Chambray Laurel Dress

I have been making a lot of basics recently. PJ's, t-Shirts, sweatpants etc. and didn't have the urge to share them. But this one here made me rather happy which gave me enough motivation to go through the 'making myself look pretty-taking photographs-writing about it' process.

Last year I started to notice the chambray fabrics but I didn't particularly like them. And then a few month ago I suddenly started to love them. I wonder how this happens. Is it because you constantly see things that your mind gets tricked into liking something? Or is it because of the change of season? Anyway, I like chambray - now full stop :)

I was particularly inspired by this pin and then the search began for the perfect fabric. I found this one on Offset Warehouse but it was a pit pricy. I then got the email that is was on sale and I was happy. If you like it too, it is still on sale by the way.
Offset Warehouse sells ethically produced fabrics. It does feel great to know where my fabric comes from and that the people who have made it have been paid and treated fairly!!
Oh, and another plus, this chambray is beautiful and so comfortable to wear!!

The pattern is the Laurel Dress from Colette Patterns. I wanted the dress a bit more fitted and have taken it in on the sides and on the back. I have slightly lowered and shortened the bust darts. Looking at these pictures now, I am wondering if it should be even lower but that could also just be my posture. I have also added some pockets.
This is probably my first dress where I did fit changes myself (I had some help from a friend taking it in on the sides and back). It seems just a little thing but I am quite proud and it makes me feel more confident for future makes. I am still finding the whole fitting process quite daunting. 

If I make this dress again I will make a few little changes around the shoulders and arms but otherwise I am very happy with this one.
Talking about fit, anyone knows why I have this V where the zip finishes?? Any suggestions what to do differently?

I have mostly been sewing with knits in the last few month and it was nice to work with a woven fabric for a change. I generally wear knit tops and dresses and I was surprised how comfortable this woven one is! I am planning to make the top version of the pattern too. But first I must make something a bit more colourful. Just got a beautiful flower print and can't wait to make a lovely summer dress!  What is your favourite summer dress pattern?

Baby Quilt

Recently I was asked by a friend to make a quilt for a little girl. We discussed the design and went to choose the fabric together. I was so excited and couldn't wait to start.
Unfortunately there were some issues with the fabric and the project got delayed. When all was ready I was really worried about it and dreaded starting to work on it. It can be really hard to make something for somebody else. I do worry a lot if it will turn out well and if they will like it.

This quilt was different however. Once I finally started I could not stop. I had so much fun deciding the design and making it come to life. I love working with bright colours. I was rather sad when my friend collected the quilt. But the girl it was for loves it and that's kinda better than keeping it myself!

I started making quilts about a year ago after a friend gave me some tips. I never follow a pattern. I just start with a few small scraps and let it grow until it feels right. The thought of following a pattern scares me. I am not sure if I would be accurate enough at matching up corners and seams. Acutually, I know I would be really bad at it. But I must say, I have seen some really lovely designs on Instagram and might get tempted. But for now I am back to dressmaking.

Have you made any quilts? Do you prefer to follow a pattern or do you make up something random like me? Can you recommend any good patterns?

Espresso Gold Leggins plus Baby Version

Recently I have been trying to stick to some sort of sewing plan. I have nothing written down but it is all in my head. I would like to try to sew clothes that I really need and if I would not sew I had to go out and buy them. Well, those leggins kinda jumped the queue. How rude! But so worth it.
And I still had some of that fab gold double knit I used for my NYE dress.

I got the Seamwork subscription as a Christmas present from my mum and can I just say I LOVE it. I have been on the search for this kind of magazine for some time. I did not want a magazine with too much crafty stuff and neither one with loads of patterns in it. Seawmwork is perfect, you get lots of interesting and useful information (for free!!!) and if you choose to subscribe you get two patterns that are sewn up really quickly. I like it.

So, the second edition came with a leggins pattern and I just had to quickly make them. I think I will get a few more queue jumpers from the magazine. The current issue comes with a bra and panties pattern. Do I need to say more?

Back to the leggins. Unfortunately the Manila leggins did not fit. They were too tight on the lower leg. I was too lazy to alter the pattern and got another one instead. The Espresso leggins. I think it is great because you need to measure lots of different points on your legs and this means they are most likely going to fit. The pattern comes with only one leg piece (back and front are already together). As I wanted to keep my black triangles, that I had tried with the previous pattern, I cut the pattern in half to get a front and back piece and then cut them into two pieces again to get the black and gold pattern. This time I made a toile as I did not want to waist any more of my precious gold fabric. I had to slightly move the side seam and alter the fit a tiny bit. I have already made some final alterations for the next version. I made the lower leg slightly wider and will raise the back seam by a few cm. And maybe got to do something about those wrinkles under my bum. Going to a 'How to fit your clothes' course this Sunday and taking my Ginger Jeans toile. I am sure I will learn something about 'how to fix wrinkles under my bum'…

And here a bonus baby pair! I am going to a Birthday Party for our friends one year old and found this baby/toddler patter in my stash. Perfect! And it only took me 1 hour to make them. And that included tracing the pattern and cutting the fabric. I love quick projects.

Now I am back to my sewing list. You can expect to see some PJ's if I manage to get some good pictures (its sooo dark at the moment). And Ginger Jeans of course!

Do you have a sewing plan? And do you have the pattern or fabric first?

Plantain Tee turned NYE Gold Dress

Hello and Happy New Year! This is my last make from 2014. I got inspired by Heather from Closet Case Files and her fab golden number. I saw this beautiful gold double knit at John Lewis but did not buy it as I had no plans for a sparkly dress. But luckily I saw Heather's post and knew I had to go back and buy it and make myself a little dress. It almost didn't happen as I still had to make that Finlayson sweater for my Husband but it was all finished in time for NYE.

Pattern

I used the Plantain t-shirt from Deer and Doe. I had made this before and knew it would fit. As I only had a few days left to make it I didn't want to try a new pattern. I made the pattern slightly bigger around the bust, lengthen the short sleeves version by a few cm and took them in by about 1cm on the sides. I then lengthen the top to make it into a dress. Originally it was a bit more A-line but didn't like it and took it in a bit. Not sure if I took it in too much. What do you think? When I started thinking about the dress I was not sure if I wanted it to be fitted all the way, but I guess I could still do that if I change my mind.

At the end of last year I did a pattern cutting course and the collar is my first little project that I drafted from scratch. I am feeling quite proud of it! The fabric I used for it is actually the same, just used the wrong side. So handy when you can use both sides of a fabric.

Now..., the back. I am well aware that there is too much fabric but not quite sure how to alter the pattern to get rid of it. Any suggestions?
I have enrolled to Fitting your Sewing Projects at Tilly and the Buttons's Studio (excited!!) and might get some tips there.

I am absolutely in love with this fabric. It is super soft and would be happy to wear the dress to bed. Seriously!! Probably the most comfortable garment I have ever made and super easy to work with.
If you follow me on instagram you have seen my attempt on making leggins with the same fabric. Unfortunately they are too tight. I have decided to buy a different pattern and currently working on a new pair. To be continued. There might be a lot of gold in the coming weeks, you have been warned!

I had some time off recently and did a big tidy in my sewing room. Due to my busy work schedule and those two sewing projects with a deadline, it got worse and worse. But now it is all clean and reorganised and can't wait to get some sewing done this weekend! 

Have you made yourself a party dress recently?