Club Tropicana - By Hand London's 1st Birthday!

As I'm sure you'll have seen about the blogosphere, the 3 beautiful girls of By Hand London had a tropical bash for their 1st Birthday! I was one of the lucky ones who got to see it in person, and the combination of  the wonderful weather and the tropical colours had me in even higher spirits than usual - 

and that was before I'd had any spirits!

Elisalex & I     :)

 I was rocking some double denim and a tropical print skirt! She was ROCKING a skirt so short it was illegal in 47 states.

After a few glass jars of Cava and their lethal Punch, and not forgetting the Tequila Jelly shots, we were all enjoying the day to the max :)

 Picture of a Hula-Hooping Nicole Needles by SewDixieLou

But back to the reason we were all there. 

The real reason we were all present was to celebrate these fabulous girls, who took a risk in life, and brought us their wonderful creations. And I'm sure I'm not alone in saying Thank You sooo much, and we are all behind you 1000%.

And if you haven't seen their patterns, then please click through to visit their website (and get out from under that rock - it's grubby down there!) 

And I urge you all to buy their patterns, please, because the only way that we can ensure that these girls can continue to make more beautiful, feminine and flattering patterns is by buying the ones that they already have! I've not seen a single person wearing one who hasn't looked amazing.

And I've seen a preview of the next one - its days away people and it is bloody fabulous! I am awaiting it with bated breath and will be buying it the moment it is released. 

So come on people. Paypal passwords to the ready.

xx

I'll leave you with a random array of pics from the party!

MONACO!

Monaco! Courtesy of Clare at SewDixieLou

There are even better and more beautiful pics of the day over at SewDixieLou and House Of Pinheiro

Till next time (I swear that dress is nearly finished)

xx

The Scottie Scenario - Elizalex & Simplicity K2588 smoosh

Hey Everyone!

Just needed to write up a quick post about my Elizalex dress that I made up last week! I had seen the pattern a while ago, but hadn't really thought it was a shape that I would wear - That was until I saw Roisin and Tara sporting some beautiful Elizalexes at the London Meetup, and of course after meeting the beautiful Elizalex herself! So I hopped online after the meetup and made my purchase.

One of my favourite things about the pattern is the packaging.. It's just too cool.

This was technically a test garment, as I wanted to practice Princess seams - something I'd not come up against before. I also wanted to cut a size and try it out, see what I would tweak to make it perfect. I cut my bust size, instead of doing a bust adjustment (as I was being lazy, and really just wanted to try out making it up). The waist was supposed to be too big, but it ended up ok - who knows how? Lol. Nothing makes sense in my sewing world!

And this is what came out of it!

I had to use a pleated fuller skirt, as my material was quite floppy and the beautiful skirt on this pattern  needs a bit of support! I lined the bodice in a simple cream polycotton. I wanted to get away with not lining it as it was only a trial, but finishing the neck and armholes were going to be a faff so I decided it would  be easier and I think it was! I agree with everyone else who has said how fast this dress comes together!

I used the full skirt from my Simplicity 'Project Runway' K2588. (Which I got at the London Meetup - thanks!). So really its only an Elizalex bodice, but its the best bit.

The material I used... to be honest I have no idea what it is! Its a bit odd really, it has a soft brushed front, and a shinier back, but its quite thick and stretchy. I got it in Walthamstow, at £1.50 a metre, as I wanted some fabric to use while I was still getting to grips with the whole sewing business without breaking the bank. It was an odd shop, with odd patterns on odd fabrics, nothing really made sense but I managed to get a couple bits.

But to be honest, now that its in garment form, I'm really liking it. 

I actually tweaked the pleats so that they lined up with the Princess seams in the front, and tweaked them from pleats to box pleats in the back. Before I began my tweaking I matched up the side seams, centre fronts and back seams and used all of the excess in the pleats - very happy with myself! Its been a problem getting the right fit in skirts recently and I just winged it perfectly. 

I love the scoop in the back, shows off the nice bit without feeling like you're showing off too much skin!

Now there are a few slightly off bits; the front box pleat could be tighter, but there was a random spot on the front of the dress after I made it. It was near the seam so I just trimmed a bit and moved up the skirt a fraction. But i forgot to tighten up the box pleat.The right of the back is also a fraction higher than the left. 

But at the end of the day, only I will notice, and I've been getting loads of compliments about it.

Think it's the striking Doggies!

Tweaks?

I'd like to try a smaller size and attempt the bust adjustment (gulp!)

I would like to lengthen the bodice, to see how it would look more on my natural waist, although I surprisingly do like it where it is now - You were right Janene! Speaking of Janene, she just finished her Elizalex too and its beautiful.

Of course I would like to use the actual skirt that it's supposed to have!

And I was to try it with sleeves - never done sleeves! Especially after seeing Tara's beautiful baby blue polka dots, I'm in love.

I had the BF take the pictures - our first photo shoot, and much more difficult than I thought it would be!

That will take practice!

I look like a frustrated 2 year old in this one!

Well, my first solo dress, Hope you like it!

Emmie x