Jolanda's Sewing Corner

This is my make for the August MAGAM challenge. Made from red twill/drill (not sure what the difference is)  I thought it would be too plain without any extras, so I put some navy twill on the edges of the pockets and lined the pocket facing and waistband facing with contrast fabric.  I can't stop looking in my pockets!! I added the belt loops after and fixed them on with a button. The skirt is a bit creased in the photos but I had been out cycling and the skirt stood up to that, in the rain too! I think I am going to wear this one a lot! Bye for now Jolanda x

Burda Style 2/2010 My plan for August is to make a short A-line skirt from what I regard as the best issue of Burda ever! This issue is my favourite with so many good patterns in it. I will make this with some red drill I have somewhere in a box. Bye for now Jolanda x

It's not even the last day and I have finished! This was a super simple top to make. I didn't have quite enough fabric to make the back without a seam, so I decided to put in an exposed zip for interest.  All this time I have been saying how silly they look but now I have done one it's not silly anymore!! I want to make sure the zip would be super straight and looking good so I used a tutorial on the Burda website.  It was slightly more complicated than a normal zip insertion but I'm very pleased with the result. The zip is pre-used so I was worried that it might look shabby but no, I am very pleased with the look.  The link to the tutorial is here.   http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/exposed-zipper The embroidery is from Urban Threads from a tattoo collection. Thanks for visiting Jolanda x

After a bit of a break from sewing clothes for myself, I am ready to update my wardrobe again. I think I have had this fabric for about 12 years!! and hopefully will have enough to make a small top. It's a kind of broderie anglaise with a waffle background. This is the top I hope to make; it's from Burda July 2014 magazine, but I think I will make it a bit longer as it's rather short. I also hope to embroider this design from Urban Threads on the front, but I'm not sure if its going to work because there are quite a few holes in the fabric. Hopefully soon you will see the finished product; then all we need is a bit more sun and I will be able to wear it! Bye for now Jolanda x

Hi, I've been away from blogging for a while but still busy sewing for craft fairs mainly.  I did this beautiful embroidery on calico to sell at a fair, even though I haven't sold this one it has turned out to be a bit of an earner!  I put the picture on facebook and was asked to make some in lilac for a lady for her quilt, then I was chatting to a lady at a craft fair about the quilt and she ordered six!! how good is that!! It seems that lilacs and purples are definitely the preferred colours a recycled denim purse with clothes labels on front. a couple of geek owl brooches bye for now

I found these lovely tooth pillow embroideries on Urban Threads and just had to have them. Aren't they cute? I have made these to sell on my Facebook page and at craft fairs.  A nice army one for the boys (or girls that like camouflage!) My children are a bit disappointed as they are too old for these and wish they had been around when they were younger! Thanks for visiting Jolanda x

Hi, I made these so quickly I didn't have time to post my intentions on the Make a Garment a month challenge! As you my notice I have used some of the leftovers from my March MAGAM dress.  I have made these before and they are super comfortable. Most of the sewing was done on the overlocker but you could accomplish this quite easily on a sewing machine. I used a free pattern from Burda Style; you can find it here . There are good instructions to go with this pattern too. Bye for now Jolanda x

Wow I have actually finished something in time! and blogged before the next month. As you can see from the photo I am very pleased with this dress. It is so comfortable too. I will be back later this week with my choice for April's make. I'm still looking through my magazines and stash! bye for now Jolanda x

A bag I have made for a customer. I stamped some designs on the material before construction The lady is also stamped but on iron on first The flowers are hand crocheted by me ( I need to practice a bit more to make them look perfect) The matching purse made in the same way Thanks for visiting Jolanda x

Another make from my 1 euro a metre stash! When I decided to use it for this skirt I didn't realise that it was stretchy! fortunately I have enough left to make some trousers out of it too! Even though it was so cheap to buy it was a dream to sew with The only bit I found difficult was how to do the hem as this is a fake wrap over so the underneath part of the front was left out of the side seam just at the hem area. it looks ok Now to decide what to do next! Jolanda x

 After having a couple of days to relax after my last make I have decided to go with a skirt. Hopefully this one won't be too difficult. The skirt will be made from the dark striped material and I will use the lighter one for the facings. This patter is from Knipmode magazine June 2013 Bye for now Jolanda x

 I saw a friend had her lipsalve on a keyring  such a good idea, just squeeze the bottom and the lip salve pops up.  so I thought I would make some and put them on my facebook page for sale. Thanks for visiting Jolanda x

Oh dear I am late with the MAGAM challenge AGAIN!!!! This jacket was so hard.  There wasn't a lot in the way of instructions and what there was I didn't understand. So I kind of muddled through it, but got there in the end.  The sleeves were on and off several times, as the easing was so difficult I just couldn't get it flat; so they do have a little bit of gathering that shows. I really didn't enjoy making it at all and am so glad its finally finished. I'm not that pleased with the result but will wear it with my '50s style' dresses. This jacket is being modelled by my new mannequin 'Ella'. She was a gift from my neighbour! and is quite old. I think she is from the 1960's but isn't quite complete as she needs some bits for her stand. As she is made by adjustoform and is the model formella, she is named Ella :)  Now I have to think of what to make for February! It will have to be something fairly

Hello everyone, Here are the pictures of my finished dress!  The fabric is a fairly thick tricot/jersey and it is so comfortable and warm.  I received lots of compliments when I wore it to work :) Thanks for visiting my blog and your lovely comments Have a good day and lovely weekend. Jolanda x