The Bronte Top Sew-A-Long...

Wow you guys, what an amazing reception to Bronte there has been, I'm so glad you like her!

As promised, I am running a sew-a-long for The Bronte Top, so if you're planning on sewing your own Bronte with us, here are some dates you might like jot down in your diary (if there is something in particular that you'd like to know about that I haven't mentioned below, let me know and I'll do my best to add it in) - you can buy the pattern for instant download here.

Thursday 19th June
All about suitable knits for your Bronte top and some of my favourite types

Monday 23rd June
Appropriate sewing machine settings for sewing with knits (if you don't have an overlocker)

Thursday 26th June
Flat Pattern Adjustments Part 1 - Lengthening & Shortening the bodice and long sleeves

Monday 30th June
Flat Pattern Adjustment Part 2 - Doing an FBA (full bust adjustment) for knits

Monday 7th July
Let's Start Sewing! Adding bindings to the front and back necklines

Thursday 10th July
Basting shoulders together and inserting sleeves

Monday 14th July
Finishing side seams and hemming

Thursday 17th July
Finishing the neckline

If you want to let everyone know that you're taking part in the fun, I've created a little 200px button for you to display on your blog as well -

<div class="Jennifer-lauren-vintage-bronte-button" style="width: 200px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.jenniferlaurenvintage.com/2014/06/the-bronte-top-sew-long.html" rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b516/Jenniferlaurenv/BronteButtonFinalWeb_zps08fdc541.jpg" alt="Jennifer Lauren Vintage" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div>

I've also started a Flickr Group for my patterns, so feel free to upload your makes onto the group board so I can see them (I'm nosey and I wanna see them!).

And finally, I had actually planned to get this post up on Friday, but alas, some major renovations have just started on our house and so I've been without a bathroom the entire week and for most of it, without lights, some power and the internet. Oh the joys of renovations, I can't wait for them to be finished! For those of you who are interested, I have actually started a little blog following our renovations over here if you'd like to have a nosey. There are only 2 posts up at the moment, but I'm planning rather a few more, especially after this week, the change has been rather dramatic (albeit dusty and messy!).

xx

J

Introducing The Bronte Top! Pattern Number Two.

You Guys -  she's here! I'm so excited to introduce you to my second pattern, The Bronte Top...

I love RTW knit tops - they are the perfect thing to wear with my ever favourite circle skirt. They're easy to wash, don't wrinkle, they're comfortable and perfect for layering on these cold and clear winter mornings we've been having (the best kind of winter morning in my opinion. We've had some amazing sunrises!).

However, I didn't want to re-invent the wheel and make just another classic knit top. Nope, this knit top needed to have a vintage edge, in keeping with my style, what I feel comfortable in and something that would blend seamlessly into my current handmade wardrobe. Enter, Bronte.

Bronte is a 40's inspired knit top that you can make with long or short sleeves. What makes her stand out amongst other knit top patterns is her 40's inspired shoulder detail. The back pattern piece sweeps over the shoulder creating a 40s style shrug sleeve which you can then either leave plain or decorate with buttons or other notions of your choosing. I've always loved and been drawn to 40s patterns that feature the shrug style shoulder, so it only made sense to incorporate this beautiful detail into my favourite type of top.

You can use a contrast binding around the neckline or keep her simple by using the same fabric you're making up the body with.

Bronte is also deceptively easy to whip up - in fact, for a few of my pattern testers, she was the first knit they had ever made!

After all the amazing feedback I received on how I laid out my Afternoon Blouse pattern, Bronte is done in exactly the same way which means she's super easy to print out and put together. You only need to print out the version you want to make up, you don't have to rearrange your entire living room to tape together one huge pattern sheet AND doing things my way means you save a bunch of printing paper, making both your pocket, watch and the Earth happy while doing so.

I will be running a sew-a-long for Bronte with detailed posts on lots of useful things like selecting the right kind of knit fabric for her, useful machine settings and stitches, and of course, detailed photographs that will walk you step by step through each process of constructing your own Bronte Top. If you've never sewn with knits before, I hope making Bronte will encourage you to dip your toes in! Sew-a-long details to come.

Bronte is a multi-sized pattern that ranges from an NZ size 6 to 20 and you can purchase the digital pdf pattern files from my Etsy Shop.

So, what do you think? Good? Bad? Okay-ish?

xx
J

Honey, We Bought A Home!

Yes. Finally. After years and years of dreaming about owning our own home, we gosh darn gone bought us a house!

• We move in next Friday (28th February).

• It's a 1940's three bedroom home with gorgeous ceilings.

• It comes with three chickens who give us three eggs a day (I'm going to be baking and eating omelettes like there's no tomorrow). 

• I'll have my own, very first ever, dedicated sewing room/office.

• It has an established garden with 3 apple trees, 2 plum trees, 3 hazelnut trees, blackberries, black currents, red currents, raspberries, strawberries, alpine strawberries, blueberries, a huge vege patch, 2 glasshouses, a grape vine, rhubarb everywhere, 2 Feijoa trees, a fig tree, a cherry blossom, herbs...weeds. So many weeds.

• The garden isn't even really that big. 

• There's a bit of work to do.

• I couldn't be happier!

David and I are going to be starting a blog following our renovation of the house. It's going to be a long process as we figure out just what exactly we want to do with it. But it's exciting. No more sewing in a room surrounded by unpacked boxes of our things from when we left Sydney.

I'll let you know when we've set up the blog if you want to follow along...

xx
J

An Education in Fabric Choice...

After my last post talking about why we don't already wear our hand-mades, how funny that my latest make falls directly into the Uncomfortable category!

First up, this dress actually fits really well! I did have to grade it up a fraction in the bust, waist and hips and also shortened the dress quite significantly to a length I prefer to wear. It also fit's into my personal style and is on my Summer Sewing List. So, why is it going into the 'Hand-mades I'll never wear because they are uncomfortable' pile?

You guys, this is the grossest, crappiest fabric ever!

It's a charity shop fabric that I paid about $2 for (thank goodness!), so I can't really complain, but because of the fabric, this dress is completely unwearable. I'm pretty sure it's some kind of poly-cotton blend thingy, but whatever it is, it sticks to my legs even when worn with a slip (and no tights!), it crinkles when you walk (never a good sign unless you're using taffeta or similar and want to crinkle when you walk - a la Mammy's red petticoat in Gone with the Wind!) and for the life of me, I can't seem to iron out all the creases! Even though it looks ironed when I finish, any slight movement seems to cause a crease in the fabric, hence the reason I only managed to get 3 photos I liked.

I probably wouldn't even pay the $2 I spent on it now. The colour is it's only saving grace, but that just goes to show that just because it looks pretty, don't mean it's meant to / or should be worn.

I do plan to re-make this dress and I'll call the current version a non-wearable, but good fitting toile. I'm going to un-pick it, keep the vintage zip for something else, and take all the bias binding and elastic for my next version. No point in wasting good notions I say!

The rest of the fabric is being relegated to the rag pile. Good riddance!

Do you ever unpick bits of your un-wearable hand-mades to recycle? Or is it just me? (Please say it's not just me!).

xx
Jen

That 40's Vogue Again...

Thanks so much for all of your kind comments on my last post - all that encouragement will certainly be a help when my will is waning (as I'm sure it no doubt will!). It's also very exciting that some of you are also up for the challenge of not buying any new (or new to you) clothing this year. Perhaps we need to start a club so we can call on each other for help when we are on the verge of pushing 'Make Payment' on our over stuffed virtual shopping carts?  Let me know if you're interested and I'll sort something out.

Moving right along. This is my third version of Vogue 8728. It is not however, my first make of 2014. In fact, I made it last year around September just before we left Sydney, and never got around to photographing it. 

I won't go into any construction details because I did all that when I blogged about my first version here - and just in case you were wondering, yes, I do address the gathering at the bust! And then, if you felt like seeing my second version, it's blogged right here.

This green version is made out of a beautiful, soft, wool blend knit that came in the form of a 3metre remnant on sale (does anyone else think '3metre remnant' is a bit of an oxymoron?). I still have some left and am scheming up a plan to turn it into a 40's-ish long sleeved top for winter - we'll see how that goes.

Speaking of green, can someone please remind me to make more green things? I love this colour but I seem to have tunnel vision when looking at fabric and am always attracted to blues.

It's pretty safe to say that all three of these dresses have become wardrobe staples for me. I wear one of the three versions at least once a week because they are so comfortable and so easy to wash and wear. Also, since they are knit, they don't require an iron which is a major bonus since almost all of my other dresses do. 

I really do need to make more knit dresses - any suggestions?

xx

Jen

A Merry Stepford Christmas...

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

This is my newest make, the Stepford Wife does Christmas Dress. This dress is actually the result of one of those rare 'happy' sewing mistakes that apparently do pop up on occasion (who knew!).

This dress started out originally as a plain red Anna dress, number one on my Summer Sewing List.
The sizing chart on the back showed that the dress fit me absolutely perfectly made up in a size 8/12. I was so excited and if I'm honest, totally flattered that the BHL girls designed a dress that fit my measurements exactly (because I'm sure they design all their patterns around my measurements right?!). I generally tend to have to grade my patterns between three different sizes with modern patterns, but apparently not with the Anna dress.

I carefully traced and laid out my pattern pieces on the fabric, cut them out, assembled the bodice with french seams and then tried it on.

At this point, I may have squealed.

You guys, this bodice is so darn flattering!! I may never make another bodice ever again in my life! It is so easy to put together, so pretty with it's 40s styled kimono sleeves and so comfortable.

Then I moved on to the skirt...

At this point, I knew I should make a muslin, but being a bit stubborn and wanting to finish the dress in time for Christmas, I ploughed on ahead (I know, I know!! Tsk tsk, moving on...). I carefully assembled the skirt, french seaming everything along the way, attached it to my bodice, pinned in a zip, tried it on and...fail! The skirt looked absolutely awful on me.

Being a gal with hips, I need lots of ease in that department to make this style look good. I really should have graded up a size (or even 2) in the skirt to make this work, and to make matters worse, being charity shop fabric, I couldn't go back and get more as I had used every last scrap I had.

My lightbulb moment came a few hours later, after I had banished the dress to the other room and closed the door on my sewing machine. I remembered I had picked up a length of red and white embroidered fabric that I had found at the same charity shop a few days before we had left for our trip to Italy and the UK. Um, YES!

Why I hadn't thought of that earlier we will never know, but my love for the Anna dress returned and I got gathering.  I lined the skirt fabric with a heavy white cotton which has made it seriously lush. It's heavy and full and perfect for twirling. I inserted the zip in my favourite way (a lapped zip) and I'm so happy with how it all turned out. Very much a happy sewing accident if I do say so myself.

Have you been lucky with sewing accidents lately?

Just before I pop off, I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I'll be back before the New Year with a little round up of my sewing makes from 2013. It was definitely the year of the return to my sewing machine (and there are several things I've not actually even managed to blog yet. That never happens!!).

xx
Jen

The Summer Sewing List...

Going into each new sewing season, I normally have quite a clear list of what I'm going to endeavour to make. Having a list makes it so much easier for me to stay on track and actually finish projects rather than abandoning them at the last stitch (I really dislike hemming, I don't know why...).

This year though, I'm really struggling to A) narrow down the list of patterns I could sew and B) decide on what fabric to actually make up said patterns.

I think I'm suffering from a bout of too many patterns, too much fabric (TMPTMF) syndrome. It might have something to do with moving countries, going on an extended travel adventure and then coming back to a summer that is not like the long hot summers I got used to in Sydney. Unfortunately the summers here can be a bit iffy, you're never really sure whether you are going to wake up to tights & cardigan weather or summer dress weather.

Having said that, I have managed to compile a small list to gently ease me back into sewing (and making decisions!):

1) BHL Anna Dress in Cherry Red

I really love the 1940's lines in the Anna dress, and after seeing so many amazing versions of this dress on the internet, I'm quite sure this is the first thing I'll be making.

I found the fabric for this on a recent trip to my favourite charity shop haunt and I'm planning to make the knee length version with a slash neckline. Although, I haven't decided whether to keep the sleek skirt or 50's it up with a full gathered skirt and pockets. Suggestions most welcome!


2) Sweet 1950's day dress in textured sky blue

I've had this lovely little 1950s pattern for a while now but could never decide on what fabric to use.  I found this length of textured sky blue mystery fabric on the same trip I found the cherry red fabric for my Anna dress and thought the two would make a simple but classic summer combo. I'll need to wear a slip under the dress as it is a little sheer with the textured lines in the fabric, but I am looking forward to finally making this pattern.


3) 1940's inspired tie front blouse in white with red polkadots

I may not use this 60s pattern for the blouse as I have another actual 40's pattern that I'm tossing up using instead. Both will require some pattern drafting to get the shape I want as well as the right amount of fabric at the bottom for the ties, but I am loving the little peter pan collar on this 60's version.

I am yet to find the fabric for this, but I'm thinking a little red polka dot cotton lawn will look quite lovely.


4) 1940's inspired peasant dress (View 3) in navy blue cotton

This is actually a 70s pattern that I found about a week ago hiding under the table of a little shop I had no idea existed (even after having lived in the area for some time just before we left for Sydney). I think it has a definite 40s vibe about it and looks like the perfect dress to throw on on a warm summers day.

On top of some mending I have to do on 2 vintage skirts I bought in Edinburgh, I am also hoping to make a 1940s slip or two (with a tutorial), a 1930s inspired silk camisole (also with a tutorial) and a few other bits and pieces that I haven't yet decided on.

I'm also about to begin the process of making my first experimental pattern, a simple and wearable 1940s inspired jersey top that is certainly going to test my pattern making skills (or lack there of if I'm completely honest!).

So, what do you guys currently have on your sewing lists? Have you ever suffered from TMPTMF Syndrome?

xx
Jen

Back...

Hey everyone, I'm back!

What an amazing 7.5 weeks it has been - I almost can't believe we were away for that long or that we are back already (and that it's nearly Christmas. I'm just not ready for Christmas yet).

We ate far too much pizza and pasta in Italy, and far too many English Cream Teas in the UK, we met some amazing people (including a number of fellow sewists!) and we walked and explored until our feet hurt.

Now I get to unpack the loot I found including vintage knitting and sewing patterns, silks from Goldhawk Road and wools from Edinburgh, vintage glass buttons and vintage skirts... Oh, and I get to catch up with my feedly feed. I could be a while...

I'll be back this week with a few sewing projects I finished before we left that I didn't get a chance to write about. Talk soon,

xx
Jen

The 40's Travel Dress - Part Deux

Way back in May I made Vogue 8728, a 40's reproduction knit dress, and it was pretty safe to say that I luuurved this dress. Comfy, cute and easy to wash and wear. So, I made 2 more (this version and a beautiful green wool knit version, post to come) and bought fabric for a fourth. While I still love this dress, I'm starting to wonder if I should branch out of my 40's knit dresses and possibly try something else? Well, maybe, we'll see... Any suggestions?

I won't go into the construction details because I did all that in my original post and did pretty much the exact same things with this version.

The knit I used is a lovely medium weight 98% cotton with a tiny bit of spandex for stretch and up close, is actually a navy and maroon marle. I still have quite a bit of this fabric left and am hopeful I might be able to squeeze a Lady Skater dress out of it (I'm pretty sure this will probably be my next knit dress after seeing this cute version).

These photos are the last set we took in our favourite photo location in Sydney... sigh.

Anyway, thanks so much for all the comments on my Miette cardigan. I've now nearly finished the bodice and will then be starting on the sleeves. So, I guess it's nearly done (well, not really...) and I can start thinking about my next knitted project!

Which brings me to this Pike Place pattern. As I am obviously not cool enough to live in the States, they won't let me buy it. How come you 'Mericans only get access to cool patterns? I really only want a download of the cardigan and not the actual pattern booklet, but it doesn't seem to be available as a digital download (I mean really?!? In this day and age?). Does any body know where I might be able to source a copy all the way down here on the bottom of the planet?

Oh well, at least while I plot how to get my hands on this pattern, there are plenty of other cardigans to be knit.

xx
Jen

PS) As some of you saw on Instagram the other day, I've gone cut all ma hur off. It was time...

The Darling Buds of Mae...

I was lucky enough to be asked to test another Blue Ginger Doll pattern a few months back and now that it's been released, I can finally show you my version of Abbey's newest pattern, the Mae Blouse.

It's a beautiful 1940s inspired blouse with a scalloped neckline (who doesn't love a good scallop, of the edible and patterned variety!), a button up back and a lovely fitted silhouette.

I made my Mae using a vintage mystery fabric that I'm pretty sure is a silk georgette with some beautiful vintage shell buttons. I actually had this combination saved for another 40s button up blouse that I hadn't quite gotten around to making yet, but as soon as I saw Mae, I knew they would be the perfect match for each other.

Abbey recommends using a stiffer fabric for the blouse to support the scallops, but so that I could use my lovely fabric, I used interfacing on both the blouse scallop and the scallop facing to give it the structure it needed, and it seems to work really well.

I'm wearing my Mae tucked into my 1940s Swing Pants, but Abbey has designed the pattern so that you can make it longer and wear it over the top of a pencil skirt (very 40s!) or with jeans for a more modern look.

This pattern is such a quick and satisfying make - I made mine in less than a day all up. It's also the perfect pattern for a beginner looking to start adding new techniques to their repertoire like button holes and scalloped edges.

Right now Abbey has 10% off the Mae Blouse pattern using the code LOVELYMAE2013 and she has free world wide shipping! So there are no excuses not to add this beautiful pattern to your stash. And while you're at it, you may as well get the Billie Jean dress pattern too, I wear mine all the time!

xx
Jen