The 'try again' dress

Back way in February I received a gift of some lovely Joel Dewberry fabric from the John Lewis sale, and it was all lined up for making a perfect 1950s 'housedress'. But then it turned out (mid cutting!) that I had far, far too little - note to self: planning is a good idea...

After a few months of gathering dust I finally got some inspiration from one of the patterns that came free with Sew Magazine, Project Runway 2588. Lots of people have made this one up, with some really exceptional results.

It turned out to be very straightforward (though that's not prevented some significant making faults - damn you zipper!). I misjudged the bodice size too, so it's got a little tendency to gape at the sides - though with some adjustments to the seam allowance I no longer look like the hunchback of Notre Dame...

I just love the neckline of this dress, it feels so elegant, and classy - I think I'll be making this one over and over again. The length should be considerably shorter according to the instructions, but this fabric is a bit sedate for that I think!

I'm planning to wear this to a charity karaoke event this Friday, but I can't decide if it's more work or play dress. Like the Joanie dress as I get more used to it (and trust my judgement a bit more) I'll wear it more often.What do you guys think? Any thoughts on fabrics you'd use to make it up?

Baby gifts (+ pattern matching!)

It seems I'm at that phase in life where everyone's getting pregnant and having children - I think there must be something flowing through the British water system at the moment! With three little ones due in the next couple of months it's definitely time to bring out the Nested bibs again (already made here).

None of the parents knows the sex of their babies so I went fairly gender neutral, sticking with my good old Curious George fabric already used for a cushion for Baby A, and a super girly Liberty print pattern for good measure!

It's the first time I've done pattern matching and though this is about as easy as it could possibly get I'm pretty happy with the finished effect. I also did some top stitching with white thread which overall looks pretty alright!

 

 They'll be going in the post next week to the soon to be parents - fingers crossed that they like them!

Makers that inspire: All my friends!

One of my wonderful friends Kathryn, got married recently, and for her hen do we got together with Make do Mender's Bee to stitch a quilt to celebrate (I blogged a little about the day here)

The quilt has now been completed and it looks beautiful. It captures just some of the excellent moments in their lives together, and hopefully it will be a real keepsake for them both. 

And of course, the wedding day was wonderful, the speeches fantastic, the bride beautiful, and the dancing... drunken ;)

The quilt really inspired me, and I've decided that as next year will be a big one for me: turning the big 3-0, finishing my university course (hopefully), and hopefully the start of a fulfilling new career, I'd like to mark it with a quilt too. I'm going to ask lots of people to contribute to the quilt, so if you know me, get ready ;)