2-Tone Hoody Dress

 

I had the fabric about a year, maybe 2 years. I only bought a metre of each colour and thats the problem because there really was not enough of either colour to make anything from it. Or at least not until I got inspired recently.

Both of the fabrics are stretch lycra velvet - sold for dancewear so very nice and stretchy good quality fabric and its a real shame not to use it.

Anyway I was using the Simplicity 1251 pattern for another dress I wanted to make and it came to me this would work in it. Simplicity 1251 is a costume pattern I think but I have successfully made a lot of tops and dresses including for work from it and its a very nice pattern.

I even managed to line up the pattern on the sides on this one which has pleased me greatly!

I actually forgot that its the front piece that wraps round so I envisaged it having like a princess effect front when its really the back ends up with the princess look but I realised my mistake when I was putting the pattern pieces onto the fabric and I decided to go ahead and cut it anyway and it really does not matter because I am very pleased with how this has turned out. I also  raised the neckline slightly because I wanted a higher neck but otherwise this is the unchanged pattern. 

 

Though now I see the photos better  I am wondering should I do a FBA on this pattern and if yes that will probably be quite difficult due to the side seam having moved from the usual position. I am considering how already. Ah what it is to become more "experienced" at your sewing so you end up picking fault with every item you make and finding how to make it better next time.

I am going to the theatre at Christmas so I will be wearing this for my outing. Probably with a nice pair of boots or shoes and tights rather than leggings😁

Have a lovely week

Bracken

Lilac gingham trousers

 

I took these trousers away with me when we had a short break in Cornwall. I am feeling so lucky. I have had more holidays this year than in any oher year of my life! These are really nice holiday trousers because they do not crease. 

This is Butterick pattern B5778. I made it before several times. Possibly my favourite pair of these is the very first pair http://brackencrafts.blogspot.com/2016/05/38-side-panel-leggings.html though I also made them in faux leather and in upcycled real leather which have been worn lots as well.

This time though I did not want side stripes but since I had only small bits of fabric using this particular pattern allows me to construct a pair of trousers from my scraps. The scraps are from various old projects using the same gingham fabric and can be seen :

Gingham jacket and trousers - I pretty much never wear these but keep them anyway! At one time I wore the leggings quite a bit but the jacket is just too costumey. Maybe with a zip front instead of buckles it would become more wearable?

Gingham work skirt

Gingham along top - one of the most worn things I ever made

I even almost managed to get the pattern to match.

I am really very happy how these worked out because I honestly had no idea if I could make these leggings from woven stretch fabric let alone by using my scraps and they turned out really wearable. I could even wear these for work.

So there are lots of photos of these because I am very pleased with them!

These were obviously taken a few weeks ago when it was a bit warmer. I will be packing them away now I think for spring when the weather changes again.

Take care and have a lovely week. Thanks for visiting my blog

Bracken