another first... my dress

So its still very hot, and emboldened by my top making success last week I decided to make a dress too! I STILL haven't managed to go get any patterns so I mocked up a pattern based on a longer version of my top pattern from last week (simple a-line design).

I then embellished a bit with a ruffle on the straps ( really easy to do)...

and a pocket - with its own ruffle!


To stop it from looking like brown sack I added some ties at waist level so I can cinch it in a bit if needed.


I'm pretty happy with the results. I even managed to keep the hems reasonably straight which was a bit of a shocker!

first adjustments

I was getting a bit fed up with the straps on the top of my first bag as would have been patently obvious to anyone who looked closely (namely anyone standing next to me on the tube!) that the straps were badly done so I chopped them off and made some new (and much sturdier might I add) straps that are soooo much better.


As you can see I also added a couple of buttons to make it look pretty - but also to stop any thieving hands getting into the front pocket so easily.

my first top - what a proud moment

So its summer, and hot (for Britain) and i really fancied a new top. I still dont have any patterns to follow and figured it couldnt be to hard to copy a top I wear quite a lot already to I had a go with this pretty pink material I had bought from 'The Cloth Shop' in Soho.


Heres the result...

It was a pretty straight forward a-line type shape to cut out and sew together. Rather than hemming the straps and the bottom of the top I decided to leave the edge of the cotton as I thought it was quite pretty. I also teamed it up with a button broach that I made to go with it (not shown).

And heres me wearing it whilst kite flying at the weekend. :-)