Hello, I’m Sue AKA Sewsuehandmade on Instagram and this is my first blog post for The Sewcial Studio.
While I was away for the weekend in Paris I received a message from Amanda asking me if I would like to do a blog post for her, to say I was excited is an understatement.! ( think we said we were both happy dancing in PJ’s!)? A couple of weeks later I planned my visit to The Sewcial Studio. I really was surprised just how close it is to Birmingham literally 2 minutes off the M42 motorway J10, and only 12 minutes by train from Birmingham New St.
I was made to feel so welcome by Amanda, and her lovely customers who were doing a quilting workshop at the time. I was quite overwhelmed by the vibe at the studio, it felt like you were in your home sewing space surrounded by amazing fabric, notions, patterns, plenty of tea/coffee and cake, and lovely friendly folk……perfect!
Seriously, there is so much fabric to choose from (plus coffee to drink and cake to eat? )
As I had a dress in mind for the blog, I was immediately drawn to the viscose/rayon’s. After a lot of fabric stroking, I eventually chose this beautiful Wild Thing teal and black peachskin crepe fabric.
The drape is amazing and will work well with my chosen pattern …Tilly and the Buttons Indigo Dress.
I made a quick toile of the size 10 just to check if I needed to do a Full Bust Adjustment, I felt I didn’t need to as there is quite a bit of ease in the pattern. So I cut out a size 10, a size 9 around the neckline as I am quite narrow there. I was undecided which version to sew; I really like the frill version but was worried I would see the wrong side of the fabric too much as it is a bit lighter than the right so decided to go without the frill but with the flounce sleeves.
This is the first time I have sewn with Peachskin and was a little worried about the fabric been quite slippery to cut out and work with but it’s totally the opposite, its an absolute dream to work with, and it doesn’t crease!!!!! When I have worked with fine drapey fabrics like viscose/rayon in the past I have found them to snag at the seams where I have sewn, and especially when over-locked……does anyone else have this problem or is it just me? Amanda advised and gave me a pack of Prym microtex needles; she explained that they are great for densely woven fabrics even if they are super-fine fabrics, as the needle has a sleek, sharp tip, therefore easily sews the fabric without harming any of the fibres. ?? Yay, no more snagging!!!!
I pre-washed the fabric on a 30 degree setting. It washed beautifully, no fraying and didn’t crease at all ! I did used a mid heat temperature setting on my iron to press during the sewing process and found it does need a little longer to press than normal…but with minimal creases its hardly an issue.
The bodice went together really easily (no zips!!) with bust darts, stay-stitching and facing at the neckline. The sleeves are slightly gathered at the shoulder and I love the flounce ohh that flounce, even although I know I will catch them several times on several door handles. Ha!
The skirt is gathered at the waist and yeah the obligatory pockets!!!
I am so pleased with my fabric choice. It works really well with the pattern and a great opportunity to work with a new fabric. I will definitely choose peach skin fabric again and can see myself making lots more dresses with it. It would be perfect for blouses too.
I’m so excited to wear my new Indigo dress, she is currently taking pride of place on my dress form aka Dolly J