New Dress

I found a great new place to buy fabric and so picked up a nice piece to make a dress for work.

I recently made my own pattern that fits me perfectly, after reading a pattern making book, and so this was my first test run of using this.

This is the facing:

The pattern pieces cut out:

And the final dress:

Block

I mentioned before my trip to the library to get some sewing/ dress making/ pattern making books. So I thought I would read up and try and work on improving some of the sewing I do and how I do it and hopefully learn a few things.

I decided I was gunna make a pattern block. I have been basing my patterns so far on a basic dress pattern and adjusting it, but haven't made a block that is just right. So I thought I would do it properly and follow the instructions.

I used a standard pattern sized up to make one set of blocks, I then followed this method of measuring the body and drawing it all out. I then adjusted this one on both my model and by trying it on myself.

This is my block so far on my model. It still needs a fair bit of work, cutting etc and then drawing out onto paper.

I have been doing a lot of pinning and adjusting to try and get it just right.

I think I might test this out, once it's finished, by making a black dress for work, so watch this space.

Office Dress

Ok, so I have made quite a few items of clothing, have followed (and not followed patterns), admittedly being more successful when I do follow patterns. But inspired by something I saw on TV and a dress I've seen on the net, I got going on making my own pattern and dress.

First step was to make a pattern. I based it vaguely on part of a dress pattern I have used before. I had a bit of inspiration and made it from newspaper, then remade it.

Then was cutting it from fabric.

I made this from a dress that was not so successful and a man's shirt that was being thrown away.

I have been doing a lot of sewing and adjusting and this is where I am at now. There is a lot of work 2 go. Pins are still holding a lot of it together and some bits just aren't right. So I'll keep you posted.

Heart Dress

I've been busy today making a new dress.

I have been planning this one for a while. I have seen a few of these heart cut out dresses about and love them and wanted to make myself one.

It wasn't as complicated as I first thought it might be and it turned out well.No major problems.

I faced all of the back where the heart is and the front as well and made the skirt quite full (I used almost all of the 2 metres of fabric that I bought).

Quite happy with the outcome tho and looking fwd to wearing it.

Dress

I wanted to make another new dress, so I found some fabric- a bargain at less than £2 a metre and got to work. I altered a pattern that I had used before, I added buttons at the front and made the skirt fuller.

I think I might even wear it with a belt. I think i'll try it on a few different ways and see...

Baby Cardi

What should you do with your time off? Knit of course!! I have spent a good few days just knitting and sitting in the sun, my idea of fun and was nice and chilled.

And at the end of it I had made a nice little knitted baby cardi for my friend who is soon to have another baby boy! :)

New shirt

This is the 2nd shirt I have made and after the first one came out Ok, I thought- y not make another. Saw this fabric and thought- perfect.

I also found this skirt and just had to take it up so that it was the right length, then I had my new work outfit sorted!

New Dress

This took at bit of work, but this is the newest dress I've made and very happy with it.

I thought this might have been one of the mistakes that I told myself that at least I learned something from, but it actually turned out ok.

I think it's quite cute and nice and summery (now I just need the sun to come out and the weather to warm up so that I can start wearing these things!)

handmade,dress, sewing, sewn, pattern, summer,floral, flower, made

remade Dress

Ok, so fabric isn't always cheap and by the time you've added in zips, threads, elastic etc it can all add up, with the time it takes on top of that you've added yourself up alot of time, effort and money.

So when I was out shoppin I saw a dress on sale (mainly because it was an aweful design- not even sure how u'd wear it), but I transformed it from this...

To this...

I am quite pleased with the outcome! Another little dress I can wear in the summer.

New skirt

I have just finished making this new skirt.

Finished off dress

I have just finished off my little summer dress, added buttons and a lining!

Busy Busy

Busy busy today. I finished off the dress I made last weekend, I added buttons and altered the hem.

I also made another dress, this time one for the summer. I used the same pattern that I used for my previous floral blue dress, but made it from some pretty strawberry and toadstools fabric that I found online.

It needs some finishing, I need to line it as it is a little see through (or at least it would be in the sunlight!) I have just ordered some lining online today (along with some other new fabrics- I want to make a new skirt and a little shirt for work as well). I am also going to add some pink buttons to finish it off, but am very pleased with it!

Dress

I have been busy again making another new dress. I wanted a floral dress to wear with boots and cardi, so here it is...

Another New dress

Made another new dress, I think I'm on a roll. And they are all going well!

I wanted to make a dress that I could either wear in the winter with leggings and a top or as a summer dress and here it is.

Now I want to now find some more fabric and make another one!

I adjusted it slightly from the pattern because I wanted it stretchy and without a zip, so I shirred the back, a first for me and it went fantastically well, no problems at all. I will be using shirring again.

It fits just right and I added a couple of buttons which finish it off nicely.

Very happy! :)

New dress

I just finished making this dress yesterday, I have just got to sew up the hem and it is all done.

I'm just trying to decide- straps or no straps?!

This is also the first piece of fabric I have bought online, so very happy, opens up a whole new world of fabrics. There are not enough fabric shops about!

First attempt at making a shirt

This is my first attempt at making a shirt, something which I haven't tried before because it seemed to complicated, but seeing as I have made a jacket I thought- why not give it a go! So I did and here are the results. I am very happy with it.

The pattern caused me some issues as it was far too big for me, but with some adjustments it came out great! Very happy.

And also it was all made from an old shirt! Even better. I do love my reusing and recycling.

This image below shows the bottom of the shirt, when it is not tucked in.

Corset Dress

I wanted to give making a corset a go and here are the results, not a finished dress yet, but something I want to play with more and maybe add some machine embroidery to. I have just got an embroidery hoop and started trying out machine embroidery, so maybe with a bit more practise!