"When I grow up, Mummy say's I'm going to be a proper little Madam" If not already... Three Easter makes.

 

Hello again, trying to keep up with posting my makes, but hasn't helped from being poorly for what seems like forever... at least I've managed to keep the sewing needle going.  Thought I'd share these few makes from Easter with you- bit of a cheat, 3 in 1 but hey they're all pretty simple and for the same person... my daughter, Bryony, who must be the most pernickety client  you could ever wish (or not) to make for !!!!

Although I have made her Irish dance costumes here, I have not really made her any "clothes"- as she pointed out to me on several occasions of late. 

Now I know she's only nine, and probably hasn't got much forward vision of looking at a piece of fabric and imagining it made up - but really when you get " well make it up and I'll see if I like it enough to wear" ... WT !!!!!!!  it does put you off a tad.
Make No.1 

Anyhow, after much consultation of shape, fit, length etc. with my wee client, it was decided that the end result was to be a lengthened bodice version with soft gather rather than pleats using the New Look 6089
                                                              
Each step was fitted and every detail double checked- she said she was happy each time - loved the sleeves, the length was good, yellow lining cute.... this was the result.. 

Action shots of twirl effect 

 

3-4days after making, I asked why she hadn't worn it... "well may-be it could be a little tighter!!"AGGGGRRRHHHHH a few deep breaths and a pact never to make her anything again ( I'm such a bad mother) I duly unpicked and refitted "tighter". 

Still not wearing it weeks on, she now informs me that "perhaps I'm just a little too old for dresses like these!"  I swear the patients of the devil was required with that one. 

Make No.2

Trying not to be undeterred from this and having a BIG thumbs up from both pattern and fabric choice, Who doesn't like Michael Miller- Huh?.  I cracked on with this little backless romper number from McCall's 6677             

 

Obviously material sewn up like a dream- lengthened the body and crotch - I swear my kids are genetically modified in height! ( my son is 12, 5ft 5: size 9 shoes... estimated full height of 6ft4!! woo)  The pattern really is straightforward with little tweaking needed- result (see the bigger smiles in these pics!!) 

Sassy Poser !!!!

 placed cute little heart shaped buttons on front 

Final make No 3 

A school dress  was the last make, I did wonder if it was really worth it, as you can pick these up so cheap from the supermarket these days but looking around, they were all pretty shapeless and ugly and not all that cheap; to get any decent length on a dress for Bryony, we have to go up countless sizes which mean they are pretty big everywhere else  which poses the fussy element as she prefers more fitted styles in her clothes ( my trait I suppose). She agreed that she really liked the sleeves of the butterfly dress but wanted a more skimming line as she didn't want the risk of skirt wafting from rogue gusts of wind in the playground  (unlike her mother here) 

Using the  New Look pattern from above, I draft a bodice and extended it to a full length, angling the sides out. Reversed the opening, by cutting the back on the fold and the fronts as separates with a zip closure. Went with a Peter-pan collar to give a smarter edge and contrast. Finally to give the dress a bit more shape, I made a placket type bar to take up the excess and completed with two  decorative buttons  that were found lurking in the pot. What you think? 

  

There we go then 3 makes for a diva -  don't think i've done too bad though, as she's put  further request list in !! will have to get used to her demands quirks 

Hoping to get back to some sewing for me very soon,  but just finishing off a costume for some one on the circuit - to be shown in a later blog  but as a sneak preview to leave you with ...

Proud as a Peacock for Dolly Clackett

Being pretty new to the old blogosphere (but eternally grateful for all the fab tips; insights and inspiration) it wasn't too long before I came across Miss Dolly Clackett. And whoo can this lady do print! Some of the fabrics she has used,  I have come across on my explorations and totally loved... Lobsters, Racoons, map of the world!!....but to wear, I've not come close. Having a fair few year on Miss DC and  living in the sticks may of have a slight bearing on this, but the reality is probably.... I just don't have the balls !!  although I think I'm increasing my repertoire of colour and print since exposing myself to some of the awesome blogs out there and gaining confidence in each make. 

Anyhow, back to business, when I saw the totally awesome post by Sarah @ Rhinestones and Telephones, I was so touched-(but not totally surprised) to think that this incredible sewing community was to honour one of their own in such a way; I wanted to be part of it, and lets face it girls,those of us who are lucky enough to be in that other amazing club....marriage - top trumps xx

My initial idea was to make the full skirt version of the Butterick Retro 6582 after the success of my Retro Tulip  in the fabulous  Michael Miller fabric Jack Daws 

I'd even found the shoes to go with it!!!

But alas... distracted with other projects and dawdling over the purchase of said fabric, meant that when it came to ordering there was just 1 meter left!!! 

I was now in a right old pickle and conundrum-time was ticking...on my visit to the Sewing for Pleasure Show at the NEC mid March, inspiration stuck... as clear as the "Wahkkkin" of a peacock, buried beneath the bolts of fabric, between the throngs of sewists, I spied a distinctive plumage. This was it!!

and at £ 6.00  a meter I loved it even more!! I'd also picked up New Look 6223 pattern - a good shape that echoed Miss DC. 

I went with the cap sleeve version with the pockets. With not using a New Look before knocked up a toile of the bodice- glad I did as I miss read the final measurements and it were rather snug. The usual lengthening and back reduction was needed, but the front still didn't sit right so out came the darts, and so did the felt tip! Basically, I stood in front of the mirror and drew all over myself and pinned in surplus material... Not sure if thats quite what you're supposed to do, but it appears to fit okay and feels comfy. 

The pattern matching is not brilliant, but was the best I could do with the amount of fabric I'd got. The fabric requirements were 2mtr - which is what I had... one side of the selvage... but the cut line had gone awry .. to 1.75mtr!   

 

The fabric itself has got a fair bit of body to it, but with cream as the main colour it needed lining. For this I splashed right out; it's in the honour of a wedding, so a lightweight silk seemed quite the done thing .... at £8.50per mtr (more than the flippin dress!) but I love it- ooohhhh its soft and ... silky!!! I thought I would extend this extravagance by doing french seams around the arms.. and mighty pleased I am too.

I even hand stitched the lining around the zip, waist and hem of the main skirt- for me that is a major achievement, as hand sewing is definitely not by bag and therefore dislike with a passion. 

   

 I do really love the dress, I did think about getting my wedding shoes out and dying them peacock green - but there not that comfy now ( can your feet change shape?)

 I can see me making this dress up quite a few times - its such a great shape, especially now that  I've got a basic bodice that fits (will try and  play around with the dart placement)   
 

                                                   

 So, here to wishing Roisin and Nic a wonderful wedding day, may the sunshine throughout their marriage. XXXX