new dress

will post details later, but here's the pic....I think I might shorten it!

Preston Patternreview weekend

How pleased was I that this was on my doorstep! I joined the ladies just on the Saturday for the obligatory Abakhan run, and then we went to Preston market which I had never really looked at! great stalls... which was a pleasant surprise. Ruth then drove us all to Lancaster where we went to Fabrix, my local fabric shop, and a great one! As per usual was el skinto, so only bought one piece of fabric... a fabulous red wool to make a dress, this one hopefully, if the newsagent still has my Burda mag kept aside. It was nice just to look at fabrics without worrying about entertaining a three year old! Here's some pics (nicked from Jenni!)

Prima top and skirt

Made this top recently and the skirt last year from Prima patterns. Review to come... sewing has taken a bit of a backseat recently due to a busy start of term at work (and Ofsted!). Anyway, hoping to get back into it...still have that massive stash to work through!

Inspired

I have piles of new fabric I must photograph and show off! I am on a mission to sew as much of my wardrobe as possible, as I appreciate stuff I have made myself more than cheap bits from cheap shops. Sewing is more creative, economical, eco friendly and ethical (I 'd rather be my own one woman sweat shop!). It's also more fun! I draw the line at underwear and socks though, and possibly jeans.
Anyway, I have already been planning my Autumn/Winter capsule wardrobe based on fave colours of purple, navy blue and teal. Got to get the rest of the summer sewing out of the way first though as I have a bit of a backlog...and home dec sewing bits to do. Too many ideas and not enough time as I am limited to sewing in the kitchen after little one has gone to bed and dishes are done... then I get sidetracked by the computer, patternreview.com and facebook. When I do do sewing it tends to be between 10pm and 1am which is not ideal really and I end up making silly mistakes!. Thankfully though as I have been off work for a few weeks my other half has taken number one son out to playgroup for a couple of mornings which has given me a chance to cut out fabric etc during daylight hours!

Recent items sewn from Prima magazine

Dress I made from December 07 pattern (I think) using grey and white polka dot fabric. I made it for a 50s festival as I felt it looked a bit retro. It's a basic shift with bust, waist and back darts, extended shoulders which create a flattering cap sleeve effect, flattering V-neck and back zip and vent. It's a very flattering dress and I plan to make another!
The top was made with tha August 08 pattern and is an empire line top with a neck tie effect. I made this one out of Liberty lawn. I took in the sides to make it look less maternity style. This top has grown on me as I thought the fabric would be too bold at first! Now I love it! especially photographed in the Midland hotel toilets!

A pink makeover!

in honour of my new pink bike!

Hello neglected blog!

It's been a long time since I last posted to this blog or wrote any sewing reviews!
I need to post some pics of recent fabric aquisitions and stuff I have made recently!
I have sewn a couple of Simplicity patterns, a few bits from Prima magazine and have started to sew from Burda WOF again, which I have not sewn from for 6 years or so!