Top altering

This was just a quick little alteration for my sister before she went on her holidays.

This was quite a baggy top, As it has no fastening or opening anywhere I couldn't just take it in as then she wouldn't be able to pull it on over her head.

So I came up with the idea of creating some little bias ties that she could then tie to pull it in.

 I wanted it to blend in with the fabric of the top so I used some fabric I already had. 

I ironed it in half the turned each edges into the middle so I could run up a top stitch and keep it all inside.

I then unpicked the sides of the top and put the binding inside.

 I then stitched it in & stitched over it to keep it secure.

The finished result.. so simple and easy.

Floral dungaree dress

This dress I have adapted from using the top of this pattern and a pattern I took of a skirt

I already own. 

The fabric I picked I already had in my fabric stash, It felt really autumnal and a very popular 

style and shape at the moment.

The Waistband and straps from the pattern. The front piece with a pocket I drew up 

on pattern paper. 

Cutting out the skirt panels.

I stitched the pocket on with two lines of stitching makes it look much more professional.

I bagged out the straps right around the top to create a neat and tidy edge which is on show at the front.

All Ready to start putting together. 

I bagged out the front and then inserted it in between the waistband as I bagged that out as well.

I then attached the skirt into the waistband. I put it on the mannequin to get an idea of what it will 

look like when it is finished. 

I then had to seam the back and insert which I have done a separate blog post about it. I attached the straps at the back and put button holes at the front.

I used these silver buttons as I felt that they look almost like dungaree clips.

Super Pleased with the outcome of this. It fits really well and I really enjoyed making it too. 

Invisible zip cheat

My most recent project is a little dungaree dress that I am making from mixing a pattern I took from a skirt and the top of a dungaree pattern. 

This is a little cheat which is super easy to do and great if you don't have a invisible zip to hand. 

I start by just putting in the zip as normal with the right sides together.

After this I pinned the fabric on the top with the edges pushed together 

(Image Below)

While it is still pinned I herringbone the zip to the fabric to keep it in place.

So simple and easy to do!!

My blog for the full dress will be coming soon xx

Floral Strappy Vintage Style Top

This is just a quick and easy top that I made using some vintage fabric. I loved the colour, making me excited for autumn. 

I started off with quite a small amount of fabric, I cut it into a square to begin with. 

I then marked up the areas I need to remove from the top including a dip in the front, back and also a drop for the arms. 

I then overlocked and stitched the side seams together, this image is what the top looked like before I 

created the bias binding and stitched that around the arm.

My arm hole is quite dropped so I wear it with a bandeau top underneath. The bias Is quite simple to do, I measured how much I would need by just putting the top on and wrapping the tape measure around where I wanted it.

I am really pleased with the out come of this. Lovely colours to wear in autumn with a big cardigan.

Floral Crop Top and Skirt

I have been making a few dresses recently, so I thought I would instead create a

crop top and matching skirt so I can wear them together and separately. 

I followed the shape of a previous dress that I cut up to use as a pattern. As I was

having a pleated skirt I just made a long strip for the skirt with n shaping. I cut a simple waistband with a backing fabric.

I began by stitch the back seam up the skirt to leave a 9" gap for poppers. I overlocked the top and bottom of the skirt, and then turned under the hem.

I overlocked the edges of the bodice and turned under the center backs.

I don't think this is an official placket but I personally think this is great way to get the effect of a placket. If you give the under lap of the seam a larger seam allowance it makes it a nice strip for the back opening to join to. like the image below.

For pleating I find it easiest to make the mannequin's waist the same as mine, and I pleat the fabric so it fits, 

After pleating I do a running stitch around the waistband to keep it in place before pinning the skirt onto the waistband.

I then stitch the waistband onto the front, turn over and hand stitch the back of the waistband down.

Stitching the button holes on down the back of the top.

All finished. 

Finished ball gown

This was from my first lot of fittings with Jools, I made a couple alterations to the dress 

including adding two darts at the side and decreased the length of the bodice. 

During the fitting I marked up where the hem should be. To evenly mark this along the whole skirt

I put the mannequin on the table and created a little card board piece and measured the hem up from the table. 

I stitched the darts in and made alterations to the dress, I also made a small stop in the channel for the elastic so that she can pull the waist in more after she has put it on. 

This is the back of the dress with a small slit and a nice sparkly jewel for a button. 

I am extremely pleased with this dress, I love the shape I think it is extremely classy and the fabric 

chosen has been fine to work with and looks lovely when it moves and the golden blue colour shines 

through.