Oh! Did you make that?

Hello sewing friends; my husband paid me a huge compliment this morning: 'Did you make that?' he said, 'Really?' Why, yes I did!

For some unknown reason, the colour seems impossible to capture accurately on screen. But it is a bold bright Star Trek red! I had originally fancied a red Coco using the Tilly and the Buttons pattern, but something held me back. I think it was the fear of looking like Lieutenant Uhura!

That aside, the fabric is a gorgeously bouncy viscose punto roma from Ditto Fabrics. It was bought at a sewing meet-up with the "sew bees". Am I the last to sew up something from the spoils of that day? Possibly!

In the end, I turned to my tried and tested dress pattern - simplicity 1784. It's just a fancy shift dress, really; I've made this twice before here and here and wear the dresses all the time. They are the perfect length for me, and the front section gives a bit of interest.

My original dresses make good use of contrasting fabrics and colour, but this time I thought I would make it plain. And I am really happy with it.

Over time my sewing is getting better. I am pleased with the detail in this make; smooth hemline, neat stitching in the ditch around the yoke, and my favourite bit - the pockets; they fall in the seam lines, and are roomy and fun.

The shape suits me, and I feel happy wearing this bright colour; it even matches my awfully bright lipstick!

New trousers!

Good evening. It's been cold recently, and this morning - to the joy of my youngest - it snowed. Sadly for her, it had all melted in the short time it took her to get dressed. Poor thing. We went outside anyway to photograph my new trousers, but it was very cold so we decamped indoors pronto.

I love the print of this fabric; dark blue floral print against a deep plummy purple. I bought it about a year ago on a whim from Fabricland in Brighton; it's a scuba knit and is thick and spongy. The trousers feel surprisingly lovely when on!

I really liked the fabric but because of the fabric content (polyester) I wouldn't want to wear it as a top or dress as it would be too sweaty, so it was destined to be either skirt or trousers.

From the front.

From the back

After making my muslin (simplicity 1314) I knew I had to raise the centre back and 

I used the slash and spread method to add room to the back of my trouser pattern. Very easy to do and worked a treat.

I am really pleased with how these turned out and would ideally like another pair. I have the most delicious wool and viscose knit from Ditto fabrics that I had earmarked for more trousers. It is almost black on the right side, but I prefer the wrong side as its a gorgeous mix of light grey and white in an almost twill effect.

But now I am deliberating as the fabric is so yummy and would make a lovely dress too. Decisions decisions!

Two muslins maketh great pyjamas!

Hello. Today's makes are practice runs, trying out 'new to me' patterns for sizing and fit.

In the process, I seem to have made a great pair of winter pyjamas. The fabric is from my epic charity shop haul the other day. Three metres of soft and fluffy double jersey for £2!

First up is my practice Linden. I have seen so many wonderful versions in blogland. At first I just admired the pattern from afar, then during Me-Made-May I decided I wanted one. It's taken a long time to get round to it, but I am so pleased I have.

It's easy to make and great to wear. The fabric didn't have enough stretch to use for the neckline. So I just grabbed a stretchy piece of blue jersey for the neck from my bulging scrap basket. In hindsight, I could have just cut the pattern piece a bit bigger to make up for the lack of stretch, but this didn't occur to me until later.

I am so thrilled with this sweatshirt that I jumped on-line and have purchased two lovely pieces of sweatshirting for my next version. I am very grateful to January sales for softening the financial blow!

The trousers are Simplicity 1314 (which I admit I bought for the dress pattern) which I have also been meaning to try for ages. Slim fitting knit trousers, perfect for winter mornings. I am glad I made these as a muslin because the fit isn't quite right. The front is fine, but the centre back sits lower than the front. (Guess I have a big bum!)

My first thought was to add a wedge shape to the top of the back pattern piece, but after some research I think I should try slashing and spreading as suggested by Gertie!

Well I shall try and hope for the best with my fashion fabric. Goodbye for now, Louise x

Saved Sophia and a Happy New Year.

Happy New Year! May it bring us all health, happiness and hopefully enough time to sew.

I made this top which came free with  Love Sewing Magazine back in October, when Gabby organised the Sophia-sew along. Sadly, I hated the finished top! So it sat in the naughty pile, occasionally tried on and re-rejected! Until... I realised that  - as I can sew - I could alter it to fit!

Well, duh! Why did it take me so long to realise? I didn't take any 'before' photos, but you can take my word for it that it looked awful: excess fabric at the front, and gaping armholes that showed off my whole bra. My alteration was to remove a long wedge from armcycle to hem. Easy!

Still gapes a little, even after alterations! But not normally noticeable!

Did I copy my alteration down onto my pattern pieces so I could make it again? Nah. Maybe I will as I like this now, and it would look lovely in a super fluid viscose.

I definitely like the silhouette, and that the cropped length is unique in my wardrobe. I rather like how it gives the illusion that I am taller than my tiny stature by exposing lots of leg and waist!

Well, that's all folks. Everyone in blogland seems to be doing best ofs and plans for the new year, but I haven't quite got my arse in gear for that yet. Happy 2016, Louise x