My hardy Laurel …

Say hello to my Colette Laurel dress number 2 …

Squint and ignore those wrinkles, instead focus on the lovely colour and the usefulness of this little number. If I keep my arms down and perhaps forward a little, like I’m about to pick up a small child, those wrinkles aren’t quite so bad, honest. Oh bum boils, I hadn’t noticed them when Jimmy took the photo, but later that night when I was lying on the sofa watching Educating Yorkshire (bloody brilliant), my armpits started to die and it dawned on me that there was something not quite right! 

I think I know what happened. I cut the fabric (as before) in a slightly A line shape but once sewn up it felt a bit shapeless. I debated putting some darts at the front but in the end decided on the easier option (doh) of taking it in at the sides. I may have started too high up and hence have a little less room for my ample (excuse me while I laugh my head off) bosom. I shan’t do that again, that’s for sure.

The fabric is from last years trip to Walthamstow, a very cheap teal crepe and quite a weighty and tough one too (heaven knows what the composition is as it’s a tiny bit scratchy!). The only changes I made were to create that slight A line shape, lengthen the sleeves and add a little bib detail with black binding and a couple of buttons from my stash. I do love this dress despite the “issues”. The versatility of this pattern excites me and I’m tempted to make yet another in denim, patch pockets and all, as I’m sure I’d wear it lots.

Right, off to watch One Man and his Dog with a mug of chestnut soup. Batten down the hatches, there’s a storm brewing!

 

 

A comfortable Miz Mozelle …

I’ve had writers block, sewists block, bloggers block and can’t be bothered block this month, but I think there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and that light is called Autumn!

As much as I love the summer, I also look forward to the change of season and get ridiculously excited about getting the old woolly tights out of the bag at the back of the wardrobe. The sheepskin slippers will also soon make an appearance and don’t get me started on the delights of wearing thermal vests! Sad I know, but I confess to quite liking it when the clocks go back and you come home in the dark to a warm house with the smell of washing drying on the radiators!

Don’t worry, I’m aware that I’m depressing some of you, so here’s a dress that I made earlier (please ignore the crumpled collar, it’s lovely in real life!) …

Yes, it’s another Miz Mozelle from Jamie Christina and this time in black crepe with green bias binding (that button is black, honest).

I have worn my first version quite a lot this summer and kept thinking a plain version would be very useful. The crepe (viscose) was from Cath Kidston in a remnant basket a couple of years ago. I think there were 3 metres for £21 which I thought was quite good at the time, but actually it’s a bit thin (thank heavens for slips) and creases just by looking at it which is a pain. Not to worry, it’s such a nice pattern to work on, I had a lot of pleasure sewing it up.

No pockets again (the pattern doesn’t have them) but I wish I’d listened to the voice screaming ‘put some blooming pockets in’ because we all need somewhere to keep our emergency supply of chocolate. I didn’t make the belt this time either (though I may do later), I just hid the elasticated waist with a charity shop leather one that I already had.

Anyway, Jimmy quickly took these pictures yesterday on the hottest September day in 20 million years or something like that. Today however it is raining so I’m allowing myself to think about what I’d like to make for the cooler months ahead. Exciting …

Disclaimer: Writing the words ‘elasticated waist’, ‘thermal vests’ and ‘slippers’ in the same post only shows my appreciation of all things comfortable and has nothing to do with the fact that my children have both  left school, I have a bad shoulder and that nowadays I tend to fall asleep in the afternoons. Thank you.