Green is my colour!

Ok, you will learn that I am obsessed (OBSESSED) with the colour green. I always veer towards it. A wee while ago I made this floral tea dress in a lovely green fabric. I used the adapted bodice from my Hawaiian dress and decided to make a self-drafted half circle skirt instead of the peplum pencil skirt. I gave the skirt concealed pockets (which I love). I made my own pink piping this time. I am sharing it with you now because it had its first outing to a dance event at the weekend. Unfortunately, I was too busy dancing and mingling that I forgot to ask anyone to take a proper pic of it in "full swing" (excuse the pun) so I apologise in advance for the dodgy selfie type picture... But it is all I managed to get. Hopefully you can get an idea of howit sits (kinda). Must try harder getting proper photos. Hope you like it. I would love to read your comments and thoughts (or criticisms! Lol) so... If there is anyone out there, please let me know ;-)

I have been a busy bee

I know I haven't posted in aaaaages! This doesn't mean I haven't been busy. I have been sewing my wee heart out.

I thought I might share some of my newer creations with anyone that may like to see! 

I am also working hard on improving my techniques and trying new things.  I have been avidly watching The Great British Sewing Bee again and I don't know what I will do now that it is finished for another year. 

Anyway... Here are some pics of one of my newer outfits. I mainly wear it to my dance events and parties. 

I call this one my "Banana Man Hawaiian Wham dress"... As the print is Hawaiian inspired but reminds me of banana man and wham bars (yum!). It is based on a simple freebie shift dress pattern I had. I added a double peplum to the sides, changed the neckline to a sweetheart, made and inserted my own contrasting bias bound piping and added capped sleeves... And I obviously had to do a major full bust adjustment :-/ as usual!  It looks killer with yellow heels (but I also have my dancing heels that are turquoise and pink leather). 

Sorry about this pic above... It was take on my phone, in the dark and prior to it being dressed and hemmed! 

Thanks to anyone who bothered to read my blog today!

A busy bee!

So, I haven't had much time for personal creativity this week. I have had a busy week at work (lots of reports to write), I have also had a 3 day intensive training course to attend... It was utterly inspiring but has left me in an exhausted heap at the end of each day. I am also overrun (again) with tonsillitis and cold so it has been a real task just to get up and function each day. I'm still suffering but a bit better.

I have made a point of wearing all of my creations this week though. I have also been pinning a lot on Pinterest. Mainly about collar and neck line types.

You see, I am stuck with what sort of neck and shoulder detail to do with my tartan dress... I want it to have detail and interest rather than being a run of the mill dress. Any ideas? :-)

Mad men catching up in the new season

So, I am catching up on the new season of Mad Men. I didn't think I'd like the outfits as much as I'm more of a fan of 50's outfits... BUT... I am converted!

Loads of gorgeous outfits. Lots of tartan and well fitted dresses. Bright colours and interesting detailing. I just have to try and make Peggy's green and pink evening dress from episode 5 though! It looks tricky but I absolutely loooove it. I am glad Peggy is finally getting nice outfits.

I also love all of Joan's clothes. She has the most perfect figure.

Pink and grey tartan dress

I have been wanting to make a tartan dress for aaages... Well I am Scottish after all!

What put me off was matching the pattern up and finding the correct pattern. I have been looking but have yet to find a pattern that suited the style in my head. That is also free. I don't want to buy expensive patterns if I can avoid it.

So... I decided to have a go at my own pattern again! I don't know if I'm weird, but the pattern pieces seem to make more sense to me when I have placed and cut them myself. I also find it easier to input
Much needed bust darts when I can fiddle about myself.

I have went with a basic half circle skirt this time (quite short again) and this time a scoop neck bodice (1 piece for front and 1 for back)... I made a princess seam dart so it looks like different pattern pieces but they did all originate from 1 piece which is easier to fit and pin. Especially when using patterned fabric like tartan.

I have taken pictures of each step so I will publish my first attempt at a tutorial when it is finished. I'm almost done. Here is a wee taster of what it looks like at the moment.

I hope to wear it to a cèilidh (kay-lee) this coming weekend. I'm sure you know what that is, but in case you don't - it is a Scottish dancing night with fast folk music :-) "a wee jig"

Floral Swishy Dress... First outing!

I literally finished the final fit and trim 30 mins before I wore it out tonight!
I am a swing and jive dancer and tonight was a party night with all my dancing buddies so it was a perfect opportunity to get to wear my creation.  It went down well and everyone commented positively! I am very pleased... And no malfunctions! Phew!

So here I am before I left the house... Before getting my dress all sweaty and crumpled! :-)
As you can see I have added a trim, taken it in a bit more and I also made a lot of adjustments to the arm holes and back (which you can't see).

Love to know what you think! Already planning my next one.

Floral Swishy Dress... Project almost complete!

I have forgone my lunch and everything! I was just too excited to work on the dress!

I still have some tweaking to do... Add a trim, take it in a wee bit, hem it and fix the straps at the back. It is not perfect, but pretty good for a newbie!

I totally love it! The print and colours are a bit in your face... But that is what I love in my clothes, especially my dancing dresses. Can't wait to wear it to my next dance group party night. :-)

Still can't believe I made and designed it myself! I have the (ragged) tissue pattern pieces to prove it! Lol!

Thanks to Otis Redding and Kings of Leon for their fine musical contributions all day.

So, I have tried to take pics along the way - more for myself so I can make it again/ see where I went wrong, and on the off chance it is useful to anyone else. My camera died half way though so... Not as many pics as I'd like. Ah well.

Hope you like it and if you have any questions or comments or tips I'd love to hear them!! :-)