Coming Soon, The Hunter Tank Sewing Pattern...

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xx

J

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Grey Bronte Days...

Brrrrr, it's cold you guys!

I finished this grey merino Bronte top a few weeks ago - I've been stitching up my winter wardrobe for a little while now, because, did I mention it was cold?  Winter isn't just coming, it's most definitely here... 

I loved the silver colour of this grey merino as soon as I saw it, but I didn't realise how thin it was at the time. It wasn't until I put it on and you could see every detail of my bra straight through the fabric, that I realised this was a top I'd have to wear with a singlet underneath. A wee bit disappointing, but I can't complain since it was a major and unexpected score at Spotlight (NZ's version of Joanne's I do believe). They never stock merino and it was 40% off. Plus, I don't actually mind that I'll have to wear a singlet with it, because, did I mention it was cold here? And you know, layers.

I've made a second long-sleeved blue Bronte already that is just awaiting some buttons. Me Made May is coming and I'm so excited to participate (after my break last year) as well as help Zoe out with it again this year. Me Made May has definitely been giving my sewing mojo a boost lately, sign up details will be here at the beginning of April.

I'm wearing my Bronte with a Felicity Dress skirt. I've been wearing mine non-stop, and can't quite seem to stop making them. I guess when something works, why stop right?

Oh yeah, and I got a hair cut - it was time. I hadn't had one since before Oscar was born.

I hope you all have a lovely Easter holiday, we are stocked up with chocolate eggs, hot cross buns, toasty roaring fires and a 10month old who's favourite thing to do is climb on us.  So cute, so happy.

xx

J

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An Afternoon Tutorial - Inserting Back Gathers

Hey, hey!

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments and emails on my last post! I've not managed to reply (or approve) all of them yet, but I'm getting there. I didn't realise it would hit such a note with all of you! 

Today I'm sharing the second Afternoon Tutorial - inserting the back gathering for View 4 of the Afternoon Shift dress. 

You'll need - 

• Your Afternoon Shift back pattern piece
• Bias binding 
• Elastic
• Needle with contrasting thread
• A small safety pin
• Your sewing machine

Steps:

1. To cut the correct length of bias binding, use your back paper pattern piece and measure the waistline all the way across using the waistline notch and the tailor's tack marks on the pattern to get a straight line. Double this measurement then cut that length in bias tape.

2. To cut the correct length of elastic, use your back paper pattern piece and measure the waistline from the waistline notch to the tailor's tack marking to get an accurate measurement. Double this measurement then cut that length in elastic.

3. Take your cut out back pattern piece with the pattern still attached and using your needle and contrasting thread, place a small tailors tack into your pattern. 

4. Open out your back piece, snip your tack in half and wrong side facing down, place your bias binding on top. Line up the ends of the binding with the waist line notches on either side and the centre with the tailor's tack notches to ensure a straight line.

5. Stitch the top and bottom of the bias binding down, as close to the edge as possible, leaving the ends on each side open. Back tack at each end and remove your tailor's tack.

6. Place a small safety pin at one end of your elastic and pull it carefully through the bias casing, lining up each end of elastic exactly to the side of your shift dress.

I've also pinned the end of my elastic to the side in the photos below so it doesn't pull all the way through.

7. Place a few small stitches, within the seam allowance, at each end of the elastic to secure it until the side seams are stitched up. These can be hand stitches or machine stitches.

And that's how you insert the back gathering! It's pretty easy and leaves you with a really nice finish on the outside of the dress.

Have you made an Afternoon Shift or Blouse? Leave me a link in the comments, I'd love to see them :)

xx
J

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An Afternoon Tutorial - Inserting a Back Box Pleat

Hello Everyone!

Lots of you have already purchased or upgraded to the new Afternoon Blouse & Shift Dress pattern, thank you so much! I can't wait to start seeing your lovely creations popping up soon.

Today I thought I'd share a quick tutorial on how to insert the back inverted box pleat for View 3. The pleat is a lovely little addition to the shift dress, giving you some added shape while also providing an unusual wee detail - right up my alley.

You'll need -

• Your Afternoon Shift back pattern piece 
• a needle with contrasting thread 
• your sewing machine

Oh, and this tutorial has been photographed using a mini version of the shift pattern - so much easier to photograph and so cute!!

Steps:

1. Take your cut out back pattern piece with the pattern still attached and using your needle and contrast thread, place a small but sturdy temporary tack into the notch markings in the centre back of your shift dress, securing them together.

Don't be afraid to stitch this tack in several times, because the last thing you want is for it to move before you've stitched in your final pleat.

2. Using a low heat on your iron, press the centre fold line down gently next to your tack. This will provide a temporary guide, allowing you to line up your box pleat more accurately for the next step.

3. With the wrong side facing you, open out the pleat and press it flat down, lining up your centre 'line' with your temporary tack. This will ensure you have an even amount of 'pleat' on either side of your imaginary centre back line. Pin in place.

4. Stitch your box pleat down with one row of stitching (you may choose to do two for extra security if you like). Don't back tack at either end, instead, leave long tails and pull these through to the underside once you have finished securing your pleat. Knot securely and clip threads short. Remove your temporary tailor's tack.

This is what your pleat should look like from the right side!

And that's it! Easier than baking a cookie*

Next week I'll be showing you how to put the gathering into the back for Version 4 of the Afternoon Shift Dress.

Talk soon,

xx
J

* Possibly not as easy as eating the cookie though - but you'll be mighty comfortable doing that in your sparkly new Afternoon Shift :)

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Introducing The Afternoon Shift Dress Pattern - an Afternoon Blouse Expansion Pack...

Here it is you guys, the newly updated Afternoon Blouse & Shift Dress - 

an expansion pack of the popular Afternoon Blouse pattern.

You can get your very own pattern here.

This new version includes additional sizes in the upper range as well as a comfortable and stylish Shift Dress variation with your choice of back box pleat or light gathering for additional shaping, as well as some all-important side seam pockets.

With pretty kimono sleeves and two different neckline options, The Afternoon Blouse & Shift Dress is a great pattern for beginners and advanced seamstresses. You can make both the dress and blouse in most fabrics. Why not make use of all those quilting cottons in your stash for a crisp garment, or use light cottons like voile, lawn and linen for a softer, lighter finish - perfect for wearing in spring and summer. If you want a little more luxury or a bit more of a challenge, try stitching them up in silks and rayons. 

And for those of us heading into winter, why not stitch up your very own shift dress in a snuggly flannel or drapey wool-blend? Then layer it up with tights, boots and a scarf, and you're set for an autumn afternoon walk.

As the name suggests, you should be able to whip up either the blouse or dress in an afternoon, so if you're after a quick and satisfying make, then this should be right up your alley.

What if you already bought the blouse when it was first released...?

This is a free pattern update! Yay! All you need to do is forward me a copy of your Etsy or Paypal receipt and I'll email you a new copy. Please note, due to demand, I will be emailing new patterns once a week, so you may not get your new pattern straight away, but it's coming - jenniferlauren.is@gmail.com

So, what do you think? Will you be swanning around in an Afternoon Shift or Blouse soon? I'd love to see them if so, make sure to tag me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!

xx

J

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