Catching up

I have had a few posts sitting in draft form for ages so though I would just do a wee catch up post instead of attempting to do a proper post on each thing.

Exhibit 1:

A blue silk circle skirt made for going to Prague in the summer. I made this some gorgeous buttery silk that is lovely to wear, perfect for warm weather.


Exhibit 2:

A raglan sleeved to that I made using the pattern from Sew U Stretch book and swapping the jersey front with a woven cotton front. It is a wee bit short so I may add a jersey band to the bottom eventually.

Exhibit 3:

I was a pattern tester for the Megan Nielsen Mini Tania Culottes. These were a fab make, I can highly recommend the pattern. I made these slightly big in the vain hope that little E might wear them in the summer.


I also have a couple of WIP's. One is a dress I have almost finished but can't get the zip in without it going all wrong, I think it may have a more fundamental fitting issue. Maybe something to tackle int he Christmas holidays.... or maybe not.

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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!

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Shapeless top to Summer Skirt

I acquired this top when my sister was having a clear out ages ago.

I knew it would be easy to make it into a skirt but didn't see the point when we never normally get much summery weather and I really didn't need another hardly worn summer skirt!

This summer has been the exception so far though, glorious sunshine for 3 weeks now and it is not looking to end soon so the top has been brought out of its 2 years hibermation in a suitcase under the bed ready to be made in to a skirt.

I cut off the straps, re stitched the band at the top that was now the waist band, then took in the waist a little and I had a fab new skirt with ready made button closure!

One of my favourite summer skirts now. Long may the sunny weather continue!

Linking to some of these fab parties!

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Banksia

I was casually browsing The Village Haberdashery a few weeks ago and, I have no idea how (!), a couple of new patterns landed on my doorstep the very next day...! One was the Banksia top.

Banksia by Megan Nielsen

 Before I even unfolded the pattern I had to ooh and aah over the envelope it came in and the instruction booklet, the nicest pattern I have ever seen!

Anyway, I resisted the temptation to make it until last week then the urge bacame too much and it had to be made!

I used some cotton voil from my stash. I bought it 3 years ago and used some for an outfit for little e but, being very new to sewing at the time, bought far too much so I had about 1.5m left.

I cut the size large as that is what tied up with my bust measurement but I will definately go for a s/m the next time as it is fairly huge (and after seeing these photos will definately be adding some more darts to the front of this version so people don't think I am expecting!!).

Untucked is not an option, you should have seen how massive I looked from the side!!

The pattern is really quick to come together and the placket has two different options, both of which have great instructions.

Overall I loved the pattern and instructions and will absolutley make it again but...

 - The collar did not fit the neckline all that well, it is meant to butt up to the placket but if you put it on as it was there would have been about a 1 inch gap at either side. I had to fiddle a bit resulting the collar being slightly narrower at the back than the front. I am not the only one to have this problem it seems, I searched on pinterst for the top and a few of the blog posts about it mentioned a similar problem.

 - The bust darts are really low, I didn't think I had a particularly high bust, I have breastfed 2 children for 2 years each for goodness sake, but they sit really low (even taking in to account the fact that I cut about 2 sizes too big). I think because my top is so huge anyway I get away with it which is lucky because the fabric is very fine and does not like a lot of unpicking!

Now to resist the temptation to make it again straight away!

Linking up to these fab linky parties!

Have you entered my My Memories giveaway? Ends 11th May and there are no entries yet so a very good chance of winning :) !!

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A Boden inspired top

I made this top before I was blogging but thought I would show you a simple top embellishment.

Boden always have fab tops with lovely embellishments on them but as I try to buy ethically I resist as far as possible! Last year they had one that had folded ribbon round the neckline which looked super simple to make and it just so happened that I had a top with a greasy mark on it (thanks little e) that some ribbon would cover brilliantly!

I got some wide ribbon and pressed it in to random folds then stitched them down adding some beads as I sewed.

Now the top has a whole new lease of life and I get lots of comments about it which is (almost) always nice!

Linking up to these fab parties!

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New PJ's from old shirts

The last few days have been quite warm here (a whole 21degrees C) so after spending a couple of nights overheating I decided some new PJ's were needed! 

Big E jumped in every photo.....!

I used a top I had made a while ago (and turned out looking like something my 95 year old Granny would wear) and an old shirt of my Dad's to make them.

I drew round a vest top that fits well then just cut it out and sewed up the shoulder seams. I overlocked the edges just for fun. 

The shorts were made in the same way as my 'boys shorts from ladies shorts' but I drew round my old PJ bottoms and kept the bottom and side hems of the shirt.

Unfortunately something went wrong when cutting out the shorts and unless I shrink dramatically they will never fit!! Oh well eh! I ended up cutting lt legs off and re sewing the stiching on some very old and worn out PJ bottoms so at least I have some shorts, pitty they don't match. At all. Anyone want a pair of PJ bottoms for the skinny woman?!

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