The crazy trio in the garden!
25/52
The crazy trio in the garden!
Wednesday, 24 June 2015
The crazy trio in the garden!
Tuesday, 16 June 2015
A Summer Dress from an Old Sheet
Don't faint, this dress is less than 72 hours old and is appearing here! I have been planning a dress like this for over a year but after a failed attempt at bodice fitting last year I gave up for a while.
I bought the burda block patterns this time last year and made up the bodice. According to measurements I had to do a fairly large FBA, but, this made the bodice massive and I couldn't be bothered working out why! Since then I have lost a wee bit of weight so decided to try again. I made the top in the largest size (16?) and after a few tweaks it was almost perfect!
The pattern alterations I did:
I had to line the dress as the sheet was quite thin, but I am so please with how it turned out!
I have absolutely no idea when I will wear the dress, husband thinks I need an invite to a vicar's tea party (!) but I am going to use the pattern to try another dress with a pleated skirt and one with a circle skirt. I have lots of party dress fabric in my stash that my parent's have bought me and finally some of it will get used. If only I went to parties...!
I bought the burda block patterns this time last year and made up the bodice. According to measurements I had to do a fairly large FBA, but, this made the bodice massive and I couldn't be bothered working out why! Since then I have lost a wee bit of weight so decided to try again. I made the top in the largest size (16?) and after a few tweaks it was almost perfect!
The pattern alterations I did:
- lengthened the bodice by 2 inches
- dropped the bust dart by 1 inch
- moved waist darts towards center by 1 inch
- added bust darts
- lifted shoulder seam by 1 inch
- reduced slope on shoulder
I then scooped out the back and front more to get the look I wanted.
That looks like a lot of adjustments when I write it all down! I made 3 muslins and for number 4 I cut into an old patterned flat sheet that I got for £1.49 from a charity shop.
I had to line the dress as the sheet was quite thin, but I am so please with how it turned out!
I have absolutely no idea when I will wear the dress, husband thinks I need an invite to a vicar's tea party (!) but I am going to use the pattern to try another dress with a pleated skirt and one with a circle skirt. I have lots of party dress fabric in my stash that my parent's have bought me and finally some of it will get used. If only I went to parties...!
Monday, 15 June 2015
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Many Renfrew Tops!
Anyone else on a come down after Me Made May?! I really enjoyed seeing everyone's outfits every day and have a long wish list of patterns now!
The main thing it highlighted for me was my lack of self coloured tops, the two I wear most oftem are heading for the recycling as they are well past their best!
The only solution was to do more sewing, oh what a shame...!
I bought some interlock jersey on ebay, not organic or fairtrade but made in the UK so hopefully better than some fabrics. I deliberately chose interlock as I figure it will look like a normal top but have extra warmth of the slightly thicker knit which can never be a bad thing in Scotland!
I made this version first, size 12 over bust going to 10 over hips but it is a wee bit big.
This one is a straight 10 and fits perfectly. It will soon be joined by a cream and navy version when sewing time allows!
To combat all the plain fabric I went mad and made another 2 in floral.
This one used the left over fabric from my Lady Skater. Imaginative cutting was needed to squeeze it in to the remaining fabric, you can't tell now it is made up though.
This one is Liberty jersey from ebay, I had it in my basket for weeks and finally gave in. It was £9.99 for the meter but I love it!
I think my only sewing plan for June will be to make a bodice block so I can make myself a summer dress for my holidays in July. I have started a small business doing alterations/mending/custom clothing and sewing kits so most of my time is going into that at the moment. There has been a fair bit of interest in the alterations and mending which is keeping me busy. I seem to have finally found something I can do from home, in my own time, and actually earn a bit of money from, phew! The thought of juggling childcare / children's activities / my Granny (who is 99 and very very demanding...) / spending time with my Mum / and a proper job was giving me nightmares!
The main thing it highlighted for me was my lack of self coloured tops, the two I wear most oftem are heading for the recycling as they are well past their best!
The only solution was to do more sewing, oh what a shame...!
I bought some interlock jersey on ebay, not organic or fairtrade but made in the UK so hopefully better than some fabrics. I deliberately chose interlock as I figure it will look like a normal top but have extra warmth of the slightly thicker knit which can never be a bad thing in Scotland!
I made this version first, size 12 over bust going to 10 over hips but it is a wee bit big.
This one is a straight 10 and fits perfectly. It will soon be joined by a cream and navy version when sewing time allows!
To combat all the plain fabric I went mad and made another 2 in floral.
This one used the left over fabric from my Lady Skater. Imaginative cutting was needed to squeeze it in to the remaining fabric, you can't tell now it is made up though.
This one is Liberty jersey from ebay, I had it in my basket for weeks and finally gave in. It was £9.99 for the meter but I love it!
I think my only sewing plan for June will be to make a bodice block so I can make myself a summer dress for my holidays in July. I have started a small business doing alterations/mending/custom clothing and sewing kits so most of my time is going into that at the moment. There has been a fair bit of interest in the alterations and mending which is keeping me busy. I seem to have finally found something I can do from home, in my own time, and actually earn a bit of money from, phew! The thought of juggling childcare / children's activities / my Granny (who is 99 and very very demanding...) / spending time with my Mum / and a proper job was giving me nightmares!
Tuesday, 9 June 2015
23/52
Late this week, all go here at the moment with end of term madness!
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| little e decided to wear everyone's coat, not ideal when all you asked her to do was go brush her teeth.... |
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| Big E beside his oldest friend after her First Holy Communion, they have played together since they were 6 months old now they look so old! |
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
Me Made May Days 30 & 31 and a final round up!
Well, Me Made May is over for another year, May went so quickly!
Here are my final two outfits:
Day 30: Despairing at my menace children!
Me Made: Renfrew that will be blogged soon and spotty trousers.
Also wearing: Vivobarefoot shoes
Day 31:
Me Made: Tunic from Sew Serendipity Book, necklace.
Also wearing: M&S Jeans and charity shop cardi.
I have loved taking part this year, especially seeing everyone's photos on instagram.
During the course of the month I have made 4 pairs of trousers and 4 renfrew tops so the sewing machine has been busy but the holes in my me made wardrobe have been (almost) filled.
A few other things I have learnt this year:
with this years I feel that this years outfits are much more put together. I buy very few new clothes and get most of what I don't make from the charity shops or ebay but I seem to have got a bit better at choosing things that can be worn together!
Here are my final two outfits:
Day 30: Despairing at my menace children!
Me Made: Renfrew that will be blogged soon and spotty trousers.
Also wearing: Vivobarefoot shoes
Day 31:
Me Made: Tunic from Sew Serendipity Book, necklace.
Also wearing: M&S Jeans and charity shop cardi.
I have loved taking part this year, especially seeing everyone's photos on instagram.
During the course of the month I have made 4 pairs of trousers and 4 renfrew tops so the sewing machine has been busy but the holes in my me made wardrobe have been (almost) filled.
A few other things I have learnt this year:
- This is the second year I have officially taken part in Me Made May and when I compare last years collage
with this years I feel that this years outfits are much more put together. I buy very few new clothes and get most of what I don't make from the charity shops or ebay but I seem to have got a bit better at choosing things that can be worn together!
- I need to get rid of clothes when they are worn out, there are only so many holes you can sew up and the item to still look good. On that note I have recycled my two cream tops worn this month and made some new ones!
- I am not the right shape for a lot of the popular patterns at the moment and must look but not buy the patterns! I have been exercising a lot and have shrunk but unfortunately as my hips shrink my shoulders and chest look even bigger!!
- I need to make more cardigans, I love cardigans!!
How did everyone else get on? Anyone else go on a sewing frenzy and end up with an enormous pattern wish list...?!
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