Maternity dress...

Well, not strictly a maternity pattern but worked well! Pattern is Simplicity K2369. Made from a bright green 2-way stretch jersey.

The wrap part was HUGE on me so ended up making extra pleats under my book and twisting it to tighten it! Looked good in the end though, very comfy and a lovely fit!

Maternity... again!

Ok, so I'm back to looking at maternity wear. I'm currently 15 weeks pregnant and showing big-style!

 

I have a party to go to on Saturday next week so want to make a new dress. I think I've decided on Simplicity K2369 wrap dress.

 

I'll just add a couple inches extra at the front and back (hopefully meaning the side seams will still be on my sides!) using a 'slash and spread' method seen here: http://sewfearless.com/2010/06/29/project-12-june-comfy-tee/ - I THINK!!

 

I imagine it will all go horribly wrong! Gonna need to check my jersey fabric stash as I don't think there's much of it there but hopefully going to get started tomorrow!

 

Wish me luck!

Beautiful dress to remember a beautiful girl...

I made this dress for me to wear to Isla's funeral. It was great fun to make and I really took my time and followed every single instruction to the letter - oh, except the zip, which I did the only way I know how! Oh, and the hem, which, I'm sorry, I'm not French seaming and hand sewing! I did, however, press every seam the right way and try it on frequently to check it was fitting!

I'm so proud of it! It's a Project Runway design (2588), where you have the basic dress shape (either slim or flared skirt) and then can choose a yoke or neckline and 'designer additions' - I chose the bow of course! Definitely going to be making another in a different style soon! 

It was a beautiful flowery fabric for Isla's funeral - nice and bright to match the meadow she is laid to rest in. 

What do you think?!

 Pockets too!

Seeing those photos makes we want to wear it today! I love it!! 

And when I do wear it, I can think of Isla and how beautiful she was too!

Saddest thing I've ever made

So today I made a burial gown for little Isla. I'd always planned on making her clothes when she was born, but never thought it'd be something so tiny, poignant and sad like this.


The gown is from here - such a beautiful and simple pattern, thank you! 


The bonnet was quick and easy. Printed from here. 


Heartbreaking to make but I couldn't not make her something. She will also be buried with her teddy, which has been with us since we found out she had died, and with her since she was born sleeping. 

Front:

Back: 

Isla and teddy: 

Made a dress today.........

I used a Prima pattern for a shift dress this weekend. Started it last night and took maybe an hour cutting and starting the darts etc... Then today I took another 3 or so hours to complete it. I used a grey/blue-ish fabric with little white flower clusters on, from Ikea. £5 or so a metre, so a bargain!


I attempted a blind hem, but don't really understand why it hasn't worked as it should have. I can see little black threads on the right side and I'm sure that shouldn't be the case. Knew I should have found an online tutorial before attempting it!


I love the neckline and in the end my sleeves ended up with little pleats which look very pretty indeed!

Here's the finished article anyway...........

 What an unattractive angle but it shows the pattern better!

I've kept the pattern for this one as I reckon it'll be lovely in other fabrics and it's dead easy!

The shirring nightmare and the ok dress!

Sooooo, I was so looking forward to doing The most flattering shirt dress by Prudent Baby and bought the elastic thread and material ready. And it was all going so well!

Have never bias taped necklines or armholes before and they look really nice...

And from cutting to hemming was only an hour or so - I was so chuffed with my speedy skills! But then the shirring came. I loaded the bobbin up as per instructions and set all the bits and bobs.....

Well, 3 hours later it looked like this - I'm using a scrap piece of the fabric....

So I looked online and found out that Brother machines are notoriously appalling at shirring, so found out how to adjust the bobbin tension inside using a little screw thing. Managed a tiny bit of shirring on the scrap and got excited about it working on the dress, but alas, no!

So I went to the cinema to see One Day with my good friend, Eleanor. That was a good distraction but I came straight back home and started again. Anyway, after using the entire spool of elastic thread and snapping 3, yes 3, needles, I opted for some 'Smocking' instructions in my sewing machine manual. Seemed to be working until I undid the straight stitches and I was left with barely a ripple, as usual!

<<------------- The 3rd snapped needle!

SOOOOOOOOO, end of a very very long day (I started at 1.30 and it's now 10.30, minus the cinema break but no food, drink or tv stops!) and I have a vaguely ruched waist so have plumped for a BELT! I could have done that at 2.30 this afternoon but it looks cute on I think!

<< ------ Awful fringe!

Thanks for sticking with this entry - very long but that's how my entire day has felt!!