Starting this post with a silly but happy photo of me. After my last post full of doom and gloom I decided this place needs a bit of silliness and some smiles. Summer is tough around here, and it's hard not to let that affect everything. Thank you so much for all the lovely comments and messages of support after my last post, I appreciate every one, you are all wonderful!
This photo was taken last week in my mother in law's garden in Anglesey North Wales. We stayed there for five days, and it really was a lovely break from routine. Eden and I had a lot of fun taking photos in the garden of one of my new designs.
Yes, despite my low mood I've still been working over the summer, planning classes (see my learn to sew page for more details on those.) and designing three new dresses.
Nora, Nell and Nancy are not only the names of two of my friend's children that I have always loved, but the names of the three new dress patterns I plan to launch this month.....yeah I know I should probably keep quiet for now, have a big launch when they are ready, but come on, you should know me well enough by now to realise that's not really my style.

Let me introduce you;

Nora is an easy fitting tunic style dress with tucks at the centre front neckline , cap sleeves and optional in seam pockets.



Nell has a shaped front yoke with tucks at the side waist, long sleeves with tuck details at the cuff and shoulder, plus the option of inseam or patch pockets.




Nancy is gathered at the front neck, with short slightly gathered sleeves, and she makes either a great little blouse or easy to wear dress with the addition of waist ties.




All three designs work best with light to medium weight fabrics, for these samples I've used linen, viscose and a very washed and super soft cotton curtain. ( Nell )
I'll be working on grading these pattetns over the next couple of weeks, and all being well they will be ready by the end of the month...the children go back to school tomorrow.....

My first womenswear pattern, the Weekend Doris Dress and Sweater pattern is now available to buy!
My testers have been beavering away at their sewing machines and running up so many fabulous examples, I can't wait to share them with you over the next few days, I'm sure some of them will be sharing on their own blogs too.





The pattern is inspired by the casual styles of the late 1950's and 1960's, specifically the kind of casual outfits Doris Day would wear. You can see my inspiration board on Pinterest
I like to relax at the weekends like most people, but I'm not a yoga pants and t shirt kind of woman, I still like to feel put together, just in a more relaxed fashion. This pattern is perfect for that retro inspired casual weekend.



The dress is short, with optional pockets and decorative exposed zip. Three quarter length sleeves and neckband.
The sweater skims the hips and looks great with casual capri pants and ballet flats.

Knit fabrics are recommended for both. I have made up both in sweater knit, vintage polyester knit, ponte and interlock. All work well and give a slightly different look each time.



The pattern is available as a PDF and as a paper copy from my Etsy store.
Flossie's Garden

India is home from University for the weekend, so I made the most of her, in payment for modelling she gets to keep this sweater, plus a few more of my Weekend Doris samples that she has taken a shine to, and of course they look a lot better on her.



This sweater is made using my third draft of this pattern, and a piece of polyester/wool mix sweater knit I bought in Abakhan yesterday for £3!



The sweater goes together very quickly, a satisfactory make leaving me enough time to also make myself a Weekend Doris dress too, but you'll have to wait for that one, only till tomorrow.

Some days I need to sew, I'm certain I've mentioned that here more than once before. I sew for lots of reasons, because I prefer the fit of clothes I make to that of ready to wear, because I like having a wardrobe of clothes that are not like anyone elses, because I like the challenge and the process of making, and often because it is like a meditation, it calms my spirit, and eases my soul. Those are the days I'm so very glad I was taught well, and can make up simple garments without thinking. Those are the days I most need to feel the satisfaction of blades cutting through fabric, and that comforting hum of the sewing machine.

Yesterday was one of those days. This time of year is full of ghosts, bittersweet memories and too much sadness. I don't run away from the sad, it needs to be sat with sometimes, and I can do that better if I just sew.

 

I'd been thinking of making the Colette Sorbetto for a while. I had a small piece of the gorgeous cotton lawn I used last summer for my Hawthorn dress and thought I could squeeze a simple blouse out of it, luckily there was enough to also add sleeves.

I cut out a size 12, did my usual full bust adjustment (FBA), and removed the centre pleat. (If I make another I think I will add the pleat back in and make a faux placket, or perhaps pin tucks instead of the pleat.

The lace collar was salvaged from a ready to wear blouse I've had for several years and was getting rather tatty. I used bias binding made from the blouse fabric to finish the neckline.

 

Having finished the blouse I realised I had nothing much to wear with it, so fishing some lightweight wool suiting out of my fabric stash and using the By Hand London circle skirt app
I whipped up a simple circle skirt with a wide waistband, and left it to hang overnight in my shed.

 

This morning I nipped out there in my slippers and nightie to hem the skirt so I could wear the whole outfit today.

 

I'm really pleased with both items. How great is it that sewing helps heal my mood and I get something lovely to wear too? I know I can't be alone feeling this way, I'd love to hear from others out there who use sewing as their safe place.

Of course a circle skirt demands a certain amount of twirling too!

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've had this pattern for such a long time, but only got around to stitching it up this weekend.
I used a fabric I've had for an equally long time. A cotton blend of not great quality, but such a pretty pattern, I thought it would make a nice practice top to check for fit.



I cut out a size Large. I've gained a lot of weight recently and a fair amount has gone straight onto my chest and tummy. Checking the size chart I should have cut out an XL for my bust, grading down to a medium for my waist and hips.
If I were less lazy I should have cut out a medium and done a full bust adjustment, but I thought with such a loose fit style I'd risk splitting the difference and cut out a Large.



The gamble paid off, I'm pretty happy with the fit. The darts are in a good position and I like the loose style. I think possibly the neck could be smaller, but again I quite like the loose fit.

I cheated on the placket, and simply stitched my buttons right through without making button holes. The blouse fits easily over my head, and well to be honest it was getting dark out in my shed, and dinner was almost ready, I simply wanted to wear my blouse today.



I will definately make this blouse again, and I'm thinking of using some vintage fabric to make a dress version.

Ottobre Maternity Top. (Ottobre Woman Spring/Summer 2007).
I made a size 46,but really could've got away with a 44, still I guess at least this has bump growing room, unlike a lot of my ready to wear maternity tops.

This morning's update:

I decided to wear my new top today,but it needed a few tiny adjustments first. Can you see the difference?

To be perfectly honest, I'm not 100% happy with this, it's just too big. Usually if sewing from an Ottobre pattern I make either a 44 or a 46 and the fit is just fine,but this is obviously a much more generously proportioned design. If I make this again,and I might I'll probably make a 42 or maybe a 44....

I know I'm going over old ground,but having taken a pic this morning on the real me,I thought a comparison shot would be good.
So first pic is before,second pic is after the alterations. It does look better doesn't it?

I've had a very busy sewing day today. Firstly I was working on a custom order,then I altered the wrap blouse I made the other day to be more flattering. I added darts and used the belt to make ties at the side. You'll have to just believe me that it looks better on than it did,because I might break the camera if I take a photo of myself today.
Then I made another lunchbag,this time for India and using fleece as an insulating layer. I used fleece simply because I have rather a lot of it,and India is pleased with it. I think it's a touch too bulky,and prefer the one I made me with heavyweight interfacing.Though I might buy some insul brite if I make any more.
I am pondering adding a tutorial for the lunch bags to the blog if anyone is interested? I took pics today as I went along,so I could add one tomorrow.





I also finally got to grips with the rolled hem on my overlocker and ran up some napkins and some hankies. I used some Indian cotton fat quarters I've had in my stash for some time.





Phew! That's it for today.

Really not sure about this. DH says it looks nicer in real life,and with my head on. I'm just not sure..
The pattern is from Burdastyle, the lovely Kim from Spoonflower sent me the link after I admired the blouse she made from the pattern.
Wrap styles usually flatter my curvy figure,but this is slightly different in that it has a seperate tie belt.
I dunno, "sack o'spuds tied in the middle" springs to mind...

Today has been one of those days where I've had lots of little chores and distractions to keep me busy,but I managed to squeeze in a bit of sewing here and there throughout the day...that's the joy of having my machines set up and ready all of the time.
This shirt started out as a very drab lilac mans shirt,and had been sat in Woody's wardrobe for a long while. First job was to dye it. I used Dylon cold dye in french navy,but due to the 65/35 poly/cotton mix it came out this rather nice denim colour. The shirt was still pretty dull though. (pic below)
Using the same method as the shirt I finished last week,I set about this one,but this time added in some spashes of colour with this remnant of printed cotton. I also changed the buttons.
Only problem is,I got slightly carried away,and it only just does up across my boobs,so I'm planning to wear it undone over a pretty camisole,which I hope will still look nice.