Before we break...

Our last session (before our usual 3rd Sat siesta) brought a crop of finished projects, a new member and
the Catford sunshine. Yes, the sun does come to this part of south London!

The long-awaited prom dress, sewn by Vicky, was completed in spectacular style and is a total beauty I'm sure you'll agree! Great fabric and lovely finishing details make this dress simply wonderful for so many occasions. Flattering and feminine, it's a winning pattern.

New Look 6723 - completed by Vicky

(isn't it fabulous?)

Armhole finishing

Alternative view

New Look 6843 may well be the groups' signature pattern as it's been made no less than FIVE TIMES by members. First by Vicky and four times by Marilyn for her holiday in Jamaica. 

Vicky brought in her skirt for it's special photoshoot - lol! Everyone commented on the lovely fabric, which Vicky said was from 'Freedom Fabrics' - a UK company which specialise in 100% cotton fabrics. Check them out, the range is large and rather lovely.  

 New Look 6843 - completed by Vicky

Vicky starting a jersey dress with keyhole neckline,

stay tuned for the magic results!

New member Marianna self-drafts a pair of trousers

The group were joined by new member Marianna who promptly dazzled us with her skills in self-drafting and started on a pair of trousers. And yes, that lovely yellow blouse she's wearing she made herself. The lady's got skills....meeow! We hope to see more of her as the weeks go by.

Next time...Marilyn's denim trousers, Delphina's jersey dress and Marlene's cross-stitch marathon. We'll be back on Saturday 28th April - with a BRAND NEW SEWING MACHINE!

Yes, our funding can now stretch to a sewing machine for anyone who doesn't have one or can't bring one. RK will be popping along to Deptford Sewing Machines next week where Tony will help select the best. All will be revealed in the next thrilling instalment so don't forget to tune in.

Doncha just love this little ole group? Join us! 

Catford South Sewing & Knitting Group is completely FREE of charge, thanks to Lewisham Council. Use it or lose it.

A sewing frenzy

Sewing has now officially taken over from knitting at our group. Where once the clickity-clack of needles could be heard, it's now been replaced with the drone of several electric sewing machines. Lovely!

This week the group drew a new member - Marlene, a local resident who needed a little help in beginning  a blank cross-stitch. Second time someone has wandered in with one of these, thankfully we did have a kind member on-hand to assist. Not always the case. 

And then there were five (p.s. I'm taking the pic)

Vicky continued with New Look 6723, I tackled New Look 6097 and Marilyn (again) completely finished another skirt from New Look 6843. smile

A member kindly helps Marlene begin a blank cross-stitch

New Look 6843 made by Marylin. The perfect summer skirt for afternoon tea.

Marilyn reckons New Look 6843 is dead easy, she's now made two for her upcoming Caribbean holiday. But be warned, the waistband has plenty of ease so worth double checking before you sew it on or you'll end up with a massive skirt!

On New Look 6097, I'm nearly done with this and will post finished pics next week. However, it's not a simple pattern. I would advise anyone having a go to cut and match your notches correctly or the pockets won't lie down when you sewn them to the side seams. Also, it has a faux wrap at the front which you'll need to bring under and sew down. So basically, you'll need to pin it in place while you're wearing it and 'carefully' take it off. The sleeves roll up but the instructions are rubbish, so wing that part. It also has (bear with me, I'm getting to the end) an elasticated waist which needs a casement.
If you can get through these minor hurdles, it's a fabulous dress!

Vicky is adding a cotton lining to the bodice of her New Look 6723. She wasn't going to but changed her mind. We tried to cajole her into adding a little netting underneath for a 50's look (we have a free box load of netting) but she was having none of it - ha! She reckons the pattern is straight-forward and it's certainly looking rather splendid. Pics next week. Promise!
RK may make a muslin from Vicky's pattern and have a go herself - austerity sewing! :)

CHARITY SEWING

OK, so here we have the charity section. If you like the idea of sewing for a worthy cause, read on!

DAYS FOR GIRLS UK
Days for Girls International works to get washable feminine hygiene kits into the hands of those that would otherwise go without. They advocate and partner with NGO's and agencies to teach women and communities to create their own hygiene kits. However, they welcome help and assistance from sewists to make sanitary pads and bags so young girls in developing countries can manage their periods with dignity and go to school. If you'd like to get involved, you can visit their website http://www.daysforgirls.org/ download the patterns and get in touch with an organiser.
Email: daysforgirlsuk@gmail.com


BLACKHEATH LIBRARY TEXTILE ARTWORK
To honour the re-opening of Blackheath Library, a local resident is inviting you to take part in the creation of a textile artwork for permanent display in the new community library.
Knitters, embroiderers, quilters, crocheters, spinners or just anyone with an interest in working with textiles is welcome to participate in this exciting project.
 Email: penniehedge@btinternet.com

Catford South Sewing & Knitting Group is completely FREE of charge, thanks to Lewisham Council. Use it or lose it.

New Look is THE look!

Week 7 : 13 weeks left. That's 3 months to make your skirts, maxi dresses, shorts, trousers....

A chink of sunshine, the chirrup of birds and suddenly everyone was dusting off their sewing machine for a summer wardrobe! Dresses, skirts, even upholstery were being carefully constructed to the sounds of Heart 106.2.  Curious visitors dropped by, sandwiches were demolished and a thoroughly good time was had by all! 

Perhaps it was the half-price sale on New Look patterns this month or just a 'coincidence' but 3 out of 4 patterns on the go were New Look. 

Four machines, four thirsty ladies on coffee break!

Marilyn, after a 10 year sewing hiatus, stunned the group by constructing New Look 6843 in 5 hours flat. She cut, tailor tacked (oo-er), sewed and finished the skirt in record time, best of all the gorgeous Hawaiian style material she used was FREE, having been donated by lovely-lovely-lou.co.uk 

Just goes to show, you're never as rusty on the machine as you think you are.

New Look 6843 made by Marylin in record time!

While Marilyn showed us all how it SHOULD be done, RK broke out New Look 6097, a simple faux wrap dress with pockets in polyester. Did I say 'simple'? What I meant to say was New Look totally deceived me because it has TWELVE pieces and - gulp - yokes. What exactly IS a yoke? Answers on a postcard. All I know is that yoke pockets never sit in the side seams properly, they look like pointy triangles. Laugh! To be continued....

New Look 6097 in construction

Vicky continued with New Look 6723, a gorgeous summer prom dress in red and black. Sorry, forgot to get a picture of this dress in progress but here is the pattern for your delectation! I'll make a note to take a pic of this gorgeous creation next week.

New Look 6723

As mentioned, we've had a few visitors swing by to take a look with the promise of joining the following week. We also get people asking the group to sew/knit for charity and although each and every project sounds worthwhile and worthy, it is up to the discretion of each member if they want to do it. The group sew and knit for personal pleasure first and foremost.

If you'd like to join in, please feel free to come along. Stay 30 mins or the whole session, it's totally up to you!

Catford South Sewing & Knitting Group is completely FREE of charge, thanks to Lewisham Council. Use it or lose it.