Diary of a Chain Stitcher

I made this jacket back in about April. I didn't expect it to be getting quite as much wear during this very wet summer here in the UK! I was in need of a practical jacket for walking the dog when it was wet but not that chilly. I absolutely adore my Kelly Anorak for winter but I lined the whole thing in cosy wool flannel so for damp spring walkies it gets a bit too warm. While I'm on the subject, I just realised I made my Kelly over 5 years and after a lot of wear it's still going strong. It must be one of my most worn garments so definitely worth all the effort I put into making it. 

I must admit that I wasn't sure on this top when I first made it. I finished it back in February and I must have been trying it on with the wrong trousers or skirts when trying to make it work for winter because I put it back on last month with some slimmer fit jeans and sandals and have been wearing it on constant rotation ever since! That age old story of putting something away in the wardrobe for a little while and coming to it with fresh eyes strikes again. 

If you follow me on Instagram you might have seen that I've been working on a pretty epic coat project for the last month or so. It's now finished and I can't wait to show you all but after all that sewing I'm struggling to muster up the enthusiasm to take photos and write what I imagine will be a fairly epic blog post. So in the mean time you're getting a Christmas party dress!

I loved the look of the recently released Everyday Dress from The New Craft House as soon as they posted a sneak peek of it on their Instagram. So I was over the moon when it appeared in my inbox as Hannah and Rosie kindly sent it over as a gift for being part of their ambassador programme. I've taken a while to get on board with the puff sleeve trend but it is definitely starting to grow on me. And yes I liked it enough to make it even with all that gathering to do! The fabric actually made the gathering really quick and straightforward. It is lightweight so gathered up easily and it has quite a crisp hand so stayed put where I wanted it rather than slipping about.

I really enjoyed making my top version of Birgitta Helmersson’s  Zero Waste Gather Dress last year and decided it was about time I tried another. This is the ZW Block Pant . Her patterns don't come with much in the way of pattern pieces (this time it was just a patch pocket and template for shape at the hem) and instead instructions to draw out the pattern pieces on your fabric. It is really fun to do something a bit differently when you've done as much sewing as I have. I also like that drawing it out really helps you to understand the drafting and how it all works together. The key to making a pattern zero waste is tessellating the pattern pieces so that you don't have any scraps left over. In this instance the interior of the crotch curve for the patch pockets and the back legs are formed of two pieces with a seam just under the bum.

Hello! Long time no blog.

I've got quite a quick little post for you today as I've already talked about this pattern twice before. But I wanted to share with you my winter version of the Wilder Gown from Friday Pattern Company . The rave reviews of this pattern drew me to it when it was first released but at that time oversized smock designs were quite a departure from my normal style (now I'm ALL about them!). I tentatively dipped my toe in the water by making the top first and loved the straightforward construction and fit which was more slim around the shoulders and upper chest than I expected. I think it is this fit around the upper portion of the body which prevents me from feeling swamped in fabric when wearing the dress as everything sits really nicely and the swooshy movement all happens from below the chest down.

Summer has been very damp and a little chilly here in the UK so I tried to inspire the weather into making one last late attempt to get hot and sunny by making a very summery dress! The Hallon Dress from Paradise Patterns caught my attention on Instagram when it was first released (under a different name to begin with). I love this easy breezy style of dress but really loved that this particularly style retained a bit of shape (rather than hanging like a tent) and a whole lot of drama because of that low back! I think the volume of the lower portion of the dress is balanced out really nicely by the strappy top and exposed skin up top. Although perhaps after the last 18 months of on and off lockdown and restrictions I was just sucked in by the sunny product photos and the idea of wafting around on a beach in such style!