I've been wanting to move my blog away from Blogspot for a while but could never be bothered to actually do it. This week was the tipping point though, and I've now fully migrated over to https://patsypoomakes.wordpress.com/ . The blogspot address will remain here but all new posts will only appear at https://patsypoomakes.wordpress.com/ . There are lots of reasons for the move but my biggest one is how hard Blogger has made it for people to subscribe to receive new posts via email. It's such a basic requirement but apparently, they think it's too much to offer. I'm basing this purely on how I myself prefer to consume this stuff. I can't be arsed with feed readers anymore and emails are easy and convenient. When I receive one, if I fancy reading it, I will click through to it and, if not, I'll just delete it. Another reason is the spat between Google (owners of Blogger) and Instagram/Facebook/Meta. I don't even know if this is still the case anymore
Yes, it looks like I'm on a roll at the moment. I've been super productive these last few weeks and I'm loving it! The only problem is that I've been churning out so many new things that I can't keep up with the blogging. Gaaahhh! I guess you win some and you lose some, right?
Anyway, today I've got the Zinnia skirt by Colette Patterns. I have had my eye on this skirt since I started getting into sewing, a couple of years ago. I've always thought it looked beautiful and wanted to make one for myself. Fast forward to a couple of months ago: Zinnia was Colette's pattern of the month, which means it was on sale, and I decided to bite the bullet and go for it. Boy, am I glad I did!
I know I'm biased, but how gorgeous does that look?! I'm so totally in love with that silhouette! The pattern is very versatile, with length variations and the option for a gathered skirt and buttons down the front, instead of the pleats. But I can't say no to pleats!
There was a slight moment of panic as I was about to start cutting when I thought the fabric wasn't wide enough... Turns out that I hadn't realised I was supposed to cut this on the cross grain. Muppet! But once I worked out what I was doing, everything went great. I took my time with this one and it paid off. I even used tailor tacks for marking for the first time. Never going back, unless I have to! Bloody loved them.
I went with version 2 and cut a straight a size 8. The waistband fit is spot on but there's a weird thing going on around my hips, right below the waistband. The skirt sort of wrinkles up and I can't figure out why... It's not tight or anything. The body and finished measurements on the envelope are way above my measurements. I've just bought my first ever book on fitting so I'll try to work it out before too long.
I have to say that I was slightly disappointed with the instructions. Colette's instructions have always been wonderful on every pattern of theirs I've ever made. These ones were quite vague and, in one instance, downright non-existent. For example, in the version I chose to make there was never any mention of zip installation. It just went from one step to another, when I noticed the zip on one of the illustrations and thought "Wait a minute!" I don't think of myself as an experienced sewer but clearly I must be or I wouldn't have noticed this until it was too late.
The fabric is a gorgeous pale grey brushed cotton from Fabworks - yes, I know. Let's just assume for the moment that ALL my fabric comes from there. It's really soft, a joy to sew and wear and it has a lovely drape. It's so swishy! Plus, it's grey. And grey is amazing. But I can't find it on their website. It did stretch a bit around the hem after being hung for a couple of days. It dipped so low I had to cut off half an inch at the front of it before hemming. Although that could be due to the fact that the pattern is cut on the cross grain.
This project has taught me that I don't need to rush to finish everything - which I always want to do. I hand basted the zip, finished the waistband by hand, I waited for the hem to settle and it all of it was worth it. This is my best ever concealed zip, my waistband is neat and tidy and my hem is totally even. I actually quite enjoyed the hand sewing and I never thought I'd say this.
Right, time to go back to Jolene, the sewing machine! See you next time.
Anyway, today I've got the Zinnia skirt by Colette Patterns. I have had my eye on this skirt since I started getting into sewing, a couple of years ago. I've always thought it looked beautiful and wanted to make one for myself. Fast forward to a couple of months ago: Zinnia was Colette's pattern of the month, which means it was on sale, and I decided to bite the bullet and go for it. Boy, am I glad I did!
I know I'm biased, but how gorgeous does that look?! I'm so totally in love with that silhouette! The pattern is very versatile, with length variations and the option for a gathered skirt and buttons down the front, instead of the pleats. But I can't say no to pleats!
There was a slight moment of panic as I was about to start cutting when I thought the fabric wasn't wide enough... Turns out that I hadn't realised I was supposed to cut this on the cross grain. Muppet! But once I worked out what I was doing, everything went great. I took my time with this one and it paid off. I even used tailor tacks for marking for the first time. Never going back, unless I have to! Bloody loved them.
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| I have NO IDEA what I was looking at so intently. |
Right, time to go back to Jolene, the sewing machine! See you next time.