Today I’ve got a double me-made extravaganza to share: my latest pair of Burnside Bibs (no. 4!!!!) and my second ever Charlie Caftan.
Both of these are repeat makes for me and I don’t have a huge amount of new info, so I thought I’d turn them into a double whammy! The only connection between these two patterns is, of course, that they sprung forth from my sewing machine in rather close proximity, so hope you don’t mind joining me on this not-really-at-all-connected journey!
Burnside Bibs
Let’s start with the Burnside Bibs. As foreshadowed, I’m certainly no stranger to this pattern.
And, look, now I’ve even sewn it in a colour other than blue!!!
The Burnside Bibs by Sew House Seven are available in sizing which caters for a hip size up to 165cm (65 inches). I have used the “standard size” range size 16 to make this pair (the Burnside Bibs are sold in either a standard or curvy fit, with access to both size ranges included with a PDF purchase).
For this version I’ve used the more fitted pants of version 1, with the straight bib of version 2. I’ve used the longer leg, rather than the cropped leg version. As I have done in previous versions I’ve also added some bib pockets, taken from the Jenny overalls.
I’ve sewn these up in heavyweight ochre linen from The Fabric Store. I’ve used this fabric for quite a few projects before, so once again we’re not strangers!
Incidentally, isn’t it kind of nice sometimes to embark upon sewing a familiar pattern in a familiar fabric. You just kind of know that it’s going to work out…
I think the heavyweight linen will give these Burnside Bibs a lot of inter seasonal versatility – it’s linen so it’s light enough for warmer weather, heavy enough to last into autumn and still capable of being layered for winter.
I’ve spoken plenty about sewing the Burnside Bibs before so I don’t have a whole lot to say that’s new. If you are looking for detailed information about sewing the Burnside Bibs, you could try one of previous posts on it: here, here or here.
The one thing I did want to share is that I skipped the insertion of the zipper which is supposed to be included for version 1, the more fitted version. I had been curious for a while to try this. I then found myself sewing this while knocked out with a cold, thus making it not possible to purchase a zip and I just really wanted to get it done. I tried on my other Burnside Bibs and saw that I could just about wriggle in and out without the zipper. Once again, isn’t it so much easier to sew a project when you have a previous version sitting in your wardrobe for reference!
So away I went without a zipper.
I’m not recommending skipping the zipper. I have to wriggle a bit to get in and out and it is definitely easier with one. But, if you ever find yourself in a “don’t have a zipper and want to finish right now” pickle, skipping the zipper on version 1 works for my body.
Charlie Caftan
This is the second time that I’ve sewn up the Charlie Caftan by Closet Core Patterns. The Charlie Caftan is available in sizing to fit up to a 160cm hip (63 inches).
My previous version of the Charlie Caftan was the flowing maxi vibe of version C.
The new version is the pleated mini of version A, which has a really different look to it. I did add in the waist ties from version C to my version A. I’ve used size 14 of the Charlie Caftan, using the higher arm option. I also attached the neck facing to be external, rather than internal, to add to the scrap-a-palooza!
I quite like the shape of view A, with its pleats instead of gathers. However, I think I needed to size up around the hips/thighs and make it slightly longer for it to work best for me.
Scrap-busting sewing
For a long time, I’ve admired scrap-busting “patch work” type projects of other sewists and had been wanting to try my hand at something similar. As I lay in the centre of my bedroom surrounded by piles of at least twenty different scraps of fabric in various tones of blue and white, I realised that it is a lot harder than it looks to do well.
Not only do you need to ensure that the weight and colouring coordinate, I also found that because I have so many prints, it was hard to find fabrics that were really going to be able to work together in a single garment.
The main fabrics I used for this Charlie Caftan came from a previous Olya Shirt, Deer and Doe Myosotis Dress and Burnside Bibs, together with some more miscellaneous linen scraps.
The truth is, I’m not really sure that I’ve nailed it. I love the front view but there is too much of a disjunct between the front and the back for me.
The decorative panel at the front is some lightweight denim on which I have done some decorative hand stitching. Sorry, I had to take all these photos myself and couldn’t manage to get a shot of it in focus! I really struggle to take close up photos on my own – any tips?
So I gotta admit, this Charlie Caftan isn’t really speaking to me and I’m not sure if it will survive in my closet for long. Still, I made sure it’s had a few good adventures while I decide:
If you want to see more of my sewing adventures, you can find me on Instagram here.
I love your Burnside bibs. I have one pair in green, but they don’t get much wear. I find the strap/tie combo to be fiddle and complicated for the bathroom. I feel you on the scrap mixing. I see others do it well, but I don’t think I quite have the creative vision to replicate it. I’ve been imagining a button front collarless shirt made from mauve, cream, and cream/black gingham. (I have remnants of each of these viscose twills in my stash.). But I don’t trust that they will look right, I think mainly because of the back standing alone (maybe a back yoke would solve that?).
When I was playing with combinations of scrap I had a similar issue in that I always felt there was one fabric that seemed a bit « off ». I feel that way still about the navy ikat in the finished product! On the burnsides in the bathroom, I find them complicated to do up the first time but then I keep them permanently « threaded » and just slip off at the shoulder without undoing anything for the bathroom. Just gotta keep those ties away from the toilet bowl!
I love the bibs on you, especially the version that looks like a skirt. Is that the bibs ‘just without the top-part’?
That’s a pair of Megan Nielsen Tania culottes that I made out of the same fabric – just to show my obsession with it!!