I Still Make Stuff

 Made by Rae Washi Dress

You'd never know it from reading this blog, but there's still some crafting going on around these parts!

Being short on time means that it mainly only ends up on Instagram rather than the blog.... but I thought I'd have a quick catch up here today.

One of the things that I really wanted to do this year was to make more clothes for myself.

I've already had heaps of wear from my Washi Dress. It's been lovely and cool for the 40 degree weather we've been having!

This is a quick summer top whipped up from a Vintage Simplicity 5007 pattern. Nice and cool and comfy.

This one was a WIP for a few weeks... the bodice was drafted using the same Vintage Simplicity 5007 top pattern (as above). I just shortened the bodice and then drafted a skirt to match.

I didn't even bother with a zip in this one. I just made it loose enough to slip over my head - the perfect lazy summer dress!

Have a super fab weekend all.... and make sure to check out the gorgeous goodies in the fundraising shop!

Fashion Challenge 3 - Little Black Dress

I missed the second Fashion Challenge as I just completely ran out of time, but I certainly didn't want to miss out on number three - the Little Black Dress!

In my mind, a little black dress conjures up images of fancy cocktail dresses for formal events. But in reality, I have absolutely no need for a fancy cocktail dress, so I wanted a much more casual style little black dress. 

I really want to try and stash bust as much as I can with these challenges, but for this one, there just wasn't anything suitable in the cupboard.

I headed down to the local Spotty and walked lap afer lap after lap..... and found nothing inspiring in black. So, there was only one choice - some cheap and cheerful spotted cotton print.

I have a very unusual shape (some of it due to twenty years of steroids), so it's really difficult to find suitable dress patterns.

I bought this Retro Butterick reprint... traced, modified and made the bodice.... and then promptly threw it out as the fit was absolutely horrid!

I decided to skip that and sort through my pattern stash to find something else. I found a Vintage Simplicity 5007 top pattern which I've previously used.  I used the pattern to create a bodice and shortened it so that it ended just below the bustline.

I then wanted to create an A-line style skirt for the bottom, so I took the skirt from my Lisette Passport Dress pattern, and modified it by removing the pleats, and taking a little away from the width to fit the bodice.

Once I'd added the skirt to the bodice (and before inserting the zip), I decided to make the waistline a feature so I added a length of red binding all the way around.

I'd normally use an invisible zip but I really love the black stripe running down the back!

To finish off, I simply bound the armholes (to the inside) and the neckline and bottom hem (to the outside).

I haven't quite finished as I still need to add some pockets (I completely forgot to add in seam pockets before I sewed and overlocked the side seams).

This isn't the greatest quality of fabric so the drape isn't wonderful, but it'll be a really nice cool and comfy dress in summer.

I think it's a great versatile addition to the wardrobe!

More sewing for me

I've been sewing up a storm over the last week, and now have a few more handmade pieces to add to my wardrobe.

There's just that little matter of cleaning the wardrobe out of all of the clothes that I no longer need or wear...

I've  been hoarding saving this fabric for the perfect dress. It was a bit of a surprise purchase as I had a GJ's voucher that was about to expire just before Christmas 2011, and no time to actually go to GJ's, so I gave it to Bec with instructions to choose a large scale floral in red/orange/pink. She couldn't have chosen anything more perfect!

This is a bit of a mash up of patterns again.

The bodice is the top half of the Vintage Simplicity 5007 again, with the neckline lowered, and the skirt is the Lisette Passport Dress again.

This time when I cut the skirt pieces, I added three extra inches in width at either side of the CF and CB, so that I could make the three pleats on either side at the front and back.


I used a small binding on the armholes, a large binding on the neckline and just gave it a minimal hem.

I sewed it up and then realised that I'd forgotten the in-seam pockets. Thank goodness I hadn't overlocked yet!

I even managed to set them in at the correct height this time *win*

I desperately tried to take a selfie to show me actually wearing it, but it was 42 degrees celsius and I ended up with a whole lot of blurry photos / me with my eyes closed / head chopped off etc... so this is the best of a bad lot.

This is seriously the most comfy dress ever. I LOVE IT!