Making a dress: Part one

So, I’ve decided to make yet another dress and, in true blogging fashion, I thought I’d share this process with you.

I’m following a proper pattern this time (Simplicity K2444, a freebie from Sew magazine) which, if you’ll remember, is not something I’m used to doing. It’s not so bad though and I’m pretty sure the properly finished dress will be worth it.

Buying a duvet set is often a cheap alternative to buying from a fabric shop

Although making a dress can seem daunting, if you know your way around a sewing machine and the basics of sewing, it’s really not that hard. I think the key is to choose the right pattern (or make your own) and take your time. Taking regular breaks is also good, as it helps keep you calm and focussed.

A close up of the floral fabric I’m using to make my dress

I picked up an amazing duvet set from a charity shop which I’m using as the fabric for my dress. The set has never been used and even had the sticker still on, so I’ve avoided this disaster. It’s a floral, vintage style, but I doubt it’s actual vintage. There is, however, a lot of it and it doesn’t matter if I mess up, because if I need to redo a part of it, then I’ll have plenty more fabric to choose from.

I started as I always do, by cutting and ripping the seams so I was left with two pieces of fabric. Then I attached, pinned and cut my fabric pieces. I find this easier to do on the floor, with a pair of fabric scissors, because I don’t own a cutting mat or a cutter.

Once I finished the cutting, I used tailor chalk to add any pleat and dart marks and now the next step is to sew it.

When I turned my back, this happened

Finally, I wanted to let you know that my friend Charlotte from Sustainable Fashion Cardiff has blogged about me here. If you want to know more about how and why I got into crafting, then take a look.

Vintage hunting: You win some, you lose some

The other day, I was up visiting my Grandmother and I took some time to look through her nearest charity shops. I find it very exciting to discover new charity shops, as they could, quite literally, sell anything. I hadn’t actually planned on spending any money, so I left the Topshop dress and top I wanted, in favour of spending far, far less money on yet another vintage pillowcase and some buttons. I spent just under £2 in the end, on some potential fabric which I just couldn’t leave behind.

Sadly, I didn’t follow my own advice this time and took the fabric back to my Grandmother’s house to find it was very faded in parts and, worst of all, it has some questionable stains. I’m hoping these are just sun damage, but I can’t make a skirt out of it, or add it to my fabric collection, so it’s going back to the charity shop asap.

The fabric details are so pretty up close

I could use part of it for smaller craft projects, but I don’t want to because I feel bad. This is because the inside of the pillowcase has a name stitched into it and is something that freaks me out a little (I know- weird, right?). I know that anything bought in a charity shop will have been owned by someone else at one time, but seeing a name stitched inside it is just too weird. I can’t use it and I can’t just throw it either, so I’m hoping it’ll go to someone more deserving.

Charity shops are usually a great place to look for buttons, like the ones I bought above

Do any of you feel the same way? What have you bought that you wished you hadn’t?

Sewing Bee

So hands up who watched last night’s The Great British Sewing Bee? Yep, me as well. Wasn’t it great? I think I spent most of the time drooling over the fabric stash they had, knowing I’ll never have one that extensive.

If it’s inspired you, like it did me, then why not dust off that sewing machine and get started on an A Line skirt. There’s a great tutorial here (found via The Sewing Directory’s website here).

All information from the programme will be on the BBC’s website and includes bios on the contestants and clips from next week’s episode.

The book accompanying the series can be found on amazon, with details of projects shown each week. So if you’re inclined to buy, go ahead.

And if you’re wondering where you might have seen one of the contestants before, her name is Tilly and she blogs here.

If you haven’t had the time to catch up yet, you can watch it here. It really is a good watch, so I suggest you grab a cup of tea and get onto it immediately.