Petal

That's her name. This is another version of blue spotty, put together from two patterns. This fabric is a bit heavier than the spot though, so I knew I didn't want the skirt to be quite as full. So I folded in some width on the pattern pieces. Only thing is, I went a bit too far with my folding and managed to shear a couple of inches off the hips. Grrr. So I did teeny seam allowances, but it is still mighty tight over my hips. I guess if I get annoyed wearing her, I have enough fabric to make another skirt, so she is on probation for now. Durn beginner's luck strikes again.

She's purty though.

Tracing tip

I have picked up a lot of sewing tips from in-progress photos on other people's sewing blogs, even if they weren't intended to be educational. Just seeing how someone pins a pattern piece can be enlightening. I very rarely post 'in progress' shots myself, mainly because I am an impatient sew-er, and I don't want to stop until the frock is finished.
So tonight I have started my next frock, and while tracing the pattern I thought to myself: "I have a sewing tip people may be interested in!"
I use my extensive snow dome collection for weighting my patterns when I trace them out.
Snow domes! Is there anything they can't do?

Appy hanniversary!

...right back at you. So many frocks and frock accompaniments, with Furnishing Diversions. Here's to another year of stash-raiding, stash-building, and stuff!

Happy anniversary!

Well, Moggy, it's been one year and many frocks, even more patterns and quite a bit of fabric!
I shall celebrate with a Greek salad! Party on!

(I believe this Frida Kahlo fabric was the first fabric that to me opened up the wonders of online fabric shopping and ebay. London, 2004, remember? I still haven't bought any)

New Look? Result!

Good old New Look 6557! You are so easy to sew, such a nice shape, so very pipeable and bindable.

We salute you!

(Frock in Pavilion, piped around neckline and armholes and binding around hem)

Simplicity 2959

A new favourite frock! This is simplicity 2959, in vintage fabric from the fifties fair. It's an easy pattern, and I am very pleased with her. It took about an hour of folding, refolding and gritting of teeth to fit the pattern pieces on 2 metres of fabric, but by shortening the skirt I got there. It has a quarter inch hem as a result, with the help of some bias binding.
Moggy's suggestion of a self fabric belt was a winner, to stop the skirt pleats poufing too much. Luckily I just happened to have a green belt buckle lying about the place.