sewing my stash Archives

DIY Oversized Shirt – Vogue

August 21, 2021

Hello there! I can’t believe that we’re heading towards the end of August and it’s been nearly 3 months since my last post.

Between the dance lessons (all in Liverpool, which is a 2 hour round trip), the ongoing pandemic, fires, earthquakes and Afghanistan falling to the Taliban again, it’s felt so frivolous to be posting in this space. I’ve been almost as sporadic over on Insta too.

Add into the mix the long school summer vacation and almost interminable rain. It’s meant that not a lot has been happening other than keeping small folk occupied and from fisticuffs!

All this means that creative ennui is a real thing at the moment, but I have finished this blouse and a pair of socks. I’ll share the socks next time. Hopefully not in another 3 months, because they’re lovely!

Anyhoo….this shirt!

DIY Shell Tops – Cashmerette Springfield Top

June 4, 2021

My sewing of the Cashmerette Springfield Top has, for the first time ever, been serendipitous. This week the weather in the UK has finally changed from the dreary grey and rainy days of these photos to glorious sunshine. We’ve even needed to break out the SPF!

In my quest to a) sew up all the damned fabric in the stash and b) move my wardrobe to more handmade, I needed some basic tops. The Springfield Top fits the bill perfectly. It was also one of the patterns on my TNT pattern wish list spreadsheet that I drew up last autumn. So it ticks another sewing plan box, too. I get to put a ‘Y’ in the TNT column!

The pattern was already in my stash so it’s a double win for using both fabric and a pattern that had been languishing. I’d printed the pattern off a while back, so happily taped it up, did the FBA that I knew I’d need, and cut a toile.

This is what happens when you don’t check your measurements and you add the total amount of the FBA to the pattern piece rather than just the required half!

DIY Cocoon T-shirt – Hot Patterns Blouse-Back Tee

November 3, 2020

I’ve had the Blouse-Back Tee from Hot Patterns in my stash for sooooooo long and never got around to making it. When I made the Blackwood Cardigans for Beth and myself, I had some of the lovely jersey left over. It seemed a good idea to use that up to trial this pattern.

I’ve spoken recently about trying new styles, and this definitely falls into that category. I have never in my life worn a cocoon style but the financial investment here was so low, again it felt like nothing to lose.

DIY Sweater and Shorts : Confetti and Vogue V9008

September 23, 2020

Before I start talking about Confetti and V9008, I just wanted to have a bit of a ramble about style and sewing and shopping. If that’s of no interest, then please just scroll down to the pictures and the reviews. I won’t be offended.

Sometimes I find it really useful to park thoughts and ideas here. Mainly for me, but also because you never know who might be having the same stuff rattling around in their noggin.

My sewing is so hit and miss at the moment. The difference between the Crystal Cove and Ogden Camis in recent posts only serves to highlight that.

I’ve been pondering on this topic this week. I think there are a couple of factors at play. Grab a cuppa, I have thoughts!

Style Arc Fifi Woven Pant

September 9, 2020

2020 is the year that just keeps on giving!

Not long after my last post I slipped on a wet floor and took a nasty fall. I broke a big toe and have done something quite unpleasant to my knee. I was in bed for several days, followed by time on crutches. It’s only this week that I’ve been able to get an actual shoe onto my foot. The toe is still buddy taped and the knee is still strapped, and I may need surgery.

But today…..I can wear a shoe and take blog photos. And the sun is shining. So let’s go for it!

Itch to Stitch Crystal Cove Cami review

August 12, 2020

It’s been a minute since my last post. Just as we thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse…..it did.

Dave had a cardiac event (high blood pressure causing heart attack symptoms) a few weeks ago. I’m recovering from a bout of labyrinthitis. Thankfully we’re both on the mend, though I’ll admit its been tough recently.

Mini Ogden Cami and Heidi & Finn Cadin Knit Blazer

July 17, 2020

I don’t know about you but I’ve found it hard to come into this space recently. I’ve been on Insta a bit, but have struggled to find words to do justice to everything that is happening in, and to, the world.

Other people have been far more eloquent than I. Suffice to say that I’ve been sitting with significant discomfort and distress, and working to educate myself and my family to enable us to be actively anti-racist going forwards. We hadn’t been doing enough. We are changing that.