Starting new Projects...

This has been playing on my mind. I've just finished some Christmas pressies and a pair of PJ bottoms for myself which I will post up about soon. I still have UFO's but I'm itching to start something new!

I have a few options:

My Bombshell dress - This I'm a bit apprehensive to properly start as I won't be able to wear it until summer and i'm hoping to have lost another stone at least by that point. It would be a shame to put all the work into something that will be too big. I could purposely make it a bit snug on purpose but I really don't know what my body will be like and as its so form fitting I don't really want to take the chance.

My Lady Grey Coat - This is a massive hangover from last year! I meant to make it then. I have some cheap wool to make a wearable muslin in but I spent quite a lot on 100% Jacquard wool in a lovely gold colour for the final thing. This could be a good place to start! I could learn a lot but I get massively impatient with finishing things.

Simplicity Shirt and Cynthia Rowley Dress. Both from this lovely Cherry print I have. View E of the shirt and View B in the dress.

What do you think I should start?

My Bombshell Progress...

Or start should I say! I'm no where near any kind of fabric yet except muslin. Even after adding 1.5 cm it is miles too small in the bust. Gertie said to put a style line where you would like the cup to sit.

Mine has some growing to do! Around the ribcage isn't a bad fit considering there is no seam allowance. It still needs to be increased where my boob is supposed to end!

See? My toile is covered in pen scribbles most of them saying increase! The band without the cup is cut to the lower line drawn on the other side. This is a much better fit under my bust.

So now I have the long and arduous task of translating these back onto a second toile!

This is going to be a time consuming project but totally worth it. I have a wedding to go to in October and I intend to wear it then with perhaps a nice wrap...

Stone(d) Love... For Fabric!

This week we went to my favorite place in Devon with my Mum and Dad, Totnes! If your in the area I totally recommend it! Its such a cute little place and the best thing about it? Stone Fabrics.

I was so exited on Sunday, we drove the 2 hours from Bristol and got there... To my horror the shop was shut along with most of the high street. So Mum and I took a second venture down today in the glorious sunshine and had a wander around.

Most of you probably know of Stone Fabrics from their excellent online reputation. When I re-picked up sewing after college the first dress I blogged about (The Joan Dress) was made from a Linen/poly mix from there. I went in today and it is like a sweetshop for fabricaholics. Luckily true to my word, I have cut 3 pieces of fabric into garments so I was allowed one fabric treat.

I'm not going to lie here it is UBER expensive. However they have the most beautiful and good quality fabric as well as kind and helpful staff.

I wanted something for my bombshell dress and didn't want to skimp as I intend to spend a lot of time and effort getting this looking perfect! Its an investment and I chose a hot pink cotton sateen at £12 per metre!

I liked the tiki feel of the red version Gertie made so I went with that style

They even wrapped it so it felt like a present to myself!

This of course helped with the decision!

The Dress That Started it All...

While looking on some old photo hosting sites I used to be on, I came across this! The dress that sparked my interest in sewing! Its a Suzie Creamcheese dress from the 70's.

Ironically looking at it now most of the colours are reminiscent of those that inspire me!

This is everything that was good and theatrically dramatic about the 70's. I love it so much!

Maybe one day I'll make a replica... Anyway in other news,

I started to assemble my bombshell dress pattern for Gertie's thing. I'm not sure how large the sizing was so I measured the widest part of my hips and checked the measurements on the pattern. To be safe I'm adding half an inch to each sized seam as I can always take in what I don't need but it would be gutting to put in all the work on something that was too small!

Here we have my silk dress, my green beignet with the same silk as lining, I did finish off the lining today but don't want to change thread until i've finished the dress. Not to mention I have no interfacing for the shell of the skirt. So that is my mission tomorrow.

This combination made me smile, knowing how awesome my Liberty Beignet will be eventually...

I also have this mustard jersey which has been cut ready to sew up version B of this Mccalls top plus a Mccalls cardigan in a matching twinset style. I intend to make a few of these so I can mix and match them in the colder months.