Tag Archives: i make my own clothes

My most favourite dress of this summer 2016. Bennett dress pattern by Marilla Walker

The weather has all of a sudden overnight turned to what feels pretty much like Autumn. Im kinda ok with this as we have had the most amazing summer with just the best weather. I can’t believe how good its been this year. I live near Carcassonne in the South of France and normally you get a patchy few weeks at some point but no, this year, just constant sun. Its actually ok weather now too just a lot cooler especially in the morning and night.

So I’m wondering if I can get any more wear out of my favourite dress this season. I dont think it can venture into autumn. I might get to wear it out for dinner this weekend. Mmmm… Im going to take that opportunity.

Bennett dress love

Bennett dress love

My Bennett dress, pattern by Marilla Walker is just so comfortable, feminine, colourful, fun to wear, great to dance in, and I get the most compliments. I think basically the shape just really suits me. I used a floaty viscose crepe in the most beautiful colour with little birds all over. Fabric bought in Carcasssone from Comptoir des Tisseurs. 25 Rue de la Republique. Pattern and instructions as ever just brilliant. The only alterations to the pattern were to lengthen it to make the dress a maxi with a wee slit at the back for movement. The bodice was perfect on me as you can cinch it in with the ties, great for fat days! I took it in a little bit on the back seam. The back has a gorgeous deep v. You know this is just my fave! I wonder if I can use the same pattern to produce an equally great dress for the winter?

Bennett dress selfie

Bennett dress selfie

Inari Tee Dress, Named patterns

Inari Tee dress by Named

my inari tee dress
After a long while with lots of time spent gazing at everyone else’s lovely Inari’s I decided to go for it myself! I don’t know what was stopping me, maybe because I thought it was too simple or maybe I didn’t like the styling so much on the model. Well anyway, Heather at closet case files  Charlie at noble and daughter and also Sasha at secondopiano in particular all have amazing versions of this dress that I would have liked to make. There are lots of other brilliant versions I’ve seen also on instagram. And to be honest I like wearing this kind of loose comfy dress.

inari tee

Instant pdf pattern printing it was!. I’m sure I’d sew less and less variety if pdf patterns weren’t available. Apart form the sticking together bit I love em!

For this make the pattern actually came first and then with a shopping opportunity to Carcassonne I found this funky colourful soft viscose. Hoping this fabric will carry me through the seasons, worn with tights or leggings in winter and maybe bare legs in summer if I’m brave enough. Might be a bit short.

Inari tee dress

Fit wise I think its ok, might look into some sort of shoulder adjustment for the next one as it drops back across my shoulders a bit. Yes, I think I will make another. I feel good in it, I wasn’t sure of the shape to start with but I like it. Very comfy too!

inari tee dress

Still a bit chilly here!

Fancy neck facing detail!

I’ve taken a few nerdy neck facing shots for you too. After Lauren at Baste and Gather mentioned on instagram how she finished off her facings I thought I’d have a go. I must admit I don’t really like my facings with the overlocked edge. I mean its ok if I’m doing a quick make and not in the mood but this method that Lauren talked about I hadn’t even thought about. It gives a much neater finish on the inside and feels nicer.

Sew right sides of facings together at shoulders.

Sew right sides of facings together at shoulders.

You are basically sewing your facing together at the shoulder seams, doing the same with the interfacing. Do not iron your interfacing onto the facing yet!!

sew around the outside edge of facing right sides together

sew around the outside edge of facing right sides together

Then sew all around the outside edge, right sides together of the facing and interfacing (sticky side on the outside!).

Clip and trip around the edges

Clip and trim around the edges

Clip the edges, then turn through. try and press it all flat with your fingers before you iron it all flat together. And there you have it, a really neat facing to then be sewn onto your neckline.

Sew facing to the neckline.

Neat facing sewn onto the neckline right sides together, turned over and pressed.

Love this technique! Thanks Lauren!

And Thanks to Named for a dress pattern that will be worn lots and made again! The Inari Tee.

inari tee