I Made a Dress

It's true, I really did make an actual dress! You all know that machine sewing has never been my passion or my forte, but with some patience, a lot of swearing, and a lot of help from YouTube and kind people on Instagram, I made a dress that is not only wearable but actually rather lovely. I can't quite believe it and this is another post, like the knitted jumper, that I didn't think I'd get around to writing. I'm so pleased.

The pattern is the Camber dress from Merchant and Mills and I would definitely recommend it as a beginner pattern. It's a simple shift dress, for which you need to add darts at the bust, sew bias binding around the neck and sleeves, make a yoke for the back and insert the sleeves, unless you want a sleeveless shift which, now I come to think about it, would be very nice for the summer. 

All of these were new to me and I learned so much just from sewing this one dress. My darts didn't sit right to begin with (pointy boobs!) but after unpicking, re-sewing and pressing well with a DIY tailor's ham (a damp tea towel filled with rice) they were salvaged.

I didn't find the yoke across the shoulders overly troubling and I went very slowly and carefully with the stitching on the bias binding as I find stitching on a curve really tricky.

Inserting the sleeves was fiddly but I found a couple of really good tutorials online and followed them. The pattern directions are clear but scant, and as a total beginner I needed more detail so thank goodness for Youtube. 

I decided at the last minute to add pockets, simply by sewing two squares onto the front of the dress. I love pockets in a dress or skirt, they are so useful. 

A more skilled dressmaker would no doubt have inserted pockets along the side seam of the dress but this was a step too far for me and I like them as a bold feature on the front. 

I found the pattern a little on the loose side but I haven't washed it yet so it may shrink a little. I will probably wear this dress with a belt, or you could make a nice matching sash/tie from leftover fabric. I chose a linen fabric which is gorgeous, and I love the way it creases, but it's heavier when worn than it feels when handled in the shop, if that makes sense, so it's an autumn and winter dress. 

The day Bella took the photos below I wore it to work with leggings, sandals and a cardigan, but when it's colder I'll wear it over a thin black roll neck jumper with tights and boots. It's very versatile. 

Apologies for the graininess of these pictures; Bella took them on my phone in her bedroom at about 7.30 one morning before we left for school and work. 

But I absolutely love it and am definitely going to make another. I am currently thinking about a patterned fabric, although the thought of pattern matching makes me nervous, or perhaps one in grey linen with contrasting bias binding and pockets in a bold colour like mustard yellow or raspberry pink. I don't know but I'm going to have fun thinking about it. 

I Made A Poncho

I know, I'm supposed to be making blankets, but they all fell by the wayside as I became obsessed with making myself a poncho. I've essentially made myself a wearable blanket, I do realise that.

The pattern was originally published in Simply Crochet Magazine some time ago and I bought the pattern from Ravelry. I had seen the pattern here and there on blogs for some time and I don't know why I suddenly had to make it. The onset of autumn maybe?

While the main body on this pattern is granny treble clusters, the cowl neck was a bit of a challenge for me. It's made up of front and back post stitches which create the ribbed effect.

Lucy's post and some Youtube videos were very helpful and, as is so often the case, it's actually very easy once you get going. The effect it creates is wonderful to crochet, so structural and chunky. It's like the crocheters version of knit one, purl one. 

After the cowl neck is complete, the fun part starts. I bought the yarn (Drops Nepal) and colours the pattern suggested, mainly because I thought they were all beautiful and just the kind of things I would've chosen anyway, but I did tinker around with the suggested order.

After the block of colour work, the pattern calls for a few more rows of the ribbed stitch, followed by some tassels. 

I think the tassels are a bit love them or hate them. I wont say I hate them but they just weren't doing it for me, so I worked ten rows of treble clusters in the same colour as the neck instead, making  it long enough to reach my elbows.

It needed a border, but nothing too big. It's a loud and busy pattern with a lot of colour, so I thought the border needed to be neat and unfussy. A row of double crochet in navy blue pulls it all together really nicely.

After a quick block, it was ready to go. I love seeing it hanging here in our bedroom, all that colour against the white wall. 

All together, it took three weeks to make. I am thinking about making a monochrome version in pale grey, with black, white and shades of grey where the colour would be, and maybe just a little deep red thrown in to stop it being too cold. What do you think? What colours would you choose? My colleague has made one in different blues and it's quite stunning, and my mum would like a very neutral version in shades of brown and cream. I think that's the beauty of the pattern, it's versatility. 

I wish I had a photo of me wearing it. Sorry. I'll get John to take some soon, hopefully while walking through the woods or collecting conkers or something equally autumnal. But I have worn it a lot this week and have received many compliments and no funny stares or jokes about panpipes, so that's good. 

Eight Things...

...that have made me happy over these last few days:

:: Blue skies, a rare occurrence. 

:: Flowers in the house, especially daffodils because they are cheap and jolly, and they make me think of sunshine.

:: Sunshine in the house.

:: My new bowl from IKEA. It reminds me of Ferm Living's products, which I love. I also love IKEA too.

:: A very cold but dry trip to Kirkstall Abbey. The hot chocolate in the warm cafe afterwards was a the best bit.

:: Bella and Angus running, running everywhere, always moving, always on the go.

:: New shoes. I'm not a shoe-mad kind of girl, and have bought very, very few clothes lately, so I was quite giddy when I left the shop. The mustard yellow heels were treat from my parents, chosen to wear to my sister's upcoming wedding in March. The coral pink (I know, they look red in the photo) flats are my late Christmas present from John.

:: I finally plucked up the courage to try the crochet ripple pattern and it's not as hard as I feared, not at all. I just need to count and concentrate. I'm practicing here, but I hope to make a cowl soon.

So, eight photos of random pleasures which have made me smile lately. It's been a lovely few days - my parents have been staying and we've had a relaxed, pottering time. Thank you for your lovely and generous comments on my cushion. So kind, all of you. I've updated the post to list the colours I used, should anyone want to know. I am very, very behind with my blog reading but will try to say hello this week. I hope you've had a nice weekend. 

Some Thoughts on Fabric

Last week, while in The Eternal Maker, I bought two metres of this fabric - Peaceful Cooing, by Nani Iro. I was drawn to the summery pattern and the colour, which reminded me of cornflowers and deep blue skies.

It is a 100% cotton double gauze fabric, and it the softest fabric I have ever felt. It has a very pleasing drape and weight to it that I think would lend it particularly well to clothes.

The trouble is, I am not a very able or confident seamstress and I have never made clothes before. But I really want to use this fabric and am determined to have a go.

I need your help. Can anyone recommend any patterns or books for easy dressmaking? My ideas for this fabric are either a swishy, knee-length summer skirt, a top to wear with jeans, or pyjama bottoms. Pyjama bottoms are particularly appealing because this soft fabric would make dreamily comfortable bed wear, but also, and more importantly, is doesn't matter if it all goes horribly wrong. Thank you in advance!

After only three days we already seem to be back in the whirl of school and work routines. Dropping off, picking up, cooking, eating, practicing spellings, reading books, washing, ironing, dentist appointments, meetings...it feels quite all-consuming and I am already wishing for Friday. I hope you are having a good week, wherever you are.

A Chunky Knit Cowl

I meant to say on Sunday, but was so tired and scatterbrained I totally forgot - I really did enjoy reading all your comments on how you banish the winter blues. So many good ideas and lots of common sense too; crafting, stocking up the freezer, reading seed catalogues (I loved that one!), bringing spring flowers into the house, fairy lights, adding plants and greenery, an early morning walk, patchwork, cosying up with books and films, drinking up the leftover Christmas Baileys, casseroles, puddings, hot chocolate, bowls of hyacinths, pre-spring cleaning, walks in the snow, a post-Christmas treat or indulgence like new perfume, bunches of daffodils and, finally, bird watching. Wow. I feel happier just thinking about all those things! And what I like is that none of those ideas is expensive or difficult, not like booking a sunny holiday or starting a crazy new diet and exercise regime, they are just simple ways to make the most of winter on the greyest of days.

Thanks also for your comments about Adventure Ted, and the "tyranny" of these nursery/school toys. I'm so glad I'm not alone in my snooping tendencies. I was relieved to hand that bear back to the nursery staff yesterday, I have to say!

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So, to today's business...I have knitted a cowl, and I have to say I am rather happy with it. It is not without it's imperfections and the odd loose stitch, but I think it's the best thing I've knitted so far. Mainly because when I put it on, I think...oh! That actually looks quite nice! I just love the bumpy moss stitch. If I make any more I will definitely buy (and learn how to use) some circular needles. My cowl is a long rectangle sewn together (I know, the shame) but I think it would be practically perfect if I could figure out how to knit a seamless version.

For those interested, I used UK size 12 needles and one and a half balls of Rowan Big Wool in 100% merino wool. I cast on 24 stitches then knitted in moss/seed stitch for approximately 88 rows or until the scarf was about 76 cm or 30 inches long. 

And, now that we've had some snow and the temperatures have dropped, I am wearing my chunky, cosy cowl every day, tucked snugly inside my ski jacket and can report that it it toasty warm.



Edited to add: When I said I used UK size 12 needles what I should have said is I used size 12mm needles. A kind reader pointed out to me that UK size 12 needles are in fact very fine, and definitely not what I used here! I will get the hang of this knitting thing eventually...

My Rainy Day Scarf

Well hello! I have a little project to show you today - a very colourful crocheted granny square scarf.

This project was born of my need (and yes it was a need!) for a really super-bright scarf to wear with my black raincoat, bought on a cold and wet day in July in the summer sales. It was supposed to be ready for autumn as it's not really a snuggly cold weather scarf, but I don't appear to crochet fast enough. I chose cotton yarn (so that you don't get that wet wool smell) and made it very long. I really like crocheting in a limited colour palate - I think it shows off the simplicity of the stitches better. This scarf is made up of black, white, grey and hot pink yarn. The pink looks salmon in some shots and orange in others (I blame that November light, not my lack of photography skills), but trust me, it is the most glorious hot, hot pink.

This is my second foray into the world of crocheted scarves, inspired by this one I mad over the summer for a friend. I changed a few details - I added another square and gave the whole scarf a border, and sewed on a fringe instead of tassels - so much quicker and easier! I am converted. I see many more fringed scarves in my future...

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For anyone interested, I used Arnell Cotton yarn and a number 3 hook. I made 13 squares (each square was 8 rounds) and sewed them together, then added a border in triple stitch, then fringe at the bottom of each chain stitch.

An Orla Kiely Dress - Before and After

First, thank you so much for all your warm words and kind thoughts about Angus starting nursery. And for sharing your potty training tales - an area of parenting that is hilarious when it is far behind you but tedious when you are in the middle of it. You are all lovely for taking the time to visit and leave comments - it makes my day. And a very big hello to my new followers. You are very welcome and it's lovely to have you here!

Anyway, to today's business. This is not, and never will be, a fashion blog. But I was just so darn happy with the result of something that I really wanted to share it with you. 

I bought the dress below from Uniqlo, part of their new Orla Kiely range (be still my beating heart). I love her designs and use of pattern and colour, and have various wallets, mugs, cushions, towels, lampshades...I could go on. It's embarrassing. But her clothes have always been financially beyond my reach, so I was VERY excited by the Uniqlo range, and ordered this dress.

But when it came, oh, it was not the moment I was hoping for. The words tent-like and maternity spring to mind. But I love the pattern, and the collar and cuff detailing, and the price. So I gave it some thought. I could take it in, but I'm no great shakes on the sewing machine and would probably ruin it. I could cut holes in each side and add a tie-back, but cutting an Orla Kiely dress just felt very wrong.

So, after some pondering and much discussion with my friend Sam over wine, I bought two metres of cream velvet ribbon for the princely sum of £2.58 and made a sash/tie around the waist. I love it. It suits my shape now. I can adjust the ribbon for fat days and thin days and no dress was harmed in the making of this post. And it is the perfect Autumn dress with tights and my favourite brown boots.

(Please excuse the altogether horrid pictures - it was very bright and sunny, my hair was a mess, I am squinting, and felt like a right idiot standing in my back garden making John take a photo of me. But the dress is good.)

A Little Bit of Bling (Mollie Makes Magazine)

I like to think this is what Dorothy would wear if there was a running scene in The Wizard of Oz.

Ingredients:

Pumps/sneakers - £6

Glue £3.85

Sequins - £2

Tweezers and Issue 15 of Mollie Makes - already lying around the house.

Method:

Take one pair of cheap and boring shoes from your local supermarket. Spend a happy afternoon with glue and sequins making them as pretty and sparkly as possible. 

This is part of my mission to make one thing from each month's Mollie Makes. I was given a subscription for my birthday and I have challenged myself to get creative each time one lands on the doormat.

Bella wanted to join in (of course she did!) We asked Angus if he wanted to help too. He sauntered over, looked at what we were doing and said "no thank you" and sat down and played with his trains. Fair enough.

Bella decorated her old gym shoes from last year. They only cost about £3, and she will need a new pair for the new school term, so I was quite happy for her to unleash her inner artist on them. She says they are her new party shoes.