Matchy Matchy!

I feel like I haven't blogged in ages! For anyone who has noticed my absence, (hi Mom and Dad) I'm very sorry. I have been quite busy this week starting a new job which I'm loving, but means less time for sewing.

But here is a little something I refashioned recently and something I have wanted to get round to doing for ages.

I really like the idea of wearing a matching skirt and crop top set, especially when it looks cute and lady-like, in a fabulous tweed or something. I love this example from Geneva at a pair and a spare. I love this blog and always find it so inspiring. If you have never looked at it, go now!

My example is a little different, (I have neither her amazing photography skills or her general air of sophistication) but I'm still really pleased with my attempt.

 

 

 

 

I had an old,  long sleeved, thick jersey dress that used to belong to my Mom. I think it was from Sainsbury's or some other high fashion clothes retailer. I really like the pattern and the thickness of the fabric, but the dress was too big on the whole and just didn't look right on me.So I decided this was the perfect opportunity to try and recreate a style I love.  

I cut the dress so that the top would sit at the top part of my stomach when hemmed, then cut the sleeves to make it a t- shirt.

For the skirt I added a length of elastic to the top and some darts at the back. (I managed to keep the original pockets) However, it then was very short! I cut apart the sleeves and made them into a little kind of peplum/ruffle at the bottom which seems to work.

 

 

In the end this only took about an hour or so to chop up and re- style, so it was a real quick project. (I love it when things come together fast. I'm so impatient)

Oh, and about the photography. I apologise for the weird lighting and lack of styling on my behalf haha. My little brother is my faithful and very skilled for his age photographer and always takes the photos of me for my blog. This lot of pictures is definitely my fault, having had no time to get any photos in actual daylight! Sozz Ethan.



Simplicity 2176

First off I would just like to say how much I love this pattern.

My nan brought this pattern a few weeks ago, along with some black and white floral cotton and some light tulip cotton and I have recently got round to making them both up.
It is probably one of the easiest dress patterns I have made in a while, but it has loads of detail and nice lines which make it look a lot more complicated.

This is one of the dresses. I think my Nan looks lovely! The shape of the dress suits her so well. I had to make hardly any alterations besides shortening the straps a little and making the skirt a little longer to suit her taste.

This is the black and white floral version. It is exactly the same, but it is more difficult to see the waist pleats and the bodice band with a busy pattern.

Nan was really pleased with them both so that's the main thing. I am also tempted to get the pattern in my size, shorten it and make one for me.

Some Selfless Sewing

The last week or so, I have mainly been concentrating on sewing a few things for my mom. (I'm such a nice daughter)
My mom and dad are off on their holidays tomorrow, and this has coincided with my mom realising that if she buys a pattern and fabric I can make her clothes.

She was looking for a summery wrap dress and a skirt with pockets in the shops but couldn't see anything that was just right. We eventually found Simplicity 1617 and Butterick B5850, and some colourful fabric.

The skirt was pretty easy to construct. I used view D of the pattern, with the drapey pockets and made virtually no alterations.

The fabric my mom chose was a multi-coloured, floral, lightweight, cotton and I think she looks great!

 

It really suits her!

I made up the Butterick dress in view B. No sleeves and a slim skirt.
This was a tad harder to make up and I did have to make a few alterations to the fit. But I am really happy with how it turned out in the end and so is mom.

Mom decided she wanted pockets in this too, so I used the pattern pieces from the skirt and attached them to the dress. (she has a thing about pockets)

I actually think it looks really nice with the pockets, and the sash around the waist is lovely too. The fabric is a thicker cotton which drapes really well. It also seems like it wont crease, which is great as it went straight in a suitcase as soon as I had finished it!

So hopefully they will both get lots of wear while she is abroad!

Crafty Friends

A few days ago I decided to inflict my sewing machine and fabric on my fried Becky. We decided to have a sewing day, as it makes a change from going to the pub.

Becky has done bits of sewing before so she knew the basics, so she decided to make a tote bag and I would help with the pattern and stuff.

I have a free online course from Craftsy, which tells you all you need to know about making a fully lined tote bag with a little pocket. Click here to find it. I had never used it before so I was really keen for us to try it out.

Here is what Becky looks like marking out fabric.

Here she is sewing up the outside of the bag.

Look at that concentration.

Look at me, pretending like I know stuff.

The bag turned out lovely! Its made out of an old bed sheet and some fabric I found in an antique shop in Wales. We also added some pretty lace.

Isn't it lovely! It has a really nice silvery, silky lining too.

Me, Becky and our friend Lucy decided to take it on a road trip to the Cotswolds yesterday. (because we are super cool twenty-one year olds) We definitely brought the average age down. It was beautiful and we had great weather.

Look at Becky modelling her brand new bag!

Now I want one!