I have been meaning to try this pattern for a while, I wondered how the bodice darts would work for my shape. A couple of my sewing buddies had already made this dress and I really liked their dresses.
I used my high bust measurement and cut out a size 16, making a full bust adjustment, and then making a very rough toile, which seemed to fit ok, so I moved on to a wearable toile using this vintage duvet cover I bought some time ago in a local charity shop. I was never quite convinced I could pull off a dress in these colours, but actually I'm pretty happy with the results.



I decided to move the front pleats during making up. I have a fat tummy and smaller hips than bust, so I thought if I moved the pleats towards my hips, I might balance out my top heavy figure and give the illusion of a slightly flatter tum.
I think it worked!
Those darts I was concerned about initially are also really flattering. I'm not skinny by a long shot, and I've gained a lot of weight recently, but I think the darts show off what waist I do have.
I really like this pattern, and will make it again very soon.
I wore it today to go and get my long awaited memorial tattoo for my Florence Violet, if you want a nosey, check out this link to the lovely lady that tattooed me. 

What a month! I did it, a whole month of wearing at least one me made item each day. There were a few repeats, but that's OK. I've learnt where the gaps are in my Me Made wardrobe, and have a clearer plan of clothes I want to make to fill those gaps.
Most importantly I've managed to wean myself off cheap dresses from a certain high street store. I was starting to do that anyway, but Me Made May has convinced me once and for all.That feels good!
So, my plans now include a good clear out of my wardrobe, followed by a sensible plan of my sewing needs, which looks like it will consist of some good solid colour basics, a few Summer dresses, and digging out those lingerie patterns and fabrics.

I do love this pattern! This is my third Emery dress, and I don't think for one minute it will be my last. I cut this out several weeks ago, but too busy with other projects and commissions I only got the chance to stitch it up on Saturday. I spent a lovely day in my shed listening to the rain on the roof and stitching away.



Honestly, I'm a little disappointed with my lack of pattern matching, actually it's pretty good on one side, but off on the other. My own fault for cutting out a very slippy light cotton lawn in two layers, I really should have cut it out singly to be sure. I can live with it though.
The fabric is from Abakhan in Manchester. I am very lucky to have my friend Mary working there, she knows my tastes and if she sees something she thinks I will like she gives me a shout. She got this one spot on! Thank you Mary!



PS: yes my roots need doing, job for later today!!

This weekend I gave my sewing shed a bit of a spring clean. It is so lovely out there now the sun is shining. I of course love my shed in all seasons, but having the door open onto the garden and not having to put my heater on makes it that bit more lovely. The lighter mornings and evenings are great too.



Some things are best not sewn in my shed, like this First Holy Communion dress made from my friends wedding dress for her daughter.



The little girl it was for wanted a simple elegant dress with a sash. I used a pattern from a very old copy of Ottobre, with a few minor alterations. I added a roll of glass beads to the neckline. I got up early one morning last week to sew them on before the children were up. I can tell you having a white dress in the house made me nearly as nervous as cutting in to my friends wedding dress in the first place!



I did manage a little sewing for me this week too. I cut out this dress a few weeks ago and finally got around to stitching it up on Monday. Honestly it's not my best work. The fit isn't quite right on the bodice. I basically fudged it a little while cutting out. Still I do love the fabric and I got a lot of compliments while wearing it, so I guess most people are not looking at it with the same critical eye I am.



I have been keeping up with Me Made May '14 , but having to wear repeats now. The weather has brightened up considerably, sadly none of my summer dresses from last summer now fit me (must stop eating biscuits!), and it's too warm for the clothes I made more recently that do fit. Think I need to stitch up some summer dresses, or lose weight.....

I'm really enjoying Me Made May '14. I do wear me made most days, but there are items in my wardrobe I make and rarely wear, this project is making me look at those items again, and work out why I don't wear them...Lady Skater dresses I'm looking at you!
Weirdly, every time I wear one of my Lady Skater's Woody tells me how nice it looks...OK this morning he said "that dress really slims you down", which for him is a compliment, but what I heard was far from a compliment and we did have a fairly lengthy albeit lighthearted bicker about how he can't give a compliment, and I apparently can't take one!

I think I don't like my Lady skater dresses because of my fabric choices, maybe I need to make one in a more stable knit. The one I wear most is my red one, made from a far too stable vintage knit, but it's the one I feel most comfortable in.


Let's see what next week teaches me about my Me Made wardrobe. If you are taking part this year, what lessons have you learnt so far?

 This year, like many others I am taking part in Me Made May. I have pledged to try and wear at least one me made item of clothing each day of May. I wear a lot of me made clothing anyway, but maybe not usually every day. The reason I'm taking part this year is because I want to figure out what gaps there are in my me made wardrobe. I already have a good idea that I don't sew enough with solids, and I don't sew enough basics, relying too much on certain super cheap high street stores for things like stretchy tees and cardigans, though I also buy a lot from charity shops too.
If you'd like to know more about Me Made May '14 then click the button below.



May began on Thursday and I had an important meeting in Manchester where I needed to feel good , so I wore my Anemone skirt which I love. I wore it with a stretchy long sleeved t shirt from the high street, opaque tights and black loafers. I'm thinking I might need to buy the new Nettie pattern by Closet Case Patterns, and start replacing these stretchy tee's.



Yesterday I wore my trusty Fall For Cotton make . I think I need to make this dress up in some summery fabrics.
Today I'm wearing jeans! I almost never wear jeans, but I wanted to wear my Stretch Banksia and I have a distinct lack of solid skirts I could wear with it. The cardigan, shoes and headscarf are all from charity shops.

Anticipating Me Made May and my lack of solid fabrics in my stash I did nip in to Abakhan the other day with the intention of buying solids, I came away with these....



I need help! Tell me, what are your favourite solid fabrics to work with and where do you buy them?