And so it began...

So for ages now, I've been thinking of writing a blog, to keep tabs on what I'm making and what things work and those that don't.  There's always an excuse not to start writing - the children need feeding, the house is a mess, husband wants to chat etc. etc. but alas, today this all ends and my blog begins.  Yay, bring it on and … YIKES!
Over the past few years I've renewed my pleasures of sewing, mainly through trial and error, but also following youtube clips and reading loads of magazines and books for inspiration.  It's been great fun and I also manage to make some pocket money from the stuff I make, but ultimately it's all about me (ME ME ME!) having fun and sharing the joy of playing.  Play should never be under-rated and I have the luxury of a shed to dabble in (steady on now, this isn't THAT kind of a blog) and since my youngest is starting school in September I figure I may as well carry on what I'm doing and see if I can take it to the next level, mostly in order to avoid getting a 'proper' job!
Here are some photos of the things I've made this month, starting with the Amy Butler Liverpool Shirt Dress I finally got around to making on Wednesday.  I'd put off starting this for months because I had this gorgeous Amy Butler fabric (nanna chic) and was terrified that I'd cut it wrong and ruin it before it had even been near a needle.  However, I'm glad to report that there was no swearing in the shed and the project was very straightforward.  My spritely 80 year old mum came down to hold my hand as I made a calico toile (first time I've done that!) and she has lost none of her sewing know-how, just showing that the make do and mend mentality can survive!  The dress took me about 4 hours to make as I was trying very hard not to cock up and I'm thrilled with the results and even wore it out on Friday.  Responding to compliments with the 'I made it myself' line is always gratifying but I'm most pleased to have nailed some key dress-making techniques, like plackets (wonderful word, that), collar stands and darts.  
To summarise the Liverpool review, I found the instructions to be really useful, breaking things down at every stage.  Like others, I found the sleeve lengths to be better suited to apes, as the ¾ sleeve is a full sleeve on me.  I heard the pattern was a little tight on the chest so instead of cutting 2 parts for the back I cut mine on the fold, giving me an extra cm or so to play with and keeping the lovely pattern unbroken.  This worked well and I fumbled a dart mid-back to allow the collar to still fit.  Anyway, here's the finished product, please be gentle with me, it's my first adult clothing I've made since those shocking jumpsuits I adored in my teens…
This blog should nudge me to continue documenting my efforts & after being hooked on the recent Great British Sewing Bee on BBC2, I thought a good challenge would be to work my way through each of the projects detailed in the book.  There, I've said it out loud so now I'll have to do it!

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The finished item!

Instead of covered buttons, I used these gorgeous vintage ones that my friend Gwen gave me.

My Medium Messenger bag

Some TravelCard wallets in v. cool caravan fabric that is now unavailable, aagh, I want more!!

Talking of things that don't work… why don't my cookies ever look like the ones in the book?? Good job their taste wins over looks!