Catching up... The festival blanket

I've neglected this blog terribly over the last... months? year? Well, though it's been intermittent, I have done some sewing along the way,  and I'm back on it again now! Time to make a few posts to catch up the blog with my recent makes.

At Christmas we did Secret Santa at work, and pulled my colleague's name out of the hat. As ever, it was someone I don't know terribly well, but with some digging I found out he is a massive festival attendee, every weekend of the summer he's off somewhere! So, his gift? A festival picnic blanket / tablecloth. Here it is in development...

In accordance with the tacky / minimal effort theme, I sewed the blanket from bandanas bought on the Internet, double thickness. He seemed utterly bemused (and didn't know it was from me).

Apologies for the poor quality picture - it's a photo of a photo... Better shots in future pictures! 

Update!

My little fabric shop guide has now been updated! It has now expanded beyond the UK, and now covers the EU... (or rather a few in the UK and one in Italy).

Well... Anyway - got to start small and aim high! Fabric shops in the EU

Experiments in jersey No. 2: The Mod Bandeau Top (Simplicity 1613)

Following on from my first experiment in jersey, I've been busy again, with potentially my favourite ever make! This time the fabric has come from Spoonflower - their Modern Jersey... Yes it's expensive, but it has four way stretch! And doesn't need overlocking!

The pattern is Simplicity 1613 (I made E), and was very straightforward. I can imagine I'll try it again at some point, perhaps making up the versions on the right (A, B, C).

I just love this fabric design, the colours and style feel a bit like Orla Kiely... Spoonflower is such a brilliant resource! Hopefully it works with the pattern too...
It's hard to see the ruched detailing in the front centre there, but I'm pretty happy with it - all lines up pretty well...

... Unlike the side seams! I'm going to keep trying pattern matching, hopefully it'll improve one day! Or I'll find a course to help me to learn :)

As ever I ordered the minimum amount of fabric, and then regretted it (how many times must I learn this lesson?) Anyway, it explains this weird square of white at the back...

Overall I'm pretty happy with it, a good learning experience, and I love the outcome - will be perfect for summer days and avoiding strap marks! Next time though I will buy enough fabric!!