A New Take on an Old Pattern

This dress I am sharing today is from a pattern that I have had for years, I originally made for a work Christmas party about eleven years ago.  I remember this well as my youngest had started school and I was back working in the day out of the home (I worked form home for a few years before that) so a night out was a bit exciting.  I made it back then in red satin, which thinking about it now seems a bit over the top but oh well I was happy with it at the time.

I used more of my lucky dip fabric bag  fabric for this, this time a lightweight cotton but I chose to line the skirt and do the bodice double. I also added a twist by using a contrasting centre panel in a print. If you have read this blog before you will have seen this cherry fabric pop up in all  sorts of things, and it still keeps going, it is becoming a bit like 'where's Wally' lurking in every project!

I had to add a couple of darts to the front of the wrap pieces as well as little gathers, this style on me just does not stay put otherwise, I also pulled the straps quite snug also to save it gaping.

This is the pattern I used I wonder if anyone else has this pattern?

So yes I finished that yesterday and today it rained so it could be my fault, but we did need it after all.
Today I also bought two zips so I can continue making up the rest of the fabric but I also bought a remnant that was sitting on the counter just waiting for me.  The girl was just about to staple a price to it when I asked how much and how long it was, '£4 for two metres' so I came away with that too. Why not?

Another bit of good news today I manged to get my over locker blades in the correct position , they had not been cutting correctly since I changed them.  After watching a youtube video it is working perfectly  so I am  quite pleased about that, another job completed without having to pay someone else is always a bonus.

Striped Pencil Skirt

I've been getting on with more fabric from my Minerva Crafts lucky dip bag today, this time a blue and white stripe.  I knew what to do with this as soon as I saw it as I pictured it in my head. It was a combination of a pattern and one of my own as I know the fit of mine better.  People do like to see a pattern to work from though, I will link more on that for the Minerva post.

This feels like it will be a nice versatile skirt, and as it is relatively plain I'm hoping it will go with lots of tops.  The fabric is a bit stretchy but I still did a little walking split.

It is funny really as I probably would not have put this fabric in my basket but I love the result, as I've said before I get carried away with  colourful prints and neglect the wardrobe staples.

To make the pattern accurate I used some old wrapping paper that was in my cupboard and transferred my markings to that.  This kind of cheap paper is really good to use for that purpose as it has a little grid marked on the back of it, it is also a little sturdier than tissue paper.

After that was complete I had a dig around in what few patterns I have and found a nice summer dress for the black cotton.  It is going to have a twist as I'm putting a patterned piece in the middle of the dress (there I go again!) I hope to get that all done tomorrow so I can wear it for a night out with family.

We have just had a bit of rain here, it didn't last long but it has saved me one job. I also filled a little container with the golden cherry tomatoes from the greenhouse, very satisfying and  they didn't last long either.

Baby Outfit, Shirt and Hat

Just recently I received a lucky dip bag from Minerva Crafts this has a selection of fabrics chosen for you six metres in total.  I will share more on this later as I am putting together a post for them but for now I will share a few of the bits I am making with it.  One of the fabrics was a children's print with little frogs, I showed it to my friend who has a little boy and as she loved it I decided to make a little something for him.

I didn't have a pattern but she sent me a t-shirt and hat so I am hoping it will fit!  It was also a squeeze to get the two items out of this piece so we will have to see.  It has been  a fun make this morning so everything is crossed.

I love this print and it was a colourful addition to the bundle, I need to get my thinking cap on now to see what I can make with the other pieces of fabric from the package.

The hat is the same on the inside so reversible, if I had thought on I should have done it in a contrasting fabric then the shirt wouldn't have been such a squeeze, but I dived in so there you go!

The underside of the collar is plain blue and it is just in one piece top and bottom.

In the garden my kale plants are being attacked by the white butterfly, it seems every time I go outside they are laying on them then I have to inspect them all.  I know next time I will have to net the plants to  keep them off  Also the constant watering in this heat! We complain about rain but we really could do with a bit around now, my water metre would be grateful for a few full water butts.

On a positive note it is lovely to nip out and get some chili, kale (the undamaged ones) or chili for a dish. The peas are finished and the few that were left were pulled down by the dog who discovered he liked them.  I have put a few more in the greenhouse but it may be too late, worth a try though.  

We would like to put a few fruit trees in and some beds on the ground, we are thinking this may involve a little mesh fence just high enough to keep the dogs out on one section, but still transparent so as to not block it off completely. 

Maxi Dress Hack

Hello I managed to get another dress completed this week, well almost just the zip to go in and it's done! My mother-in-law went to fetch it so I had been waiting on that, then she came for a fitting.  She had an idea of a dress she liked so she brought me that one.  I also had a pattern another magazine freebie for a sun dress so we decided to do a combination of the two.

I did the version from the pattern for the bodice then the length of the maxi, plus a few little pleats.  We have also decided on a back split to the knee for ease of walking.  That is probably  not needed because of the pleats but just to be safe it is there.

I was going to ask her to be in the photo but then I thought it was a bit unfair to ask as she may not want to but say yes to be polite so I didn't ask.  So trusty mannequin to the rescue, friends who are reading if you don't mind being in photos let me know, or I could remove the head from the photo to make you anonymous otherwise I won't ask.   

  Loving that fabric, my husband said he didn't like it then as soon as he saw my mother-in-law wearing it he said oh yes it  looks good as a dress. That is the funny thing as I sometimes buy fabric and love it but I am not sure when it is made up, then there are times when I am a bit meh! about the fabric when it arrives but then I love the outcome.   This is hard to explain to people you make for though, so choose wisely or go on something you have seen made up.  

This is the free pattern  I did the top part from...

The sizing worked out perfect for her and as I said I just did my own pleated skirt version with a back vent/split. 

The summer holidays are fast approaching so I will have time for my own plans, plus a few things for friends.  I also need to make a new little dog quilt for my sofa, the one I have on is a real dog hair magnet so a cotton one will be better.  I could get them down I know bit it is their home too so I choose to use and wash quilts/throws just for the dogs. 

Another Shift Dress

The dress I made today is from the free New Look pattern I got with Sew magazine last month. It is very similar to the scuba dress I made but I have added patch pockets to the front on this one and made the sleeves short.  As  I was feeling very hot I let the mannequin do the modelling for me today.

This dress is in  a thick jersey from Minerva crafts that I bought last month and it will be saved for cooler days.  I have been making lots of summery things and what I find is the weather will turn cooler and my wardrobe is not prepared.  So I am trying to stay ahead by planning for those days in advance this year.
This pattern actually comes out a really good fit and it is easy to make up, quite relaxing sewing with no hiccups.  I can see it will get used a lot due to the simplicity of it .

As you can see the pockets on mine are just made up, I just decided on a size and tried them on the dress. When I was happy with the placement I stitched them down.

I think because this dress is plain the pockets add a little detail but the pattern does give you the option to add the strips with buttons.

Last week I started a top from another free pattern but I used a white crepe, I have decided that I don't like the crepe, there is something about the feel of it.  Also the white was really see through to the point where you would have to wear something under it. This was never my intention so this annoyed me, so coupled with the feel of it I got close to finishing it and then just stopped.  I did like the detail on the front of the top so I will try again another day in a better fabric choice.

For the last few weeks I have been taking part in a future learn course Sustainable Futures, it is really interesting and I have been able to follow up on lots of links from fellow learners, about different charities combatting food waste, alternative energy and various community projects dealing with homelessness. I have done courses with them before and I think it is great that these free resources are there for us to use.

I have purchased a compost bin (second hand) my husband has been busy this morning adding mesh to the bottom so the vermin can't get in, I hope that works!  He  said if he sees any it's going. Lots of people use them so it must be ok?  If you have one and are having a problem let me know with any tips or advice.

The tomatoes are just starting to ripen, I have stood and ate a few there in the greenhouse, there seems to be a pattern emerging with me doing that with the food. Some of it may find it's way the kitchen.

These yellow ones are super sweet, I am going to plant more of those ones next year.