Dreaming of…home improvements

During the holidays, in fact pretty much all the time, I like to optimise my productivity levels 🙂 Sounds formal doesn’t it. Basically I like ticking things off lists! I’ve built up quite a collection of frames recently and whilst …

Dreaming of…cobbled streets, simple separates and free patterns

So, who’da thunk it, the pretty streets around Ghent, are great for taking photos.

So I did!

Before going on holiday over Easter I made some more items from my list – a Dixie DIY 2 piece tunic top – remade from my jersey maxi skirt, which was always too clingy to be comfortable, and this Helena skirt made from some very soft organic cotton. Both of which are completely free patterns!

There’s not much to say about the construction of either item. I cut the smallest size for the top, but wearing it and looking at the photos now, I think I need to lower the under bust seam by a few inches.

The skirt is pretty much a pleated rectangle skirt, but has a slight tulip shape.

I used up some of this lovely ribbon to make it a bit more interesting

Other than that, we had great fun meandering through the streets and feeling like we’d earned the chocolate and waffles at every corner!

I’m sure you’ll see these 2 items popping up in Me Made May – watch out for this weeks update over the weekend!

Blogging Trends and Sewing Themes

Sometimes sewing and blogging trends are so obvious that they smack you in the face every time you turn on the computer, and sometimes they are a bit more subtle and creep up on you without even realising it.

I think that’s what happened to me with the idea of slowing down my sewing. And so far so good. It had been on my mind for a while that I wanted to produce fewer, but more wearable and well made items and then I realised that lots of other bloggers were saying the same thing. I think that as well as being a ‘trend’, for me at least there is something more behind this.

When I started sewing I just got caught up in the ‘oh look I can make this’ mentality and wanted to make and show off as much as I could. And now, a couple of the years down the line, I’m getting more confident with my skills and actually want to make things that I can be proud of and wear all the time.

Suddenly it seems that everyone is saying the same thing and I think this is a growing theme.

I mentioned this in my anniversary post and my first make (for myself that is as I have had a few commissions this year already) is a pattern that I mentioned. It’s a Marie skirt – free download from the BurdaStyle website. I want to make more separates and I think this is a good way to start.

I followed the pattern exactly as it came although I took in the side seams, especially around the hips. I think if I was to make it again, I’d widen the hem as I can’t take very long strides or go climbing in this as it is. Not that I intend to do that anyway!!

I couldn’t decide whether I liked the pleats the intended way round or ‘inside out’ so I did the front one way and the back another…check out the photos below. Which way do you prefer?

This weekend I also remade this old dress into a jersey version of Grainline’s Hemlock tee. I did take the top in at the sides and added the ribbon trim and bow, but other than that I made no alterations. In fact, that was on my list too, so that’s 2 down, 13 to go.

I’m still debating the sleeves on this top. I like the coverage they give, but I’m not sure whether the small floral pattern combined with this sleeve length, makes it look a bit frumpy. What do you think?

I should have signed up for Me Made May :(

As you may have guessed, I have just been to Hawaii for a week. It was a long old schlep to get there, but very much worth it for the weather and the amazing sights. While I was there I …