Tova Tunic Trials!

I have long admired the Tova dress by Wikstein!

Some time ago, I bought the pattern, even printed out all the pages, stuck them together and cut out my size!

And then I parked it, convincing myself it was too complicated for my basic dressmaking skills!

Well, this weekend I bit the bullet and did it!

I was pleasantly surprised at how easily this all came together, especially as I had never sewn a placket before! The pattern is really easy to follow & includes the option of a shorter/blouse version.

I used a lovely piece of (donated) vintage fabric, and teamed it with accents of Essex yarn dyed linen in denim.  I'm particularly pleased with the fit!

I love tunics, and definitely see a lot more of these in my dressmaking future.

Jude xo

My First Tunic!

Tunics are my all time favourite item of clothing (part from my pjs of course!) and my Pinterest Dressmaking board is choc-a-block full of them!  I've been itching to make one for myself for ever!

I'm a novice dressmaker, having only attempted simple separates up til now. So I chose the New Look 6068 Easy pattern to cut my teeth on my first dress.

And here it is on me (I even wore it out in public today!)

I used some soft cotton chambray type shirting for the main dress, which I felt complimented the pop of the collar and my own patch pockets made from vintage sheets.  And I couldn't resist a crochet trim round the bottom hem!

Now this is by no means perfect.  I know that the rim at the top of the collar shouldn't be seen (I couldn't fathom the pattern on that part!) and I had to take in the sleeves and skirt sections as there was just too much fabric!!

Also, to make it a bit more shapely, and to accommodate my short waist, I added some elasticated 'cinchers' at the sides, just below the bust darts. I'm really chuffed that my wee invention worked out well, and I no longer looked like I was wearing a sack!!

So what would I do differently next time?

Put the collar in right!
Move the patch pockets further apart, and maybe make them bigger.
Try a summer version with short sleeves.

While some of the steps were head scratching, I really enjoyed making this tunic dress and definitely see more of them in my future.

I''ll leave you with a few pics of the real diva in our house!

Jude xo

Something New!

I'm not trained in dressmaking, but have always wanted to learn! 

I can do a few simple garments (e.g. skirts and pyjama bottoms) and have loads of patterns waiting to be tried out!

The Great British Sewing Bee (currently showing on BBC2) is inspiring me to have a go at something I haven't tried before.

So I downloaded a pattern for a simple top for my youngest daughter, made a muslin version to adjust the pattern & fit, and then went for it!

We have darts, a back zipper and facing on the inside of the collar.  I recycled the blue trim from a charity shop skirt!

Not a complicated make, but enough to give me the confidence to try another one, this time with short sleeves and perhaps a peter pan collar!

As a pattern writer, I take issue with the lack of detail and clear instructions in dressmaking patterns. This is what has put me off dressmaking in the past.  But I accept that the only way to get better at understanding the patterns is to build up my experience & techniques in dressmaking, so I just need to keep practising!

I know one happy customer who won't be complaining!

Jude xo

These are a few of my favourite ....

.....vintage scraps!

And I have put them onto this ...

My 2nd ever A line skirt, but this time, with lining!  Ooooooh!  Aaaaaaaah!

I was so inpired by the ladies making their skirts last Saturday, that I wanted to make one for myself. 
I dug out a remnant of navy wool and some shiney stuff I've had forever for the lining!

This was made using the same bespoke method we used on Saturday, drafting our own pattern from our measurements.

I put the zip in the side of the skirt with a wee button hole fastener.   

I was amazed at how easy it was to put lining into it (call me old-fashioned but I much prefer a lined skirt!). 

Sorry about the naff pics!  Will try to get some better ones when I can borrow another camera.

I had this made in an afternoon, and was so excited that I got another one cut out. But I will need a bit more courage to wear it in public!

I'm going to have to give my inner-hippy some serious talking to to stride out in this one!

Real Women Have Curves!

I co-hosted my first dressmaking class today.

We were making a simple skirt (A line or pencil) by taking our own measurements and drafting bespoke patterns.

This method means that you end up with a skirt that fits your dimensions exactly!  Just look at these lovelies:

This was such a lovely day, and seeing the excitment of these women as they learned how to make their own patterns and sew up skirts that fitted exactly was such a pleasure!

Well done ladies!  Enjoy your beautiful new skirts and wear them with pride!