Sew Over It Alex shirt dress

I made my first SOI Alex shirt dress in 2017 at a workshop in the old Islington store. I learned some new tricks (making my own bias binding) and gained confidence using a more drapey fabric (I made it out of viscose). Fast forward to 2019 and I wanted to use a lovely piece of viscose fabric gifted to me by a lady on a different SOI workshop! The fabric was 80% sewn up into a shift dress which luckily afforded quite decent spans of fabric to be re-used. I cut out all parts of the Alex shirt dress in full sections aside from the belt which I cut in strips from the previous sleeves of its past iteration.

I couldn't decide which buttons to use, so asked a few sewing friends their opinion and the cream buttons were the favourites! I bought them from Ray Stitch in Islington, making this a pretty economical make as they were only 35p each.

Nothing new to report in terms of the construction. I sewed it together over three Social Sewing Wednesday's at the New Craft House at Broadway Market.

Another item completed from my WIP (work in progress) pile! I have worn this so many times since finishing it. It's perfect for this balmy hot summery weather we are having in the UK!

What's on your sewing table right now?

Me-Made-May 2019 Week Two

A Bank Holiday Monday in the UK always cheers you up! What a great way to start the week not having to go to work (unless you work in retail or hospitality of course).  My boyfriend and I visited the Grand Design Live show at the Excel Centre in London to get some inspiration for house related DIY stuff which was great fun. You can see me here looking very happy at the thought of bumping into Kevin McCloud. We did, but only in cardboard form!

Monday 6th May

Top: Superlover sweatshirt

Top: Camber Set top. Made: 2018

Jacket: Belstaff Roadmaster 2012

Jeans: Diesel

It wasn't warm enough to remove my sweatshirt for the photo, you are just going to have to trust me there is a black Merchant and Mills Camber Set top on underneath the layers!

Tuesday 7th May
Top: Grainline Scout tee. Made: 2016
Trousers: Sew Over It Cigarette Pants. Made: September 2018
Socks: Gap
Shoes: Paul Smith loafers
Cardigan: Abercrombie and Fitch sale
Watch: Red G Shock

A combination of me-made trousers AND top today. Both well used and worn. The Scout tee in this version is made in double gauze and it needed pulling down before taking a photo - but hey - I'm not bothered!

Wednesday 8th May
Top: Simplicity 1364. Liberty print. Made: 2015
Trousers: Sew Over It Cigarette Pants. Made: September 2018
Socks: Gap
Shoes: Paul Smith blue suede Miller brogues
Watch: White G Shock

Every time I wear this top I wonder why I haven't made any more of them. It is a flattering silhouette and a fairly straight forward make. I would change the inner facings to a sewn-in version as they always flap about!

Thursday 9th May

Top: Uniqlo merino wool polo neck sweater

Skirt: Simplicity 2154. Made: 2016

Shoes: Paul Smith burgundy loafers

Watch: Clear G Shock

The inclement weather had me wearing a warm merino sweater and a smart navy pencil skirt which was re-made from a previous skirt (read about it here).

Friday 10th May
Dress: Sew Over It Ultimate Shift Dress. Made: 2017
Jacket: Benneton sale
Shoes: Paul Smith purple Miller brogues

I love this dress but the fabric has really faded over the two years I have made it (you can see it in its original glory here). The silk lining has also shrunk so that it doesn't really serve the purpose of stopping my tights from sticking to my dress as it now only covers about an inch below my butt! I may just cut out the lining altogether or re-line it? Is that too much effort?

Saturday 11th May

Jacket: Belstaff

Top: Grainline Linden sweatshirt. Liberty jersey. Made: 2016

Trousers: Lululemon 'On the Fly' pants

Trainers: Nike

Me and Kurt Cobain in East London conversing about the crazy UK weather. One minute it is hot and sunny, the next minute, HAIL!

How has your week been?

Navy Sew Over It Cigarette Pants AKA Grown-Up Trousers

I have 100% embraced the slow-sewing movement by taking an absolute age to complete the Sew Over It Cigarette Pants. Not only have I inadvertently joined an elite gang of mindful sewists I have also joined the ranks of 'grown-up' sewing. I made a pair of navy trousers - not a bright, crazy print in sight!

I cut out the navy crepe in February, attended a Master Class with the delightful Julie Johnston at Sew Over It Islington in March to help me with the fitting.
For the most part, my inactivity can be attributed to my sewing machine still being on the blink so sewing at home was difficult. Another burst of activity happened in May and June at the Village Haberdashery Social Sewing evenings where I would sew a few more elements of the pants.

I eventually finished them this weekend and it coincided with the fixing of my beloved Bernina sewing machine (which I will tell you about another time).

The navy crepe I have had in my stash for years and I have no clue of the origins or fibre content. The pocket linings are leftover scraps from a Camber Set Dress. It is a beautiful Windham fabrics cotton purchased from Ray Stitch.

This is my second pair of Sew Over It Cigarette Pants. I made my first version of these trousers in a soft linen mix which has slightly stretched since I made them in 2016. The other annoying thing about my first pair was I had to significantly take them in on the outer seam which means the pocket openings are so tight I can only just squeeze my hand in!

This second version was adjusted with the help of the lovely Julie at SOI.
Changes are as follows:

• Redrafted the pocket openings 
• Narrowed the leg width around the thigh and hip area
• Lengthened the waistband so I could have a longer overlap

I am totally happy with the fit now and I would happily add another pair to my wardrobe. I hope it doesn't take me seven months to make the next pair!

I must show you the pretty guts too. I couldn't have a completely plain pair of trousers now, could I?

Have you had a sewing project that has taken you ages to finish?

Back to Basics Camber Set Top

It is true to say that a couple of years ago I had full on fan-girl LOVE for the Grainline Scout Tee as a basic top to make and wear. I built up an impressive collection of Scouts as you can see below in 2016 wearing a week's worth of them for the One Week One Pattern challenge.

In May 2016 I made my first Merchant and Mills Camber Set Top and I love it so much it's now my go-to simple tee shirt pattern.

Why do I like the Camber Set so much compared to the Grainline Scout tee?
The fit at the shoulders and bust is so much better for me than the Scout tee which is due to the slight shaping with the deep French darts. I think the yoke detail at the back elevates the tee into something a little more sophisticated too. My Camber Set collection can be seen below with three top versions and two dresses (so far).

My latest Camber Set is made with one metre of black rayon I bought from the remnant pile at Sew Over It Islington last week for £4.50. After reflecting on Me-Made-May 2018 I have plans to make a range of garments in classic, basic colours and fabrics to build a more cohesive wardrobe.

Nothing new to say about the construction. I made exactly the same size as all my other Camber tees and have really enjoyed wearing the latest addition to my wardrobe today in the June sunshine.

Me Made May 2018 Week Three

Me-Made-May week three was a rather hectic affair after a phone call from Ofsted (UK school inspectors). On Monday I didn't leave work until after 9pm hence a rather blurry dark photo at the bus stop. Needless to say, I felt exhausted for the rest of the week but my me-made clothing game was still strong!

Day 14

Top: Old Navy hot-dog print shirt (from the boy's section)

Skirt: Simplicity 2154 Fabric: poly-cotton twill, Samuel Taylors. Made: 2013.

Jacket: Levis denim 

Necklace: Tatty Devine hot dog

Watch: Red G Shock 

Trainers: Nike

Five years later and my red Simplicity 2154 pencil skirt is working hard. It is an easy skirt to make and has a spilt at the back to make it very comfy too. Welcome to my slightly deranged face after working for 16 hours straight in preparation for the Ofsted visit.

Day 15

Top: Simplicity 1634 Fabric: Liberty Tana Lawn. Made: 2015

Trousers: Gap 

Necklace: Tatty Devine me-designed 'Untitled'

Watch: Black G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith blue suede Miller brogues

The Simplicity 1634 pattern has a vintage vibe with the slash neckline and 3/4 length sleeves and I think it works really well with the colouring of the Liberty Tana Lawn print. The facings have a tendency to flip about so I have sewn some very tiny stitches at the shoulder seams to hold it in position.

Top: Merchant and Mills Camber Set Top. Fabric: John Lewis Viscose. Made: 2016 

Trousers: Gap

Watch: Black G Shock

Necklace: Tatty Devine sewing machine A/W 2017

Socks: Gap

Shoes: Paul Smith red Miller brogues

I wore pretty much the exact same outfit last May. On the left, we have 2018 and on the right 2017. The viscose top has slightly shrunk and my trusty Gap chinos have faded a little, but if it ain't broke.....

Day 17

Top: Sew Over It Ultimate shirt. Fabric: Liberty Plastic Fantastic. Made: 2015

Trousers: Gap

Watch: Black G Shock

Necklace: Tatty Devine stars A/W 2017

Shoes: Paul Smith purple Miller brogues

This was the first shirt I ever made and it is still going strong. I really should make another version in a plain viscose or cotton because the fit is good and it has classic styling.

Day 18

Top: Tilly and the Buttons hacked Bettine top. Fabric: Gingham, Samuel Taylors. Hacked: 2017  

Skirt: Sew Over It Tulip Skirt. Made: 2014

Necklace: Tatty Devine scissors

Watch: Black G Shock

Trainers: Nike

My tiredness and general mental state at the end of the week can be summed up by the twisted skirt and fixed grin in this photo. As a post-Ofsted treat, I called into Ray Stitch in Islington to pick up a zip and some bias binding for a work in progress item which I will hopefully be blogging about soon! The blue Sew Over It Tulip skirt gets lots of wear and my hacked Bettine top is also much more wearable since chopping it into a top.

Day 19 & Day 20

The weekend was spent doing some DIY, hence the fetching attire above. The t-shirts are about 15 years old and are now customised with a variety of household paints. As for the green trousers, I inherited them from my Dad. They used to be his gardening pants and they fit me amazingly well. I keep thinking I should trace the pattern. They are a high-waisted original 1970's trousers with deep pockets and a pin-tucked crease down the front. They would make the perfect work trousers in a smart suiting fabric. 

Are you stuck in a me-made rut with your outfit selections?

Have you noticed any repeat combinations you like to wear again and again?

Me Made May 2018 Week Two

The second week of May brought with it typical unpredictable weather with sunshine and showers.

An uncharacteristically co-ordinated collection of garments this week. You could almost say I am curating a capsule hand-made wardrobe where I am able to select my own patterns, fabric and fit!

Day Two

Top: Colette Laurel Top. Fabric: cotton, Samuel Taylors. Made: 2015

Trousers: Gap

Necklace: Tatty Devine stars

Socks: Marimekko

Watch: White G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent loafers

A simple variation of the Laurel top with slightly extended sleeves. Maybe the darts are a little high but it doesn't stop me from wearing it in the spring and summer months.

Day Nine

Top: Grainline Scout Tee. Fabric: cotton, Samuel Taylors. Made: 2013 

Trousers: Gap 

Scarf: Marimekko

Socks: Gap 

Watch: Black G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent loafers

This was my first ever Grainline Scout tee in a classic black dotty cotton. It is an easy wear for warm days.

Day Ten

Dress: So Over It Alex Shirt Dress. Fabric: Stoff and Stil. Made: 2017 

Watch: Black G Shock

Trainers: Nike

I am super happy with this shirt dress. I added a fabric belt last week (which I should have made ages ago) which makes such a difference to wearing it. This simple belt addition seems to somehow make it more polished! In the background, you can see a beautiful version of the River Quilt by Jenny Haynes at the Village Haberdashery in West Hampstead. I attended one of their Thursday night Sewing Social events were I pretty much finished off the top of my Marimekko River Quilt and met a whole bunch of lovely ladies too. (A big hello to Clea and Kara!).

Day Eleven

Dress: So Over It Zoe Dress. Fabric: Cotton Sateen, Samuel Taylors Made: 2018

Jacket: Levis

Trainers: Nike

My more recent Sew Over It dress. I have worn the Zoe dress quite a few times and the hidden pockets are soooo fab! I am certain to make more of these.

Day Twelve

Sweatshirt: Grainline Linden. Fabric: Cotton knit, Girl Charlee UK. Made: 2016

Top: Top Shop vest

Trousers: Lululemon

Watch: Black G Shock

Trainers: Nike

Super comfy and a little crumpled as I threw it in my bag to wear if the weather cooled down. This was my first ever Linden and I have worn it lots. The grey striped ribbing is from Ray Stitch and is really good quality.

Have you been taking part in Me-Made-May this year?

Re-discovered any hand-made garments or enjoying recent makes more?

Leopard Print Zoe Dress

This is my second Sew Over It Zoe Dress. It is a relaxed princess-seamed shift dress with French darts and deep pockets in the front seams. The Zoe dress is super comfy and I can see a few more in my me-made wardrobe.

Construction for the main dress was the same as my previous version with a change to the 3/4 sleeves (as per pattern) and I added an extra 8cm to the length. The only slight hiccup when making the dress was when I accidentally slightly melted the zip when ironing the teeth open which made the zip tape twist. It's not hugely noticeable but the back seam is a bit wonky.  

The leopard print cotton was free from a Craft Swish in Chiswick last month. I was very restrained and entered the Swish with a big bag of craft and sewing stuff and left with 1.5 metres of this leopard print cotton and a 0.25 metre of a fun stylised tree print.