Matchy Matchy

When I heard about Gillian over at Crafting A Rainbow's sewing dares I thought why not jump on board. It sounded like a fun idea to let someone else come up with an idea of something I should sew.  My dare was to make myself a dress and use the same fabric to make something for Imogen.  I chose to make Imogen a dress as well after seeing this adorable free pattern over at Sew Pony.  It was so quick and easy to sew up that I have been bitten by the kids clothes sewing bug.  I have actually just signed up to do the Kid's Clothes Week challenge as well.


The idea for my dress has been in my head for quite some time.  Ages ago I saw a yellow vintage dress on etsy that had been upcycled with a contrast collar and belt.  It was adorable but not my size so I planned to recreate it one day.  I bought the fabrics over a year ago (before I was even pregnant) and they sat in my stash waiting to be sewn.  When I was given this dare I decided it was time!  I used vintage Simplicity 5343 for the bodice and did a simple gathered skirt.  I drafted my own peter pan collar and added a simple waist band.  I am so in love with how this dress turned out.  It is so nice to have something that has been in your head for so long turn out exactly as planned.



So a big thank you to Gillian for the sewing dare.  It was a lot of fun!  I think when I have knocked over a few of the items on my to sew list I might just have to get another one.

Sewalongs & Dares

There are a couple of sew-a-longs happening in the blog world at the moment that I have decided to take part in.  First up is Lucky Lucille's 40s sew-a-long.  My inspiration for this comes from this pinafore skirt by NudeeDudee on etsy.

The second sew-a-long I am taking part in is the second round of Julia Bobbin's Mad Men sew-a-long.  I wanted to take part in this last year but being pregnant completely diminished my sewing mojo.  This year though I am pumped and ready!  I am wanting to recreate the dress below worn by Joan.  I am still investigating patterns.  I have one in my stash that might work but I would have to change the skirt and also convert the bodice into a button up which I am not sure if I can do.  I might need to do a practice run and see if I can figure it out.  Otherwise if anyone has any pattern suggestions let me know.

Lastly, I have been issued with a sewing dare by the lovely Gillian over at Crafting A Rainbow.  She has been sending dares out to bloggers via twitter and her blog so if you are interested in getting a challenge pop on over and ask.  My sewing dare is to sew myself a dress and then use the same fabric to make something (clothing or accessory) for Imogen.  I am pretty stoked on this dare as I realised the other day I have been a massively slack mother and not sewn Imogen any clothes yet.  She is alredy 4 months! I need to get sewing for her.  I have picked out my fabric and a pattern for my dress.  I think for Imogen's dress I am just going to draft a bodice off one of her other dresses and do a gathered skirt but those plans may change.  We'll just have to wait and see.

So are any of you taking part in these sewalongs?  Let me know if you are so I can check out your progress on your blogs.