Friday, 19 April 2013

Great British Sewing Bee has us buzzing!

Thank you for helping with the tray ident - it will turn up eventually.


Limited photographs - this my reflection in a mirror and that mirror has a ship chiseled into it so a bit blurry!



 Anyway I have been wanting to make one of these for a while and the other day I thought that I would.  So this is a simple wrap dress and I very much wanted one section to be embroidered.  Fabric selection was based purely on what I had a lot of - I recently went to the Isle of Wight and bought EIGHTEEN FEET of this fabric (in dire need.....)  for £4.99 from a charity shop (I did not go to the IoW JUST to buy this fabric!!!).  The fabric therefore determined the type of embroidery that I could use...this was a damaged tablecloth (fear not dears).



Note here that the embroidery appears to have swapped sides... not really.... just no longer reflected in the mirror

But Jenny why are you only showing us this top bit......?


It is because when I tried this top bit on for 'fitting purposes' Bronte said: 'Oh dear'.....and that put me right off...


I made my own bias binding so that the embroidered side tied in with the other bit.

 I was pleased however with the top stitching (I am partial to a nice bit of top stitching) here - this was the only bit that I was pleased with.

 So here we have a load of photos of the same thing!  This is in the DoS at the moment - I am going to start another one and begin again...again.

This evening I will be shirring....I used to do a lot of shirring....I am looking forward to shirring again

What have you been sewing and have you had many/any disasters?

Best wishes
Jenny

PS: Hello Constance and wish your mum happy birthday from me!


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76 comments:

  1. Plain Jane19 April 2013 at 14:09

    What a wonderful idea - but where is your bottom? Jane x

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:19

      Thank you Jane - contemplating bottom....!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  2. lemonade kitty19 April 2013 at 14:09

    I think it looks absolutely gorgeous, take no notice of Bronte and finish it asap please! Lucey x

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:19

      I might give a whirl Lucey
      Many thanks
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  3. Gill19 April 2013 at 14:15

    Ditto what lemonade kitty says!!!

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  4. MadBirdDesignsUK19 April 2013 at 14:30

    Sewing Denim Divas, Mummy cats and kitten brooches. Soon to be hosting A Make Do and Mend class in my local village hall. Love your blog, finish your wrap it looks great. x Joan

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:20

      Good for you - sounds good fun
      thank you
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  5. ~Damita's Pretty Wrap~19 April 2013 at 14:37

    So pretty!! :) Love the fabrics! Happy weekend! xo Holly

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:40

      You too - many thanks Holly
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  6. Streetcomber19 April 2013 at 15:05

    Amazing. I am sure it would please the Sewing Bee judges, especially your top stitching and home made bias binding.
    I'm very impressed by your nose for vintage fabric. 18 feet is quite a find.

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:41

      That was indeed a lot of fabric for the money - so felt it would not be soooo bad if I cocked the dress up!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  7. Angela19 April 2013 at 15:12

    That is impeccable topstitching and bias binding! Definitely of GBSB standard.

    My sewing disasters are too many to enumerate - but among the worst was buying the corduroy in diagonal stripes of grey. Looked really chic "on the bolt" and reduced to 25p a metre [this was back in 1988] It HAD to be a bargain, I felt, and splashed out on 4 metres.
    I cut out my skirt pattern [used often, infallible, I thought] then discovered there was NO WAY to make the stripes/pile on the cord and the stripes on the fabric come together into any sort of wearable garment. I was so disheartened that I put the whole thing [pins, tacking and all] in a carrier bag and hid it in the dustbin!



    No photographic evidence exists of this one.

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:42

      Angela you do make me laugh - that is just the sort of thing that I have also done - stripes...NO! Far too hard to get my head around that one!

      Keep going!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  8. Ashley cramp19 April 2013 at 16:03

    That top stitching is the bestest I have seen in along time....I'm impressed with your talent and sew would Mrs Stephenson....?
    D x

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:42

      I bow my head at the very thought of Mrs Stephenson - maybe something got through in those lesson after all!
      Many thanks and best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  9. Vintage Sheet Addict19 April 2013 at 16:28

    Your dress is lovely, lovely, lovely....excellent top stitch there Jenny.....I'm not sewing anything at the mo, Clarices is Out Of Action! :) x

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:43

      Thank you kindly Ada - my sewing machine needs to go to the menders truth be known...
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  10. katysclutter19 April 2013 at 16:48

    I love it…finish it, it will look grand!

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:44

      I will give it a go once - Bronte may have been 'oh dearing' at the body in the dress rather than the dress itself....
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  11. Greenorchid19 April 2013 at 17:27

    From what I can see your dress will look fab... sorry 18 feet for £4.99!!... a match made oh yes indeedy... I have it mind to make some bias binding, do you use a gadget Jenny? I saw some in a virtual patchwork shop but wanted to ask someone first before I bought one. Most impressed with the closeness of that stitch-work. Cx

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:45

      It was indeed a good purchase and cheaper than buying new. The fact that the top stitching worked out ok was more accident than design I think!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  12. Georgina19 April 2013 at 18:12

    Need to see the rest, top looks divine!

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:49

      I shall gird my loins....
      Many thanks
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  13. Unknown19 April 2013 at 18:35

    I'm sure you and Miss Daisy would get to the finals on GBSB...now wouldn't that be entertaining! How about a blouse if you're disappointed with your bottom?
    EE xx

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    1. Ashley cramp26 April 2013 at 15:34

      Love you Ethel ....xx

      Delete
    2. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:51

      That would indeed be a laugh and a half....I would have to buy a pair of shoes though!!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  14. Penny19 April 2013 at 19:34

    It is one beautiful top half Jenny, brilliant combing the fabric with the old embroidered table cloth. Your top stitching is amazingly neat and I cannot wait to see it finished. Iam itching to get stitching after enjoying the past 3 weeks of the Sewing Bee. I need to get my overlocker serviced first xxx Penny

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:52

      Envious of your overlocker (is that ok to say that!!!). The Sewing Bee seemed to be over in a flash whereas Masterchef goes on for months and months!
      Thank you for kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  15. Penny19 April 2013 at 19:35

    Oh dear I meant combining not combing!

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  16. Jille19 April 2013 at 20:07

    I'd like to see your bottom too! Please finish it xx

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:53

      My bottom will be displayed if/when finished! Oh dear!
      Many thanks
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  17. Barbara19 April 2013 at 21:59

    What a lovely top, love to see the bottom.
    Your top stitching is wonderful and the fabric is ab fab :)
    x

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 15:54

      Thank you kindly Barabra - just for once I didn't wobble!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  18. the linen cloud19 April 2013 at 22:01

    It's lovely ... please finish it ... Bee xx

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:02

      I will gird my loins!!
      Best wishes and thank you
      Jenny

      Delete
  19. Annie Cholewa19 April 2013 at 22:08

    What Bee said.

    I haven't been sewing anything, I have been dyeing silk embroidery thread with eucalyptus dye. Fun :D

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:02

      Now that does sound interesting - what colour does it come out?
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  20. Gilly Tee19 April 2013 at 22:14

    I can only agree with everyone else. it really is great. I am half way through making a dress for my daughter but can't get it to fit properly around the waist.
    Gillx

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:06

      Thank you kindly - yes, there is that odd thing that happens where the size on the pattern does not seem to link with your own size.....cough, cough!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  21. Anne20 April 2013 at 08:19

    I havent sewn an item of clothing from scratch for donkeys years. I regularly made gathered skirts in the 1970's that were trimmed with broderie anglais so it looked as if your petticoat was showing but that was about it. I hope you enjoy your shirring.Lots of baby dresses had that effect years ago didnt they? It would be nice for it to make a comeback!! Cant wait to see what you do Jenny, I'm sure you will share!!

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:08

      The 70s was a time of lots of creating don't you think Anne - I made shirts, blouses, skirts and all sorts at that time. Also made lots of baby clothes for my eldest sister's first baby - shirred dresses too!
      It is all coming back in fashion
      Many thanks
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  22. VintageVicki20 April 2013 at 08:44

    Am rather liking that a lot - well worth travelling to the IoW for the fabric ;)

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:09

      I bought some other bits too - IoW is only a hop across the water (though pricey on the hover) but I had other things to do so this was a chance charity shop find
      Have a lovely weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  23. Juliab20 April 2013 at 09:58

    Perfect bias binding, so neat! Love the fabric and the embroidery. I too have been inspired by the GBSB and am half way through making a dress. Just need to bodge the zip into place and do the hem and then it will be done! Hoping it will look a lot better on the outside than on the inside! xx

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:20

      Ah yes - the inside of things that I make do not look so great! I found the GBSB more exciting than anything else that I have watched in a long time...!
      All the best with your dress
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  24. Anonymous20 April 2013 at 11:31

    OOh lovely fabric, can't wait to see the finished article, i have been sewing lots of bags lately, don't know why. Have been inspired by the bee too. Catx

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:27

      Indeed - it makes you want to get your machine out!! Many thanks
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  25. Unknown20 April 2013 at 13:57

    It is beautiful! Maybe you can sell it or gift it to someone once you have the one for yourself that fits better finished ;) I need to learn to sew!

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:29

      Thank you Pam - I chose a simple pattern which helps and I will try and finish it off
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  26. Linda Shields20 April 2013 at 14:09

    Jenny, have you been reading my mind??? Just last weekend I purchased a WAY too expensive blouse at the Botanical Gardens gift shop simply because I plan to copy off the pattern and use it to feauture pieces of rescued vintage embroidery! And here you have stolen my thunder before I even got started! How very clairvoyant you are, My Dear! But I must confess that you have inspired me to start making tote bags from my stash of forlorn stained linens, and I did post my just finished one on my blog. It is SO cute!

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:30

      Hello and welcome
      Bags are the simplest of things to make....I have one or two.....
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  27. Maria21 April 2013 at 09:16

    ~ What am I up too.......Sewing little pictures with the kindest sentiments for gifts......In my day job though! Always a pleasure to do and get paid for! Hello Jenny! I love your pretty dress....Pleaseee finish it and let us see it ! ~ YOU could quite easily be on the next Sewing Bee! Imagine the fun and entertainment! hehe..with kindest thoughts...Maria x

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:45

      That sounds lovely Maria - particularly welcome to be paid for doing something that you love too.
      I fear that if I was on GBSB I would be there only to provide the comedic effect....ha ha. My friend and I were once filmed for a BBC series about district nurses and they did say that we would make a good comedy team...not quite the effect that we were hoping for!
      Have a lovely weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  28. The mum of all trades21 April 2013 at 11:35

    It is my dream to be able to sew like this. Why oh why did I not pay more attention in Home Economics?

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:50

      I fear that I have 'bigged' my sewing up! The inside is not so great!
      Have a lovely weekend

      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  29. Unknown21 April 2013 at 20:00

    Dear Jenny WHY are you not on the sewing bee?? Please carry on and sew the rest of the dress it is BRILLIANT and that top stitching WOW!ttfn Pam.

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:55

      Thank you as always dear Pam - just for once I didn't wobble with my stitching - if I cough I am done for and the line is all over the place!
      Have a lovely weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  30. Unknown21 April 2013 at 20:11

    P.S what make of sewing machine do you have Jenny?

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:58

      Dear Pam - I will tell you the type of sewing machine that I have only so that you do not buy one - IT IS RUBBISH!!! I have longed hoped that a sewing machine company would offer me a new one to test run. I splashed out on a Singer Confidence - it started making a funny noise after a week but I was too mean to pay the £20 return postage at the time and thought 'it would get better'. It never did and bits dropped of it - I have tapes stuck in all sorts of places to keep it together - IT IS RUBBISH. I have a very old machine operated by you knee and I will dig that one out to use I think!
      I hope that has not put you off!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  31. simmone22 April 2013 at 10:35

    Your wrap is lovely so far... don't listen to daughters, they just love to make us squirm.

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 16:59

      I think that you are right there - I am one big embarrassment!
      Have a lovely weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  32. Gillian Roe22 April 2013 at 12:40

    I think your sewing looks fabulous! Love the pattern, and the contrasting embroidered section, and your binding is flawless. I love to hand sew but whenever the sewing machine comes out i sit hunched over it, a ball of fear and tension. We are not buddies, my sewing machine and I, which is a shame as I would love to do some more quilting and have a go at making my own clothes. Oh well. x

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 17:02

      I can spend a whole day shouting at my sewing machine....!
      Have you had a go at quilting by hand? I used to make one hand quilted quilt a year so takes a bit of time but satisfying to do.
      Have a lovely weekend and thank you for kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  33. Unknown22 April 2013 at 16:15

    Well I think the top bit looks fabulous and well done for making your own bias binding that is tricky. I love your fabric choice and cant wait to see it all finished, happy sewing, dee x

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 17:09

      Thank you Dee - I will make some more binding I think as I have few other ideas as to how to use it
      Have a lovely weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  34. Hen23 April 2013 at 10:56

    This looks great Jenny, are you going to persevere with it? Look forward to seeing what comes next (as always!)
    Hen xxx

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 17:10

      Hello Hen
      I will give it another go and thank you for kind words
      Have a lovely weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  35. liz24 April 2013 at 14:58

    Lovely dress and the binding - exquisite. Next series of the GB Sewing Bee here you come?! Liz xx

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 17:13

      mmmmmm- not quite up to Ann's standards I think - or Patrick's come to think of it!
      Thank you for kind words though
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  36. Greenmare24 April 2013 at 23:13

    oh my I love it!!!!!! I hope you finish it, it's totally fabulous

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 17:17

      Awww - thank you - I will give it a try eventually!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  37. Bodkin26 April 2013 at 13:23

    you are a vintage star hx

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    1. The Custards26 April 2013 at 17:17

      Thank you kindly - you should my bottom though!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
    2. The Custards26 April 2013 at 17:22

      That should have read - you should see my bottom - having written that it sounds even worse!

      Delete

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