Tuesday 29 July 2014

The Return of the Graduate Wardrobe...

Those of you fabulous people that have been reading for a while or that have been lovely enough to go through my archive may remember way back when I started talking about a graduate wardrobe. This never materialised due to the fact that the universe can be a bit shit sometimes and decided to make me do a menial job until 60 applications later i've ended up with a decent job.

So now my thoughts are back on a professional wardrobe. But in blogland so many new patterns have been released since I made the first plan. I'm thinking it might be nice to make another. I've made two boards of the colours I think I would like to wear on a regular working basis. These consist of Coral/ Mint or Aqua/hot pink and neutrals White/ Caramel/ Black/ Brown. My accessories are simple gold. This is partly because I am allergic to fake jewellery. I've cheated a little on this first board. I have already purchased the white shirt and a similar coral one but its giving me an idea of how I can mix and match because lets be honest who wants to get up extra early to pick their outfit? I'm thinking the skirts may be Mabel and Lady Skater. I'm opting for comfort as lets be honest i've got a bus and train to contend with as well as teaching!
 I don't think i'd have too much of a problem finding trouser patterns. Clover seems to be promising in muslin stage. The shirts I have some ideas around but I'm not sure how formal I need to be dressed yet so i'll keep a loose idea on those.
Have you got any tips on designing a wardrobe for a working girl?

Monday 21 July 2014

Royal Blue Mabel...

Morning Lovelies, I hope you are waking up to a brilliant Monday morning!
I'll be at work but nevertheless I have another Mabel attempt to show you! 
This one is made from a ponte that has been in my stash forever!
I got it as two remnants and only used one on this skirt! Love the small yardage on this pattern!
It just goes to show how different your jerseys can be though. Compared to the first Mabel I made this one is a little snug, same size slightly different quality. In order to remedy this a little. I let out some of the seam allowance on the front button band...
Talking of the button band where are the buttons?
Well, I had high hopes for this skirt. I've been dreaming of Santorini and beautiful greek islands. I was wanting some very white greek looking (if there is such a thing) buttons to go with the lovely deep blue skirt. Can I find the ones I want? Nope. They don't seem to exist and so instead of putting up with mediocre buttons I have decided to make it a design feature.
Are we all ok with that? Ok good. Moving on...
 Styling!
I didn't find styling this skirt too easy as wearing white with a pug around can be a challenge. I opted for different blues and this is probably how i'd style it in the future, also as I've said before i'll get the most use out of skirts in the winter with tights and boots. If i'm honest id fear for my modesty a bit in this one...
Stats time!
Fabric: Stash! 0.00
Notions: Stash! 0.00
Pattern: Used before so 0.00... I just remembered I didn't count the pattern last time! So say £10...
Not too bad I would have spent a tenner on something similar. I adore the colour and hopefully I have enough fabric to get a cardi out of the rest!
I must make a neutral and black mabel! How about you?

Sunday 13 July 2014

Fuchsia Fun Cardigan: McCalls 6844

Those who saw me at the Minerva meetup will have heard me saying I whipped up this cardigan in a panic the night before because I had nothing that went with my Hazel dress I was wearing in the daytime.
This pattern was so popular about a year ago and as per usual I bought the pattern and never got around to making it. That is until I bought this ah-mazing hot pink lace jersey. It screamed at me "I must be a peplum" and so I obeyed.
 The pattern is a breeze to put together and using my overlocker it took a couple of hours from cutting to wearing.
My only complaint is that I would prefer the collar to fit into the peplum rather than have a straight collar. I cut a size L but I could easily go medium. I like it belted without something to bring it into my waist it looks a little drapey and it has no closures.
I love love love the fabric. I think I got it at Goldhawk its a lace jersey in this eyewatering pink!
I chose to cut the graduated peplum and I like the dip. I think I will have another go at this cardigan as its a nice style but I would do a narrow shoulder alteration and cut at least a size down. However it really works well as a wardrobe builder. I find myself grabbing it for these muggy days we have been having.
Stats:
Fabric: 2m of pink lace jersey around £6pm so £12 (I may be overestimating)
Notions:Nada £0.00
Total: £12
Wearability: 7/10

The sizing is the only issue for me. Its the most expensive thing i've made in a while which wasn't a Minerva make. Thats mainly because a lot of my fabric has been stash recently. I don't feel too bad about the price I couldn't buy it that ethically that cheaply and it was so easy to sew on the overlocker I could churn them out! I'd recommend this pattern if you want a quick and dirty cardigan pattern with some style to it!

Saturday 5 July 2014

Flora and Fauna...

You guys can you believe its been weeks since the big Minerva meetup?
I can't I meant to blog this dress ASAP but it's gone so quick time got away from me.
Nevermind here is my June make for Minerva my "By Hand London Flora Dress."
Today we decided to have a go at some natural light photos. Thoughts on a postcard please!
First off, I didn't like making this dress. No ones fault but my own, the fabric drapes like a dream but slips like a devil. Its a lovely poly, (I know that sounds like an oxymoron but it totally is.)
 The colour is great and thick enough that I didn't bother to line the skirt. 
But the fitting was a total nightmare. My irritating narrow shoulders told me to take out 4 odd inches from the top but this left my arm holes a little snug, which then pulled the balance off of my bust. In the end I was short on time and ended up deciding that a top underneath was better than sewing the neckline together as this only encouraged boob tightness.
I would say I could easily go down a size or two on the front but with the drape of the fabric it gave a more relaxed holiday vibe to the other Flora's I've seen.
(please ignore the pug butt, Pixel refused to be left out and made himself almost uncroppable.)
The next thing I tackled was the skirt. Very pretty high low hemline but for some one so hobbitlike as myself it was verging on indecent. I didn't mind so much when I offset the highest point slightly to the side giving myself more of a faux wrap look. 
 Overall I really do like this dress and I'm sure it will get a lot of wear. I was very lucky to receive lots of compliments on the night and a chorus of "Oh I nearly bought that fabric today!"
 Here is how it looked on the night. I will try my best to fit in a post of its own soon!
 Here I am with the lovely Marie Amy and Katherine! Everyone looked amazing by the way!
If you follow me on Instagram you will have already seen these sneaky peeks!
Finally I had to put this beauty in. Piemaker said "Oh I don't think you'll want to use that one..." How wrong he is. This is the face I make when Pixels wriggling. I think you'll agree with the tagline...