Sun Dress.

Monday was such a lovely sunny day I decided to make myself a new sun dress, it's cobbled together from a couple of patterns.

The bodice is from New Look 6459, as is the mid section and the fuller skirt is from Simplicity 4070.

I liked my fabric choices all cheapish cottons (from stash) until I actually sewed them together, then I wasn't overly keen. However, when I put the dress on it looked so much better than on the dummy that I decided I did like it after all.

The black dress and the green/cream dress are also made from New Look 6459, I made them last summer.

Grecian Goddess.

My brother and sister-in-law had a fancy dress party for my niece's 13th birthday on Saturday (19th July), sister-in-law asked me to make her costume.

At first I thought, oh that'll be easy. But then when I started to think of the construction I realised as I'd never made anything that required so much yardage I actually didn't have a clue where to begin.

Of course I've still never learnt how to adjust a pattern up or down a size, so I cheated and bought a shirt pattern the size required. I cut and constructed the top section just as if I was making the shirt, except I sewed the two front halves together and inserted a side zip. The skirt section was just elongated from the shirt peplum.

For the wrap section I used 2.5meters , pleated one end, attached to the skirt at left hip and wrapped around the body. I added gold ribbon for detailing. There was so much fabric I kept standing on it and was worried I'd actually ruin it by doing so, and although it was slightly too large my sister-in-law was happy and a great night was had by everybody that attended.

Prom Queen.

It's prom night and daughter has been the picture of stress. Poor thing had to miss her hair appointment and then couldn't get her hair or make-up the way she wanted it. After a good cry and few moans about not going, she managed to pull herself together and finished getting ready.

Yes, I'm biased, but I truly thought she looked wonderful. Right up until she left the house she still felt not quite right and stressed as you can tell by the pictures. Gah, I wouldn't be 16 again if you paid me.

I used a modified Simplicity 4070 pattern, I deepened the v at the neck line. I also gave it a corset instead of a zip (although the skirt section does have a concealed zip) and as well as lining the skirt, I added net to the underneath to just about poke out the bottom.

I used taffeta for the dress and have discovered I really enjoy working with taffeta as it's so easy. The net and lining fabric was another kettle of fish altogether (eek). just some ribbon detailing on the bust line and it was done. Once I got into it it only took a day or so even though I've never made anything like it before.

Work shirt

I've just completed work shirt number one, I'm quite pleased with it. On the next one I'll change the buttonhole position as I think they're to far from the neck band. Didn't have any real problems with the pattern, just the sleeves were fiddly as they're puff.

Some of the instructions didn't quite make sense so I went to my favourite sewing group for advice, of course within a few moments I'd had a reply that made perfect sense to me and was able to continue.

I ended up not doing the bust adjustment as it fitted great everywhere except the neck and shoulders and being as inexperienced as I am I've now idea how to correct that, they are only slightly to large so i can get away with it this time but maybe some research is in order for next time.

I'm looking forward to making the other one now.

Behind on my crochet.

I joined a 12" block a month CAL on Ravelry, I've completed both January's block and February's block but as of yet I've not even started March or April's block...eek.

Just glad I've the next two weeks off work as I've so many things to catch up on. There's the shirts and trousers for work, the two blocks not to mention Kiri for my friend and I also need to do another Azure Allure (hopefully it'll fit) for myself.

Well I better get off my butt and actually move away from the computer if I wish to accomplish that much in my time off.

Work clothes

I've set myself a bit of a challenge, I'm starting a new job April 21st and want some new clothes to go with.

I've decided on this blouse, I'm making two as I've enough lovely fabric to do so. One fabric is a small flower and the other is a stripe (as soon as my new camera arrives I'll get pictures up).

I going to attempt a bust adjustment as I'm gifted in that area but don't want the shoulders to be to large. I'll let you know how it goes.

I also wish to make a couple of pairs of trousers, haven't decided on the pattern yet, I've been looking for a nice bootleg pant and can't find one, I was given instructions on how to adapt a pattern and may give that a go.

Mother's Day gifts.

As mentioned on Friday I decided to make mother's day gifts as money is a bit of an issue at the moment.

Anyway I made both my mother and mother-in-law the same thing, a crochet bag. Just a simple granny square, joined together with SC and TBC. I used Robin Chunky and a 6mm hook, this gave me a 10inch square.

Hope they like them and use them.

Lining fabrics.

This is a bright red polycotton, would be hard wearing and wash well.







This is a wonderful 100% cotton print that looks so much better in real life, muted but bright at the same time.









This is a cotton lawn, very bright with red and orange and so on, makes a great contrast against the chocolate brown of the granny squares.

These are the choices I've got, can't make up my mind which one would work best with the design/construction I'm planning on.

Life gets in the way.

Well as usual things get in the way of what I really want to do, like work on the Afghan. I have finished all the larger squares and I've about five of the smaller still to do, then of course I've got to connect them all and do the edging. Will work on it some more today and see how far I get.

Unfortunately I've the uniforms to get ready for tomorrow plus a fair amount of housework, can't believe how quickly this house gets messy [sigh].

Mum came down yesterday and didn't bring her jacket as she says she's in no hurry, after a word from me she'll bring it next Saturday. It's a Simplicity pattern 3627, I made option B (green jacket on front cover) in a heavyweight brown cotton. As mentioned, she really likes the jacket it's just that the sleeves are to long.

Also my mum mentioned that my gran really likes her bed jacket and it keeps her nice and cosy when reading in bed.

Spotty top

I made this top for a trip my youngest was going on with school, she wore it most of the summer :-)

It's a Simplicity 'Lizzie McGuire' pattern 4295, it's no longer on their web site.

I thought it would have been harder to construct, but it came together very fast and was finished in half a day.

Matching bag

This is the matching bag, didn't really take that long to make.

Good job really as she needed it that day.

It's a Kwik Sew pattern 5001 that I downloaded free from here.

Again it was another simple pattern (me and simple go together real well LOL).

Dress

My daughter was going to a wedding in August and couldn't find anything to wear that she liked. I nearly died when she asked me to make her something.

I never in a million years thought she'd ever want to wear anything her way uncool mother made LOL.

Of course the morning of the wedding she decides that none of her bags look right and could I please make her a matching bag....Arghhhh!

The fabric was a polycotton from my stash (it was for some summer trousers for myself) Why I had a large amount of lining fabric in the same colour I'm not sure but I did. It's a New Look pattern 6672

This was another pattern that was quite simple to construct, the only problem I had was with the back midsection, I'm going to have to check I've traced the correct size as I'm sure it was to small as it didn't really match up. I'm also rather crap at zips, so that was a bugger (something I'll have to have more practice with).

Productive night, last night.

As I mentioned earlier I worked on the Afghan whilst watching Stargate Atlantis and CSI, two more large squares to add to the pile. If I keep going like this I'll maybe have it finished by the end of the weekend.

Then I really must get some sewing done, I've a skirt and top there that have been cut out since before Christmas. The skirt is to sell and the top is for myself.

If I manage to sell one of the skirts (not to mention make) a week then that'll at least cover my rent. Free up some cash for other things like food :-)

Summer quilt

I took up sewing a few years ago as well, this was the first thing I made.

I think it was a good choice as a first project as it was quite simple and only required me to be able to sew in straight lines.

I did it in nice refreshing colours as it was for my youngest daughter. She really likes it and it gets dragged out to the garden in the summer as well.

First ever post

Well, thank goodness Christmas is over. I spent Christmas eve cutting out and sewing together the Jacket I wanted to make for my mum, finally got it done at gone six in the morning.

I also made my dad and father-in-law crochet slippers using this pattern here:

http://www.crochetandknitting.com/mocslip.htm

I'll post some pictures of the finished things when I figure out how to :-)