I’ve taken a much longer break from blogging than I expected! I started the year very optimistically but the third lockdown and a sudden influx of work made it hard to find the motivation to blog, even thought I have done lots of sewing and making. I feel like I’ve only just got a chance to take a breather but will try and factor in some regular blogging time from now on. I’m going to catch up with a few of my favourite recent sewing projects from the past few months.
This dress was inspired by a Toast dress which I saw in their shop in York a couple of years ago, a soft drapey needlecord midi dress with a tiered skirt:
I used a pretty muted mint green corduroy with glittery stars from Empress Mills. Because of the gathered tiers I didn’t want it to be too heavy or to have a lot of bulk. I used the Pauline Alice Cami pattern because it has similar sleeve cuffs and a fitted bodice. For the skirt, I used the Wilder Gown skirt pieces.
I lengthened the sleeves to be just above the wrist. The pattern was fairly straightforward to sew, there are darts on the front and back so there is room to make adjustments if needed. I also found the shirt collar relatively simple to make, its a nice neat shape but quite high on the neck for me when buttoned fully.
It’s a very comfortable dress perfect for the weather in this country for most of the year! I like wearing these with boots and also layered up with a cardigan. In the pictures below, I’m wearing it with my Balloon cardigan and Plumpy shawl. The colour works well with brighter shades and muted colours like grey and black too.
I used some pretty buttoms from Each to Own which I bought from Cloth & Candy. This style is not available currently but there are lots of other ones available.
The Plumpy shawl was one of my winter lockdown projects and my first attempt at brioche knitting. While it took some time to get my head around the brioche technique, I really enjoyed knitting this project with these beautiful colours. The yarn is Sporty singles by Hedgehog Fibres.
That looks amazing. I have that Toast dress too but it’s great the able to make your own. I’m making some of the Merchant and Mills patterns at the moment. Got here looking for inspiration on the Thelma!