Mad Men Challenge – I’m in!

This is exciting news.  I saw the posts from last year’s challenge and as a fan of the show I couldn’t resist taking part this year.  The deadline is April 1st so it will be a challenge as it is during term time but I’m going to try.

I want to pick something from Season 6 that I’ve just watched so looking at 2 possible dresses at the moment.

1. Peggy’s dress from the award ceremony in episode 5 which I think I might be able to adapt the anna/ charlotte dress as made by Roisin on the Dolly Clackett blog here.
2. Sylvia’s dress from a dinner party at Don and Meghan’s in episode 2?

What do you think?  Who is going to take on the mad men challenge this year?

Friday feeling – Georgia dress is done!

Woo hoo, I have a finished dress.  I kept up with the sew along posts but all the finishing jobs have taken a couple of days.  It  is a week after the hopeful valentine’s day deadline. This is the first evening dress I’ve made and I love it.  The fabric works very well and by luck the v shape of the print lines up with the centre.  I was worried the straps would be too thin but they fit perfectly and really suit the shape of the dress.  I have to say that I tried  the tricks tried I still found turning the straps out very difficult!

I went for size 8 for bodice and 10 for skirt which worked fine but I think I need to adjust the back panels as there is a little loose fabric.

Bodice detail

It is a great pattern and I have to say I’m very tempted to try the babydoll version next.

 

Georgia Sewalong begins

January is definitely needing some fun so I’m glad to have the sewalong to drive me on with my first sewing project of 2014.

Luckily I had the fabric ordered when I discovered the sewalong so I have it all cut out and ready.  Here’s hoping this head start will help me stay on schedule.

The main fabric is a royal blue jacquard from Fabric Godmother

The grey blue lining is from Ditto Fabrics

I’m planning to go for knee length with the wider straps. Let’s get started!

Top 5 of 2013 – Hits

I have seen lots of these posts this week started by Gillian at crafting a rainbow.

Firstly I needed to do some counting to check I had completed enough projects to take part but pleased to say I have.

5. Kiwi Christmas dress

Yes it is only just finished but I think this will be a versatile dress.  It is a perfect length for work so hopefully with a cardi it will get regular use.

4. New cushions

I see these every day and I love them.  They lift the dark grey colour of the sofas and they link well with other red tones in the room.  Also I enjoy the fact that I didn’t need to buy any new cushions just recycle some old pillows and it meant I could make them the perfect size for the sofa.

3. Star print sorbetto

Such a fun print I often wear this to work with a white vest underneath and a white cardigan.  It is lovely to get compliments at work and the children at school were astonished that I made it myself!

2. Black print sorbetto

Again great for work even better as I wear it with a black cardi (much easier to keep clean!).   This fabric has a very silky feel and would well for a night out with smart jeans or a black skirt.

1. Blue Hazel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wore this lots in the summer.  It is great for a summer’s day teamed with a short denim jacket or add some heels for the evening.

A very kiwi Christmas dress

It’s taken another holiday to get my next sewing project finished! When I saw this tui and Pohutukawa print I knew it would make a perfect Christmas dress for me.   Four years ago my husband and I spent six months in New Zealand and one vivid memory of Christmas was the beautiful red flowers of the pohutukawa tree flowering everywhere like tropical Christmas trees.

 

This is my first Anna dress and the pattern is lovely.  I made the size 10 and found the fit perfect.  With no alterations it was simple to put together.  I think I’ll try the v neckline next time as I’m not sure about the look of the high neckline on me.  The bodice has a nice fit otherwise and the pleats are a nice touch compared to darts in many patterns.

  You can see the dress is nicely fitted at the waist without feeling too tight (room for Christmas lunch!).

Photos come to an end when Eva got involved!

Hope you all had a great Christmas.  We had a lovely relaxed Christmas up in Dornoch with lots of eating, drinking and dog walking.

Gran opening her stocking.

Donald with Eva and Archie.