#vintagepledge · self-drafted · Sewing · Simplicity 5631 · Vintage · Woman's Realm Special Pattern L147

Goth Gingham

Posting this, I’m as nervous as a Bake Off contestant approaching the Gingham Altar after a particularly gruelling technical challenge. What will everyone think?  Will it be good enough for The Handshake.  You know, The Hollywood Handshake.  Sure, I start every make hoping to be worthy of such an accolade.  However, as things progress, you… Continue reading Goth Gingham

GBSB · jersey · self-drafted · sewalong · Sewing · Sporty Summer Sewathon

Spectator Sport

Did you know that here in the UK it’s National Sport Week?  I only know because there have been events at both of the children’s schools, one of which the eldest-and-newly-a-teenager gave us permission to attend.  “Permission!” I hear you snort.  I know, sigh, but it’s an improvement on last year.  Last year I didn’t even get to find out… Continue reading Spectator Sport

GBSB · refashion · self-drafted · Sewing · Thrifting

Great British Sewing Bee Challenge – it’s as tough as it looks

Take one sandy afternoon, one men’s shirt   and a dash of Great British Sewing Bee inspiration. Engage elation, energy and excitement.  Warm up the iron, start the clock and off we go!! 11:12 Oh gosh, this is soooo exciting, what am I going to do?  Let’s have a bit of a think and a bit of… Continue reading Great British Sewing Bee Challenge – it’s as tough as it looks

foraged fabric · GBSB · refashion · self-drafted · Sewing

Taking up the Challenge…

set by Sew 2 Pro. You see that new button to the side?  That’s a Great British Sewing Bee Challenge button. I was wondering if this shirt:     Bought in a spirit of Jubliee red, white and blue inspired optimism two whole years ago could be combined with a trio of inspirations,   The… Continue reading Taking up the Challenge…

foraged fabric · refashion · self-drafted · Thrifting

What a difference a dye makes!

Let us consider the evidence.  A prim tablecloth reincarnated as a circle skirt:   Kinda cool as she may look above I have mentioned before  how she just didn’t work for me.  The poor unloved circular creature was consigned to the airing cupboard where she lay crumpled for many a month.  There was a brief… Continue reading What a difference a dye makes!

foraged fabric · Jungle January 2014 · refashion · self-drafted · Sewing · Uncategorized

As well as feathers, my jungle has fur.

Don’t you just love*/hate* it when things that you have painstakingly fashioned for yourself look much better on someone else? No?  Yes?  Well, when that someone else is the youngest female member of our clan, it’s all good here. No, not that female family member.  Although, she does think that fur is for her. Last… Continue reading As well as feathers, my jungle has fur.

foraged fabric · refashion · self-drafted · Sewing · Uncategorized

Makes me want to nip behind the bike sheds

I’ve made something a bit twee you see.  I could be more detailed with regards the garment construction but basically it’s a circle skirt. I have to put the blame fairly and squarely on the shoulders of Margaret McCrirrick.  In her book Better Dressmaking, she blithely tells me that one of the few things that you can… Continue reading Makes me want to nip behind the bike sheds

MMM13 · refashion · self-drafted · Sewing

MMMay13 Makeover Magic – Chapter One

Trousers of Denim Diagnosis She be perfick Fit issues Style issues Un-recoverable Treatment An hour with the beauty therapist Day patient treatment Day surgery Radical surgery Outcome Perfect for radio Reality TV beckons Soap Stardom Film Stardom Obligatory Sewing Error – zip length miscalculation, zip underlap mess. Sewing Insight? You need a lot of height at the… Continue reading MMMay13 Makeover Magic – Chapter One