Another Arum Dress

Hello world! I've been away for quite a while now - no particular reason, things just kept happening and I didn't have much blogging mojo! I'm now trying to get back into the swing of things and I thought I'd share my latest make.

This dress is made from the Arum pattern by French pattern company Deer and Doe, I've made it before and last time I made it I had a million fitting nightmares so I decided to cut a size smaller this time in the hopes the neckline wouldn't be so gapey.

However, I only really remebered the nightmare fitting around the neck of the garment, when in fact the whole thing was kind of too big for me (always take notes of alterations) and as such the finished garment is pretty sack like without a belt, it needs to be more fitted in the waist/hips as well. Long story short, I think I need to cut a size smaller again!

This fabric could best be described as toxic animal print and I mean that in a good way! My friend Joypicked this up for me at the legendary (at least among the Wellington Sewing Bloggers) Fabric Warehouse sale last year. The fabric sale is legendary as nothing is over $5 a metre which is probably the best value you can get for fabric (outside of Fabric a Brac of course).

It a heavy cotton fabric with a little bit of stretch which I thought would be perfect for a simple shift dress.

 I wore my elephant necklace with the dress, I love these little guys, they remind me of the barrel of monkeys game! I don't have a lot of outfits to wear these guys with, so whenever I have one that I think will work the elephants come out.

Also I dyed my hair dark again! I liked being copper and then red but really dark colours are my "natural" colours - I'm not quite back to my beloved blue/black yet. I'm trying out this deep purple colour for a while.

Hope you're all well out in blogland and I will try and get back to more regular blogging soon x

"What's the deal with teal?" dress

So WAY back when I first joined the WSBN it was decided we would all make an outfit, from the same fabric an it would be awesome. The chosen fabric was a lovely shade of teal and it was decided that September would be the month of the great unveiling of our teal outfits at an event called "What's the deal with teal?" Unfortunately I was not feeling my best at the weekend so I couldn't attend the get together which made me pretty sad - but I DID finish my teal creation so I figured I should still share it with the world (particularly the WSBN girls).

So first up both my boots and my belt are wonky - which is what happens when you take your outfit posts after a long day at work. The fabric is also kind of crinkly, I am also blaming work - although it is a pretty magnificent feat to crinkle your frock this much when you stand all day at work. Clearly I have skills.

The pattern I used was the "Magpie Dress" by Sinbad and Sailor a British indie sewing pattern company. It's a very easy pattern - only four pieces and no darts, zippers or anything else to confuse you. If you've been thinking about giving sewing a try but feel a bit nervous about it then I really recommend you try this frock and its SUPER simple to make. My only complain is when I cut it out it was FREAKING HUGE on me! It is a looser style of frock - but honestly I took it in so much. I think next time I make it I will make it a couple of sizes smaller.

To be honest with you all - I wasn't sure I liked this dress at ALL! But I decided to wear it to work today anyway. When Rich took this photos for me after work I decided I do like this dress. I guess its a bit different from my usual style - but I have to admit I did have a crush on this pattern for a very LONG time. I'm happy that I finally got around to making it and that its kind of awesome (and super easy as well).

Have a super week everyone!

Laurel Dress

So confession time - this is my second Laurel dress, the first one I made was made to my measurements on the pattern envelope but it was RIDICULOUSLY big I couldn't wear it. I sent it straight to Recycle Boutique, I couldn't be bothered mucking about and changing the whole frock - I just didn't love it that much.

This version is A LOT better - although seeing these photos I have decided next time I wear it some BRIGHT lipstick is required so the dress print doesn't was me out completely.

I still feel like the shoulders of this dress are a bit big for me - which is so weird! I kind of have the shoulders of a rugby player, so for the shoulders to be so big isn't something I'm used to. I bought this fabric earlier this year at fabric-a-brac and it was just crying out for a sixties look frock.

I am SO HAPPY to have this frock finished - it's one that's kind of been hanging about for AGES not doing much. I actually thought I hated it, but seeing these photos I do think its kind of fun - I may even make the Laurel dress again. Hope you've all been having a lovely weekend!

Indie Sewing Pattern Month (Better late than never)

So way back in June a couple of my friends from the Wellington Sewing Bloggers Network, Kat and Mel hosted an indie pattern sew along. I have to be honest, if I am going to splash out and by a new pattern rather than a second hand one I much prefer to buy an indie pattern as its good to support small industry and to be honest, many indie patterns are much more to my tastes that the big pattern companies.

So I did have EVERY intention of joining in on the indie pattern sew-a-long I even bought this pattern and this one, but then something happened - I lost my sewjo. It seemed everything I made turned out crap to the stage I didn't want to make anything to wear ever again. But with some loving words from my girls the the WSBN I decided it was time to give sewing another go (I mean I have spent too much time and money to quit now).

Instead of buying one of Christine Haynes dress patterns (which I will try another time) I decided to make a Renfrew top from sewaholic. 

I think I need to take a moment to give a big thank you to Penny from Dresses & Me for opening an New Zealand based online pattern store that sells indie patterns! There have been patterns I've wanted to try in the past but the expense of having them posted had put me off buying them altogether.

Also Penny is really lovely so if you're going to buy indie patterns you should buy them from Penny - you can find her shop here

Here's my first ever Renfrew top - I made a size too big I think, but I can still make it work. This photo isn't so great as its taken after work in our apartment - I can't wait until its daylight savings time again and we actually have light after work to take photos.

I do really like the Renfrew pattern, but next time I will make a few adjustments - make a size smaller, shorten the sleeves (you can't really see it in the picture, put the cuffs reach my knuckles) and also shorten it so I don't have to tuck it in. But I don't HATE this top, it's a miracle. Maybe I don't suck at sewing after all?