In the Garden

Another glorious day today and it would have been peaceful but for the hedge trimmers this morning blasting away over the back and then someone has spent the afternoon cutting down a beautiful old tree with a chainsaw over the back.  The noise has been very annoying but not as sad as another tree going down.  I know they need to be moved in certain areas if they are dangerous or diseased but there seems to be a lot of it at the moment.  A property sold not far from here recently and there has been a lot of work going on, there were various trees and shrubs around the property but not any more.  The entire front and side has been cleared of every bush, tree or anything remotely resembling greenery and it is a big area and now it looks like it will all just be hard landscaping. It is not my business and people can do what they like but I don't get it, it just looks like all the character of the land has gone.   Does anyone remember that song with the lyrics 'they paved paradise and put up a parking lot' well yes they did that!

I am happy to say it is the last day of me made May, I am wearing a very bargain stash skirt that I made with a £1.25 remnant some time ago and it is one that I love.  Self drafted a-line with a side zip and button, t shirt is challis again own pattern, a simple back and front piece ( not to be confused with my green jersey t shirt with the buttons on the front)   I do realise I have made two very similar tops.

This photo is a bit bright and doesn't do the colours of the skirt justice but I have shared it in the past.

After watching spring watch the other evening I went on the website to have a look at the survey they mentioned about pollinators.  There wasn't a lot to it but I did it anyway, I spent ages trying to get some good shots of the bees and wasps but they be still? ;)  When you go on it only lets you add one pollinator at a time so I had to go back to add another and go through the whole form again.  I had more to add but stopped at that point I will probably do some  more on another day.  It would be a nice thing to show  children and get them involved looking, there is a link about the different pollinators so they know what they are looking at.

This hedgerow is behind our fence and the bees love it.

I got a bit carried away taking phots of bees so I will stop there, I am sure when all my plants flower there will be a lot more to see in the garden too.

With a new month ahead I am on the look out for a new challenge I am not sure what it will be but I always feel the start of a new month is a good time to begin new projects.  I had an idea a while ago that I might like to have a go at making videos about sewing, well I have changed my mind on that.  I filmed a very short intro the other day about something I planned to do just to test the sound and I really don't like it.  Writing down random thoughts here is fine but filming no that is not happening, I also felt slightly mad talking to myself too.   

There was a little email stating my Burda magazine is on the way so hopefully I will be able to share plans from that soon, I am looking forward to trying it out and seeing if it lives up to its repuatation.

Well bye for now, I will be returning to a more relaxed blogging routine now that May is over, back soon. 

Me Made May Nearly There

At the start of this month I really had doubts as to whether I could get through the month without resorting to jeans or repeating the same outfit twice, well one day to go and it has nearly finished. The weather has smiled on us all month so that has helped and there are summer outfits getting an airing that haven't seen the light of day for some time.  This has also helped me to realise that there is nothing wrong with wearing the clothes you love around the house, you don't have to be in a bar or at a party you can do it just for you.  This dress I am wearing today didn't cost me a penny just my time, the fabric is black cotton shirting and came in a grab  bag to test for Minerva some time ago with lots of other bits of remnants.  The cherry fabric was leftover from a vintage style dress I made for someone for a wedding and I backed that with white cotton bits that I already had.  I also made an under skirt in black as it is quite thin and that stands out a little with a frill at the bottom, it was maybe only worn once last year for a meal out.

It is a New Look pattern that I have had for many years, the first time I made it I did it in red satin for a Christmas party about thirteen years ago.  I made it long then hated it and made it knee length it was only worn a couple of times mainly I think because of the red satin, it is not exactly a look for everyday despite what I said above, some fabrics really do shout special occasion!

My only issue with this dress style is that I feel a little exposed across the chest, I have only been around the house so that is fine but I prefer to be a bit more covered in that area.  A bare back is another thing, strappy tops out of the house and I worry about burnt skin.

There has been some creativity in the form of a bag this morning but I will share that another day perhaps as it is a gift, there is another cut out and ready to go for tomorrow.

I have been sat in the sun today but I turned the lounger around and put the throw across my shoulders so they wouldn't burn.  I know sun screen, but it only protects so much. I was only out for a little while yesterday and although I had cream on my shoulders were very pink.

We have been watching a drama series called Little Fires Everywhere, it is based on a book and I am enjoying it.  It stars Reese Witherspoon and if you can get past the first few episodes it is an engaging story, I wasn't sure at first so stick with it.

That is all for today, take care.

New Shorts

Well I got my new shorts made this time in a  style that I actually like, I used the fabric from Jo that came in my bundle and it was so nice to work with, a nice bit of stretch to it and sewed up lovely. I sat and got on with them this morning before I even got dressed as I wanted to wear them today.  I knew this pattern well so I didn't anticipate any problems.

They go really well with my fox vest top that I made sometime ago...

They have a side zip and I have added pockets on the  back, after wearing them all day I can say they are very comfy so I am sure they will be a summer favourite.

I am happy with that pocket placement as I rather did just guess at it, they are just big enough to get a few dog bags in.

I opted for a turn up but I have top stitched it into place as I don't like it when they gape open.  So this has been my me made May day 29 outfit and perfect for sitting in the sun and doing the garden.

In my greenhouse everything is coming along nicely and the courgettes are getting very big, I think maybe they may be a bit big for in there but I don't want to move them at this late stage now and upset them.  Here is a little courgette baby...

This evening I have given my son a haircut, so that is the second of the week, this one took a little longer as he lets it grow so much before having it cut and there was such a lot of hair on the floor.  I had to shoo the dogs out of the room as they kept walking through it, I am sure he feels much lighter now.

We are in for some more good weather here in the UK so have fun everyone, and enjoy the weekend wherever you are,  bye for now.

A Gift

This morning I received a lovely package of fabric from Jo at Three Stories High I am so grateful as these pieces come in really handy for bag making and all sorts.  I was immediately grabbed by this one particular piece that I thought was just right for shorts, remember the baggy shorts were not for me. Well this piece will be more fitted from a pattern I often hack and I have them all cut out and ready to go...

There are no pockets on the pattern I thought a couple on the back might add a bit of interest.

Here is my fabric pile I will a have a lot fun with that, and a few patterns too thank you Jo...

My mind is going around wondering what to use first I do have my eye on the orange and black.

A couple of weeks ago I made a bag for a friends birthday and as it was today she has opened it and I can now share it.  She loves giraffes so I had to find the perfect fabric to go in her bag, I also used some of the blanket that feature in my tropical bag on the back.

 This fabric is quite heavy and as I was only buying a small piece I was relieved it had the giraffe on it!

The blanket goes really well with the faux leather, I say blanket it is more of a throw really.

Returning to the pattern I shared in the first image it was same one I used for the mock jumpsuit I am wearing today for me made May 2020 day 28,  and my other two that I shared earlier this month.  It is basic wide leg trousers so it is just a case of adding the bits you want to make it suit you, I make the legs narrower and add belt loops and a belt for this look.  I paired it with a basic burda top pattern that I got with  a magazine.

While this weather has been glorious today it is way too hot to walk the dogs in, I have to keep mine in as best I can because they just lay in it otherwise and overheat.  I tried letting them sit under the lounger that was in the shade earlier but they kept getting up to lay in full sunshine so we all went in!  A quick nip to the post box at the top of our street and I knew the pavements were so hot, it is a shame because we long for this kind of weather and I feel it is too uncomfortable for the dogs.

Both of my sons have  gone off to play basketball again I haven't known them this active in years, it is good that they are getting out to do something.  I am out in the garden a lot but they don't really spend any time in it.

That is all for now, take care.

A Change of Plan

I got a bit distracted from my sewing plans today, the weather was far too nice to sit inside and there were too many plants looking sad in their pots that needed to go out in the garden.  Also the dress I am planning to make is quite thick jersey and I had intended the three quarter sleeve version as I will get more wear out of it through the year.  That sort of sewing is not motivating enough when you think you may not be wearing it yet, plus my little sewing area was roasting hot.

Here is the pattern and the fabric for another day...

It is even stripy like the one on the cover, I bought this fabric just before lockdown began from our local fabric shop Happy Hare follow that link if you want a peek she has a shop on Etsy and lots of lovely fabrics. I have been saving it to work on as a treat so there was no point doing it when I wasn't feeling like it.

I did alter two dresses when I got up first thing, the one I am wearing was a little big in the arm holes so I sorted that plus a bit down each side. Another dress has a cross over bodice and gaped a bit on one side so I unpicked and sorted that too, to wear another day.

Last night we finished watching the last episode of a series on TV called white lines, what a lot of rubbish I don't know why we stuck with it, so if you come across it give it a miss.

Here is my me made May 2020 day 27 ...

This dress is about five years old I think, I remember the fabric was only about £5 and I chose to use it a bit differently to create this v at the front. My own pattern another skater style dress, the colour is actually a peachy beige not white and I added a bit of lace around each arm hole but you can't really see that in the picture.

Another dress that I will get out more often now instead of saving them for what I don't know? It is very satisfying to see all the hangers turned the other way showing that everything is getting worn.  However it would have been different had I been in work more as some things I wouldn't wear for work or you have to take into account how cold the building is even in summer or if you are out on duty will you get cold etc.  

So far as I am aware I will be in work on Monday unless anything changes between now and then, my son has been told they are now going to go back to the office a few in and a few at home on a rota as of next week. Things are starting to move but is it going to be unpleasant with everyone dashing out of each others way, I'm not sure how I feel about it, this fear of others that we have spent so long protesting about is it now going to be the norm? I hope not.

Bye for now. 

Useful Scraps

Today has just flown by and I have been sewing as usual so maybe that was because I was enjoying myself so much, I had emptied out a scrap bag of fabric bits onto the table this morning and spent some time browsing that.  I don't always know what I will use until I have had a look through and thought about what else I have that might go with it.

There wasn't a very big piece of this strawberry thief fabric left so I have done each side of the bag a little different.  I took the scraps off, or a quick iron and they looked instantly more useable, then I paired them with denim from jeans, some strips of faux leather and recycled duvet sheeting for lining.

I spent so long pondering because I was trying different pieces next to the birds to see what would look good to border it.  It is not always what you initially think, as I certainly didn't have that turquoise in mind originally, I really like it together though.

Here is the other side...

This is what my table looked like and though these are all just little bits you will see them feature in something at some point in the future.

The bag has not been listed yet I may do that tomorrow, I do intend to make a dress tomorrow so  I will be using a whole piece of new fabric ooh!

For todays me made May 2020 day 26 I am wearing an old dress, it has become quite faded on the  black parts now but still wearable.  I often wear it in cooler months with a black top under it and tights so it has been very versatile.  It was made to my own pattern in skater  dress style.

We haven't been very far today one of my dogs has been a bit sick, I am not sure if he is just too hot so we stayed home and I tried to get him to just rest. I hope he picks up tomorrow he has been better this last few hours, or we will be visiting the vet.

That's it for now, take care.

Separates

Hello today for me made May 2020 day 25 (are we there yet??) I am wearing the bibi skirt and the frankie t shirt from the tilly stretch book that I made quite recently.  The good thing about this outfit is that because I used the same fabric on the piping of this skirt as the t shirt front I can wear these together.  I also made a sweatshirt to go with the skirt so when it is cold I can wear those as a set too. at the time it was a case of using up bits of fabric but it actually turned out well.

I do find with this skirt it is a bit of a wriggle to get on, the fabric had the correct amount of stretch I believe but I think I may still add a little concealed zip in one of the seams at the back just for ease.  I wouldn't want to spoil it pulling it on and off.

This morning I finished the  bag I started yesterday and here it is...

So this one is a mixture of recycled bits and bobs, the stag fabric was a bit that was left from when I made a friend of mine a blouse.  A lot of people throw all the bits of leftover fabric away but I never do that.  I also used a little of this a while ago to make a make up bag coupled with another fabric.
The denim is from recycled jeans and the lining is a recycled Paul Smith shirt.

After I had finished that and had a read outside I started another bag this time a bit of a wild design and again I love this one.  An appliquéd design on the front and more recycled denim and shirting.

 Now don't ask me what that is it just sort of took shape, I would say it is some kind of bloom probably because I had been out in the garden looking at the flowers.

My sons have been out playing basketball together again today as they did yesterday, if there is one thing that has come out of this period of being at home is that they have been spending some time together.  They have also been out riding their bikes recently a number of times, normally my oldest would often go straight to his girlfriend's from work so it is nice they have reconnected a bit now that they are older.

We watched a really good film last night based on true events, it is called The 15:17 to Paris I really enjoyed it if you have time it is really worth a look. There is also some real footage at the end of the film, it starts with an event unfolding on a train and then it goes back in time, I'll not give too much away I sometimes think that spoils the viweing.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Flamingos

This month by trying to wear all  my summer makes it is making me think a bit differently about some of my clothes.  It has also highlighted gaps in the form of trousers for when it is cool and I want to be out walking the dogs (wearing leggings under everything won't cut it forever!) and also plain skirts to go with my patterned tops.  That is not usually an issue as when I am home normally I reach for the jeans so I just wear my tops with those, I have plenty of summer tops it is autumn and winter when I find I don't have many warm clothes then I just layer everything.

For today's me made May day 24 I wanted to wear my flamingo blouse but I didn't have a light weight black skirt, I made a black skirt recently but it is really heavy and also too full and I think I will change that one.  So  I put on a basic black dress that has a partial circular skirt, the trouble is the blouse is loose at the bottom so it looks silly with this dress.  Not to be put of I tied the bottom of the blouse just a little then pinned it under through the bit of knot, I had to do this as there really wasn't anything much there to tie.  It worked and I liked it instantly in fact I will wear these together in future now like this.

So a bit of thinking how to wear things differently and I feel like this is a whole new outfit.

I felt like I beat the game at the supermarket today as I got the bill total down ( don't worry we will not starve this week and have everything we need) I was trying to be a bit more aware of the prices while still being quick.  Also making it into a game can make the food shopping more fun I think so I will see if I can win next week too.  I was back to my usual weekly average although if that lasts when they hike up the prices further we will see.


This afternoon I have cut my husbands hair, I always cut my own hair and both my sons but my husband has had it done by me out of need , ha! I was very cautious and didn't take too much off.
After that I made a start on another handbag in fact it is all but finished just attaching the lining and fastener to be done but I will do that tomorrow as we are going to watch a film in a little while.

In fact I have to go now as I have been asked how long I am going to be ;) back soon.

An Easy Basic

Today this is just a quick post it has been a bit of a lazy day today, my me made may 2020 day 23 dress is an example of a quick make with a few details.  A favourite style of dress to make, loose, elasticated waist and turn ups on the sleeves.
I may have mentioned before that find the correct placement of elastic I either put the dress on the mannequin or on me then slip the elastic over the top, once it is on you can manoeuvre to just the right place then pin it in position.  It is a good idea to find the side seams and centre front and back then you can arrange the rest from there.  I have added a red belt just to cheer it up a bit.

There is such a lot of mess on  that sewing table behind  me I think I am just in front of it, ha! Well if you are  too tidy how can you create?  That is my excuse anyway.

I had another look at the burda subscriptions today, my husband said get one if you like why do you talk yourself out of things.  We found on their site it was £71 for the year for twelve copies,  (which is still a lot of money, but as a gift) however on clicking it to the basket it went up to £96 they want to charge £25 for postage!  The whole idea of a subscription is they deliver it and I have never seen this added on a magazine subscription before.  I decided to leave it.  Then on another site my husband found three copies delivered for £22 pound.  I have gone for that, at least this way I can see how I like it.

Earlier on I was looking at sewing room ideas, I put in small sewing spaces on pinterest then youtube you should see the size of these rooms, people must live in mansions to devote that much space to sewing!  I think the search engine had completely ignored the word small. I currently have a desk as you see above (top right of my title bar) with lots of stuff pile on and around it.

Tomorrow I am off to the shops (food shopping of course) I am going to try and plan it a bit better this week as I don't know if it is just me but my shopping bill has been up for weeks? Now I always cook at home so it is not that but I think prices may have crept up in general and due to lockdown and the whole get in get out of the supermarket mentality maybe we are overlooking this.  I could be over paranoid about this but before I always took good care to get the best prices because as something we do every week this is an easy way to save.  

That's all for now, stay safe.

Orla Kiely

There was a more enjoyable morning of sewing today as I made a bag and I really enjoy  making these. Just restful sewing, however my machine is making some very odd noises at the moment.  I do understand that it probably gets more use  and wear than a lot of machines as I am often forcing faux leather through it and it is only a domestic machine.  I think I will give it a good once over tomorrow to see what is going on.

Anyway here is todays creation...

Like this on one side.

Like this on the other, now this is Orla Kiely upholstery fabric and the print is too big for a handbag unless you are making a really big one. So I cut it down the middle and I like the half pattern look.

There is repurposed duvet fabric for the lining and a recycled denim pocket, I am already wondering what to make next.  The good news is I just sold one bag so I feel justified making another each time one sells.

Earlier today I had another  look at those dodgy shorts that I was working on and I feel that with a bit of tweaking (removing the ridiculous high waist and possibly putting in a proper waistband) they may look better.  I sent my friend a picture of me in them as she wanted to see, and have a laugh  and she agrees they would look better without the high waist. 

Today for me made May day 22 I have on a self drafted a-line skirt fully lined, and a self drafted v-neck t shirt. I watched a really good youtube when I made the t-shirt that shows you how to do a perfect v, it turned out much better than ones I have done in the past.

I went for a very windy walk earlier with the dogs and they ran around the field going mad, what is it with dogs and wind?  Although I have noticed it can also have a rather odd effect on children too. When I got back I made the discovery that the burda magazine I thought I had bought I had only bid on!  Honestly you would think I have never used ebay before, the thing is I was looking at buy it now ones so that must have thrown me off.  It went for £6.80, for a used magazine I don't think so you can buy it in the shops!   I have been looking at a subscription today and wondering whether to treat myself, not sure if it would be worth it as I make so many things without patterns, I think I just like the idea of a magazine treat each month to look forward to.   

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Not for Me

Oh dear sometimes things that you start  sewing are just not meant to be and I am happy to share that as so many sewing projects turn out well.   I have been working on the McCall's shorts today and thought they were looking ok, pleats in, pockets done and while they may not have the crisp look I would have liked that couldn't be helped as I just used the left over fabric rather than one specifically for the task. I tried them on and oh dear, they look ridiculous on me.

 Now not sure if it is the fabric, or this style just does nothing for me (maybe both), my son came in and said are you going swimming? Ha, ha, I said I know they are not flattering at all.  There were a few bits left to do like belt loops, hook and eye. pressing everything and finishing seams but do you know I can tell I will never wear these so why go any further.  I have already spent a bit of time on them and they are really not bringing me any joy!

I wasn't going to take a photo in them as I really do look like I am about to enter the sea for a swim in an old fashioned costume, not a good look.
The fabric is partly to blame as this pattern has a bit of structure and this fabric will not hold any shape, so even with pressing it was never going to hold the pleats or the turn ups.  The main thing is I tried this pattern and didn't break into favourite fabric, I know that even with the perfect fabric choice this pattern is not for me.

Here are my pockets of many pieces that I faffed with to get just right, I think I will unpick and save them to use on something else;) Along with the zip I put in, don't want to waste that.

There will be a pair of shorts but next time I may self draft as I seem to like my styles better.  My husband said to me I told you they wouldn't be right when you showed me the pattern, how can baggy shorts look good? Well I'm sure they look good on some people but obviously we are all unique, something different tried.

There is  a bag all cut out on the side that I prepared this morning I am sure I would have had more fun making that. After my disappointment with the shorts I sat outside with a drink and a packet of crisps reading War and Peace. (Yes I am still reading that)   There are a lovely few lines in it I have to say that made me think of our current time.

There are two sides to the life of every man, his individual life which is the more free the more abstract its interests, and his elemental swarm-life in which he inevitably obeys laws laid down for him.
Leo Tolstoy     (War and Peace)

Is that what we are all doing right now? Obeying the laws for the sake of the whole and in every sense not feeling very free at the moment.  It is strange I could have read that at any other time and felt nothing as I read those words but of course we are different every day.

Before I go I will share todays me made my 2020 day 21, a self drafted shirt and skirt.  The skirt fabric came in a lucky dip bag from Minerva, it is a sort of stretchy twill and was just the thing for this sort of skirt as it is fitted but with a bit of give, think stretch denim. There is a zip at the centre back seam.

Keep making, trying new things and be free in your thoughts. Until next time, bye for now,

Something from the Past

I found the picture of the little upcycled dress I made years ago for a toddler, it has taken me ages we save so many photos now, far more than we ever did when we had paper copies it is quite overwhelming to look through!   Here it is made from the bottom legs of bootcut jeans with buttons at the back.

I came across this yesterday and I had completely forgotten about it, it was so nice for it to pop up as a memory.  The butterfly on the front had been cut around from a back pocket I remember and then appliqued on.  The little girl it was for was two at the time she will be about sixteen now, our boys were friends and they moved away so we didn't see them much after that.  It is nice to revisit past projects sometimes.

It has been such a glorious day that I did not stay in and sew, I have been gardening, planting and tidying up then I had a distanced visit with my mum. It is the first proper face to face conversation we have had since this all started.

My me made May day 20 choice for today was a Burda shirt pattern made into a dress, lovely Minerva fabric.  I think this challenge would have seen more repeated outfits had it been done during the winter months.  I don't know about everyone else but I definitely make more summer clothes and I think sew more in general at this time of year.  It probably has a lot to do with lighting and the longer days.

 On a more mundane level I got all of the dogs bedding and cushions washed and hung out and they are now back on their beds.  It is one of those jobs you need a warm day for as they need to be out on the line.

My mum was getting a bit annoyed that the window cleaner hadn't been for a number of weeks, the windows don't look dirty but she does like her routine. My window cleaner stopped coming to us because we had the cheek to ask if he had done the back ones one day and he got offended.  We know he hadn't as a bird had flown into the window leaving a mark and it was still there (we didn't mention that fact).  I wouldn't mind but when he lied and said he had we just politely said oh ok and paid him in full, then he stopped coming!   Bit of a cheek on his part really but never mind it saves me a bill.

Well that's all for now, take care.

Making Fabric Fit The Pattern

Not a bad day here again, a bit dull this morning but still warm enough for a dress.  This dress for me made May 2020 day 19 is once again made with Minerva fabric and I also made a bag with some of the scraps but that has now sold. I used New Look pattern 6125 but I found it was too loose for me so I added darts and a bit more shaping, I also lined it.  Once again it was comfy to wear all day not impractical and while fitted there is still plenty of movement, if I make this pattern again I may use slightly stretchy fabric and just make it a bit smaller then that would save the need for all my modifications.

Being a bit impatient with sewing as I am I got out my odd pieces today and made a start on the McCalls shorts.  There was I found just enough fabric for the front and back pieces but not enough for the pockets or belt.  So I have used paisley for the back of the pockets, a different fabric for the bit that shows but pieced on  a matching bit to the tops.  I will show more when they are finished, I have to say the instructions were not very clear (I don't like instructions!) I really do think if you didn't sew already that is the kind of thing that would put you off.   I usually just cut out and off I go but I thought I would have a look at them, now I know why I don't usually bother.

See it only just fits on, if I want belt loops there are at least little bits for that.  This is John Kaldor fabric that I made a dress in a while ago, here I have used the reverse as the right side as I didn't want shiny shorts. It remains to be seen what the oddments pockets will look like.

There is not much more to do on them but now my husband said he is not sure he will like the wide style.  We will have to see what they look like on.  I had to break off from my  busy sewing as I had to go into work for a meeting, real life getting in the way!

I think I am becoming something of a recluse, at first I thought great get out and go to work and see everyone.  Then I was relieved to get home, that is a strange way to feel but then these are strange times.  The thing is we tend to get used to how things are no matter what, that is part of our make up for dealing with situations I guess, it would be a shame if we all got too comfortable staying away from each other wouldn't it.

A little sample of fabric arrived that I ordered, I paid for it but it is so small it made me laugh they didn't even get all of the pattern on. I will not be paying for samples again I'll just use my judgment looking at the pictures.

A few memories of past photographs popped up earlier, I have had a laugh looking at us all looking younger.  Then I saw a little dress I made for my friend's daughter about fourteen years ago, it was from a pair of wide leg jeans and I had forgotten all about it.  Now I can't find it and I wanted to share it, I will have another look and hopefully you will see it tomorrow.

Right I am off for a cup of tea, stay safe.

Making Plans

I have been hunting through my offcuts of fabric today trying to find a bit big enough to squeeze these shorts out of...

A friend passed this pattern on to me and I would like to try it out now that the weather is so nice, unless I do one leg each colour I am not sure I will manage it out of the pieces I have left. There is a stripy sheet but they may be too see through, oh what to do?   I have put the pattern and the pile of fabric to one side for now and will have another think about it tomorrow.  The rest of the day has been spent in the garden, walking the dogs and hoovering and sorting etc.

I have ordered  a used Burda magazine from ebay, mainly because I watched a browse through of it and liked some of the styles and also because it was only a couple of pounds.  I will see how I like it when it arrives, all of the printed Burda patterns I have are a good accurate size so I would like to see how the magazine works out.  A lot of people swear by it but I have often picked it up in shops and not been that taken with the styles, I watched a youtube video of someone flicking through this one and then found it for sale.

While I was shopping in the supermarket I bought myself another roll of baking paper purely for pattern tracing so I am all set for when the magazine arrives.  I have tried on a number of occasions to contact Knipmode magazine with a view to subscribing but they never return my emails.  I know there are people in the UK that receive it and they say contact via email. I have give up on that now I suppose they are saving me some money by not responding!

My me made may day 18 outfit is a dress by kwik sew that I made with Minerva fabric, a wrap dress.  I think this is only the second time I have worn it so that just shows the pointlessness of saving for best.

Now I managed to carry a large bag of compost from the car without getting dirty and planted up and re-potted some things so it is possible to live life without jeans I am finding;)  though some of those shorts would be great!

Keep smiling everyone and take care.

Hoody Refashion Reveal

Hello I have had a lovely day messing about with my refashion project, it has been so relaxing I think mainly because there is no new fabric involved, or timescale and it has just been evolving as it went along I suppose.  Beware  many photo's coming up, so here is the finished jacket/cardi or whatever you want to call it and it now fits perfect.

What are those flowery bits of Amy Butler fabric doing at the front I hear you say, well let me explain as this jacket has been something of a Frankenstein project when I cut up the original hoody there was not enough fabric to cut many of the burda pieces in full.  As a result I have pieced bits together here and there.  I didn't want a join showing there at the front so I thought I would embellish it a bit.

Here is where I had to patch on an extra bit of fabric before cutting out the yoke as I didn't have a big enough piece of blue jersey for both sides after cutting the under arms.

Here you can see the blue under sleeve, and did I have to patch a bit under the left arm to make the piece big enough, yes I did, ha ha! Told you it was Frankenstein's jacket, it's ok it is hardly noticeable.

The centre front panels are in two pieces but where I remade the pockets and added the blue I found that when I re-attached them I could line them up so it sort of hides the join.  If you look the pocket ends at the navy blue the line continuing across the front to the zip is the join.

There wasn't enough rib for the new jacket style even though the original was really big. So I made these folded strips of jersey from the offcuts and added them at each side.

I kept the back of the jacket all one piece but it had to be recut further down to allow for set in sleeves as the originals were raglan.  This means there are also little triangular details on the shoulder at the back too.

The under side of the collar is blue fabric scraps, I had to cut down the zip after I unpicked it and then line up all my bits on the front.

I handstitched the zip in first and don't worry about the messy seam I will cover that in a minute.

Here I covered the inside of the zip with jersey scrap fabric to make it neat, I am tempted to go over all the inside seams like this or is that going too far?

Just now though I should have taken a before shot of how big it was on me doh!

I hope this has been useful for showing you that you can take old clothes or charity finds and play around with them.  If you don't spend much you have the chance to learn a lot from doing things like this, all the while keeping in mind that it is ok if it goes wrong.  I am aware people go on expensive dress making course and are ushered down the road of buying the expensive pattern you will be making with the expensive fabric!   Wow what pressure that must be, I think you can't beat practising on old clothes, sheets, offcuts or whatever else you can lay your hands on.  As you can see I still like messing about like this after all these years, if you don't spend much you can view it as play and learning without the pressure.

Now under my re-fashion I have on todays me made May day 17, a self drafted skirt (sale fabric) a self drafted t shirt from a pinterest idea I saw (remnant fabric).

That is all for today I hope it wasn't too much with all the images, have a lovely week. 

Jacket Re-fashion Progress

Quite a nice day today and it felt almost normal, my friend called to pick up her birthday present she didn't come in just stood on the drive and we had a chat at a distance for ten minutes.  My husband and I had  a nice walk in the park and a stroll past the Greek pop hut that has appeared locally, after I noticed they had a vegan option my husband went back minus the dogs to stand in the socially distanced queue.  The food we had was nice and it felt like we had a treat.

For me made May day 16 I have on another mock jumpsuit that I made with Minerva fabric last year, this one I adapted a new look pattern for the trousers with a self drafted darted vest top.  It is comfy to wear.

This afternoon has been spent trying   to make the Burda jacket with the hoody re-fashion, there has been a lot of jigsawing bits together as there was no way I could get all the bits out of the hoody.  It would have been easier to size it down and embellish it but that would have been too easy wouldn't it?  I have used a bit of navy sweatshirt scraps but I didn't have much of that either so the yokes on the shoulders have a little triangle addition in the corners.  It is all one big experiment so I am completely relaxed about it.  Here is a peek...

Here that front panel is in two pieces due to lack of bit pieces, it is also upside down and I have already topstitched it across and down.  So that had to come off, see I said I would show the bad with the good.

Here one sleeve on as you see the under sleeve is also blue, the pockets that came off were quite small for a big hoody I have added a blue panel to those too.

I need to unpick the fabric from that zip as I just cut it off yesterday when I was in a hurry to get cutting.  At the moment I am undecided what to use for the front panel that the zip will go on, also I have cut a very small collar due to lack of fabric! If it doesn't work out it may be a tiny mandarin collar, we will see tomorrow.

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy your weekend.