'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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Out of the Dog House

Poor sewing machine, I've discovered my tension problems were thread related. No idea why, it was a new spool, not one of my bargain finds. Apology duly accepted by my machine, we had another go at my red skirt ...

 

Hurray, I'm really pleased with it, although it's not so orange in real life (which ironically would suit me better). Because of the thread issue it's been unnecessarily difficult but I got there in the end. This is the second go at my bargainous 50p charity shop A-line skirt pattern (circa 1971). I made a complete mess of following the instructions this time, no idea why.

The fabric was £5.38 from Ikea (I have enough left to make something for one of my little nieces), the zip was a gift, I think the buttons were 20p each, white fabric on the pockets were scraps, so about £6, excellent.

I followed Winnie's brilliant lapped zip instructions here, Scruffy Badger Time. This is by far the easiest method I have followed, I can't envisage ever doing it another way in future, I could hug her, I had previously put this in and ripped it out 4 times!

I remembered seeing the pocket idea some months ago. I couldn't remember where so winged it. I've now found the original source, and remembered them pretty much spot on, you can find them here at A Fashionable Stitch on a beautiful Ginger skirt.

As red doesn't suit me very much I had planned a Sorbetto from white fabric with navy polka dots for my top half. I temporarily forgot I'd used it to make a dress for my gorgeous girlie - the scraps won't stretch to a garment of any sort sadly but, as you can see from this photo the sacrifice was worth it ...

I have already apologised for taking this photo before A had done her hair or make-up and she gave me permission to use the photo. Of course, I'd like to look half as good after a make over!

And I have an excuse to buy some more fabric - I'm going to a Craft Show next Thursday with P's lovely, crafty Auntie S, I'm adding polka dot fabric to my list!

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Selfish? Me? Now, wait a minute ...

I'm going to be entirely open and transparent - this post is all about winning something for me! On the other hand bringing this to the attention of others lessens my chances :(

However, fledgling blog, few followers ... I've weighed it up, I'll run the risk :D

There is a fab giveaway over at Sew Christine, the only entry requirement being a mention on a blog, Facebook or Twitter. Done.

If you visit Christine's blog you'll see some amazing bags, her tutorials are very clear and she's featured in many UK magazines. She also has Jessie, the sewing wonder dog as a regular contributor to the blog. I'm not sure I'm up to anything but the most basic bag making yet but as luck would have it she even has a shop.

I happen to know Christine is a very talented lady, with many crafty skills, because I used to be lucky enough to work for her. A scarily brilliant lady, so smart, such an eye for colour and creative with a wicked sense of humour. And fab shoes, that were regularly discarded under the desk because comfort wasn't generally one of the criteria when buying!

But don't enter the giveaway, you hear me?

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