Tilly and the Buttons - Rosa Shirt Dress

Needlecord has fast become my favourite fabric to sew with during Winter. It looks super chic and keeps you warm too! When I spotted this gorgeous forest green needlecord instore at my local haberdashery, I had to get some for my stash.

When the was released last year, I wasn't really interested and had written it off. But after seeing a few versions pop up on curvier girls, I thought I would give it a try. Plus I do love a shirt dress (usually with a waist and full skirt).

Here's a peek at the pattern:


Even though it isn't my usual shirt dress style, it still looked like it had a nice shape, with a fitted waist which flares out into an A-line skirt. A style which I do think is really flattering, so I hoped it would have the right effect on me!


I'm surprised at how much I like this pattern and have gotten a lot of wear out of it since I made it. I started this dress waaaay back in November, but ended up being shelved as I am very easily distracted! But at the beginning of January, I didn't want to start the new year with a UFO in the sewing room, so I made a conscious effort to finish and now I'm annoyed at myself for not finishing it sooner!


I also enjoyed sewing this dress and found the pattern nice and easy to follow. I also think needlecord is the perfect fabric for this dress, so if you're plotting some Winter makes, add this to your list!


Sewing Summary:

Pattern:

Fabric: Needlecord Corduroy Dress Fabric - Forest Green

Notions: Metal Buttons

Sewing time: Mine was a UFO for a while, but this probably would of taken me a full day or a weekend.

Modifications: None.

Fit: Near perfect! (I know, weird)

Difficulty: Medium. A great venture into shirts for beginners as Tilly's patterns are simple to follow and clearly illustrated.

Watch out for: Tidy top-stitching and a neat collar really make this shirt dress sing!

Make Again?: Yes! I love this in needlecord, but I know I'd love it in denim too.

Tada! My finished Rosa shirt dress.

Overall, I'm really happy with my Rosa shirt dress. I can't believe I nearly disregarded this sewing pattern as I'm now looking forward to making more.

Thanks for reading, pinups!
xo

Tilly and the Buttons - Cleo Dungaree Dress - Button-up Pattern Hack!

Hi pinups! I'm so excited about this make, I couldn't wait to share it with you, so I bumped it right to the top of my blog post queue! Lets get into it... I recently made a button up skirt and combined with my and a girl in working in my local H&M, I was inspired to make my own button up dungaree dress, using the as the base.



This hack is super simple and would be great for beginner sewists looking for a new challenge, who maybe aren't quite ready to sew a shirt yet. The easy button facing is a great skill to nail down as it crops up in lots of shirt/button up styles. It'll also get you practising those button holes!

My Pinterest inspiration!

For my button up Cleo I wanted a knee length, fitted style with two small pockets and fastened with clips instead of buttons. I love the high-street styles with waist seams but I thought I would keep it simple to start. For my version, I wanted it to be pretty figure hugging but not restrictive ('cos hips) so I chose a light-weight, super soft stretch denim fabric, quite different from my previous Cleo. Being a curvy gal, as I said in the pattern review, I was worried I would loose my shape in the dungaree dress, but a smaller size made from stretch fabric works well for me personally.



For the Cleo Dungaree Button-up hack (along with the original pattern & fabric/supplies) you will need:

• pattern paper
• tracing tools - scissors, pencil, ruler etc.
• light/medium weight interfacing & iron
• 12 buttons

Minerva Craft Blogger Network - My Sewing Plans for the Next 3 Months! Feb - April

I can't believe I've already made 3 projects for the Minerva Craft Blogger Network! It's gone so quickly. I couldn't wait to sign up for another 3 months and like last time, I wanted to share my supplies with you so you can see what I'll be getting up to with my Minerva goodies over the next 3 months. And if you like what you see, you can pick up the supplies for yourself!

February:

Not sure mine will be this glamorous, but fingers crossed!

With Winter in full swing in the UK, I wanted to make something weather appropriate, but also something simple whilst I'm busy working on Valentine's Day over at My Retro Closet. I'll be using this beautiful baby pink faux fur to create a classic Winter stole, or furry wrap around scarf thingy. I'll be drafting the pattern myself and writing a tutorial on this easy peasy make!

March:

A classic tweed coat, perfect for a 60s loving pinup! (with a short sewing attention span...)

I've been wanting to make a coat or jacket for a while and I love the look of this Vogue pattern. The dress, very similar to the Tilly and the Buttons Martha dress, has a great 60s shape. But for March's make I'll be sewing the jacket in this stunning tweed fabric and fun polka dot lining. I also love how this tweed looks with the baby pink faux fur from February's make!

April:

Pretty and practical!

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I hope you're looking forward to these projects, I know I am! If you want to see my previous Minerva projects, check out my blog tag HERE.

Have you tried any of these patterns? Let me know what you think!
Thanks for reading, pinups.
xo

P.S. I'm currently trying to post every Wednesday and Sunday, with the latter being a new pattern review. Let's see how long I can keep this up for! Eeek,

Minerva Craft Blogger Network: Simplicity New Look 6346 - Button-up Skirt

When I spotted Minerva Craft's range of affordable needle-cord, I knew I had to get some. This delicious tan shade was dying to be made into a button up A-line skirt, a super popular style on the high street right now. But now you can make one yourself instead, using the New Look 6346 skirt pattern!


Sewing Summary:

Pattern: Simplicity New Look 6346

Fabric: 16 Wale Cotton Needlecord Corduroy Dress Fabric - Tan

Notions: Clip On Jeans Buttons - Silver

Sewing time: Only a couple of hours.

Modifications: None!

Fit: The fit is comfortable but certainly edges on the side of generous. I could definitely take a little out the waist next time.

Difficulty: Easy-peasy!

Watch out for: A tidy waist band and front facings will make all the difference to the final finish of the skirt.

Make Again?: Yes! This skirt would also be fabulous in denim, which I'm certainly already plotting.

For my full pattern review and images, CLICK HERE!

If you want to see my previous Minerva projects, check out my blog tag HERE.
Thanks for reading, pinups!
xo

P.S. Stay tuned to see a preview of my next 3 months of Minerva Craft Blogger Network makes.

2017 Make Nine & a Couple of Sewing Resolutions!

Hurrah! The first post of 2017 (finally!) and it's inspired by my recent #2017MakeNine post on Instagram. I thought it'd be a nice way to kick of the new year, showing you what I'd love to make with a couple of sewing resolutions to be mindful of in 2017!

The Make Nine was instigated by Rochelle of Lucky Lucille, who encouraged makers to share 9 projects to make in 2017. Some sewists have taken it super seriously with well planned out projects and some have picked aspirational makes. For me, I've chosen makes which I've been lusting after for a few months, and it's time I got a move on with them! Some are cut and ready to sew, some are waiting patiently in my stash and some are a distant dream. So here's my 2017 Make Nine...


I can't resist a 1960s vintage or reproduction pattern at the moment and I LOVE this Simplicity one. I think it's the illustrations that lure me in. I love all the options you get in these types of patterns, I especially like the longer jacket and the pencil skirt. On the right is a pattern I've been lusting after for months which I'll finally be making as part of my Minerva Craft Blogger Network makes. So stay tuned to see my version in February!




I spied this Magellan top on a couple of fashion sewing bloggers on Instagram and now I have such a craving to make one. I'd never heard of Aime Comme Marie before but they have a lovely range of patterns, but this ruffly blouse is the top of my list. Along with the Butterick slip, another one of my upcoming Minerva Craft makes will be a faux fur something.... It's currently undecided as I have a generous metre of delicious faux fur, so to get the most out of the fabric a stole would be perfect, although I love this little collar from Tilly and the Button's blog. Whatever I end up making, there'll be a easy-peasy tutorial.







Along with lots of garment making, I'd love to make more crafts this year. It's something I find relaxing, and it helps me wind down in the evenings and keeps me off my phone. Lined up in my craft pile is a couple cross stitch creations and a half made pom pom garland. Time to finish these projects and brighten up my bedroom and workspace with handmade touches!

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So there you have it, my #2017MakeNine. Are you taking part? Are any of these projects on your list too? 2016 was a HUGE learning curve for my sewing, so with that in mind here are some of my sewing resolutions for the new year...

• Sew better, not faster
• Blog on regular days (I'm aiming for Tuesdays and Sundays from now on)
• Learn some new sewing skills
• Explore all the features on my Janome Atelier 5
• Explore the world of crafts!
• Become the queen of my overlocker
• Continue to focus on My Retro Closet with lots of new products!