Vogue 1120 blue china silk dress

This dress was over a year in the making. Any anything that could go wrong with it did. I think I did everything except the hem at least twice! The issue was more with my choice of fabric - a lovely china silk, but I kept forgetting which side I was planning to use as the front and pleated the wrong way (or thought I had pleated the wrong way, unpicked, redid and then realised it was right the first time....) I had a choice of shiny background and matt flowers, or shiny flowers and matt background.

This was the first time I had attempted pleats, and that and the raglan sleep meant it was too hard (and I was over it) to make any fitting adjustments round the neck. I was glad I followed the pattern review suggestions and left out the back neck opening.

I moved the ties up to be more of an empire line to suit me better.

First Cowl Neckline Kwiksew

I like the cowl neckline of this top, but it could have done with some bust darts. Have also discovered that the material isn't colour fast which isn't that great. I think I bought three meters of this, so will have enough to make a dress as well!

Starry Cushion

In a moment of blog inspiration, I said to son J that if he drew me a picture I would make it for him on a cushion. So I got lovely picture with four stars with faces drawn on them. I hand embroidered the stars.

Quite a few months later, here is my interpretation..

Inspiring Vintage Woollen Dress at Te Papa

Te Papa Museum Dresses Loved this dress on exhibition at Te Papa at the moment. Beautifully cut and fitted, made in 1958. i think the exhibition has closed and they are showing uniforms now.

Robot Chair

The Chair - Before

and After

Bought this chair on trade me, some poor mother had spent hours upholstering it for her daughter, and her daughter sold it to me. I needed to update the floral cushion. have chosen a Robot design (well, found it in my stash and decided to use it up now before Robots are uncool)! Also made a robot cushion and pillow case.

Christmas Decorations

I've been making these for a while now as I knew that if I left it to December then nothing would happen. Have a couple of buntings cut out but only managed to finish one in time!

I'm not sure anyone else will appreciate the hand applique on the letters but it was good to do when I didn't want to do anything too challenging.

Home Sewn Icebreaker Jacket

I bought this great icebreaker material at the local fabric-a-brac. Icebreaker clothes are made of very cool material for outdoor wear. I'd been saving this material for a while, and decided to use it to make my first ever boys sweatshirt. Shows the importance of making something new out of cheap material first! The zip is even with the bottom and the pockets align, but it finishes an inch short of the neckline. Shows which end I started at! Its nice and warm, but I really should finish off the sleeves for wearing next winter. Still, if I wait till next winter to do the sleeves, it won't matter how much eldest son has grown in the meantime!