Elena Cresci

Tag Archive for sewing

Like riding a bike…

December 29, 2010 Blog No comments

I thought I’d taken a picture of the sewing station IN ACTION. But it’s nowhere to be seen. Sleeping kitty shall have to do.

It’s been an absolute age since I whipped up a garment. For that matter, it’s been an absolute age since I rode a bike…

I thought it appropriate to return to an old favourite, sewing up another rendition of my very first project using a pattern, the Marie skirt from Burdastyle. Naturally, me being me, there have been a fair few stumbling blocks on the way :

I’ve lost my lovely sharp scissors! Catastrophe!! Where on earth did they run away to? The sewing gremlin is my prime suspect.
I’ve lost the ability to sew in a straight line. Everything’s looking a bit wonky right now. I’ve deferred to the ‘just hope they won’t look to closely’ attitude…
Things were trundling along fairly well… until I realised that I’d forgotten to buy a zipper. D’oh.
There are some… interesting angles going on in the hem department right now. Future Len can deal with that, once the zipper situation is solved!

All in all… compared to when I last sewed up this project, there are far fewer teething problems, which is to be expected! Hurrah for the wisdom of experience.

I haven’t made the zipper problem any easier for myself – I’m adamant that I want an exposed zipper on this skirt, and by golly if this has to languish on top of my sewing machine until I find a suitable one, THEN SO BE IT.

Charity Fashion Show!

December 18, 2010 Blog No comments

Back in November, I had the chance to be part of something really exciting. My friend’s boss, Ceri Davies, is raising money for The Stroke Association by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. As a part of her fundraising, she organised a fashion show and asked me to be a part of it!

The show included pieces from local Cardiff-based boutiques Seren, Looby Loos, Rouge and Ushi, as well as pieces from Ceri’s own collection, named Errol’s Muse. It was an honour to have my work shown alongside professional boutiques and Ceri’s amazing pieces!

But of course, I could hardly do it alone! I’m lucky to have some very lovely ladies as friends who were willing to help me out! Big thanks to Karina, Justina, Claire and Leonie, who all looked amazing! We all got properly pampered, with our hair and makeup done by professionals. Vintage was certainly the overall theme for the show, with some of the boutiques showcasing vintage pieces, and this was reflected in the hair and makeup, with loose curls, red lips and lashing of eyeliner being the uniform of the evening.

I even went for a vintage feel with the music, choosing some Puppini Sisters for us to strut down the catwalk to!

All in all, it was an awesome experience; while I didn’t begin sewing to pursue a career as a designer, there was a certain buzz to seeing my creations on show. It really gave me an incentive to try and get my sewing back on track. But above all, I helped Ceri out in raising money for her cause.

If you want to sponsor Ceri’s mammoth trek up Kilamanjaro, then please do head to her JustGiving page!

Also, big thanks to Leah Tew for letting me steal the lovely photos she took – check out her website here.

Holy moly it’s next week

August 27, 2010 Blog No comments

September is nearly here! We all know what that means… Self-Stitched September is just around the corner!

My sewing activity of late has been mostly on the refashioning side – I haven’t posted about them, because they’ll obviously feature a lot in the Self-Stitched September posts. I’m looking forward to the challenge, but I’ve hit a few snags.

For various reasons, I didn’t get the basics I’d hoped done in time, so my wardrobe is fairly limited in this sense. I’ve been whirring the old cogs as fast as I can to try and figure out a way I can stay true to the ethos of the pledge while being able to maintain an interesting set of outfits.

So as you guys may have seen from previous posts, I’m a bit of a fan of the old charity shop, mainly to buy things to alter and refashion. However, if I find something good in a charity shop that fits well, more often than not it’ll become a wardrobe staple. In fact, I’ve noticed that I wear a lot in the way of hand-me-downs. So, I’m going to alter my pledge somewhat.

‘I, Len of Can’t Say Strawberry sign up as a participant of Self-Stitched-September. I endeavour to wear only handmade, refashioned and second-hand items of clothing every day for the duration of September 2010′.

Basically, anything second hand goes, whether refashioned or not. I hope you guys don’t think I’m being too much of a cop out on this front, but it’s the best way I can think of to maintain the pledge with the lack of self-sewn basics that I have, especially as my job requires me to wear black and white, which I sew surprisingly little of!

Pre-loved clothing is sometimes the best kind, don’t you think? Furthermore, if I do buy clothing as part of the pledge, it all has to come from a charity shop – so my money’s going to an excellent cause as well.

Interestingly, this means that, while my plan was initially to keep Sportswear out of the pledge, ironically, some of it fits in to the new pledge! My gi (the suit that you wear in Karate) bottoms are hand-me-downs from when my brother did Judo, and the black trousers and black t-shirt I have for informal classes are also hand-me-downs from the brief time my brother did Karate! Interesting how these things turn out, no?

My only snag now is a coat! What with the atrocious August weather we’re having here in Wales, I have a feeling I’m certainly going to be needing one.

Thank goodness for Gertie’s Lady Grey sewalong! While I won’t have a me-made coat for the entirety of September, at least I can ensure I’ll be snug and cozy in my own by October! I’ll be sure to post my plans for my Lady Grey in due course.

How are everyone else’s preparations for Self-Stitched September going?

Summer Essentials Items #2 and #3 (and a half)

August 17, 2010 Blog 6 comments

So… we’re midway through August and I’ve only just got around to posting these babies! I apologise for the delay, mine and Martha’s schedules are fairly hectic! We were only able to shoot two outfits in the end due to time restrictions.

Summer Essentials Item #2 comes courtesy of the super cute Port Elizabeth Top pattern from Goldfinch and Eagle. It was very easy to make, and I’ve had a lot of wear out of it since I finished. I’m already planning another in a cream lace fabric!

As soon as I spotted this blue gingham fabric, I knew that it would make a lovely Port Elizabeth top, especially as Sarah also used a similar fabric! I’m loving the nautical vibe, and am yearning for a red Beignet to become its partner.

Summer Essentials item #3 is a creation from a vintage pattern that I bought from midvalecottage on Etsy – there are some wonderful vintage patterns on sale here, go check it out! I’ve wanted a pair of high-waisted polka dot culottes for months now, and this was the best pattern I found for the job! In vintage sizing, I’m a 16, so this also meant my first foray into the world of resizing! Unfortunately this involved Maths… it’s been a very long time since I last did Maths. Never did I think that the day would come when I would VOLUNTARILY sit down and do some number crunching.

Despite the Maths, I’m quite proud of the result. They’re made from a cotton fabric, which is probably more suited to quilting than to clothing, but I’m going to ignore that because the pattern is fab. Also, I think the stiffness of the fabric gives a nice effect on the pleating. However, I would like to make some out of a fabric with some more drape at some point in the future.

…I also have a confession to make. I cut a major corner when I made these shorts. Oh Sewing Gods, forgive me… but I used WONDERWEB for the hem! It was a moment of weakness, I assure you! It doesn’t look too bad, but I think I much prefer the results of slipstitching a hem in place. Lesson learnt!

Can you tell that I’m totally living the dream here? Despite being a petite 5”3, Martha has succeeded in making me look like a GIANT. This pleases me.

As for the half Summer Essential item mentioned in the title – that would be the black strapless top I’m sporting with my shorts. It’s from the wonderful Afternoon Tea Top by Ichigogirl. I made it from a jersey remnant I had lying about. It was a bit of a rushed job, and I’m still getting used to working with jersey – it’s more difficult that I’d anticipated!

With that in mind, I shall leave you with a photo of me laughing like a hyena.

Please do head over to the Summer Essentials Flickr Group – people have made some amazing garments in the course of this challenge!

Refashionista

August 10, 2010 Blog No comments

With my return to the U.K comes my return to charity shops – I lamented the lack of them in Germany (I counted one expensive Oxfam in Dortmund) and rejoice to be back in a country where it’s not uncommon for a small village’s town centre to be comprised mainly of charity shops.

Lately I’ve been looking mainly for things that are black and white – i.e things that can double as a work uniform in September as well as something to wear just generally. I found this beauty of a pleated granny skirt today; I know you want to bask in all its ankle length glory! Bask away! As of yet, I’m not sure if I want to keep the pleats, partly because I’m actually making a black pleated skirt as we speak, but also because it was the buttons that drew me to this skirt. I was highly tempted to take some comedy pictures of me wearing this skirt, but I’m currently sat with Henna on my head and a facemask plastering my face… this isn’t something that the world needs to see!

This dress really reminds me of the Uniform Project’s LBD for Year 1– simple and chic. As it’s from a petite range, the only alteration needed is to take it in at the sides, and bingo! I’ll be pairing this with colourful tights I think. Isn’t the top stitched cross detail adorable?

Finally, I have an actual sewing project to show you! Anyone remember the shirt that I paired my Roses are Red Cynthia Rowley skirt with? Here’s a refresher if you don’t :

While it looked utterly fabulous on my dearly departed mannequin Sally, it was pretty ugly and shapeless on me. This was mostly because it was a size 12, but also I don’t seem to get along very well with long sleeved shirts.

I’ll be sure to get some photos of this paired with the black pleated skirt I’m cracking out at the moment. After removing the collar and the sleeves, I took the shirt in at the sides and cut a new neckline using a vintage shirt pattern I have in my stash, created a simple facing to make a collarless neckline and then cut the sleeves to a cute cap sleeve. Not too shabby! Also means that I have a shirt to wear in September, hurrah!

Coincidentally, BurdaStyle just posted an awesome gingham dress – check me out, following the trend! Anyone else tempted to make up the same dress?

Sew along with me…

July 27, 2010 Blog No comments

I’m incredibly late to the party by posting about The Uniform Project, but it deserves to have a lot of attention drawn to it.

Uniform Project Picture Book from The Uniform Project on Vimeo.

On May 1st 2009, Sheena Matheiken pledged to wear one dress for 365 days in aid of the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots charity which raises money to fund the education of children who cannot afford it. This ended on April 31st, 2010 and you can see a compilation of Sheena’s outfits in the video above. Sheena raised a whopping $104,263, which amounts to 289 kids in school! Go Sheena!

Ali over at Wardrobe Reimagined wrote a post the other day about how the Internet has aided her sewing (check it out!) and reminded me of this wonderful campaign. Not only does it have an amazing aim, but it’s also an interesting exercise in sustainability. The outfits that Sheena came up with over the course of 365 are creative and unique, and all include that one little black dress.

The dress itself was designed by Eliza Starbuck as a versatile piece that can be worn backwards or forwards, thus lending itself to endless interpretations. On June 29th, the dress itself was made available to buy – but they didn’t stop there. Not only can you buy a ready-made Uniform Project dress, you can also buy the pattern and the fabric to make your very own LBD! Better still, 10% of the sales go directly to Akansha.

With Self-Stitched September just over a month away, I thought that this could be an interesting project to undertake in preparation, particularly as I just got a job where the uniform is anything that is black or white! Not to mention that such a versatile item would be so very useful when September rolls around!

I’m sure I’m not the only one interested in making my own Uniform Project LBD…

So readers, I ask you : who would be game for a Uniform Project Sewalong? I’m thinking sometime towards the end of August, so that those of us participating in the Summer Essentials sewalong (incidentally, I just completed project number 4… I’m really behind on photographing my items!) can wrap that up and have a dress ready for Self-Stitched September! EDIT: After a bit of a rethink, September is probably more likely for this one!

My plan as it stands is to purchase the pattern and then source my own fabric – while $50 is (in my opinion) pretty reasonable for pattern and fabric, I can’t quite afford the shipping for the fabric as well. I just checked, and it seems the pattern and fabric option is currently sold out, so I’ll have to source my own fabric anyway! My plan at any rate is to donate 10% of the amount my fabric comes to directly to Akansha.

So who’s with me?

Two birds with one stone

July 12, 2010 Blog No comments

I’m currently translating the instructions of this top from Burda Mag’s 02/10 issue, listening to trashy German music as I go, dealing with both my German and sewing needs in one fell swoop!

Multi-tasking at its best, or a sad way to spend a Monday evening? Who cares? What’s your best multi-tasking moment?

Holy moly!

July 8, 2010 Blog 4 comments

Is that my dress on the front page of BurdaStyle? IT IS??

AWESOME.

Needless to say, I’m super excited – this is the first time I’ve ever been featured on BurdaStyle’s front page!

Despite the lack of posting of late, I’m still alive! My computer died (AGAIN) so it’s been a little difficult to get things written when you’re using the family computer.

I have completed my second Essentials item and embarking on my third, so keep your eyes peeled for photos of those babies. In the meantime, why not check out these beauties from the Summer Essentials Flickr group?

I love Angie from Sew I Thought’s take on these Summer shorts created from a vintage trouser pattern – the scalloped hem is what makes this piece really unique!

Tilly of Tilly and the Buttons has whipped up what may be my favourite rendition of Collette Patterns’ Beignet skirt to date. She’s clearly got quite the eye for colour, I would never have thought to pair up the bright blue of the denim with the amber-yellow buttons and belt.

I love this skirt from Ali over at Wardrobe Reimagined. Block colour skirts are so handy to have (I should take note, I get swept away by pretty patterns far too often) and this one is a knockout!

Last but certainly not least is Sølvi at Delfinelise with this stunning rendition of another Colette Patterns favourite, Ceylon. The combination of the peachy coloured fabric and the black piping make for one dress that just oozes chic, charm and style!

Be sure to head on over to the Summer Essentials’ Sewalong Flickr Group and check out what the participants have to offer!

The Summer Ball Dress

July 1, 2010 Blog 6 comments

Let me tell you : toddling around Ogmore Castle in those heels is no laughing matter… well, it is if you’re watching me do it but that’s beside the point…

This was the last ever project to come from good old Viktoria the German sewing machine! This year at the Summer Ball I wanted to make sure I made my dress myself. I knew that I wanted it to be based from a vintage pattern, but I was pretty fussy on what I wanted. Every day I kept changing my mind! In the end, I settled on the Butterick reissue 4792:

But alas! Monetary difficulties struck! My last month in Germany was pretty tight on the cash front, so I turned to my stash for help… and most certainly didn’t have enough for the full skirt on the original. So I opted to add a different skirt from this vintage pattern (which I bought from the wonderful ZipZapKap)

There were a few hairy moments along the way where I thought that there was no way I was going to get this to work. Like, argh the bodice looks awful! And eek should I have gone for View no. 2? But in the end it came together.

The neckline on this dress is so awesome, I may have to co-opt it into some sort of blouse version for everyday wear. I also made a belt with a fun belt buckle found on Etsy!

The leopard print heels I wore were so epic that I just had to get a matching umbrella, which naturally was used due to the menacing Swansea rain clouds!

The first two photos are by the wonderful Martha!

Summer Essentials Item No. 1 : FERTIG!

June 30, 2010 Blog No comments

Hurrah! After much technical difficulties the photos are here! As I mentioned way back, my first Summer Essentials project was Simplicity 2591 in a velvet flocked fabric.

Shortly after finishing this dress, myself and my lovely friends Martha and Cora went to Ogmore Castle to do a mini-photoshoot! It was such fun. Countless ANTM jokes were made on my part (“SMIZE CORA SMIZE!”) as well as jokes about changing in the open air (“NOBODY LOOK AT LENNAAAARD!!”), so needless to say my tummy was aching somewhat from all the giggles!

It was an interesting experience actually having my clothes photographed properly. Before now, I’ve gone the whole self timer route before using my dearly departed Sally as a model, so I’ve always envied those who either have one of those fun remote things on their cameras or a willing volunteer to take their photos for them! Furthermore, clothes come alive when they’re on people. They’re meant to be worn, they’re meant to be loved, they’re meant to be used! I particularly enjoyed seeing Cora wear the dress as she climbed all over Ogmore Castle! She also looked pretty damn awesome in the dress.

As for the pattern itself; it was a dream to put together. I initially cut it out in a Size 14 but found upon initially basting it together that a 12 was a far better fit! The way in which the dress is pieced together – with the outside pocket parts forming a part of the bust – really pleases me, I love the way that it hangs. And the pockets! Oh the pockets! I used some scrap cotton as the pocket lining – a tip I picked up from Zoe. It’s also the feature which has been commented on the most; people think that it adds a certain charm to the dress because it kind of peeks out sometimes when you’re sat down in it.

I’m really really proud of how I did with the zipper this time!

So enough about the dress, and more about the fabulous photos by Martha and the fabulous model that is Cora! Here are some others from the shoot :

Fun fact : I can fly!

Sadly I didn’t make the red dress Cora is wearing or the one I’m wearing in the flying (FLYING I TELL YOU) picture, but I’m planning on taking a fair few of my handmade clothes next time so we can catch them in action! I also hope Martha creates a website soon; so go on readers, tell her how lovely the photos are and how we want to see more!

Here’s a photo of the dress on its first ever outing, as I marvel at some gorgeous fabric. Clearly made a mistake not snapping that beauty up!

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