The dress shirt from merchant and mills

I recently started stocking dressmaking patterns from Merchant and Mills
I made a few pieces from the Camber set pattern and decided to give the shirt dress a go.
One thing I have found is how well the patterns are to use. Really good quality paper patterns and the instructions are very well written and easy to follow. Honestly, I know I want people to buy from me but I mean it! I have just finished this one using Kona Cotton sour apple .

I am really pleased with it and am looking forward to wearing it but as I type this  I am actually wearing  (survived 2 washes..) this pink one. I made using the Kona Cotton blush pink. sorry about the rubbish picture. I have to get better at this selfie thingy!!! I am not a fan of having my picture taken.

 I am going a little make crazy at the moment, and I am sure it has something to do with my new overlocker. I love the professional finish and has given me a little boast of confidence. I made this cushion as a thank you to my lovely friend lisa who walked my gorgeous frank while I suffered from the flu. And yes it WAS flu. I think when you have been bed ridden for more than 3 days and it lasted 2 weeks I can say that?

All better now and with this high wind and chilly day I am struggling to want to walk Frank but I best go do it and then I can make something else.! You have to look at the positive....

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some recent makes from my lovely customers..

I have been meaning to share some more customer makes for a while. I am always so grateful and inspired by what people make.

All made from fabrics available from Miss gingers

Loving the seersucker

 I am sorry to say the Alice in wonderland sold out and silly supplier doesn't make it any more..

 http://www.missgingers.co.uk/shop/

I hope I get to see what you make.

Verity

xxx

how to make a shirt

I last blogged on how I had completed the one week course at Fashion Antidote - titled 'make a shirt make a dress'. The course was so good I booked for the two day 'make a shirt'.
I always thought shirts looked so hard and maybe not much fun.either.

I was wrong, another two great days learning how to make cuffs and collars and all that jazz was actually very satisfying. It is great to achieve something you didn't think you could.

I started to realise that I had been missing out. Yes shirts are not the easiest things in the world to make and you have to make sure you are VERY neat and straight

It is very  satisfying and actually there are lots of things you can do creatively.

And while I was working away in the East End learning this skill Frank was having a lovely time relaxing at Ian's. He enjoyed himself far to much and I have a feeling he may have been slightly disappointed about coming back home. He certainly made the sofa his!

But the shirt was made and although I need to practise and make some more to perfect my skills, I am really proud.

it has also helped to learn and perfect skills that can be used in other sewing projects.

so time to go practise and I have ordered an over locker which I am waiting for and can't wait to use!

verity

For the love of Atomic

I was sent a picture recently of a 'make' using Atomic from Michael Miller. It is a fabulous retro print and although you can no longer get it in the Olive, for now you can still get the turquoise here.
Anyway back to the picture. I just love it.
Michael made this, and I just love the colours together, especially as I would not have thought that the yellow chair would have looked so good against this fabric. I think by the style that you could guess it has a Scandinavian feel, and yes Michael lives in Denmark.

 The dress below is from another customer make - would love to see it on as I think it would look great.

And the dress below.

 http://www.kollabora.com/projects/atomic-dress

I have booked myself on an intensive seamstress course and I hope to be making such perfect outfits soon!

 

still making from the same pattern...

I have done this a couple of times in the past, and that is find a pattern that works well for me, and most importantly I can make!

This time using the Merchant and Mills Pattern 'the camber set' short dress style. I like wearing this kind of style over jeans. I made this one in the pink with skulls seersucker that I am now selling.

I am so please with it. Do forgive the photos!!

and now I am on a roll I am making it again in the fabric below!

Happy sunny Sunday everyone.

xxx

 

one fabric two projects

Hello and Sunday night is here... I have had a sort and clean and a massive breakfast with friends. I do like a good old fashioned café! After all that food I needed to work it of, so a little gardening and then down to some sewing. As I had spent ages cleaning the living room it deserved a treat.

I had two lampshade kits that I hadn't got round to using so decided that a nice easy lampshade was in order.

I had to tap my feet and jiggle as I sewed to work of some of the food! If you are near Tulse Hill then do visit the electric Café...

Frank was tired after his walk and he did have a couple of chips. You can see him resting as I worked on the lamp shade

 

I used the fabric 'a nod to mod' available here

 

I had extra fabric to use so decided on a matching cushion. Usually I am not a fan of matching but I am glad I did. Frank was keen to check it out!

 

 

I hope you all had lovely weekends and are pleased with the results. And I seriously believe I have the best dog in the world, doesn't he look gorgeous?!

Have a super week and happy making.

xx

 

dreaming of time to make

Don't we all? I see things all the time that I would like to make. I go shopping and think 'oh I could make that, but of course I rarely get round to doing it. I hear and sometimes see what my lovely customers make (some of which I have shared on here) and it makes me want to make more and more. I collect books, magazines, photos and patterns. I have my own little stash that I keep for that day I have to myself...

I do sometimes get around to something. Like the dress I made last week. Which I am now doing for my daughter , except shorter because she is young and I didn't want to show my knickers when bending over little children. Not a good look for a teacher...

so here is mine....sensible teacher..

 

 

So now you see the Camber set as a dress and a top. I hate having my picture taken as you can see...

right I am of to finish my daughters and then to something else on my list....

would love to know about your lists.

verity

xx

shorts house work and letting go

Hello from sunny South London! The summer seems to be coming back again and my daughter requested I make her some shorts. She choose the bonehead fabric from Michael Miller. The pattern was from a sewing magazine and very easy to follow. In the picture they are not finished, but bucking my usual trend, they are now. I will share the finished next time. They must be ok as I have already been asked for another pair..

I have been tidying up and cleaning at lot this holiday. Being a teacher in a really stressful environment, a single mum, and having my own business means housework often takes a back burner, so its nice to have things clean and organised for a change, My children do like to ruin it all again though....

I have the best dog in the world and he is so much fun but also really chilled. Something I am hoping will one day rub of on me. I would like a little rant here about certain things, but for now I will do 'a frank'. Make a cuppa and breathe. Maybe make the shorts or maybe something else... sewing calms me and the satisfaction from a make gives me a buzz.