Last but by no means least, here is the most recent garment that I have made, and very possibly the one that I’m proudest of:
Alas I have finished it a little late – as the temperatures are dropping and the colds keep sniffling I fear that I will have to wait until next summer to wear it properly. Essentially it’s just a simple summer dress with casings for drawstrings (which are actually principally elastic) and large pockets. But I love the shaping of it – the way that it’s loose but not too baggy, the neckline, the proportion of the pockets.
I also love the middle section where the ties come out through stitched buttonholes. You can’t see, but I satin-stiched a rectangle around this section. This was in fact due to the fact that my Mum’s buttonhole foot was over 25 years old and had lost all grip, meaning that when I tried to sew buttonholes into the original dress foot the fabric tore and mangled: so that section is basically an appliqué, four beautifully easy holes stitched with the aid of a visit to our local sewing shop and a new foot. The middle bodice panel which you can probably just see (especially as I failed to wash out the blue magic marker pen before taking a photo) was the result of an Unfortunate Incident with the scissors; but again I really like the way that it’s turned out.
What you probably can’t see in the photo is the fabric itself. It’s a medium-weight white cotton but it has tiny little white flowers printed all over it, just adding some texture. White fabric is so hard to photograph in detail.
Congratulations I’m so impressed! Don’t think I’ll ever be brave enough to attempt making actual clothing so people who can do it are put on a bit of pedestal.
Love this white sundress, it falls really nicely and I love the pockets.
You are in short, a genuis!!
(And I say ignore the Mother and buy yourself a sewing machine!)
Wow, blogsplurge! I am impressed indeed, congrats! And I like the green top, don’t knock the fabric, says I.
I shall resume being male now and stop commenting on clothes.
Why thank you both :-)
(I think she might be right, that’s the thing…)
I concur with the others – gorgeous and hangs beautifully. (@Callan, don’t worry, we can all pretend the fabric comment was made in an exceptionally gruff voice. Right, everyone?)
Also, if you fear sewing might be too much of a drain on your time, I could always teach you to knit…? *head at this point hung in shame* I so wanted a degree, as well…
Saw some fairly decent sewing machines – in John Lewis *I think* for about £50 – basic, yes, but they’ll do what you need them to do. We just inherited a *very* old black singer with gold decorations and it’s mechanical not electric but unlike our old sewing machien it works. Or should do soon :). It’s been sitting about in my aunt’s garage for a while.
I mainly meant to say, though, that you look utterly beautiful in that utterly beautfiul dress and I am incredibly impressed with all the things you’ve made and the way you’ve been able to alter them to make them work. And one day – one day! – I will have money enough to buy fabric and start to learn to sew properly. Doubt I’ll ever quite get the hang of all this to the extent you have – I just don’t quite grasp the spatial awareness you must have to be able to do these things!! xxx
It’s practice, Jenny, and experimenting :-)
Odd as it feels to say this as a student, the money’s really not the issue. It’s the time, and the space, and the potential hassle of having to move said machine halfway across the country in a year’s time. Alas I think I must just be patient.
I will never grow tired of seeing your material masterpieces, Lucy! My mother longs for a daughter that does this kind of thing, I think I disappoint her hugely *sighs*.
Thank you Hannah :-)
I’m pretty sure it’s a mother-relationship thing, though. I’m sure I wouldn’t be nearly as into it if my Mum sewed regularly, because it would be a mother-thing to do. As it is I feel like I’m striking out independently!