Lisa’s Olive Bonbon

Hi there, Hope you’re all keeping well in these strange times. My names Lisa and you can usually find me hanging out and sharing my makes on Instagram @ sewlastminutelisa

This is the first blog I’ve written for you guys here at Sewcial Studio and I am truly honoured to have been asked by Amanda to provide one.  Now, I’ve previously ordered fabrics from Sewcial Studio and have not ever been disappointed when they’ve arrived.  They are all super quality and the choice is amazing. 

Amanda asked me to choose something from the website and let her know which I fancied.  As I always struggle with so much choice (lol!!) I sent over some ideas of different patterns that were on my sew list and asked  her to choose  one and match a fabric,  this added a bit of excitement  to the surprise too, as I knew that I’d be happy with whatever she chose.   Wow, and what a lovely surprise it was too when the fabric arrived. Amanda sent me one of the new stretch satin fabrics in the black colourway. and is also available in a beautiful olive colourway too! The colours are just gorgeous against the background and the fabric has a real luxurious feel with a soft peachy touch, the stretch is just a slight natural ease/stretch that will provide comfort when wearing it. 

 

From my list of patterns, Amanda had said she quite liked the Megan Nielsen Olive Dress so I set about printing and sticking together the pdf pattern.   It all came together fairly quickly. Olive is  quite a relaxed fit with an option of making a top or dress  that has a v-insert detailing in the front. I chose to make the dress option with short sleeves 

I used a Microtex 60/8 needle which are perfect for stitching fine or densely woven fabrics as they prevent snag lines. 

For a satin I also found when it came to pressing, it was just fine and held its crease nicely with a bit of steam and a good old clapper.  Now, when I’m sewing with any sort of fine fabric, I find using a fine pins also helps prevent snags as you’re inserting them into the fabric . I use the Merchant and Mills Entomology pins.The prym super fine are also perfect for the job The only downside to fine pins, are they are so fine you can barely feel them between your fingers and if you stick one in the end of your finger ….well let’s just say it stings like a beast ?

When I first tried on the dress before I hemmed it, I have to say I was annoyed at myself for using such a beautiful fabric on a dress I’d not even toiled first, as I was  unsure that this dress was my even style at all! I don’t know about you, but I’m so easily led with seeing other peoples makes on Instagram and I often feel like I get a case of FOMO and end up making something just because its “popular” and looks good on others. 

This was entirely the case with this pattern!  I opted for a straight size 14, however, I took in the side seams by approximately an extra 0.5 -1 cm.  I may think about sizing down a whole size next time but then that would mean reprinting the pattern? !  Once I’d taken the side seams in I was much happier. although I still felt like it needed a bit of something else for me to be completely happy! 

Then it came to me….a frill. Who doesn’t love a frill and they’re bang on trend at the moment.  I was determined not to waste any of this gorgeous fabric at all. so I set about measuring the remnants to see if I could actually scrabble enough together to get a frill.  Well…. I sure could!  There was just a full width about 9” wide at the bottom.  I cut that then split it into 2 full width strips (these worked out about 11cm deep each) and gathered them.  I took 9cm from the original length of the dress so that the finished garment with added frill would sit just above my knee. As soon as I’d temporarily pinned on the frill and retried the dress on I knew I was going to be so much happier with the fit and the style than I was when I’d first tried it.

The fabric feels so luxurious I wanted this dress to be really special so I decided that I was going to do a rolled hem finish using my over-locker rolled hem and embroidery thread.  Now I don’t know if you’ve tried this but for fine fabrics especially and if you want a really special finish… this is a game changer.  You simply use embroidery threads (I used Madeira 40 embroidery threads) in both the loopers and regular cotton in the right needle.  The first time I used it was when I was trying to match threads for my daughters prom dress rolled hem and couldn’t find exactly what I wanted.  The lady at my local sewing shop showed me the rolled hem using embroidery threads and I managed to get the perfect match…. since then this has definitely been a go to technique, particularly on special garments.

Rather than just do a black hem I decided that I’d pick out one of the colours in the dress and use that to highlight the finish on it.  I went for red and I think it works really well.

I’m really pleased with the way it turned out in the end and I feel a million dollars when I’m wearing it.  The fabric is absolutely divine and is perfect whether you are wanting a “posh” frock for a special occasion or just something to make you feel nice every day!  It would also be nice for a posh pair of PJ’s too.   It’s so soft and lovely against the skin.  The drape is perfect and this fabric would certainly tick a lot of boxes for many garments.

I wore the dress as soon as it was finished and received lots of compliments when I was in Tesco doing my weekly shop lol ?.  Well, you have to wear a new dress straight away don’t you… does it matter if it’s only to go shopping lol?   I reckon this will be my new “go to” dress for both now and in the winter with thick black tights and boots.  I’m already thinking I need the olive colourway for a different style dress!  What do you think?  Is it acceptable to have the same fabric in a different colourway and different style dress?

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading, don’t forget if you want to keep up with what I’m up to you can catch me over on Instagram (@sewlastminutelisa).

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Amanda for having me on here and providing me with such beautiful fabric. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed making this for your blog.

Take care

Lisa xx