HannaH

Posted in Uncategorized by ninjajnin

There are a few patterns, I immediately think of, if i`m just randomly looking at the fabrics in my stash. My stash, by the way, is the spot i pick out the fabrics for all my projects. I never shop for fabric for a special purpose. I just buy if i stumble over something that speaks to me. Hannah, is one of those patterns, I keep thinking about. It`s so clever and i love wearing my first version that much (If you want to read more about Hannah nr.1). It was one of those days, I was just looking at my fabrics (odd lady i know). This very lovely cotton lawn enshuku by Kokka caught my eyes, I bought it from Miss Matatabi some time ago. The texture of this fabric is so special. Like stones on the ground of a river. I like it a lot. But as a whole dress, it would be overwhelming. It`s a fabric you want to highlight without overdose. Hannah can do that.

It sets the perfect frame for a very special fabric. Some patterns just demands more than one version. Do you have a pattern you keep thinking about?

You may notice the inspiring, beautiful location. Mr. Fliegfederfrei took those pictures of me very spontaneously, while visiting the c-mine Genk, in Belgium. Marte and Bjorn showed us that wonderful place on our last visit. That`s why my dress isn`t ironed. My leggings have a hole at the knee. My boots are dirty. Wild hair I don`t care. The location makes up for it. I love the pictures he took.

A hidden buttonplanket is the best thing if you love snaps on a dress. Laziness, that won`t be noticed. The instructions for that buttonplanket are very well made. I love how it assembles step for step.

The dresspattern doesn`t have a back seam, I accidentally didn`t place the back piece on fold. Happily, i discovered my mistake early enough to add seamallowance at centre back. Let`s call it a design element.

With two Hannah’s in my closet, I can stop thinking about that pattern now. For some time. Maybe.

Pattern: Hannah by VictoryPatterns

Fabric: Cotton enshuku from Miss Matatabi

11Mar2017

Jackie – Victory Patterns

Posted in Uncategorized by ninjajnin

Jackie__004

With sewing my own clothes, I started to get boldly about trying new styles. Styles, i would never have picked from a clothes rail. The process of making, seems to enlarge my possibilities. It`s the creative process, that makes a certain style to my own. From the vision in my mind until the finished garment made with my hands.

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When I first saw the line drawings of the Jackiedress, I didn`t now if it`s for me. Kristiann asked me if i feel like testing it. I slept over it. After imagine all the possible Jackies i could sew, i finally felt in love with a plain, simple and of course grey version. We take small steps, don`t we?

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I`m so glad I gave this style a change. I tryied it on for the first time and it felt great. So comfortable. A secret pyjama that makes you look properly dressed. A clean and simple chic without being to loud. Perfect for everyday. But i could also wear it for going out. I made it mine.

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Victory Patterns has designed an other dress i`m madly in love with. After Hannah and Trina she has set the standard high (see my version here and here). But Jackie doesn`t disappoint in any way. It`s a beautifully drafted pattern. The seamlines shapes the dress so nicely and the opening at the back is a lovely detail, that takes away some of the seriousness added by the high neckline. All is finished with a facing.

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The buttons on the back neck are glorious! I had some vintage ones in my stash, which i covered with the same fabric. Score!

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I sewed version one, with short sleeves. Size 2. The dress is drafted for a height range from 165-175 cm. I`m 168 cm tall and had to shorten the skirt about 12 cm (maybe about 3 cm too much). The hemline should end just below the knee.

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Fabric is a heavier cottonknit with some elastane. Like used for t-shirts. It drapes beautifully and is oh so comfortable. I found it locally.

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I finished all the hemlines with my new vintage industrial coverstitch. It`s such a beauty! It took me three!!! evenings until it was set up the right way and i finally had nice stitches. Small and bigger victories of a seamstress.

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More Jackies are already in planning. Thank you Kris for letting me test! I love that dress a lot!

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Pattern: Jackiedress by Victory Patterns

Fabric: Cotton/Elastane Knit purchased locally.

3Feb2017

Hannah

Posted in Uncategorized by ninjajnin

Hannah, wins the award, for the most clever pattern I`ve sewn so far. It`s just awesome how everything comes together. I really had to sew it up until i completely understood how it works. I had to follow the instructions while sewing, something i don`t do that often. But they`re so well made. You won`t get lost.

I love everything about the design. The clear style lines. The curved hem, the deep pockets. I`m specially in love with the deep pockets. I just store my hands in there the whole day. Beautiful, how the crossover back detail ends up in the pockets, isn`t it?

The fabric I used, is a proundly-cherished one. I got it from Marte of Compagnie M. She spotted it for me and knew, i would love it a lot. And i really do! She`s such a sweet person. I`m so happy, we got in touch through Parissewsocial. I found a worthy place for this special gift, though.

I finished this dress some time ago. But never came around to take pictures. I wore it all the time. The last sunny days went and winter came. And I ended up taking pictures on a very freezing cold day. That`s how it goes.

I sewed a straight size 4, down to my measurements. The only thing I might change on a second version is to lower the armscye just a tiny bit. But that`s just a personal preference. The dress is drafting perfection!

Pattern: Hannahdress by Victory Patterns

Fabric: Bought locally in Belgium

6Oct2016

About feeling beautiful

Posted in Uncategorized by ninjajnin

This is the dress, the dress of my dreams. Not less than that! I feel beautiful, strong and kind of dramatic while wearing it. Something probably just a handmade silk dress can do.

Hours of sewing, went into it and made it even more precious, than the luxury fabrics ever could. All inseams are finished with french seams, all the hems are finished by hand with a rollseam or an invisible stitch. Hours.

Even if the Trina Pattern probably isn`t a pattern you`ll sew in an evening. It`s really down to the fabrics you choose. The silk organza I used for the back bodice and the sleeves is super flimsy and soft, i had to staystitch every seam. Even from just lifting it from the cutting table some pieces where off about 5cm. Still, so worth the effort. Speaking about the sleeves, i shortened the kimono sleeves to a flutter sleeve. So easy to do. You`ll need much less fabric. I used 0.5m of the Silk organza and 1.5m of the grey Silk. The string is a leftover from my wedding dress.

I`m totally into that pattern. Kristiann of Victory Patterns is a genius! I was so lucky to get the change to test for her. I highly recommend her patterns! I also made the Hannah Dress and will blog about that one soon. And there will be a more casual Trina in the future for sure.

There is nothing more to say about that dress! It`s perfect, in my eyes.