Another 'Little Geranium' Dress

Well, there are so many show-and-tells I want to do on here at the moment (and so many of your wonderful blogs that I need to catch up with).  But there just doesn't seem to be any time for anything at the moment.  Where is time disappearing to???  I think it might be that, when we get home from school at 5:00 in the evening, it's already properly dark - and so feels like bed time!?!

Not that I'm complaining about the dark nights.  They mean, after all, that Christmas is coming.  And they mean long, cosy evenings watching festive movies in the glow of the candles and Christmas tree lights.

Today's post isn't a christmassy one, though.  I just wanted to show you another 'Little Geranium' dress I made for our friend's beautiful little girl.  You can see my first attempt here.  And here's attempt number two.....

I was pleased with it.  The only problem was that I now want a dress for MYSELF in these exact fabrics and colours!  :-)

See you all again soon.....

Carly

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Halloween Costumes

After 'skipping' a year in 2012, we decided to reinstate our annual Halloween party this year.  We both decided to go as Mexican 'Day of the Dead' skeletons.  

I made my costume from an old bed sheet.  I used 'Pattern Y' from Yoshiko Tsukiori's 'Stylish Dress Book'.  I spent a couple of days embroidering a colourful pattern of the front.  It took a a fair few hours, but I made the most of it and enjoyed the chance to relax by sitting on the 'Poang' and listening to ghost stories on Librivox as I embroidered.....

I hadn't done much embroidery before, so had to learn a few lessons along the way.  

I accessorised my costume with some bringtly-coloured jewellery, and bought a flowery headdress from a costume shop.  So, altogether, my costume only cost me €6!

Simon's outfit consisted mainly of his 'normal' clothes (chords, a black shirt and a waistcoat).  We found a neckerchief in the fancy dress box, borrowed the sombrero, and bought the rifle and bullets.  His outfit cost €10!

The face-painting was all Simon's handiwork.  He did a brilliant job, I have to say!!!   

Would you like to see???

And a bit of a scary one to finish up with.....

Now our faces have been scrubbed and all the decorations and outfits are packed away, we're starting to think about next year's costumes.....

Any suggestions???

Carly

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'Little Geranium' Dress

I've been showing you LOTS of baby-makes lately.  And here's another.....  

When I found out that our friends' baby was a girl,I got it into my head that I HAD to make her a teeny-tiny newborn frock.  So, I spent that weekend making her a 'Little Geranium' dress.  The pattern is a free (and brilliant) one from Made by Rae.  You can find it here. 

And here's the dress:

It was a fun make and, as it was so tiny, didn't take too long.  I loved how it turned out.  And, thank goodness, it was a good fit too (we did a Skype session, so I could see it 'on').  

If only there was a 'Big Geranium' pattern - for girls MY age!!!

Carly

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Stylish Dress Book Pattern E

So, I think my new favourite crafting pursuit is making clothes for myself.  Or, to be more specific, making DRESSES for myself.

And, my new favourite book is ‘The Stylish Dress Book’ by Yoshiko Tsukiori.  I LOVE it!!!  Maybe I should do a proper review of it at some point, so I won’t rave on about it too much here – if I can help it. 

It was really challenging to pick a place to start when I got the book, as I pretty-much wanted to make EVERYTHING in it, STRAIGHT AWAY.  In the end, though, I decided to start with ‘Pattern E’ (which I think is my very favourite). 

Apart from positioning the bust darts (which I really don’t get, by the way, and any tips on this would be gratefully received), I LOVED the entire process of making the dress.  And luckily, as it took me some time to complete, I LOVED the finished dress!!!  I think you can see how much I love it, through the uncharacteristic amount of posing I’m doing in these photos (which I’m now a tad embarrassed about, I have to say).....

The style of this dress makes it so versatile!  I wear mine at night – for going out for dinner, or drinkies.  The fabric has a bit of a shine to it, so it might look a bit too ‘dressy’ for daytimes.  But, with different fabrics, it would look great as a cute sundress, or as a heavier winter dress (over a roll-neck and some thick tights).  SO many possibilities – and I’m sure I’ll be exploring them all!  I’ll DEFINITELY be using this pattern again!!!

If you’ve made anything from this book (or any of the others in the series), I’d love to have a look.....  

Carly

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Vintage Couture Exhibition

I just HAD to share a few more holiday snaps from Norfolk with you.....

While we were there, we visited Holkham Hall (well worth a visit if you’re in the area, as is Holkham beach, and Holkham village shops).  We were lucky enough to catch their ‘Glamour and Gowns’ exhibition – a collection of vintage ballgowns and sewing patterns created by the society dressmaker Belinda Bellville.

The gowns on display were from the 60s, 70s and 80s – and were all AMAZING!!!  I spent so long gawping at them that the curator-lady started giving me strange looks.  Maybe she was reading my mind as I considered how I might possibly sneak behind the barriers and have a quick try-on!?!

Here are some of the frocks.....

Aren’t they stunning???  Which one's your favourite?  I think mine’s the one with the red sticky-out skirt and pink bodice (in the top photo). 

If you're as in love with these dresses as I am, you can find out more about Belinda Bellville and the Holkham exhibition here.  You can even watch a video clip – and see more of the frocks!!!

I wonder if any of her patterns are still available anywhere on the internet.....  Off to have a look.....

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY if you haven't already.  You can find all the details here.  I'll be randomly picking a winner on Tuesday.

Carly

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