I Think it Looks Pretty Good

Hello!👋

Hope you have been keeping well!

This week I was confused about what clothes to start the day with, as the weather was all over the place. 😵‍

I started the morning with one outfit and by afternoon, I was wearing something completely different. 😂

I finished the Fleur Dress by Fabric Godmother! 🥳

As much as I love how it looks, I am not sure I like how it looks on me.

Is it a case of, I will grow to love it or it’s simply not for me?

In reality, I don’t wear white because with kids, white never stays white, so I have avoided this colour for the last few years.

I think this is also the first time I have made a dress that has puff sleeves and quite a big skirt as well. I have only ever done one or the other. Is it too much for my 5ft2 frame?

Is it the length that is putting me off?

Is it the fabric that is too stiff and gives it too much puff?

So many questions! 😂

I did ask for some feedback on my Instagram stories and I got a few lovely suggestions on what I could try to make it more me.

Some of the suggestions were to dye it another colour as white may not be my colour, cut it into a top and change out the ties as that is what is giving it the hospital gown vibes.

The fabric is also very rough on the inside, something I didn’t think about. It makes me all itchy, but if I wear a little strappy top underneath it should solve this problem. 

One little oopsie I made during the construction was with the pockets.

I remember specifically thinking about it and matching it up properly, but somehow I still managed to get it wrong! 😂

I attached the skirt to the bodice with the pockets on the back! 🤦🏼‍♀️

Now it has been stitched, overlocked and I have stitched the channel, so guess what… I am not removing it! 😂

I can still use them as storage, but I will look a bit funny if I try to use them to put my hands in. 😂

I would love it if you could give me your opinion too and like this maybe I can see other tips on what to try and resolve how I feel about it, because at the minute I just can’t pinpoint what it is. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I did do a few things to make it not look so oversized, firstly I decided to go down a size from my measurements and secondly, I created a channel at the waist to insert a tie to cinch it in.

I did like seeing it more cinched in, but I still need to figure out what else is not right for me.

I want to make this one work for me as I have seen so many gorgeous versions out there!😍

As for the dress I want to make for my daughter’s best friend, the Piper by Violette Field Threads, I haven’t done much yet. All I have managed to do is trace out the correct size, well, the correct size according to my daughter’s measurements. 😂

There has also been a change in the fabric we are going to be using for it. 😂

I was looking for some shoes I remembered I had and hadn’t worn in about 7 years and found a bag full of fabrics. 🤭 😂

It looks like we are going for the pink unicorns now and I think the print is a lot more fun for a little girl than the vintage looking flowers on the navy background. 🦄

The Evie Cardigan that I have been test knitting for Knit Stitch Repeat is now also finished! 🥳

Last week, I told you that I didn’t have enough of the yarn I wanted to finish the neck ribbing. I wanted it to be the same colour as the other ribbings (cuffs and hem band) and that I was thinking of buying more yarn just to finish it off, but the Wool Warehouse website was down for a little while.

So I really took this as a sign that I didn’t need to buy any more yarn for this project! 🙃

My initial thought was to use one strand of the colour changing yarn, Yarnsmiths Freespirit Aran in Apollo, and one of the solid colour,  Yarnsmiths Create Aran in Parchment, because I didn’t think I had enough of each to do the full ribbing in just the one colour. The project requires you to hold 2 strands of yarn together.

I wasn’t too keen on this idea though, and thought I would just try and see if I could make it to the end with 2 strands of Apollo and luckily, I had enough!

Although I had fixated on the Parchment colourway for it, I am glad I used the Apollo!

I think it looks pretty good! 🤩

I am actually wondering now if I would have liked it as much if I made it up in the solid colour. 🤔

Another one of these is definitely on my list, but I want to get back to making another one of the Jasmine Jumper by RitaMadeThis. 🤭

In case you don’t remember, this is the one I am talking about.

I put a poll on my Instagram stories last week asking for help on which colourway to go with for it, Pink or Pistachio, and the results are in…

Pistachio had the majority of the votes with 57% favouring it over the Pink.

I also have some silver thread in my stash, which is the Drops Glitter in Silver, that I have been wanting to add to a knit project and this is THAT project! 😃

I plan on making this sweater with ¾ sleeves, instead of full, as I quite like the look of that length in basically any top! 

I made a start on it this morning while we went for a drive to Tatton Park to see the deer and sheep and also, for the kids to have some time in the park.

I just love how the glitter stands out between the pistachio yarn, although this picture doesn't do it justice, and of course, this is another project I am super excited to see come together! 😀

😎Confidence Corner:

“Self-confidence is contagious.” - Stephen Richards

Self-confidence doesn’t just benefit us, it can boost those around us too. When we see someone who believes in themselves, it often inspires us to believe in ourselves as well.

Confidence, like a smile, is contagious. By showing your self-confidence, you enable an atmosphere where people feel encouraged to take risks and push their limits.

When working in teams, a confident person can make a big difference.

They can motivate others to step up and try new things. When we surround ourselves with confident people, we often find our own confidence growing.

The main idea is that by building our own self-confidence, we can help others feel more confident too. Whether at work, home, or in our social circles, our confidence can have a positive impact on those around us. 

🧵Today's Sewing Tip:

Creating a Channel for Waist Ties

As you know, this week I finished my Fleur dress and I found it a bit oversized.

I decided to create a channel at the waist seam to thread some ties through to be able to cinch it in.

First, I created the ties. You can cut strips of fabric to make the ties, but I used some bias binding I had in my stash to be quicker.

• With the bias binding open, fold and press the short end towards the wrong side and sew in place. I used ⅛ inch allowance for this step.

• As mine is ready made bias binding, the long edges were already folded and pressed towards the centre on the wrong side of the fabric. I folded it again so that the folded edges were aligned and sewed it closed, again using ⅛ inch seam allowance.

• I made 2 ties exactly the same, one to thread through the front bodice part and the other for the back bodice.

• Over on the waist seam now, this pattern had a generous seam allowance, ⅝ inch.

•  I simply edgestitched the seam allowance up to the bodice to create a channel, starting and stopping at each side seam to leave a gap for the ties to go through.

• Next, I took a safety pin, attached it to the tie and threaded it through one of the gaps that was left at the side seams.

• Here you can see the side seam and 2 ties coming out, one coming from the front of the bodice and the other from the back.

• Now it is easy to adjust how much I want to pull the dress in at the waist and make a bow to hold it in place.

⭐My Favourite Things This Week:

• Finishing my Evie Cardigan test knit!
• Finishing my Fleur Dress even though I am not currently keen on how it looks on me.
• Finally starting on another Jasmine Jumper with the Pistachio coloured yarn.

🗓️Upcoming Plans

• Piper Dress for my daughter’s best friend.
• Maybe start on a bag for her friend as well?
• Get back to my partner’s jacket - I am leaving this here as I feel if I remove it, I will definitely never get back to it. 😂

🎉Upcoming Events

24th of August 2024 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event - in Gatley Hill House, South Manchester, 10:15 - 15:45.
(5hr30m, an extra 30min than usual)
Email bianca@beesilva.co.uk and quote reference: SEWBOND08
For more information: https://www.beesilva.co.uk/sewbond08/

21st of September 2024 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event - in Gatley Hill House, South Manchester, 11:45 - 17:15.
(5hr30m, an extra 30min than usual)
Email bianca@beesilva.co.uk and quote reference: SEWBOND09
For more information: https://www.beesilva.co.uk/sewbond09/

26th of October 2024 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event - in Gatley Hill House, South Manchester, 10:15 - 15:45.
(5hr30m, an extra 30min than usual)
Email bianca@beesilva.co.uk and quote reference: SEWBOND010
For more information: https://www.beesilva.co.uk/sewbond010/

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Bye for now,
B! xx