The "Rustic" Sandwich

Check that bread out!! Can you believe that from very start to the end that was made in less than an hour. The last time I made bread it was the middle of winter and it took all day. I haven't bothered again since. Until now!

I am by no means saying I have any talent in the bread making department but I did love making this loaf. It is the super simple Soda Bread recipe from BBC Food. No yeast therefore no need to prove or test your patience. In my case this bake was made even quicker by the use of my Andrew James food mixer and dough hook (which I used for the first time).

As you can see however the end result was a little more "rustic" than I was originally aiming for. I think my hand shaping skills could do with some refining and I have been reliably informed that the dough needs to be flattened a little to make it in to a more traditional soda bread shape. 

Having said that it was a very enjoyable bread and my boyfriend and I made some wonderful Stilton and Apple on Soda Bread sandwiches which tasted brilliant. 

Kelly Skirt for Work

Basically, I made another Kelly Skirt by Megan Nielsen.

This is a little more subdued than my last flowery Kelly, as I made it to wear around the office. It was basically made exactly the same way as before but this time I only put one button on the waist band. I thought with the size of buttons it just looked a bit more balanced plus I'm not sure if two would have fit anyway. The fabric I used was much heavier than last time and I think it holds the shape of the skirt much better. I scooped it out of the Edinburgh Fabrics scraps bin a couple on months ago. It is a lovely warm grey 100% wool gaberdine (I think, as all it said on the tag was 100% wool). 

I have two favorite things about this skirt. Firstly, check out that ric-rac, is that great or what! When I first bought it I thought it was just a huge wavy mess but once I sewed it in I totally changed my mind. I bought the largest size in the store as I wanted it to stand out and look almost scalloped. I got the original ideas for this from Lauren (GBSB) of Guthrie and Ghani's skirt here.

My other favorite feature is the buttons. Pretty simple really I bought two sets of buttons from the charity shop around the corner from my flat, unfortunately I only had 3 of one and 4 of the other. So instead of buying a matching set I just alternated them. Its not really that exciting and to be honest because both sets are the same size and color so, they basically all look the same. However, I know that they are different and I like it. :-)

Also, I have decided that if I make another Kelly or anything else that involves a lot of top-stitching I am going to invest in some proper top-stitching thread. Normal thread just doesn't cut the mustard!

The FlutterBy Sorbetto Top

Since signing up for IPM a little while ago I have been doing a lot of snooping about blogs and browsing way too many online patterns shops. I began to see a common thread running through many peoples me made wardrobe a.k.a. the Sorbetto Tank Top by Colette. With the popularity of the pattern I decided I really had to check it out and I immediately went on to the Colette website. The popularity of this pattern began to make sense when I discovered that it is actually a FREE download offered by Colette patterns.  Obviously I printed it instantly and with the use of the guillotine at work promptly had it stuck together and cut out to my required size. I think the jury is still out on the PDF pattern format. With only two pattern pieces it was super easy to tape together but I would hate to imagine what it would be like trying to sticky tape an entire dress pattern or such like.

  

As you can see I also chose to add sleeves to my top. I found the pattern for them at Sew Incidentally. It was really easy to include the sleeves I just added a little extra seam allowance around the arm holes.

I actually made this top over a month ago but I was rather unsure about the fit, style and material. Fit wise from the very start this pattern was WAY TOO SHORT! like at least a good 3 or 4 inches. I was also worried about the style I thought it was quite high necked when I first put it on but I have since got over that and there is nothing wrong with it. Also when I first put it on I thought the fabric was was really stiff however I do really live the print so I just persevered with it, after a few washes I think it has softened right up and is now pretty good although it does crease pretty badly still. All in all I'm not totally sold on this particular top but I think the pattern has a lot of potential and I will definitely try it again.

Also,I wore this top to work the other day and one of my colleagues, Ashleigh (who is also pretty handy in the dress making department) asked where I had got the pattern from. After giving her my little Sorbetto story she jumped straight on to her computer and printed one out. Today she turned up to work wearing her lovely light blue with multi colored polka dot version. I don't think she has posted about it yet but if she does you will find it here Made in Morningside.

IPM- Completed Kelly Skirt

 

So a couple of weeks ago I signed myself up to participate in Indie Pattern Month where I pledged to complete the Kelly Skirt by Megan Neilsen. Therefore I would like to introduce my latest creation... ta da, my very own Kelly Skirt. This is the first indie pattern that I have ever used and I have to say I am very impressed. It is very clear to see the extra time that has been spent in the development if this pattern. Even the packaging and pattern paper are better quality than the big name brands. The instruction booklet is fantastic with a plethora of diagrams for each step of the construction.

 

 

 

 The pattern for the skirt is really simple and minus the pockets it is really just a rectangle with a few pleats. This means that most of the skirt involves sewing nice straight lines. Adding pockets like these were a first for me but were a piece of cake with the easy to follow instructions. The fabric that I used came from my local charity shop and cost about £3 and I have enough to make at least another skirt from it (seeing as this pattern used so little). As it is quite a busy fabric I decided to use some navy piping around the pocket edges and waistband to break it up a little. To keep with all the colours in the fabric I decided to sew the buttons on with red thread so they didn't look so bland. The only think I wish I had though of was buying topstitch thread as I feel the topstitching is a bit lost amongst the busy fabric.

 

All in all I am totally sold on this pattern and I can definitely understand why indie patterns are so popular. I enjoyed this pattern and comfort of my Kelly skirt that I have already bought some more fabric to complete another and I have many plans for more indie patterns.

 

 

And finally a photo of me wearing my new skirt.