I Am Hermes Shirt Dress

Mariposa Explosion: Selfdrafted Butterfly print scuba dress

Jumping with joy: Selfdrafted Bird print jumpsuit

Pink Scuba Midi dress

Jumpsuit Marjorelle

So you've probably all seen this on Instagram already but if not ...tada! Here it is... my homemade African Print Jumpsuit.

Scuba Pencil Skirt

Well! It's Wednesday night and I'm in the middle of a grueling battle with the sleeve on my next sewing project, so as a distraction (and a reminder of what it feels like to successfully complete a sewing project!) I thought I'd update the blog with the last thing I made... 

and here it is...(drum roll) ta-dah!

I'd never worked with Scuba fabric before and was really surprised how easy it is to cut and sew. I thought it would be a nightmare but this was actually the quickest project I've ever sewn! I love the kaleidoscope print too and it makes a fresh change from all the florals I usually wear! I picked up the fabric at Mood Fabrics this summer while holidaying in New York... along way to go to get some more so I'm glad this pencil skirt didn't go wrong!

2015 so far...

What can I say? There are no words to explain how poor I am at maintaining a blog! In my defense I have been fairly busy this year, sewing, pattern drafting, fabric shopping in New York etc... oh and making my first ever baby sewing project! So it's been a busy 2015 even if I haven't got around to broadcasting it on the internet!

Tibi inspired midi skirt

So what have I been up to sewing project-wise? Well first up there's the Tibi inspired pleated midi skirt I'd been meaning to make for absolutely YEARS! To be honest this took a huge chunk of 2015 on account of me being far too precious about every aspect of this project. The fabric is a beautiful, vibrant African print by Vlisco and I was terrified of doing something wrong and wasting it.  Also I wanted it tohave a professional finish (you know so I could indulge my dream of being an actual fashion designer/seamstress!), so I spent weeks labouring intensively on this project. Ironing, measuring, realigning pleats, overlocking, checking the stitch quality blah blah blah... I think I spent about a week on the invisible zip alone! But I'm happy to say I think the results are worth it. And it was even ready in time for my trip to the States in the summer...
(photo courtesy of Sally Oliphant!) xxx

Gathered Skirt with pockets and belt loops

Happy 2015 everyone!
2014... hmmm well it didn't really happen as far as the blog is concerned! As much as I loved parading my favourite clothes our trademark bad weather meant I lived in jeans and jumpers which pretty much took all the fun out of it (boo!), pair that with a serious lack of shopping funds last year and the result is... an empty blog! Anyway, anyone who knows me knows I LOVE sewing, but they'll also know I am massively lazy when it comes to actually doing it! If I made New Years resolutions mine would definitely be to sew more. I generally don't make them cause I can not keep them, but this year that's all going to change... thanks to the fab new sewing machine Santa left under my Christmas tree!!!

Sew&Tell...

Floral print Pencil Skirt: By Me, Top: Mango (old), Boots: Hush Puppies

 So what have I been up to since my last post?...umm...holidaying in Seville, enrolling in diving classes, oh yeah and making this beautiful pencil skirt...! It's been a year since I took my pattern cutting class and the other day I realised that I still hadn't made anything...so I dusted off my sewing machine, rethreaded my serger and made this little beauty! (Please excuse the creases, they come with the day job!). Those of you still rubbing your eyes in disbelief that I even know how to use a needle and thread, here are the photos of the work in progress... xx