My Best 9 Instagram Posts of 2015

https://www.instagram.com/clairesews/

My 2015 best 9 on Instagram 📷😁 #2015bestnine.

What are your favourite picks from the photos I've posted to my IG account?

Make your own collage here: www.2015bestnine.com it picks the 9 images with the most likes from this year's feed.

PRIMA Magazine - December 2015, Strapless Dress & Skirt

There's until the end of this month to order the December 2015 PRIMA Magazine patterns by phone. 

For December 2015, Prima Magazine are offering 2 patterns. There's a strapless dress, and a skirt patterns both come in 2 different lengths. The patterns as usual come in Sizes 10 - 20 (UK).

See my old post here on tips for ordering their patterns: PRIMA Magazine: How to Order Their Sewing Patterns.

For my some of my thoughts on PRIMA Magazine's sewing patterns - and how I'd personally like to see them change to make things better and easier for sewing-fans - please see this link here Claire's Tuppence Worth... .

PRIMA Magazine - November 2015, Easy Sew Poncho or Wrap

There's still a few more days until the end of this month to order the November 2015 PRIMA Magazine pattern by phone. 

For November 2015, Prima Magazine are offering 2 quick and easy to make simple patterns. They are a loose-fitting poncho or wrap. The patterns as usual come in Sizes 10 - 20 (UK).

See my old post here on tips for ordering their patterns: PRIMA Magazine: How to Order Their Sewing Patterns.

For my some of my thoughts on PRIMA Magazine's sewing patterns - and how I'd personally like to see them change to make things better and easier for sewing-fans - please see this link here Claire's Tuppence Worth... .

PRIMA Magazine - October 2015, Easy Slouch Top & Peasant Blouse

There's until the end of tomorrow to order the October 2015 PRIMA Magazine pattern by phone. 

For October 2015, Prima Magazine are offering 2 patterns. Simple, easy slouch top has a dipped back hemline, three-quarter length sleeves and can be made with either a boat neck or V-neck. The peasant blouse has a drawstring neckline, dipped back hemline and long raglan sleeves gathered at the wrists. The patterns as usual come in Sizes 10 - 20 (UK).

See my old post here on tips for ordering their patterns: PRIMA Magazine: How to Order Their Sewing Patterns.

For my some of my thoughts on PRIMA Magazine's sewing patterns - and how I'd personally like to see them change to make things better and easier for sewing-fans - please see this link here Claire's Tuppence Worth... .

My Haul - Walthamstow, Saturday 3rd October 2015

I had the pleasure of visiting the bargain fabric-centre that is Walthamstow last Saturday in a great meet-up organised by the lovely Marilla.

Needless to say I was helpless to resist the wares and came away with quite a few purchases :-)!

There was a fair sized group of ladies in attendance - including Rachel & Kate from the new sewing community site thefoldline.com! If you haven't checked it out yet, then please do.

Here's my haul from the day -->

Saeed's Fabrics: Grey Rib-Knit 1.5m (£6.00/m).

Fabric Store (No. 80 High Street): Dark-Grey Cotton/Lycra Jersey 1.5m (£2.00/m), 3m each of Moss-Green and Navy light-weight woven cotton 3m (£1.00/m), and Navy & White Striped Ponte 1.5m (£2.00/m).

Market Stall: 4x Standard Zips (Blue, Green & Yellow, £1 for 4), and 1x Coral Thread spool (40p).

Beads & Buttons (No. 138): 4x 10" Beige Standard Zips (4 for £1), 3x 14" Beige Standard Zips (3 for £1), and Coral Thread spool 50p.

Fabric Market (shop at No. 134): Medium-weight, dark stretch Denim 6m (£5.00/m).

 

The Textile Centre (No. 223-225): 
Lots of light-weight printed Viscose's, all £2.20/m - 1.5m each of: Blue & Hearts, Black & Birds, Blue & Birds and *Aqua Blue Cameras. (*I also picked up 3m on behalf of Vicki too.)

I also got a quick pic in of me, my infamous pink-trolley and Saeed (of 'Saeed Fabrics' shop no less).

On the day I wore one of my latest me-mades, my 6th version of the 'Deer and Doe' FREE 'Plantain' T-Shirt pattern. And, yes I know - I've been a bad, bad blogger - I should've posted about the 5x other Plantain tee that I've made already (and the 7th & 8th that I finished earlier this week too haha!). I love this pattern it's definitely a TNT (tried 'n' true) one for me now!

Happy sewing peops!

PRIMA Pattern, September 2015 - Fit 'n' Flare Gathered-Front Dress

There's until the end of today to order the September 2015 PRIMA Magazine pattern by phone. 

For September 2015, Prima Magazine are offering a  Fit 'n' Flare Gathered-Front Dress. The dress pattern comes in 2 sleeve lengths (just above or below the elbow), and 2 hem lengths (just above or below the knee). It has a draped front band and a gathered skirt panel - and fastens with a centre back zip. As usual the pattern comes in Sizes 10 - 20 (UK).

See my old post here on tips for ordering their patterns: PRIMA Magazine: How to Order Their Sewing Patterns.

For my some of my thoughts on PRIMA Magazine's sewing patterns - and how I'd personally like to see them change to make things better and easier for sewing-fans - please see this link here Claire's Tuppence Worth... .

PRIMA Pattern, August 2015 - Kaftan, Tube-Dress & Skirt... Beach Cover-Ups

There's until the end of this month to order the August 2015 PRIMA Magazine pattern by phone. 

For August 2015, Prima Magazine are offering 3 patterns. The kaftan has a wide-scoop neckline and waist gathers - omit the gathers for a looser fit. The short dress is a simple tube, elasticated at the top and can be worn also as a long skirt. The long dress has an elasticated waist and decorative waist tie.The patterns as usual come in Sizes 10 - 20 (UK).

See my old post here on tips for ordering their patterns: PRIMA Magazine: How to Order Their Sewing Patterns.

For my some of my thoughts on PRIMA Magazine's sewing patterns - and how I'd personally like to see them change to make things better and easier for sewing-fans - please see this link here Claire's Tuppence Worth... .

Say Hello to "Leslie" Folks!

Nope! You're not seeing double folks ! I do indeed own 2 vintage 'Novum New Mark IX' sewing machines. And, you could consider them "Sisters" rather than "Twins".

My two vintage Novum New Mark IX sewing machines.
LEFT: Low-Shank model, RIGHT: High-Shank.

My fav machine (on the R) is the High-Shank model (bought back in August 2010 for under £26.01 inc. delivery). On the L is my newer purchase the Low-Shank version. I think that I call her "*Leslie" - I bought her in April 2013 (for £57 inc. postage).

Leslie's Hook timing is out - so she won't stitch, but her light, motor etc. all work just fine.

So, I've printed off a tonne of stuff from the Web and I'm having a bash at fixing her.

Wish me luck!

*Leslie = L for Low, and S for Shank!

PRIMA Pattern, July 2015 - Women's & Girl's Halterneck Dresses

There's until the end of this month to order the July 2015 PRIMA Magazine pattern by phone. 

For July 2015, Prima Magazine are offering 2 patterns for Halterneck dresses. The women's dress has a fitted bodice on a flared skirt. The halter neck ties at the back and the dress fastens with a centre-back zip. The girl's A-line dress is elasticated across the back for a snug fit and the halter neck ties at the back. As usual the Women's patterns come in Sizes 10 - 20 (UK), the Girl's in 2 - 8 (UK).

See my old post here on tips for ordering their patterns: PRIMA Magazine: How to Order Their Sewing Patterns.

For my some of my thoughts on PRIMA Magazine's sewing patterns - and how I'd personally like to see them change to make things better and easier for sewing-fans - please see this link here Claire's Tuppence Worth... .

PRIMA Pattern, June 2015 - Women’s Skort & Shorts, and Girls Skort

There's until the Midnight on Tuesday 30th June this week to order the June 2015 PRIMA Magazine pattern by phone. 

For June 2015, Prima Magazine are offering 3 patterns. Women's classic knee-length shorts with side-pockets and fly-front zip. Women's skort - in 2 lengths (without pockets) has an added front wrap and fastens with a zip at the back. The girl's jersey skort is a flared skirt with shorts underneath, attached to a stretchy waistband. As usual the Women's patterns come in Sizes 10 - 20 (UK), the Girl's in 2 - 8 (UK).

See my old post here on tips for ordering their patterns: PRIMA Magazine: How to Order Their Sewing Patterns.

For my some of my thoughts on PRIMA Magazine's sewing patterns - and how I'd personally like to see them change to make things better and easier for sewing-fans - please see this link here Claire's Tuppence Worth... .

PRIMA Pattern, May 2015 - Sleeveless Dress & Edge-to-Edge Jacket

There's until the Midnight on Sunday 31st May this weekend to order the May 2015 PRIMA Magazine pattern by phone. 

For May 2015, Prima Magazine are offering a sleeveless dress has a fitted bodice with a square neckline, and a knee-length skirt with soft pleats at the waist. The edge-to-edge unlined jacket has a raised back neckline and waist darts for a streamlined fit.The patterns as usual come in Sizes 10 - 20 (UK).

See my old post here on tips for ordering their patterns: PRIMA Magazine: How to Order Their Sewing Patterns.

For my some of my thoughts on PRIMA Magazine's sewing patterns - and how I'd personally like to see them change to make things better and easier for sewing-fans - please see this link here Claire's Tuppence Worth... .

My First Ever Me-Made-May!

I've decided that my me-made wardrobe is sufficiently full enough to warrant my first-ever participation in Zoe of SoZo blog's Me-Made-May this year #MMMay15!

'I, Claire of www.sew-incidentally.com,

sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '15.

I endeavour to wear 1 me-made item each day

for the duration of May 2015'.

I'll be documenting the items I wear daily for MMMay on my Instagram account here: http://instagram.com/clairesews (feel free to follow me if you like - I'm @ClaireSews).

Are you taking part? Do you like me hope that it will spur you on to make more everyday use out of your self-sewn clothes?

What do you think that you will wear the most? :-)

PRIMA Pattern, March 2015 - Classic Lined Jacket & Knit Tube Skirt

There's until the end of this month to order the March 2015 PRIMA Magazine pattern by phone. 

For March 2015, Prima Magazine are offering classic lined *jacket and figure-skimming tube skirt in medium weight knit fabric. The skirt comes in 2-lengths: a short mini-skirt, or a longer knee-length pencil skirt. The patterns as usual come in Sizes 10 - 20 (UK). (*A very Chanel-esque silhouette in my humble opinion!)

See my old post here on tips for ordering their patterns: PRIMA Magazine: How to Order Their Sewing Patterns.

For my some of my thoughts on PRIMA Magazine's sewing patterns - and how I'd personally like to see them change to make things better and easier for sewing-fans - please see this link here Claire's Tuppence Worth... .

Sometimes UFOs "Can" Be Good

So, earlier today I was hunting around in my sewing room for the rub-off pattern that I'd made back in January 2013 from a much loved ready-to-wear top. 

My plan was to make a quick new version - as the top is a nice casual boxy fit, with cut-on sleeves, and it's a very easy fast project to sew up.

LEFT: First top made from the pattern
RIGHT: Second top, made today from UFO project.

The first rendition of this pattern was the grey crepe floral number you can see on the left above. (The black top on the right of the photo is mid-project, just awaiting addition of the cuffs to the ends of the sleeves.)

So, I found the paper pattern pretty much straight away (which was great) - but even "better", I found in the same bag a set of black fabric pieces already cut out ready to sew-up (YES!!!).

Clearly, past Claire had decided that the pattern was good enough to warrant another go. But, for whatever reason I didn't progress further with No. 2 top and it turned into a *UFO. I even found that I had already fused stay-tape to the necklines, and also to the shoulders on the back bodice - yet another great time saver for me LOL!

I had planned to make my second top from some fresh fabric - but finding this forgotten UFO from 2 years ago in my stash saved me a lot of time on cutting out etc..

I started stitching the top at around 4.30pm today, and aside from 2 hours to cook dinner and watch some telly it only took me 3 hours at a calm and leisurely pace to complete it!

The finished top - earlier this evening.
Please forgive the mirror - it's badly in need of some Windolene LOL!

So, that is my short 'n' sweet tale of how sometimes UFOs can be good :-)

Please forgive the poor photo quality folks - I was using my phone for speed ;-)!

*UFO = Un-finished object.