Saturday 25 July 2015

Blog Changes

Hello all!

As you've probably already noticed, my blog has suddenly undergone quite a few changes! The new look is something I've been planning for a while; I think it looks a lot cleaner and fresher. 

Essentially, everything that was here before is still in the same place, but I've added some new links to my navigation bar in order to make it easier for my readers to keep up with what I'm doing, using a variety of forms of social media. I thought this was important, both to ensure my blog keeps growing and expanding and to make sure I can connect with as many lovely crafty people as possible! After all, the greatest incentive for me to keep running my blog is being able to meet all my brilliant, inspiring readers. 

To accompany my new blog look, I've set up a Facebook page! I was unsure whether the size of my blog warranted it's own individual Facebook page, but I've taken the plunge and hope that it will enable me to better interact with everyone who wants to keep up with my news - if that's you, feel free to head on over there and throw a like my way! 

I've also formally signed up to Bloglovin! Bloglovin is a really useful site which allows you to easily follow all the blogs you are interested in so you never miss a post, including mine! You can follow my blog here, or download the app here

All the links to where you might find me can always be accessed via the sidebar and navigation bar. I'm on Pinterest, Instagram and Google+ as well as Facebook and Bloglovin, so do feel free to follow along and see what I'm up to! If you fancy a chat about anything you read on the blog, I can also be reached via my email

As always, thank you so much for reading, and I hope you enjoy the new site look as much as I do! 

Beth x

Tuesday 21 July 2015

Chambray Arielle Skirt

Hey guys!

Long time, no finished project. However, I have one today! 


This is the Arielle Skirt from Tilly and the Buttons. Being a gathered skirt kind of girl, I wasn't raving about this pattern when it first came out and decided to wait until I'd seen a few versions online before making my mind up. Eventually though, I took the plunge - and I am so glad I did! 


The fabric I used is a gorgeous blue-ish grey slub chambray. This was my first time sewing with chambray, but I loved it so much I've just bought some more! 


The buttons I chose are a silver grey shade which match the fabric really well. I've been sewing garments which feature buttons so much more since I upgraded my sewing machine to one with an automatic buttonhole feature! 


I chose the shorter version of the pattern, but I didn't make the hem as deep as suggested on the instructions to be on the safe side, which meant I also used 7 buttons instead of 6. 


I also added a secret inside button! Once the skirt was buttoned up, the inside flap kept peeping out of the top of the skirt, so this helps to keep it in place. There's a lining as well, so I can easily wear this skirt without worrying it will stick to my tights. Sewing the lining was such a fiddly business! I got really frustrated at one point and put the skirt to one side overnight, but the next day I approached the instructions with a fresh pair of eyes and worked my way through it. In the end, it wasn't too hard! 


I'm really happy with this skirt and so glad I chose to sew something outside of my usual comfort zone and style. I can definitely see more Arielles in my future - black needlecord, anyone? 

As always, thank you for reading, and do let me know what you've been sewing! 

Beth x

Thursday 9 July 2015

Confessions

My lovely readers, I have a confession to make. 

I have been on a shopping spree. And much to my shame, by shopping spree I don't mean the local fabric shop. I mean...

*whispers*

At a ready to wear clothing store. 

I know. Since taking up sewing over a year ago I've cut down my ready-to-wear purchases enormously. I never believed all the stories I'd read about how when people learnt to sew they went off clothes shopping, but then it really did happen to me. I'll admit, I've been seen popping into places for the odd piece of clothing here and there, but never gone out specifically to shop for clothes in the way that I did before I entered the world of sewing. 

However, just recently my style has gone through a bit of a change. Rather than wanting to wear the girly dresses I love to sew 100% of the time, I'm branching out to jeans, skirts and, particularly in this heat, shorts. My sewing just can't keep up. 

I've realised that unlike ready-to-wear wardrobes, there aren't quick fixes to sewing your own. There are patterns to pick, fabric to choose, time taken to fit and sew garments...by the time I'd realised my style was changing summer was here and I was totally unprepared. 

So...get ready for this. In the past month, I have bought: 4 pairs of shorts, 3 tops, 3 cardigans, 2 dresses, 1 skirt, 1 sleeveless denim jacket, 1 pair of short dungarees, 1 pair of sandals and 1 bag. 

Wow. I'll admit it...that is a lot. 

Now for the justification. 

- Since beginning sewing, the addition of clothes into my wardrobe has been occurring at a much slower rate than it used to; gaps were appearing before I could fill them, so turning to ready to wear was a good solution. 

- I spent a long time deciding which clothes I'd feel most comfortable in and wear a lot (some of the clothes were bought online so I was considering for a few days before taking the plunge). Therefore, I know these clothes will be in my wardrobe for far more than one season, they're not just fast fashion. 

- I chose a lot of the items because they feature designs that I couldn't necessarily recreate satisfactorily as a home sewer, especially within my limited price range. For example, lace shorts, a denim jacket and a scalloped hem top. 

- As my style changes I need to adjust my sewing habits too. Choosing patterns for shorts, trousers and tops, then learning different sewing techniques in order to construct them is something which will take time. For this summer, it seemed sensible to turn to ready to wear whilst I make decisions on where to take my sewing. 

So, there's my confession! I am still sewing, of course, and am still wearing my handmade clothing, but for now, mixing it with ready to wear clothing is easier, so I'm not going to spend too much time feeling guilty about it. I only ever shop for clothes in three places - Next, New Look and Fat Face, so I guess my negative impact caused through clothes shopping is more limited than if I used a wider variety of stores. 

If you've reached the end of this post, then thank you so much for reading! 

Do you ever shop ready to wear? 

Beth x