Blue Ted Baker Fabric and lace top

by Del, posted in clothes, dressmaking, fabric, fashion, sewing, Ted Baker, top, Uncategorized, weaving, women

Well the nice lady that sold me this fabric at £3.50/meter said it was Ted Baker, so who am I to argue???  IMG_1765

I have searched for a new pattern or even just a bit of inspiration in the usual pattern books, and I must say they are really quite dull and uninteresting……

So as usual I end up tweaking one of my old faithful Burda patterns (although I am a bit tired of doing the same old … same old).  This time I decided to use a contrasting piece of lace in the seem at the shoulders, around the neck and also at the hem.  OK, just tell me if it’s too much 🙂

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I think it’s quite cute really. I have loads of both fabrics left over so need a good think about what to make next …. Ideas welcome

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Ted Baker fabric yellow and black top

by Del, posted in clothes, craft, dress, dressmaking, fabric, fashion, flowers, sewing, top, Uncategorized, weaving, women

I bought this fabric a few months ago on Preston market.  It’s apparently Ted Baker fabric.  I bought the same design in blue also, which it’s gorg’ and I actually prefer it to this yellow, but I can’t quite decide what to make with it.  This beautiful fabric was £3.50/metre and is lovely, although quite difficult to sew and you absolutely must pin and tack before you sew the slippery stuff! IMG_1701

Anyway I found a nice pale lilac length of satin bias binding to edge the neck , but there wasn’t quite enough on the roll to edge the sleeves also, which was my original plan.  Then while waiting to pay I saw these lovely laser-cut zips and just had to treat myself.  The odd thing is tho’ that these very pretty zips are actually invisible zips – so where’s the logic in that?  No-one but you knows you’ve used an invisible zip so why go to the effort of making it so cute?  Before I knew it I was buying a bit of fine black lace to match….

I am not so sure about the end result.  I think it’s maybe a bit too “full-on bling” for me….being a shy retiring type (Hahahahahaha not!) Let me know what you think, I won’t be offended honest. IMG_1704

 

Barcelona fabric heaven

by Del, posted in clothes, craft, dressmaking, fabric, fashion, sewing, Uncategorized, weaving

A couple of weeks ago I went to Barcelona for a long weekend.  It was such a lovely weekend.  Lots of exploring, gastronomic delights, and also a little bit of shopping.

We combined a bit of chilling in Barcelona with the excitement of the Catalan Moto GP in Montmelo. It was fantastic.

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Anyway, I found this gorgeous fabric shop round the corner from our hotel.  I spent ages looking round but I just couldn’t decide what to buy so went empty handed.  But just look at the window displays.  Aren’t they wonderful 🙂

I love it. IMG_1671 IMG_1675

 

 

Gorgeous Navy and Red Contrast Top

by Del, posted in clothes, dressmaking, fabric, fashion, flowers, sewing, top, Uncategorized, women

This little top was made from remnants of fabric leftover from a gorgeous IMG_1624long-sleeved batwing top I made a week ago.  I bought the fabric from a local Lancashire mill shop.  It’s another easy-peasy to make top.  It’s exactly the same pattern I used for the, “Floral remnant stylish top with brooch” which I posted a couple of months ago.  It’s so easy that you can have it made in one afternoon.

Considering it’s made from remnants it looks great.  I especially like the back with the light blue stripy pattern.  I haven’t worn it yet but I am sure it’ll be a favourite this summer with jeans, shorts or linen trousers.IMG_1626

I used a Burda pattern from the 07/2011 collection, and adapted it slightly as I didn’t want the tie at the neck which is a feature in the original pattern. 113B_tech_dwg_large_large

Big splash red and navy flower top

by Del, posted in clothes, dressmaking, fabric, fashion, flowers, sewing, Uncategorized, women

IMG_1619  IMG_1618   Well I was supposed to be shopping for oriental fabric for my daughter’s hair-dressing completion…it’s a long story, see my previous post.  While I was out looking I came across this absolutely beautiful fabric.  It’s a knitted, thickish jersey and the man in the shop tells me that he’s seen dresses at £200 made out of it.  Well I must say I love red and navy, and this fabric is stunning.  I paid £4.50/metre from one of my favourite Lancashire mill shops.  The print is spectacular with this huge red flower on a navy blue background.  Ideally I would make a dress out of this, but I know it would sit in my wardrobe and hardly ever be worn.

So I have made this slash-neck top with bat-wing sleeves to get the “full-on bling” of the flower.  I know I am going to wear this over and over again.  Looks wonderful with jeans, and the tapered sleeves give it a fitted feel.  It’s a Burda pattern 118 in the 04/2011 edition, but I have made it without the seam across the bust – front and back to make the most of the gorgeous huge flower print. Oh yes, and I have enough left over to make another little top.

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Green and Red Dragon Kimono

by Del, posted in Uncategorized

It was my daughter’s year 3 hairdressing competition last week, and there was a last minute panic about the costume, and as usual Mum to the rescue….

She has been planning the hair for ages and she did a fantastic job, but I had to rush out and buy some suitable fabric and make the Kimono and Obi last Saturday 😦 for her model to wear.

My daughter had to forfeit her Saturday night out on the town to help me make it 🙂

I trawled the local places I go to for fabric looking for something a bit special, something with a large geometric design or big chrysanthemums but couldn’t find what I was looking for.  So I used this traditional brocade with oriental design.  IMG_1616I love the rich green colour used for the kimono.  The intention was to wear the obi with the wrong side of the fabric facing because it was a gorgeous orange shade and would have contrasted brilliantly with the colours in the green kimono.  In the end my daughter decided to use it with the right side showing, and it still looks fine.IMG_1617

I used a Burda pattern (116) in the 2/2012 edition.  It was so easy to make.  Hope you like the kimono and the fabulous hair do by my clever girl.

 

Cat and Mouse…with intestines on display

by Del, posted in cats, craft, dolls, embroidery, fabric, jacket, sewing, toys, Uncategorized

 

This pussy-cat was ‘specially made for a good friend of mine.  Well really it was for her husband who has a very much loved puddy called, “Sox.”  Apparently Sox is quite partial to a delicious mouse for breakfast. Of course it has to be carefully prepared by that well-known cat culinary technique of clawing and biting until petrified and half IMG_1531 (2)dead. Probably then bitten clean in half and left on the door step (if anything like my puddy) with just a sprinkling of garnish to finish.  I am sure he must be so very proud of himself!

So here is Sox; a black cat with cute little white sox and furry white bits on his chest and face.  He’s quite dapper with his pin-stripe trousers and red braces, and suit tails with red lining.  Although there’s something a bit Dracularesque  about him…Oh yes that’s probably the half devoured mouse with his intestines hanging out and hanging by its tail from the puddy-cat’s mouth. lol.  I love his, “what? Not me!” expression on his face 🙂

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Fab Fabric can be so hard to find…unless you know where to look

by Del, posted in clothes, craft, day dress, dress, dressmaking, fabric, fashion, sewing, Uncategorized, weaving, women

I have the bug again… need to sew something new.  You know the feeling, when you can’t stop thinking about your next project.  The weather is lovely and I want to sew myself a little top for the summer ahead.

So last weekend I took a trip out to find some fabric for said project, and took my mum along too.  We went to Preston outdoor market.  It is just fantastic!  There’s 2 stalls in particular that have the most wonderful selection of stuff.  There’s a guy who sells loads of designer fabric including a good selection of Liberty lawn, and there’s “Cath’s fabrics” which is a dream.  She has a load of rolls of Ted Baker fabrics for £3.50/metre.  So of course I was like a child in a sweet shop.  Just fabulous!  If you live anywhere in Lancashire it’s well worth a trip.

Greedy-guts here had to get 3 lots 🙂 🙂 🙂 and my mum also got some gorgeous fabric which she is making into a dress. I am looking forward to seeing the end result.

After Preston market we then drove over to Green’s fabrics in Blackburn because they have a good selection of microfiber and various fabrics which will contrast with the Ted Baker design.  My mum bought herself some beautiful linen for a blouse that she’s already almost finished.

I have attached a photo for you to see my treasure trove selection of fabrics.  Unfortunately I have been so busy at work I have no time in the evenings to make a start, and this weekend the weather’s been amazing so I just had to get some jobs done in the garden.  I have some ideas for this little lot….just need some time to make a start.

I will post my end results when I get there x

 

Dream Dress

by Del, posted in clothes, craft, day dress, dress, fabric, fashion, mustard, sewing, Uncategorized, weaving, women

This dress pattern is from the 10/2011 Burda magazine.  lace dressI have to say that my copy is almost shredded and falling apart because it’s been used so much.  It’s one of those gems that is packed full of lots of fantastic patterns.  Some months I can take it or leave it, and some months there’s a hand-full of things I’d like to make.  But with the 10/2011 edition I am still 3 and a half years later making fab’ things from it – things I’ve made before and new things not tried yet.01def5b9f58420cdbaa1ab293bdebc49c431550d9d

 

This dress is tried and tested.  I first made a black version with white daisies at the neck and loved it so much I made another one; a blue wool mix with black lace at the neck. The blue one is my favourite but I’ve worn it sooo much it’s done it’s time and not really fit for a photo.  This pattern is just the perfect dress for me; the shape skims over any bumps, length is perfect, the neck is not too low or high and the little capped sleeves cover up my upper arms yet still very short-sleeved. Ladies of a certain age will LOVE this dress.01af1f85ce59c0a4c6ddd3e41b21b31b270f6a4059

So this one is the latest version and in made from a mustard polyester/wool blend, fully lined and with a row of black lace daisies around the neck.  I don’t wear it much these days as I don’t wear my own clothes for work anymore; but its there in my wardrobe if I ever need it.

 

 

Burnt Orange Boxy Top

by Del, posted in clothes, craft, dressmaking, fabric, fashion, sewing, Uncategorized, women

This little top looks deceptively simple to make, but in fact it was actually quite tricky. I like the simple shape and the little stand-up neckline, and the striking colour.  yoke top diag I saw the pattern in the 02/2012 Burda magazine and gave it a whirl.   It looked quite straight-forward but I found that the precision required to get the yokes just right was a bit of a pain; and since they are a feature they do need to be “bob on.”

 

If I was going to make this again I think I would choose a slightly heavier weight fabric as I think it would really bring out the yokes and hang a little better.  box topThat said, the finished article turned out fine and looks great with my old favourite jeans., and provides a stunning pop of colour.

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