Category Archives: Clothes

Easy pattern rating? Kiss my behind Butterick B5353

  By Deby Coles | May 12, 2013 - 6:00 am | , , ,
17 Comments

I had desired this dress from afar for a long long time – the Butterick B5353.  The model looks so cool, sophisticated…and the dress so slimming and flattering.  I felt as my sewing skills had come on some way in these last few months that it was time to tackle this pattern that had been sitting in my stash. The pattern rating is easy – yay – should have this done in no time.  I also threw a little caution to the wind. EVERY SINGLE pattern I have made up to date I have made according to the pattern envelope … Continue reading →

Knit crossover top from Lekala patterns

  By Deby Coles | May 7, 2013 - 6:00 am | , , , ,
13 Comments

Has anyone out there ever bought a pattern from Lekala patterns?  Nicole Lekala has a range of 386 patterns on her Craftsy page at the time of writing and is often adding more.  But what makes Lekala patterns unique is the promise to draft you a completely personalised pattern based on your own measurements.  This was too good an offer to pass up on so I thought I would give it a try. I picked this pattern to try out - obviously because it was free so there was nothing to lose!  Its a cross-over front top with long sleeves designed for … Continue reading →

The Summer Drape Top hits the web…

  By Deby Coles | May 5, 2013 - 9:05 am | , ,
2 Comments

I am delighted today to share a version of the Summer Drape Top from Hannah at Hugs and Kisses.  Hannah was quick off the mark and this is the first one I’ve seen published.   Love that pretty butterfly fabric and I’m so glad she gave it a try despite being a little reluctant to use knit fabrics.  Thank you so much for the positive review and for posting your creation online – its a great success. Not only is it really easy and very enjoyable to sew up, but it is also SUPER cute and makes the perfect top … Continue reading →

Free sewing pattern – Summer Drape Top

  By Deby Coles | May 1, 2013 - 11:00 pm | , , , , ,
44 Comments

The latest release in my range of free sewing patterns and tutorials – the Summer Drape Top.   Designed for softly draping knit fabrics, this blouse is easy to make, flattering, cool and strappy, with tummy covering draping and a rounded hemline in the front.  And I’ve made it with wide enough straps that you should be able to wear a bra with only minimal straps peaking through at the back.  Or don’t wear a bra and let it all hang out this summer! The Summer Drape Top comes in a one-size fits most design.  The pattern is free to download and can … Continue reading →

What the hell is THIS ? (Burda 113 06/2012)

  By Deby Coles | April 30, 2013 - 7:00 am | , , ,
31 Comments

I was naughty and it was therefore my own fault that I got caught.  There is no one else to blame but me and karma came my way and kicked me in the ass.  I stole.  Plain and simple.  And I won’t do it again – promise. It’s just that I wanted to sew a nice dress, and I didn’t have the right pattern.  Burda magazine isn’t available here (although I have now signed up for an international subscription), and my fabric shop doesn’t sell patterns apart from a few things for kids.  And I had this fabric just calling out to … Continue reading →

Such a Saucy Pencil Skirt !

  By Deby Coles | April 22, 2013 - 6:00 am | , ,
26 Comments

Sometimes a piece of fabric just calls out to be made into a certain garment.  And at the sewing shop this week, I came across a roll I hadn’t seen before.  There wasn’t much left on it, but the fabric was so unusual, and so perfect for what I had in mind, that the whole length came home with me. I have really been so delighted with my progress on the Sewing with Knits course, that I am skipping out from the scheduled projects to try a few more knit projects of my own, now at last I know how … Continue reading →