Lovely Lingerie!

So as part of my me-made-manifesto I have promised not to buy anything new for a year, the only exception being tights! So that means I've got to get my sew on and make some pants! Or knickers to our American pals.

I was REALLY scared about making my own underwear as I'm new to sewing with stretchy fabrics. But this year is about learning new skills and lingerie seemed like a great way to start. I'm VERY picky about underwear and the thought of being able to design and make my own things was incredibly appealing. Basically, for me, it needs to be stylish and comfortable.

Flo Jo Stretch Knickers

Me - Made - Manifesto

This year I am taking on a radical New Year's resolution! To hand make my clothes for a year. Inspired by the incredible online sewing community, you guys are an endless source of inspiration and have given me the confidence to take on this challenge. 

But why 'me-make' my clothes for a year? To guide me and keep me motivated I have created my 'Me Made Manifesto'. You can follow my journey here and on instagram: @me_made_manifesto 

In 2018 I will... 

✂  Stop buying new clothes. High street clothing has inevitably not been made ethically, instead I will make my own and do my best to buy ethically made/sourced cloth.

✂  Upcycle, mend and recycle existing garments in my wardrobe which are past their best. 

✂ Challenge myself to try new sewing techniques and create really wearable pieces. 

✂  Experiment with new dying and printing techniques to give a unique character to my creations. 

✂ Share my journey online, to encourage others to have a go and to make sure I keep it up! 

The only exceptions will be tights and socks! Although I'll mend and darn as much as I can.

Kim Dress: joy, tears and my personal stylist

And the mass blog-a-thon continues with my By Hand London Kim Dress.

You can find the Kim pattern on the By Hand London website here. It's an absolute steal at £9.50 right now for the PDF.

Radio Silence & Sewing Laurel

So many sews, sew little time...

I have been so busy sewing away that I have been TERRIBLE at sharing my creations here. SO now is time for a mass blog-a-thon. 

Kicking off with the utterly wonderful Colette Laurel (find it over on their site here). I have got SO much wear out of this dress. The gentle darts shape it subtly but perfectly. I made mine from a comfy chambray from the Village Haberdashery. 

FESTIVAL CHALLENGE: Getting started!

 Polly Pattern on my desk / Cotton Voile / Michael Miller Ikat

Well hello there! 

As I have worked till midnight most nights this week (ah the joys of working in theatre...) I have only made small steps towards my festival challenge goal (to catch you up to speed - my aim is to make all of my outfits for this year's Wilderness festival). 

FESTIVAL CHALLENGE: Fabric Inspiration

Aaaaaand we're off! 

The first stage in my Festival Challenge - trawling the web for the best festival themed fabrics. I've been searching for bright summer colours, morrocan / bohemian prints and designs which will work with the Anna Dress pattern. 

Clockwise from left: 1. eo petals - folk modern - pink and green on blue - ellen luckett baker - linen blend fabric from kokka  2. True Colors - Medallion in Aquamarine 3. washi triangles - charcoal - rashida coleman hale - timeless treasures 4. Cotton Lawn - India

FESTIVAL CHALLENGE!

With festival season on the horizon I am setting myself a blog-tastic sewing challenge! I am going to create an entirely handmade festival wardrobe in time for the spectacular Wilderness Festival which starts on the 7th August. 

If you have never been to Wilderness (produced by the same team as The Secret Garden Party) then why not?? JUST GO! It's the most chilled out, beautiful, theatrical festival I have been to. You can go wild swimming in the lake, dress to the nines for secret late night parties in the woods, try your hand at archery or horse ridding, eat sumptuous eastern delights in the Moro food tent, relax in a wood fired hot tub, watch immersive theatre and of course catch some incredible bands at the main stage! I'm pretty excited - can you tell?? 

So back to the challenge...

I need to make outfits for four days of festival revelry - including an outfit for the Astronomers Ball late night party. I am going to sew as much as possible from scratch but may also customise some garments to transform them from thrifty charity shop finds into festival worthy glad rags. 

Watch this space for fabric ideas, pattern choices and daring Astronomical designs!!