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.

Sew Busy!

It's May already! and I have been so busy sewing, that I have neglected my blog! I have been making a dress for a wedding I go to in two weeks time. I bought the fabric in plenty of time, I just didn't start making it early enough.

April is a busy month in the garden when you try to grow a lot of your own fruit and veg, and trying to fit dressmaking in around it all was not easy. 

A few weeks ago I took a Craftsy course in Pattern Making Basics. I learned such a lot, and although I haven't yet made anything from my own drafted patterns, I do understand fit a lot better than I previously did. I ended up making 2 muslins for this dress before I was happy with the fit, and I don't think I'll ever just make the closest size to mine again! I now understand my body size a whole lot better too. Parts of me are a UK size 8 and others a 14!! so no wonder I was previously often disappointed my results.

This one is still not quite right, but it's certainly a better fit than I could have bought in a shop.

The pattern is New Look 6069 and the fabric a lightweight cotton.

Trying to take a full length photograph of yourself is not an easy thing to do, so feel free to have a good laugh at this attempt. I shall have to invest in a tripod and an automatic timer!

There are some nice details on this dress - little gathers at the top of the bodice along with petite cap sleeves

 and little buttons down the front. They are purely decorative, the dress has a zip opening at the back.

I chose the fabric as it went so well with a jacket that I already have.

Now all I need to do is make a little clutch bag to go with it, and I'm all set.

Actually, that's not true. I go to Toronto for this wedding, and as I often go in May, I know it can get very hot, and my summer wardrobe is very sparse. In my head I'm making another dress, a skirt and two tops before I get on that plane!! Not sure all that lot will get done, but if I'm not blogging much, you know what I'm doing!