If I’m honest, I’ve been feeling a little disappointed with my recent makes (and a little bored). It’s ok, don’t worry, I still love to sew, but I think I need to escape from my comfort zone. Let’s face it, I have quite a few Simplicity 2444‘s, I could dress an entire office with my collection of Sorbettos and if there weren’t enough of those to go round, well I could throw in a few Laurels too. Yep, it’s time to take the leap and make something different, different for me anyway …
I have a feeling that the Simplicity 2451 will change my life (I know, I know, I’m the last to try this), dull looking maybe but there are some corkers out there and it looks so very useful (see here and here for a start)! For the fabric I have a charity shop find in mind …
Goodness, that’s bright! It’s not really that bright, honest. I found this wool for £5 along with the matching lining, in a plastic bag in a charity shop in Summertown. All washed and ready to go, it is sitting on my desk just waiting for me to have a day off.
Then like someone who’s overslept and missed the train to the pattern party, I’m the last to try Elisalex from By Hand London. I loved making my Anna and have had this on my to do list for ages. The fabric? Another charity shop find …
It’s in the bag and it’s a pair of crazy curtains. I’m actually at the train station here and so excited at my 1970s school curtains find (and bored while I waited for my delayed train) that I took a photo. It’s just a sneaky peak, more soon.
What else, ooh yes I have a yearning to make a blackwatch tartan dress, though I haven’t decided which pattern to use yet. Like the 2444 addict that I am, it’s calling me and I’m finding it hard to resist. But, what I’m thinking is, I could line it! That would be good, yes? A challenge, a stretch. Yes, that’s what I’ll do! Or should I do something new? Yes? No? Yes? No? Oh blooming Nora, let’s just put it back in the drawer and think about that another day!
These aren’t terribly taxing patterns I know, but they are new to me and learning to sew is a life time experience, not one to rush. I do know that I’d like to improve on my skills and if I’m not careful, I’ll be wearing 2444s when I’m collecting my pension. Actually that would be nice! No, I need to keep pushing myself and hopefully, in time I’ll gain the confidence to push myself all the way and make something like a coat!
I’m now ready to swim without armbands, cycle without stabilisers, fly without wings! Watch this space …
Don’t tell anyone but I might just make one more Laurel first … in denim.
sylkotwist 
That pink looks fantastic – looking forward to seeing the skirt. I have just made one of them but it is not yet blogged, I have been wearing a lot though! I have been doing quite a bit of sewing (for me) but not finding the oomph to blog about it recently.
I wondered where you’d been! Oomph is hard to find at this time of year, at least you’re sewing, that’s the important bit!
Be warned 2451 is highly addictive – I’ve made it three times! It’s the perfect work skirt… and anytime skirt!! You could really go nuts and try the Sinbad & Sailor skirt. I LOVE mine. I’m going to make it again in emerald green wool crepe… from a charity shop for the princely sum of $2.50!!!
Ooh, I’d forgotten about that one! Emerald green wool crepe sounds gorgeous, what a bargain!
That pink fabric is gorgeous. I have some of a similar colour for a skirt.
Isn’t it tempting to stick with patterns you know and love? I’m trying to tear myself away from New Look 6000, but now you’ve mentioned Black Watch tartan I want one in that!
Oh no sorry!! You’re right though, blackwatch 6000 could be brilliant!
Simplicity 2451 is a great pattern. I made my skirt using some Liberty tana lawn. The pink wool is a real find, lucky you.
Totally off topic…Wow, I love the shoes! Where did you find those?
Thank you, they are so so comfy! They are from Clarks, but an outlet so maybe last years colour? They have them in other colours in Clarks now. Good luck!
You are not the last to try Simplicity 2451! That is one I don’t even own! And I don’t yet own the Elisalex either (but I have made THREE Anna’s!) The pink wool is GORGEOUS and is going to look fantastic made up. 🙂 I am working on challenging myself to make different things also. I am working on a red denim jacket w/ lining! And think next year I will make a tuxedo jacket. And after looking at some blackwatch tartan dresses I am now lusting after one of those too! ~Laurie
S2451 is great, I’ve made two of View D. The ease on the pattern is enormous though, so I would suggest measuring the pattern pieces before cutting. You don’t want to have to take the side seams in by an inch like I did, it leads to tiny pockets! I read this post this afternoon on my phone, and I can not get the idea of a blackwatch tartan S2444 out of my head! It would be fabulous, and I may have to give it a go!