Sewing along

All has been a bit quiet on the blog of late, but I have been sewing sewing sewing!  I have also been planning more sewing, and will be taking part in the following sew-alongs during July.

The Outfit-along is hosted by knitwear designer Andi Satterlund (of untangling-knots.com) and prolific sewist and blogger Lladybird.  I need to complete a cardigan and dress by the end of July to enter.  I'm making a Sewaholic Davie Dress [completed] and Andi Satterlund Hetty Cardigan [in progress].  The cardigan is giving me some grief at the moment, but I'm hoping to be finished by the deadline.  At least it will give me the motivation to press on!

The Sundress Sew-a-long is hosted by Heather over on the Handmade by Heather B blog.  I'm planning to make a Sewaholic Lonsdale in time for the holidays.  

I'll be back soon with some evidence of all the sewing!

What next?

Well, MMM'15 is done, the kids are back at school following half term holidays and the dust has started to settle, so of course I'm spending time pondering where to go next with my sewing projects.   I have a whole list of possibilities but I'm having trouble making my mind up!  

This is really a 'getting my head sorted' kind of a post, but if you feel like chipping in with suggestions or ideas then please leave a comment.

Here's the shortlist:

• More tops  -  This was my sewing dare during Me Made May, and the two top combos I made are in regular rotation.  The only problem with making more tops is that it has left me more dissatisfied with my RTW tops which are all getting a bit old and shabby and don't necessarily fit as I would like!  I could still do with making another Renfrew or two.  I have been holding off as I think I need to reprint the pattern since the size I made comes up a bit large on me.  I'd also like to make a couple more of the kimono-sleeve Ts, either with cotton lawn again, or perhaps with jersey.  They're pretty quick to make up now I have the pattern drawn out.  Of course, there's also the Mathilde Blouse - probably one of the first patterns I bought but have yet to make.  I cut the pattern out ages ago but never got any further.  I think it would look lovely in the red and white cotton lawn I used for my indian print top, and I think I just about have enough left.  

• A dress!  -  Since starting sewing I haven't yet taken the plunge and made an actual dress.  I have a couple of patterns ready to go - the new Sewaholic Davie Dress, and Vogue V1395.  It does require a bit of work though and, let's face it, I'm pretty lazy!  I've printed the Davie dress PDF pattern, but I've been putting of sticking it together.  It's a lot of pages!!  However, I do have fabric ready for both a (hopefully) wearable toile, and for the final dress.   The Vogue V1395 needs tracing from the paper pattern, but I'll definitely have to make a toile for this one to check the length of the bodice and sort the armholes out (I hear they come up pretty gaping big!).    

• Shorts  -  I have a pair of Grainline Maritime Shorts cut out from the last of my stretch denim (used for my Indigo Moss Skirt and Denim Moss Jean Skirt).  I just need a zip and they'll be ready to sew.  I'd like to get these sewn up before the holidays.  Unfortunately the weather here is not reflecting the fact that it is June and therefore summer (remember summer?) so I wouldn't be likely to get any wear out of these for a while at least!  I definitely lean more towards projects that I know I can throw on and wear the next day!  

• Something for one of the kids  -  I still haven't sewn up the Brindille and Twig hoodie that I cut out a while ago.   I don't think this will take long to complete once I actually get going on it.  I've also bought the Made by Rae Geranium pattern in Emily's size to make some summery tunic style dresses to go with leggings, although I haven't got fabric sorted yet.  Still trying to find the motivation to do some unselfish sewing though!!  

So that's it - a quick summary of my plans and misgivings!!  What do you think I should sew next?  And what are you planning?  I'm going to sit down tonight and see if I can manage to prep at least one of these projects to get going on over the weekend.  

Ta ta for now! 

MMM'15 - Week 4 and beyond

It's June!  Here is my final roundup and thoughts about Me Made May '15.

Day 22 -  Indian Print top, white viscose jersey vest top, Denim Moss Jean Skirt, shop bought slinky cardi.

Day 23 - Purple Renfrew (unblogged), speckled knit skirt (to be blogged).  

Day 24 - Indian Print top, white viscose jersey vest top, Agatha cardi, speckled knit skirt (to be blogged). 

Day 25 - Agatha cardi, shop bought stripey top (refashioned from Maternity top), Kelly/Moss mash up skirt.

Day 26 - Yellow Brick Road cardi, Denim Moss Jean skirt, shop bought sheer jersey top,  blue viscose jersey vest top.

Day 27 - Pashmina top, blue viscose jersey vest top, Denim Moss Jean skirt. 

Day 28 - Sweatshirt Renfrew, purple Renfrew (unblogged), refashioned jeans skirt (unblogged).

Day 29 - Purple Renfrew (unblogged), speckled knit skirt (to be blogged), shop bought hoodie.  

Day 30 - Indian Print top, white viscose jersey vest top, Denim Moss Jean Skirt, February Lady Sweater.

Day 31 - Pashmina top, blue viscose jersey vest top, Yellow Brick Road cardi, speckled knit skirt (to be blogged).


So, there you have it!  Wow, am I glad to be done with the daily selfies!!!  Here are my thoughts:

• I fulfilled my pledge to wear at least two handmade garments a day throughout May, and some days I managed more items, or a whole outfit.   

• There were a few days when I found the challenge tricky, when I would probably otherwise have just thrown on whatever I was wearing the day before, but overall I'd say that it was a helpful exercise.  

• I had to really think about what I was going to wear each day, and how I was going to mix up outfits a bit.  Also, I don't have any 'slobby' handmade clothes, so I felt fairly well dressed all month. 

• I quickly realised which areas I am short on (tops!) which in turn helped me to push ahead with sewing plans. 

• I don't have any trousers!!  This goes for shop bought as well - I'm not happy wearing any of my old jeans or trousers now, so perhaps that's something to work on (although the thought of making trousers is pretty daunting!).  

• Overall I think I confirmed to myself that I have been managing to make 'wearable' clothes, things that I will choose to pick up and wear daily over other shop bought things I own.   Now that Me Made May has finished I don't think my daily wardrobe will change very much, although it will be nice not to have to think quite so hard about what to wear in the mornings!  

• Thanks Zoe for a great challenge!