blogs/by-hand-london/117612037-the-great-british-sewing-bee-from-stitch-to-style?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+byhandlondon%2FSQgL+%28By+Hand+London+-+Blog%29">By Hand London</a> - Elisalex De Castro Peake has reviewed by new GBSB Season 4 book.</li>
<li><a href="https://monkseal.wordpress.com/2016/05/26/the-great-british-sewing-bee-4-episode-2/">The Mighty Mighty Monk Seal</a> - Steve & Chris present a very witty recap, which is written as fans of reality television review, rather than as sewers themselves.</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<br />
If you know any more blogs with interesting recaps or useful advice related to the GBSB, leave me a message and I can include a link.</div>
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Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-12944738720952253262016-05-21T00:44:00.002-07:002016-05-21T00:46:34.251-07:00The Great British Sewing Bee - Season 4 Begins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2QVqFiaRtK5mRe-VXf1Ow4Yf0vuw7uhfIQgaJ6glG4nQEq8hxbziVTOyYK6clHnZe8Ab0uWOtQP2WjLjq7Pc0BkSNZTpz8thDkhM2UV1_4garoB9ios04_pH_Gkd2TYbbtxVDZZ7GaM/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2QVqFiaRtK5mRe-VXf1Ow4Yf0vuw7uhfIQgaJ6glG4nQEq8hxbziVTOyYK6clHnZe8Ab0uWOtQP2WjLjq7Pc0BkSNZTpz8thDkhM2UV1_4garoB9ios04_pH_Gkd2TYbbtxVDZZ7GaM/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you've read my blog before, you know I'm a fan of The Great British Sewing Bee. I love the fact that there is a popular sewing program on a major TV network ... and it's not full of bitchy, horrible people, who make incomprehensible things in the name of fashion. It's good, old fashioned sewing, done by people who seem like they'd be fun to sew with.<br />
<br />
I managed to do a blog post on all the episodes in Season 2, but didn't quite manage Season 3 - I still have a half-finished post on episode 1 in my drafts. I've decided that I'm going to have a go at doing posts on the episodes this season.<br />
<br />
The first episode kicked off with an introduction to our judges. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaquxaPAiFp3953ISKbNrIOlNXFJFkHhtOs53wqEkOWciR3l4imBrKxVXOlrNZSOEY7nMbTjxiW-SR8yPFbmTtkZPeRTReXFnZTkiF8eIQbjsIaJlqD_GSkgtCX-D3Noc5tW10-QCZbjU/s1600/Judges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaquxaPAiFp3953ISKbNrIOlNXFJFkHhtOs53wqEkOWciR3l4imBrKxVXOlrNZSOEY7nMbTjxiW-SR8yPFbmTtkZPeRTReXFnZTkiF8eIQbjsIaJlqD_GSkgtCX-D3Noc5tW10-QCZbjU/s400/Judges.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of www.radiotimes.com</td></tr>
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<br />
The lovely Patrick Grant has returned, and continues to be elegant and charming. Mae Martin has been replaced with Esme Young. I'm reserving my judgement on Esme, but I so far I like the fact that she seems to offer honest feedback, rather than being polite and positive. She might also bring a bit of cheeky "Mel and Sue" style commentary, which I find amusing.<br />
<br />
The contestants are introduced throughout the show, but here is a quick snapshot of the group:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xR9WYyheKJZhm6VLhzQkAWm3rq_tpDUZA5Jd_uE_q2zRnaZ4PDR-o31kHgKHaId_Y-RK8TpXRsfBCWtAXxN2LwSx1O4ygiA9T33SPABiH0ZxxSFAQhjpZbaiA50FwzoO6UZowqXAWFM/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xR9WYyheKJZhm6VLhzQkAWm3rq_tpDUZA5Jd_uE_q2zRnaZ4PDR-o31kHgKHaId_Y-RK8TpXRsfBCWtAXxN2LwSx1O4ygiA9T33SPABiH0ZxxSFAQhjpZbaiA50FwzoO6UZowqXAWFM/s400/Slide1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of GBSB Facebook page</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Spoiler alert … this is where I'm going to start talking about what happened in week one. If you don't want to find out what happened, stop reading now!! You're always welcome to drop by again, once you've caught up on your viewing.<br />
<br />
<h2>
The Challenges </h2>
<h3>
1. Sewing from a Pattern</h3>
<b>Sew a bias cut sleeveless blouse from a linear printed fabric with a chevron design (techniques include cutting on the bias, pattern matching, hidden bias binding) in 2.5 hours.</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://thethriftystitcher.co.uk/chevron-bias-top-tutorial-gbsb/"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GmdC-RwVH5OLkZoT4S2ICGa4LYV2EgBjdoRlVogY585nYd5Fbae66zeccs35UQHcbWXJuBs9SfG4loz66ZZUanjfl0_ByRDMs8BBGghZGoKdVJdpn-rviD5KXz8Yqq_cE3xVbxJ8oKM/s400/GBSB4-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thethriftystitcher.co.uk/chevron-bias-top-tutorial-gbsb/">Image courtesy of The Thrifty Stitcher</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The pattern chosen was deceptively simple. A sleeveless blouse, with a hidden bias bound neckline. The tricky part of the pattern, as explained by Patrick, is that it had to be made in a linear printed fabric, cut on the bias, with the centre front and centre back seam meeting in a chevron (a "V" design). The steps in cutting were explained as follows:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv0cVijuE9OdZ3eOaMHfqJOcEZL20YRfzgNvIXYIMNzZvlq_z76zAh5yw9qZRzhs9wJXizcYl8JqcNj1i3jjBPgn0QNmR8JLCmw7vPNw97oVQxEvwWOsGy_jL8hP3w_ONlZyP2pv0xJI/s1600/E1-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv0cVijuE9OdZ3eOaMHfqJOcEZL20YRfzgNvIXYIMNzZvlq_z76zAh5yw9qZRzhs9wJXizcYl8JqcNj1i3jjBPgn0QNmR8JLCmw7vPNw97oVQxEvwWOsGy_jL8hP3w_ONlZyP2pv0xJI/s320/E1-3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhub7UzT_14hCSGjdA9sEtlK5tBSYsseGDx1E9HqQ3df_R4Yp0a9tdmj3-13bnMNK9oOnAPeznLC4oIv6xJ1qIHkwk9HXKNatgDfv247SCYx-w8Kupp2ojv6Gu1zUi266G-zrUuQqRMoCc/s1600/E1-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhub7UzT_14hCSGjdA9sEtlK5tBSYsseGDx1E9HqQ3df_R4Yp0a9tdmj3-13bnMNK9oOnAPeznLC4oIv6xJ1qIHkwk9HXKNatgDfv247SCYx-w8Kupp2ojv6Gu1zUi266G-zrUuQqRMoCc/s320/E1-4.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy55mrH_pHYu2nTd7OVq-dbOhBoeYUxlckifeVC8rnj5SOY7B8Qz1zId07vTJXSGwEyONg6OcEvjbrTJmXD_LTCttvvRON8Xo6Hpmbzpmx41okHMcJdzWcMKCt74WmLqw6GCZH1ILo6aw/s1600/E1-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy55mrH_pHYu2nTd7OVq-dbOhBoeYUxlckifeVC8rnj5SOY7B8Qz1zId07vTJXSGwEyONg6OcEvjbrTJmXD_LTCttvvRON8Xo6Hpmbzpmx41okHMcJdzWcMKCt74WmLqw6GCZH1ILo6aw/s320/E1-5.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I didn't think it was a particularly difficult pattern, but was surprised to see several contestants had little or no experience with bias cutting or pattern matching. Josh spent at least half the challenge trying to figure out how to cut the pieces so they matched in the chevron "V". Duncan had meant to practice bias cutting before the show, but hadn't got around to it.<br />
<br />
There were some nice fabric choices. I especially liked Jamie's red with black narrow stripe georgette, Charlotte's black and white triple stripe, and Rumana's white with black narrow stripe fabric. There was much discussion of how difficult Jamie's georgette would be to sew. Ghilaine chose a fabric with an uneven stripe that was impossible to match, and ended up abandoning it an hour into the challenge, and choosing something more practical. Duncan chose my least favourite fabric - a pink, green and blue pastel stripe straight out of the 80s.<br />
<br />
Josh was utterly baffled by the instructions and needed Charlotte to help him with cutting the pieces in the right direction. At least an hour into the challenge Josh was still trying to cut the pieces out correctly. Joyce also had to help Duncan figure out his stripes. In the end Duncan spent so long perfectly matching his chevon pattern, that I'm surprised he was able to finish the garment.<br />
<br />
Angeline had never done a bias bound neckline before, Charlotte cut her bias strip on the straight grain, and Duncan finished his neckline like he was doing a t-shirt neckband. I know some contestants got frazzled and made some simple mistakes, but some of them seem seriously unskilled for a competition supposedly featuring "Britain's best home sewers".<br />
<br />
I did notice that contestants this year seem to have learnt from previous seasons, and they almost all followed the instructions meticulously. There were no unnecessary embellishments added, and only Duncan did his neckline binding incorrectly - which might have been down to him not understanding the directions properly.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiE1nA4JnBUYumxfMjiPWFu9QhUoxUoOQn8OE95dPUkijwi9T2N7yuR7WIXbMsQZUZGFzdBRQjgxNfgvqXsTf6wmurGrIhrK4T38RsfnnvzUkwnCba29uYZECXUbZF1D4Q3HlLuLwkNPk/s1600/E1-6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiE1nA4JnBUYumxfMjiPWFu9QhUoxUoOQn8OE95dPUkijwi9T2N7yuR7WIXbMsQZUZGFzdBRQjgxNfgvqXsTf6wmurGrIhrK4T38RsfnnvzUkwnCba29uYZECXUbZF1D4Q3HlLuLwkNPk/s400/E1-6.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The judges gave their most positive comments on Charlotte (pattern well matched and neckline neat), Jamie (pattern matched perfectly through all four seams and neckline neat) and Tracy (fabric choice gave an interesting finish).<br />
<br />
Their most negative comments were on Duncan (chevron perfectly matched, but binding uneven and hem too deep and falling down), Rumana (chevron upside down, armholes unfinished, neckline stretched at back, neckline binding not fully turned under), Josh (chevron upside down on front), Joyce (seams well matched, but neckline badly stretched).<br />
<br />
The results from 10th place are Rumana, Josh, Duncan, Ghislaine, Joyce, Jade, Tracey, Angeline, Charlotte in second, and Jamie in first.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aR1Ab_Z0KRlWOtO6vpJR9HZkBUqqXIB_t9iMYromPvabxnhxozZmOU4xNSKzrt2Q-zCV-VPxuBMfY-3dVcsON6UPYrA3yjuGyXT2B4Dg0uwk9bKKEnuwYhyK-ooH7uFjqNpFgid8Kak/s1600/E1-7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aR1Ab_Z0KRlWOtO6vpJR9HZkBUqqXIB_t9iMYromPvabxnhxozZmOU4xNSKzrt2Q-zCV-VPxuBMfY-3dVcsON6UPYrA3yjuGyXT2B4Dg0uwk9bKKEnuwYhyK-ooH7uFjqNpFgid8Kak/s400/E1-7.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
2. Alter a Basic High Street Item</h3>
<b>Take a basic lined maternity dress and transform it in 1.5 hours. </b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YVZdiOiKAtST_1b1RPwIVhW2Sk3h0IzOAEq1GGapQLyLyGHOvypqkXvbY2Qh4Rg6JjB3MyHTjQBehVeSPDV4Q5EVQFiC12V_Ede3_q6VK0aKVV5zmOx54HCi_Y0M_hWpUXgeQeqlqV8/s1600/E1-8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YVZdiOiKAtST_1b1RPwIVhW2Sk3h0IzOAEq1GGapQLyLyGHOvypqkXvbY2Qh4Rg6JjB3MyHTjQBehVeSPDV4Q5EVQFiC12V_Ede3_q6VK0aKVV5zmOx54HCi_Y0M_hWpUXgeQeqlqV8/s320/E1-8.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The dress provided was an simple sheath, with short sleeves. It was, quite frankly, hideous. It looks like some sort of uniform given to pregnant medical staff. <br />
<br />
Jamie was one of the most adventurous and turned his dress into a sleeveless, floor length gown with a contrast fabric in a mock wrap, Rumana made a really pretty dress with a gathered, elasticised waistband made from an orange ribbon, and cut away some of her back neckline and added criss-crossed orange straps, Joyce added a gold sequinned fabric in godets (which I thought would look hideous) which looked fabulous. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBvbeOqhc81EgdeGnoP6CXm9rXZsLccjOhnCJvoMSIRFT0EFu2fyT1-YOKY3Xho5-zKJjrF0sxtxo3EqRp51V_enlzKYBQheEwPL4LR7u2f5dHij7su_JmrXUWaiE4GaIPrhXwmMZNLA/s1600/E1-9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBvbeOqhc81EgdeGnoP6CXm9rXZsLccjOhnCJvoMSIRFT0EFu2fyT1-YOKY3Xho5-zKJjrF0sxtxo3EqRp51V_enlzKYBQheEwPL4LR7u2f5dHij7su_JmrXUWaiE4GaIPrhXwmMZNLA/s400/E1-9.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The judges gave their most positive comments on Jamie's complete transformation of the original dress, Joyce's well executed godets, and Rumana's cleverly reshaped and embellished neckline.<br />
<br />
Their most negative comments were on all of the skirts (Angeline, Ghislaine, Duncan, Jade, Charlotte and Josh) which didn't fit, weren't creative enough and were badly sewn. The only skirt that got a moderately positive comment was Charlotte's, as it fitted the mannequin well. They also disliked Tracey's "flouncy" lace top with a chunky, separating sports zipper down the front. It looked like she had sewn on some of those old fashioned, lace half-curtains from someone's kitchen window.<br />
<br />
The results from 10th place are Tracey, Jade, Duncan, Josh, Ghislaine, Charlotte, Angeline, Rumana, Joyce in second and Jamie in first.<br />
<h3>
3. Sew a Showstopper</h3>
<b>Sew a skirt to fit a real model in 5 hours.</b><br />
<br />
This episode was touted as being one focused on basic garment construction. Asking contestants to sew a skirt is pretty basic. In the first episode of Season 2, contestants were asked to sew a silk nightgown, and in the first episode of Season 3, contestants were asked to sew a summer dress. I certainly hope the challenges get a bit more ... um, challenging!<br />
<br />
My favourite fabric choices were Rumana's beautiful woven brocade fabric that looked like an ikat print, Angeline's azure and magenta floral print on white, Duncan's beige silk "petal" fabric, and Josh's black floral print on white denim. My least favourite fabrics were Jamie's blue floral brocade with a chiffon flounce, and Ghislaine's red and grey combination.<br />
<br />
My favourite pattern choices were Rumana's self-drafted high waisted obi-wrap maxi skirt, Angeline's fitted pencil skirt with a peplum hem, Josh's long flared skirt, and Joyce's flared godet skirt. My least favourite pattern choices were Duncan's badly fitted circle skirt, Tracey's skirt waistband that seemed to scoop down too low and accentuate the tummy area, and Jade's self-drafted high waisted tutu skirt. Along the way Josh managed to lose his yoke pattern piece and had to draft one himself.<br />
<br />
The judges gave their most positive comments on Angeline's well fitted peplum skirt (Esme commented that it "fits beautifully under her arse"), Rumana's obi-wrap maxi skirt drafted from an apron pattern, Jade's well fitted high-waisted tutu skirt (liked combination of grey & black tulle, silver trim and chunky exposed metal zip) that showed her style and personality, and Josh's flared skirt (not the most complicated, but executed extremely well).<br />
<br />
Their most negative comments were on Tracey's puckered seam at the front, Ghislaine's poor choice of a very light fabric, Jamie's flounce badly hemmed and looked odd on front of skirt only, and Duncan's poorly fitted waistband and uneven hem.<br />
<br />
I'm surprised that they didn't comment on a few things that really stood out to me. Tracey's yoke was cut the wrong shape and scooped too low in the front, Charlotte's waistband either needed to sit higher or be made a bit tighter as the top edge seemed to jut out, and Jamie's appalling choice of fabric and pattern that was so dowdy.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
The Final Results</h2>
<div>
The contestants went off for a coffee, while the judges discussed the weekend's work.</div>
<div>
Those in danger were:</div>
<div>
<br />
Josh - performed poorly in the first two challenges, but rescued himself with his showstopper skirt.</div>
<div>
Duncan - had come bottom in the first two challenges. His top was well matched in the chevron, but overall his finish let him down, his alternation skirt lacked ambition, and his showstopper skirt had a poorly fitted waistband and uneven hem.<br />
Tracey - her top had been pretty well done, they did not love her alteration, and her showstopper skirt was puckered in front and had a very uneven hem.<br />
<br /></div>
The contestants were then called back in to hear the final results:<br />
<br />
Garment of the week went to … Angeline for her bottom-hugging, peplum skirt.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5WkfzcLPuhxGHlrsGAdgtNM1iZVHmZuSFy_e91SBmG9nz8KIsj0eob5DmdcvT7tb-ShCVRtfuiheDCP4Hpq4mu_9zx4jEYSqtkIhRTo9s1QqCxR0CpuBsCNJoTLOoNXAZEb0ApggtqA/s1600/E1-10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5WkfzcLPuhxGHlrsGAdgtNM1iZVHmZuSFy_e91SBmG9nz8KIsj0eob5DmdcvT7tb-ShCVRtfuiheDCP4Hpq4mu_9zx4jEYSqtkIhRTo9s1QqCxR0CpuBsCNJoTLOoNXAZEb0ApggtqA/s400/E1-10.png" width="201" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nZES-Pm7pM0y7ZdeltcN_ghkUetmbUF-7wdxlIo2Ff-DPbO8bjARYXebd72bBiNOHAsa4iqy3-DSAIkPB2WgKKNSYCzM0x1u-hgv0SJS45pphcy_ABHIAQbJkDhp6u7yGkW__fp8zl8/s1600/E1-11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nZES-Pm7pM0y7ZdeltcN_ghkUetmbUF-7wdxlIo2Ff-DPbO8bjARYXebd72bBiNOHAsa4iqy3-DSAIkPB2WgKKNSYCzM0x1u-hgv0SJS45pphcy_ABHIAQbJkDhp6u7yGkW__fp8zl8/s400/E1-11.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images courtesy of The Great British Sewing Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The contestant leaving this week was … Duncan.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
<div>
I like this season of the GBSB. Esme seems like a promising judge, but I thin it might take her another episode or two to seem really natural in the show. The venue seems better this year, with the haberdashery actually in the sewing room. The challenges this week seemed a little easy to me, and I'm not convinced the contestants are as skilled as previous seasons. I'm looking forward to next week, and am hoping things get a little more challenging.<br />
<br />
You might also like to check out these other blogs that have done some posts about this episode:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://thethriftystitcher.co.uk/blog/" target="_blank">The Thrifty Stitcher</a> - Claire-Louise Hardie is the Sewing Producer for The Great British Sewing Bee. She posts some lovely tutorials on sewing techniques.</li>
<li><a href="https://thefoldline.com/great-british-sewing-bee/">The Fold Line</a> - have a list of all contestants and links to their blogs, website and social media. They have also reviewed the new GBSB Season 4 book.</li>
<li><a href="http://byhandlondon.com/blogs/by-hand-london/117612037-the-great-british-sewing-bee-from-stitch-to-style?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+byhandlondon%2FSQgL+%28By+Hand+London+-+Blog%29">By Hand London</a> - Elisalex De Castro Peake has reviewed by new GBSB Season 4 book.</li>
</ul>
</div>
Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-34561640211631745642016-04-25T05:40:00.000-07:002016-04-26T20:09:27.331-07:00Beautiful and Practical Toiletry Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXn5oww3EB1F1JINtoD0rRNG8wxqWCkMInMXWKqBVlV7lKkgNk40tB5zwYGnZD4QoRDwwwC8jQbgzOkGflFpgcEcTQN6pismW0Y6P6JgLcuGBrpLe1q-FjUIbRbaGldhWYdqDhiAv2Wc/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXn5oww3EB1F1JINtoD0rRNG8wxqWCkMInMXWKqBVlV7lKkgNk40tB5zwYGnZD4QoRDwwwC8jQbgzOkGflFpgcEcTQN6pismW0Y6P6JgLcuGBrpLe1q-FjUIbRbaGldhWYdqDhiAv2Wc/s400/Slide1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This morning we waved goodbye to Olivia, and sent her off on school camp. They are off to a beach resort in Malaysia for five days. I spent the last few weeks organising all the things on her packing list, and then sewing labels in all her clothes. A new, enormous Decathlon store opened up near us a couple of months ago, which made it much easier to buy new swimmers, UV t-shirts, wet shoes and other gear. Hooray for Decathlon.<br />
<br />
Absolutely ages ago a tutorial for this very cute toiletry bag appeared on my Pinterest feed. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.handmadiya.com/2015/09/cosmetic-bag-with-frame-tutorial.html"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiv1WfuCpKDaLv3rhj-rIgdcMAm7ZHFrlIYl1jx3pG8ut6_Vnh39SEi7SLSXAUBGGqdRmVMzi0UUAmWO9Fx5GylD7Unlm0PCqHk5wuaCEklIAHgpBFwgSXzHzbBE1QE6RAONj0HL5m7U/s400/Toiletry+Bag+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.handmadiya.com/2015/09/cosmetic-bag-with-frame-tutorial.html">Source - handmadiya.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I asked Olivia if she would like me to make her a toiletry bag to take to camp. She was keen, so I started gathering supplies. I visited Sing Mui Heng in the Textile Centre and picked up a zip, some waterproof fabric for the lining and a two part frame for the opening. I already had a couple of nice cotton fabrics, fusible interfacing, fusible batting and leather scraps at home.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6VvmDa2RgNxXd_0oyNUMz0wB8un0tytm7bougkUrKUDN2c89mOP7Q2N8O4fIpcR9EOBAROIU22PJVsLYZZoBtsTlLByMGNuD5rOFyiUtGC_JEPufTuNdzI9ceCuo4xwTAkuUi9leQkQ/s1600/Toiletry+Bag+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6VvmDa2RgNxXd_0oyNUMz0wB8un0tytm7bougkUrKUDN2c89mOP7Q2N8O4fIpcR9EOBAROIU22PJVsLYZZoBtsTlLByMGNuD5rOFyiUtGC_JEPufTuNdzI9ceCuo4xwTAkuUi9leQkQ/s400/Toiletry+Bag+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Materials (L to R) Leather, Fusible Batting, Outer Fabric, Wire Casing Fabric, Waterproof Lining Fabric, Zip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A wire frame measuring 20x4cm is required, but I could only find a frame that was 20x7cm. I pulled the rubber stoppers of the ends of the frame, used wire cutters to shorten the ends and then put the stoppers back on. It worked perfectly.<br />
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The tutorial prepared by handmadiya.com doesn't have a lot of detail. There are some measurements for the main pieces and the wire frame, and photos of the steps. What I did learn through trial and error is this:<br />
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<br />
<ol>
<li>The measurements for the main piece of outer and lining fabric (31x33cm) is for the joined front and back pieces.</li>
<li>The measurements for the narrow strips that join the zipper to the main pouch, and hold the wire frame inside (31x12cm) is for all four strips. Each strip will measure 31x3cm once they are cut.</li>
<li>The pictures seem to show firm, fusible interfacing being used, but I used fusible batting on the outer layer of fabric. It really helped the bag hold it's shape, and I would totally recommend it.</li>
<li>I would recommend cutting the the top edge of lining layer slightly shorter so that it doesn't bunch up inside the finished bag. I didn't do this, and it scrunches up in the corners.</li>
<li>I hand stitched the small openings closed where the wire frame is inserted. This stops the wire frame poking out or moving around.</li>
<li>I cut my batting in an H-shape so that it was only applied inside all the sewing lines. This is how it should look:</li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNR4wQ6-2t1X6KLiEW8_tzyQYRRtlG34lYL7Ps7JpOhmQcnKy_5pCyTGIdkBImnFUn3iytW7uhyphenhyphenkxVbhxYwaIzlvMpZfSjUpsdWw6DdP_SrmXxuXPFQC_cFUL-jJb8BWlawUSRH32AM4/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNR4wQ6-2t1X6KLiEW8_tzyQYRRtlG34lYL7Ps7JpOhmQcnKy_5pCyTGIdkBImnFUn3iytW7uhyphenhyphenkxVbhxYwaIzlvMpZfSjUpsdWw6DdP_SrmXxuXPFQC_cFUL-jJb8BWlawUSRH32AM4/s400/Slide1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I wanted to attach the leather ends to the zip using studs (like in the tutorial) but I didn't have the right studs. In the end I sewed them on by hand. My leather was quite thick and I needed to mark and punch the holes with an awl before I could sew them.<br />
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Here's the finished bag:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AeN2FN7aU7cDvZKyzRl-Gd4eriN02iQvHj-Y0QrWv5ww1F_CCh1ULTLj-LGZ0S2Jwjq5ky3rH35ikyBKGxqTM_YdsGCfgxfeUluaz0Iy_78qDLAGutk9AccFcKibWV6yhd8wJ1vwd5s/s1600/Toiletry+bag+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AeN2FN7aU7cDvZKyzRl-Gd4eriN02iQvHj-Y0QrWv5ww1F_CCh1ULTLj-LGZ0S2Jwjq5ky3rH35ikyBKGxqTM_YdsGCfgxfeUluaz0Iy_78qDLAGutk9AccFcKibWV6yhd8wJ1vwd5s/s400/Toiletry+bag+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLSxp2rzv1dNlApnwSZBiz7_P1l9cM_vo_6smifKZ71bf9OJcvwpLNvW-8ROYWEn-PEda_unAiDJzeTbRrqtjckZoCfZbgW0VWN7Xt0fTuYNsq9n5MRpfR5fonfPZvCbyC9k2ovA21a4/s1600/Toiletry+bag+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLSxp2rzv1dNlApnwSZBiz7_P1l9cM_vo_6smifKZ71bf9OJcvwpLNvW-8ROYWEn-PEda_unAiDJzeTbRrqtjckZoCfZbgW0VWN7Xt0fTuYNsq9n5MRpfR5fonfPZvCbyC9k2ovA21a4/s400/Toiletry+bag+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2g53PuEBYWUctJ7bB5UV9J16wfLJmTp2QKuV97N65C0jfTKBo1ctuBtMFHFOv7ML4ke8QkOpXoSycxFSWtdcuM1uSXcYoURkErlxDn1iIYTDW0iVm_ZRqoPXwVjgobe9EVX2t4Zhctc/s1600/Toiletry+bag+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2g53PuEBYWUctJ7bB5UV9J16wfLJmTp2QKuV97N65C0jfTKBo1ctuBtMFHFOv7ML4ke8QkOpXoSycxFSWtdcuM1uSXcYoURkErlxDn1iIYTDW0iVm_ZRqoPXwVjgobe9EVX2t4Zhctc/s400/Toiletry+bag+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHF_Ntb3ez4m6OSMxxNhZRNFOxEmBCqBSuUqf5Fk4mzmkjwrAc40xVmfFlUxAhP_GJ0Kyo2didD_ahe6u0gtr-ZHAPde3yp3pbo3urdb2x2VzX3G9q8_EpNNZ72pSK25EsgNlUhPlVtLo/s1600/Toiletry+bag+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHF_Ntb3ez4m6OSMxxNhZRNFOxEmBCqBSuUqf5Fk4mzmkjwrAc40xVmfFlUxAhP_GJ0Kyo2didD_ahe6u0gtr-ZHAPde3yp3pbo3urdb2x2VzX3G9q8_EpNNZ72pSK25EsgNlUhPlVtLo/s400/Toiletry+bag+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The bag worked out brilliantly (apart from the slightly bunched up lining fabric). It looks so cute zipped up, and then the frame holds the shape perfectly when you open it. There is plenty of space inside for the travel toiletries. I even managed to put in a hairbrush, hair elastics and a few other items, without the bag being too full. <br />
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This was a very quick and easy make, and I would definitely recommend giving it a go.Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-47502908433639039962015-10-18T02:35:00.000-07:002015-10-18T02:35:44.104-07:00Getting Crafty in the School Holidays - Modigliani Portraits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSM2JnJL63Wixju8NtwW7nOFEcl3L-6ngYyKL2-kKPc6QKE7N-deHbZ9zuQBmbgkAvmY8enRG5qrjREzfVo3_0cFfEHBLO7gTTJ52iLP2qyZN9CjtXcQZAqdstlhRTOF4zbmOkEdlDms/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSM2JnJL63Wixju8NtwW7nOFEcl3L-6ngYyKL2-kKPc6QKE7N-deHbZ9zuQBmbgkAvmY8enRG5qrjREzfVo3_0cFfEHBLO7gTTJ52iLP2qyZN9CjtXcQZAqdstlhRTOF4zbmOkEdlDms/s400/Slide1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We enjoyed making <a href="http://randomcraftingadventures.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/getting-crafty-in-school-holidays.html">Picasso Dogs</a> so much, that we decided to have a go at making Modigliani Portraits using another Kids Art Week tutorial by Carla Sonheim.<br />
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Carla Sonheim has created six online art classes. You can read about them and sign up <a href="http://www.carlasonheim.com/free-kids-online-art-class-6-lessons/">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.carlasonheim.com/free-kids-online-art-class-6-lessons/"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0vgZA55n8s38spXVl4CItM2T3IVafTVbvl8DWEgvje8OAGc06y1eZdyZmjA8yakb_ONoWV4gBTdWsrkJnnspKfFQsBlix0W8IWFkm6n_IkuB8X6t4lQiBSwYf28n650yse8fg_-x8CA/s400/Picasso+Dogs+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Modigliani portraits were really easy to do, and looked fabulous. Supplies needed are:<br />
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<ul>
<li>washable felt tip pens (I recommend the Crayola Supertips Washable Markers) - you want something that will bleed well when you brush over it with water</li>
<li>water colour paper</li>
<li>brushes</li>
<li>water</li>
<li>papertowel (for blotting your wet brushes)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We started by watching the tutorial, then we got straight into creating our portraits. Here's a selection of our portraits that I managed to photograph before they were given to lucky recipients:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZrK3qCMVelH8eM_lio8-aK-KWI5nTj_9eStRYA92RdcumaAO_G5dHhVhAY8zQV1ggw7Pjayfm-TOhCH4ZbKiTScteaXGkmX49Fe_G7Y2bOppRcdy2uJ3Ezv7kM_6vmi4YlN_E675jhQ/s1600/Modigliani+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZrK3qCMVelH8eM_lio8-aK-KWI5nTj_9eStRYA92RdcumaAO_G5dHhVhAY8zQV1ggw7Pjayfm-TOhCH4ZbKiTScteaXGkmX49Fe_G7Y2bOppRcdy2uJ3Ezv7kM_6vmi4YlN_E675jhQ/s400/Modigliani+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samantha's grade 2 teacher - Miss Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3Lla-W9cRG-F9-LWdBbi2oaQzcQlReNuTRgibph_MvTsVQBVF3PEDWm4d3IEqJBnF4NxB_4y8OYivcvucandsKKmJQEL-uN3r67BpvBtrK7W5M5OLW6PATwkBfyhpqyXVsXBtewYBOQ/s1600/Modigliani+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3Lla-W9cRG-F9-LWdBbi2oaQzcQlReNuTRgibph_MvTsVQBVF3PEDWm4d3IEqJBnF4NxB_4y8OYivcvucandsKKmJQEL-uN3r67BpvBtrK7W5M5OLW6PATwkBfyhpqyXVsXBtewYBOQ/s400/Modigliani+2.JPG" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olivia's grade 5 teacher - Mr Jonathan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4jHJzCok8_y6KVppkkHccIsa3dnO3TGvq_HPabG7qKLIjv0XoHnaWNarPAEbD6EiFxoR4FDiOjHM016BI0rOvFOnC-9tY33ZmUDR9-jd4O14qX4ymImSv6CYCMmq8oG7F5c5FPo40pI/s1600/Modigliani+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4jHJzCok8_y6KVppkkHccIsa3dnO3TGvq_HPabG7qKLIjv0XoHnaWNarPAEbD6EiFxoR4FDiOjHM016BI0rOvFOnC-9tY33ZmUDR9-jd4O14qX4ymImSv6CYCMmq8oG7F5c5FPo40pI/s400/Modigliani+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olivia's Mandarin tutor - Tien Laoshi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXokZgPDdmSfQRbJ1KM5fXcERZWjtMVUZvYehy-kJOvT4Aa8k2jExOMm7Fk1PD6idWdynUFVhAs5FKv5cUUureUBhS4FabWCcPYhconh35VAz6dSM-7Ekjoabsji8FlRXfB5duPJJ7pQ/s1600/Modigliani+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXokZgPDdmSfQRbJ1KM5fXcERZWjtMVUZvYehy-kJOvT4Aa8k2jExOMm7Fk1PD6idWdynUFVhAs5FKv5cUUureUBhS4FabWCcPYhconh35VAz6dSM-7Ekjoabsji8FlRXfB5duPJJ7pQ/s400/Modigliani+4.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olivia's self-portrait</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehqqo5Mq-PZ96UblABsxj4qCG9xCH5qTCUgb6lCs4R8lqmRKq-CEk6RSU9oPddLeaBeNDblmtJYJmDjWBTeNL-8M_Iica4GJUxx9EqGeoYtE8KQ5GcOSbzy9GqIzcCaDJED5IokDCaOU/s1600/Modigliani+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehqqo5Mq-PZ96UblABsxj4qCG9xCH5qTCUgb6lCs4R8lqmRKq-CEk6RSU9oPddLeaBeNDblmtJYJmDjWBTeNL-8M_Iica4GJUxx9EqGeoYtE8KQ5GcOSbzy9GqIzcCaDJED5IokDCaOU/s400/Modigliani+5.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olivia's grade 4 teacher - Mrs MacDonald</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0z8sS0MyHOoJJR1_d-0QtNGuPDWO36ndOZ9dB8KIXF1-6csLgpX0IXyLAML_fuaF01MH_v1qFJzXCmPSRrxWezTWbbgrNtqZMfIMeu3pLnlmq8rNdp8my_JmMJDZ3z7tP6MS-JSXTn0/s1600/Modigliani+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0z8sS0MyHOoJJR1_d-0QtNGuPDWO36ndOZ9dB8KIXF1-6csLgpX0IXyLAML_fuaF01MH_v1qFJzXCmPSRrxWezTWbbgrNtqZMfIMeu3pLnlmq8rNdp8my_JmMJDZ3z7tP6MS-JSXTn0/s400/Modigliani+6.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My own self-portrait</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We enjoyed this activity so much we did it a couple of times, including when a friend came over for a playdate.<br />
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It's not too late to sign up for Carla's online classes. We had great fun, and would totally recommend giving them a go.Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-23313456775609899102015-10-16T00:49:00.000-07:002017-07-31T17:36:57.169-07:00Totally Awesome Lego Storage Solution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUwDwmN_BvbRGoFYahI-arQHY5xc0A0nGpC7dSApZuAarimZ7CJHJkd9xad0WwPnxYrxM1IIXC1q42mZq3NMWmW8UVemGNPjUf13pW50Sz7fSevITgqI-xFtZRlEHkzkCIoUt-JvV43A/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUwDwmN_BvbRGoFYahI-arQHY5xc0A0nGpC7dSApZuAarimZ7CJHJkd9xad0WwPnxYrxM1IIXC1q42mZq3NMWmW8UVemGNPjUf13pW50Sz7fSevITgqI-xFtZRlEHkzkCIoUt-JvV43A/s400/Slide1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our Lego collection has been steadily growing in the past couple of years. I wanted to come up with a Lego storage solution that would be easy to access and, most importantly, neat and tidy. When I talked with the girls they were adamant they wanted their Lego sorted into the original sets. I spent a good week sorting the lego into sets, putting them into containers and adding a label to the lids showing which set the pieces belonged to.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1tDe_8gzCIsUthK5utDfpHiT_ayZBuju_SK2R_0EAureb_qnw0X54oH5gsRleo9UTeZgbRF1aKgJybY3nNkSbDyYdTP4YcSr3t47ktGeFpN1FZEJT1PjJoF-W1bHhZsAKDm301QcXl0/s1600/Lego+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1tDe_8gzCIsUthK5utDfpHiT_ayZBuju_SK2R_0EAureb_qnw0X54oH5gsRleo9UTeZgbRF1aKgJybY3nNkSbDyYdTP4YcSr3t47ktGeFpN1FZEJT1PjJoF-W1bHhZsAKDm301QcXl0/s320/Lego+9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was great … until the girls made up several sets, pulled them apart and jumbled the pieces together. There was no way I was going to sort all that Lego out again.<br />
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Eventually I convinced the girls that it would be a great idea to store the Lego by colour. This was our inspiration:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.sg/2011/10/organizing-legos-part-3-creating.html"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDykO1LcGuaK9G4kE9brzPaR-tAeHvQ7r2_hyWxOhxwfjm_iv2egfaXpbGsRuZuifhZX7N-TCJiVLm6Z7oKpYi9ZaAKrSSaal7SOxIl5Xroc71EXV-H1jsNcGFu6u2e3-m473sDVXOP34/s400/Lego+7.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.sg/2011/10/organizing-legos-part-3-creating.html">© iheartorganizing</a></td></tr>
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While I love the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/aa/en/catalog/categories/series/19027/">IKEA Trofast</a> storage shelves, there just isn't enough space to add extra shelves in the playroom. We already have two IKEA Expedit bookshelves (no longer available, replaced by <a href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/tools/kallax/">IKEA Kallax</a>), and there's plenty of space in them to accommodate the Lego. Those six compartments in the circle are where the new Lego storage is going to go.<br />
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It's not a great view, but you might be able to see that all those small containers of Lego sets are in the two bottom right compartments I've circled. I've also got some Trofast tubs in the two bottom left compartments. I had to put lids on the tubs so that I can stack them.<br />
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What I wanted to do was add rails of beading on each side of the compartments so that I could slide the Trofast tubs into the compartments. Unfortunately, each compartment is approximately 2cm too wide for the tubs.<br />
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Eventually, I decided to add a piece of 10mm MDF on each side of the compartments to fill in the gap. I bought my supplies from Ban Heng Long Trading (near Little India), and I would totally recommend them if you need any DIY supplies. You can email them and arrange to have wood pre-cut, and then you just have to pick it up. It was a zoo when I visited, so having the wood already cut was very helpful. They cut the MDF to the exact measurements of the sides of each compartment. I cut and attached wooden beading on each panel using PVA glue and small nails.<br />
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The next step was to paint the panels with white gloss enamel paint.<br />
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It took MANY coats of paint to get really good coverage, especially on the ends. After several days of slowly adding coats of paint, the panels were ready. My husband drilled two pilot holes into the panels, then attached them to each side of the Expedit compartments using screws.<br />
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The stark white of the new panels is a bit of a contrast to the slightly yellowed shelves, but I can live with that. I used PowerPoint to make up some colour labels, then I attached them to the Trofast tubs using clear book covering adhesive. The girls then helped me sort all the Lego into colours, and we slid our tubs back into the shelves.<br />
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What's the verdict? Since I installed the new colour sorted Lego tubs, the girls have been on a Lego building frenzy. I don't even want to show you a picture of the playroom! They've both told me that it's so much easier to make a Lego set now. They have no problem finding the pieces they need, they can pull out tubs and keep them handy while they're building. This has been a great success.Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-21644739350688305912015-10-10T01:41:00.003-07:002015-10-11T01:07:41.500-07:00My Self-Drafted Bridesmaid Dress<div>
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My lovely sister-in-law got married in July, and asked me to be one of her bridesmaids. She decided not to choose a single dress for us all, but instead just asked us to find something in lavender. It was a outdoors, daytime wedding so I wanted something cocktail in style.</div>
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I looked through loads of shops here in Singapore and couldn't find anything. Lavender just isn't a popular colour in RTW. In the end I decided to sew it myself. </div>
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I started by doing a Google search on bridesmaids dresses. There were some really awful dresses out there (think 1980s formal), but I did find a selection of dresses I really liked.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHF4fZRg162KP0dMxbBT3yaEmwdeIH1ymCe27LSFERO3aVj9YkaPXcn_8m7CY484uqxmOc_WN1BrLACScE7R8vIsq5vS6kuKZTCc1tfDNrdJgwdKg_gK78jn9FxYSZWvGzy1NJEnbEf8/s1600/Bridesmaid+Dress+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHF4fZRg162KP0dMxbBT3yaEmwdeIH1ymCe27LSFERO3aVj9YkaPXcn_8m7CY484uqxmOc_WN1BrLACScE7R8vIsq5vS6kuKZTCc1tfDNrdJgwdKg_gK78jn9FxYSZWvGzy1NJEnbEf8/s400/Bridesmaid+Dress+1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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This one was my favourite:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZGmEZfaCykI6P7OZRheie0s45nVN9-runrfIN04i4x_OO0xVM4S-ihZ2-MjiKrCMxRwM6D2K4LCAPjP4S3-ZF77Jf9i9ywZV9bQD9yV0kzTS40S_vymwNbXVYJrRgze0pPNSBUl2hio/s1600/Bridesmaid+Dress+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZGmEZfaCykI6P7OZRheie0s45nVN9-runrfIN04i4x_OO0xVM4S-ihZ2-MjiKrCMxRwM6D2K4LCAPjP4S3-ZF77Jf9i9ywZV9bQD9yV0kzTS40S_vymwNbXVYJrRgze0pPNSBUl2hio/s1600/Bridesmaid+Dress+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhhWUSvkziD49Fuf84ADwZJy3c_vWnAWN_wMBRQ5wEEmqUGq0U3JLacInf817t9jBL-Ap2mssO-1wtqHGdA2jSi4A2JcWQ1W8CXFh6-4-Dw1AChMvkauu7fIK_1aDp1jxPRsI5zNRTEo/s1600/Bridesmaid+Dress+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhhWUSvkziD49Fuf84ADwZJy3c_vWnAWN_wMBRQ5wEEmqUGq0U3JLacInf817t9jBL-Ap2mssO-1wtqHGdA2jSi4A2JcWQ1W8CXFh6-4-Dw1AChMvkauu7fIK_1aDp1jxPRsI5zNRTEo/s1600/Bridesmaid+Dress+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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I started to draft my pattern. I needed to transform my basic bodice block into a princess seam bodice with a boat neck at the front and a V at the back.</div>
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I found <a href="http://www.ikatbag.com/2013/05/converting-to-princess-seams-sloper.html">this</a> excellent tutorial by LiEr on ikatbag, which gives very clear instructions on converting darts into a princess seam.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.ikatbag.com/2013/05/converting-to-princess-seams-sloper.html"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspSBTBlrqtWigwPqvWp9DN08CzRtmRKSpMCaO57skB5jF1n4QBf5Vstr-pBnkdWPqkemPL8Uf7bUj0bs0UhJ-gvvkQPoxV2cWLsrzcGKTJzAHE_5I7EPI7wS1SHeyx_K-UaXI8JJCXSE/s400/Bridesmaid+Dress+5.png" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ikatbag.com/2013/05/converting-to-princess-seams-sloper.html">Ikatbag - Converting To Princess Seams</a></td></tr>
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I also turned my skirt block into an A-line skirt, and added some invisible pockets into the seam using <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2013/03/adding-hidden-side-pockets-to-anything-skirt-pants-shorts-etc.html">this</a> tutorial. By the way, adding invisible pockets is incredibly simple, and I plan to add them to more things I sew.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2013/03/adding-hidden-side-pockets-to-anything-skirt-pants-shorts-etc.html">Make It & Love It - Adding Pockets</a></td></tr>
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Once I had a first draft on my pattern, I made up a toile plain grey cotton that I picked up cheaply at Mustafa. The bodice was too long, and the skirt wasn't the right shape. It should have been a slightly flared skirt. My husband helped pin the toile and I transferred the adjustments onto my pattern. I then made a second toile (please excuse the appalling photographs).<br />
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It was much closer to what I wanted. I then visited my lovely fit-buddy Emily , who was able to help with the final minor adjustments. I now had my perfect pattern.</div>
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I vaguely remembered seeing a fabric I liked in Chinatown, so I headed there one day. I visited every shop and found some good choices in plain lavender. I quite liked a few that had a texture a bit like Thai raw silk. I finally hit the jackpot in a little shop that specializes in Chinese silk <br />
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brocades. I found this amazing fabric:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07uL5jA0IcPBh3F1IWuIY5u_RCQu0jYYBtpeQWRHpWoaaw8ig5xHTJzC9jpZI87umYl6HWe61fUt2ivcpmoWm9vMC_qoIPSHoSa8f0OiojEBj8SJwiqYN7lccvxmQ8ys4qIR4_DyWsRk/s1600/Bridesmaid+Dress+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07uL5jA0IcPBh3F1IWuIY5u_RCQu0jYYBtpeQWRHpWoaaw8ig5xHTJzC9jpZI87umYl6HWe61fUt2ivcpmoWm9vMC_qoIPSHoSa8f0OiojEBj8SJwiqYN7lccvxmQ8ys4qIR4_DyWsRk/s400/Bridesmaid+Dress+19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's a very muted lavender. I picked up a satin fabric to use as lining. I bought the last bit on the roll and had just enough.</div>
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I began by pinning my pattern to the silk brocade. To ensure I matched seams accurately I used a couture technique called thread tracing. I used silk thread in a contrasting colour to sew a line of running stitch around the edge of every pattern piece. Each seam has to be sewed with a separate thread, so this is time consuming work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0hZDBsLcXsl1aoDMJCudDMZ4zhO25Mi8Fa2iM7ywh9C4x9jITNJvQ6q4mMrw5ckURrfBRGGaVfAOlmj9HPBv-rEYAZqw_45x2Q4CWmxKJHGP3ELE7zJlDktNzGRjOMNtye0tcYUp7Zo/s1600/Bridesmaid+Dress+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0hZDBsLcXsl1aoDMJCudDMZ4zhO25Mi8Fa2iM7ywh9C4x9jITNJvQ6q4mMrw5ckURrfBRGGaVfAOlmj9HPBv-rEYAZqw_45x2Q4CWmxKJHGP3ELE7zJlDktNzGRjOMNtye0tcYUp7Zo/s400/Bridesmaid+Dress+9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwztvr30zGIOR37XbEZJrakpHIuWp9yTPRg01OqZsW-ZDR2tmaVKl2wMibLiCWtvXPRb6jg7XIRh3CZnqmumnhwTDk3hn_wMDsWtX8A-enRNPMvMYXJDAmExYV5bvM9dOTQrhoVDjutVQ/s1600/Bridesmaid+Dress+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwztvr30zGIOR37XbEZJrakpHIuWp9yTPRg01OqZsW-ZDR2tmaVKl2wMibLiCWtvXPRb6jg7XIRh3CZnqmumnhwTDk3hn_wMDsWtX8A-enRNPMvMYXJDAmExYV5bvM9dOTQrhoVDjutVQ/s400/Bridesmaid+Dress+10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The silk brocade has to be handled very carefully. The weave is very mobile and is easily stretched out of shape. It also frays like crazy. I debated overlocking each piece, but decided not to as I didn't want to add any bulk. Instead, I cut the pieces out using my pinking shears, to try and minimize fraying. I didn't bother with thread tracing on the lining. For the lining I cut the exact same pattern. To ensure the lining did not show at the neckline and armcyes, I used the advice from <a href="http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.sg/2010/08/all-machine-clean-finish-sleeveless.html">this</a> tutorial by The Slapdash Sewist and trimmed the lining neckline and armscye seams down by 1/4". This will naturally encourage the silk brocade to roll to the inside of the bodice along those seams.</div>
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To piece the pattern together I followed these steps:<br />
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<li>Sew the princess seams on the front bodice (outer fabric and lining)</li>
<li>Sew the princess seams on the back bodice (outer fabric and lining)</li>
<li>Sew the shoulder seams (outer fabric and lining)</li>
<li>Pin the outer fabric and lining pieces together at neckline (right sides together) and sew neckline</li>
<li>Understitch the lining to the seam allowance along the neckline</li>
<li>Pin the outer fabric and lining pieces together at armholes (right sides together) and sew armholes. It's not possible to under stitch this seam (except by hand), so I just pressed it carefully. </li>
<li>This step is tricky to explain, and I stupidly didn't take a photograph. Open up the side seams and separate the outer fabric from the lining. Pin the side seam all the way from the waist of the outer fabric, to the bottom of the armscye, then continue along the lining to the waist of the lining. Sew the side seam. This picture from The Slapdash Sewist might be helpful. In this picture the green fabric is the outer, and the white is the lining. </li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.sg/2010/08/all-machine-clean-finish-sleeveless.html"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFfYEAXsnKukd_5ounO0vY0LYrnA7ItMMEGBq5m16yWYNTwoAfsNZB5kvVRBHTXKNU1kGwtaauppSntqxdgDYCQYh4-oRpXP2Q15F3yL3FglTVBrmPqzJjqBLT3yPiPgGw7Dot8-8ciA/s400/Bridesmaid+Dress+13.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.sg/2010/08/all-machine-clean-finish-sleeveless.html">The Slapdash Sewist</a></td></tr>
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I then sewed up the skirt (adding the pockets using the <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2013/03/adding-hidden-side-pockets-to-anything-skirt-pants-shorts-etc.html">Make It & Love It</a> tutorial). I joined the silk brocade skirt to the waist of the silk brocade bodice, and the lining skirt to the lining bodice. I inserted an invisible zip into the centre back. I've only done one invisible zip before, and it was very dodgy. I looked at several tutorials to work out how it's done, and did a practice on a scrap of fabric. It certainly helped to have an invisible zip foot. Once I felt reasonably confident, I had a go on the actual dress and it worked perfectly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WvxljoPkA1iFnv4S2HbGxMmOJ1-SAYN9n7zAI_-X_QCyb7PhDzKeqYgETfKha5Y2-HU3UpWEIK1FJdnr1mvij8iLtqNy6ybZT-GRJ36g3h5XQpywnkwnsm7H5YWS_5wUy2cHZl0JcsE/s1600/Bridesmaid+Dress+17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WvxljoPkA1iFnv4S2HbGxMmOJ1-SAYN9n7zAI_-X_QCyb7PhDzKeqYgETfKha5Y2-HU3UpWEIK1FJdnr1mvij8iLtqNy6ybZT-GRJ36g3h5XQpywnkwnsm7H5YWS_5wUy2cHZl0JcsE/s400/Bridesmaid+Dress+17.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I then sewed up the rest of the centre back seam, and hemmed the skirt. Lastly I sewed a simple belt. I cut a strip of fabric 2.5" wide, sewed along the length of the strip with a 1/4" seam allowance, and turned it right side out. I turned the ends in and carefully hand stitched it to the waistband. I used the belt fabric and created a bow, which I sewed on the front. Finally I had finished my dress.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwNUWxGO9_8qP1YzNLdJSCID2NpmrS65y22M4NBpLBJBAr70F8_7L73FzDpvBb7p2umJaJ5nBLfCkyKcYUCt5bNrpT_DRldTN4CZEUy9wYBSQyu5a4mcM0lnCHxVPdiKtO1psELNQwAQ/s1600/Bridesmaid+Dress+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwNUWxGO9_8qP1YzNLdJSCID2NpmrS65y22M4NBpLBJBAr70F8_7L73FzDpvBb7p2umJaJ5nBLfCkyKcYUCt5bNrpT_DRldTN4CZEUy9wYBSQyu5a4mcM0lnCHxVPdiKtO1psELNQwAQ/s400/Bridesmaid+Dress+14.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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We packed our bags, and flew to the South of France for the big day. I'm so glad I made the effort to create my own dress. It looked fabulous on the day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_so53vXW77I7M_LC_6YozJYq7oJy4QbvhpQYy-mSsN7ZLU3bYjkCkJrkrdLAIAeXk97_uJ1Xx0QKFhLKmWMXyMU4n4Fl0kfkiuQmoeolyHb9E_XtonoqQmtXg460ih87O279YNdCAcLk/s1600/Bridesmaid+Dress+18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_so53vXW77I7M_LC_6YozJYq7oJy4QbvhpQYy-mSsN7ZLU3bYjkCkJrkrdLAIAeXk97_uJ1Xx0QKFhLKmWMXyMU4n4Fl0kfkiuQmoeolyHb9E_XtonoqQmtXg460ih87O279YNdCAcLk/s640/Bridesmaid+Dress+18.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
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Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-2440744562660824462015-10-07T19:44:00.000-07:002016-02-20T03:37:45.951-08:00Getting Crafty in the School Holidays - Sun Prints<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADcHIlyiJUJjUxmtarFEzDzMiNU3HwTdLYZXQobCp-HM2uxino0y8NtfmEWvkCJ4ARCbGKYHhEoJt_CDF6dH88m0Trg7Ba3hZjVQigWitPeqyk_jMyVWSS0tIeetuqun4oqKQ7w973lU/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADcHIlyiJUJjUxmtarFEzDzMiNU3HwTdLYZXQobCp-HM2uxino0y8NtfmEWvkCJ4ARCbGKYHhEoJt_CDF6dH88m0Trg7Ba3hZjVQigWitPeqyk_jMyVWSS0tIeetuqun4oqKQ7w973lU/s400/Slide1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A couple of years ago I ordered a pack of Sun Print paper from an online UK craft supplier. It got lost in the house (yes I have too many craft supplies!), but finally turned up this summer. <br />
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<a href="http://www.sunprints.org/products/"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiE9Za4ha6ylMvYfYkoWJuyHxeG2iijMT1K6z2SDJb_oACep5T1U28sjjmZPLRTTsANQdsQdojWw9u76jwIi5tRcka-_SijEqTqffkq-4RbzkMgCZKBQZ1HHUH4ymfWBU576x_NC4to4/s400/Sun+Prints+1.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>
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Incase you are not familiar with Sun Print paper, it is paper that has a surface which is sensitive to ultra-violet light. To create an image, you place the paper on a flat surface, place an object on top that you want to create a silhouette of, expose the paper to sunlight, then you process the paper by submerging it in water. The colours will continue to develop after you remove the paper from the water.<br />
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You can buy Sun Print paper from a number of companies, one of which is <a href="http://www.sunprints.org/products/">Sun Print</a>. There are a number of other suppliers listed on Amazon.<br />
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We waited for a bright sunny day. Firstly we gathered a whole range of items to use for silhouettes. The girls raided their rooms and craft supplies, and I picked a few things from the kitchen and around the house. This is what we found.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaelXokfZ_OGd2FPesqvxBuxvwRzel5lsp-eOI2bX8qKsBackFWhk0Y_n5BPllsa2GYMrbRMktUM6dJn9FWRcQtZW4YXOHDlF0N4zFz1GmX5c4kRX79ee6yVgWpl0Zm9LBQNUvQqTgQU/s1600/Sun+Prints+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaelXokfZ_OGd2FPesqvxBuxvwRzel5lsp-eOI2bX8qKsBackFWhk0Y_n5BPllsa2GYMrbRMktUM6dJn9FWRcQtZW4YXOHDlF0N4zFz1GmX5c4kRX79ee6yVgWpl0Zm9LBQNUvQqTgQU/s400/Sun+Prints+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once we had everything ready, we set up a tray covered with a tea towel. The girls took turns arranging items on a piece of Sun Print paper, then we took it outside to expose it to the sun. Here's a picture being created:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Wrkm9gAoQ0SiQ8DypSH-GGZMkXSEiPtRlPRIDlibPZ5vlyUij10Sm-oaIUvMkOSfnSC8VD6JcFGy7_QEyFzWt9kuFeRiVBuM9IjQ1vmjpADvLLZ41Ld8yRaHcIodGXbvS1PAYmas2ME/s1600/Sun+Prints+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Wrkm9gAoQ0SiQ8DypSH-GGZMkXSEiPtRlPRIDlibPZ5vlyUij10Sm-oaIUvMkOSfnSC8VD6JcFGy7_QEyFzWt9kuFeRiVBuM9IjQ1vmjpADvLLZ41Ld8yRaHcIodGXbvS1PAYmas2ME/s400/Sun+Prints+6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once you leave the page to dry overnight, the blue colours deepen and produce a lovely dark image:<br />
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As you can see, we made lots of pictures which are all in various states of colour development:<br />
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This was an incredibly easy activity, and both girls had lots of fun. I think you could do this with almost any age child. The Sun Prints website has lots of inspiration for older kids (or even adults), and want to make something a bit more artistic.Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-13279575852731554282015-10-05T18:52:00.003-07:002015-10-10T05:12:25.558-07:00Getting Crafty in the School Holidays - Picasso Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are coming to the end of two months of summer holidays, and have been keeping busy. The holidays started with a family wedding (I drafted and sewed my own bridesmaid dress - I'll be doing a post on it soon) in France, and a visit to our family and friends in London. It was so nice to see everyone.<br />
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Since returning to Singapore, we have been filling our weeks with playdates (lots of playdates), swimming, library visits, craft activities, and plenty of relaxing down-time. Today Samantha had a friend over for a playdate and I decided that we would take advantage of a free online art class that a friend recommended. <br />
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Carla Sonheim has created six online art classes. You can read about them and sign up <a href="http://www.carlasonheim.com/free-kids-online-art-class-6-lessons/">here</a>.<br />
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We registered for the online classes and began with Picasso Dogs. Both my girls love art, and it's great when they have a plan to get them started. I laid out the supplies required (paper, pencils, acrylic paint, paint brushes, water, palette and kitchen towel). We began by watching the video, then the girls got started. <br />
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These were Olivia's paintings:<br />
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And these were Samantha's:<br />
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I even got in on the fun and made this one:<br />
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It's not too late to sign up for Carla's online classes. We had great fun, and would totally recommend giving them a go.Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-67447977877163094032015-02-12T06:20:00.000-08:002016-01-12T15:29:50.884-08:00Kapa Haka Dresses for Uniting Nations Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week our school celebrated our Uniting Nations Week. We are fortunate that our girls attend a school where there are students from so many different countries. In both Olivia and Samantha's classes of about 20 students, there are around 15 different nationalities in each.<br />
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Both girls decided that they wanted to celebrate their New Zealand heritage this week (their Dad is a Kiwi), and asked me if they could wear a traditional Maori dress. I hunted around on Google for some ideas. In the end I decided to make a dress with a simple bodice, a shirred back, and a two layer skirt (with the top white skirt cut into strips to create the traditional fringe), and a headband. This is the look I was aiming for:<br />
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I headed to Spotlight (Plaza Singapura) and bought 1 metre of white cotton fabric, 2 meters of black cotton fabric, shirring elastic. 1" wide black elastic. I already had a stash of red and white felt at home, as well as double sided fusible interfacing. I also picked up a black chisel tipped marker at Daiso. All up I spent S$32.<br />
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I started by grabbing two dresses from the girls wardrobes that 1) have the right shaped bodice to copy, and 2) currently fit them. I traced off the front bodice piece, added seam allowance and cut two pieces of each.<br />
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I then headed to the computer to create the black, red and white graphic to go onto the front of the bodice. This took me WAAAAY longer than it should have, because I just couldn't figure out how to get the middle pieces to fit. Clearly my brain wasn't working that day, but I got there in the end. I ironed the fusible interfacing onto my red and white felt and cut out the pieces using the printed graphic as a pattern.<br />
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Once I had everything cut out, I peeled the paper off the back of the felt pieces, carefully placed them on the bodice, and ironed everything in place. It took a bit longer than usual to get the fusible interfacing to properly stick. I guess that's because it takes longer for the heat of the iron to get through the felt and melt the adhesive.<br />
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I was worried I would have to stitch the pieces down, but the fusible interfacing seemed to work really well. Once the graphic was in place, I sewed the two bodice front pieces together along the top edges. I then inserted a shirred panel into one side and sewed it in place. I'm not sure how clearly you can see it here, but I added a narrow elastic casing along the top edge, to keep it nice and snug.<br />
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I haven't really done shirring before, so it was a bit of a mystery how it was going to turn out. I did my rows quite close together (which gave a tight springy panel), but I really needed to have cut a panel 2x my width, instead of 1.5x. I pinned the above bodice onto Samantha, but it wasn't quite wide enough. I ended up unpicking the side seam and inserting an extra panel on each side of the shirred section.<br />
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I have to say, I'm very proud of how well this bodice fits. I really like the look of the shirred centre and the solid edges. I would definitely make a bodice pattern this way next time.<br />
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I wasn't able to find a striped fabric that would give me the right look, so I bought plain white fabric and drew the stripes on.<br />
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I pinned the fabric to some scrap cardboard, and stabbed pins into the cardboard to hold the ruler in place as I drew each line. I sewed the black and white fabric into tubes, hemmed the bottom edges, slide the black skirt inside the white skirt and sewed them together at the top. I then gathered the skirt and attached it to the bodice. I ran it through the overlocker to neaten the edges, and sewed some elastic onto the seam allowance where the shirred panel was joined. This pulled the panel in a bit tighter, and prevented the seam looking stretched and wavy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJjPO0Ip3sggTyf1l9g6Tc_cA2p0SgWbhteZZrttw6tiuNoTGnky0X2WaPh23-eulJvQcukTuaCKaxzYQUF8VuJwa4MdcpsIFEPcnwufsQOoNQepaTc2jqnak7OBlKKnOCthL4SppFnM/s1600/Kapa+Haka+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJjPO0Ip3sggTyf1l9g6Tc_cA2p0SgWbhteZZrttw6tiuNoTGnky0X2WaPh23-eulJvQcukTuaCKaxzYQUF8VuJwa4MdcpsIFEPcnwufsQOoNQepaTc2jqnak7OBlKKnOCthL4SppFnM/s1600/Kapa+Haka+6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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To finish the dresses I cut the white skirt panel into strips. I didn't do this accurately - I just eyeballed the dress, and cut it as neatly as I could.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6sh5zBBpkNg-5iX4K0pWYlYGyKb8XCtlolIE-Z1GFaoRBDI3bTTucxz7PvsEOQt-xCFC3uumxq3JVr4UDAa16UnpxV25muT-ifGBTFsLJVzFpi75QUShEHga7FDSAuq7IP2Wx803V-w/s1600/Kapa+Haka+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6sh5zBBpkNg-5iX4K0pWYlYGyKb8XCtlolIE-Z1GFaoRBDI3bTTucxz7PvsEOQt-xCFC3uumxq3JVr4UDAa16UnpxV25muT-ifGBTFsLJVzFpi75QUShEHga7FDSAuq7IP2Wx803V-w/s1600/Kapa+Haka+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The finished dresses looked fantastic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDBPX_rvLNSmVY1Pp6ULs6MSDwRhJRgYRPT5AVlESBBDCtITa0597jKfUq9SI2z1Z7-Pq4gtG9BuiGj2anhasej43PcqODxG6_RPhSZxU0wouTLNulxmvgkQN85pkZI2RQiY_B3RGGaE/s1600/Kapa+Haka+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDBPX_rvLNSmVY1Pp6ULs6MSDwRhJRgYRPT5AVlESBBDCtITa0597jKfUq9SI2z1Z7-Pq4gtG9BuiGj2anhasej43PcqODxG6_RPhSZxU0wouTLNulxmvgkQN85pkZI2RQiY_B3RGGaE/s1600/Kapa+Haka+9.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The headbands were very simple to sew. I just cut an oblong of fabric (two times the width of the elastic + seam allowance), sewed it together down it's length and turned it out the right way. I folded one end in, slid the elastic inside and sewed the join. I then measured it on the kids heads and did the same on the other end. The pattern was cut out of felt and ironed onto the headband, using the same method I used on the front of the bodice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyLYuPsflmDag-LGdd6PkAvJwMyYBlQILRLAIb_ZC7gaGsubUyHg2urnwWZg2Jpl0hiP6Z7g-Zoh6g7RoXapzqEg_RTWtDK-jDHspSuL4N2783XE117JiXwvJgnfDZFRfWKw-iYPh8-M/s1600/Kapa+Haka+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyLYuPsflmDag-LGdd6PkAvJwMyYBlQILRLAIb_ZC7gaGsubUyHg2urnwWZg2Jpl0hiP6Z7g-Zoh6g7RoXapzqEg_RTWtDK-jDHspSuL4N2783XE117JiXwvJgnfDZFRfWKw-iYPh8-M/s1600/Kapa+Haka+10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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All up this took me three days to complete. I probably could have done it quicker, but I really wanted to make them as precise and neat as possible. After completing the outfits and having the girls wear them at school for a day, I realised that I should have made the white skirt layer out of a knit fabric. The strips have frayed, and are looking a bit hairy and thready now. Oh well. Something to think about for next time!<br />
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If anyone out there is thinking of doing the same, I'm happy to share my bodice graphic to save you the time creating your own. You might also be interested in <a href="http://www.justkidding.co.nz/products/culturalcostumes/about_our_piupiu.aspx">this</a> tutorial showing you how to cut and pull the knit fabric to create the right look for the white strip skirt (this company sells pre-made dresses).Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-80063187318158915852015-01-22T18:55:00.001-08:002015-10-10T05:24:56.950-07:00Who's First in the Shower?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaC8qf8OS0op1QVN5-YGd9EBhQWz0ePh1VlzH3dUSn9G7-9MpNbdiT_VjEFzhr5Ng_Nc6ryvsYWwdz0U3EGExOj8yQdEGzsYuN9AA75VzVDKb_dF3CVdrkF3OQ1i0yqcoRQNBaPKvCsTs/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaC8qf8OS0op1QVN5-YGd9EBhQWz0ePh1VlzH3dUSn9G7-9MpNbdiT_VjEFzhr5Ng_Nc6ryvsYWwdz0U3EGExOj8yQdEGzsYuN9AA75VzVDKb_dF3CVdrkF3OQ1i0yqcoRQNBaPKvCsTs/s400/Slide1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I don't know about your house, but in ours, there's usually an argument when I ask "who's first in the shower?" The discussion usually goes like this:<br />
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ME: Who's first in the shower?<br />
BOTH GIRLS: Me!<br />
BOTH GIRLS: But you were first last night!<br />
BOTH GIRLS: No I wasn't!!<br />
BOTH GIRLS: Yes you were!<br />
BOTH GIRLS: MUM!!!<br />
ME: I honestly don't care. If you guys can't decide, you're going to bed without a shower.<br />
BOTH GIRLS: <i>more arguing and yelling</i><br />
ME: <i>feeling a strong desire to rip my hair out</i><br />
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OK, I know this doesn't rate terribly highly on the "most important things that go on in my house" list, but it does drive me nuts. So I came up with a solution.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0Dg5uLZ8pTnKSe1SXoxn5ztoMNs0HXYCFR8AbDgfBVrh5SpxvRNlqRWBhVkuhJorhSeD2X15ks_rB3HC84VcyTGr_lFtJtH4HLq7uKAUpZuog6sygdsi0olh_RRlDDhzKLpADoF5Ano/s1600/Shower+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0Dg5uLZ8pTnKSe1SXoxn5ztoMNs0HXYCFR8AbDgfBVrh5SpxvRNlqRWBhVkuhJorhSeD2X15ks_rB3HC84VcyTGr_lFtJtH4HLq7uKAUpZuog6sygdsi0olh_RRlDDhzKLpADoF5Ano/s1600/Shower+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I whipped up a quick chart in PowerPoint using some patterned digital scrapbooking paper, a yellow duck clipart and a couple of boxes with the girls names typed in them. I laminated the paper, and used self-adhesive velcro dots to stick the names to the sign.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRHGBoxrKOC-BIsNUNbDmIMd1FYvICh3fqxaHt_Z9m88xoHHBSGlPGtURNoUV6lsPIhRRz5uSVDfJlYTbeHzRkojDr9ALGqfBI-QtWOiGjSwMi8WmPKz6mhmSGLzyix6mCaC8qAteCL4/s1600/Shower+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRHGBoxrKOC-BIsNUNbDmIMd1FYvICh3fqxaHt_Z9m88xoHHBSGlPGtURNoUV6lsPIhRRz5uSVDfJlYTbeHzRkojDr9ALGqfBI-QtWOiGjSwMi8WmPKz6mhmSGLzyix6mCaC8qAteCL4/s1600/Shower+2.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBd-Ko73DzT5ofpl_rmmzfrfxYDvVJqTqb-rRs1bpGbMlQiUiO3BB0BP5ZYJ5nDlM0EGyFT4H4ZoucbaUF_Ml9zY8dlunBteJxMYE7p4RpaxYs4hfYQOXn6FrfFmhJGlO18O5XyFhnMog/s1600/Shower+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBd-Ko73DzT5ofpl_rmmzfrfxYDvVJqTqb-rRs1bpGbMlQiUiO3BB0BP5ZYJ5nDlM0EGyFT4H4ZoucbaUF_Ml9zY8dlunBteJxMYE7p4RpaxYs4hfYQOXn6FrfFmhJGlO18O5XyFhnMog/s1600/Shower+4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_yGiNx1vlIje3e6JUyF34S_y_vduWQIJqjnLw-_7zBdhX8moHGwxB4zLjHGBUKKuVKuLxFIhNBN6a19nkY9156cxDv8r_pUPgOYf-KUjA0FsXak4FYTJJBhnzXY4VqyluEuJZJUR3r8/s1600/Shower+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_yGiNx1vlIje3e6JUyF34S_y_vduWQIJqjnLw-_7zBdhX8moHGwxB4zLjHGBUKKuVKuLxFIhNBN6a19nkY9156cxDv8r_pUPgOYf-KUjA0FsXak4FYTJJBhnzXY4VqyluEuJZJUR3r8/s1600/Shower+7.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Un88rzmc-Y86KRmfaAbNvX8tVdScp483rd8V0fWKds8CORN89Pk9HGJtmuBiIow9y-vkKZJmxZ-OKI2bRrjglTDkP50lDVCEo16BKBWKHjy07YTaNIEbDZTS_0HvQ2ZgDhozPlvD0jU/s1600/Shower+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Un88rzmc-Y86KRmfaAbNvX8tVdScp483rd8V0fWKds8CORN89Pk9HGJtmuBiIow9y-vkKZJmxZ-OKI2bRrjglTDkP50lDVCEo16BKBWKHjy07YTaNIEbDZTS_0HvQ2ZgDhozPlvD0jU/s1600/Shower+6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This sign now lives on the wall in the bathroom, next to the shower. When the first girl gets into the shower, we swap the names around ready for tomorrow. Since I made this we have had virtually no arguments about who is first in the shower. <br />
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As always, I'm happy to share with people out there. If you are having the same frustrating arguments every night and would like a copy of this document, just send me an email at randomcraftingadventures[at]gmail[dot]com or leave me a comment.Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-23637164288605633172015-01-17T23:55:00.002-08:002015-01-17T23:55:54.748-08:00Getting Crafty in the School Holidays - Long Stitch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hQMpHYErA38wq7j-AgYPA_8x3O_Tx9rItJ7F0GRKTZLPi-TXqz24aUOv3KNYwsjthZRy6dM6x6veOcsKMx90f8ujY1itCauVs1LFzx7mDz3F-BNNLzhMz6URR-bQMqvMod2n3GEbepU/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hQMpHYErA38wq7j-AgYPA_8x3O_Tx9rItJ7F0GRKTZLPi-TXqz24aUOv3KNYwsjthZRy6dM6x6veOcsKMx90f8ujY1itCauVs1LFzx7mDz3F-BNNLzhMz6URR-bQMqvMod2n3GEbepU/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Samantha has been badgering me for ages to have a go at sewing a tapestry. Olivia has been working on one for a while, and Samantha was keen to try it as well. I had a look at Hobby Craft to see what kits were available. All the tapestry kits were a bit big for a five year old, and I thought she would get bored with the endless little stitches. Instead I went for a nice long stitch by Anchor, with a picture of a horse on it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuN9tD47UaVzXmog1P-zyTSrKCEr-1fnfyccQ7xoCc1wredJAynGd_D9jcqXS9lE2OGKhPOH0Mk8Y7KrPsSfnPwp2EJ0NUWhfU3R6Gsgsz6G2qxAFjyEb-0wVY0uzpC8qMdKqdwDrrY5A/s1600/Long+Stitch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuN9tD47UaVzXmog1P-zyTSrKCEr-1fnfyccQ7xoCc1wredJAynGd_D9jcqXS9lE2OGKhPOH0Mk8Y7KrPsSfnPwp2EJ0NUWhfU3R6Gsgsz6G2qxAFjyEb-0wVY0uzpC8qMdKqdwDrrY5A/s1600/Long+Stitch+1.jpg" height="396" width="400" /></a></div>
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I wanted to put the fabric in a frame, to minimise the chances of Samantha pulling the yarn too tight and causing the fabric to buckle. I used a heavy piece of poster board and cut a hole in the centre, slightly larger than the image. I then used staples and masking tape to secure it to the board.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-EN9ROQhmngYL5_uZobNzG7tXa19f260nVVJ_u-IuJftYeFocYHxkeZZI54uyDrlzi9QA_zIczc6crqz8r1oU1Gg7-a2yX29OsjeBCWIcR-sZx5TmcxkjHYo5g6jRiBXuFeFo7LQoTk/s1600/Long+Stitch+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-EN9ROQhmngYL5_uZobNzG7tXa19f260nVVJ_u-IuJftYeFocYHxkeZZI54uyDrlzi9QA_zIczc6crqz8r1oU1Gg7-a2yX29OsjeBCWIcR-sZx5TmcxkjHYo5g6jRiBXuFeFo7LQoTk/s1600/Long+Stitch+2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSuzBxtNoeBrXgA8RYke8zqR7ml0TOmvj0lvr_8phDpeIqXWJIclOndClQuPPk85omLS2nVUIEqj_RCxm5XYQymP9_aQwO8bCeIBlJzqAKMBvDIB3m9Jkr2jLzn99z-C00QVyRdwrGHw/s1600/Long+Stitch+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSuzBxtNoeBrXgA8RYke8zqR7ml0TOmvj0lvr_8phDpeIqXWJIclOndClQuPPk85omLS2nVUIEqj_RCxm5XYQymP9_aQwO8bCeIBlJzqAKMBvDIB3m9Jkr2jLzn99z-C00QVyRdwrGHw/s1600/Long+Stitch+3.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I threaded a piece of yarn onto the needle, tied a knot in the end and showed Samantha how to get started. She found it a little difficult at first to find the right place to poke the needle through from underneath, but after a while she was able to work on her own. Some of the techniques I showed her included:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Pulling the yarn until it is taut.</li>
<li>Pinching the yarn and needle between your fingers as you pull to prevent the needle slipping off the yarn.</li>
<li>Stitching from top to bottom across a section to fill in all the colour.</li>
<li>Choosing which hole to sew through to follow the printed pattern. </li>
<li>Making sure you sew through the same hole where two colours meet, so there aren't gaps.</li>
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Here are a couple of shots of the work in progress.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KcvBVJEFpaxosMLJ8B9q04hN-ShHn9Sn62sdNcw2XsK4wcEwpkmVxI19ZvTHYtKTOd9acBwtFIc9K3mLleC1OIm48qP7KAhim8lVa6TwkviyX5rT7gFl9IwAR2woJ_D_Kw0JBwHoqaY/s1600/Long+Stitch+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KcvBVJEFpaxosMLJ8B9q04hN-ShHn9Sn62sdNcw2XsK4wcEwpkmVxI19ZvTHYtKTOd9acBwtFIc9K3mLleC1OIm48qP7KAhim8lVa6TwkviyX5rT7gFl9IwAR2woJ_D_Kw0JBwHoqaY/s1600/Long+Stitch+4.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaPA66IULsopZAbuZNpy8YJ7J2s2cDhmqQGCCGkqCe7r-kIaX_DynJSJp0DlFv65yy0Klwn5fOOm0wEYdO9EcJ_akB8n-kUT_HJlPFc2SfUkZYQgblNWWhyphenhyphen1ZXht4k15n_8Y8V9x_K6w/s1600/Long+Stitch+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaPA66IULsopZAbuZNpy8YJ7J2s2cDhmqQGCCGkqCe7r-kIaX_DynJSJp0DlFv65yy0Klwn5fOOm0wEYdO9EcJ_akB8n-kUT_HJlPFc2SfUkZYQgblNWWhyphenhyphen1ZXht4k15n_8Y8V9x_K6w/s1600/Long+Stitch+5.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXaHwFaJEIyDEa2wuL2Ud9UmpheDGPoiz1O-lrqPHjtAukz8OPCQ_sjUqeGmcTzNjc9fhEPsBxRFoHei2SR70E71aiqqPo6T1YjOvXQ03amw3ujbwWtTA8BzquiGeMsXpI6_Us9SiNqs/s1600/Long+Stitch+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXaHwFaJEIyDEa2wuL2Ud9UmpheDGPoiz1O-lrqPHjtAukz8OPCQ_sjUqeGmcTzNjc9fhEPsBxRFoHei2SR70E71aiqqPo6T1YjOvXQ03amw3ujbwWtTA8BzquiGeMsXpI6_Us9SiNqs/s1600/Long+Stitch+6.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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She worked on it in bursts. Sometimes she would fill in lots of sections in a day, then she would leave it for a week. In the end it probably took her a month to complete the whole picture. <br />
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Once she was finished, I removed the tape and staples, and took the picture out of the frame. I then trimmed it, and mounted it in a simple IKEA box frame. Here's the finished picture.<br />
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I think she did a fantastic job. She is delighted with the picture, and it is now displayed proudly in her bedroom.</div>
Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-43948158577452289992015-01-08T16:15:00.002-08:002015-01-08T16:15:25.075-08:00Organising the Playroom - From Total Carnage to Neat and Tidy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Like many families, we have an ever increasing mountain of toys that we struggle to keep tidy. We recently moved from London to Singapore. Before we left London I took the opportunity to have a big clean out of toys that the girls no longer play with. I managed to cull lots of toys, which went off to a charity sale. <br />
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We still had toys all over the house. There was a play area in the lounge room, another one upstairs, and the girls both had loads of toys in their rooms.<br />
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In our new house we are lucky enough to have a basement room, which we decided to use as a playroom. Since we have a dedicated playroom in the house, I decided to send all the toys there when we were unpacking. After the movers had finished unpacking all the boxes, this is what it looked like.<br />
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Total and utter carnage! I was still dealing with an entire four storey house full of chaos, so I left it like this for a few days. After several days of feeling utterly overwhelmed by the chaos and mess, I had an inspiration for how to tackle it. We started by setting out two plastic tarpaulins in the carport. We then divided the tarpaulins into three sections and labelled them MUST KEEP, MAYBE, and DON'T NEED.<br />
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I then explained to the girls that we were going to take absolutely everything out of the playroom, and put it in piles in the carpark. If they were absolutely certain they wanted to keep something, it went in the MUST KEEP pile. If the were absolutely certain they didn't need something, it went in the DON'T NEED pile, and if they were not sure yet (or I was trying to convince them to get rid of something they wanted), it went in the MAYBE pile.<br />
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When we started there was lots going into the MUST KEEP and MAYBE piles, but after a while the kids were agreeing to get rid of toys. About half-way through, both girls had had enough, and I sent them off to play while we finished. By the end this is what the carport looked like.<br />
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We cleaned the room thoroughly and started with a blank slate.<br />
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We then brought all the toys from the MUST KEEP pile back inside and put it away neatly. Once this was done we called the girls back downstairs. We showed them how much space was left in the playroom. They were then asked to go through the MAYBE pile and choose toys they really wanted to keep. We slowly moved a few more things back into the playroom, and they also moved quite a few into the DON'T NEED pile. After we had finished moving toys inside, this is what the carport looked like. We had also consigned quite a lot of junk toys (odds and ends from Happy Meals, party bags, etc) and broken things to the bin.<br />
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I sent a message out to the other residents in the condo development where we live, and invited them to come and help themselves to any toys they wanted. Before long we had got rid of everything. I probably could have sold some of the larger items, but Singapore isn't a great place for selling secondhand. I also wanted everything gone quickly, incase the girls started changing their minds and bringing things back inside.<br />
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So, after all that work, this is what the playroom looked like.<br />
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And here's the before and after picture.<br />
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It's incredible. This is my favourite before and after picture. That mountain of toys in the first picture was so completely depressing. I just had no idea how I was ever going to sort it out. By taking absolutely everything out of the room, and sorting it into those three piles, I was able to tackle the chaos in stages. Involving the girls worked really well too. I promised them I wouldn't throw anything away, and I would give them a chance to decide what to keep. But at the same time I set limits - they could only keep what would reasonably fit in the room. It's worth trying if you've got a similarly mammoth tidying task.<br />
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There's still some decorating to do (pictures to hang, baskets to label, etc), but for now I'm happy to call this task done.Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-37450837983879070002015-01-05T04:00:00.003-08:002015-01-05T04:00:55.940-08:00A Perfect Self-Drafted Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been back at the sewing machine again. This time I had a third go at perfecting my self-drafted version of the sleeveless top sewn in the Great British Sewing Bee (Season 2, Episode 1 - read the episode summary <a href="http://randomcraftingadventures.blogspot.sg/2014/02/the-great-british-sewing-bee-week-one.html">here</a>). I think I have finally nailed the pattern. The neckline has a really nice shape and the shoulders sit perfectly. I am absolutely delighted with the final pattern, and am going to make at least one more version soon.<br />
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For this version I used some of my stash of Liberty Tana Lawn that I bought on my last visit to <a href="http://www.desaifabrics.com/">Desai</a> in Cricklewood Lane, London. This fabric is called Pelagia.<br />
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I love how light these fabrics are. They are also such beautiful quality.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtFjylh9zUHMxYidaf3YXtIVe2V7qsHJfI_fQobwZWlPIv4-A_4J2s1WCWb7XTA_7EfFfLfxCAk5brQM7Hceea9ofSS3gMs2FRBRP7bMYTlaiMazNLi8xEezaqaxztnFTjkMOlBHyXck/s1600/GBSB+Sleeveless+Top+V3+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtFjylh9zUHMxYidaf3YXtIVe2V7qsHJfI_fQobwZWlPIv4-A_4J2s1WCWb7XTA_7EfFfLfxCAk5brQM7Hceea9ofSS3gMs2FRBRP7bMYTlaiMazNLi8xEezaqaxztnFTjkMOlBHyXck/s1600/GBSB+Sleeveless+Top+V3+3.JPG" height="400" width="267" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7k1BgWL6UzVHXP3QcFq-vWlqcbzVgKnO8FLWfyL0dfkg-BiFzhQMQeOh8xCOHhyHYv1q1VhPvdNKv11C3b_9_0sEIJ3mcHJQlad6jD5bT0oSwkITiu36OQaDac5aqoMHOB5H93Oi8TI/s1600/GBSB+Sleeveless+Top+V3+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7k1BgWL6UzVHXP3QcFq-vWlqcbzVgKnO8FLWfyL0dfkg-BiFzhQMQeOh8xCOHhyHYv1q1VhPvdNKv11C3b_9_0sEIJ3mcHJQlad6jD5bT0oSwkITiu36OQaDac5aqoMHOB5H93Oi8TI/s1600/GBSB+Sleeveless+Top+V3+4.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am especially proud of how I matched the pattern through that centre back seam. You can't even see the join. Also, the two top edges align absolutely perfectly. <br />
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This is the original top sewn on the Great British Sewing Bee (read my summary of this episode <a href="http://randomcraftingadventures.blogspot.sg/2014/02/the-great-british-sewing-bee-week-one.html">here</a>). I especially liked the neckline, but I wanted a slightly looser fit around the body.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-mdbADPDT0xl_cks-MivYOdSUGTQNgUgl8Mf3v8Dt_G21VYJSmIOvTULxgell6VPwVy4tLq_cyyLfWoNAVkvifqWQe1AIgQe4Sp28cDeeogQQh1yg5W47sDnUBwi1VleacJtmM5KmRs/s1600/GBSB+Sleeveless+Top+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-mdbADPDT0xl_cks-MivYOdSUGTQNgUgl8Mf3v8Dt_G21VYJSmIOvTULxgell6VPwVy4tLq_cyyLfWoNAVkvifqWQe1AIgQe4Sp28cDeeogQQh1yg5W47sDnUBwi1VleacJtmM5KmRs/s1600/GBSB+Sleeveless+Top+1.jpg" height="400" width="273" /></a></div>
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Just so you can see how far this pattern draft has come, this is a comparison of versions 1 and 2.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb91Mbl53nm2LJ9ISF2iHFf-qN9yE6wHWJvazkW5GieNwmLTIbVZvC1yaVnDVMh_dSRk_BFKR4CcyPTS7lRL9jlsItpaR749KJ5OSPPtWEMhBWIvINUIDXO_I9scd25RpwfyzTr9RrbYs/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb91Mbl53nm2LJ9ISF2iHFf-qN9yE6wHWJvazkW5GieNwmLTIbVZvC1yaVnDVMh_dSRk_BFKR4CcyPTS7lRL9jlsItpaR749KJ5OSPPtWEMhBWIvINUIDXO_I9scd25RpwfyzTr9RrbYs/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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And this is a comparison of versions 2 and 3.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlVpcUaOvqIVYTKKBnoldiExesvJcTDx1N_KvTH5UVaNwdIlllC9HyA7M_SZFfmg7Q-__4_AmCP4FPi4QZS_ytm5a9-LKoeo5nJBIT59uNfI8-S7r46Uf1EuLFa7Ses2Pe4Fchk-T38E/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlVpcUaOvqIVYTKKBnoldiExesvJcTDx1N_KvTH5UVaNwdIlllC9HyA7M_SZFfmg7Q-__4_AmCP4FPi4QZS_ytm5a9-LKoeo5nJBIT59uNfI8-S7r46Uf1EuLFa7Ses2Pe4Fchk-T38E/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some of the changes I made in this final version were:<br />
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<ol>
<li>I slightly changed the angle of the join on the shoulder (which makes the front of the neckline sit flatter). </li>
<li>I moved the top of the armhole slightly wider.</li>
<li>I widened the neckline.</li>
<li>I cut the neckline lower at the centre front and centre back.</li>
</ol>
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As I'm really new to pattern drafting, the whole process has been a great learning experience. I think the most important thing I have learnt is that I should always make a toile, and make all adjustments on the toile before making a final garment.</div>
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You can read about the first two blouses <a href="http://randomcraftingadventures.blogspot.sg/2014/03/sleeveless-top-inspired-by-great.html">here</a> and <a href="http://randomcraftingadventures.blogspot.sg/2014/03/drafting-pattern-right-way.html">here</a>.</div>
Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-37846246308063838562015-01-03T20:08:00.001-08:002015-01-03T20:08:14.610-08:00DIY Colouring Calendars for Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3j6KlUjDHwI8g4dxRiCb8hhsWd5gU2W_uPbyoO2SA6lXuX8qglWLK-mOtob0H6k_Uf4xRA3XsxGEdnCXv_rAZS_i6cbIofPs_p_yO1_hZBwzFF3gJe22-B1MbC2Jy-SNVzdegJ105EE/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3j6KlUjDHwI8g4dxRiCb8hhsWd5gU2W_uPbyoO2SA6lXuX8qglWLK-mOtob0H6k_Uf4xRA3XsxGEdnCXv_rAZS_i6cbIofPs_p_yO1_hZBwzFF3gJe22-B1MbC2Jy-SNVzdegJ105EE/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was on Pinterest recently, when this very cute printable popped up. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net/2014/12/dot-fun-2015-calendar-for-kids/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQN_q1le4oSOIKxlGcgR3bJrNpxfnTRLHma6-0jyIo_3yYB1SJxpkvuKpLomhtfrWaqol_YsmrhbXtcOSd1gcq9GoTnNz__L7liBGdcLCpsHOZx5SBO341SKRZZVz5BuC3eb3C-ATj58g/s1600/Calendar+4.jpg" height="400" width="293" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net/2014/12/dot-fun-2015-calendar-for-kids/">Image Source - 1+1+1=1</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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There is a one page printout for each month of the year, with a cute colouring picture at the top. I printed out a set for each of the girls and bought them an inexpensive clipboard from Popular (a big stationary shop in Singapore). The girls set about colouring in the pictures with their new Christmas gel pens. Once they had coloured the pictures, they set about highlighting holidays and birthdays.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFMKZbURxTmKq3tRw3E0n9O40xLUO8apftDfxJGzc6dV8oiE00uW5urC_GlLA0Ju4uG0E42CO01eKkBCVikoghCiaqhWOpAfLd16JL9r2bjRcrDssbe5__2R1KLZeIBfR1zcRHbGsq9k/s1600/Calendar+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFMKZbURxTmKq3tRw3E0n9O40xLUO8apftDfxJGzc6dV8oiE00uW5urC_GlLA0Ju4uG0E42CO01eKkBCVikoghCiaqhWOpAfLd16JL9r2bjRcrDssbe5__2R1KLZeIBfR1zcRHbGsq9k/s1600/Calendar+2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCa3cH0ylekLlMwdSkDqzDeIDwbbIbJPZIUvnlh_d8gKNLLEF9pMtSBlDLLEmOBs4Ht9zTTDc7e2Dj9ECHE6iw74SsjEMtSvvu0wz2MvlOh00COMB9rHNloZxouUbF8GVCEZH7rQwoHPQ/s1600/Calendar+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCa3cH0ylekLlMwdSkDqzDeIDwbbIbJPZIUvnlh_d8gKNLLEF9pMtSBlDLLEmOBs4Ht9zTTDc7e2Dj9ECHE6iw74SsjEMtSvvu0wz2MvlOh00COMB9rHNloZxouUbF8GVCEZH7rQwoHPQ/s1600/Calendar+3.JPG" height="300" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCD-Cz9jfswxK4BEP7b8QZLAg-VroadwxTNc3tWi6IDqAvHzTNFV-p0fN1SMlXkziiWIAZlDDL0O_-nLtWXlW8tfZ0MdPOHwoDHatZeSa02OuN6jgZAyQD_Qz8Oa-PZZ7fng9xJxad9I/s1600/Calendar+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCD-Cz9jfswxK4BEP7b8QZLAg-VroadwxTNc3tWi6IDqAvHzTNFV-p0fN1SMlXkziiWIAZlDDL0O_-nLtWXlW8tfZ0MdPOHwoDHatZeSa02OuN6jgZAyQD_Qz8Oa-PZZ7fng9xJxad9I/s1600/Calendar+1.jpg" height="287" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once they were finished, they hung the calendars in their rooms using some Command hooks. This was a super easy craft activity, that kept them busy for a couple of hours. It also required very little expenditure.</div>
Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-2215074961421320272014-12-26T03:29:00.001-08:002014-12-26T03:29:25.633-08:00Christmas Clothes for the Girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH1PMBzMObb91sUwSo2-QwWRJTQJhVRLkw6FQV75sdu9NcPVkKbO1HViQ0_uhtvECa46hU2rSmk_hg7CdlZm2Znte2lSSOZquyXwd8NjKZCSsnjiYBrMj8GjzETX_5WIKGZS0PK3kXeQ/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH1PMBzMObb91sUwSo2-QwWRJTQJhVRLkw6FQV75sdu9NcPVkKbO1HViQ0_uhtvECa46hU2rSmk_hg7CdlZm2Znte2lSSOZquyXwd8NjKZCSsnjiYBrMj8GjzETX_5WIKGZS0PK3kXeQ/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The girls had a couple of days where they were allowed to wear "holiday colours" to school. After trawling through their wardrobe, I realised that they don't have any clothes in holiday colours. I decided that the easiest thing would be to make them some <a href="http://randomcraftingadventures.blogspot.sg/2014/03/the-30-minute-skirt.html">30 Minute Skirts</a> in Christmas colours. <br />
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I found some lovely red and white mini polkadot fabric at Spotlight (Plaza Singapura, Orchard Road, Singapore), as well as some white bias tape and wide elastic. You can read about how these skirts are constructed in my original <a href="http://randomcraftingadventures.blogspot.sg/2014/03/the-30-minute-skirt.html">30 Minute Skirt</a> tutorial. They are as easy as the name suggests, and I can easily make one in 30 minutes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BBwUIXHTEF5WEsbRVVN34xqUPthB_U3sShVIVtT-w3rrPXaGOALK23edOSEeyyFXD1tlTXvY5b9kcX82PzIWrVFyDqmk60h06ijTYG4vZtZ8mI5hSsEOZiLbNqzybvqrRQBBxE1_Evw/s1600/Christmas+Skirt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BBwUIXHTEF5WEsbRVVN34xqUPthB_U3sShVIVtT-w3rrPXaGOALK23edOSEeyyFXD1tlTXvY5b9kcX82PzIWrVFyDqmk60h06ijTYG4vZtZ8mI5hSsEOZiLbNqzybvqrRQBBxE1_Evw/s1600/Christmas+Skirt+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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To complete the look, my wonderful Mother-in-law also made the girls some matching fabric headbands. She used this great tutorial and free pattern from <a href="http://www.happytogetherbyjess.com/double-sided-fabric-headband-pattern/">Happy Together</a>:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.happytogetherbyjess.com/double-sided-fabric-headband-pattern/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQy-UDxQ8ZHWuBTP5qjllwUi4PEuAMzUMpdoFOexZ-CtC6QYUNoDgeaziaGWZAGwiY3dTiouV2gcIatYn9SCaw19ZLy43HwS7VMdNB5jiMzNNu7bNjUz0vbAN0vMP6iLS0HXvC5wWvDw/s1600/Christmas+Skirt+5.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.happytogetherbyjess.com/double-sided-fabric-headband-pattern/">Happy Together</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The finished headbands were a perfect size for Olivia and Samantha. The girls wouldn't stand still for a photo, so the headband has been kindly modelled by teddy:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hUb4RrlNBPlLkW4YfbJGAfiSZuafItTYJnxYf8iJhPqM4P3OOHgWPQ-5ecTcp13K8XCTjTXGT3C_f6Uopm870EUsMJXptkVTywkd0PkvEi3qLJQcpd6j-ORE_VtlP2itjly9FttvHNY/s1600/Christmas+Skirt+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hUb4RrlNBPlLkW4YfbJGAfiSZuafItTYJnxYf8iJhPqM4P3OOHgWPQ-5ecTcp13K8XCTjTXGT3C_f6Uopm870EUsMJXptkVTywkd0PkvEi3qLJQcpd6j-ORE_VtlP2itjly9FttvHNY/s1600/Christmas+Skirt+1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The finished skirts and headbands were worn to school a couple of times, and again at home a couple more. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF2RgK-vRgc4HUp4yCIOL-qGX_lMJuQoHGSZYYP_NV9QfwHPy334x5VQ2b3JYvX6KS5vdaxcEVg2h3KaORDuxf3VwHLfNA1EyiLgtqBFtOHdHcax4dsZLLXI33zz3UrcRDMl1oK5v6e8/s1600/Christmas+Skirt+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF2RgK-vRgc4HUp4yCIOL-qGX_lMJuQoHGSZYYP_NV9QfwHPy334x5VQ2b3JYvX6KS5vdaxcEVg2h3KaORDuxf3VwHLfNA1EyiLgtqBFtOHdHcax4dsZLLXI33zz3UrcRDMl1oK5v6e8/s1600/Christmas+Skirt+3.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh8juKiJWFb-inVl8uWgov4tCQvvGaFlFzpq5VrKK_dVxpRPo5XyTSzIrx8rndyU_YRO90Y17Z-BzOiWAdWfwfa9zRBPeSldl1KPebZ4ro7LpgBHiHGIyTNmwzNziolQZLXmL8QCmAnA/s1600/Christmas+Skirt+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh8juKiJWFb-inVl8uWgov4tCQvvGaFlFzpq5VrKK_dVxpRPo5XyTSzIrx8rndyU_YRO90Y17Z-BzOiWAdWfwfa9zRBPeSldl1KPebZ4ro7LpgBHiHGIyTNmwzNziolQZLXmL8QCmAnA/s1600/Christmas+Skirt+4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-43276716406312454382014-12-23T01:11:00.000-08:002014-12-23T01:11:07.358-08:00Mathilde Version Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XHw_1G41JtqPmkLQaqpstC1H-W_ZN1h3UBv3ovMBJsraAboXmEUVqBbwKW4yhjuhWmtMMH9d1B_N4QAioydSal1lqf9iU2BbRq46gwIMfpCeLEaSJXE7i7yEvsRe2N83UpqV__6EG_Q/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XHw_1G41JtqPmkLQaqpstC1H-W_ZN1h3UBv3ovMBJsraAboXmEUVqBbwKW4yhjuhWmtMMH9d1B_N4QAioydSal1lqf9iU2BbRq46gwIMfpCeLEaSJXE7i7yEvsRe2N83UpqV__6EG_Q/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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After the success of my first Tilly & The Buttons' Mathilde blouse I was keen to make a new version. I saw this lovely version made by Jolie of Jolies Bobines:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://joliesbobines.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/mathilde-%E2%80%A2-no-colors-plumetis/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9FOPvzFMTHSmv2X6ikPNLNj87GwgPeGvDRjlvo3GYvk3IQ25tZR4AHpIiGyxuqaZcgI0IFtoNItEqbt2E7w4j9y4P0x7_Oi2tI3k27IGHhGa3-JVDiHYnDIQw0PJU2NOTp_OI94yKno/s1600/Sewing+Disasters+5.jpg" height="332" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://joliesbobines.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/mathilde-%E2%80%A2-no-colors-plumetis/">Mathilde by Jolies Bobines</a></td></tr>
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I checked with Jolie if it was OK to copy her version before I started. I bought a flocked mini polkadot net and a black crepe fabric from Rolls and Rems in Holloway. Like Jolie I took 4" of fullness out of the sleeves to make them a slimmer fit. This was the only change I made to the original pattern.<br />
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I made a big mistake was choosing crepe. I've never sewn with it before and had no idea how difficult it was to sew with. I chose it because it has a lovely drape. Unfortunately it is very slippery and keeps moving as you try to sew it. I had to unpick and resew the tucks on the front to get them neat and even. It also frays terribly. Just incase you thought that wasn't bad enough, it was also very bulky and didn't iron well. It was very hard to achieve a neat seam when there were layers of fabric (particularly around those tucks).<br />
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I've also never sewn with a sheer fabric before. I didn't realise how much hand sewing would be required to get a neat finish. I hand basted all the sheer seams before sewing them. I hand sewed flat felled seams on all the sheer seams in the sleeves and shoulders. I hand sewed the facing and button plackets. I also completely hand sewed all the bias tape edges on the neckline and sleeve cuffs. It took HOURS to make this blouse. Half-way though I was convinced I would hate it, but it worked out really well.<br />
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I've already worn this top a couple of times and it looks fabulous. Unlike Jolie's version, this blouse feels very dressy - perfect for a night out. I really like the narrower sleeves and would definitely make another blouse using a day-wear fabric.Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717255327531402739.post-29279985152346687122014-12-20T15:15:00.002-08:002014-12-21T00:30:33.368-08:00Sewing Disasters - The Dress That Nearly Went in the Bin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Recently I've been experiencing a run of really frustrating sewing. I'm sure we've all been there. You see a lovely pattern, and think you'd really like to have a go at making it yourself. You buy (or draft) a pattern, choose your materials, spend ages carefully sewing your garment, then the big moment arrives. You put it on and … you don't like it, or it doesn't fit. Aaaargh! <br />
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I experienced this recently. Check out this beautiful dress by Adey at The Sew Convert:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://sewconvert.wordpress.com/2013/12/23/the-3-red-cats-dress/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbJRAKo7MPele5g9pdHKjA9pFddTuCLO0MMMOEu8TKdnqRwiuP80MlHBYsZqnLUuv6f63uNqlVLJrvvxybLD9NS5g5K2mvMJmeRn9EokkH1JaRndUAHZYXWLpHSobY2a8Kbq78bvYgFM/s1600/Sewing+Disasters+2.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sewconvert.wordpress.com/2013/12/23/the-3-red-cats-dress/">The 3 Red Cats Dress by The Sew Convert</a></td></tr>
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Everything about this is so beautiful. The simple pattern and the adorable fabric combine to make an elegant, beautiful dress. I bought my own copy of <a href="http://www.japanesesewingpatterns.com/ebook/#package">Rin Gomura-Elkan’s “Easy Japanese Sewing Patterns”</a> for the pattern. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.japanesesewingpatterns.com/ebook/#package" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVY5BTFbG65lidMHBJh5C54izaAFpxrMgKdMG_cBufjc4L8hdWw_nBe8YO1sTH4ADCOJMLMjnKxTB_Zd5acLXFGN05FLG0w0ii8csXSRKq2ZcgoSmHbctSxcMYyU_3ACRMSF60t45imI/s1600/Japanese+Dress+8.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.japanesesewingpatterns.com/ebook/#package">Easy Japanese Sewing Patterns by Rin Gomura-Elkan</a></td></tr>
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I then visited my favourite fabric shop - Desai in Cricklewood Lane, West Hampstead. I found this really special Liberty Tana Lawn. <br />
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I love Liberty Tana Lawn fabrics. They are so light and beautiful, and the fabric is such lovely quality. The dress was a very easy make. I did have a little trouble with the cutting out. I followed the pattern placement guide, but didn't seem to have enough fabric. I ended up making the bodice back in two sections, and joining them with a centre back seam. After a bit of messing around with the Japanese instructions, and sending a question to Rin (which she very quickly answered) I managed to sew my dress in one day. I used french seams and my best, careful sewing.<br />
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Once I was finished I carefully pressed it, then tried it on and … it looked weird. Aaargh! The front bodice seemed too baggy and puffy, the shoulders sat strangely and the skirt wasn't the right length. <br />
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I think I just chose the wrong fabric. It really needs to be made in a very drapey fabric, or it just won't look right.<br />
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This dress sat in my cupboard for about six months, while I tried to figure out what to do with it. It's such lovely (and expensive) fabric, that I didn't want to waste it. I saw this really sweet dress on Guthrie and Ghani, and thought about about reusing the fabric to make something similar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.guthrie-ghani.co.uk/blog/completed-leini-dress-in-millia-liberty-tana-lawn"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uHAOIP6XB2S0K4aL2F598O_JWFy_vI41UPSaVIc7rek5V0drt_qmPO_UG-6kAYHNc5UOHnkOYWnGPkpEaxbjrWInpYe-Qeir-5JqG8S8sJiFwoK4c9Loxc6tLbDRoNubiKWnzDRj53Q/s1600/Sewing+Disasters+4.jpg" height="400" width="281" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.guthrie-ghani.co.uk/blog/completed-leini-dress-in-millia-liberty-tana-lawn">Leini Dress by Guthrie & Ghani</a></td></tr>
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In the end I decided to have a go at remaking the bodice using the <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/colette-patterns-news/free-pattern-to-download-the-sorbetto-top">Sorbetto top</a> by Colette Patterns, and adding a shortened skirt.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.coletterie.com/colette-patterns-news/free-pattern-to-download-the-sorbetto-top"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Nq8ZI1YrX15ymK1bzi6s7whsISpI4ykMIfhqm_s9SMbxvogXSIOxtu1Ov0XlFjyvAqCa-h1VsoFB92kllvJh_WSEWYIfdtqNfWCU7t6Die_BTNKMMfXhIHat14ghDxiEToQMBwYVrFs/s1600/Japanese+Dress+7.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.coletterie.com/colette-patterns-news/free-pattern-to-download-the-sorbetto-top">Sorbetto Top by Colette Patterns</a></td></tr>
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I've made one Sorbetto top in a very light cotton shirting fabric, and I regularly wear it. I like the simple silhouette and the comfortable fit. I began by carefully unpicking the seams. I unpicked the entire bodice (except that centre back seam) and carefully snipped off the skirt. I then ironed the pieces and laid out the pattern. No matter how I placed the bodice pieces, there just wasn't enough length in the fabric to cut the bodice. <br />
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After mulling the problem for a couple of days, I decided to patch in a piece of white fabric on the shoulders. I stupidly added fabric to the front section and the back section, then joined them together. That seam on the top shoulder looked terrible, so I unpicked the sections again, cut a new piece and sewed it between the front and back bodice pieces.<br />
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As an aside, I think I sewed those shoulder pieces in about 8 times. I kept sewing them in upside down and back-to-front. It was so immensely frustrating. If it hadn't been such expensive fabric I think I would have thrown the dress out several times.<br />
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Once the bodice was finished I cut about 3" off the waist of the skirt (I hadn't unpicked the side seams or hem of the original skirt) and attached it to the bodice. I folded the seam allowance over, sewed an elastic casing and inserted the elastic waistband. The very last step was sewing belt loops on each side of the waistband and adding the sash.<br />
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Can you see that big smile on my face? I LOVE this dress. It is so pretty and comfortable. That lovely Tana Lawn fabric by Liberty is absolutely perfect for sticky Singapore heat. I can't wait to wear it out and about.Katie Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314743496161353695noreply@blogger.com2