Soul fed on Thread: win

Monday, 21 January 2019

Day 3 - Sew a long with SEMS Fabric

Day 3. Finishing the tops

Hello there! Welcome to day 3 of the Sems L&K swimsuit sew-a-long with Sansahash patterns. If you're only just joining us, please check back in on DAY 1 and DAY 2 to catch up. Today we are finishing off our tops! How fast did that happen?!

For racer back version

Sew the bottom bodice elastic to the bottom of the top. It is VERY important to portion your top and elastic into quarters and pin accordingly - this ensures an even finish.

Turn up your elasticated hem and top stitch with a zig zag or double needle.

Inside view - elastic is now enclosed

Press your racer bikini with a gentle iron (and a pressing cloth if required.) Top stitch the neckline and armholes using a twin needle or zig zag stitch.

Ta daah! Now your L&K racer back bikini top is complete!

For pleated halter neck bikini/tankini

Stitch in top elastic. Ensure you find the centre of the front top and front elastic pieces. Pin and sew carefully. Quarter the larger side/back elastic and top, pin and sew and ensure your top is not stretched, your elastic will need to be stretched slightly whilst sewing.

If completing the original bikini version of the pleated swimsuit, quarter your bottom bodice elastic and top, pin and sew. Next, turn over your elasticated hems and top stitch using a zig zag or twin needle. (Complete this step for the top portion if sewing the tankini.)

Fold your strap pieces right sides facing, sew long edge, leaving a gap between the marks you made when cutting out your fabric.

Note the gap, you will need to leave this gap in both straps.

Turn the long portion of your straps the right way out - use a turning tool like I have, or check the Sansahash blog for tips HERE on turning straps.

The short part of your straps will remain wrong way facing. Follow the tutorial carefully for this next bit if you're unsure of what the heck is happening here! However, pop on a small safety pin on your bodice where your first strap will attach. Next, slide over the short end of the strap (the piece that is still inside out.) When the ends meet, stitch the strap to the bodice, unpin the safety pin and trim seam allowance.

Safety pin and seam showing (strap will be tightly gathered below.)

Pull the strap up and over the seam. Now your strap is attached and completely right way out. Hand stitch the opening close. Sew or knot the end of your strap. Repeat for second strap.

For pleated tankini version

Gather your skirt, see this YouTube video clip HERE for a brief instruction on gathering.

Sew on your tankini skirt using a stretch stitch. I recommend adding elastic to the inside of this seam too. If it appears like there will be too much bulk, use clear elastic instead.

Top turned right way out after sewing on skirt (your version will have straps attached already.)

Press top gently and top stitch skirt down using a twin or zig zag stitch.

Great work!! If sewing the pleated bikini or tankini version, you've now completed the top!

For ruffled tankini version

This version will follow a similar line of steps to the pleated version, however, YOU will need to measure the top of your bodice carefully. Do not just measure across the bodice chest area, follow the curves around. Once you have a number, cut a piece of elastic 95% of that size. For example, if my measurement was 54cm, I would multiply 0.95 by 54, this gives me 51cm (rounded.) Over lap your elastic 1cm (1.4"), divide into quarters. Divide your top bodice into quarters and pin carefully. Sew on your elastic by gently stretching elastic WITHOUT stretching the fabric. Turn over elasticated hem and top stitch with a zig zag or twin needle.

Gather the ruffle skirts to fit the tankini top. Baste both skirts together.

Find the centre front of the top, pin skirts to bodice, right sides facing. Skirts should meet at the centre front (overlap if desired.) Stitch skirts to bodice using a stretch stitch. Press, add in clear elastic to seam if desired and top stitch (using a zig zag or twin needle.)

If you would like a tankini that ties at the back (instead of a halter neck tie) sew your back tie piece right side together down long raw edge.

Find the centre back of your bodice. Make a loop with the back tie and stitch on.

Sew straps as per pleated halter neck swimsuit, however, omit the gap (sew straight down the long edge of strap.)

Unfortunately I haven't devised a pretty way to attach these straps. To find the best spot to stitch these straps, have your model (the smaller person who will wear the swimsuit) try on the top. Mark these spots, stitch on straps.

If you would like to add a pretty bow to your swimsuit I recommend the Honeydew Kisses Agave bow pattern, or Duchess & Hare's bow pattern, both are completely FREE (join Honeydew Kisses Facebook group for the discount code.)

Now your ruffled tankini top is finished!! Phew!! Go you!!

With tops complete, we will now be moving on to bottoms! Stay tuned for day 4 starting Tuesday 22nd January 2019.

Please share your progress with the group and ask any questions. We are very excited to see your work!

Happy sewing!

~Zoe~

Sunday, 2 December 2018

Going down to Comfy Town with Rebecca Page

G'day there traveller! Welcome to my corner of the world, Western Australia. Our Christmases are always HOT and what better to wear on hot days? Yes.......comfortable, cool, cotton clothing! At my stop on The Rebecca Page Comfy Town Blog Tour you'll see the Paris Party Dress shirt paired with modified Pippa Pants.

Keep reading (or just scroll down) until the end, because you have a chance to WIN some awesome prizes just by visiting the Comfy Town blog posts!

You'll notice right away that I've adorned my daughters Paris Tee with a cute vinyl saying and image. This is a FREE......yes FREE cut-file available as part of the "Comfy Town" collection on the Rebecca Page website.

These Pippas are shortened into short shorts. The pattern comes with standard length and 3/4 length pants.

To achieve this look with the Pippa Pants Rebecca Page PDF pattern, you'll just need to chop off most of the leg part of the pattern piece. Work out how short you would like your Pippa shorts, then *zip* off they go! Don't forget to allow for hemming, 1/2" (12mm) should do the trick.

I also added a little side ruche. Easily done by creating a double channel on each side of the shorts and threading ribbon through. The ruching just kicked out the sides of the shorts a little and added in some bow-a-luscious fun to the shorts.

The Paris Party dress is another FREE pattern! WHAT?! Yes! Another freebie for you! Just join the Rebecca Page sewing community on Facebook and find the coupon code in the pinned post.

I opted to sew the full length shirt with basic short sleeves and scoop neckline. Yes, I could have bought a white tee from Target for less than the cost of the fabric....but where's the fun in that?! We don't sew to save money now do we!! *Laughs hysterically, then cries a little.*

White shirt stayed white for a whole of 30 minutes.....but at least it was clean for photos!

My little lion child didn't want her hair tied back, so it of course went everywhere! (Can you believe she was bald until 2 years old?!)

Doing her best lion impression for me!

Now let me just say this, if you're new to iron on vinyl, be prepared to make some errors! I don't care to admit how long this took me to get right......but here is my best advice:

Know your machine's software! This is important if you need to convert file types.

Make sure you mirror your image! (Yes I did cut one out backwards! Gah!)

Iron your fabric first to warm it up, then apply vinyl.

You need to press VERY HARD with your home iron to get it to stick well. By that, I mean your stomach muscles should be clenching and your knuckles white.....or use a proper press.

Buy good quality vinyl and follow the advice it provides you on correct temperatures and length of pressing time.

Good luck! I know you'll be creating your own personalised vinyl printing clothing/items in no time with no trouble at all!

Here we are friends, at the end! Before I bid you a Merry Christmas please know that both The Pippa Pants and Paris Party Dress are available in children's and women's sizes, newborn up to 5XL. Like all Rebecca Page patterns they have no trim pattern pieces and excellent tutorials. So whether you are sewing for hot or cold climates, both of these patterns sew up comfort.

To win some great prizes you MUST COMMENT on each of the Comfy Town blog posts.....it's as easy as that!

Please visit all the stops on the Rebecca Page Comfy Town Blog Tour. Don't forget to comment on the blogs each day and enter the giveaway posts in our Facebook group for a chance to win some prizes from Rebecca Page.