New Etsy Shop - The Hagardashery!

So I've been a bit quiet recently - not crafting much but toying with opening a shop - a sewing shop no less! Time is not my friend so I've plumped for an Etsy shop to start - selling vintage sewing patterns and notions. I've a bit of a collecting obsession so thought it was time to share my stash.

Find it here: Hagardashery 

Obviously named after me - not a miss spelling!

Enjoy...........

Sewing Bee Fever!

So the much anticipated Series 4 of The Great British Sewing Bee started again last night. I made sure I was home and ready in my pjs with wine for the perfect viewing experience. Family were silenced (this only lasted so long) on pain  of death.

On the whole I very much enjoyed the first program. The first challenge (Basic Construction) was to make a top cut on the bias with a chevron design (from striped fabric). I think this would fox many people (me included) with the time constraints and cameras! They all did very well - although I did hear one contestant say they had not worked with bias binding before - odd for a show about sewing skills! Clothing cut on the bias reminds me of the early 90s - apparently its all coming back into fashion now - so expect to see those lovely (hum not!) striped bias cut skirts on the high street soon!

The second challenge was to refashion a huge lined blue maternity dress. I'd hate to do this challenge - my mind tends to go blank! My initial thoughts were harem pants - no one did this. Lots of gathered skirts and a lace trimmed monstrosity of a top! I really liked the sundress Rumana made - the contrast with the orange waistband and back lacing was fantastic.

The third and final challenge was Made To Measure - skirts. I'd love to do this - I'm a bit obsessed with analysis body shapes and perfecting measurements. Some skirts were stunning (Angeline's pencil skirt with peplum was amazing and won garment of the week; and special mention to Rumana again for the stunning fabric she used on her skirt). Some skirt designs were very old fashioned looking (the judges never refer to this but they should - I'm not talking vintage just frumpy!). Never the less it was about sewing skills and design and some certainly nailed this.

At the end of the show Duncan sadly went home. To get as far as the series itself is a great accomplishment and he should be very proud of himself. Best of luck for the future Duncan.

I would so love to be on this show but missed the application deadline because of work last autumn - maybe next year...............................?

A month of craft - but very little dressmaking!

Hi - a whole month and a day since I last posted! Thanks flu for stealing 2 weeks of my that - I have no excuse for the following 2.

On the plus side I attended a fascinating 4 day pattern cutting course at my local college. I learnt all about blocks and swinging darts! Then I spent a small fortune on books (as usual) - the course was mainly taught from Winifred Aldrich 'Metric Pattern Cutting' and Jo Barnfield & Andrew Richards 'The Pattern Making Primer'. We were lucky enough to be taught by Jo Barnfield for the last 2 days - she really knows her stuff and provided a fascinating insight into pattern cutting as both an industry professorial and a dressmaker. I'm sorry I have no photos of my work on the course - I was recovering from flu and it was all I could do to just be there!

So I am still working on the shirt dress mentioned in my last post. The sleeves are in (with cuffs) - now to start on the button placket and collar. More updates to come on this one.

I also went to the Craft4Crafters show at the Bath & West Showground last week. This was a lot of fun and I came back having spent a small fortune! The most inspiring stand was Ingrid Wagner and her recycled selvedge balls - knitted and crocheted into amazing home-wear and bags. I came away with 4 giant balls, a huge crochet hook and instructions on how to make a circular rug. Here is my effort;

Its a bit bubbly but I'm sure will flatten in time (I have never crocheted before). I love the navy, mustard and grey - it's in my bedroom at the moment.

Other makes this month have included some envelope cushions for my garden sofa and a toy rabbit for my soon to be 1 niece Bryher.

There has also been plenty of gardening now the weather is warming up (but we had snow yesterday!). A little veggie garden with mange tout, purple french beans, rainbow chard, yellow courgette and button carrots.

I hope to have had the shirt dressed finished for my next post - must stop being distracted by other little projects!

Dreaming of warmer weather.......

So I thought I'd share a few Spring like items I have made recently and talk about what I'm working on next. The rain maybe lashing outside but I hope to be wearing these really soon!

First up Butterick B5895 High waisted semi fitted jeans - I made in a thick green floral stretch fabric. A great style you can dress up or down - I did like the high waist on me but I should have taken it down a size (I cut the 16 as find Butterick small but it didnt help this time and I had to take these in a lot).

Next up Colette Patterns 1022 Iris Shorts. I made these in a black floral print cotton with cute parrots on. I cut the size 14 - a good overall fit but a little tight on the low waistband. Actually I hate parrots (they always try to bite me) but I loved this print. And here is me wearing them on the one sunny day we had last year! 

Finally we have the lovely Sew Over It Vintage Shirt Dress. I've made this twice - this was my first one in a thick black floral stretch fabric. I love the fit of this (I cut the size 14 out and it fitted like a glove). 

Next in my sewing plans is a linen shirt dress - Simplicity 8014 View C to be precise! I have 3m of a  linen mix fabric found in a vintage market in Frome last year - its all cut and ready to sew. I'll write a blog post once I've finished - fingers crossed over the next week!

Happy Easter!

So.....Sew Blog H!

Hi ~ I'm Hagar. I enjoy making my own clothes (some of them I actually wear!). I love vintage style, bright colours and the latest pattern release! I've been dressmaking for 2 years and hope to document all my makes here.                          

'Sew Blog H' came about as the office I used to work in was called 'the dungeon' ~ its a play on Prisoner Cell Block H (remember that classic TV show?) ~ as sewing is my release from the daily grind!