They call me Unmellow Yellow

Hello sewers! 

Next up in my list of "Nowhere to go, so this fancy thing shall I sew" is this yellow dress! I originally bought this double gauze from Merchant & Mills with a modified Fringe Dress in mind - I wanted to copy Catherine's beautiful version. But giving it some thought, I realised that much as I loved the dress on her, I don't think it's a silhouette I'll wear. Whereas this tried and trusted hack has been a winner for me in both blue and white.

I haven't anything to add about this dress after my last two versions - the only difference I made was to round the neckline, which I think gives it a more 40s feel. I just love a button-through dress so much! Will I ever tire of them... Plus because I ran out of buttons the gape at the front matches the back, so it looks a bit jumpsuity from some angles - bonus! 

I also wondered to myself if another reason I reached for this pattern rather than tracing and cutting the Fringe Dress out was something particular to this time. Sewing is my favourite hobby - absorbing, stimulating and satisfying - BUT, I wouldn't call it soothing or restful. Do other sewers feel this - is it a hobby that becomes more relaxing as one improves? I find I'm sort of white-knuckled most of the way through the process, I think waiting for a mishap, even though they are almost always rectifiable... As well as joy and pride in finishing something I like, there's also RELIEF - is this a common feeling?

This was my first time working with double gauze - I'm mad about the colour but I didn't LOVE the fabric itself  - maybe it's not the greatest fit for a structured dress like this - it might prove a little lightweight. Only time and the million cocktail parties I'll shortly be wearing it to will tell. Oh, wait...

Thanks for reading! x

Lounge suits you!

 Hello sewers!

After I'd made my first two pairs of Pomona Pants, I started craving a white pair! Having absolutely nowhere glamorous to go doesn't appear to have stopped me making outfits for these fantasy occasions. My first two pairs of these trousers were the wide-legged View A - these guys are the slimmer version, View B. 

Two-pocket butt! This is cream corduroy from Ray Stitch - I'd imagined them in denim first but couldn't spy a white fabric online that I fancied enough. Again I made the size 10 without adjustments.

Once I'd finished these amazingly practical trousers (they got dirty while I was sewing them. They're getting dirty because you are looking at this photo of them) suddenly a full suit seemed in order! After much jigsawing though, I realised I couldn't get a full jacket out the remains of my fabric - and I'd got the last of the bolt. So, a waistcoat plan was born!

No jacket required - naturally.

I used the Grainline Studios Morris Blazer - which I've made several times before. I left off the arms, and cut the armscyes slightly bigger once I'd sewn it up - I just eyeballed it. Then I finished the armscyes with bias binding. I hadn't enough cream fabric for the back so used a denim twill I had - which is much more smart-waistcoat canon anyway. There were a lot of happy accidents with this waistcoat, and I think it works a treat!

In my mind, with the full outfit and gold colour jewellery I look like either a ballroom dancing teacher or a croupier - both are looks I feel really good about. When I described this outfit-in-progress to a friend she suggested it might end up more lounge piano player - it could've happened. I don't know - I love it, in any case. Utterly impractical sewing encore!

Thanks for reading!

My Pomonas

Hello sewers!

It's been over a year since my last post. The first seven months was because I moved to Florida to do a comics course, and had to leave my sweet, sweet sewing equipment behind. And then of course the pandemic happened. Once I came back to the UK I started sewing a lot - it's definitely been a helpful hobby when I can't concentrate on other things (a fairly constant problem these days). I thought I'd start blogging the backlog - it's nice to keep track of the things I make, plus I still enjoy seeing other people's makes and blogs. 

As soon as I saw Anna Allen's Pomona Pants I was keen - I love an elasticated trouser! This is a lovely burnt orange needlecord from my new favourite shop, the wonderful Cousette. It works really well for these trousers - it's fairly light, but keeps its shape and I think it looks great. There are lots of other lovely colours on the website...

I opted for one front pocket and none at the back - I miss having side pockets although the line of these is lovely. I sewed up a straight size 10 with no adjustments. I guess there's some excess fabric around the crotch area, but I think it shows up more in these photos than in real life (also, I think I'm a weird stander!!?) I love these trousers and have worn them an absolute ton since making them a couple of months ago. 

Thanks for reading!