Immy's Christmas Dress

Notice I'm still not posting about the green velvet dress! Yes, I'm putting it off, it's still too painful.

So, instead - a refashion. Take one pillowcase and one vintage nightie pattern and what do you get...  Imogen's Christmas dress!

I loved making this.  A whole dress squeezed out of just one pillowcase.  It has raglan sleeves, and a gathered neckline finished with a self fabric band.  It's super cute.

Even though the pattern is actually for a nightdress, I'm so pleased with it that she can wear it out too.  I may make it again in a soft flannel, so that she actually gets a nightie too!
 

The back has a simple button closure, so it is easy on and off - necessary with a wriggly toddler.

At the hem, I added a length of lace just to make it a little more seasonal. 

Well, I think she is all ready to party now.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Happy Homemade, Sew Chic Kids: Parka

This is a make from Happy Homemade, Sew Chic Kids by Ruriko Yamada.

What a book. I LOVE it.  I have two boys and a little girl and I can say hand on heart I want to make every single design; but, I had to start somewhere, so I started with pattern S, "Pull-over Parka".

It is so easy; really, really easy - only six instructions to follow.  I would recommend it as a pattern for beginners, as it gives you a great result with minimal effort. It is my quickest make to date.

I made age four for my four year old and it's a little roomy, but he will grow into it.

I've made it  from fleece, it is so cosy and warm.  I now need to make one for my big boy too!

He loves it too,  which is rather gratifying.  Well done Laurie on your modelling, very keen to be in Mummy's blog!

PS.  A thank you everyone for your advice on sewing up my velvet dress.  It was so appreciated.   I have finally finished it before it finished me!    Just need to photo it now. 

Will I be beaten?

This project could be my undoing.  I brought some green crushed velvert from Fabricland in Brighton.  Or as my children refer to it "Happyland"!  I had the intention of whipping up something elegant to wear over the festive period.

I spent some fun time on pininterest looking for inspiration.  My board can be found here. .http://www.pinterest.com/louise0451/party-dress/

This was one of my favourites.

In the end I decided on a mini-length dirndle style dress with short sleeves. I have Wendy Mullins book Built by Wendy - Dresses  which allows you to use her basic patterns to design your own clothes.  Sorted. Or so I thought.

I cut out my pattern pieces, started to pin my pieces together and then ...PANIC... it suddenly struck me, I had no idea how to sew with stretch fabric.

Easily fixed - I can practise on the scraps left after cutting out.  But I can't do it!  The tensions all wrong, the seams won't hold.  I tried again the next day, hoping it was just because I was too tired.  Same again.  I've tried using a walking foot to stop the fabric moving around, but I still couldn't get the tension right.  Anyway, this is the first thing I've tried to sew since I took up this hobby that I haven't enjoyed.  I'm feeling beaten. Bah.

Not sure what to do now.  Give up? Keep going?  Buy a party dress for Xmas?  Do same pattern with non- stretch fabric?  Or I may sew something else, then come back to it.  I need a sewing "high"!

My 1960s dress

This project is my first foray onto the world of vintage patterns.  And I loved it!  Just holding the pattern pieces and picture card made me feel like the curator of a museum.

 

Economy Design No 233.  I'd never heard of this company before.  It must have been a mail order company, as the design came in a brown return envelope rather than a normal pattern sheath.  All the pieces were there, though sadly no instructions.  So I winged it, and made it up as I went along.

Rather elegant!  I even wore my heels for the photos!  Though I changed to boots for the rest of the day and felt that acually it looked okay dressed down too.

I added braid to accentute the 60s neckline and because it toned well with the purple.  The fabric is just a simple and very cheap cotton drill.  I didn't want to waste money on it, in case I fluffed the dress without instructions.

Heaven knows if I've done it right.  Sewing the yoke on was a leap of faith. So I just matched up the notches and hoped for the best.

 Maybe I should top stitch either side of this seam to make it stand out some more.

This was my first attempt at a zip!  It's not great but it's in and works.  Got to start somewhere.  Looking at the photo I'm going to add a hook and eye to the top.

So that's my first go at vintage. and it won't be my last.  It was fun.  I wore the dress out last week and found it made me walk tall.  Which is fabulous when you're 5ft nothing!