What next?

Although I'm knitting, I'm not sewing, there isn't even anything on my 'sewing table'. I'm just not sure what I want to make next. Possibilties include:

• A pink woolen picnic blanket skirt - much like these which I've stolen off pinterest. Surprisingly hard to find the right pink boucle/textured wool though. I've been looking for a while.

• A chistmas appropriate winter dress - my lovely boyfriend is in the army and that means christmas balls. Jingle Jingle Jingle. But what would it be made out of? Crepe? Silk? I'm tempted to make another Anna dress, that split up the front calls to me. Real loudly. Also theres a little tutorial for adding sleeves on the By Hand London Anna sewalong. Tempting.

• I also have the Charlotte skirt pattern. I'd like a few lovely pencil skirts. I also found when perusing the amazing Dolly Clackett blog that mixing the anna bodice and the charlotte skirt make a beautiful melange of a wiggle dress. I'm going to post her picture below and hope she doesn't mind. 

http://dollyclackett.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/its-like-im-not-even-camping-this-is.html

•  I'd also like to make a Lady Skater or two. Big 'but' though, I don't know how my little machine would handle jersey, it doesn't do anything other than regular old straight stitches. But ideally I'd like to make a couple like the dresses below, the one on the left is from Whistles and the one on the right is from M&S. 

•  I would include the tania culottes, but it's too cold these days for shorts. Next year! 

Anyhow. I'm lacking fabric. I might pop down the market this weekend, or I might find something in PARIS next weekend. *Rubs my hands together in glee*

Pattern lust - Tania Culottes

Photos taken from megannielsen.com

I very much need these Megan Nielson culottes in my life. They are beautiful.

I think it was lladybird's version that swung me, that and a useless but lovely dress in my wardrobe. Its a navy broderie anglaise baby doll dress I bought from topshop an embarrassingly long time ago. Baby doll is not a winning shape on me and its a little short. However the skirt is nice and full and the fabric is lovely so I think I might try and turn it into these.

However, the pattern appears to be sold out everywhere, I found one stockist in the UK which didn't have a big sold out sticker plastered all over the page and I've placed an order. I'm not entirely sure if this company - backstitch, actually has them in stock or just doesn't believe in out of stock notices. Only time will tell eh?

Lacy Daisy Peplum Top of Dreams

I'm merrily sewing away on my butterick muslin - pictures to come soon. But in the meanwhile I thought I'd stick up a picture of a top I really really really want.

Photo courtesy of http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/

It was from a feature on Glamour magazines website on what to wear to a spring wedding. (I don't have a spring wedding to go to, but it'd sure brighten up a trip to morrisons). Glamour claimed it was from Dorothy Perkins and so I haunted the DP website like a hopeful little ghost for ages hoping to find it. But alas it never appeared. 

So instead I decided I'll make it for myself! Probably not in beige either, because I don't actually want to be washed out like a little ghost. What I've got to work out now though is how to construct it and in what fabrics. Any thoughts?...

The Great British Sewing Bee

So, did you see the finale of the Great British Sewing Bee last night? I’ve been religiously watching the (tiny) series and wishing it was longer. 

I loved that the series was all about techniques rather than fashion-forward-ness. However, I think it could be even better if they ditched the twee customisation challenges. The surprise pattern and a pre-prepared masterpiece would have been more than enough and allowed more time for construction details. And wouldn’t it have been lovely if the BBC had published the surprise pattern on their website after each show? Although I guess they’re probably saving them for an accompanying book?  

I found it very difficult to choose a favourite contestant, but I did think the right woman won. Anne made such beautiful and classic garments and never seemed to get in a flap, but then what would you expect from someone with 75 years of experience? When she chose khaki linen for her mens shirt, I wasn’t sure, but the final product looked beautifully made and seemed to fit her body form so much better than the other sewers offerings.

I have a bit of a beginners query about Sandra’s evening wear (below). The judges said it draped perfectly and didn’t question the fit. I thought there was too much fullness under the bust, especially when you considered how closely it fitted over the hips.

My favourite evening dress from last night though was Laurens evening dress, whilst the style isn’t something I’d wear, I thought the fit and fabric were wonderful. Who doesn’t love sequins?!

Will there be another series? I really hope so! And if not, can I move into the studio please?