Wednesday 31 August 2016

How to Use Your Precious Fabric - Just Do It !

My latest project was totally inspired by the board on Pattern Review  discussing using our precious fabric. My coral / red / cream tweedy boucle is with no doubt my best fabric .I love the colours and  the texture and to top it off , it was my souvenir from my one and only trip to France in 2013 . 
I always thought to make a skirt using a TNT pattern but when I laid out the pattern pieces there was so much more fabric than I thought . The fabric was 150 cm wide ( I thought it was 120cm ) and the shopkeeper had been generous with the cut giving me extra ! This was good and bad news because it meant I had to rethink the whole project and make a muslin . 
I already have a handmade winter work  version of a pinafore which I wear heaps and this gave me the idea to make a warm weather one . 

 I chose this pinafore from September 2012 Burda Style ,a ripper of an  issue . So many patterns I want to make from it .  It has a deep V neck with front bust darts and inset pockets . The top part is lined .
I made only two changes . I lengthened the skirt pieces and opted to fully line the garment . 

I was very lucky and found some matching lining fabric at the opshop . It had pura seta printed on the selvedge and when I googled this found it meant silk in Italian - bonus ! 
The pinafore was very easy to sew and as the V neck is deep there is no need for a zip to get it on and off . I love the little bonus front pockets but if I make this again I would make the pockets deeper although I can  store a hanky in them. 

 This was a great project to follow up my coat which took ages to sew . I really do not know why I put off sewing my precious Parisian  fabric for so long because once I cut into it , it was really easy . So if you have any fabrics which you are saving because it is so special then I encourage you to just do it - go cut it out and sew it up.  

I will  finish with another picture of my babies - they are getting bigger .The lamb in the background with the brown head and white body ( I call her ChocTop ) is only 2 1/2 weeks older than the twins ( but twice as big ) . 
Happy Sewing Janine. 

9 comments:

  1. so pretty - I'm crazy for those pockets, not often seen but they add so much interest to a garment. Your babies are so cute!!

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  2. Great use of your precious fabric. I'm sure you will enjoy wearing this and be reminded of your trip to France every time you put it on.

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  3. Love that pinafore. The colours are gorgeous. Lucky op shop find!

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  4. Thats wonderful. And an excellent reminder to cut into those fabrics that I'm hoarding. I'm a fan of this issue of Burda too.
    Love the babies.

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  5. That's good advice Janine as we do purchase fabric to make something with it! Your pinafore is lovely.

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  6. Wise words on sewing the precious stuff in the stash. I have a length of silk I bought at Mood in New York in 2012, and have been procrastinating over the pattern for four years! Definitely need to get cracking with that one!

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  7. Oh yes! I have a piece of silk my mil gave to me for my birthday last year that I haven't made up for that reason. I really must do it!

    Your dress is really pretty. The fabric is a lovely colour.

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  8. A worthy use of such a lovely fabric - practical and pretty. I agree with you, we really do seem to shy away from using our more highly regarded stash. The older we get, I think the more we have to question this behaviour! The lambs are gorgeous...

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  9. What a beautiful result and beautiful message. We deserve to use our best, a lesson I am trying to incorporate thought my home.

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