Evening by the Sea and Paris Dressing

Yesterday was a scorcher! I can't even begin to tell you. I'm no longer red but I am still a little sore xD. Anyway, yesterday evening myself, Rob, and two of his mates went to Saltburn. T'was so nice!

We ate fish and chips and had a good old wander about - my legs are sore today! I totally blame all the steps we had to climb.

 We saw yarn bombing! There's been quite a bit going about lately, mostly in Saltburn but also in Guisborough and all around. I was so impressed with them, as a knitter myself I could appreciate the time and effort that must have gone in to some of the pieces.

It was quite busy, with lots of locals out enjoying the sunshine. Up here in the North you know, we've got to make the most of it haha.

Oh! I booked mine and Robs holiday today, yaaaay! Now I just need to find somewhere for us to stay down near Cheshunt, preferably away from the M25. I need a map.





Today, I'm going looking at bridesmaid dresses with one of my other bridesmaids :). And since it's beautiful and sunny and because I'm feeling pretty good about myself lately, I thought I'd try and get into a dress my nana made for me 4 years ago, for a trip to France I took with Rob and his family.

The only time I've worn this dress has been out and about on a very hot day in Paris. It's my Paris dress and I'll always love it, solely for that reason. I've changed a lot since I was 18, my figure more than anything, but I'm happy to say that I totally fit into this dress!!

On the left is me in the dress now
On the right is me in the dress in Paris in 2009, holding the only thing I bought in Paris - a Parisian Vogue haha

Dress Making

My fiance, Rob, is graduating from University after four years on the 16th July. Thus, I need a posh frock to wear. But of course, I'm not going to be buying one!

I saw this dress on Pinterest and just loved it. Though I wasn't fussed on the gathered top, or the binding/pleats round the bust, I knew I had to make a dress like this.

So I was straight on to Burda and found this pattern: Contour Bust Pattern. It's so cute and looking at photos of other peoples projects I knew that was what I wanted.

A couple of weeks ago I bought my material, this lovely green and a slightly off white for the contrast. I bought my zip and matching thread, too. Then today I took it all to my nana to see what she thought.

Unfortunately the photo I took of the pattern pieces on the material, ready to be cut out, got corrupted. But we ended up with 2 upper bust pieces (one for the front, and one as interfacing [different to how the pattern specifies]), 1 lower middle bust piece, 2 lower side bust pieces, and 2 back pieces (plus 2 pieces for back interfacing).

Each piece was extended on all sides allowing for a half inch seam, and for the lower pieces we added an extra two inches to the bottom, so it'll sit nicely on my waist and we also found that we had to extend the back panel pieces by about an inch each way (thankfully my nana has a seam ripped xD).

Then I sewed it all together, following the curves. This was the first time I sewed curves and I'm happy to say it went very well :).

Then I tried it on, and it fit perfect!

For the skirt of this dress, we're planning on making a very simple gathered skirt, we'll also be adding a halter neck strap and maybe a bow like in the original dress.

The next time I'm round (which should be Friday) we might make the skirt. Although I also have a petticoat to make for my future sister-in-law, to go under her prom dress.

All in all it went very well :) and I can't wait for it to be finished so I can wear it!!

Handmade Dress

My nana is one of the most influential women in my life. She worked as an Upholsteress at Uptons, and used to make clothes for not only herself, but also for her mum, her sister and her aunt. I learned how to bake from her, how to knit from her (with a help from youtube) and now I'm learning how to create and alter clothes from her.

When I saw this dress on the Topshop website, I fell in love. I thought it was a bit short, but I loved the print and it's just my sort of dress. But it's 55£.

I showed my mum, wondering if there was any way I could have this dress, to which she turned around and said, "Your nana'll have a pattern like that."

I was almost straight up to my nana's and scrounging through her pattern bag. Low and behold I found a pattern! It was bought in 1956 for six shillings. It's a Simplicity pattern and it really was simple and easy to follow.

Next was a trip to Boyes. Now I was shocked to find that Boyes shops do not in fact cover the entire of the UK - like how do you all get along without this amazing shop. For those of you not in the know, Boyes is a very cheap shop that quite literally sells everything. There are two floors, the bottom sells everything from school uniforms, to toys, to birthday cards, to kitchen supplies, gardening supplies, hair dye and makeup and just everything. The upstairs is the haberdashery, and you can buy curtains, clothes, wool, fabric and all your clothes making needs.

I bought this beautiful 100% cotton fabric for £4.25 a metre, and I needed 3.5 yards (3.2 metres). So my dress, including the zip cost me £14.

I spent three days out of the next week at my nana's and in total it took about 6 hours to create my dress. First I got the pattern pieces cut (we had to botch together a top from another pattern as the top was missing from the pattern I'd chosen). and got the top together. Then I got the top completely fitted and sewn and interfaced, before making the skirt and gathering the waist band, and in the final session I joined the top to the skirt. All under the watchful eyes of my nana.

And here it is. It's longer than the dress in the picture, hitting just on my knee, and I'm very happy that I chose a dark fabric, as it means I can wear it with tights and boots, but the floral print means it will transfer very easy to summer.

I love this dress. It's so insanely comfortable, because it's made just for me. 

It's also a huge incentive to stay at the size I am now! Best thing though, it fits at the waist and flares from my natural waist, meaning that my big bum and hips and thighs are nicely hidden and even if I manage to lose weight and shrink my arse area, it won't affect the fit of this dress :).

And here's me in it, looking all serious.