I finally jumped on the Cleo Dungaree Dress wagon after much trepidation. It's not a shape I would usually go for as ideally I need to be nipped in at the waist, but Tilly and the Button's pattern has taken the sewing community by storm and I wanted in on the action.

Also, the promise of a quick and satisfying project was just too big a temptation!




In a wild departure for me, I settled on black babycord instead of a print, which makes it incredibly versatile. I paired it with my Ghoulish Gable Top here, but I'll be sharing some other Cleo style tips soon.

Having tried RTW dungaree dresses before, the straps are always too long and the hips too snug. The beauty of making your own of course is that you can tweak the fit to near perfection. Size-wise I cut a four and then graded the hips to a six. I took eight centimetres off the straps and still ended up with a generous amount to fold under.

In terms of construction, I decided to cut the front and back pieces on the fold to speed up the stitching process as I didn't plan on contrasting topstitching. My advice if you're doing the same is to make sure you remove the centre seam allowances before you start sewing. I got to the facing stage before realising I hadn't, so I ended up having to cut my back piece down the middle after all. I could have cut another facing piece, but by this time I had interfaced and stitched it all together.



Where I didn't cut corners was the topstitching, and although it's not in a contrasting colour, taking the time to do it gives a really professional finish.

Although Cleo isn't the most flattering thing I've made, I do really like it and hope to make more. I'm annoyed at myself for not making the skirt more A-line like I originally planned to. I got lazy and didn't bother, which was stupid as I'd probably end up living in it if I had. The other thing that annoys me, as with any straight unlined skirt, is that it rides up when I'm wearing tights. I don't know what the solution to this is, so if you have any thoughts do share!

My favourite part of the whole process was definitely hammering in the rivets for the buckles. There was something very therapeutic about it, which totally appealed to my inner violent self! Please tell me I'm not alone in feeling this way...?!?

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, then you'll know that earlier this week fellow bloggers and I were invited to Denmark to check out Stoff & Stil's headquarters and flagship store. It was pretty ace and I'll update you properly on that soon, but right now I have an exciting discount code to share with my UK readers!

You can get 15% off your entire order from their UK website, just by using stitchodysseyxstoffstil at the checkout before midnight on 15 February

Stoff & Stil have a comprehensive selection of fabrics - all kinds of types, colours, prints, solids - and the quality is superb too. I say this with confidence having seen and handled them in person. Not only that, they also have a range of sewing patterns and cater for both knitters and crafters too.

For stitch-spiration I've picked our some of my favourite prints from their very latest fabric collection!

KNITS

WOVENS

Happy shopping!!!

My first ever Jennifer Lauren Gable Top is a rather ghoulish one, don't you think? Originally planned for last Halloween, I didn't actually get round to making it until earlier this month. Better late than never though!


You guys went crazy for my fabric choice on Instagram, but sadly it was from Stuart's stall on Leicester Market and sold out pretty quickly.

The Gable Top itself has been a big hit with the sewing community and I can totally see why. With just three or four pattern pieces (depending on which version you go for) it's super quick and easy make with a cute retro twist. It's also perfect for using up shorter lengths of fabric and lends itself to so many different prints and colours, with breton stripes a popular option.


For my version I opted for three-quarter-length sleeves, simply by omitting the cuffs on view three. Sizing wise I cut a 12 for the shoulders, armholes and sleeves. I then cut a 14 from the underarm to the waist and graded up to a 16 from the waist to the hem. I also ended up taking five centimetres off the length, something I'll account for before cutting out next time.

Gable's talking point is its 1950s-inspired slash neckline of course. It's really classic and chic, with neat topstitching that frames it perfectly. 

My one tip would be to mark your centre-front and centre-back neckline. This is because there's no suggested fold-line to create the slash - instead you try it on and pin it to your liking before topstitching in place. This eyeballing technique means that the lowest part of my front neckline is slightly off-centre. Not enough to be glaringly obvious, but enough to drive me inwardly insane. Had I marked my CF and CB this wouldn't have been an issue...but you live and learn!



Have you sewn the Gable Top? What do you think of the pattern? Also, have you seen that Jen's releasing a Gable Dress expansion pack soon? That sounds pretty exciting!

In other news, I've calculated that it's been over a year since I had my hair cut and you can tell...in a really bad way. It's shapeless, lacklustre and just so MEH! Since changing jobs my favourite retro hair salon is a lot further away and I can't easily nip in after work anymore. I really need to make an appointment asap though...only thing is I can't decide whether to have a fringe cut in again and if so what type!?!

Wow-wee you guys! The lovely girls at The Foldline, Kerry and I had our work cut out for us picking the 2016 end-of-year #VintagePledge winners, with almost 400 brilliant entries to choose from! A MASSIVE thanks goes to our generous sponsors for making it possible to recognise your efforts.

Before the big reveal, I just wanted to update you on the 2017 #VintagePledge. Sadly, Kerry and I have pretty busy years ahead so it won't be possible for us to organise guest blogs and end-of-year prizes this time round. However, we'll both still be sewing our way through our vintage patterns and we certainly don't want to loose momentum on such a successful initiative. We've set up a 2017 Pinterest Board which we'd love you to share your makes on - just follow the board and ask me to add you as a contributor. We'd also love you to continue using the hashtag #VintagePledge when sharing your makes on social media so we can inspire others by sharing them.

Personally I will be blogging my pledge soon, so please feel free to do the same or to comment on my upcoming post with your own plans. I'll see if I can convince Charlotte to design a cool new button for us too...hehe!

Finally, if life is a little calmer than last year...you may see the return of #VPJuly...but I can't promise anything yet!

Anyway, that was quite a drumroll...now for the exciting announcement...

2016 #VINTAGEPLEDGE WINNERS

Dresses

With SO many awesome dresses entered in the competition, I'm really grateful to our sponsors that we're able to give out two prizes!

First prize - £50 to spend at online Weaver Dee - goes to Nicole Needles for her gorgeous 1950s creation. She paired a reproduction Vogue pattern with unusual animal-print fabric and got the fit spot on! We love the high neckline and the party going on at the back, which you can check out on Nicole's blog.


Our second prize - a £50 Sew Over It voucher - goes to another 1950s reproduction, but we couldn't resist Sara Jolie's lovely lemon number. The unexpected colours work wonderfully together and the oversized collar is fabulous. Cheers!


Tops

For out third winner, it's become a bit of a tradition to make annual Halloween-themed blouses using a vintage 1950s Butterick pattern. We're head over paws with By Gum, By Golly's kooky black cat make so we're giving her £50 to spend at Sew Essential.


Bottoms

Gold...always believe in your soul...you've got the power to know...you're indestructible...

The 1950s may have dominated the first three prizes, but Sew It or Throw It's gold satin spandex skirt has brought it home for 1979. Seriously, this skirt is all kinds of awesome, well deserving of a £50 Girl Charlee Fabrics voucher.


Outerwear & Accessories

My goodness, did you guys excel yourselves in this category! But the £50 Remnant Kings voucher goes to Vintage Gal for her very beautiful 1930s winter jacket. It really is a work of art and although she's yet to blog the finished garment, she has outlined some of the fascinating vintage techniques she adopted during the making process.


Best Pattern Adaptation

Choosing finalists for this category was such fun, especially when we spotted Amy MacKay's Wonder Woman dress, cleverly made using a 1960s pattern. Pretty cool, huh? And worthy of £30 to spend online at Beyond Measure and a carefully selected fabric kit from Sew Wardrobe.


Showstopper

Pretty Mermaid's Purse's stunning Film Noir gown well and truly blew us away, and is the worthy winner of a £100 fabric hamper from Minerva Crafts and three patterns of her choice from Decades of Style. Not bad for a pair of curtains and her first time using a 1940s pattern, eh?!? Head over to her blog for more pictures and a better look at her 1940s fascinator, kid gloves and shoes.



2016 #VINTAGEPLEDGE FINALISTS

As I've already said, there was a staggeringly large number of entries to sift through and inevitably, lots of them caught our eye. Here are the finalists in each category...I only wish we had prizes for each and every one!

Dresses




Tops

Nicole Needles (left & right)


Bottoms



Outerwear & Accessories




Best Pattern Adaptation


Sew It or Throw It | The Sewing Goatherd | Remake Remodel Recycle  (leftright)

Showstopper


Pretty Mermaid's Purse (left & right) | Gillian Wightman | Vintage on Tap