'Just one Sorbetto, handmade by me' ...

I know everybody knows this already, I was late to the party as I only started sewing myself clothes this February, but the free Colette Sorbetto pattern is great. I went from 0 to 5 handmade tops in under 2 weeks, and wore them to take part in Tilly's OWOP in March. The sense of satisfaction was immense and it really encouraged me to think I'd be able to progress and make wearable things.

Me & my 'baby boy' - this is my absolute favourite Sorbetto, made from a Liberty lawn remnant, £9.74. It has sleeves & a pleated neckline, I have worn it repeatedly. The neckline shows up a bit better in the second photo

Not only is the pattern free it uses so little fabric, I can get away with about half a metre if the fabric is wide enough, and I don't want sleeves. I desperately wanted to wear my new skirt and had nothing suitable in my fabric stash, which is fairly modest ...

... but I have guilt about buying more fabric because:

(a) I'm going to a craft show on Thursday, there are bound to be some bargains

(b) P and I head off to Japan in less than a fortnight and I fully intend to stock up whilst I'm there (I am so excited, this is such an adventure for us, I'm not even going to pretend to be nonchalant, I'm proper, skipping about excited)

However, what I can justify is practising new techniques, can't put a price on improving one's skill set. So, this seemed like the perfect solution for my 'what can I wear with my red skirt?' dilemma, cheap as chips broiderie anglaise.

Just over half a metre of fabric, £3ish; thread from stash, bias binding from scraps of plain white cotton I used on skirt pockets (new skill), made the bow from scraps of main fabric (new skill) - DONE!

So a new outfit for just over £9, new skills, an excuse to wear my new red shoes, happy face!

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It's 'Doris' Day!

I am so excited - Doris arrived today! She's the last purchase from my 'Sewing Fund' birthday money. It's taken since April for me to decide how to spend it all. As a beginner there are a few things on my list, it feels a bit overwhelming. I know from other crafting it's worth waiting sometimes to see what you really need.

Karen at Did You Make That? very kindly replied to my request for advice. Her blog is so brilliant, I've been following it for a while. Even though the quality of her sewing is amazing she still manages to be inspirational rather than intimidating!

Getting Doris to be a reasonable proximity to my shape has taken a bit of wrestling but I think I'm pretty much there. Of course she's squarish, I'm kind of thinner from the side view and wider from the front/back! So I've had some help with the maths, stuffed a bra with toy stuffing and put her in a muslin for a Colette Hazel that fits me really badly - it's not looking good on her either - result! I am desperate to make this dress and have the perfect vintage fabric. At least now I've got a pretty good idea of what where to make the changes. Thank you Doris!

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Four for 4

It's a four day week for me with a lovely long weekend to look forward to. It struck me on Wednesday that I'd worn something I'd made myself for three consecutive days so I was determined to do the same on Thursday and make it four for 4.

This feels like a real achievement having only started making myself clothes in February. I took part on Tilly's OWOP week in March with the only multiple pattern I had made at that time - the free Colette Sorbetto . It was a really positive experience and spurred me on.

This week, without any real thought, I've worn 3 different patterns - my 60s A line 'Elephant' skirt, my 70s remnant Sorbetto, and my turquoise 60s dress.

Sadly, due to my plans for the day my 4th outfit wasn't suitable for work. But I think 3 out of 4 is pretty good.

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