Completed: Briar Love...

Well this could be my new favourite pattern. I caved and bought Briar and the Victoria Blazer not sure that either were my style or that they would suit me but i'm really loving Briar! 

This is my second version. The first may not see the blog as the neckline didn't want to play. But trust me there are far more Briar's on the horizon!

This fabric is a slinky knit I got at a swap recently. I really need to start writing down who these fabrics come from. But thank you to whoever donated this lovely to me! Its cream with gold feathers on it. Not easy to see and today I didn't have a very obliging photographer.

Due to its slinkiness i'm not 100% on the fit of this one, the neckband was a bit of a sod too, its also a little see through, but it'll be fine with a vest top underneath. This doesn't take away from the fact that I love it!

So the things I love about this pattern? The shaping! I loved the curved hem but being weirdly long in the body for someone of 5ft4 I chose to lengthen the front by an inch or so, just so it hit below my jean line.

I also love the ingenious construction methods. I can whip one of these up in about an hour after cutting. Especially with the sleeves sewn straight into the side seams. I find this restricts a little movement but not enough to worry about. This is my first Megan Nielsen pattern but its not going to be the last! I've got my eye on the Virginia Leggings now! Here's the stats for Briar No.1

Fabric: Slinky Metallic Jersey from swap 0.00 

Notions: Thread £2.50

Pattern: Megan Nielsen Briar £13 (Already used three times)

Wearability: 8/10 

Total: £15.50

I really love this top but its not the most flattering on me. Thats not to say I won't be making hundreds! I think in a thicker fabric it will make a fantastic sweater!

This is already a go-to comfy top in my wardrobe and for that I think it was well worth its price tag!

Completed! Charcoal Polka Dot Archer...

Hi all, I'm back with a finished item, I know! With all the puppy craziness and everything!

This is another and much improved version of Grainline's Archer Shirt in this lovely light cotton I got at Walthamstow for around £3 a metre! It was inspired by this stunning shirt I'd pinned ages ago. 

I think its a pretty good copy, mine might be a little better! After all I doubt that shirt has the lovely back gather that the Archer has! That being said, I made a few big changes from the last time I made it. This is two sizes smaller than I made before. It fits at the bust but only just. The rest is a much closer fit but without being a fitted style of blouse I think this is as good as its going to be. I also shortened the sleeves by 4 inches. They are still too long but I intend to wear them rolled up anyway so i'm not too worried.

 I used lovely buttons I bought at Liberty an age ago. They are special without detracting from the shirt itself. This photo is the closest to represent the colour too. Its almost identical to the Pinterest Inspiration.

After making this shirt twice heres some Tips I'd give you for making an Archer:

• Take your time! Theres a lot of steps but everyone one is important and worth doing right.
• This pattern uses up squillions of thread! I ran out mid way through so make sure you get two small or one large spool!
• Don't underestimate pressing! It greatly improves the look of a seam that at first looked wonky!
• Grade your seams as close as you can! This seems like a scary thing to do but when your turning and topstitching your cuffs and collar it gives you a lovely crisp finish.
• This shirt runs huge! It is supposed to be loose fitting but if your not sure thats what you want make a muslin of the bodice pieces. They are the quickest bits to put together!

Here's my stats:

Fabric: 2.5m of Light Charcoal Cotton from Walthamstow £7.50

Notions: Thread in stash plus having to buy more £3.55

Pattern: Grainline Archer already in stash £0.00

Wearability: 10/10! I'm thrilled with how this turned out and I can see it being a staple in my wardrobe. Grey is a great neutral for me and looks great with a variety of colours already in my wardrobe. I really love the look of it with my Turquoise Boden Jeans!

I see a lot more Archers in my future. I have a turquoise cotton stashed ready to make myself a short sleeved version! I find the Grainline Patterns so wearable and they always shine as real wardrobe staples for me. I can't wait to get the Blazer pattern!

To Conclude here is the cutest picture of Pixel to date!

No Sewing... Let me introduce Pixel!

Let me introduce our new family member. Pixel the Pug! This little guy is the reason we have been unable to get anything done recently.  We've pretty much been staring and playing with him since he arrived. 

 He really wasn't helping with the dusting here. He is pretty awesome and at eight weeks old has a lot to learn. I've not introduced him to sewing yet as he eats and chews everything in sight. He's doing a lot of Playing, Eating and Sleeping at the moment.

I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot more of his shenanigans on the blog soon!

Beebee's Sewing School... Im now a Teacher!

You have no idea how weird that feels to say!
My sewing teaching has been growing slowly since I first announced it. I have some weekly students which is awesome! I had no idea work could be this fun and this is partly why i've not been blogging as often.
Piemaker is currently sorting me out with some kind of official website which will link to this little ol blog and then I can tell the world all the brilliant classes I have going on. So this is what I've been focusing on...

• Weekend Classes with up to three students: These include making the Colette Hazel Dress in a Weekend, with your friends and a new Pj Bottoms class I'm working on right now. Cost for this is £140 per person for the weekend and that includes the pattern!

• One to one teaching: Teaching a lovely student pretty much anything they want to learn, from the basics to A level Support. This costs at the moment £15 per hour with a minimum of two hours.

If you're local to Sussex, specifically Worthing and your interested in taking a class or two drop me an email at beebeessewingschool@gmail.com !

Have you guys ever taken classes? What made them successful for you? 

Life According to Instagram... July

I've got so into Instagram you guys! Its been so hot I haven't had chance to sit at my computer or sewing machine really. We have a lot of life news going on right now, some good some bad but I'm trying to stay positive. Cryptic? Maybe. But you'll find out the good soon!
Anyway back to Instagram. Its a great way to update everyone on what your upto plus it links to all my social media so I don't have to do all that malarkey. So I thought I'd do a Monthly Instagram Round-up of what we've been up to just as Sarai from Colette Patterns has been doing.
So In July Piemaker and I have been...

Trying to keep cool in the heatwave with Epic Jugs of Pimms...

 Setting out Pretty Peonies in a Jug found in our crumbling old shed that we demolished...

 Sewing on a bit of a Grainline Kick! I still haven't finished this Tiny Pocket tank as it needs serious taking in!

 This is another Archer. My new love! (Sorry Piemaker...) I LOVE this pattern I also have a blue cotton ready to make a sleeveless. This is a much smaller size than the last and fits much better. I must learn to cut two sizes smaller on Grainline patterns in the future. I can't wait for the release of the Morris Blazer. Its so hot maybe I should whip up some Lakeside Pajamas!

You can follow me on Instagram here. I will try and track a button down asap for my lovely sidebar soon and hopefully finish some clothing!

Much Ado About Knotting...

I'm back! We had a fantastic time at my Cousin's wedding and here is the surprise! A new Dress!

We went to Siena in Italy and the wedding was based on Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing. It was set in a beautiful Italian garden and I needed a comfortable sunny dress. I had my eye on this Ikat Sateen fabric from Goldhawk for a while and decided it would make a perfect Hazel dress. 

There are two reasons why I chose this dress...

• First its summery, comfy and stylish
• Its called Hazel. and my cousin Rich lost his Mum, my Auntie Hazel last year and I thought it might be a little poignant way to remember her.

All the ladies were given parasols, gentleman hats and everyone had a programme with a portrait resembling them. My brother played Til' Kingdom Come by Coldplay at the ceremony and we then went on to have the dinner on the terrace.

(Here's a better bodice shot.)

Piemaker and I with our portraits also used for table settings.

Piemaker's was unbelievable resemblance!

I was concerned that I might be too warm (it was 40 degrees) but this dress was smart enough for a casual wedding and I didn't overheat. I'm really pleased with this dress and got some lovely compliments

After dinner they had a photobooth and me and my Brother Ashton jumped straight in!

I've missed you all! I'm now back and summer is ahead of us, we have a lot of jobs in the house to do but I'm hoping I can get back down to sewing more regularly.

Hows your June been?

Summer of Sewings!...

Morning lovelies! Wow, MA stuff really got in the way there in the last few weeks, I can happily say year one is over (i'm part time) so i'm going to spend my summer job hunting, gardening and sewing!
I have a whole heap of projects floating around in my head,
I am also a lucky ducky going off to Sienna, Italy for my cousin's wedding on Friday! I have a little surprise when I get there so stay tuned for that.
Right now I'm frantically overpacking and sorting the last minute bits.
When I get back I intend to get straight into precious sewing time! I have so many summery bits, although with a British twist as lets face it, England is never scorching!
Heres whats in the pipeline!

• Moss Skirt No. 2
• Archer Shirt No.2
• Colette Jasmine
• Salme Blazer
• Avocado Hoodie
• Deer and Doe Datura
• Scout Tee
• Deer and Doe Pavot
• Secret Project (Reveal next week!)

I also have a few of the fabrics i'm using. Some are from swaps and the rest are mostly from Ditto in Brighton.
I think that should be enough to get on with! Although i'm desperate for some new dresses. Its amazing how my style has changed drastically since starting this blog. I go for a lot more useful garments now. I was particularly struck by it when deciding to pack my Peony Hazel dress. My mum really encouraged me to take it. But looking at the rest of my clothes it just doesn't fit with my aesthetic. I have it packed so we shall see if it makes an appearance! I've been leaning towards hot pink, grey and blues recently. Heres some planned fabrics... Can you guess what i'm making with each?