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.