Notions Of Fabric

This garment is another product of my SewBrum 2019 raffle prize win. While the colours in this fabric aren't bad, I just didn't feel they were really me. However, in the bundle was also a dark blue and a complimentary dark blue floral, and when I saw them I immediately imagined them as an opportunity to finally make the Deer and Doe Sirocco jumpsuit. But, would I wear it? So I decided to use this other fabric from my bundle to make my wearable toile of the romper version. It's a really light jersey in this sage green pineapple print. As you might be able to see, I made a few changes and they were all simply to make it fit on the fabric. Firstly, I left the sleeves off! I also taped the pocket and front pieces together so that my version has no pockets. This meant that I could fit it all on the approximately 1.5m piece I had, although I couldn't be particular about where the print ended up. I cut a size 44 all over, which is my usual size for D&D patterns. I ended up...

I ummed and ahhed about whether to post this dress or not. I don't usually talk about my fails, which I think is totally normal. People don't want to embrace their failures, but this I think it an interesting failure, and for a few reasons. The first reason is the pattern. This pattern is McCalls 7504, which looks really lovely on the envelope. I sewed it up in a size 14, using the finished measurements to choose my size as I typically like less ease than most patterns are designed for. I did make the correct size and it fits decently. This was actually not picked by me, but was chosen by the Husband as something I should try in order to branch out and try new silhouettes. Normally his complaint is that all my dresses are "the same" - by which he means - they have a fitted bodice and a flared skirt. Which yes, they do, because this is a look that not only works on me (I think) but is something I feel comfortable in. But in the effort of branching out, I thought...

As I often do with new patterns that I like, after I made my first one in the navy and white stripe, I promptly made another in a different but striped knit! Once I knew that the first dress was going to be successful, I ordered this gorgeous rainbow stripe knit from Tilly and the Buttons! I liked the idea of having a rainbow, and because this fabric is black printed on white (not black when woven) I needed a pattern that doesn't stretch very much. This fabric though is lovely, really comfy with a lovely stretch and the rainbow colours work super well with the black. I really love the end result! There is a little fading across the bust when I wear it due to it stretching slightly, but I don't think it's really noticeable and definitely not enough to stop me wearing it! As with my first Moneta, I placed the stripe horizontal on the bodice and vertical on the skirt. I think that looks better on me than the other way around. I made the same size (M), however...

After I made the two Moneta dresses back to back very quickly, I moved on to a pattern I've made lots before, but using a new variation. I have been doing a reasonable amount of sewing since schools have been closed - I am still working, but doing distance education stuff from home. Working from home has been a bit of a strange adjustment, which does have some perks, but I have been finding it hard stopping work, when it's right there on my laptop all the time. So I made a schedule, which includes a few hours sewing time each afternoon. This has actually been really great for my sewing productivity and for my mental health as well. I made another Linden! I already own 4, just not View B. I had wanted to try it though, but I don't have many drapey knits. What I do have in my stash is a set of 5 lengths of knit fabric from Girl Charlee which I won in the SewBrum raffle last year. So this is my chance to sew more knits, as this is not something I usually do and I'm st...

After the busy time making my last dress (see my last post), I then had a period of about a month when there was no sewing or even thinking about it, because I had family visiting and lost my sewing room because it became a spare room instead. An amazing time, but no sewing involved! When I got my sewing room back, I wanted to sew something new, but nothing too complicated. And then I remembered one of the things on my Make Nine was a Colette Moneta, and figured, it should be easy! I had set aside in my head this striped knit for ages - it's not too thick but the white is opaque, which I was very excited about when I purchased it. I have made the Lady Skater in the past, and while I liked that pattern it didn't feel like it was something I could wear to work, and I was hoping to add some knit dresses to my wardrobe which were a bit more work appropriate. It turns out that Moneta is perfect for that! I chose the 3/4 sleeve option for some cooler weather  wear (a...