Friends, I'm so excited! Last year I was asked to join the Minerva Blogger Network and I now finally have my first make share. Determined not to embarrass myself on my first network outing and eager to make 2014 the year of the dress, I decided to go with a tried and tested pattern. I've made Hawthorn by Colette Patterns twice before with great results and minimal fitting issues – a sleeveless Neolithic dress version and a polka dot blouse version.

Couple a foolproof pattern with some delicious chambray and lovely lilac buttons...and bingo! In fact, you can get your very own kit here...minus the granny chic floral print! That's a charity shop sheet from my stash, sorry! Teehee!


The Hawthorn pattern has always been a breeze for me to fit and just like the last two times, I made a straight size 6 and only shortened the bodice pieces by a couple of centimetres. One thing I did do differently though was to add 3 centimetres to the collar pieces. Hawthorn's collar is quite delicate and petite normally, but for this version I wanted to make more of a statement with it.


Another thing I like about this pattern and working with such delightful fabric, is the neat finish inside. I was able to overlock all seams, as well as the facings, which reduced bulk as I didn’t bother turning under twice. This is an important factor for me, because the Hawthorn could easily become quite bulky around the collar area.



Obligatory back shot - pardon the large derriere, but I love how well the back and shoulders fit me! 


Also, I totally look like a cross between Mr Bean and Davina McCall in the picture below, but I just had to show you how twirly this skirt is. And this was the best of all the shots...just take a moment to imagine the others!


Overall, I’m really pleased with my first dress of the year. The fit is spot on and having a faux-denim shirt-dress in my wardrobe makes me giddy! I know the floral details on the collar and cuffs make it quite kitsch – not everyone’s cup of tea - but you could skip those or use a print/colour more suited to your taste. Either way, I can’t wait to bust my Hawthorn out in warmer weather with bare legs and cute sandals!


Hope you approve of my first make for the Minerva Blogger Network and that you tune in for next month's offering!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014

When I shared an update on our new home renovations last October, I was frankly surprised and touched by the interest shown considering most of you tune in for stitching-related topics. So I felt it was only right to follow up with the end-ish result.

We still need artwork/paintings for the walls, a sideboard/cabinet for the alcove on the right and a couple of plants, but we're so happy with what we've achieved so far! Guys, we did A LOT to this room - you can refresh your memory over here if you like.


We had a particularly hairy moment when we painted our 'feature' wall Smurf blue...and I cried! We had to come back before work the next morning, paint it white again and go on the hunt for a classier colour. Which I hope you agree we found in the end!


The boyfriend took a lot of convincing that a mid-century / 60s vibe was a sexy way to go, but we managed to compromise eventually. Turns out compromising is really hard and not our forte! 





We searched long and hard for a mirror and originally we both had something much bigger and grander in mind. But we couldn't agree on the colour of the frame, the shape of the mirror and various other petty details. When I randomly spotted this 1940s (I think?!?) beauty in a local charity shop for a mere £25, my mind was made up. I text the boyfriend a couple of pictures and anxiously awaited his disapproval. Even then, I had to have her and sheer stubbornness meant I carried her the 15 minute walk home...all 10 kilos of her. My fingers were bleeding when I got back (she's mounted on solid oak), but I was elated. She fit right in and even the boyfriend finally agreed that she looked 'nice enough' and could stay in the living room. One small battle won...so many more to go!





Even though this was a really challenging process, I'm kinda hooked now and can't wait to slowly tackle the rest of the house. If you follow me on Pinterest, you'll see just how obsessed I've become. Sadly, the boyfriend doesn't share my taste for all things vintage and retro...so I fear many more compromises are on the horizon.  



So, there you have it...our new living room! Would you like to see more of these kind of posts from me in the future, or have you had quite enough now?

Also, if you've become an expert at negotiating and compromising with your partner when it comes to home improvements, please do share your nuggets of wisdom!

** Post-publication edit, since so many of you have asked about our sofas! They're from the Opal range at Harveys...an absolute steal in the sale right now! **
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Well, there sure seemed to be quite an appetite for keeping the Pattern Pyramid Giveaway going and I want to thank you all for entering! Right now, there can only be one winner, but at least we know there will be many more winners to come!

Without further ado, the 24 patterns go to...


...the lovely Joanne over at Sew Little Time! Although the patterns are destined to stay in the UK for now, I have no doubt that they'll cross oceans again in the future. So congratulations Joanne and be patient everyone else - your time will come!


Sunday, January 12, 2014

You've already seen the above collage in my 2013 round-up post, but not all of the featured projects had been blogged about then. Even though we're all pretty much done with reflecting on the past, I do think the unblogged beauties deserve their 15 minutes of fame!

With so many friends having babies last year and expecting babies this year, I'm always on the look-out for cute baby patterns. And I struck gold when I came across a sleeping sack pattern in Anna Maria Horner's book called Handmade Beginnings - which I've already reviewed here if you're interested. Not only is the sleeping sack super cute and suitable for both sexes, it's also quite an impressive gift and actually really useful!


I've made two of these to date (with many more in my stitching future for sure) and have lined both with some wadding - even though the pattern doesn't call for it - for a warmer, snugglier outcome. My fabric and other materials (wadding, flannel and velcro) predominantly came from Minerva Crafts, apart from the little chick fabric from Fabric Rehab and the bias binding fabric from my stash. Yes, I made my own bias binding...both times!

Although this pattern is only sized for 0-3 months, it really would be simple to adapt for an older baby by just adding the necessary length and width. I love the pattern's peg-bag shape and the fact that it fastens with velcro...no buttons for babies to potentially choke on! All in all, I had loads of fun picking out fabrics and sewing these up. Better still, I was proud and excited to hand them over to my friends, who seemed delighted to receive them!


I was also asked to make this cute dress for a close friend's little girl as a special Christmas Day dress. My friend picked this pattern from Tie Dye Diva and chose both lengths of fabric from Fabric Rehab. The idea was to have a Christmassy dress that could then be reversed and worn the rest of the year...mission accomplished, don't you think?


One thing that really upset me during the making of this dress was an annoying mistake on my part. As usual I was cutting it out on an evening and feeling a little tired, so I stupidly cut the back on the fold instead of the front! I was gutted because it meant I'd have to piece the front and my poor friend had spent a fair bit of cash on the fabrics and was really excited about this dress. I worked really hard to line up the patterns as perfectly as I could and although I did do a good job, I'm still a little disappointed that this happened in the first place. My friend was nothing but grateful for and complimentary about the dress though, so that was a huge relief!

Anyway, that's it for 2013 makes from me now. I have two 2014 makes to show you next, as well as loads more in the pipeline.

Farewell 2013!!!

P.S. Apologies for the quality of these pictures, they were all taken on my smartphone at home, in the garden, at work...whenever I could fit them in during gloomy days.
Wednesday, January 08, 2014

My obsession with leopard print is well documented. I have countless of leopard print RTW clothes, undies, shoes, wellies, a coat, umbrella and other accessories. I've also sewn up a fair few things using leopard print fabric and will probably continue to do so until I'm too old to carry it off. I went a step further this New Year's Eve by applying leopard print eye make-up, but I did have the good sense not to coordinate my outfit! I think my boyfriend was a little worried when I eagerly proclaimed that it could totally work as an everyday or even wedding-day look. And, no, I wasn't even joking!  

Dixie DIY - Hot Cocoa Sweater / Simple Sew - Peter Pan Collar Blouse / 
Grainline Studio - Tiny Pocket Tank / Named - Laurie Striped Tee / Self-drafted Skirt

Don't worry, I haven't completely lost the plot. I know this post has nothing to do with stitching. But I also know that a good number of you have a soft spot for leopard print too. So I figured I'd share the love by linking to the easy peasy YouTube tutorial I used. You know...in case you want to look this 'cool' too ;o)




So, what do you think to leopard print eye make-up? A step too far or a bit of fun?
Sunday, January 05, 2014

Your eyes do not deceive you my friends, Karen's Pattern Pyramid which launched on Did you make that? back in June 2012 is still going strong...and you stand a chance of winning! How's that for a 'Happy New Year' wish from me to you?!?

I won my loot from the lovely Erin of TwirlDesigns - this wonderful bundle has had quite the journey starting off in London and stopping off in Melbourne, Philadelphia, twice in Seattle, Wellington (NZ), Edinburgh, Montreal, Boston, Berkley (CA) and San Antonio (TX) before reaching me!

After I chose a pattern for myself, it still consisted of a substantial 20 patterns ranging from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and more recent. All are pictured below, apart from a modern bag pattern which I stupidly forgot to photograph I'm afraid!





I then added the below 4 patterns to the mix, meaning there's now a whopping 24 patterns up for grabs! McCall 7583 is from the late 40s / early 50s and McCall's  6328, Vogue 6715 and Pattern Practical 6229 are all from the 1960s.


The rules, as outlined by Karen, are pretty simple:
  • Anyone, anywhere can enter this giveaway, BUT you must have an active blog.
  • The winner gets to pick one pattern to keep for themselves and must then host their own giveaway.
  • Although I don't think Karen directly stipulated this in the first place, it has become customary for winners to add more patterns to the mix...thus prolonging the Pattern Pyramid's lifespan!
  • If you want the chance to become a part of this unique giveaway's history, just leave a comment below by midnight GMT Friday 10 January 2014 and I'll announce the lucky winner on Sunday 12 January 2014. 

Oh, and in case you're curious as to which pattern I'm keeping for myself, I chose this little beauty! Thank you to the lovely person who contributed Butterick 2304!

Friday, January 03, 2014
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