The £2.50 Dress

During my jaunt to the Knitting & Stitching Show, I was already very happy with my By Hand London pattern and some lush fabric, but I couldn't walk past a stall selling off cheap jersey fabric. Then I saw stripes and it would've been rude not to....

Initially I thought this would make a cool slouchy top but was a tad concerned it was going to look a bit Freddy Krueger. Not the kind of leisure wear look I could relax in ;) But I have since persuaded myself it is more of a lavender/grey- with brown stripes and therefore totally appropriate- and I had enough to make a nice t-shirty shift dress too.

Not bad at all for £2.50- who said that making your own clothes meant missing out on cheap treats?! I had better not wear anything red with it though.... :)

Spring skirts | Waste Not, Want Not 02

This week I have decided to be sensible and use up some large remnant pieces of fabric. I managed to get two basic shorter pencil skirts out of my leftover Zinnia blue gabardine and some remnant end-of-roll Paul Smith fine cord. I have so many things I want to make but sometimes it's equally satisfying to get something wearable out of odds & ends...and maybe by making something in corduroy, it will prolong this lovely weather we're having?! *fingers crossed*

A Spring Dress | Colette Laurel

I loved this cotton fabric from John Lewis, it seemed so spring-like and a nice way to wear more yellow, without looking like a banana! I was too impatient to test a new pattern so instead made another Colette Laurel, with ¾ sleeves. It was fast to make and lovely for work, as well as reading in the sunshine- if only it was warm enough for bare legs already...

By Hand London first impressions | A Ladybug 'Anna'

A first attempt at a By Hand London pattern. I was excited to meet these lovely ladies at the Knitting & Stitching Show and the Anna pattern was one of my treats from the day. With my final batch of polka dot cotton, I decided to cut out a run-through version, using version 3 & the v-neck bodice from version 2. I only planned to cut out the pattern pieces but ended up sewing up the whole bodice in no time- I’m now looking forward to attaching my skirt pieces and finishing it off! It already feels as if it would be fabulous to swish around in with pretty shoes and red lipstick :)

The pattern is easy to follow, with plenty of scope for variation and you even get a lovely label to stitch into your finished first dress. The prices are reasonable, considering the quality so I really want more of their patterns now- am already dreaming of a Charlotte skirt!

They have a great blog too with some tips, link here.