The Ogden Ida Swap

I happened upon the #OgdenIdaSwap Instagram / Blogger sewing challenge a while ago and immediately signed up. I was sent the name and address details of my sewing swap (fellow Yorkshire lass), Diane and then almost forgot I had to send the items by the 22nd July.

The swap was organised by Jen and Laura at Cotton Reel Studio. You could sign up to make both the True Bias Ogden Camisole AND the FREE Kylie + the Machine Ida Clutch OR just the Ogden or Ida. I chose to make just the Ida as I knew I had some gorgeous smaller fabric remnants that would be perfect for the Ida clutch bag.

The fabric combination I chose to use were the remnants of one of my favourite SOI Shift Dresses in a black floral linen with a cerise pink silk lining.

Luckily, the construction of the bag by Kylie + the Machine was a blast. Kylie has produced such detailed and easy to follow instructions which means it's a very fun and fast make! I decorated Diane's parcel with some beautiful Liberty print patterned paper and sent it off on Wednesday. Diane contacted me this morning and she is really happy with her gift!

Attaching the zip

Hand-stitching the opening in the lining 

The only 10" zip in my stash happened to be orange which perfectly complimented the floral linen fabric!

The only purchased item was the magnetic closure which I bought from Ray Stitch in Islington

I received this beautifully made Ida clutch (below) from Emily J (@esova) on Thursday. It came wrapped with a pretty ribbon and a hand-made marbled card inside. I also really love the patterned lining! What a useful little clutch bag in a perfect black and charcoal grey plaid woven fabric. Thank you so much, Emily!

A big thank you to Jen (@jenlegg4) and Laura (@cottonreelstudio) from Cotton Reel Studio who organised this really fun sewing swap.

Stripy Dixie DIY Bonnell Dress

In September 2017 I discussed a host of works in progress projects and the Dixie DIY Bonnel Dress was one of them. 10 months later and just in time for the wonderful heat of this surprisingly hot UK summer I have spent the last two weeks sewing this little beauty together in half hour and hour slots. This is my third version of the pattern; the first is here and my second here.

The soft and lightweight cotton stripy print was gifted by my friend Sophie who lives in Hong Kong. It was not quite opaque enough to go unlined so I underlined it with a soft white cotton batiste I purchased from MacCulloch and Wallis a few years ago.

I did make a few changes to the original pattern as follows:

• I omitted the cut-out sections at the sides of the bodice
• Removed the V back
• I didn't use the in-seam pockets
• French seam construction
• Added patch pockets on the front as I had just enough fabric left-over to make some generous large squared pockets that were also lined with the white cotton batiste
• I completed my first ever exposed zip, mostly because I didn't have any concealed zips in my stash but when I discovered the pretty jade green zip in my 'zip box' (everybody has a 'zip-box' right?) I hatched a plan to make it a feature
• Hand-stitched a waistband on the inside to keep the insides neat

Enjoy some close-up shots of the construction.

In other news, I enjoyed the fantastic Orla Kiely, A Life in Pattern exhibition at the Fashion and Textiles Museum in Bermondsey. It's definitely worth a visit to see the rich collection of gorgeous colours, patterns, bags and fab fashion! Here are a few photos from the exhibition which is on until 23rd September so there is plenty of time for you to go.

Have you seen any lovely exhibitions recently?