Monday 27 July 2015

McCalls 6696 Shirtdress - My 30th Birthday dress :)

Feeling quite apprehensive about turning 30 this past week, I decided to go ahead and spoil myself with this gorgeous Liberty cotton fabric. I love the print, the colour, the feel of the fabric, it's just BEA-utiful!

I made a muslin a few months ago of the McCalls 6696 shirtdress bodice but was waiting for 'just' the right fabric to come along! I didn't care for the gathers in the back bodice when I made the muslin, it felt way too baggy and like there was so much excess fabric on me, and as I like my clothes quite fitted anyhow, I decided to omit the gathers for my main garment. 

I did this by comparing the distance between the small circles marked on the pattern of the bodice back, and made these the same as the distance between the small circles marked on the Yoke back, and the Waistband pieces. Are you with me? 
Liberty, McCalls 6696, Shirtdress, Pink, Gem's Hems
The only other alteration I made was to take 2.5 inches off the length, I dont care for dresses that hit me at the knee and find them totally unflattering at that lengh, so I tried it on and lopped the bottom off! Much better now :)

Liberty, McCalls 6696, Shirtdress, Pink, Gem's Hems

I am totally in love with this dress, the fit, the colour, the style.....I could go on forever! But I promise I wont ;)

Liberty, McCalls 6696, Shirtdress, Pink, Gem's Hems

Sorry for the moody face, I have no idea why I get in front of a camera and suddenly turn into the grumpiest person ever to have their photo taken! Will try to do better :)

Laters! Gem :) x


Monday 20 July 2015

Mini Southport Dress

I decided to take a break from my selfish sewing to whip something up for my girlie! Enter the Mini Southport dress from True Bias! As I made the realisation that it's technically summer now here in the UK, this provides a perfect opportunity to sew some pretty dresses for my little munchkin! (And a perfect opportunity for me to moan about the weather...)

Mini Southport Dress, True Bias


I bought this SOFT SOFT SOFT ex Paul Smith cotton lawn from my trusty fabric man at the market (feel it, it is really SO soft!), I've made myself a basic shell top from it already and had just enough left for a first version of the Mini Southport in a size 2T - win!

Cotton Lawn Fabric


Another bonus of this fabric is that it's so beautifully multicoloured, I can finally send her to childcare in something I've sewn for her without worrying about stains and marks etc (think 'Sound of Music Playclothes' - without the curtains of course...)


Mini Southport Dress, True Bias, Cotton Lawn

 The instructions by True Bias are second to none, very easy to understand and follow along with. I totally love the bias facing finish to the neckline and armholes, it gives such a polished professional looking finish. The front button opening detail is great too as a lot of dress patterns I've seen of this type for kids tend to be back opening ones, this style gives a bit more detail to the front :)

Mini Southport Dress, True Bias, Cotton Lawn

Mini Southport Dress, True Bias, Cotton Lawn

And a few shots of the lucky girl modelling her new dress - she was feeling in an especially co-operative mood today!
Mini Southport Dress, True Bias, Cotton Lawn

My little poser!!
Mini Southport Dress, True Bias, Cotton Lawn


There are a few more of these on my agenda if this is how pleased it makes her!
Gem x

Friday 17 July 2015

Sewing Fifi!

 When my postie dropped these lovelies through my door this morning, I instantly knew what my evening was going to consist of!
TATB, Fifi, Bettine, sewing, pyjamas,

Yes it's the brand new patterns from Tilly and the Buttons - Fifi and Bettine! I bought them both as a bundle on offer at Tilly's online store, I usually only buy PDF patterns but I thought as it's my birthday next week a treat or two wouldn't go amiss ;)  I'm turning 30.....don't tell anyone!!
If you're after these patterns then be quick, Tilly is offering them as a bundle for £20, normal price £12.50 each! But BE QUICK - this offer is only on until Sunday 19th July!!
A quick trip to my reliable fabric man at the Market, and I fell for this wacky dolly mixture print... I love the fact I can sew my own Pyjamas and wear kitsch prints at home that I would never wear out in public. I turn enough heads with my tantruming two-year old as it is, I don't need any more attention!!
TATB, Fifi, sewing, pyjamas, sweets

I cut a size 4, I'm in between a 3 and a 4 going by the pattern sizing measurements but there's nothing worse than uncomfortable sleepwear, so I erred on the side of caution and went for the larger size for my first sew.
Tilly's instructions are so clear and easy to follow, having actual photos of each step is lovely rather than a drawn diagram that some instructions use.

The Fifi set took me about 3 hours from cutting to finishing up and I'm currently wearing my new jammies writing this post before I head off to bed! I could probably stand to go down a size as they are roomy but that's better than being too small. I will hold my final verdict until I've had a good nights sleep :) 


TATB, Fifi, Bettine, sewing, pyjamas,

TATB, Fifi, Bettine, sewing, pyjamas,

TATB, Fifi, Bettine, sewing, pyjamas,
 I've got some fab Hello Kitty fabric that I bought on my recent trip to the states which is now destined to become a pair of Fifi jammies!

For cooler nights this top would go perfectly with Tilly's Margot Pyjama bottoms from her book, it's great to have the option of both :)

 I can't wait to get started on the Bettine!!

Gem x

UPDATE: After a great night's sleep I am concluding that whilst these are comfortable being roomy, I will still size down to a 3 on the top for my next pair, as I'd like them to be slightly more fitted than this pair! The shorts will stay a size 4 as they are perfect as they are :)