I am a winner!

Doris modelling winner's medal & Sorbetto No 4 (£2.80 remnant from John Lewis)

I thought I'd peaked yesterday, with Doris' arrival, but apparently not! I cannot believe I won the buttons in the Did you make that? giveaway. I never win prizes, ever. And these aren't any buttons, they are part of Karen's amazing Simplicity 4934, a vintage suit pattern that has been to San Francisco and back whilst she's worked on it.

I was very excited about the transatlantic nature of the project. My brother (family Star Wars name Yoda - he thinks this is because he is wise, actually he's the shortest!) lives in SF, it's one of my favourite places.

Now, I might be a little over optimistic but I'm banking on gaining extra sewing skills just because the buttons were destined for greatness and are in close proximity, by some kind of crafty osmosis I'm envisaging a leap in my skill set!

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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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Tilly's Picnic Blanket Skirt

Hurray, I finally made a version (OK, pretty much direct copy) of Tilly's Picnic Blanket skirt.

I wanted to make it with checked fabric and this is the only one in my stash, fabric choice decision easily made.

I don't know why the waist looks wonky in the photo, it isn't. I have a total aversion to having my photo taken, am always the one behind the camera. This is the aspect of sewing and joining in that has actually been a real issue for me, but I want to catalogue what I've made and am trying to just deal with it. So we could have had another go but my boy knew I'd want to get it over and done with!

The star of the show is Elmo, she always turns up for a photo and constantly gets in on the crafty action.

Goodness the garden is a mess, it's even worse in real life, must stop crafting and do a bit of weeding.

I really enjoyed making this, quick and easy. I just followed Tilly's tutorial, I know some people did the hem and buttonholes in a different order, but it wasn't necessary with the gingham. I will do some things differently when I make my next one but that's because I'm a novice, not a reflection of Tilly's instructions.

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