Fortune Cookie Clutch

How was your weekend?
I finally got round to making a Fortune Cookie Clutch. I've had the frame for about a year now it's shameful really! 

You can get all you need to make this cute little purse at U-handbag
I dug into my scrap pile and cut a bunch of 1.5" squares for the main body, paired with my favourite Essex Yarn dyed linen.

No matter how hard I try not to I always end up with glue everywhere trying to insert the pouch into the frame! Some of it ended up on the fabric unfortunately, I'm hoping I'll manage to tidy it up somehow. I was wondering if nail polish remover would work...but then I'm worried I might damage the fabric- any ideas?

The phone charm was another sweet gift from Kerry.  I have an old crappy phone unworthy of such a cutie so I thought it was better suited here. It's a little bear sitting in front of his house eating from a bowl, so cute!

In other news the first glimpse of our book popped up, I'm sooo excited my umbrella block even made it to the cover! It will be a while before it's out yet but at least I can share this little preview now :) 

x Leila

Theresa Dress

With only two weeks left before our summer holidays start I'm in a frenzy to whip up some new clothes. I will be away for the entire month of July and want some handmade garments to wear to Fat Quarterly retreat. Wasting no time I plunged myself right into the Theresa dress.

I know it's not modest or anything but this is the best dress I have ever sewn! I'm actually quite proud of myself.

It is such a flirty and feminine dress with it's twirly skirt and fitted bodice, I simply love it. The pattern is available for download on the BurdaStyle website. I love being able to download a pattern and get started straightaway. The instructions that come along with the pattern however...well let's just say they could be better ;)

I panicked a little at first, I had this beautiful Liberty lawn that I for sure did not want to mess up. I could not remember the last time I had sewn an invisible zipper (if ever I still don't know!) The construction of the yoke had me puzzled. I wasn't feeling overly confident I could knock this one out.

I took my time with it but did not have to make any major adjustments to the fit of the pattern. Which was a big plus as I think I may have chickened out otherwise. I did have to take out the yoke and the armbinding as the yoke was wavy and the binding gaped. I am glad I went back to fix them as they look much nicer now.
Like I said I can not remember if I had ever sewn an invisible zipper before, I had to rush out to go buy a foot for my machine so if I had it was a loooong time ago. It was easy enough really I had no problems with it.  I found this tutorial to be very helpful.

Did I mention I love this dress? It's been far too long since I spun around in my new dress :)

x Leila

Datura #2

If I like something I usually can't stop at just one so I made another Datura top. This one was made with beautiful Liberty lawn a sweet gift from Kerry.

The construction was as straight forward as can be, no alterations no mistakes my seam ripper was starting to feel sadly rejected ;)

I should have taken pictures of me wearing it of course but I was really not in the mood to be in any photos today so it's on the hanger instead.

I don't particularly enjoy sewing buttonholes and since there is no real need for them I sewed the buttons straight onto the placket. I really like the way the back of this top is designed, all too often patterns have a lot going on in the front with very little attention to the back.

More dressmaking has ensued I'm making the Theresa dress next. I'm excited about this one if my quick toile is anything to go by I think it will be a cute fun summer dress!

Oh, and the CD in the first photo is Laura Marling's latest album I've been listening to it non stop, I'm in love!  Have a listen if you like :)

x Leila

Excuse me while I interrupt your sewing for this quick reminder, I'll be on Creative Mojo tonight! (or this afternoon depending on where you are in the world)
Nessa has some fun guests lined up so I think it will be worth the listen. Me, I'm just hoping I will not stumble over my words too much!
That was all, you can carry on sewing ;)

x Leila

Datura

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!
I managed some selfish sewing and made the Datura blouse a pattern by Deer & Doe.

I used black voile for the main body of the top, it looks like black is sold out but there are some other lovely plain voiles. I'm not sure if it is from free spirit but it has the same soft silky feel as Anna Maria Horner's voiles. I paired the voile up with some black lace that caught my eye at our local fabric market.

The lace has some stretch to it which made it a little tricky to sew on the front yoke since it's underlined with slippery voile. I messed up a little there as some of the lace got stuck in a seam where it wasn't supposed to. In the end I managed to fix it but there were a few intense moments with my seam ripper!

I made a size 38 which I think is a good fit, no alterations. The pattern is printed on nice sturdy paper with three different options for the neckline ( I chose the most simple version) It  comes with two instruction booklets in both French and English. There are diagrams but the written instructions are rather limited. I'd say some previous dressmaking experience is required for Deer & Doe patterns.

It is proving to be the coldest spring ever so I'm not sure if I will actually get to wear this top at all! But I have it, just in case the sun decides to shine ;)

x Leila