She sees that her handiwork is good: Dress 13

Two weeks later dress- that's what I've called this one as I made it two weeks after Sew Dolly Clackett had finished!

It's a usual me mash-up of Simplicity 2444 and the circle skirt part of my new Eliza M patterns 'Betty' dress.

What do you think?

Had these green wedges in the wardrobe and I think they're a pretty good match!

Xx

She teaches faithfully: Me Made May is on! (Better late than never!)

Hello lovelies!
I've finally decided that I will in fact enter Me Made May 2014- especially as I have only worn my own creations so far this month already!

I think I need to somehow or other declare my commitment so here it is- I pledge to wear at least one item of handmade clothing for at least 4 days out of every week during the month of May 2014. I will try harder to produce better fitting and better finished garments and to take more care when hemming circle skirts!!!

I will be posting my Daily Outfits on each of the 4 days using the hashtag #mmmay14 on Instagram and Twitter and will create a dedicated page on my Pinterest feed so follow me anywhere you like by clicking the links on the right of the blog!

Let's see if I can improve over the course of the month shall we?!

Here's the end of today's outfit anyway-

No Cream Dress and Irregular Choice Summer Storm Heels

She makes her own bed coverings: Dress Fabrics!

Hello lovelies!

Well the Easter holidays involved an incredibly sunny week in Cornwall (hoorah!) Another lovely week of extended family, chocolate and lie-ins but alas, very little sewing.
This week however I am back in the saddle with my new pattern drafting skills to assist me and some stunning new fabrics! I'm still deliberating over Me Made May (although I'd better decide very soon!!) so perhaps knocking something up in these stunning fabrics will help?!

I ventured away from my local drapers momentarily to find these little beauties online. 

Flamingo anyone?!

Scottie Doggies

After a fab bank holiday I'm raring to go!!

Watch this space!!
Xx

Me made may 2014....yea or nay?

Hmmm....shall I do it? Or is it too much pressure?!

I've now made an incredible 15 dresses, all of which are mostly wearable, and 5 skirts. I'm thinking a handmade garment at least 4 times a week?

My challenge would have to be the inside finishing. I'm always so keen to get my dresses finished that the inside overcasting can suffer a wee bit so maybe that's what I'll do.

Here's today's offering anyhoo....

(Home Sewing Is Easy Dress in New Look 6886)

Do you think I should go for it?

Are you??!!

Xx

She speaks wisely: Dress 12 & a Leibster Award!!

Hello lovelies- how are you?
I'm so sorry Sew Dolly Clackett has finished but so pleased to have made so many amazingly talented and very interesting friends on the interweb who, like me, are discovering the joys of sewing their own wardrobe! The lovely Kate from the Polka Dot Room has even nominated me for a Leibster award! I didn't know about to until I read Kate's post so I've shamelessly knicked her explanation for you!
"So what does this award mean? Well, this is a blogging award given by bloggers to other newer bloggers....generally with a following of less than 300....answer some questions given to you by your nomination and nominate 3-5 bloggers of your choice....and ask them some questions.

The award highlights new blogs and helps them get noticed, thereby increasing their audience!"

So Kate asked me some questions so here they are!
1. What is the dress pattern you would recommend the most?
It has to be Retro Butterick 5478. It was my first. It's also extremely easy (once you've corrected the neckline gape) and fun to sew up. It's a vintage pattern Butterick have reissued so it's got the vintage vibe I like in my dresses and looks amazing with a petticoat!!

2. What's the worst thing you've ever made and why?
Hmmmm.... Your not going to like this but it was an Anna dress. I just don't think the kimono sleeves and v neck suited me. I also added a circle skirt to the pattern which may have made it too frumpy but the good news is I've removed the Anna bospdice and am attaching a halterneck!! Waste not want not!

3. If you could dress like any woman in history who would it be?
Ooh- if I had the body shape then Audrey Hepburn. Always Audrey. (Although a bit of Dita wouldn't go a miss either!)

4. Out of the 4 'sex and the city' lead women who would you be?
Ahem..... Confession time....never watched it. Not really my cup of tea I'm afraid. Next question?

5.When and what would your ultimate holiday be?
I have to say I'm incredibly fortunate to be taking my ultimate holiday this Christmas. Sydney's Northern Beaches with extended family- every time!

Thanks Kate!
So I guess I now have to nominate some bloggers at this point but I'm afraid I've been sew busy (get it?) with sewing I haven't actually stopped to read any (except Dolly C!)

Perhaps I could hold the award for a while until I discover some deserving new bloggers to pass it on to hey?!
Don't you just love the sew-blog-o-sphere?!

In other news, I've made a new discovery over the holidays- I can pattern redraft!!! I was a bit fed up of the gaping neckline on my retro Butterick pattern so taped up some of the pattern front but this was pulling the armholes in a bit so I had another look.....it's worked! I have altered the neckline (is this a 'sloper'?) , redone the bust darts to make them larger and the waist darts to take in more fabric under the bust and I really like it!!

Ta-dah! I've named this dress the 'Ode to Dolly' dress as I finished it after sew Dolly Clackett had ended. What do you think?!

I'm also loving my new shoes! (From Clarks!!!)
Xx

she is like the ships of traders: Dress 11

Good morning lovelies! I can't believe Sew Dolly Clackett is over :(
I'm a bit behind in my blogging so this dress was made for the competition but I'm only just posting it now so apologies. (draft posts- got to love 'em). I have made 2 and half more dresses since April 23rd and won a Leibster award so I will be back to sequential blogging once the hols are over- oh, that means Monday!

This dress is a completely sew Dolly Clackett fabric- I think you'll agree!! But I just couldn't resist this completely ridiculous fabric from my local Drapers and as it was only £4.99 a meter I did think "what the hey"!!

I opted for my favourite Retro Butterick bodice and paired it with the half circle skirt from New Look 6886. 

I did my usual and lined it with spare fabric from an Anna dress I'm making.

For all it's a ridiculous fabric it makes a pretty amazing dress! Apologies for the slightly off centre 'selfie'!

My hubby was watching an episode of 'White Collar' on Netflix while I sewed up this dress (if you haven't seen it, it's a fab series!) so I've named the dress 'Caffrey Rules' -get it?!

What do you think?

Xx

Beauty is fleeting: Dress 10

I've been waiting until I felt confident enough to sew with this fabric ever since I saw Roisins dress in it.

The other day...it arrived!

I bought 2.5M and plumped for New Look 6886 as I wanted a summer dress that I could still wear a flouncy petticoat with but one that wasn't a full circle.

I had to think hard when pinning to make sure I maximised the pattern! Didn't want anything to be upside down!!

The fabric made me smile the whole time I was sewing it up!

What do you think? I love it!!

Home sewing is Easy dress worn with Poetic License floral heels.

I will be fairly easy to spot this summer I think!

Just heard I won a Leibster award! Yay! More details soon.

Xx