FINISHED! Iris shorts in giveaway denim

It feels like it's been a while since some selfish sewing, so I'm happy to introduce you to my Iris shorts in giveaway denim.

Giveaway denim? Well, a couple of weeks ago I was the lucky winner of some fabric from Gabrielle which she was giving away to celebrate 3 great years of blogging.  I was ecstatic!  I had been searching for denim like the one offered for ages and here it was. Only  0.6 x 1.3 m of it, but just perfect.  A heavy light blue denim. Oh and how about that fantastic YSL colouring book that came with it!!

So I didn't have much denim to work with, but I was convinced that I could get a pair of shorts out of the fabric.  Enter the Colette Patterns Iris shorts.   I had just enough to make the size 6.  I had to do the waistband facing and the pocket lining in Liberty. You can imagine how much I hated that!!?  I got to use up some of Tom's Jets fabric which was great.

So here they are! I love them. I know this pattern has been around for a while and it's not really news, but the pockets are too cute in that front seam.  The denim provides a great retro feel to them. I'm wearing it here with Pattern W from Les Couleurs Francaise made up in  Liberty of London, Wiltshire.

In the end the 6 was a bit baggy around the waist so ended up taking them in on the sides. Next time I'll make the 4 up in maybe a slightly lighter weight fabric as the invisible zipper doesn't really like going over the waistband seam. It was a straightforward make, although like all my easy makes I did rush them a bit. I could probably make some further adjustments but for a first attempt I think the fit is pretty good. 

FINISHED! Pretty Pink Pavot

Et voila! A very pink veste pavot in pink linen. The second of my selfish sews for November.

I think it looks super cute and I am really proud of it (except the button holes which I blame my machine for..).  The pattern came together really nicely, even in French and I love how the collar is attached.  In fact, I found this a nice calming sewing project...   except for last night where I stayed up very late last night to sew on the buttons so I could wear today, I mean why wait until Sunday to wear it!  

I made a size 38 because I didn't want it to be too tight.  I like how it is  a looser fit, although I had to take about an inch off where the sleeve slips in as originally the sleeves were really puffy and sitting completely off my shoulders.  I'm not at all sure this was the right way to do it but it achieved the desired result.

The only problem with the coat is that because it isn't lined I feel as if I should carry around a little pair of scissors to snip off lose threads. I did try to catch them all as I sewed but they seem to be breeding.  If I ever make this again I think it would be nice lined... but for now it is a perfect weight for spring/summer coat.

FINISHED! Drape Tree Mini Dress

I didn't go to work today as I have an ear infection which has rendered me painfully hollow, well actually like a big blocked echoey tunnel.. in one ear (so happy I had that sinus operation which I thought was going to stop this constant ailment??@!), so I pottered around the house, checked in on work now and then, watched the US Election coverage and did a bit of sewing.  It was pouring with rain here so it was kind of nice to be indoors.

As foreshadowed, November is all about me and today I sewed up Mini Drape Dress No 12 from 'She has a Mannish Style'.  The material is a jersey silk and the plan is that I will wear this to a party later in November. In-situ photos will come later.

I've sewn this pattern up before and did think about making this one longer but thought the colour at the top of the material would wash me out, so wanted to start where there was a bit of colour and honestly, I'm short and I like a mini dress!  I added pockets into this dress, which might have been a mistake but I think with a few well placed stitched the pockets will sit better.

Back to Business - November sewing plans

I have now officially finished the KCWC/Fete/Children's party craze and am now gathering my thoughts and energy for a completely selfish month of sewing.  I have quite a few projects in the wings that I want to get finished this month before I start on Christmas. So this month will be NO- new projects/NO new fabrics and sewing for NO-one but me! VEMBER.  Bit of a mouthful but you get the idea.
Lining up for completion in November:
1.  A dress using this material for a party on the 24 November.

2.  Pavot or pleated pants using pink linen bought back here
3.  A top using this liberty fabric.