A stash-busting Bibi Skirt from the new Tilly book

I was beyond excited to finally receive my copy of 'Stretch' by Tilly and the Buttons last week. I preordered it months ago, and my excitement kept building each time I saw a post on social media about someone else receiving their copy!  It didn't disappoint - the format is the same as 'Love at First Stitch', which is basically my sewing bible. The photos are beautiful and the patterns are all really wearable. I thought I knew a lot about sewing with knits, but I've already learned more from this book (and I've only skim read so far).  As you can imagine, I was itching to get going with one of the projects ASAP. That meant finding something I could make from my stash. 

I landed on the Bibi Skirt - a pencil skirt with panels made in ponte de roma. I decided to use two fabrics to highlight the panelling. For the centre panels, I used a monochrome geometric print from Girl Charlee (I actually have another project coming up using this, but the skirt uses such a small amount, I knew I could squeeze both from my fabric). I managed to squeeze the side panels and waistband from some black ponte that I bought from the bargain section at Abakhan to make a Bettine dress last year. 

This skirt is supposed to be really tight, but I prefer things to be figure-skimming rather than figure-hugging, especially around the tummy!  So I actually made this up in a size larger than I would usually use for Tilly patterns (I'm normally a 3, but made this in a 4). This means it is still fitted enough, but it isn't too tight and also means I can wear for work with a blouse tucked in. 

The construction was really simple - this is the skirt pattern I didn't realise I have always wanted! My only challenge is that my overlocker is playing up and I don't trust it on the seams, so I sewed as I would do with wovens (on the sewing machine for seams and overlocker for finishing). This means that it took twice as long as it should have done!  Even so, it was a one evening project. I'm on the lookout for some brightly to coloured fabric for my next one - this can easily be dressed up or down and it is super comfortable to wear. 

Campsite chic - harem pants and raglan tees

After a hectic Summer, I'm finally getting round to blogging all the stuff I frantically made in preparation for our holiday.  We decided to spend our main holiday in the UK this year - a bit risky but it worked out well - nowhere near as much rain as expected, lots of beach days and only a two-hour drive home at the end of it.  We had a two-site holiday in Wales, spending the first week glamping on the Mawddach Estuary near Dolgellau and Fairbourne and the second in Rhosneigr in Anglesey.  Both equally beautiful in different ways, but they real challenge for me was week one - a whole week without a washing machine with two small children...  The only option was to get sewing so we definitely had enough practical and comfy outfits to make it until we got to our luxury apartment with washing machine in week two!

I have been following Made by Jack's Mum on Facebook for a while after seeing so many harem pants, sweatshirts, t-shirts and other kids clothes made by people on other groups.  I love the simple style and the fact that they are all made using knits, which is pretty much essential for kids clothes (who wants to add even more to their ironing pile!?!).  I was finally tempted to buy the famous harem pants pattern when they ran a flash 50% off sale on all patterns, and I bought the raglan t-shirt pattern at the same time too.  

The first versions I made of both were for Polly.  I bought some fabric from the bargain section at Abakhan in Manchester (where they sell fabric by weight - it takes a bit of getting used to, but you can pick up some great quality fabric at rock bottom prices).  She is obsessed with watermelon, and I couldn't resist an organ get jersey with a bold watermelon print with co-ordinating plain organge jersey.  I used the print for the legs and the plain for the ankle cuffs and waistband.  As soon as I made the harem pants, I understood why they were so popular - they literally take minutes, and the fit and style are both perfect for active kids.  I made a matching raglan, using the watermelon print for the sleeves and neckband and the plain for the body.  The raglan is a little tricker to make as it involves topstitching, but it's still a pretty quick sew, and it goes perfectly with the harem pants to make a co-ordinating outfit.

I moved on to a grey and blue striped raglan with plain grey harems for Thomas, all made with scraps from my stash.  Then I went mad!  Three more pairs of harems for Polly, two more and another raglan for Thomas, all using fabric from my stash.  I also made three pairs of harems as presents for other children, all in various sizes.  After 10 pairs of harem pants, I'm still not sick of this pattern and have got the fabric lined up for the next pair.  In addition to being such a quick sew, the kids love wearing them - in fact, the biggest challenge I had was wrestling them away so I could wash them when we finally got back to civilisation!

A few pics:

Thrifty stitching and stash busting

My name is Alex and I am a fabric addict. Yes, it's true - my fabric stash is out of control. I've now run out of places to store it all. I've banned myself from buying any new fabric until I have used some of my stash (mainly so I can create space to buy more fabric in future!). I've also accumulated a stack of patterns that I haven't got round to making, or that I would like to re-make. Time to tackle the stash, and save some cash in the process. 

My first project was another Cleo dungaree dress by Tilly and the Buttons. I bought some red stretch denim to make this in ages ago, and even had the clips, but it had been slipping down my 'to do' list. This pattern is an absolute delight - quick and easy to sew (with a bit of topstitching thrown in to make it just challenging enough). It's also super wearable. I've worn my olive green corduroy version to death, but it won't look right for spring and summer. The red version looks good with tights now, but I'm planning to make a couple of summery t-shirts to go underneath so I can continue wearing it into Summer. I added a couple of inches to the length this time as the other one was VERY short, which is ok with my 60 denier opaques, but I'm not brace enough nowadays to go that short with bare legs. 

 

Next on my list was a really practical make. Polly has decided she hates sleepsuits and only likes wearing proper pyjamas like the ones I made at Christmas. I delved through my stash and found two lengths of cotton lawn to make some pyjama bottoms for her. I used the same pattern as for her Christmas ones (Tailors Kids Pyjama Bottoms, free download). I've also used this pattern for all of Thomas's pyjama bottoms. Less than an hour later, she had a pair of vintage Liberty pyjamas and another pair in atelier brunette dandy fabric. 

 

I bought some plain white crepe from the Fabric Godmother at the Handmade Fair back in September to make a Sew Over It Pussy Bow Blouse. I finally made it a couple of weeks ago. I made version B this time (v neck opening), and I'm in love with how clean and simple it looks. 

 

Last but not least, I did cheat a little bit and bought the 'Quicker Knickers' pattern for 85p from Little Finch Patterns after seeing them on one of the sewing groups I am a member of on Facebook. The pattern was so cheap and a great way to use up scraps of jersey fabric (of which I have tons), that I felt it was a good investment. They sew up quickly and are a fantastic stash-buster.