Claire & Mae

While i'm hard at work getting everything prepared for the upcoming Winifred

 sew-along, starting the 24th - Next Monday! Yay! I thought it would be a refreshing to have a little bit of sewing inspiration to get you/me  in the sewing mood.

Introducing Claire from her blog I want to be a turtle and her two amazing Mae blouses she has sewn up, one for work and one for play.

As usual i love finding more out about your sewing journeys with the patterns, and after seeing Claire's first Mae blouse i wanted to know more and i thought you would too! 

Take it away Claire:

What type of fabric did you use? What inspired your choice of fabric?

I used quilting cotton from my local haberdashery shop. It was an impulse buy – I was drawn to the intricate white flowers which work so well with the gorgeous blue. As I walked out of the shop I knew what it would become.

Did your Mae blouse live up to the image you had in your mind?

Yes. I was originally drawn to the elegant neckline, kimono sleeves and the buttons at the back. I really wanted the neckline to look smooth and well fitted and it does, despite what the photos show!

How did you decide to reflect your personal style in the pattern?

I made the Mae with the office in mind. I love simple but elegant styles and want to reflect this in what I wear to work. I’m also a big fan of colour, particularly blue it turns out, and needed something to liven up the dark trousers and skirts I so often wear.

Tell us a bit about your making process, any tweaks you made?

The blouse is a dream to make, the construction is simple and I knocked this up a few hours. Luckily I tested the fit by making a couple of muslins and I’m pleased I did as I had to add a lot to the back bodice and remove a little length. I finished the facings and seams with bias binding for a bit of added detail on the inside.  

What thoughts do you have about the project?

I love this pattern. This was my first time making an item with scallops and thought they would be tricky to sew. Turns out they aren’t so difficult and I loved your tutorial on getting perfect curves – it really works! I have a general dislike of facings as they tend to get caught easily or pop up above the seam line, but I love these ones. I had no problem adding them and they lie perfectly, probably because they are a little wider than I normally see.

Are you planning any future Mae blouses?

Definitely! I’m already looking for the fabric for the next one. I love that you can wear the blouse with trousers or tucked into a skirt and it looks great both ways. 

Thanks Claire! And make sure you all take the time to check out Claire's blog I want to be a turtle for more drool worthy sewing inspiration.

If you have sewn up something amazing from the patterns, then get in touch and share it or upload to the Flickr group!

Abby

x

Learn to sew the Mae blouse with me @ the Handmaker's Factory next weekend!

Don't Melbourne sewing peeps  i'm teaching  The Handmakers Factory next weekend! 

There are still places available for the Mae blouse sewing class  so hurry on up and book your spot! 

We will be stitching up the Mae blouse together over two days from 10am-4pm on  1st March  and  2nd March 2014. Two glorious days filled with sewing  and hanging out with me ( I promise I'm fun!) in The Handmakers Factory fancy studio.Not only that, you will leave the class with your  sewn by you Mae blouse that you will be  proud of, fits perfectly and will totally  make all your friends jealous, ha!  You will also have all the sewing, fitting/pattern alterations understanding and  skills to keep on sewing Mae blouse's till your sewing machine explodes once you get home! 

Below is a little look at what will be covered over the 2 days in the class: 

-How to trace your pattern from the pattern sheet

-How to take your own measurements and choose the appropriate size ( And complete a FBA/SBA if needed)

-How to make a muslin

-How to lay out your pattern and cut your fabric

-How to sew your garment together

-How to create and sew the perfect scalloped neckline

-How to insert buttonholes on your machine

-How to hand stitch buttons onto your blouse

-Hem the blouse

Below is the list of all you'll need for the class: 

-The Mae blouse sewing pattern*

-Sewing machine 

-You can bring an overlocker if you like although we do have a couple in the studio

-Sewing tools (i.e. pins, scissors, thread, chalk, quick-un-pick etc)

-Fabric and matching thread for the project, as per the pattern instructions

-Calico or a cheaper fabric similar to the actual main fabric you'll be using. This is for your muslin.

-Tracing paper, pencil and ruler

-Lunch

**A cutting out table, space for sewing machines and an ironing board plus iron are all provided in the studio.

You can pick up a copy of the Mae pattern  either PAPER or PDF version on the website or you can purchase a copy of the paper pattern at the class on the day. 

 This Mae sewing class  is going to be the place to be on the 1st and 2nd of  March 2014! You can find out all the finer details, HERE as well book in your spot. 

 So quick sticks, places are limited so book your spot ASAP people.

***Just a quick FYI about sewing skill level for the class. You must be somewhat confident and have some  recent experience using a sewing machine to attend this class.

I am so excited to be teaching this pattern in a real person class and hopefully meeting a few of you face to face, so i hope you can join me!

Abby
x

Star struck Mae....

Here it is the last interview/blog post for 2013 with another talented and super crazy cool sewist from the blogosphere! But its not the last of me folks,  i have some cool stuff still come here on the blog even though we are getting super close to Christmas!Argh exciting :)

Introducing Julie , from her very lovely blog Jolies Bobines. I spied Julie's Mae blouse randomly one day on Instagram and i was blown away by it! The fit of her Mae blouse is absolute perfection and the fabric choice is the cutest i've ever seen :) Oh and how awesome does it look with jeans?! 
 FYI if you are on Instagram you can follow me at Instagram/ bluegingerdoll and if you're not on Instagram i totally recommend you get on there ASAP there is a massive sewing community on there, it's where all the cool kids hang out these day, ha! I also have an inkling that it will become the way for blogging, an instant photo of your just finished sewing project,hell yeah!

Julie was kind enough to answer a few questions about her Mae blouse for me, so read on and enjoy:

What type of fabric did you use? What inspired your choice of fabric?

I used a cotton by a french fabric designer I love "Atelier brunette".

I had some fabric left (I made some clothes when she start the collection). I chose this one

because I wanted to do something retro-modern and with some poetry And have a top to wear every day !

Did your Mae blouse live up to the image you had in your mind?

Yes, I love this pattern ! All the details, collar, sleeves and back buttons. It's exactly what I thought. The first time I saw this pattern was on Paunnet blog, and so I then followed Bluegingerdoll patterns. It was on my pinterest board, and I decide to make it when I saw the pdf version was available. I thought It was a good way to see if I can to make your patterns. I prefer paper patterns. So now I'm ready to do the Billy jean dress

How did you decide to reflect your personal style in the pattern?

 I think the fabric choice is very important and of course how you'll wear it ! With a skirt or trousers, flat shoes or stilettos... So it's not only one piece of clothing,it  is also how you wear it !

Tell us a bit about your making process, any tweaks you made? 

 I loved do the Mae blouse ! I had no problems following the sew along instructions (very good practice when you don't speak english very well ) I especially appreciate the back construction with perfect definitions. 

 What thoughts do you have about the project?

 LOVE!!!

Are you planning any future Mae blouses?

 Yes, of course, maybe a stylish (chic, smart) version with silk or a dress version why not.

Hooray! There is currently a Christmas happening in the shop, 20% off ALL patterns

which includes PAPER & PDF formats, so there's no stopping you from picking up those 

patterns you've been eyeing off! 

Sale ends 22nd December 2013 so get shopping quick smart!

** FYI if you do purchase a paper pattern i will get them in the post ASAP but it is Christmas

time so please expect delays and that it most probably wont make it to you before Christmas

day, so please keep this in mind OR order a PDF version of the pattern and receive ASAP in

your inbox :)

Abby

xxx

Mae blouse class at The Handmakers Factory!

Calling all sewists here in Melbourne!

I am totally stoked to tell you all  that in the fast approaching new year ( how scary is that?!)  i will be teaching a sewing class at the awesome  Handmakers factory here in old Melbourne town.  I will be teaching you how to sew up your very own gorgeous Mae blouse , which i might add has been the  most popular sewing pattern out of the lot since its release! 

'Mae is a romantic 1940's inspired blouse. Featuring a flattering scalloped front neckline design, kimono sleeves and fitted front and back waist darts for a flattering feminine figure. A button down back finishes off this lovely blouse. Mae is able to be worn tucked in or out and is ready to take you from day to night. A versatile and easily adaptable blouse that is wearable in all seasons and suits a variety of different fabrics.' 

I have been super  excited planning the class with the lovely Nichola from the Handmakers factory and we have cooked up a class that will be a ball! The sewing class will be a two day event spanning from 10am-4pm on  1st March  and  2nd March 2014. Two glorious days filled with sewing  and hanging out with me ( I promise I'm fun!) in The Handmakers Factory fancy studio! Not only that, you will leave the class with your  sewn by you Mae blouse that you will be  proud of, fits perfectly and will totally  make all your friends jealous, ha!  You will also have all the sewing, fitting/pattern alterations understanding and  skills to keep on sewing Mae blouse's till your sewing machine explodes once you get home! 

The Mae blouse is the perfect beginners pattern to sew  as well as looking amazingly gorgeous, just check out all these divine Mae blouse's below for some inspiration, as well  as a   whole bunch more on the Flickr group.

In this class you will learn the following, which will be split over the 2 days:

-How to trace your pattern from the pattern sheet

-How to take your own measurements and choose the appropriate size ( And complete a FBA/SBA if needed)

-How to make a muslin

-How to lay out your pattern and cut your fabric

-How to sew your garment together

-How to create and sew the perfect scalloped neckline

-How to insert buttonholes on your machine

-How to hand stitch buttons onto your blouse

-Hem the blouse

Participants will need to bring the following on the 2 days:

-The Mae blouse sewing pattern*

-Sewing machine 

-You can bring an overlocker if you like although we do have a couple in the studio

-Sewing tools (i.e. pins, scissors, thread, chalk, quick-un-pick etc)

-Fabric and matching thread for the project, as per the pattern instructions

-Calico or a cheaper fabric similar to the actual main fabric you'll be using. This is for your muslin.

-Tracing paper, pencil and ruler

-Lunch

A cutting out table, space for sewing machines and an ironing board plus iron are all provided in the studio.

*Pick up a copy of the Mae pattern  either PAPER or PDF version on the website or you can purchase a copy of the paper pattern at the class on the day. 

 So quick sticks, places are limited so book your spot ASAP people. This Mae sewing class  is going to be the place to be on the 1st and 2nd of  March 2014! You can find out all the finer details, HERE as well book in your spot.

***Just a quick FYI about sewing skill level for the class. You must be somewhat confident and have some  recent experience using a sewing machine to attend this class.

I am so excited to be teaching this pattern in a real person class and hopefully meeting a few of you face to face, so i hope you can join me!


Abby
x

The Mae blouse is now available as a PDF PATTERN!

I was so excited to share with you yesterday,  that the Stella blouse  is  available now as a PDF pattern and now i have some even more exciting news for y'all! The Mae blouse is also now available as a PDF pattern, Woohoo! They are both super easy to download, because they're both quite small patterns. And you will receive your pattern  via email ASAP, so you can started sewing super quick. I have also updated the price on these two PDF patterns, so they are a heap more budget friendly for y'all as well.

The Billie Jean dress and Peggy skirt will converted to PDF pattern in the coming weeks, and i will also be offering a copy shop print out option for all patterns as well.

So head on over to the website or Etsy and download your Stella or Mae PDF patterns now!

For the peeps that aren't into PDF patterns all the patterns are still ( and always will be) available as pretty paper patterns. 

Enjoy!
Abby
x