Saturday, 30 July 2016

Collette Moneta

My little sewing business has been super busy over the last few months and one of my clients is a 95 year old lady who wanted a dress to wear to her Granddaughter's wedding. After a long chat with her she decided on an Emery dress in a floral cotton, great, until I thought about it and realised there was no way she would manage the zip.


After a quick google I realised that the Moneta dress by Colette was almost the correct shape and Jersey so so much easier to wear for someone with limited mobility. She wasn't sure if it would be too tight so I offered to make one for myself (such a sacrifice!) so she could see the shape and decide from there.


Thankfully she liked it and chose a gorgeous Liberty Jersey fabric for her version. I had to do a few alterations to the pattern as she is a very small lady but didn't want the bodice tight. I cut the size up from the one she  measured and shortened the bodice. She also wanted bracelet length sleeves so that was easy enough.



This is not the greatest photo, I have asked her to show me some photos of her on the day so I can see it in action! I am in love with this fabric and accidentally bought a meter for myself to make a top with, I just need to decide which pattern to use...






Friday, 29 July 2016

Holidays



We have just got back from a fun 2 weeks in Orlando  it was a busy but relaxing few weeks after what has been an insane 4 months.

We started the holiday at Universal Studios, it was great, I met a Minion and ate breakfast in the 3 Broomsticks in Hogsmead!



 I made a couple of panic pairs of shorts in the few days before we left, my summer shorts were all too big (!) when I finally dragged them out of the box in the loft. I was going to make some nice pairs of proper shorts but instead used one of the the trouser patterns I have made my own and cut them on the knee. They have a jersey waistband so are super comfy.  The brown pair in the minion picture are not really squint and I can't actually find a photo of the others!

Big E loyally wore the shorts I had made for him but little e was having none of it and decided that all the shorts I had made for her and took with us made her look like a clown..... She rotated 2 shop bought pairs for the whole holiday :)

Husband didn't get any hand made holiday clothes but I did get him 6 new short sleeved shirts / polo shirts for £10 from my favourite charity shop, bargain!

Some other highlights were meeting Chewbacca at Hollywood Studios,


meeting Stitch in the Magic Kingdom ,


and seeing a Falcon 9 rocket launch and landing!

When we were in Florida 5 years ago we hoped to see the second last shuttle launch, it didn't while we were there so this almost made up for that disappointment!


Back soon with some proper sewing!


Wednesday, 15 June 2016

Me Made May and a catch up.






How is it the middle of June already?! Time is flying and I can't keep up with everything which means this little place is a bit neglected.

So, time for a random update!

I did Me Made May, all but one day was me made and the one that wasn't was a diy day so I was in my oldest paintiest clothes!

My aim for Me Made May was to work out my style, I don't think I am much further forward there but I did realise during it that I have almost no clothes that I have bought new anymore, 95% of my wardrobe is second hand or I have made.This is great but also means my wardrobe is a bit random and my many Renfrew tops all are the glue that holds it together. They got worn a lot during Me Made May, I stopped taking photos as it was getting a bit dull!


Me Made May and the lovely weather we had at the end of May / start of June have really highlighted the fact I need more in between weather clothes. I only own one pair of cropped trousers and wore them a lot during the warm weather so I should make more. The same goes for lighter weight cardis. It also highlighted the fact that I can't wear my clogs, they kill my back :( I spend a lot of the time in flat and flexible or vivobarefoot shoes so it is not really that surprising. Unfortunately they have not worn well so I can't even sell them

Original Mash-up Nautical Flash (Women)
I did use that as an excuse to buy some Saltwater sandals that I have been eyeing up though...
 

On the diabetes front things are going well. Little e has started using a continuous glucose monitor which has been a revelation, unfortunately this piece of kit is not on the NHS yet so we are paying for it and it is not cheap. Worth it though for the information it gives and the fact she is not doing finger pricks 10+ times a day, just a quick scan of the sensor. So clever!

 

At the end of May my Grandad died. He was 102 and led a fantastic life. He had dementia for the last 4 years so in some ways it is good he is gone now and at peace, not tormented by the awful disease. 

On a cheerier note we have almost finished our house! The new stair is in and the new wardrobes for the bedroom have been ordered! Just some painting, skirting and new carpet and we will be there, I can't wait, it has been a long 4.5 years of renovations!

Hopefully I will be back soon as I have been sewing some bits and pieces I should post here, it all depends on our awful internet connection though, I have been trying to post this for a week now!