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Showing posts from September, 2019

So long, Blogspot. Hello, Wordpress!

I've been wanting to move my blog away from Blogspot for a while but could never be bothered to actually do it. This week was the tipping point though, and I've now fully migrated over to  https://patsypoomakes.wordpress.com/ . The blogspot address will remain here but all new posts will only appear at  https://patsypoomakes.wordpress.com/ .  There are lots of reasons for the move but my biggest one is how hard Blogger has made it for people to subscribe to receive new posts via email. It's such a basic requirement but apparently, they think it's too much to offer.  I'm basing this purely on how I myself prefer to consume this stuff. I can't be arsed with feed readers anymore and emails are easy and convenient. When I receive one, if I fancy reading it, I will click through to it and, if not, I'll just delete it. Another reason is the spat between Google (owners of Blogger) and Instagram/Facebook/Meta. I don't even know if this is still the case anymore

{The Avid Seamstress} Sheath Dress

I need to start this post by saying I really love this dress, I have another one planned for very soon and I am very glad I made it. However, I have a massive issue with one particular section of the instructions. It made no sense to me at all. Having been in touch with the designer herself, it now makes a little more sense but I still believe the finish is really rather poor. I'm talking about the  Sheath Dress  by The Avid Seamstress. It's a super simple - wait for it! - SHEATH DRESS! 😆 Sorry... It features grown-on sleeves, so the dress has one piece for the front and one piece for the back. The neckline is finished with facings and an optional elastic casing gives the waist some definition. There are also optional pockets, which I omitted (😱I know!!!) but more on that in a bit. The back has a zip closure as well but I swapped mine out for a loop and button instead. I believe it was a pull-on dress when it was first released, judging by some early reviews. Althoug

{Grainline Studio} Sleeveless Archer

When we were in Cambridge last year - not that one, the Massachusetts one! - we visited Harvard University, as you do. And it just so happens that the amazing gather here  is just around the corner! I have to admit that the thought of visiting it had completely escaped me at the time, and it was sheer coincidence that I found the shop in Google maps while we were on the train to Cambridge.  It turned out to be one of the loveliest shops I've ever been to. I was complimented on the dress I was wearing  by the 2 ladies in the shop and, among other things, this gorgeous turquoise Nani Iro double gauze came home with me. It was originally intended to be a Stevie  but, in my excitement, I only bought 1.5m and it is a narrow bolt. No Stevie for me. So I added it to the stash and there it stayed until a couple of weeks ago. I had no idea what to make with it! I then decided an  Ashton top  would be perfect out of this; and a good project to take to the Sewing Weekender. So I got

{Helen's Closet} York Pinafore

I'm back from the  Sewing Weekender  with a massive hangover (not that kind though) and feeling rather bummed that it went by so quickly. But, boy did I have fantastic weekend! And I even managed to sew something from start to finish.  It's the  York Pinafore  from Helen's Closet and it fills me with joy. It was the perfect pattern to take with me. I finished it on the Saturday, even with all the chatting, and it was ready to wear on Sunday. It's a very simple pattern but if you're not a fan of bias binding, stay away. 🤣 The pattern offers 2 views. I went with the dipped neckline and patch pockets. My hip measurements put me in a size 10 but I thought the finished measurements of the 8 looked alright so I went with that. The top is a 6 though, which I graded out just at the bottom of the armholes/waist. The fabric I used is this  drill from Guthrie and Ghani , which I bought in June when I visited the shop with my friend Mel. It's the perfect fabric fo