Double Kwik Sew

Yes another Sewing Double post prompted by the Monthly Stitch challenge. And two posts in two days – will the wonders never cease?

This Kwik Sew pattern, KS2627, is now my TNT shift dress pattern.  I have made two dresses and one top from it so far. And yes, it is so far – there will be more.

This is my first (and favourite) version.

It is navy cotton (made here in Thailand) with a textured self-stripe and a white woven border in a traditional(ish) motif.

Now if you’ve visited this blog before you will know (since I’m often moaning about it) just how hot it can be and so I am always looking for cool and comfortable. I am also not averse to a quick and simple sew and this Kwik Sew lives up the name. Oh and it’s free. What’s not to like.

I sorted out the admittedly minimal adjustments in my wearable muslin.

 Which, yes I know, is a top. I almost always make a top first to sort out the fitting before making a dress. I HATE making muslins unless they are of the wearable variety. This also allows me to actually wear the muslin and see how it performs rather than being ok for 5 minutes in front of a mirror. I didn’t actually need many adjustments once I used the correct pattern sizes. (Although that wasn’t nearly as simple as it sounds. You can read more about that here.)

For my second version I made a couple of design changes. Probably one too many to be honest.

I rotated the bust darts to the shoulder and made a square neck. But it seems that both of these can result in a little more room across the upper chest so both together was maybe not such a good idea. Or maybe both together when you don’t actually know what you’re doing isn’t such a great idea. You can read more about that here.

Having said that, this dress is in high rotation. It is wonderfully cool, doesn’t crease during wear and only needs a very quick press touch of the iron. Did anyone else call this ‘pressing’ before they began to sew? Seriously, in our house a quick press meant it didn’t mean much ironing.

As I’ve said before, I really like simple designs as I hate fidgeting with clothes. Don’t like worrying about where/how they’re sitting. Don’t like fitted just about anything, hate belts/ties/etc. Ok, I’m sure you get the picture. So this pattern is great for both tops and dresses that are cool, comfortable and easy to wear. I have already drafted tulip sleeves for it and plan to start that version very soon.

I’d also like to draft kimono sleeves on to it. Can anyone point me in the direction of a good tutorial for this?

Double Sewing Double:Two dresses & two tops

So I’ve joined the Monthly Stitch and this month’s challenge is Sewing Double. And I just so happen to have finished a second version of V8805.

You can read more about that here.

And this is my first version which was made in November.

You can read more about that here.

But that’s not all folks… I have also made a blouse and tunic version of this very versatile pattern.

And I’m not finished with it either. I have several more ideas buzzing around, especially for blouses. Oh and maybe dresses too…

What about you? Have you been sewing double? Do tell…

Happy New Year

or Sawadee Pee Mai as we say here. Yes, it really is new year or Songkran  as we call it here. It is several days (depending on your stamina) of mayhem, madness and fun. It involves lots of water, and food and drink.

Besides the traditional water throwing there are usually lots of other social gatherings as many Thais who live in other places come home to celebrate. So I decided I wanted something a-little-bit-but-not-too-much Thai to wear.

V8805

I used V8805 (again) but with only one lower bodice piece. I also used some of my gorgeous mudmee (ikat) fabric, which is handwoven here in Lampang. You can buy some here.

French seams

Since I had made this pattern before, it came together really quickly and easily. Unfortunately this fabric frays when you look at it so I tried to be really careful and staystitched everything immediately. I also used french seams throughout.

me made bias binding

And made my own bias binding. Not an easy task in this fabric but well worth the effort, I think.

Not much more to say really. I wore it out on Friday night and it was everything I hoped it would be: cool and comfortable.

Mudmee V8805

This shows the colours most accurately.

So that was a relatively quick and very satisfying make, which I’m sure will get lots of wear. I also just realised that it also fits the Monthly Stitch Sewing Double challenge and the Sewcialists  #pinkapril too. Now that’s a winning combination.

Are you doing any double sewing? or pink sewing? or both?