Glastonbury top

I have been sewing like a woman possessed lately. I don't really know why, perhaps the seasonality of certain crafts (wool based = winter, sewing = summer). Whatever the reason: if there is sewing funk I have been giving it up. 

I made this top with my upcoming trip to Glastonbury (whoop whoop, first time after an eight year hiatus) in mind. I chose the fabric because it was full of things you might find there. I had a search around for simple sleeveless patterns and found this one bought from an Etsy seller:

Let's hope it's not buried under a cagoule the whole time. Please.

I also made two of these simple blouses for work.

The little patch of Liberty fabric is quite dear to me as it is the same as a dress and bloomers my Granny made me when I was tiny.

I made the second one a bit longer, more a tunic length to go over skinny jeans. 

You basically cut out the front and the back, and sew them together. Add some bias binding and that's it. I decided to add the asymmetric panel because I felt that's what David Bowie would do if he made blouses for his job as an art teacher. And I try to think of what David Bowie would do every day.

More to come, but for now I'm off, off to where the ley lines meet, the kids will be at my mum's... if you see me say hello!

Sensible cords

I made these cords for my little fella Nat. Deep red with an elasticated waist and leg cuffs, I bet they feel amazing. 

Sometimes I think one year olds have all the fun. All this and you get to eat cat food when no one's looking. Stairs are unbelievably exciting. Naps in the day. Drop your bunny and someone adoring will pick it up.

Nice and roomy for his big old nappy clad bum.

I got the pattern from the wonderful Minikrea brand that I wrote about here. I did the simple view and appliqued on some kneepads because this kid's knees are seeing some heavy work at the moment.

This were so painless to make that I am going to do more. Next up in this cotton lawn for the summer. 

 After that, perhaps in denim and then a mustard corduroy for the autumn. To be teamed with a smoking jacket and cane. Boy's fashion: it's a lot more fun than I thought it would be.

Pinafore dress

My amazing aunt found me an old Cloth Kits pinafore dress kit. 

Burgundy needlecord, size 6-7. Perfect for Eva. I finished it off in the Welsh snow over Easter. 

For me, there is always a bit of teeth-gritting involved in dressmaking, even with a kit where the instructions are so beautifully explained.

Gratifyingly, it has been a hit. She calls it her pinaform dress and has rarely been seen without it.

On reflection I prefer pinaform to pinafore. It works much better don't you think? 

the last one, honest

It is just that these one piece blouses are so easy. And I think this one is my favourite.

The fabric is by 'Cloud 9', nice eh?. I kept the sleeves a bit shorter this time to make them a bit more cap- shaped. And, if the truth be told, because the fabric was not wide enough to take the pattern.

I really like the result. I finished off the sleeves with my 50mm bias binding maker.

I then took it for a cup of tea and a piece of cake to this wonderful new place.

Raystitch used to be on-line only, and where I got the fabric from originally, see:

But now it is a real life shop.
Look at these shelves:

All this and they sell cake too.

If you are anywhere near Essex Road in Islington, North London, get yourself down there.
I couldn't help but make a modest purchase:

This lovely organic cotton jersey, for maybe just one more top:

And this ballet dancers fat quarter from Kokka, to be part of a quilt for my older daughter one fine day.

One piece blouse no.2

This is the second go at the One Piece Kimono Tee. The link from burdastyle is here. It's free! It's easy! Click on it and make a blouse really quickly! The internet is amazing!

This one did take longer than an hour though. I did a bit of fancy footwork, namely using my overlocker to do a bit of gathering on the sleeves. Mmm, that was fun. 

I also added a little button detail at the back of the neck. 

I had planned for this fabric (Liberty Tana lawn, bought as a remnant in the January sale) and these buttons to get together ages ago. I think the black birds (swallows?) cut through the pink nightie vibe a little. 

I again made binding and added it to the sleeves and neck. For these blouses I have been  cutting the binding correctly: actually on the bias. It works beautifully. I have also been sewing them in properly and again, revelation! If you follow instructions, things often turn out well.

Very pleased. Two new cotton blouses and no credit card abuse. I reckon it cost £12 for the pair. 

Perfect wear for this sticky, rainy and dramatic summer.