Happy Halloween - Pay Day treats :D

First off, Happy Halloween everyone.

TRICK OR TREAT?

...'Umm, Treat Please'...

Yes, Lots of little treats as it's payday. I thought I would order some sewing goodies as it is my first pay since being a SAHM now I've started my new job.

I may have got abit carried away this morning, but Jaycotts currently have 50% OFF Butterick and newlook patterns, plus free shipping over £20. Some Lovely bargains under £3 to bulk out my collection.
Also, I ordered the Deer and Doe skirt the other day, but thought I would add it in this list.
I would really like to support more indie pattern designers, but thought I would pick up a few bargains while I'm learning.

So, whats in my cart?

Deer and Doe Chardon Skirt (This has been on my list for awhile now, I just love the  detail and that it's a french Indie company)
Newlook 6932 Toddlers and Child's Pyjamas (To make My Handsome little boy cute PJ's, Plus I keep shrinking my partners RTW's, turning them into ankle flappers, so I could re-use the material and make my boy some instead of throwing them out, lol)
Newlook 6211 Dress (Only want the Skirt pattern for this as it reminds me of Megan Nielsons Cascade)
Butterick B5605 Retro Dress and Belt (Really like the feminine shape and bow tie back)
Newlook 6899 Easy Skirt and knit top pattern (Mostly Want this for Tee pattern)

Will you be getting any Treats for yourself today?
Thanks for reading, Have a Fab Halloween.

Completed Elisalex dress By Hand London

Here it is, I have finally completed my Elisalex dress.
It's taken awhile to do the photos, mostly due to our weather and lack of daylight.
Also, I have now started a part time job and have less sewing/ blogging time than I did as a SAHM. I'm sure once I get used to it, I'll manage to schedule in time for creativity and regular posts.

So I used the Elisalex dress pattern from By Hand London. If you haven't already got this pattern, I would highly recommend it. It's the third pattern I have ever used, and as a beginner, I found it very easy to follow and the bodice comes along in no time at all.

You my have read about my progress here.
I done a FBA and used dylon for my mustard fabric, sticking with the original skirt pattern instead of going for the full circle skirt.

So, I'd like to say a big thank you to my Bro for taking the photos for me, also, we both agreed we disliked the background, but it was the only thing we had big enough for a backdrop. Just thought I'd clear that up.
'Thanks Marc' really appreciate your help and efforts in what little space we had to work in, and would like to thank my better half for being patient with me, with my rambling on in the evenings about what patterns and designs I like. Bless him, hehe.

(For my make up lovers: Highlighter - Vanilla, Lipstick - Girl about town, Both MAC)

Please excuse my cheesy poses and grin, I'm not really one for being serious.

Thanks for checking out my dress, I can't wait to sew more. Have you got this pattern in your collection?

Related articles you may like:

Completed My Charlotte Skirt

Progress on my Elisalex

Although I haven't been posting on here much, I have been getting up to a lot at home away from my laptop.

I have finally made some progress on my Elisalex dress.

It's been a long week of muslins and changing my mind on the skirt way too much, I have been documenting as I go:

Measuring up at a UK 14 in the Waist and a 16 for the bodice, I started by making a muslin for the top half and after being pinned in by my partner, I realised I didn't have the 'Perky McKnockers look' and needed to go down a size with the full bust adjustment. So this was next on the hit list, I put it off for a couple of days because it looked confusing and as I'm a beginner it was a scary thought.
As soon as I sat down and read through the tutorial, it all started to make sense, and I'm really glad I took the time to read it as it's a brilliant skill to learn.

This was also one of the main reasons I wanted to learn to sew, finding a dress that would fit around my bust and waist correctly was rare, the FBA tutorial really breaks it down and teaches you how to adjust the pattern easily and gives you more confidence.

I also treated myself to a Prym sew and knit gauge to help me measure hems and seam allowances. It's a handy little tool which will help me alot. Please excuse my weight, it's a takeaway pot with some ceramic balls in. It does the job, but think I will be making some tins with dry beans in as an alternative.

Amy from SewsnBows helped me decide on Mustard as I wanted more of a neutral colour, which was greatly appreciated as I just couldn't decide. Thanks Amy :)

Check out my 'How to make mustard with Dylon Fabric Dyes'

Finally deciding on a colour, I went to get the supplies and started to get creative. I hadn't chosen what skirt shape I wanted so thought I would do that at a later time, then after dying my fabric for the bodice, I realised I wouldn't be able to make the exact match again (Major oops).
So I have had to find fabrics that might go with it.

I think this Emmie Fabric from Ikea matches well, but wanted to make the dress for winter time so I think I will make a dress with this pretty floral number in the spring. What do you think?

Hmmmm, Still what skirt to have? I used By Hand London's skirt tutorial to make a full circle template.

 Part of me really wants to make the original design, but not sure if I'm confident to pull it off. I have decided to use black with my bodice because I have loads left over from my Charlotte skirt.

Here's a very minimal sneak peak:

 

Don't forget to Check back soon to see the finished dress, what skirt do you think it will be?

Have you made the Elisalex?

 

Related articles you may like:

How to make Mustard with Dylon Fabric dyes

Completed My Charlotte Skirt

My Style....Patterns I'm crushing on...

How to make Mustard with Dylon Fabric dyes

I searched online for a tutorial of how to make mustard with Dylon and couldn't find it. So thought I would write up what I managed to create in hope that someone may need to use it too. Mostly because the little Dylon fabric packets are pricey and if you mix the wrong ratios, your colours will be ruined and you will find yourself heading back to the shop to grab more.

My little disclaimer: I'm am not an expert at this, just a creative woman dying some fabric, this colour and method worked for my fabric and you should always follow the instructions on the packet.
Also wear something dark just in case you splash some at yourself if your on the heavy handed side like myself.

This was the colour result I achieved:
Photograph taken in kitchen with natural light shining in through open doorway. (It was Raining..again)

The fabric I started off with was a plain white cotton from John Lewis. Please remember that if your fabric is coloured your results may vary. The colour you obtain will also depend on the fabric you are using and how much, so again please read instructions.

I used the hand dye Sunflower yellow and Woodland brown to get this colour:

I made my mixture up following the instructions, using the whole packet of Sunflower yellow, then adding roughly 1/3 teaspoon of Woodland brown as shown in photograph.

Add a little bit at a time to achieve the colour you would like, as it highly pigmented and the mixture turns it dark very quickly. It's easier to add more and impossible to take any of the dark out. So be careful and patient.

I also added a little test strip first to see what it would look like, then added my fabric (pre rinsed)

 

Here's a picture of the material whilst in the dye:

 

This was after about 10 minutes. Just remember to keep stirring it around gently to get an even colour. Also, after you have dyed your fabric and washed it. I would suggest tumble drying it. This will ensure it dries quickly, as I put mine through a long wash to remove all of the dye, then left it to dry overnight on a clothes horse. There were creases that made slightly darker lines across the fabric. It was only a little, but enough to notice it.

 

If your making mustard and needed to see some results, I hope this helps you. I am using this fabric for an Elisalex dress, which I will be posting about next.

 

If you have any questions just leave a comment and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.