Named Kielo Convert

I am a Named Kielo convert!

Mum in her Kielo Dress.

I had originally bypassed this pattern as I was not really impressed by the styling on the Named website. I think it was the really sheer fabric and colour choice that put me off. How misled I was!

However, recently I had seen quite a few versions around the internet including this one by busylizzieinbrizzie.

and this one by Wasted Weekends.

The styling seems to suit most bodyshapes and I had been on the lookout for a maxi dress pattern for the summer. As I'm going to be in Hong Kong and China for a few weeks I really needed a light fabric that wont crease and will look fab after being screwed up in a case for many hours! I found this blue fabric at a local market for £2 a metre. It's semi sheer so I will need to wear a half slip with it.

I know that the Kielo is drafted for a knit or stretch woven, but I thought I'd give it a go in my fabric as it had only cost me a total of £4 for the 2m needed. (On a side note, I went into Dorothy Perkins the other day and this fabric is one of their current lines, as a blouse and dress.)

I cut a straight size10 (38) and made not adjustments during the construction. I made a self bias binding for the neck and armholes, and made sure not to make the seams bigger than the 1cm included on the pdf pattern.

I allowed about 5cm more on the back vent as the fabric is a woven and others had said it was a bit low. I took off about 5cm at the hem and did a rolled hem. Unfortuately I haven't photographed my version yet as it's too sheer and needs a slip which I don't have. I will post this soon.

My mum was visiting when I was making my dress and was impressed by the fit and styling and asked me to make her one. We headed off to The Sewing Box in Morpeth and bought a beautiful drapey Crepe de chine style fabric (with no stretch), also synthetic and the sort of fabric that would look stunning even after being screwed up for hours. My mum travels quite a lot and this is the perfect dress for her to take out to Spain or on her travels.

I cut and sewed a Size 14 and finished it the same way as I did mine (mum made the bias binding - which was no mean feat with this slippery fabric). We are the same height and so the length of the dress was the same as mine. I am now convinced that this pattern works well in a light weight woven with no stretch, but I would like to make it in a knit to see the difference. I plan to make a shorter one for work and one with sleeves for the winter.

I am converted to this pattern - it's amazing what fabric choice can make to the styling of a dress.

The White Witch #worldbookday

This is the first year I have not had to make costumes for my children for World Book Day. But my School were celebrating and the staff were included. I decided to go as the white witch form The lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis.

The skirt was a cotton summer dress with a net overlay. I serged the two layers together and added inch wide elastic to form a quick waist band.
The top was a simple corset with plastic boning that I made on a course about 2 years ago. It just needed the eyelets putting in and the bias edging. I bought a crepe backed satin top from a charity shop for less than £1 and used it to make the binding. The shawl was made from left over fabric. I just stitched the ends together to make a tube and wore it around my shoulders. As it was cold I wore a camisole top and leggings underneath.
My shoes are my go to partywear. Silver glitter shoes by Read or Dead from Schuh. Whiile they are comfy, my feet were killing me after standing teaching all day!!!!

I applied funky shaper gel to my hair and backcombed into place, finishing with a layer of white coloured hair spray. I was surprised that it stayed in all day. My make up was simple. I just replaced all powder and blusher with white eye shadow. I used pale green eyeshadow on and under the eyes and finided with blue eye liner and my usual mascara. The headdress was made by my daughter.

The whole look stayed in very well. But I was so glad to wash it all off at the end of the day.

Refashioned: Jeans to Jacket

I recently made a denim jacket. I had been hoarding old pairs of jeans from my hubby and kids and was considering what to make from them. I've always wanted a denim jacket but wanted a biker style version.

I used Burdastyle 03/2012 #115. I had already cut the pattern out, intenting to refashion a tweed coat, but did not have enough fabric. left off the pockets and shoulder tabs.

I omitted the lining and overlocked the internal seams and top stitched the seams with a contrasting colour. the facing edges were bound using home made bias binding.

The jacket bodice was made from a selection of my husbands old jeans. I particularly like the dark blue denim. I love the look of worn denim. The sleeves came from an old pair of my son's jeans. the had a torn knee. I patched this and made sure it was not on a stress point in the  garment. I like the contrast colour against the denim.

The metal zip came from my stash. not sure where i got it from originally, but shortening it to the right length was a real pain.

I have worn this jacket loads with my long dresses, black jeans etc. But never with my jeans! double denim - eugh!