My little Goth Girl

Have you got a favourite author?

Violet does. His name is Chris Riddell.

Not only is he an extremely funny writer, he's an amazing illustrator too.

Violet holds him in such high regard, that she's got an entire book shelf just dedicated to him.  No other books allowed.

She's arranged her books as follows:

Chris Riddell shelf.

Books about horses, and unicorns.

Animal books.

And, then there's, in Violet's words, 'Other'.

Aren't 7 year olds funny little creatures?

Wanting to keep my title as World's Best Mother, I thought I'd earn a billion 'mum points'  by making her a costume of one of her favourite Chris Riddell book characters, Ada Goth.

Unfortunately for me, there isn't a sewing pattern for precisely the outfit I need to make, so I've had to buy a couple of patterns that I think I'll able to adapt.

Violet chose a glorious velveteen fabric to match Ada's outfit, which you can see on the front cover of the book above.

It may be glorious to look at, but I can't say that it was glorious to sew.

Oh well, I managed to finish the first part of the outfit, the dress.

Apparently, she doesn't just like it, she loves it.  

What a result.

I'm well on my way to earning those billion 'mum points'.

I always know when I've made something just as she wants it, because she never takes it off, and wants to wear it everywhere, even for bed.

The next part of the costume won't be so easy - it's a military style jacket, also to be made in the same fabric.

Wish me luck.

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Random mix

Today, I thought I'd share a few random photos from the past few days.

Violet's practiced how to milk a cow.

We visited Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire.

With stunning gardens.

I've been doing a LOT of painting recently.  This is Violet's bedroom all finished. 

As I'm sure you've worked out, she's asked for a Frozen theme.  This is her old mirror, which I've decorated with white paint, sprayed with glitter and added a few snowflakes too.

I finally managed to take some photos of Violet wearing the Queen Elsa Snow Dress I made.

 In the end, I decided not to add the sparkles.

 Violet met a Barn Owl.

And, yesterday we spent the day at Rufford Mill in Nottinghamshire, where my cousin's daughter was  getting married.

For those of you who don't know. The road next to the Mill has a ford. The above photo is of Violet trying to encourage approaching cars to drive through it as fast as they dare, so that they'll splash everyone.  There's always loads of families waiting at the sides of the road waiting to get soaked.  Woe betide the cautious cars who want to drive through slow and steady - those drivers get boo'd.

What have you been up to?

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Teacher gifts 2014

Hello everyone.  

These final weeks of the school term have been so hectic.  I've been in school most days, either helping out or watching concerts, sports day etc.

Before I shoot off back to school, I want to show you the two teacher's gifts I've made.

Pattern: Bucket Bag by michellepatterns.com

Fabrics: Free as a Bird in Dark Red & Blue Moon, from Heather Moore's Up Up and Away collection for Cloud 9 Fabrics.

Dots and Spots in Dark Red & Blue Moon, from Heather Moore's Up Up and Away collection for Cloud 9 Fabrics.

I can highly recommend this pattern. The instructions were very clear, with lots of photographs to help you along the way.  Even a beginner would be comfortable using this pattern. Also, what's great about this pattern, is that the bags you make can be sold as long as you give credit to michellepatterns.  I'll definitely use this pattern again. 

I think I need to have me some fabric labels made - can anyone recommend somewhere?

I hope to be back with you again soon.  Though it might be a bit sporadic due to the Summer Holidays.

Whatever you're doing over the Summer.  I wish you fun.

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One project (very nearly) ticked off my to do list

I made a start on cutting this out yesterday, and have spent today sewing like a demon trying to get it finished.

Sorry the photos are so dark, but there's a full on rain storm going on outside today. 

I'm just waiting for the postie to deliver me the Swarovski crystals that I've ordered, which I'll then attach to the bodice and sheer capelet, then it'll be all finished.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

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Frozen Costume - Elsa's Coronation Dress & Cape

It wasn't my intention to be away from my blog this week, but other things seem to have taken priority.

I did manage to finish making the Elsa Coronation dress & cape for Violet, and boy was it challenging.

  

There is supposed to be a pretty motif all around the bottom of skirt too, but I nearly lost the will to live trying to bond the motif on the chest, so I thought I'd leave it plain until such time as I can get my head in to gear again.

I've made the costume slightly on the larger side as I know this dress will be worn a lot.  Plus, Violet seems to be growing at an incredible rate at the moment, and I don't want her to grow out of it too soon.

I bought a pretty cape clasps (supposedly in the Norwegian style) for the Coronation Cape.

It's not true to the movie, because Elsa wears an Aqua coloured gem/button on the front of her cape.  However, I tried closing the cape using a hook & eye and sewing on a beautiful Aqua button, but the hook and eye just weren't up to the job.  So I removed those and ordered a proper cape clasps instead.  

Not authentic, but looks just fine in my opinion.

So, what do you think?  I'm quite pleased with it, even though at times it was a real pig to sew.

I suppose the only person I needed to please was Violet, and seeing as she only takes it off for school, baths and meals, I think we can assume that it's a big hit with her.

Details:

Pattern: McCall's Costumes (M7000), which I ordered especially from America.  

Fabric (for the dress): Liquid Satin in Teal, jersey in Black.

Fabric (for the cape): Thick Fleece in Dark Pink, lining in Purple.

Notions: Gold braid, Norwegian style cloak clasp, Zip.

To stick the motif on to the dress I used Bondaweb.

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What have I let myself in for?

A recent delivery all the way from America.

What have I let myself in for?

Zaza Zoo Dress

A very good morning to you all.

Today, I'm going to show you yet another dress I've made for Violet - are you bored with them yet?  I hope not, because I've got more planned.

If you remember, I was going to make another Caroline dress (Simplicity #1452) using some bright pink flower fabric.

Though whilst Violet and I were browsing the haberdashery department in John Lewis the other week, she spotted this bright yellow, bird fabric and asked if I'd make her a dress in it.  

I teamed it up with some yellow and white polka dot fabric and it came together beautifully.

She hasn't taken it off since I finished it.

I made a few modifications:

Firstly, the dress length was a little on the short side, so I added a couple of extra inches. 

Secondly, I hate messing on with sewing ties inside out, and then having the nightmare of trying to turn something so narrow.  So I made the ties for this dress using the same method I would use to make bias binding (fold and press the fabric down it's length, open out, then fold a press the edges in to the middle crease).  I then sewed all around the edges of the ties.  Folding one end over twice, and sewing in place to stop any fraying.

Thirdly, I like a concealed zip.  So I sewed all the back panels (skirt and top pieces) together first, positioned the zip down the centre seam and then sewed in place.  I then used my seam ripper to open up the centre back seam to reveal the zip.  For me, this method also means that my back panels align properly. 

I love this dress and will definitely use this pattern again.  Next time I might buy extra contrasting fabric and position it along the bottom of the skirt.

Pattern: Simplicity #1703 (size 5)

Main Fabric: Zaza Zoo Grass in Yellow - £16 per metre.  I used 1.10 metres.

Contrasting Fabric: Scandi Blue Spot in Citrine - £16 per metre.  I used 40cm.

12" yellow zipper.

Lightweight fusible interfacing.

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Caroline Dress

The postie delivered me a package of pretty flowery fabric last week.

This one is called Caroline.

I couldn't wait to start sewing with it, so I cut out all the pattern pieces to make this lovely little girl's dress by Simplicity.

Unfortunately, the rest of the week was quite busy, and I only managed to grab a quick hour at my sewing machine on Friday.

Yesterday, I decided that the ironing could wait, my time would be much better spent, finishing off Violet's dress.

The rain even stopped long enough for me to take a photo of Violet wearing it.

I know she doesn't look very happy in this photo, but the sun was in her eyes.

This pattern was relatively easy to follow, though I will make myself extra little notes, which will help me when I come to make this again.

The only modifications I made were to add a few extra inches to the length because I wanted it a tad longer the pattern called for.  Also, I omitted the ribbon around the waist, and the little bows/ties on the top of each sleeve, as I didn't feel this dress needed them.

Violet's very happy with too, and wouldn't take it off for the rest of the evening. Apparently, she loves me making dresses for her.

Which, is a good job, because I've got this bright flowery fabric to make another.....

This one is a cotton Poplin called Gaga.

Fabrics: Caroline and Gaga were both purchased from Croft Mill UK Ltd. (£6.95 per metre).

Pattern: Simplicity #1452 (I made view A, age 6)

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