Diary of a Chain Stitcher

It's that time again already! Another month packed with exciting independent sewing pattern releases has passed and I've been sewing up a storm. I can't blog quick enough to keep up with all my sewing and I can't sew quick enough to keep up with all the new releases I want to make! Despite feeling like I must have a pattern to cover every whim and eventuality by now I've added a couple of patterns to my collection this month; I just couldn't resist! New Patterns Sew Over It released two new patterns this month. The Poppy Playsuit is available as a PDF download; it looks like a really versatile style and Lisa looks super chic in hers. The second is the Rosie Dress ; a fifties style with a full skirt and princess seamed bodice. I had the pleasure of testing this gem and will hopefully get some pictures of mine up later in the week! Amongst this month's Style Arc releases we have the Coral Cardi , Serena Knit Dress and Blair Shirt/Shirtdress ....

Next up in my run of projects from Named Clothing  is the Kielo Wrap Dress . This pattern was released alongside the Ailakki Jumpsuit (which I posted about last week ) as part of the company's second collection and the combination of these two pretty much knocked me off my feet. I was hooked from then on. This simple but unusual design had instant appeal for me. I love a maxi and the wrap style slightly echoed the lines of my favourite RTW maxi dress which I have worn almost every week of the last five summers and still am despite it being on its last legs. I'd ordered 2 yards of this stunning rayon crepe from Mood Fabrics a few months ago with the intentions of turning it into a simple summer dress. I'm not usually one for wearing a particularly vivid/bold print but for some reason I saw this online and it was in my basket in a flash. When it arrived I congratulated myself on the impulse order; the colours are vibrant and the crepe spongy yet fine. It's liste...

I'm really excited to share this finished project with you today. I'm sure most of you have spotted some of the gorgeous projects that have been made by other bloggers as part of the McCalls Big Vintage Sew-Along . Today it's my turn! To get us inspired McCalls have selected a number of designs from the 1930s through to the 1960s. The proceeds from the sales of these patterns will be donated to The Eve Appeal , a charity who raise awareness of and fund research into gynaecological cancers. I was keen to join in as, whilst not really a vintage dresser, I love all the unique details in vintage designs. The market today is awash with a lot of 'clean lines' and simple designs that after a while all seem quite similar so it's been lovely to get stuck into a project with some interesting design features and different construction techniques. It was tough to choose between such a plethora of gorgeous styles but I eventually settled on Vogue 9082  from the 1960s. I...