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...

Spoonflower projects in the works...

A few weeks back I found an online store called Spoonflower, it sells Beautiful fabrics, wallpapers and even gift wraps. As I am new to sewing, I was very overwhelmed when looking on here, there are just so many different designs that I have never seen before.
So although I am budgeting and being more sensible with my money, I must admit, I got sucked in by all the unusual pretty designs and I had a little splurge. Whoopsie.

Have you been on their site?

I've been waiting for my material to turn up, then on Friday a little note dropped through the door just to tell me I needed to take a trip to pick up my parcel and pay a customs charge.
Fuming was not the word, I was a tad bitter as most of the fee was just the royal mail charging me so that they could stick a label on my parcel to tell me I owed them money. So just beware of this before you order as you could be left out of pocket.

All of my frustration for the customs charge soon went away after I opened the parcel and set eyes on my beautiful fabric... I'm well chuffed and can't wait to get sewing.

Along with my 2 pieces of fabric I order a material swatch booklet and colour chart.

The first fabric I selected was the stained glass pencil skirt by thesummercountry on cotton poplin.

The designer had two versions of this skirt available, one had an old style manuscript across it which I really adored, however I thought the colours in this skirt would allow me to wear it with more, especially with the bright and dark contrasting, I feel I would be able to style this Skirt in the summer, then maybe in the winter with some thick black tights. What do you think?

Then next on the list was Toothy the tooth fairy by Sammyk again on cotton poplin.

I can't wait to make this plush tooth fairy teddy, mainly because I know it's going to be easier than sewing the skirt, but because its just so cute. Again, I may have got carried away with buying this. My little boy hasn't even got all of his teeth through yet so It's going to be awhile till they start to fall out, but I just couldn't resist.

Here's a few picks of the packaging, material swatches and colour chart:

Before I get sewing the skirt I am going to make a Muslin like I did with my Charlotte skirt, I just hope it fits me and can't wait to see what it looks like on. I've done a lot of searching and cannot find a pick of anyone wearing it. If you've spotted it on a blog, please leave a link in the comments box, it would make me super happy and grateful.

Have you ordered anything from Spoonflower lately?

Don't forget to check back soon for updates on Toothy and the skirt.

Completed My Charlotte Skirt

I'm planning on putting together a capsule wardrobe with classic garments that can be mixed and matched to create several different outfits.
If you've read my previous post on replacing my favourite skirt, you'll know that I've been planning on sewing the Charlotte skirt from By Hand London.

Well this past week I am pleased to say I have completed it.

I was planning on sewing the version with the ruffles along the bottom, however, I realised that now I have been blessed with having a child in my life, I will be running around after him and thought it would be more practical for me to go for the plain version.

After measuring, tracing and cutting out the pattern, I started by making a muslin from 1M of cotton fabric (BOMULL) which I purchased from Ikea which was only £2 Per Metre.

I am so glad I did, I haven't sewn for a long time, and this is the first pattern I have ever used and I managed to balls up my muslin when taking it in to be more fitted. So, I didn't waste my £11 Per Metre Fabric I had purchased for the final skirt.





I have also never put in a zipper in my short time of sewing, as you may of guessed, YES, I'm a beginner.
On a trip to John Lewis my mother bought me the Janome zipper foot as a gift to help me along, it's a must and worth every penny. I completed the zip very quickly and was overly impressed, it allows you to get very close to the zip and gives a more professional finish.

 

Here's my little Beauty in action.
I also Unpicked the zip from the muslin to use on my skirt so I didn't waste money. It was well worth practising and I feel so much more confident about inserting the zipper now, although I must say it's not just down to my zipper foot, but the FANTASTIC TUTORIAL on how to insert an invisible zipper from By Hand London.

With my muslin in the past, and my mistakes rectified, I couldn't wait to get started on my final skirt. I used a black cotton canvas from John Lewis to make it, for my first go at sewing a pattern, I'm very pleased with the result, I took 7 inches from the length and added a 4 inch split at the back of the skirt:

 

Please accept my apology for the lack of quality of the photos, I initially had the pics taken outside, but it started raining during posing time (typical British weather for you). 

 

           

 

 

So what do you think? Have you made the Charlotte skirt? I will definitely be making this again, it gets a big thumbs up from me. Hmmm, what to sew next....

 

 

 Please note: All items were purchased by myself to create my new skirt. :)

By Hand London Charlotte skirt to replace my favourite

If you have read my Wish / Achieve list for September 2013 then you will know I have been holding on to my favourite River Island skirt for several years now, even though its 3 sizes to small for me and the zip wouldn't budge even if I wanted to humour myself in trying it on. I just cannot part with it because it was so flattering on me. I have decided to sew a new skirt to replace it.
Here's a photo of it for you:



 


















I searched online for what seemed a long time and found the perfect replacement design for my new skirt. The Charlotte skirt from By Hand London, with an added bonus of a sew along on their site I just knew it was meant to be.

Have you sewn the Charlotte skirt? Don't forget to leave links to your finished skirts in the comments box below.

 

 

I will upload as soon as I have made progress on my skirt, for now you can check out By Hand London website to see what the finished design looks like.



The Leather Satchel Company Review

Do you need a beautiful quality bag that goes with all of your outfits? Well, I've found it.

A 14" London tan leather satchel, it's perfect, made from such a luxurious smelling leather that even my dog came over from the other side of the garden just to get a better sniff.





I'm currently a SAHM and I normally wouldn't spend this much money on a handbag, however I have now come to the conclusion that you get what you pay for. A leather handbag well looked after will wear lovely and outlive all of my synthetic bags.

It was my birthday this month, so I decided to go for it, I bought myself this fantastic classic vintage style satchel with my birthday money. 
A massive thank you to all my family for contributing, it is greatly appreciated.

The leather satchel company is British and has been running since 1966. I had read several reviews claiming this company made their satchels to an excellent standard, so this is the main reason I purchased from them.
Buying directly from their website makes them cheaper, but also fully customisable. You can choose from their range of colours and also add extra details such as magnetic buckle clasps. Other extras could be adding a shoulder pad and getting your name or initials embossed on the front to give it even more of a personalised look.

The leather satchel company also offers a 5 year craftsmanship guarantee, so don't forget to register your satchel.

I am on a mission to find my capsule wardrobe items and I feel this satchel is an essential. It's such a classic design so can be kept for years to come.  it has a flawless finish and this leather will age well.
After doing the grocery shopping yesterday, it was pouring down with rain and I was so worried my new bag would get water spots on it.  to my surprise it wiped straight off and it looked as perfect as when I first pulled it from its packaging.

overall I am very impressed with the high quality and standard of this satchel, I have been searching eBay and vintage stores in Bath for a long time now, I almost gave up hope of finding one.

I have an old tan leather belt that I 'borrowed' long term from my mum, I think it's actually older than me.
with the mark of quality embossed on the inside of this beauty, I just get the feeling that if well looked after it will last for a very long time, just like that belt.
Who knows, If I ever have a daughter, maybe this is what she will be stealing from me in years to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you got a satchel?  Don't forget to leave a comment with what colour you have and where yours is from. Also I especially love the customised ones, so if you have designed your own, please leave a link to your blog so I can see yours too.

Check out The Leather Satchel Company

 

 

 

I am not affiliated with any company and bought this satchel with my own money, these are my own opinions on the product.