This dress has been on my list to make for a LONG time! I put it on my Make Nine plans for last year and just got round to sewing it up a couple of days before 2018 ended. I had always known which fabric I wanted to use for it too so that made it slightly easier to get motivated for it.
Continue reading ➞ Gertie Sews Vintage Casual – Zip Front Dress
At the start of 2018, I joined in with the #2018makenine challenge for the first time. I tried to include a variety of makes and a little something for everyone in the house. I also wanted to make sure that I picked my projects from a variety of sources; paper patterns, pattern books, PDFs & free online patterns.
Continue reading ➞ 2018 Make Nine Round Up
Trousers have been on my ‘take make’ list for a while and I had been putting off making them for a while too. A few weeks ago, I decided to bite the bullet and go for it. My pattern of choice was the Cigarette Pant pattern from the Gertie Sews Vintage Casual book.
As usual, before making a garment, I tend to research it online to see if there are any fitting issues and tips for construction. With this pattern, I only managed to find 3 bloggers who had reviewed them – there were a lot of reviews for the Butterick 5895’s, which were designed by Gertie…but these were different form the ones in the book so I didn’t really want to take note of those fitting issues as they were not the same trousers!
Continue reading ➞ I did it! I Made Trousers 🙂
Well, it’s been a hot one here this week. I’m so desperate for cooler weather, Autumn leaves and pumpkins. I’ve not actually been that busy this week…and when we did go out, I completely forgot to take photographs! Doh! This week I’ve only got 6 fumbled together pics. 
1. I was very eager to get my first pair of trousers made. I really like them! I will do better pictures and a thorough run through for a blog post soon.
Continue reading ➞ Sunday Sevens #54
A new favourite! I am in love with this dress! So in love, I’m already planning my second 😀
I had bought the cotton madras a while ago with this project in mind. I actually wanted to make it for the TMS’s July ‘Check It Out’ challenge but despite my plans, I didn’t make it until August! The fabric is so light and is just lovely.
The instructions were fairly straight forward and the dress came quickly. The collar and neckline was a bit a teeny bit fiddly but believe me, it’s worth it! I’m really impressed with the finish of the collar. I did have to tack the facings down a little but that’s my personal preference; it makes for easier wearing. 🙂 I chose to make it sleeveless and just faced the armholes with a bias tape that was in my stash. I do think that I need to take them in a little more, maybe hem them another 1/2 inch. They seem to be a little big around the arms and flap too much in the wind. 🙂
The only puzzle I had with this was with the seam on the neckline – I knew I needed to finish the seam and I knew I needed to clim the seam but finishing was not included in the instructions. I wasn’t sure what to do so decided to clip and then finish, which turned out to be tricky. Should I have left the finishing & not overlocked? I thought about that but then worried that it might fray once washed?! Any alternatives would be appreciated!
So here’s the finished dress, on an outing to a local park. It was so comfortable to wear! I was trying to spot an alligator but didn’t find any. 😦 Maybe next time!
Continue reading ➞ Gertie Wraps Up!
I received the Gertie Sews Vintage Casual book for Christmas last year. I’ve often picked it up and browsed the pages, but I’ve always put it back down again. I think I was a little scared as I originally thought the instructions were a little vague and the instructional pictures didn’t show ‘real’ fabric! I had talked myself into getting a little more sewing experience before making anything out of the book.
Continue reading ➞ Shifting Along with Gertie
threads + bobbins 