Sewing Retreat - An Entire Outfit

Sometime in 2017 I had a suggested group appear on Facebook.  I'm not normally one to pay that much attention to them but this one caught my eye.  It was titled "Toowoomba and District Sewing Group". This caught my attention and I immediately requested to join. I have never regretted that decision.

I attended the first sewing meet they held in the middle of 2017 and I honestly believe it was one of the best decisions on my life.  From that day I made some amazing friends and I am always thankful that I put any nervousness aside and went that day.  I mean you're always told not to meet strangers from the internet but I have no regrets.

The sewing days run every second month and are a great way to turn what is normally a solo hobby into something much more social.  So when someone suggested that we have a sewing retreat and spend three whole days sewing I couldn't say no.

I went to retreat prepared, more projects than I could possibly complete in three days, especially with chatting but better to be safe than sorry. I'm pleased to report that I actually got three projects completed at retreat.  Two fairly significant ones too.

The projects I completed at retreat were
- A Cotton Silk Ogden Cami by True Bias
- New Closet Case Ginger Jeans in Cone Mills Denim from Blackbird Fabrics
- A Papercut Patterns Bellatrix Blazer using Outback Wife Barkcloth.

I of course took another project which I never even looked at, and it's still not finished.  But thats life and I have plenty of time to finish it. Or so I think...

Anyway a bit more bout what I actually made.  I'm perpetually late and joining the bandwagon and am almost ashamed to admit I only made my first Ogden Cami at the end of last year.  This was my second and was made using a cotton/silk remnant from The Fabric Store (1.3mx1.1m for those wondering).  I'm totally in love with how it turned out. I wear it frequently and have a number of others planned.

The next project I made was a pair of Ginger Jeans, this was my fifth pair so I'm pretty confident with the fit and process now.  I used a Cone Mills S-Gene Denim I got from Blackbird Fabrics a year ago.  I purchased 2.5m and managed to get 2 pairs out of it!  I'm still not sure how.  I lined the waistband (and pockets) with a different fabric but I'm maintaining two pairs out of that amount of fabric is impressive - especially considering the fabric requirements for my size are 1.8-2m! 

This photo also shows how cute the back of the Ogden is.  I love this pattern.

The other project I made at retreat was a Papercut Patterns Bellatrix Blazer. I'd purchased some Outback Wife Barkcloth from East Coast Fabrics to make a jacket.  I'd originally thought about a jacket similar to the ones that Anna from Owns It by Anna sells, however the Brisbane Spoolettes encouraged me to try it with the Bellatrix Blazer and I'm so glad I did.

As normal I had bicep issues.  Not with mine, the pattern.  I really need to do a full bicep adjustment but it scares me so I did the same wedge trick that I did on my last Morris (Which I thought I'd blogged but apparently not!).  Not technically correct but it works.  A full bicep adjustment is on my list for the next one though.

Anyway, I'm still having withdrawals from this fantastic weekend. We've planned next years already.  

I'm trying to get into the habit of blogging more frequently, aiming for once a month for 2019, 2/2 so far, but only just.

Also, total side note, The Fabric Store is my new local fabric shop and it is proving very very dangerous for my wallet and stash!  On the plus side my wardrobe is looking amazing! I've been to Spotlight three times since I moved, twice for interfacing and once for buttons.  I think my record for The Fabric Store is three visits in a week.

The Last Frontier - Closet Case Patterns Ginger Jeans

For me, jeans have been the final sewing frontier.  I've been making my own bras and underwear for a number of years now and have been focused on making a handmade wardrobe for well over twelve months.  While it's been slowly coming along I had not even contemplated making my own jeans until recently.  They seemed too challenging, too many techniques and just too hard.  That was until I made a pair.  I am never buying jeans ever again!

I made my first pair of jeans, the Closet Case Patterns Ginger Jeans (High Rise, View B), over the Easter weekend. Though they weren't really that time consuming.  I cut them out Saturday afternoon and then went out for dinner, got most of them together (except back pockets, hems and belt loops) Sunday afternoon and then finished them off Monday afternoon.  If I had sat down and sewed them in one session I think I would have been able to complete them in a day without too much hassle.

This pair use a cheap stretch denim from Spotlight.  Honestly its not the best fabric but I'm glad I used a cheap pair to test out the pattern. I cut a 14 and had to use a much smaller seam allowance to get them to fit, next time I'll grade out the seams/cut a larger size to start with.  I would have be devastated to waste quality denim if I wasn't able to get them to fit so this was a good starting point.

Except for grading out the seam allowance I increased the seam allowance on the back yoke as there was some gaping.  next time I will increase it slightly more and look at altering the shape of the waistband.  I think I would also either interface the waistband or use a non stretch lining fabric, It may just be the fabric but I think it is going to stretch out.  At least I'll be able to eat in them.

As far as fitting goes I do have some drag lines, but I'm not one of those people who sew to get the perfect fit, I do think the fit of these will improve over time, but I'm pretty darn pleased with this for a first attempt.

My favourite detail might be the stitching on the back pockets, while it's not identical I think it looks pretty okay.  I did pin them on flat (rookie error!) so they're more for looks as it is a bit of a struggle to fit my hand in, good thing I never really use the back pockets of my jeans.

I finished the seams using my overlocker, I'm sure flat felling will happen over time, but honestly I'm pretty please that I've conquered jeans regardless of the finishing.  The topstitching gives a really professional finish regardless of the seam finishes.

I think the process was made easier by using the right needle.  I used a heavy jeans needle and quality thread which always helps.  Thankfully my machine is fairly heavy duty which did make the process simple and I had no machine issues.  I did use a Jean-a-ma-jig to ease over thick seams and it made the world of difference.  For the few dollars they cost I highly recommend one.

Pattens - Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Patterns - High Rise Skinny, View B
Fabric - Stretch Denim from Spotlight
Top - Shirt Length Mesa Dress by Seamwork Magazine in Spotlight clearance cotton lycra.