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Category: Sewing 2016
The CT Show | Champagne Twist
Hello,
Here is the first episode of the CT Show!
I finally took the plunge and decided to make a show! Would love to hear your comments :)
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My Great Big Sewing Resolution – Cherry Gingham Dress
Hello,
Have another one for you! I am pleased to introduce to you the Cherry Gingham Dress.
Like the daisy meadow dress, I used the bodice from Simplicity pattern 2444, and self drafted the skirt. Pockets were added in the side seams, and the dress has an invisible zip installed at the back. I have added a red ribbon belt, and finished the arm hole facings with gingham bias binding.
I’m pretty pleased with this dress, the only slight snag, and I’m only saying this because I’m honest, I didn’t match the back skirt seams as well as I should. I didn’t even notice until I gave it’s final pressing. However, the nature of the pattern means that you have to have pretty sharp eyesight, and be purposely looking for it to notice. If you can see it, and your name isn’t Bradley Cooper from the A-Team, you’re too darn close!
Details:
- Fabric: 100% cotton
- Fabric name: Fruit Basket
- Print Pattern: Red cherries with green foliage on a black, grey and white, small gingham check background
- Fabric designer/brand: Robert Kaufman
- Finishing: Armholes competed with black, grey and white mini gingham check bias binding (purchased)
Currently watching NCIS … again … I know I said I wouldn’t, but it’s either that or another back-to-back rewatch of all the Sherlock episodes … again. I have to pace my Sherlock rewatches, otherwise I will be climbing the walls by Autumn.
Also, as much as I adore the Simplicity 2444 pattern, I think it’s time for a change. I fancy making either a pair of trousers, or my first Vogue pattern. Details are on my Instagram account or you can subscribe to my blog to find out more.
What are your sewing plans for the rest of the month? I would love to hear them, please comment below.
Thanks as ever for reading, see you soon 🙂
My Great Big Sewing Resolution – The Zebra Skirt
Hello,
I have wanted to make a wide, horizontal striped skirt for a very long time. I’ve searched on the internet, in fabric shops both here and abroad, but it took a recent trip to IKEA to finally source the wide striped heavy weight cotton fabric I required for my Zebra skirt.
OK so it’s really a wide striped skirt, but that doesn’t sound as exciting! Besides, I had a few minor problems with this little number – where do I begin?…
- I pre treated the fabric, following the laundry instructions to the letter, and an hour later I pulled out the material from the drum, only to find a powder like substance all over it. Turned out, the washing machine needed fixing. ARGH!
- After getting said machine fixed and the 2nd pre wash, negotiating the UK weather to dry the fabric, various political shenanigans and terrorist attacks, my heart wasn’t really into sewing, so the project was left for a few days.
- Got my sewing mojo back, the cutting went well, the pleating worked out first time, and the zip went in perfectly. I worked on the skirt for 4 hours straight, without a break, and raised my head only to see the hour hand approaching 1 o’clock … AM! Made the sensible decision to go to bed, a decision that I regretted at 10.03am.
- 10am, after a refreshing shower, delicious breakfast and an essential cup of tea, I was ready to tackle the skirt. Only, I had forgotten that I didn’t finish the zip ends, then I closed the zip. At 10.03 am a very loud scream was heard far and wide. Fortunately, I was able to reuse an old zip from another project. But the whole thing put me back an hour, unpicking the old zip and having to manoeuvre a large amount of fabric to machine sew in the new zip.
- The waistband was hand finished, and skirt tried on. Oh heck, I’ve lost weight! But quite frankly I couldn’t be bothered to redo the waistband, so will add a couple of hidden pleats and make a it decorative feature … eventually.
So why the zebra name tag? Well, the skirt is black and white, Zebra’s make me smile, and after recent world events, anything that raises a smile can’t be a bad thing. But the most important thing to note is … I’ve lost weight!
Details
Fabric: 100% heavy weight cotton
Brand: IKEA
Pattern: Wide black and white horizontal stripes
Design: Self-designed skirt
Garment: Pleated, knee length skirt, with in-seam pockets and invisible back zip closure
Unusually, I machined finished the hem, because the fabric is very difficult to hand sew, as I discovered when I hand finished the waistband. I’m pleased to say that you really can’t see the machine stitching, so I don’t feel so guilty.
I’m now on a mission to complete my UFOs and wear them before the sunshine disappears. On one dress, I just need to complete Hong Kong seams and hem, so that will be up next.
What do you think of my new skirt? Was have you been sewing recently? If you like this, please click the like button, and subscribe for more news from Champagne Twist.
Thanks for reading, and keep sewing 🙂
Great British Sewing Bee 1 hour challenge – week 7
Yesterday the Great Britsh Sewing Bee ended, and if you didn’t know already, Charlotte won.
I’m still working on my final GBSB challenge, but I thought I should let you know about my week 7 challenge – the Red Cherry Outfit.
Yes, outfit! I set myself a hard challenge of making a self drafted, fully lined skirt, with in seam pockets, and a matching neck tie which doubles up as a hair tie. We don’t do things by halves here at Champers Towers!
Anyway, here it is …
Details:
Skirt:
- Fabric: 100% cotton, red cherry and green leaves on a black background print, by Robert Kaufman
- Pattern: Self drafted design
- Style: Pleated skirt, fully lined with solid red, light weight cotton fabric, with 2 in-seam pockets.
Neck Tie:
- Fabric: Same as above
- Pattern: Same as above
- Style: Straight tie with rounded corners, based on my Ghislaine Chelsea pattern.
The skirt is lined with red cotton (I know, I’m becoming very radical theses days!), and has an invisible zip closure at the back. There are 2 in-seam pockets. I did toy with adding slanted pockets, but I only had 2 metres of fabric and I wanted to make sure I had enough to make a couple of neck ties and a waistband just in case the waist didn’t work out.
Speaking about the waist, this is a very close fitting waist, and luckily the pleats were handled in such a way, I didn’t need to add a waist band, leaving a clean line.
The red cotton was recycled from the lining of a dress I made a couple of years ago, which I never wore. So it’s good that the fabric didn’t go to waste. I added a jumper, and there we have an entire outfit made with less than 2 metres of fabric.
I’m posting regular updates of my final GBSB challenge on Instagram. If you would like to see my updates, please follow and like.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for more information.
As ever, thanks for reading, see you soon 🙂
June Favourites on Champagne Twist
Hello,
Hope you are all feeling well. A special howdy and welcome to all new subscribers to Champagne Twist. I really appreciate your support and hope you will be able to find a comfy place in this corner of the web sphere.
June, well that was a bit of a wash out in London, wasn’t it. There was a time when I was busy trying to save my newly planted potatoes, which the torrential rain was trying it’s best to drown. Picture the scene; me in my converse shoes, wishing I had the sense to wear my wellington boots, bailing out buckets of water from the potato trench, only for double the amount of water to return as soon as my back was turned.
Thankfully, the water drained away the next day, and the potatoes seem to be growing well, but my goodness, that was a hairy time. We are well over due some sunshine.
Anyway, back to nice things – favourites this month were:
The Great British Sewing Bee – From Stitch to Style, by Wendy Gardiner, which I reviewed here. The GBSB final is on later tonight on BBC2, so I will be 1/2 glued to the TV, whilst sewing up something new to mark the end of the series. All will be revealed tomorrow.
I created a drink in the hope to encourage some more sunshine and less rain. Please check out my Elderflower and Pineapple refresher drink recipe here, and let me know if you like it.
Radom Stress Relief: This has been fantastic aid for me, with self inflicted stresses and strains, trying to do too many things at once. I use it twice a day both as a shower gel and a bubble bath and it has greatly helped me to keep calm, while the entire world seems to have gone mad. It was particularly useful during the last couple of weeks living in the UK, but the less said about the referendum, the better. I’ve decided that none of it happened, to keep calm and carry on sewing, painting, photographing, organising, decorating, reading, etc etc.
I’ve also been trying out a new product, the limited edition Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, with Jasmine and Osmanthus. I’m a long term fan of the original version, so wasn’t that fussed about switching. But this edition has a beautiful, floral scent, and has left my skin feeling even more soft and toned than usual. I’m not sure why this is the case, but limited or not, this is now on my permanent skin care list.
Finally, the Simplicity 2444 dress pattern. OK so I’m late to the party with this one. OK, OK, I’m extremely late, I admit it.
I received the pattern free with a magazine eons ago, and it was carefully put away in the stash waiting for the right opportunity to shine. Then Brexit happened (don’t mention the referendum!) and I needed an escape from the wall-to-wall news coverage.
So, the pattern was dug out from the depths of the sewing cupboard and brought to life in this little number, the Daisy Meadow Dress. Now where I’m going to wear a green dress is anyone’s guess, but I will. There must be some garden parties left this year, surely.
What were the highlights of your June? Looking forward to July? Let me know in the comments below. Please like and subscribe if you would like to see more.
Thanks for reading, see you soon 🙂
Half year review – January to June 2016
It’s the beginning of July – I’m not quite sure how that happened so fast. It feels like I’ve only just packed away my Christmas decorations, and I’m still wearing winter clothes. Time to do a half year review.
January
Started my Great Big Sewing Challenge, a year long project to make clothes from my huge haberdashery stash.
Arts and crafts: Silk Cami top,
Recipes: Chocconut Honeycomb, Golden Honeycomb, Focaccia Bread
Events: What is luxury? V&A/Craft Council exhibition
—————
February
In February I started planning for the growing season – including growing my own free food project. Sadly due to the rubbish weather and an army of slugs and snails, some of the plants have died, such as the fennel and dill. But the potatoes and lettuce seem to be doing well, which reminds me – stayed tuned for some recipes featuring my very own garden produce.
Arts and crafts: Bailen top, Liberty Lobelia top, Pineapple skirt
Recipes: Soda Bread, Wholemeal Shortcrust Pastry, Roman Bread
Events: Champers on Kollabora
—————
March
Cakes and treats by Afternoon Crumbs
Proper Corn Popcorn
cupcakes and cookies by afternoon crumbs, for the bloggers’ market #3 Photo credit Champagnetwist.wordpress.com
Storage suitcases by Oliver Bonas for the bloggers’ market #3 Photo credit Champagnetwist.wordpress.com
The Blogger’s Market #3 Photo credit Champagnetwist.wordpress.com
The Bloggers’ Market
The Bloggers’ Market #3
Afternoon Crumbs cupcake
Highlight of the month has to be the Bloggers’ Market, which I reviewed here.
I joined Instagram, and I liked it! Actually, it’s becoming rather an addiction, please visit and subscribe to my Instagram link here.
Sadly, I posted about 2 very poor meals at the Potato Project and the Tea Rooms at the William Morris Gallery. Please avoid, if you value your taste buds.
Recipes: Apple and Celeriac Salad, Bajan Beer Bread, Coconut and Lime drizzle mini loaves
Events: Bloggers’ Market, Champagne Twist on Instagram
—————
April
I set to work on a little project – my first photography exhibition. I also visited the Gagosian Gallery, which was very disappointing.
Events: Avedon Warhol exhibition
—————
May
May was a busy month, marking my very first co-hosted photography exhibition!
Arts and crafts: Henley skirt, Ghislaine Chelsea Hair Tie
Events: Paddington Views Photography Exhibition, Geffrye Museum, Lulu Guinness Modern Day Icons event, Book Review – The Great British Sewing Bee: From Stitch to Style by Wendy Gardiner
—————
June
I revamped the Champagne Twist social network and started the 1 hour GBSB challenge.
Arts and crafts: Birdie Cami, Daisy Meadow Dress
Recipes: Potato, Asparagus and Cheese Tart, Elderflower and Pineapple Refresher
Events: Champagne Twist revamp, GBSB Challenge
—————
What’s planned for the next 6 months:
There will be a 3/4 year review, planned for September, more about my sewing adventures and more recipes, including a … well I shall leave that as a surprise, please watch this space.
I am also developing a vlog, which, fingers crossed, will go live next month. You can see my videos here. I would love it if you would take a look, and leave comments. Don’t forget to subscribe both here and on my YouTube channel, so you’re kept up-to-date with all the latest from the Champagne Twist social network.
Thanks for reading, see you soon!
Great British Sewing Bee 1 hour challenge – week 6
Hello,
Well, it’s been an interesting week in London. I’ve been glued to the news 1 minute and distracting myself from the news with my sewing machine the next. I decided to keep calm and carry on sewing.
As a result, I have created the Daisy Meadow dress. As a person who rarely wears dresses (I’m more of a t-shirt and comfy trousers person), I’m so happy with this dress.
Details:
Pattern: Simplicity 2444 bodice, self designed skirt, with in-seam pockets
Fabric: Daisy Meadow by Michael Miller
Fabric Composition: 100% Cotton
Comments: This is my first green dress. From afar, I will probably look like a walking meadow, but I honestly don’t care, I’m so happy with my new frock. This dress was on the to-do list for months, using a pattern that I purchased years ago. I finally managed to make the famous Simplicity 2444 dress, and I’m pretty chuffed with it.
The dress came together very quickly, it was stitched up within an hour, however I had to order a green zip, hence the delay in completion. I didn’t have to make any adjustments to the bodice, but I did have to draft a new skirt as the fabric wasn’t wide enough.
I also didn’t bother with the arm hole facing pattern, as would like to use the left over fabric for something else. So I used some pre-made bias binding I had in my stash. Yes it’s not green, but the trend this year is to use a surprise lining, and facings are sort of like surprise linings, right?
Anyway, I aim to post some more pictures over the next few days, but over all I really like this pattern – expect to see more soon.
What do you think? Thanks for reading, please don’t forget to subscribe and comment below.
Champagne Twist YouTube Channel Revamp
Hello,
Visit my newly revamped YouTube channel!
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Thanks!
Champagne Twist 
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