.... and the Birthday Dress

I made this dress from scraps of fabric as I mentioned in the last post. When my daughter saw me putting the fabrics together, she asked who it was for. I said I could make it for her if she liked, so she was happy with that. The fabric has a lovely sheen to it, so I think that's why she likes it (despite no pink!).



The pattern is the Playdate Dress from Oliver+S, but I made some changes to the construction of it.

FRONT VIEWS












































I lined it fully, except for the sleeves and that meant I had to put in the yoke differently. Instead of sewing the yoke seperately as in the instructions, I attached it to the front first and then the back, each with lining. Then I joined the back and front. The neck (and armholes) was finished with bias binding which I handstitched to the lining at the neckline.


I omitted the buttons on the front yoke to show off the paisely pattern in the Sandi Henderson fabric, and also because I didn't have any matching buttons in my stash.

BACK VIEWS

Lots of wrinkles on the lining as I couldn't iron the cotton on a hot setting in case I would damage the outer fabric.

I was very pleased with how this turned out. I didn't follow the instructions directly, but the construction of the yoke is explained very clearly. I had read about some problems fitting the head through the yoke, so I made the back opening almost the same length as the yoke.

This dress got lots of compliments, maybe because it was such a change from the crazy prints I usually sew!

Pin It Now!  

Thoughts in Patterns and Stitches

It seems when I don't know what to say, I make something. This is for a friend who has lost her closest friend, and "I am sorry for your loss" just doesn't seem enough.

So I stitched my thoughts into this bag, the paisley pattern reminding me of tears, the elephants for not forgetting and the hearts for love

It might just bring a smile, or even a 'yuck', a break from the sadness and tears, even for a moment

I wanted to make it a little bigger than before so I altered the shape by making it wider. The outer fabric is Sandi Henderson, lining is Kokka, ribbon is Farbenmix.

Pin It Now!  

Something Cheerful

I had almost given up on stuff I had ordered from the Sandi Henderson website, but it arrived on Monday.


Her fabrics always remind me of spring and summer and hope and lightness and happiness, so I ordered some scraps, ribbons and a pincushion kit, and luckily there was a free pincushion pattern included.



That was all I needed to lift the sewing block, and so I made it.

My 3 year old fell in love with it and calls it her "cupcake pillow". She wants to take it to bed with her and for me to make some for her cousins and a green one for her brother. I can't blame her, it's such a cheerful little thing.


I can't stop looking at it either.



So then, I made a green one, and my second youngest (a boy 4) loves it too - The pincushions may never see a pin again....



Take a Bow!





Pin It Now!  

Sewing Magazines

-I love the day each month when I decide that it's time to take a trip to Cork, about a 40 odd mile round trip, so I can go to Easons and get three sewing magazines Burda, Sew Hip and Sewing World.


Burda is a favourite for patterns. I have the last 8 issues and i have a childs dress from most of them. Another thing I have noticed about them is that most of the fashion that is illustrated in the pages appears in boutiques a few weeks or months later. That is quite impressive. I love browsing through the pages, and imagining how the designs would suit me. I can pick some that wouldn't fairly immediately. Trousers and skirts with pleats or gathers at the waist are a no-no! Above right is a blouse from Burda 3/2009. The skirt is Ottobre. Below are some of the childrens dresses I have made in the last few months. The two below top are from the same pattern Burda 11/2008 which I loved making. The dress on the bottom Burda 1/2009 needed some alterations to the neck to fit over my daughters head, but is always complimented and commented on when she is wearing it.

















Sew Hip for fabric designers and everything to do with sewing. This is only being published for the last 6 or 7 months and I have every issue. This is a gem when it comes to fabric and fabric designers. I have been following Sandi Henderson's blog and I was wondering lately how ever did I come across her. I saw pictures of her patterns in issue 1 of Sew Hip and went directly to her website and blog. I fell for her fabrics in a big way, though haven't bought many of them .... yet! They are so bright, cheerful and fun - so well worth checking out.

and Sewing World for general info on all things sewing. This has lots of bits and patterns for accessories, but comes across as a bit more conservative and maybe for - I don't know how to put this as I am more middle-aged than young!! - but for the much older sewer? - but I am so open to being corrected - and it's just my impression! Pin It Now!  

Fabric Designers and Fabric Online

Since starting to sew again I have become fascinated with fabric and fabric designers. There are two designers that I find very appealing: Sandi Henderson because of her cheerful colours and colour combination, and Heather Ross for her original and often whimsical designs. Heather has a new line of fabric due in the shops and I can't wait to get hold of it, especially the unicorn designs. I have a 5 year old niece who will be so impressed if she gets something made with unicorns on it.

I have a developing (slowly) fabric stash which seems to be part and parcel of sewing. My current favourites are eurpoean cottons and corduroys. The Stenzo line on Volksfaden is amazing quality, and Holland Fabric House has some pretty cottons and velvets too.
The picture is the most recent sewing project with Stenzo cottons and Ottobre patterns. I just loved putting it together and I hope my friends daughter will have just as much fun wearing it. Pin It Now!