PatsyPoo Makes

A couple of weeks ago, I decided I needed a replacement for my Freya pattern. I have been really disappointed with Tilly's brand over the last few months and I don't feel great promoting it. So I started my hunt for the perfect turtleneck jersey top. It was a really short hunt, actually. My friend Joy  helpfully suggested the  Nikko top  from True Bias and I ran with it. I made 3 of them this weekend. As I was trying to replace the Freya, I took a look at the finished measurements of both to compare. The True Bias size 8 was the closest thing to the bust measurement of the Freya so I cut that. The Freya calls for 25% stretch, whereas the Nikko needs 75% and you should really take notice . My first version of the Nikko had to go to my daughter because, although the fit was more or less fine, it was intensely difficult to get my head through the neck opening - the fabric only stretched about 50% but I'm a stubborn cow and thought I could still manage it. 🙄 No, I don't k...

Ok, so today is going to be a very quick post because there's not a lot to say about a knit top. In this case, the Seamwork Astoria . I'd like to apologise about the quality of these photos. I had to move into the front room but they still aren't the best. This time of year is HARD for taking pictures. The fabric I used has been in my stash since the Knitting and Stitching Show I went to in March. I bought it from Higgs and Higgs  with the pattern already in mind. They have so many other lovely colours though that I can see myself sewing up another couple of them. I was concerned that the fabric would be far too thick but actually it sewed like a dream. I made the whole shebang using the overlocker in about 90 minutes; and it took me about 20 minutes to cut it out in the morning. I actually sewed it with Mel - yes, again! - but it barely even counts as buddy sewing since it went so quickly. As for sizing, I made the size S (4-6) without any adjustments. One cha...

I'm back with my new Ivy pinafore. Isn't she preeeeettay??? When I bought the denim  from Sewisfaction for my  Ginger jeans  I bought enough to make an Ivy as well. The  red one  was more like a trial run to see how the pattern would suit me. I think I mentioned in that post that the red babycord was a bit too lightweight for the pattern. Don't get me wrong, it still works and I've worn it a few times but it could do to have more body. This denim is perfect though. It does have some stretch but I didn't find that to make much of a difference, except for one small thing: that weirdness going on around my dart. Can you see it? It kind of sticks out. I can't decide if I stretched it or if the dart is sitting too low. It's only visible in this photo above. I'll have to pay attention when I wear the red one again and compare but I'm sure I would've noticed it if I noticed it on this one. I think it's just a case of pressing it too vigorou...

I think I've just made myself the cosiest thing ever! It's a  Nora top  by Tilly and the Buttons and I want to live in it. I made the long sleeve, high neck, stepped hem version and it's quite possibly the quickest thing I've ever made. It came together in just a couple of hours one morning - and that's accounting for one or two stupid mistakes... Perfect beginner pattern. As usual, I made the size 3 without any alterations. For next time, I might try to narrow the sleeves a little towards the wrists. Mostly due to the incredibly boring reason that I've struggled to keep the sleeves dry while washing up if I'm wearing this. 😂 I know, the adrenaline is off the charts. I might also turn the deep cuff hem into cuff bands instead but this is just because I prefer the way that looks. The fabric I used is this  tubular organic interlock  from Fabworks. As the name suggests, it does come as a tube. Very hand for cutting stuff on the fold on both sides....

I first tried the  Blackwood Cardigan  at the end of last year. I made 2 back to back and I wear them ALL. THE TIME. I love them. They're smart but super comfortable and I need one in every colour. However, my sewing hiatus happened and plans to make more were postponed.  Cut to the hottest summer I've ever had in this country and long sleeved, cosy cardigans were the furthest thing from my mind. Until last week.

The children have been back at school for a couple of weeks, we're settling into our post-summer routine and I'm starting to focus on sewing for the cooler months. As it happens, the Love Sewing magazine I bought last week had McCalls M6886 as the free pattern and I was really excited to give this one a try. Everyone and their mother raves about it. I just needed to go find some fabric. Then, last night, I remembered I already had the perfect fabric for it!

Next up, my Agnes  + Moneta = Agneta dress! Having fallen head over heels in love with the Agnes pattern - you can read about it here , I had to make a fifth version of it, didn't I? Technically I made it into a dress this time but I suppose it still counts. I don't think the love affair will stop here though. I have fabric for another dress and maybe a top, too. So yes, I think it's safe to assume I'm obsessed and it is set to continue.

Hello, there! For this post I decided to group together 4 different items, because they've all spawned (what a horrible word!) from the same wonderful pattern:  the Agnes top . So, a little warning: there will be LOTS of photos. I've had my eye on the Agnes pattern since it was launched. It's a pretty basic jersey top at its core, but you can add ruching on the neckline and shoulders, change the sleeve length and/or make them gathered. Very versatile.   

Hello again! Today we're at the  Colosseum  and sporting a  Colette Patterns Moneta dress . If I haven't made it clear before, I bloody love this pattern! This is my THIRD, yes, third version of it and I'm absolutely thrilled with how this one turned out. Although, there's a MASSIVE fail on the back which I'll explain soon.

Yes, I made another. Not surprising, seeing as I loved the first one so much. Only, this time around I chose to go with the elbow length sleeves and gathered skirt. I had enough fabric and wanted to try something different. However, as you can see, the sewing gods had other plans for me... Pois é, fiz mais um. Gostei tanto do primeiro que não é surpresa ter feito outro. Só que desta vez quis fazer o de manga curta e saia franzida. Tinha tecido suficiente e estava a fim de tentar algo diferente. Entretanto, como dá pra notar, o deuses da costura tinham outros planos para mim...

The run of bad luck seems to have stopped now. Jolene has been fixed, brought home and even finished the Granville shirt - except for the buttons. Phew! Pelo visto a bruxa não está mais à solta por aqui. A Jolene foi concertada, já voltou pra casa e até terminou minha camisa - faltam só os botões. And I have a new dress to show off! I finished it a few weeks ago but today is the first time I've worn it. It's one of those "secret pyjama" outfits and I really love it. Not to mention that it makes me look way more dressed up than my usual choice. A bonus of sewing my own clothes: what's the point in making scruffy stuff? Melhor ainda, agora tenho um vestido pra mostrar! Terminei faz um tempinho mas só estreei hoje. É um desses pijamas em disfarce e uma delícia de usar. Sem contar que me sinto muito mais arrumada com ele do que minhas opções do dia-a-dia. Uma vantagem de costurar minhas próprias roupas: pra que perder tempo fazendo roupa relaxada?

Today I'm going to show off my second  Moneta dress by Colette Patterns! I personally love it. It looks great and it feels like I'm wearing pyjamas while being socially acceptable to wear it outside the house! Hoje eu vou exibir meu segundo vestido  Moneta  da Colette Patterns! Eu adoro esse vestido. Ele é uma graça e tão confortável quanto pijamas, mas sem os olhares tortos que usar pijama na rua instigaria.

Hell yeah! I made a skirt! I made it. A skirt. A MAXI skirt! AND... It's knit fabric! That's right, k-n-i-t fabric. It stays on and everything. I'm so proud of myself. Don't get me wrong, there are a LOT of things wrong with it. But I learned so much and I'm cutting myself some slack as it was the first one. Pois é, eu fiz uma saia! Eu que fiz. Uma saia. Uma MAXI saia! E... usei tecido malha, que estica! Não cai nem nada. Estou super orgulhosa de mim. Quer dizer, tem muita coisa errada com a saia. Mas aprendi tanta coisa enquanto a costurava que valeu a pena. E eu ainda sou iniciante, né? Ready to cut I used this formula to make mine but if I made it again I'd have to make the waistband shorter because mine was a bit too baggy after wearing it all day. I fixed it now. Eu usei essa fórmula para fazer a minha, mas se fizesse outra, diminuiria o tamanho da faixa da cintura porque a minha alargou depois de usar a saia o dia inteiro. Agora já concertei. ...