Grid-Print Decisions

February 28, 2015February 27, 20152 Comments

I recently bought this crepe fabric as part of my first ever online fabric order!

I got this and three other fabrics from Remnant Kings, and I’ll definitely be shopping on their website again. I’ve always been wary of buying fabrics online because you don’t get the opportunity to physically see and feel the fabric before you buy it, so you don’t know exactly what you’re getting. That wasn’t a problem at all though and I was really pleased with all the fabrics in my delivery. The materials were all true to their description online, both texture and colour-wise. It’s almost a bit dangerous though, knowing how easy it is now to buy fabric just whenever I fancy…

So this grid-print fabric is everywhere at the moment and I now have two metres of the stuff – so what to make?! These are my options:

This top from Topshop has a sheer back, which I can replicate using the boxy top pattern of Simplicity 1366.

These shorts are also part of the Topshop set. I could use Simplicity 1371 to make a similar pair with a higher waist.

Or, back to my old favourite, the shift dress!

Would it be bad if I made them all? Possibly grid-print overkill…

Simplicity Lisette 1419

February 27, 2015Leave a comment

Isn’t this such a cute dress?!

I made it using Simplicity Lisette pattern 1419 and some blue polka-dot material a very kind friend bought me for my birthday.

I love the details of this dress – the pleats, Peter Pan collar and keyhole front.

It’s not a difficult pattern though, despite all those details. There’s a facing plus interfacing to create the keyhole front, and the instructions are really clear.

I used leftover polyester panama material for the collar but it was a bit heavy really and made it harder to achieve the really rounded shape. When I make this one again I’ll use a lighter material for the collar, and probably keep it sleeveless. I prefer the in-progress photos without sleeves and kind of wish I’d not bothered with them! What do you think?

New Look Pattern 6262

February 16, 2015February 15, 2015Leave a comment

I love this pattern. With the fitted bodice and gathered skirt New Look 6262 is a beauty. It’s also very similar to the popular Christine Haynes Emery Dress at a fraction of the price… not to mention the many dresses of this shape on the high street! I do have a couple of them that fit well from Topshop and New Look, but generally they can be pretty poor. The gathered skirt usually seems to start just below the boobs – not flattering! But this pattern gets the balance just right.

I’ve made this full dress three times now, and have used it to make a separate top and skirt too. I just love it! Simple to use and fits well. A slight warning though, the waist is pretty tiny! I adjusted the pattern to increase the waist by a little as the rest of the dress in my size fitted perfectly.

Part way through making the first two of New Look 6262. The one on the left is in a soft viscose fabric and the right is a Liberty print. I had both fabrics ages before I could choose a pattern good enough to cut them up for!

I tried one of the other variations for this last one, with the V-neck and no sleeves. This one is in a light Chambray with braid sewn on at the waist.

So overall, another great pattern from New Look. Don’t think I’ll be stopping at three with this one…

New Look Pattern 9065

February 14, 2015February 14, 2015Leave a comment

Another of my favourite patterns!

So here’s my pattern review for New Look 9065…

It’s brilliant, buy it!

I’ve made this dress three times now, twice in polyester panama and once in a viscose print. It’s so easy to make and the fit is so flattering. The darts at the bust and in the back create that shape, but neither are too tricky to do. There’s a zip down the back which you can either do as an invisible zip or just normal, which is what I went for.

The green and pale blue versions are both in polyester panama, which I think makes them fairly smart – I hope so anyway, I wear the green version all the time for work! I absolutely love the colour of the pastel blue dress, but unfortunately I think its quite a summery shade so I haven’t had a chance to wear it recently.

I think this viscose print version is my favourite though.

Great for a night out, but just stick tights, boots and a baggy cardigan on with it and it works as a daytime look too.

So as you may have gathered, I highly recommend this pattern! It’s versatile, works with different fabrics and always makes a really flattering dress.

I have heard others say the sizings are a bit big on it, but I think it depends what you’re after. I cut my normal size and it was perfect.

A Weekend in London Town

February 10, 2015February 10, 2015Leave a comment

Styling handmade in the capital…

What I wore during my weekend in London.

Tapestry skirt: Handmade; Top: H&M; Coat: Primark; Necklace: New Look

The outfit I wore to see Cats, which was brilliant! Nicole Scherzinger was AMAZING!! What a voice. And the dancing was just incredible. Definitely recommend seeing this.