Oliver+ S Bedtime Story Pajamas for Beatrix

Pyjama Day means new pyjamas!

 Oliver + S Bedtime Story pajamas 

My absolute favourite pyjamas.

I will admit my children prefer the button up top, or a tee with cotton bottoms but my heart remains true to the kimono style top.

The top is so elegant I have even made it as a regular top which got a lot of wear and was a great way to use a pretty piece of lace

 Full tutorial available at the above link.

Trixie chose a light and breezy double gauze with a sweet, stylised rainbow print. I decided to trim them with cotton poplin instead of the main fabric as it was a very light weight that was fraying heavily and I felt the poplin would stabilise the garment better.

The poplin is the last of a lush, Italian cotton poplin I made Elsa a shirt from when she was at University.

I personally prefer to use a ribbon for the outside bow. It looks snazzy, is quicker than making a self tie and uses up some of my huge ribbon stash. I chose some vintage, rayon grosgrain ribbon that I have a large roll of. The label says 'Made In Czechoslovakia' and it won't burn at the end with a hot knife (my usual finish for ribbon) so I have to do a narrow double hem)

I went with a self fabric for the inside tie.

The same poplin made a fun waistband, the contrasting colours  picks up the pink dots on the grey/blue main fabric.

Trixie is 10 and I made her the size 8. 

The top was fine but the bottoms were a bit snug and they back seam split a little after a days wear at school.

I had just enough fabric to make her another pair (Using the O+S Sleepover pj pattern) in a size 12.

A favourite of mine, Oliver+S always sew up beautifully. Liesl Gibson's instructions are like a sewing lesson each time you use them.

The pjs are a nice quick sew and make a great gift.

Thank you for reading... xx Nicole 

    

Sewist #15976115 Dress for Nicole, Zara and Connor's wedding

 More sewing from the wedding....

I knew exactly the dress I wanted for Zara's wedding. I would have loved to sew the Vikisews Ninel dress  but I dislocated my finger, tearing the tendons at the same time so I could only sew in bursts thus I knew I wouldn't manage the numerous fitting issues that would inevitably arrive with such a stunning pattern.

Tilly to the rescue!

She jumped on Sewist and designed a similar dress for me. The advantage of Sewist is the custom fitting nature. You still need to fit a wee bit but most of it is taken care off in the computer coding. I decided to sew the lining first and make any alterations to that.

The fit of the bodice was great but I felt the neckline was a bit high. 

I scooped it out, leaving a sleeve cap for the sleeves to attach to.

I scooped out the back a little too, not as much though. 

The skirt lining was spot on, no alterations needed!

Jerry liked it too!

Next I sewed up the main, no fitting needed, straight of the cutting board.

It is so swishy and delicious to wear!

I felt so incredibly glamorous 

I am absolutely thrilled with the result. 

The fabric was incredible to sew. It is from my favourite online dead stock fabric store Designer Ends

I used boning, sewn to the lining along the seam lines. The front neck line is reinforced with horse hair braid which gives you structure but is very wearable.

The back neckline has the same horse hair braid sewn into it. Excuse the wrinkles, these photos were taken after the wedding and I have washed the dress.

I used nude Bemsilk for the lining, under stitching by machine but hand sewing along the zipper.

I bound the arm seams, this gives some extra structure as well as looking so nice!

The sleeve linings are cut shorter than the main so they slightly pull in to give a blouson effect. I also sewed a loop of elastic to that seam to create some extra 'poof'

So sweet and puffy.

Here you can see how the sleeve is gently pulled inside.

It is not a dramatic look but a gentle 'drama' that I feel compliments Lidia and Tilly's dresses and is also very flattering on my wrinkly elbows.

All the sewing details!

Special thanks to a dear friend of Zara's, Airlie, a fashion designer who was SO helpful with the fine details of my dress.

I felt ever so pretty and was so, so comfortable.

The dress fits and skims but is not tight or uncomfortable.

I felt cool, calm and collected.

I was very pleased with my hair fascinator.

We had some last minute drama when I pulled my hair piece out and it was too pink (my dress was definitely peach toned)

 I messaged the lovely lady who made it and she crafted another that very evening for me! She trades as Kezabel on Marketplace.  

I shall save the pink one for Hugo and Maegan's wedding in March 2025.

I adore this dress, Tilly did an amazing job of making the pattern. I fully intend to make another version in a chambray or black and white gingham for Summer parties.

Do have a look at Sewist.com, it's fun to make a pattern and to not have to worry about fitting issues. It saves a lot of drama.

Don't mind my pale work boot feet!

Save the drama for the sleeves!

Thank you for reading... stay safe and well.

                                                                        xx Nicole 

Lekala #S4108 Dress with button placket for Matilda (and Lidia)

 

Trixie wearing Liddy's dress 

I picked up a pretty rayon remnant for Elsa but Tildy got in first!

Tildy knew the sort of dress she wanted and Lekala #S4180 was closest to the inspiration.

We omitted the collar and I drafted a collar stand. The back zipper wasn't needed and Tilly requested that I  add a sleeve ruffle and waist tie.

I do like sewing with rayon and it falls so nicely.

Mother of pearl button for the win!

The waist tie nips it in nicely but could also be tied loosely for a swingy dress.

I drafted the ruffle by measuring the sleeve cuff and making the ruffle 1 1/2 times width. I finished it with a narrow hem.

Lidia rather likes it too... 

She 'borrows' it all the time.

For some weird reason, my back ruffles and front ruffles did not line up. I am not sure if this is a flaw with the pattern or I put in incorrect measurements but something to be aware of.

Tilly is very hard to sew for so it is nice to have a win.

In conclusion, a pretty dress pattern but I don't know that I will sew it again. I think there are better dress patterns out there and the non matching ruffles is definitely problematic. 

Thank you for reading and have a lovely day xx