• A Birthday Nora Top Treat!

  • Super excited to have teamed up with my lovely ‘sewing wife’, Sarah from Like Sew Amazing on this latest make. If you have followed me for a while, you might already know that the deep love of sewing is not the only thing Sarah and I have in common – we also share the same birthday! Birthday twins, yay!

    So to celebrate this year, we decided to do the same as we did last year. We each bought each other some fabric to make something with – then, in a way, it’s like our makes are a gift to each other. I know, we’re sweet right?! LOLs.

    Last year we made Ogden cami tops (see HERE for last year’s blog post). This year we have opted for the Nora top from everyone’s fav, Tilly and the Buttons. The fabric we used was this is from Sarah’s shop, both of us using this light knit jersey. I added a little bit of ribbing to the neckline and made up some ribbed cuffs too, from this gorgeous mint green ribbing.

    The Nora pattern is lovely – and as a pattern from Tilly, it’s as solid and reliable as they come. It’s one of those wardrobe staple makes which is a lovely quick-sew, but also one which you will wear time and time again. The style is loose and boxy, and I absolutely love styling with a ‘French tuck’ at the front!

    So there we have it – a little birthday treat for us. Hope you all likey! Now I’m off to eat my body weight in cake. Because in case you didn’t already know… it’s mah birthday!

    Lots of love,

    Jen x

    A bit of twin needle activity at the hem

    Minty cuffs (and an obligatory birthday balloon shot!)

  • The Cosiest I Am Zebre Sweater

  • It’s official guys – sweater weather is well and truly upon us. And I couldn’t be happier. Why? Because Autumn is my fav. The colours, the crispy coldness (only it has to be sunny too for me to be ok with this part!), the crunchy leaves under foot, fireworks, pumpkins, hot chocolates and oh – November happens to be my birthday 🙂 And the best part of A/W – keeping fashionably warm!

    This part is where the humble sweatshirt comes in to its own. For this make, the pattern is one I’ve had for well over a year, and if I’m really honest with you guys, it’s taken me over a year to actually make it too. Sounds bad right? Ah well… I started it, then my overlocker was playing up, then the weather warmed up and the half made jumper entered the dreaded UFO pile – I’m pretty sure y’all know the story. Anyway, back to what I was saying… the pattern is from one of my fav pattern designers, I Am Patterns, called I Am Zebre. It has the most gorgeous puff sleeves which balloon out above the cuff – which I think is a really nice design statement to jazz up a simple sweater. It also has snap fastenings to the left shoulder.

    This was one of the makes I took away on holiday in September and finished making it then. And I’m so pleased I did. I have basically lived in this jumper since the day I finished it. Even my dad is jealous of this make. He ordered a jumper for himself from the same fabric because he liked it so much. Only problem is… I can’t source any more. So hit me up in the comments or drop me an email if you happen to know where I can find something similar. I’m all ears!

    This fabric was a purchase I made from my local, Backstitch a really long time ago. It’s navy blue (obvs!) and has a knitted effect on the right side, and a little fleeciness on the inside. Honestly guys, this is the sweatshirt fabric of dreams. So so warm and super comfy! Navy blue ribbing was added (also from Backstitch) as well as some metal snap fastenings from Prym.

    The pattern instructions were easy to follow, well laid out. The sleeves are attached to the cuffs with a heck of a lot of gathering – so that bit was fun. Can you tell I’m not the hugest fan of gathering…? But the end result is, well, many many heart eyes.

    So if you’re after a sweatshirt pattern with a little bit of a difference… I urge you to try this! It will serve you well in the winter months, I promise.

    Lots of love, warmth and cosy vibes

    Jen x

    Pattern: I Am Patterns, I Am Zebre

    Fabric: Backstitch

    Size made: 38

    Adjustments made: None

  • My First Jenny Overalls, with Like Sew Amazing

  • ***SPONSORED POST***

    Guys, I am so excited to share this make with you! Not only is this my first project as part of the Like Sew Amazing Blogger Team, but this is also my first ever pair of Closet Case Jenny Overalls and I can’t stop gushing over them!

    The fabric I used was a linen viscose blend with this giant daisy monochrome print from Like Sew Amazing, and using it with this pattern was complete marriage made in heaven. This blend of linen/viscose  has a lovely balance of structure and drape, making it ideal for this make.

    I had a bit of trouble with attempting some pattern matching, as the pattern was so large, and had some very slight differences across the fabric. I tortured myself for a while, trying to get it perfect, and then realised that I might as well just get on and enjoy the process.

    I fretted for a while over the sizing of these overalls – convincing myself that they wouldn’t suit me, or fit around my hips/bum! I ended up sewing a straight size 10, and I’m astonished at how well they fit. Seriously – they’re so good!!

    And I thoroughly enjoyed every part of the construction of these gorgeous overalls – from the faux fly to the side zipper (I inserted 1 only, and that is fine for me). The instructions were as you would expect from Closet Case – crystal clear and enough detail to stop you (me) from screwing anything up.

    I honestly cannot stop raving about his pattern. If you’re toying with the idea of making these, then I urge you to bite the bullet. One of my all time favourite patterns!

     

    Pattern: Closet Case Jenny Overalls

    Fabric: Mono Daisy Linen/Viscose from Like Sew Amazing

    Size made: 10

    Alterations made: None!

    Frankie got involved with the photoshoot!

    Disclaimer – Fabric gifted to me as part of the LSA Blogger Team