Gala Fabrics

A Fashion Fabric Store in Victoria

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When is it too late for Linen?

September 3, 2018 By Gala Fabrics 2 Comments

Here we are at the beginning of September already!  I guess we are truly in the dog days of summer since Fall officially starts September 22 this year.  The store received some gorgeous digitally printed linens that I simply couldn’t resist!

  • digital linen fence posts
  • digital linen blossoms blue green
  • digital printed linen blossoms
  • digital printed linen lilies
  • digital print linen blue floral
  • digital printed linen black white floral

I had a bit of an internal debate as to if it was too late to make another linen outfit for this year but decided that making an easy project that I could complete in a day would mean I still have ALMOST one month to wear it.  (no twisting my rubber arm on this decision!)

Having done the Pia dress numerous times already, I decided this would be a good pairing for one of the larger printed linens as this design has few seams to break up the print.  And it is a quick pattern to put together. Bonus!

The only adjustment I did was to drop the front neckline by 1″.

Do you know what went through my head once I finished the dress and put it on?

“I feel pretty, I feel pretty ….”  If you have no idea of what I’m talking about, it is a song from the iconic movie/play, West Side Story.  Now if only I could dance.

Here is the full version of the song.

No need to thank me for the ear worm you now have 🙂

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: dress, linen, pia dress, printed, tessuti, West Side Story

Sunny Days, My Friend

July 11, 2018 By Gala Fabrics Leave a Comment

It is finally here.  Summer!  With sunshine and heat.  Woohoo!

For a while there, although the calendar said summer, it seemed that the weather gods hadn’t gotten the message.  But being forever hopeful, I got some summer sewing done so I would have something to wear on those balmy summer days on the beach.

One pattern that caught my eye was McCall’s 7562.

It is a loose fitting, pullover shift dress with the option of exposed shoulder ‘sleeves’ which is very on-trend this season.  This pattern also offers different hem variations.  I decided to try option C because of the open shoulder ‘sleeve’ feature.  Suggested fabrics were something with a bit of body (chambray, denim, cotton blends) but I wanted something with a little more drape so I chose one of the new rayon prints we got in.

 

 

 

 

 

Then came the age old dilemma –  what size to pick?  My measurements (B=38″, H=41″) suggested I should make the L.  But in checking out the finished measurements of the garment, I decided that M would be big enough without being too roomy.

This picture shows the bust finished measurement depending on size.

 

Here it shows the hip finished measurement based on size.

 

The actual construction of this garment is easy.  The only part that may take some time is the front notched neckline.  It’s not difficult, it just needs concentration 🙂

One thing I added when constructing the front notched neckline was some light weight fusible interfacing.  Anytime a pattern asks to reinforce an area because you will be clipping it, I like to add some light weight fusible interfacing.  I just find it helps with supporting that area.  My interfacing of choice is the sewer’s dream since it is a non-woven and will not fray around the cut edges.  I usually cut a piece a little bit bigger than the area being reinforced.

I also used the sewer’s dream interfacing for the curved hem facing.  Since the rayon is a soft drapey fabric, I didn’t want to add any stiffness.  It was just used to stabilize the shaping.

I didn’t adjust the length so I must be shorter than the McCall’s model since the length of her dress hits mid thigh.

This would be a great addition to your summer holiday wardrobe.  Wear it while shopping in the outdoor markets of Mexico.  Or when lounging on the beaches of Hawaii.  It would also be great as a beach cover up.

Now excuse me while I go and catch some rays!

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: beach cover up, dress, fashion trend, McCall's 7562, notched neckline, open shoulder, rayon, sewer's dream, summer, summer wardrobe

The Danger of Complacency

June 8, 2018 By Gala Fabrics 2 Comments

I’ve been sewing more years than I can count so I figure I’ve got it all figured out.  I’m terrible at reading the instructions. I just merrily go on my way.  So far, all the garments I have sewn have worked out in regards to construction.  Granted some of the outfits were not my size or not suitable for my body type, but the garment construction was successful.

Well, it seemed McCall 7714 was my Waterloo.  It’s a simple pattern – princess seamed bodice, small attached waistband, pleated skirt and invisible zipper in the back.  What’s complicated about that?  I should have been able to put that together with my eyes closed (well, not literally!)  HA!

The reason why I latched onto this pattern is that the shop had received some border printed fabric but many customers are puzzled on how to use them.

First of all, you have to break high school sewing rule number 101 and use the crossgrain (fabric’s weft).  That means that instead of laying the grainline of your pattern pieces parallel to the selvage, you are actually rotating them 90* so your grainline goes across the fabric.  (Think of the neckline of your garment positioned along one fabric selvage and your skirt or pant hemline positioned at the opposite selvage.)

Another thing to think about is given the selvage is a straight line, your garment design has to take this into consideration. No circle skirts here folks!  Fuller skirted garments are possible but you need different planning.  It doesn’t pose an issue if the sample garment shows the use of a border printed fabric.  (For some reason, Butterick currently has a lot of border printed sample garments.)

 

But how do you know if other sewing patterns can be used?  You just have to do a little investigative work first.  You have to look into the guts of the pattern for designs that have a straight edged hem line.  This applies to dresses, skirts, jackets and pants.  Note the skirt pattern pieces #9 and #10 of McCall’s 7714, have a straight hemline.

 

 

 

 

 

In McCalls’s pant pattern M7415, you can see the pant hems are straight.  

So how was M7714 my Waterloo?  For some reason, my waistband pieces were too short.  I was missing a side seam allowance on all the pieces.  I checked the pattern pieces thinking the pattern company had made an error.  But no.  Everything matched.  Of course, I didn’t have enough fabric to recut those pieces since I had lengthened the skirt.  So I added little rectangular blocks.   Thankfully, with this print, you can’t really tell.  Then my waistband pieces don’t match across the zipper.  Agh!

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t look too closely but my pleats didn’t match my notches so the skirt pleats don’t match the seams in the bodice.  And then to add insult to everything, the pleats were actually supposed to be sewn down.  I had just basted which of course I removed upon completion.  Thankfully, the dress still looks ok.

.  

 

Lesson learned.  Don’t get too cocky no matter how long you have been doing this!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: border prints, crossgrain, dress, grainline, jacket, pants, pattern layout, skirt

New Colette Patterns

December 5, 2017 By Gala Fabrics Leave a Comment

Woohoo!  It’s Christmas already!  We just received a new shipment of Colette patterns.  Both of her new releases are dresses.

Claudette is a classic sheath dress with the option of a cowl neck, a classic scoop neckline or V-neck.  It also has ruffle cap sleeve or long sleeve options.  Of course, as with almost any pattern, you can mix and match design features to make the perfect dress for you.  I really like the green cowl necked, long sleeve dress that they show both on the website and on the pattern package.   Talk about classic!  Perfect for that Christmas or New Year’s function.  If only I could get it sewn for then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other new arrival is Prudence.  This has an Asian feel because of the mandarin collar (that is the description on the back of the package although to me it is more a funnel neckline since it is not a separate collar piece).  It has a waistline with the option of a straight skirt silhouette with pleats and side seam slits (sexy!) or a gathered skirt option.  The dolman sleeves is not the most flattering style for my body shape.  I have a short waist and broad shoulders so dolman sleeves make me look like an American football player!

 

Both are available in our webstore.  What do you think?  Are any of these dresses of interest to you?

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Claudette, Colette, cowl neck, dolman sleeves, dress, indie pattern, mandarin collar, Prudence, sheath dress

Penny by Colette Patterns

July 25, 2017 By Gala Fabrics Leave a Comment

Check out the new pattern release from Colette!

The Penny dress features a classic design with feminine details. This charming shirtdress has a fitted bodice, with traditional shirt details like a collar stand, button placket, and shoulder yoke. These thoughtful details allow you to learn new sewing skills or perfect existing ones.

Version 1 features a fitted waistband and full set-in sleeves that complement a gathered skirt. This version is perfect for honing in on your decorative stitching and tailoring skills.

Version 2 has a sleeveless bodice, a semi-circle skirt, and an overlapping gathered waist belt. The skirts can be mixed to match either bodice, so you can create a customized dress for your style.

It is available in split sizing –  from 0 to 16 and from 18 to 26.  It is a great summer wardrobe item or can be worn for fall with a cardigan.  Available in our webstore here.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 1038, colette patterns, cotton, dress, penny, shirtwaist

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