Tag: the fabric store

Jackie Trousers – By Hand London

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Pattern Testing, Sewing Project

We were thrilled to part of the testing team for By Hand London’s latest pattern release, the Jackie Trousers.  The Jackie style is a semi tailored loose-fit trouser designed to sit comfortably.  They finish just below the natural waist, featuring pleats at the waist, slanted pockets and a gently tapered leg. 

Inspired by the easy fit menswear slacks of the nineties, and nodding fondly also to early modern women’s trouser styles of the thirties, these trousers are designed for women, but have proven to look and fit great on men too!

By Hand London

The fabrics suggestions for the Jackie Trousers is medium weight woven fabrics with some body or weighty drape. This includes materials such as wool suiting, wool crepe, tweed, linen and flannel. We chose to visit The Fabric Store and went to their Brunswick Street Store in Fitzroy. While browsing through their stunning selection of fabrics we found a beautiful cotton and silk woven blue fabric that looked perfect for Jackie!

The Finished Jackie Trousers

Finished by Hand London Jackie Trousers with top from Vogue 1466. They were constructed in a Denim coloured Cotton/Silk from The Fabric Store. Modeled by Lauren Ritchie with photographs by Erin Ritchie.

Jackie Trouser Details

The large pocket bags extend to the fly front contributing to the comfy fit of the pants. The key fit for these pants is to make sure the waistband is the right size for you. We cut a UK12 based on the measurements of the finished garment but ended up bringing it in for a snugger waist fit.

The folded up cuff gives a lovely finish to the tapered wider leg of the pant style. We found the length of the testing pattern a little longer than we needed. When you make them ensure to mark the hem in the shoes you intend to wear them with.

Get your Jackie Trousers here

Jenna Dress By Hand London Pattern with The Fabric Store

by two.sewing.sisters, posted in Sewing Project

We had the exciting task of testing the new release pattern from By Hand London.  The new style is called the Jenna Dress.  A fitted bodice with darts paired with an empire line dress with a bias cut skirt. 

The first options includes a scooped neck and ties on the sleeves, the second a peterpan collar with longer sleeve.  These options designed so the elements can be swapped around to create you own combination.  We made both version of the dress. 

Zoe Dress with Ties - By Hand London - Sewing Blog - Two Sewing Sisters
Jenna Dress with Ties
Zoe Dress with collar - By Hand London - Sewing Blog - Two Sewing Sisters
Jenna Dress with collar

The Pattern

We chose to do the at home print. The skirt pattern which is used for both length options is 32 pages and there is separate file for each bodice style. Variation 1 is 16 pages Variation 2 is 18 pages.

They were stuck together with clear tape before we cut it back to size. We chose to cut a size 12/16. See the images for fit.

Jenna Dress with Ties

We made the Jenna Dress with Ties from Houndstooth Patchwork Stretch Silk Crepe De Chine from The Fabric Store.  This striking graphic houndstooth print is a combination of Silk and Lycra and is 115cm wide.  You can find the fabric in their online store here. 

Due to the light weight of the fabric we chose to line the skirt as well as the bodice.  The ties around the arm are finished with a slip stitch and the hem of the top fabric hand finished with a herringbone stitch. 

Jenna Dress with collar

We made the Jenna Dress with collar we made in a light woven cotton that was purchased from a fabric store in Paris.  A playful confetti coloured print was the perfect modern choice for a vintage inspired style dress.  

The collar and cuffs are fused with interfacing and the bodice was lined with pongee lining a softer finish than using bem silk.  

Photo location

The photos of the finished dresses were taken at the Vault sculpture that is in the forecourt of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Southbank Melbourne. You can find out more about the sculpture on the ABC website here. 

Get your Jenna Dress here

Head over to Pinterest to start collecting your next project inspiration