A Few Finishes

I did manage to finish a few sewing projects before setting off for Toronto, and I actually remembered to take a few photos, so I'm going to share them today. 

I made a clutch bag to take to the wedding with me - so much easier than traipsing round the shops trying to find a bag I liked that matched my shoes!

For the pattern I used the one that accompanied the dress I made, but I didn't make it as wide.

I used a navy linen that I purchased in John Lewis.

The bow adds a nice finishing touch, don't you think? Although it was a bit of a swine to try and get a nice pleat in it.

It closes with a metal magnetic closure.

It was the first time I'd tried using these. But they were an absolute breeze to attach. I shall certainly be using them again!

The lining is a muted sage quilting weight cotton with a white polka dot.

The bag was a delight to use at the wedding - it held everything from camera to compact umbrella and was easy to hold without being cumbersome.

Thinking that it would be the usual glorious weather here I sewed like a maniac before leaving the UK. I didn't manage to make everything I wanted to, but I did sew up this skirt in just one evening.

It's a really soft denim (perfect for squashing into a case when travelling) and to say I drafted my own pattern would be pushing the truth. I literally just made it up as I went along! It has a zip closure at the back and a really narrow waistband. I don't like wide waistbands, and if I had left a bit of space above the end of the zip as I inserted it, I wouldn't have had a waistband at all. I suspect I'll be making a second one of these when I return to England. It's very comfy.

And finally I made a little gift for someone I shall be seeing whilst I'm over here. Her two older sisters both have a personalised apron that I made them a couple of years ago, and I figured that it won't be too long before Gratia is helping out with the baking too. The pattern for this is in the Sewing Patterns section at the top of my blog.