Hammy Sews Gertie

Boom! I'm back, Stitchers.

How the hell is 2021 for you going? Boring? Stressful? Worrying? Well, today Im going to say fuck all that negative shit and let's leave it at the door because I'm in the mood to P.A.R.T.Y! 2021 style, baby! which is to dress up with nowhere to go, bake some badass banana bread, and open a medium strength beer and speak to you lovely, gorgeous people about our favourite pastime.

So, I have been gone for a while. Where have I been? Well, when I am not writing these blogs, shooting videos (videos are coming soon, I promise) and sobbing uncontrollably because I have to seam rip, I have a job trying to crush the patriarchy (not going well) and a side gig taking down wannabe, tangoed, dictators. So that mission accomplished "Catch ya later, Donald." I should be cranking out new clothes faster than a leopard after a red bull speedball.

Joking aside, I got pretty tired to be honest and my sewjo broke BOJO's latest rule-he-made-up-in-5-mins and went on an extended holiday. The little cow didn't even leave a pint of milk in the fridge. Just so rude

I stuck together pdfs, bought patterns and fabric and nothing....and repeat and nothing.

So absent was my sewjo,

I started to photograph my equipment to sell. Like an 19th emo debutant, it was all very dramatic. My good friend, who tolerates my hobby, stated,*clears throat* and I quote "Don't be fucking stupid. You love it. You bored us all about it for years. You aren't allowed"

Then on Christmas Eve, the little muppet came back with a tan, a fake leather handbag and an idea that I needed some new PJ's.

Well, out came the good old Breton T Shirt (See Hammy Versues Simply Sewing Breton Top) I am a positive slutmuffin for that pattern. I love it. I can't get enough. Its quick, its easy, it transforms cheap fabric into something else. I swear the angels sang and light shone upon the earth when I picked up that pattern. The fabric was from Longsight for £2 a metre and it doesnt feel plasticky at all. But I struggled though to find a pj bottom pattern and holy shitsnacks, of course I didn't have enough fabric. Le sigh. So the pink number sat, staring at me for a couple of days. It needed something......

Recently, I have been inspired by the capsule sewing stuff which has been going on. Now, if you know me at all, you know that I love the idea but I don't have the fortitude to organise and stick with that stuff and complete it. However, my laziness doesnt extend stop me to planning outfits. I like that idea, it means one hanger, one outfit, rock that shit and go. I mainly sew for workwear and that return to the office is marching closer, it sounds like a solid plan. Stylish and laziness is a golden combo, akin to fat free chocolate. Off I go to the walk in cupboard and I spot a Jersey crepe that Alex Judge kindly gave me on first meeting (sewing people are the best), in pale pink. Narrow eyed, I gingerly stalked the fabric and thought, "yeash, yeash, that will do nicely" There was a generous amount and I considered trousers, but on the shelf, dusty, much unloved, was a copy of Gertie Sews Casual Vintage. I bought it in a whim in the summer lockdown and it sat on the shelf, almost forgotten. Then to my mind a whisper, Casual = easy sewing. So I pull open the book and there on the first page was the knit pencil skirt. 1 piece on the fold, 2 cuts of fabric, 1 bit of elastic and it looks like it would sit on my peachy arse like cream on strawberries. Less than an hour later, I had my outfit. And I look, if I don't say so myself, one step below Christina Hendricks in Mad Men. Can I just say that the lewks in that show still cause my heart to skip

Inspiro

Even my dog is checking me out! LOL

Seriously, I love this outfit. I feel so sassy.

After that, I decided to pick up a UFO which was another Oval Skirt by printapattern. I have done a blog on this one as well as I really enjoyed the process of making it. I have just signed myself for another pattern test for Erin. I can't wait. I used a Minerva sale bargain £2.99 a metre fabric. Yes, the only blogger on the internet that isn't on on the blogger programme. I haven't tried to be fair and I don't have enough confidence in my ability to pull something off each and every time. Hence, partially, why I don't pursue the more commercial side of things. Also, I squeak when I walk and I have a cheap thrill knowing that dress that you get complimented on cost 6 quid to make. It gives me more of the fuck you corporate overlords vibes and I like that. Anyhoo, back to the fabric. Its super weird. It looks from a distance like leather but upfront, nothing like. It has a loose weave on the wrong side and seems to be coated with something on the front. The pattern calls for heavier weight fabrics such as denim or cotton twill. This is nowhere near that weight but I think I got away with it but I certainly wouldn't get anything lighter. The pattern calls for an exposed zip but I happened to have the most perfect colour invisible zip so I inserted that and left the waistband slightly longer and used a hook and eye to close up the waistband. Not clever, but effective.

Planning to pair the skirt with both of these tops. The teal is RTW and the cherry red one is longsight market 50p a meter fabric (it has some bleaching which I managed to get underneath my hairline) the pattern is a freebie from Deer and Doe, the Plaintain Tee. I increased the hip size by 2 inches.

After that, Gertie, called me back into her embrace and I made the Pin Up sweater. Longsight (again - I swear I do shop elsewhere) £2 / per fabric. The fabric is pretty narrow so the type of sleeve had to be carefully considered for the fabric and I had gone through several patterns before I found that Gertie's could fit on.

Again, another pattern that makes me feel good about my body. I don't know why. There aren't any bells and whistles but the girls look on point, my waist small I'm feeling a bit marilyn monroe-ish.

The pattern was slightly confusing and I think I added on the seam allowance, which I didn't need to. BUT Im very happy with the fit and I think any smaller, it might have been too tight. Especially on the arms....The fabric is a knit with gold flecks but definitely more polyester than natural fibre but soft on the skin but maybe one for deep winter with a long sleeved shirt.

Next it was a return to the knit pencil skirt in a Jersey knit and I got to finally use a massive sequin cherry appliqué which I picked up at Camden Market for £5 the other year. It pleases me, it sparkles and the sequins are reversible with a pink underside. It has been teasing me and wanting to be used. Plus, I already had the fabric for the top, which was begging to be used. Now it isn't finished as I messed up on the collar and Im waiting for more fabric to arrive, but it will be paired with...

Gerties 1940's blouse. If you made it this far, well bloody done. All these were made in the last 3 weeks - I promise I haven't been holding out on you. I'll do a fuller review on the blouse once finished as this has given me a few problems. Fabric available from Createincolour (ebay) for £9.50 a metre (P&P free) 100% cotton and its a dream to sew. Initial fabric kindly sent to me by Alison for fabric hugs - not a review - but its lovely stuff to work with