2012 - year of prints

Happy New Year!  It was a surprise to me as I put together my 2012 collage of me-mades, to see that I sewed almost entirely with prints this year.  I hadn't realised at all what a brightly patterned sewing year I had had.  There is still a very plain dark blue Simplicity Traveller dress awaiting buttonholes though, so that was my one plain sewing for me.   

Thank you to everyone who reads and especially those who regularly comment here.   I have found some new blogging friends in 2012 and strengthened the existing friendships.  You guys are such a great inspiration and community.  I am looking forward to seeing what we all create in 2013.....and I am determined to make it to some meet ups this year!

The most worn me-made of the year - red polka dot Anna tunic from Amy Butler pattern

FO museum tunic

Ah-maz-ing...a finished object post.  I sewed up the museum tunic during the summer holidays but only just managed to photograph it this week.  As soon as I saw the Anna Maria Horner voile in the parcel Jessica sent me, I knew I wanted to make this tunic.  It is the simplest top to construct, just four rectangles and a piece of elastic in the front.  The instructions are on the Anna Maria Horner website here, though she makes it as a dress.  (I hope this link works as my computer seems to freeze evertime I go onto the AMH  site).

I have been wearing the top loads since making it and deriving a lot of pleasure in wearing it.  The fabric is so lovely and drapey that it makes the simple top hang well.  Thank you Jessica.  A plus point for speedy sewing is the square print which gives you an almost idiot proof cutting and sewing line! 

This week the only FO here is this hairband for Little I to wear to school.  She chose the fabric combination, I assembled it while Rocket Girl was trapped, imprisoned, sitting in her high chair eating rice cakes.

Thank you for the teddy comments.

Below is a teddy in progress shot, knitting in the car waiting outside school.  This teddy will have pink trousers and a red jumper, and grey body/head. 



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Easy Summer Skirt aka pillowcase

I had my birthday in May and recieved this book from my friend Lovely Sarah. I thought I would try the "Easy breezy skirt" which is a skirt made from a pillow case.

It is really simple, you just cut open the shorter seam on the pillow case, try it on to check the length, and make a casing, insert elastic. Bingo...one skirt.

I was inspired by Alessa's links to scalloped hem tutorials to try and add a scalloped hem too. I read both the tutorials and then just traced my scallops onto the reverse side of the fabric using a tumbler. Here are tutorial links here and here

I used an Ikea pillow case that I bought a while ago together with matching duvet cover from the charity shop. Now I just need it to get warmer as it is too damn cold to go out in my new skirt!

Sustainable Fashion in the Forest

I have been away from this space for a few days and from the internet. Little I and I went to Devon to visit my family for four days. Now home with an aching back from the drive. We went to a great place and if you ever find yourself driving to Plymouth or Cornwall on the A38, this would be a great stop off. We went to Haldon Forest, there is a cafe (hurray for food cooked by other people), there are some lovely walks and great views, Little I loved the sand-basd play area. But best of all for me? There is an exhibition space there (CCANW) and we saw,

Fashion Footprints, an exhibition looking at sustainable fashion. This exhibition was curated by a group of MA graduates from the London College of fashion. I did't get enough photos - apologies. Little I is doing some fabric weaving in the top picture.

There were display panels full of information and clothes on display. We liked the map of the world where visitors were invited to pin the labels from their clothes on the map to show where they came from. There was a coat and dress from Alabama Chanin whose work have seen in the blogosphere before but I have to say I like it more since seeing it in real life! It was a fitted long coat with applique and glass bead flowers and a dress underneath with appliqued flowers. Both were made in cotton jersey I think. There was a coat from a Leeds based collective Remade inLeeds.

There was a beautiful embroidered black kimono from 1910 that was a family heirloom, illustrating the idea of passing a special and cherished piece of clothing down through the family.

One thing that caught my interest was a display case with a lace collar and gloves in from the early twentieth century. Women would have used a range of different collars to make one dress look different. What a good idea - and one that made me think of the Uniform Project dress which comes with a detachable collar. What wasn't clear from the display was how they fixed the collar on. This exhibition is only on until 21st November but if you check the website the next one looks interesting too.

My sister was with me and we left with her thinking and discussing how to make our own lives more sustainable. I now think maybe she no longer thinks I am weird with my not buying new clothes.

I have not done any sewing of clothes since September now as I am having troubles with my machine, and I am having serious withdrawals now! Last night I ordered some grey cotton jersey on Ebay to try to make a jersey dress. I am not sure exactly what shape to make it...I am playing with several ideas. Meanwhile I am frantically handsewing little birds from felt to sell at a Christmas market and knitting Christmas scarves. I will share pictures soon.