Fabric storage

After buying some fabric last week I spent the weekend updating my fabric log so thought I would take some photos and share with you how I log and store my fabric.

I start by making a note of the fabric size (selvedge width and metres I have)
I lay the fabric out on the floor folded in half (selvedge to selvedge, right sides together)

laying the fabric flat for measuring

I then fold the fabric around a piece of plastic. These are pieces I have pre-cut to the size of both my fabric shelf and fabric boxes. I know other sewers use comic boards which you can buy from various places. I use the plastic as I can get it free from where I work and can cut it to several different sizes depending on what I need.
I put the plastic in the centre and fold each long side in.

plastic section in the centre of the fabric

fabric folded in on each side

Once both sides are folded in I then fold the fabric along the length of the plastic (short end) until I end up with a rectangle of fabric.

folding along the length

Once folded I put the fabric into a bag (if it is going on the shelf or is delicate) otherwise I just secure the end using either a pin or magic tape.
I then add a number to the fabric (or bag) using a piece of magic tape.
The number on the fabric corresponds to the fabric log binder that I have which holds all the information relevant to that fabric.

bagged and numbered

The fabric then either gets put onto my fabric shelf or into one of my fabric boxes (which I seem to be outgrowing)

these are the boxes

This is an old photo of the shelf - there is a lot more on here now

 The log I have is just in an A4 2 ring binder. I use a sheet by Sew Weekly blog
I have a sheet per fabric type and then just add a sample and all the information I need to use said fabric. I add the numbers so that if I pull a fabric and have several of a similar weight and colour I know which one to refer to in the log.

fabric log sheet

close up showing the information I log

I have a small Filofax that I use index cards in that has a simplified version of the information that I take with me when I go fabric shopping so that I can refer to what I already have or match up a fabric to one I already own.
I also use evernote to log all my fabric so that if I am out and have an impromptu visit to a fabric shop I can still see what I have

I am going to be doing a spreadsheet so that I have an electronic tracking system, this will include photos of the fabrics and also photos of anything I have made from each fabric so that I can keep track of past fabric/project combinations but have not done this yet.

I also use this method to log all of my lace and trims just using smaller pieces of plastic

I hope this has been of some use for those of you trying to organise your fabric.
I will do further post on how I use evernote and when I get around to doing the spreadsheet.

Review of Simplicity 2017

Back in June of 2012 I decided to make myself a new dress ready for a christening I was attending  - view the post here.



In this post I am going to review the pattern - this is my opinion only.

The fabric I used was one that I picked up at one of the sewing shows held at Shepton Mallet. I saw the fabric and knew I had to purchase some even though at the time I didn't know what I would use it for. As soon as I purchased Simplicity 2017 I knew I had a use for my fabric.

I made a mock up first as I have such an unusual body measurements but it was nearly perfect as was. The one thing I did make sure that I had correct was the height adjustment. The last dress that I made I forgot this stage so at the end I had to just hem it to the correct length which meant that the body of the dress didn't fit correctly.

I'm not sure what the exact fabric I used was but it was some type of polyester satin. As it was quite a thick material I actually skipped the stage in the instructions where it called for interfacing to be added as I thought it would just make the dress too thick.

Being a patterned fabric I made two patterns for each piece and then cut the fabric as one layer with the pattern side up so that I could see where I was placing the motifs. I wasn't overly concerned about the pattern matching at the seams just wanted to ensure there were no big motifs in certain areas (like the bust point)

I had to alter the pattern pieces slightly around the waist area, this was done before making copies.
Once I had cut the fabric the dress went together like a dream, the instructions are easy and straight forward to understand. The only slight letdown in the instructions was the section on gathering - if you haven't done this before then you may need further guidance from a book or video, etc.
I left off the ties as I didn't want the dress to be pulled in at the back but this is down to preference.

Rather than using my nice patterned fabric as a facing - the dress is faced with the same fabric as the outer  - I used one of my normal lining fabrics. Again my fabric was pretty thick so this was more to finish the edges of the dress. In hindsight when I make the dress again I will ensure the lining is the same colour as the outer as you can sometimes catch glimpses of it, especially under the arms.

I decided to add a lace trim rather than rickrac as I thought it would suit the type of fabric better. I purchased a coffee coloured lace with one scalloped edge. I then used the straight edge of the lace to follow the lines of the dress and hand stitched it into place using a coffee coloured thread. This part took me longer to do than the whole of the rest of the dress but it was worth it.
I didn't add any lace to the hem of the dress as I wanted the pattern to be the main focus at the hem.
I wasn't sure on the length but ended up going for just below the knee but am still unsure and may raise this to just above the knee.
I also had to add an underskirt when wearing the dress as the fabric I chose is clingy.

I am planning on making a few more of these dresses in cotton for the summer and would recommend it to anyone both experienced and new dressmakers alike.

Back view of dress

Close up detail of the lace trim.

Follow

Making something for myself.

I have finally caught up with all my waiting family alterations - thanks to the extended bank holiday.
I did also spend one of the days baking cakes and Viennese fingers which went down well with the family.

Once I had finished all the alterations I cut out the muslin to make a mock up of the dress I am making for myself.
I didn't actually get chance to sew it together until yesterday due to the extended bank holiday meaning we were extra busy at my day job as we were closed 2 extra days.

The dress I am making is this simplicity pattern and I plan to make it in this fabric.

Sewing the muslin together was quick and easy - except when I had the pieces wrong sides together so had to unpick and re-sew. After that everything went together really quickly.
I was pleasantly surprised when I put the dress on to find that the fit was nearly perfect. I say nearly as I have such a small waist measurement compared to hips that everything needs some type of alteration. (my waist measures 32inches, my hips 45inches)

I have got to take each side seam in by about 2 inches from just under the waist to the underarm.

I will add pictures of the mock up when I have them on the PC  and also post updates as the dress progresses.

I have also finished my 1st ever quilt so will be adding a new post about that in the next week.              
                                                          Follow

How to make your own jewellery roll.

I spent ages searching the web for a suitable pattern for a jewellery roll but couldn't find anything for my needs so I decided to make my own and share it with everyone.

Back decorated section

Inner section with pockets

Jewellery roll when wrapped and tied closed.




PDF download of jewellery roll instructions.

Whilst I am happy for people to use these instructions to make jewellery rolls please do not copy or sell the instructions. Please point people here to my blog.

These instructions are for making for personal use only

                                                                            Follow