Simple Sew Lottie Blouse

This was the free pattern that came with the second edition of Love Sewing magazine. I had plenty of material left over from my BHL Polly top, so I thought I’d give this a go…

Having an actual pattern was so much easier that constructing their headache-inducing, overlapping PDF one that came with their previous edition! As usual I was torn between cutting the size 8 and 10, but opted for the 10 as, much to my joy, I discovered upon closer inspection that this pattern didn’t require button holes 😉 * The disadvantage of no buttonholes however is that it’s harder to pull on over my chest, hence I ended up plumping for the 10.

The construction of this was really pretty simple. On a skills front this is probably the neatest bias binding I’ve ever attached. I used some white ready-made which was perfect. I felt really pleased with myself, but then came what was supposed to be the ‘pussy bow’ tie… I’m still not sure whether it was me or the pattern, (probably me, I know!) but I ended up with more of a ‘dickie bow’. I did consult Simple Sew’s Facebook page for additional ‘attaching’ instructions, but still ended up with this…

I’m not sure as to whether I should unpick this and attempt to construct an actual pussy bow tie or just leave it like it is. I don’t have any of the spot material left, but I do have some more gingham. What do you think?

*My mum has spoken to the shop she bought my machine from and they’re more than happy to give me a belated demonstration, but I’ll probably have to wait until the Summer holidays roll around until I manage a trip over. So buttonholes, I have you in my sights!

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Frivolous Fridays! Love Sewing Mag’s Upcycled Teddy Night Shirt…

So this is what you end up sewing (although technically there was no sewing actually involved) when you leave your latest sewing magazine lying around for your six year old daughter to find…

I give you the upcycled man’s shirt sleeve made into a teddy’s (well, rabbits’, plural, in this case. My daughter’s is obsessed with them) bedtime outfit.

This was a cute project to complete together. Pixie and Blossom were very pleased with their new designer night wear. The only ‘modification’ we made? Well, we had to accommodate their tails… of course!

I have a feeling we’ll be kitting out her whole bedroom, my husband had better get a lock for his wardrobe 😉

Green Ginger, aka The Snooker Table Skirt!

Last time I visited the fabric shop Leon’s in Chorlton, I made a conscious effort to move away from the navy. I just about managed, although did sneak in the paint-splattered-floral I made my Sewing Bee Circle skirt in, which did feature a navy background, whoops! Instead I purchased a lovely cerise linen, which I’m planning to make Tilly and the Buttons’ Delphine Skirt in (my book arrived in the post over the weekend, yay!) and this rather bright, but fabulous green. Proud of my (reasonable) navy avoidance, I took the rolls over to the counter only to find the assistant starting to giggle mischievously…

“What is it?” I asked, perplexed.

“Oh, nothing,” she answered, giggling even more. “But you do know what this is for, don’t you?”

I looked at her puzzled, but intrigued by now. “Errr, no…”

“It’s for covering snooker tables with!”

“Oh! I just really liked the colour” I replied daftly.

“Well it might work,” she said kindly, “let’s have a look at the pattern.”

So I handed over my pattern, giggling too by now. We decided between us that it would be worth a go, and I really do like the colour 😉 I decided to make another Colette Ginger Skirt, which is fast replacing BHL’s Charlotte in my affections. And do you know I think it worked (although I’ve no idea how it will behave when I have to eventually wash it, but as we know, that won’t be too soon if I can possibly avoid it…). I do think I’ll get the giggles every time I wear it though 🙂 My colleagues at work are itching to see my ‘snooker table skirt’ after I regaled them with the tale…

Just after we took these photos, I visited the bathroom and accidentally turned the tap on far too much, spraying my new make. But do you know what? It appears to be water repellant too! Well, would you credit it? Practical to boot! Given that I live in one of the wettest parts of England that should prove pretty darned useful…

On a more serious note I do love this pattern. Even my insides are neat. I clearly need to make each pattern several times before I perfect it…

 

Please excuse the awful moss on our front path. We’ve been meaning to get out and garden for the last couple of weekends, but it’s been nothing but rain.. Ah, well, it did allow more sewing time and I guess I can live with a bit of moss…