Hello 2017

2016 in months

How can it possibly be 2017 already?! The last year has flown by in a flurry of blood glucose readings, injections, house renovations and sewing for others.

The last few years have been so chaotic and full of unexpected medical things that I feel like I might jinx things if I write any plans for the year down. The house is now finished though so hopefully I will get some more time to sew for pleasure again and maybe even blog a bit more than hardly ever. I have a hoodie planned if I can get my printer to behave and actually do it's job

2017 is already looking good holiday wise (and we went to Krakow in December which was amazing). We have booked to go to London the the Harry Potter experience in February and then to Iceland for a week in July. I love holiday planning so am in my element, I got bargain train tickets to London, £35 premier inn room in London, cheap £60 easyjet return flights to Iceland and an airbnb apartment in the centre of Reykjavik. I just hope that the rest of Iceland doesn't break the bank...

I have also spent a bit of time over the holidays addressing the whole work life balance issues that have snuck up on me. I have had 105 separate sewing jobs over the last 12 months and that does not look like it will slow down any time soon which is great but a bit stressful.  I am not entirely sure how to deal with it but making sure I stick to only 2.5 days per week working is a start ( I have another job that is one day a week).

Anyway, I have rambled long enough, Happy New Year everyone!

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Pattern Testing the Karri

Last year I put my name down to be a pattern tester for Megan Nielsen patterns. I tested the kids Tania Culottes last November and in June I was a tester for the Karri dress.
 

At the time I was snowed under with work and getting ready to go on holiday so didn't have time to make an interesting version, instead I stuck with fabric I had pre-washed and ready to go.

My choice of fabric means you can't see the detail of the pieced bodice, I think I am glad about that though as I am not a fan of the join between the pieces going right over the bust apex. The next time I make it I will use the lining piece for the main front as it doesn't have this join!

The picture above is the Karri made exactly as the pattern is, cut in a M with no tweaks and un-hemmed. I am a fan of Megan Nielsen patterns as they fit my odd shape ok from the packet and only require a few simple alterations which tend to be the same for all the patterns. I always have shoulder and bodice length issues, and this time was no different. I did tweak the shoulders before I took the top and bottom photos and it makes a huge difference to how it feels on. 

The dress is fully lined which is lovely and the next time I make it I will line it with something other than an old poly cotton sheet which makes the outer fabric lie funnily...

I'm now dreaming up a Christmas version!

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An Old Favourite

After the last sewing disaster it was time for a quick pick me up to get over the disappointment of wasting all that new fabric...

I stuck to my old friend, the Lady Skater by Kitschy Coo. I bought some lovely grey jersey fabric on ebay from someone selling their stash (this is now I get a lot of my fabric and probably why nothing matches anything in my wardrobe...) a while ago with this pattern in mind, I had even pre-washed it when it arrived so it was ready to cut!

Yes, this really was the best photo!

From deciding to make it to the final dress was about an hour and a half, just what was needed after the last make and a lot of dull alterations. I just need to get myself some tights that will go with it, these were worn in desperation.

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