Ending 2012 on a High Note

Anyone who reads (or used to) my blog will know things have been REALLY quiet around here over the past few months.  I have just been so busy and that means that my craft and leisure time has suffered.

I decided I did not want to end the year in a slump.  Next year I plan to do things a little differently and I wanted to see the year in as I mean to continue.  So yesterday I pulled out a pattern, one I have made before so already had traced it off in my size.  Then I made a start while chatting to some friends on Facebook in what became a virtual sew-along.

I made the Anna Maria Socialite Dress.  I have made this before a couple of times; the first attempt was too small even thought I did measure and the second attempt fit well but the fabric was a bit heavy and it did not sit well on me.

This time I am really happy with it.  This is a size medium and once again I left out the pockets, I prefer the line of the dress without the pockets.  I made a belt too as I tend to look like I am wearing a sack if I don't wear one.

I think 2013 is looking up!

For awhile I thought the only thing I would have to show off as a finished WIP was the children's library bags.  Possum starts school next year and needed one; naturally this meant Blue needed to have one as well.

I appliqued some circles from feature fabrics they each picked, on the other side using one of the fabrics shown I put their initials.  I am really happy with these, so are the children.  Bonus!

Happy New Year :)

12 Months 12 Challenges ~ January

I signed up for Carolyn's sewing challenge for January which was make something for yourself.  I have not really sewn something for me before so this was a good challenge to get me started.

I chose the Anna Maria Horner Socialite Dress and my first attempt did not go to plan.  I did not let this stop me.  This version was much better.  I left out the pockets, made it bigger and added a belt.  Much better!

This red fabric came from Nan's stash so it was nice to use something I had, it has a small oriental pattern on it.   Red is not something I would buy for myself (too bold!) so it is out of my comfort zone a little.

Don't you love my 'if I don't look at the camera I can pretend I am not getting my photo taken' stance?

Challenging

I signed up for Carolyn's  12 months 12 sewing challenge in January which was to sew something for yourself.  I have had fun sewing for the children over the past 12 months so decided it was time I put some of my adult patterns to good use too.

I chose the Anna Maria Horner Socialite Dress Pattern.

Lucky I used $3/m Spotlight cotton for my first attempt...

With myself clothed, I measured once, I looked at the pattern and decided I had best measure again.

I am an extra small (apparently).  I held conference with my Husband and decided that I would make the size indicated on the pattern.  This was my first mistake.  I got cold feet and made the seam allowance smaller to give myself extra room which was lucky as it is still a tad tight.

My second mistake was putting the pockets in.  They just spoil the line of the dress and didn't look right.

If you don't like hand sewing this may not be the pattern for you.  The yoke is hand stitched on the inside.  Speaking of the yoke, I had to get my other half to read the instructions and tell me how to put it together, he is very good like that.  It makes sense, I just thought there must be a step missing not realising that hand stitching was to come further down the track.

You are meant to be able to wear this dress with, or without, a belt.  Not so in my case.  It looks like a shapeless sack if I don't have a belt :(

Don't let any of this put you off, I have made it again, in a Medium size, without pockets and with belt and it looks great.  I am just waiting on a chance to take proper photos.