Completed: Basic But Special Briar...

Remember I said i'd made multiple Briar's? Well here is another. This is made from a funky manipulated jersey I picked up at fabricland ages ago. The pattern creates an almost shirred effect on the fabric, which is nice but i'm not sure its too flattering on a curvy lady like me.

I do like this shirt though. Again I lengthened by about an inch and I may in future do a teeny swayback adjustment just so it lies a little flatter.

 This is a serious wardrobe basic. I have a distinct lack of white in my wardrobe, probably because I am notorious for spilling stuff on myself and getting generally mucky. I still want more white tops though. I think its nice with my skin tone and goes with, well everything!

Here are the stats:
Fabric: Textured thin knit jersey from Fabricland £6.00 (may have been cheaper, can't remember)
Notions: Thread in Stash £0.00
Pattern: Briar used before so £0.00
Wearability: 8/10 Not the most flattering but totally comfy and wearable!
£6.00 is probably what i'd pay for a decent top in the sales but I don't think I would have got this unusual knit in a style that suited me. So in that way its a winner!

Plans for Productivity...

Heres a thought prompted by Lauren at Lladybird. She did a great post on how she is so damned productive, seriously the woman churns out awesome clothing over and over. It seems like she never pauses for breath! Turns out she does and has some clever little ways to keep her sewing at a constant and awesome level.

As Autumn is approaching I have, as usual a huge list of stuff I would like to sew. I'd like to think i've started sewing them just about on time this year. As lets face it, October is almost upon us! I've decided to try a few little ways of speeding up my sewing and hopefully it should leave me with a full wardrobe for when the chilly's come!

• Cutting Projects in the Week and Sewing at Weekends - This allows me to cut at least a couple of projects a week and have them bagged up and ready to go when I get a chunk of sewing time. 
• Sewing in a Production line - Making more than one of a pattern is a great way to build up some basics. I intend to pick at least two projects where I can sew multiples doing each process twice and ending up with two completed garments at the end.
• Bulk buying supplies - Having what I  need for a project in advance means I can finish one thing and go straight on the next without that annoying wait for the fabric shop to open!
• Work from the stash. Need fabric? Go stash shopping! There may be something in there you've forgotten about before jumping for your credit card.

As you can see, my next few projects are planned and bagged up with their relevant thread and notions ready and waiting to be sewn. 

What do you do to make sewing more productive?

Completed: Briar Love...

Well this could be my new favourite pattern. I caved and bought Briar and the Victoria Blazer not sure that either were my style or that they would suit me but i'm really loving Briar! 

This is my second version. The first may not see the blog as the neckline didn't want to play. But trust me there are far more Briar's on the horizon!

This fabric is a slinky knit I got at a swap recently. I really need to start writing down who these fabrics come from. But thank you to whoever donated this lovely to me! Its cream with gold feathers on it. Not easy to see and today I didn't have a very obliging photographer.

Due to its slinkiness i'm not 100% on the fit of this one, the neckband was a bit of a sod too, its also a little see through, but it'll be fine with a vest top underneath. This doesn't take away from the fact that I love it!

So the things I love about this pattern? The shaping! I loved the curved hem but being weirdly long in the body for someone of 5ft4 I chose to lengthen the front by an inch or so, just so it hit below my jean line.

I also love the ingenious construction methods. I can whip one of these up in about an hour after cutting. Especially with the sleeves sewn straight into the side seams. I find this restricts a little movement but not enough to worry about. This is my first Megan Nielsen pattern but its not going to be the last! I've got my eye on the Virginia Leggings now! Here's the stats for Briar No.1

Fabric: Slinky Metallic Jersey from swap 0.00 

Notions: Thread £2.50

Pattern: Megan Nielsen Briar £13 (Already used three times)

Wearability: 8/10 

Total: £15.50

I really love this top but its not the most flattering on me. Thats not to say I won't be making hundreds! I think in a thicker fabric it will make a fantastic sweater!

This is already a go-to comfy top in my wardrobe and for that I think it was well worth its price tag!

Completed! Charcoal Polka Dot Archer...

Hi all, I'm back with a finished item, I know! With all the puppy craziness and everything!

This is another and much improved version of Grainline's Archer Shirt in this lovely light cotton I got at Walthamstow for around £3 a metre! It was inspired by this stunning shirt I'd pinned ages ago. 

I think its a pretty good copy, mine might be a little better! After all I doubt that shirt has the lovely back gather that the Archer has! That being said, I made a few big changes from the last time I made it. This is two sizes smaller than I made before. It fits at the bust but only just. The rest is a much closer fit but without being a fitted style of blouse I think this is as good as its going to be. I also shortened the sleeves by 4 inches. They are still too long but I intend to wear them rolled up anyway so i'm not too worried.

 I used lovely buttons I bought at Liberty an age ago. They are special without detracting from the shirt itself. This photo is the closest to represent the colour too. Its almost identical to the Pinterest Inspiration.

After making this shirt twice heres some Tips I'd give you for making an Archer:

• Take your time! Theres a lot of steps but everyone one is important and worth doing right.
• This pattern uses up squillions of thread! I ran out mid way through so make sure you get two small or one large spool!
• Don't underestimate pressing! It greatly improves the look of a seam that at first looked wonky!
• Grade your seams as close as you can! This seems like a scary thing to do but when your turning and topstitching your cuffs and collar it gives you a lovely crisp finish.
• This shirt runs huge! It is supposed to be loose fitting but if your not sure thats what you want make a muslin of the bodice pieces. They are the quickest bits to put together!

Here's my stats:

Fabric: 2.5m of Light Charcoal Cotton from Walthamstow £7.50

Notions: Thread in stash plus having to buy more £3.55

Pattern: Grainline Archer already in stash £0.00

Wearability: 10/10! I'm thrilled with how this turned out and I can see it being a staple in my wardrobe. Grey is a great neutral for me and looks great with a variety of colours already in my wardrobe. I really love the look of it with my Turquoise Boden Jeans!

I see a lot more Archers in my future. I have a turquoise cotton stashed ready to make myself a short sleeved version! I find the Grainline Patterns so wearable and they always shine as real wardrobe staples for me. I can't wait to get the Blazer pattern!

To Conclude here is the cutest picture of Pixel to date!

No Sewing... Let me introduce Pixel!

Let me introduce our new family member. Pixel the Pug! This little guy is the reason we have been unable to get anything done recently.  We've pretty much been staring and playing with him since he arrived. 

 He really wasn't helping with the dusting here. He is pretty awesome and at eight weeks old has a lot to learn. I've not introduced him to sewing yet as he eats and chews everything in sight. He's doing a lot of Playing, Eating and Sleeping at the moment.

I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot more of his shenanigans on the blog soon!

Beebee's Sewing School... Im now a Teacher!

You have no idea how weird that feels to say!
My sewing teaching has been growing slowly since I first announced it. I have some weekly students which is awesome! I had no idea work could be this fun and this is partly why i've not been blogging as often.
Piemaker is currently sorting me out with some kind of official website which will link to this little ol blog and then I can tell the world all the brilliant classes I have going on. So this is what I've been focusing on...

• Weekend Classes with up to three students: These include making the Colette Hazel Dress in a Weekend, with your friends and a new Pj Bottoms class I'm working on right now. Cost for this is £140 per person for the weekend and that includes the pattern!

• One to one teaching: Teaching a lovely student pretty much anything they want to learn, from the basics to A level Support. This costs at the moment £15 per hour with a minimum of two hours.

If you're local to Sussex, specifically Worthing and your interested in taking a class or two drop me an email at beebeessewingschool@gmail.com !

Have you guys ever taken classes? What made them successful for you? 

Life According to Instagram... July

I've got so into Instagram you guys! Its been so hot I haven't had chance to sit at my computer or sewing machine really. We have a lot of life news going on right now, some good some bad but I'm trying to stay positive. Cryptic? Maybe. But you'll find out the good soon!
Anyway back to Instagram. Its a great way to update everyone on what your upto plus it links to all my social media so I don't have to do all that malarkey. So I thought I'd do a Monthly Instagram Round-up of what we've been up to just as Sarai from Colette Patterns has been doing.
So In July Piemaker and I have been...

Trying to keep cool in the heatwave with Epic Jugs of Pimms...

 Setting out Pretty Peonies in a Jug found in our crumbling old shed that we demolished...

 Sewing on a bit of a Grainline Kick! I still haven't finished this Tiny Pocket tank as it needs serious taking in!

 This is another Archer. My new love! (Sorry Piemaker...) I LOVE this pattern I also have a blue cotton ready to make a sleeveless. This is a much smaller size than the last and fits much better. I must learn to cut two sizes smaller on Grainline patterns in the future. I can't wait for the release of the Morris Blazer. Its so hot maybe I should whip up some Lakeside Pajamas!

You can follow me on Instagram here. I will try and track a button down asap for my lovely sidebar soon and hopefully finish some clothing!