Lekala #4679 Let's try this again

I finished this quite a while back and had yet to blog it.

The very pretty Lekala #4679.

A very modern, 'cold shoulder' dress pattern, custom fit to her measurements.

The first attempt was almost a disaster

I ticked the wide shoulder adjustment but there was no way it was going to work.
Pattern drafting is not my thing but I had a go.

I added a fair chunk of width to the over arm flounce and just sort of winged it.

It seemed to have worked.
At least she can move her arms now.

I sewed it up in some vintage rayon from my stash.
I will be sad when that is used up, cheers Mrs Nank!

~Lidia's Verdict~
This dress is so floaty!
 I love the flounce around my shoulders,  and the way it seems to dance when I move and raise my arms. I originally had it made for a play but now I wear it every chance that I get.  The pattern is now custom fit for me so I plan to have a few more of these made. Maybe in a  light blue or yellow rayon. It is beautiful and I love it, thank you mum.

I am so pleased we got this pattern to work and I do have some yellow linen tucked away...

Thank you for reading!

xx N

Another Witchery Knock Off~ OOP Simplicity 5318

Another Witchery inspired sew.

Elsa fell in love with a gorgeous romper on Witchery.

Witchery.com romper no longer available 

It was stunning, a delicate print in silky rayon.
I searched in vain for a similar fabric... until I had an idea.

I found this on the Spotlight website.
It is a light weight curtaining fabric but I wonder if I could try dyeing it.

It dyed surprisingly well.

I simply pre-washed the fabric and then tossed it in the washing machine with the Rit dye and then hung it on the clothes line.
That easy!

Elsa and Zara have both pulled this pattern out, at times but it is so short and neither girl liked the matching knickers.

Zara had the above pattern out, looking at the blouse and I showed the trousers to Elsa, suggesting making them into hot pants.
She agreed.
I hand sewed a deep hem and used satin binding at the waist.

I really wanted a good finish on this garment so I took the time to hand sew all the hems, including flounce seams as I was concerned they would be visible.

I had very sore fingers after pressing and shaping the flounce hem.

Elsa wanted the dress shaped but not fitted so I simply got her to pop the main dress on, inside out and I gently pinned some extra shape into it.

Like many vintage patterns it has great darts, including shoulder darts.

And those sleeves are just incredible!

Elsa wore it when we went out shopping and people were coming up to her to ask her about her outfit not to mention all the turned heads.
We both felt quite chuffed.

And it twirls!

Thank you for reading...
xx N

Lisette Butterick 6296 (B6296) PJ's for Zara

More #ninjacutting more #zaragoestouni sewing.

I had a good size piece of linen left over from Zara's dress so I offered her pyjamas.

Lisette pyjamas another pattern from the Liesl Gibson stable.

I had made them before  for Elsa.
When I forgot to pipe the underside, doh!
After a year of wear, Elsa reported that the dropped shoulder style became quite annoying.

Enough so that she can't sleep in them.

I trimmed an inch, tapered back to nothing at the notches, on Zara's and that has improved the fit remarkably.
Please note, Zara and Elsa have my narrow shoulders but when I lay these on some RTW pjs they do have a very wide shoulder. 

The linen continues to soften beautifully and the white river stone buttons are very elegant.

I made Zara the straight 14 for the bottoms as she wanted to be comfortable and I didn't want strain put on the linen.

~Zara's Verdict~
These pyjamas are absolutely divine.
So comfortable and very expensive looking. They are a very luxurious pair of pyjamas. Mum did a lovely job, thank you Mum!

~My Verdict~
A very nice pyjama pattern now we have it sorted. The pattern goes together well although I prefer to inclose my raw edges for a neater finish so I go with my own method on the cuffs.
Very good piping instructions.

I have since made Elsa a Winter pair in flannelette and be warned, the legs are soooo long. Elsa is 5'4'' and I did shorten the pattern but they are still dragging on the ground. I didn't realise until after I had piped and sewn the cuff...

A good pattern though and I do recommend it, just aware if you are petite you may want to check the shoulder fit and leg length.

So, from 4m of linen, a pair of pyjamas, a dress and a toddler hat (yet to be sewn) #ninjacutting for the win!


xx N

Butterick 6296 Pyjamas for Elsa

Anyone else grow up watching the terribly inappropriate Carry On movies, laughing away as the innuendo went straight over their heads?
I can't find a clip that mentions the item in question but Dr Nookie convinces Goldie to sleep in his room, offering her his 'japama's'

The above is the closest scene I could find. Poor Dr Nookie's drink has been spiked with surgical spirit.
Any hoo... japama's has stuck around this place.

And these are some fine 'japama's'.

The Lisette pyjamas which I have sewn before.

This time I made the Winter version, long sleeves and full length bottoms, in some flannelette from Spotlight which I purchased on sale.
Spotlight flannelette is fine but only buy it on sale. It comes up (reduced) regularly and the quality is okay but not fantastic (oh, that I could still afford Amy Butler) and it is really narrow. This pattern uses 4 metres.

I piped all the edges with some weird, poly cotton pre-made piping I was given when a haberdashery closed down. 
The black looks great against the bright fabric and I know it wont run in the wash.

Now, on to my mistake.
The legs are way, way too long.
I did adjust the pattern before I sewed but I completely forgot about the cuff!
When Elsa gets home I hope she will let me shorten them.

Apart from being too long in the leg, they are great!
I remembered to add the piping to both sides of the front panels (when I made her satin ones I only did one).
I did modify the shoulder fit. I removed an inch from the shoulder on the body, tapering it down to nothing at the notch point.
This just gives more arm movement and is more comfortable.

*I was just reading pattern review and read something interesting. My collar notches didn't line up with my facings and I assumed I had drafted incorrectly so just adjusted my pattern. Two other people have had the same issue so perhaps look out for that.*

They took me around 9 hours to sew, the piping does add time. I will never complain about the cost of pyjamas again.

I really enjoyed sewing them. I have started a Pinterest board full of ideas for future sews.

Thank you for reading
xx N