My year of Dressmaking

After what has been an incredibly long blog absence I've finally worked out how to download my photos so here I am once more. I'm not sure if anyone else is, but if you are, then Helllloooo.

Annoying technical glitches aside, I've also been busy with general life and endless sewing, bordering on obsessional. I decided this year to push myself with my sewing confidence and to learn new skills by tackling projects I might normally have avoided. I've also started drafting my own patterns. 

The other major change to my dressmaking adventures was the arrival of my mannequin, named Foxy Lady. She has helped me no end in my battle to actually get measurements correct. 

A project which greatly inspired me this year and had me sewing with frenzied gusto was the instagram daily share of sewing projects called MeMadeMay. A photo a day of a new piece sounded fun. I joined up and then did the maths....May has 31 days, that meant 31 pieces. I opted to share some older pieces that were much loved, a few cheat pics with handmade lampshades on my head, but on the whole I managed to create a whole lot of new tops, skirts, dresses and trousers. No more can I say I have nothing to wear. I'd be a great big fibber.

As my sewing confidence has grown over the years, it has taken me away more and more from shop bought clothes. They simply don't fit as well as a piece created for our own individual body shapes, how can they. I personally have narrow shoulders, a long upper body, large bust and long legs which I've squeezed into ill fitting clothes for years. Now I draft patterns to fit all my peculiarities in cloth, colours and patterns that I want to wear. It's all chosen to mix and match perfectly with my shoes and accessories so it actually gets worn, rather than lingering forgotten in the wardrobe. That's not forgetting three other things, It's far more cost effective to make your own clothes. A simple shop bought top costs roughly £30, whereas a metre of cloth is anything from £6 to £10 so it's an obvious saving.  The finished quality is often better (I'm a fussy perfectionist for my sins).  And finally, you can have shapes in your wardrobe that you know suit you rather than making do. 

This was the first picture I posted for the MeMadeMay challenge. A much made pencil skirt pattern Butterick 6326 that I've made as both pencil and wiggle shapes. 

I'd bought this neon bright stretch cotton the year before thinking I'd make a dress from it, but instead it became a skirt. Perhaps a top will follow to match.

I first made the Butterick skirt pattern in a stretch denim. Denim is a wardrobe essential for me as it's easy to dress up or down. I love the shaped high waist of this pattern and the six panels which are flat fell seamed to give it a more interesting design. I've added another denim in this pattern to my cupboard since too.

Another Butterick skirt in a green, navy, white and lilac stretch cotton. This time I added a zip to the back split so I can either wear it tight and wiggly or unzip and make it a speedy walking skirt.

Fancying a dress type option with this skirt, I whipped up a short top with a side zip from Vintage Vogue 9082.

I also made this skirt pattern up in this gorgeous slinky cat cotton print, but it doesn't keep its shape as well after a days wear as that fabulous stretch cotton does.

It's a design I'll keep returning to as it's a shape that I find comfy to wear, a bit sassy and flattering.

Another skirt pattern I've tried is Tilly and the Buttons Arielle. I've made three of these, but it's the denim one that gets the most wear. It simply goes with everything. 

I've found that full skirts just don't suit me at all and to be honest I immediately feel frumpy the moment I wear one.  So it's straight skirts and sometimes lightly pleated ones on dresses all the way for me. Ever since making shapes that I feel good in I've not had a day when I hate what I'm wearing. That adds to the confidence boost we all need now and again.

Now I do love to wear a frock. I have to admit to having quite a few and have added quite a few more to the collection this year. Admittedly, I lost just over a stone after the stress caused a couple of years ago. It wasn't a conscious choice, but boy that stone loss has made all the difference. No more uncomfortable bloated tummy that I try to hide and I feel tons more energetic too. That's largely down to happiness and sorting out my anaemia for sure. All the same I feel confident to wear figure hugging clothes again.

This dress in yet more stretch cotton has proved to be another firm favourite. It's Butterick 6582 and it was a bit of a sod to make to be honest. I went wrong with the neckline, I knew what had happened and the only way to resolve it was to alter the shaping from the pattern slightly. Oops, but never mind. It's perfectly wearable, only I know (which as a fussy perfectionist I'm trying to accept) and it all helps the stitchery learning process doesn't it.

Next we have a dress I made in a raspberry wool crepe from Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing. This had a new to me challenge in the construction of armpit gusset's. A nasty word and not such a joy to construct and sew either. I regret not lining this dress as I've not worn it once since finishing it because it shows my undies lines. That all said, it's a great pattern, just me and my fussy ways.

After making the top from Vintage Vogue 9082 I made the dress included in the pattern that the top is actually meant to be worn over. Sewn in forgiving stretch cotton yet again. Only one outing to date for this one. Sometimes it's just the joy of making something and packing away in my memory the skills I learn as I make more and more.

I get all excited when I see these two frocks. The blue floral cotton is cut from a beautiful French bedspread that I bought from Pomme de Jour. For this make I wanted an easy to slip on summer days dress. I couldn't find the exact pattern I was looking for despite it being a simple shape so this is where I started to get braver and made my own bodice, after which I flat pinned the fabric into gently folded pleats to the bodice on my mannequin.  I even managed to pretty much pattern match too which shocked me that I can do it if I concentrate properly.

This yellow floral barkcloth was bought from one of my favourite fabric dealers at a vintage fair. It was pricey, but very well worth it. I've also made Happy Shoppers in this fabric which have gone to two lovely instagrammers. Instead of binding the neck and armholes of the bodice I chose to line this one in a yellow polka dot cotton, other than that it was the same pattern I created before.

I managed to get this Liberty Rose print for a steal and waited to get inspiration for which shape I wanted to make this in. My starting point was a vintage frock I saw but with a full 1950's skirt. I drafted up the bodice, added an A line skirt and made a quick belt from red webbing with a red deco buckle. This was made for a weekend away to Bristol in August, but instead the weather dipped suddenly from high 20's to freezing with constant rain. A fabulous weekend was had but the dress stayed at home. 

Another weekend away when the sun was hot hot hot. Another favourite and simple pattern, Eliza M's Eva dress which is is an all in one dress construction, no separate skirt or bodice making here.

My most recent dress makes are these next two. This first one is constructed using a me made pattern for the bodice, with a boatneck with cap sleeves and then I added my favourite Butterick pencil skirt pattern. The cloth is a just gorgeous blue and black Italian Ponte Roma that I found on a trip to Columbia Road and Brick Lane with my girls.

Final dress for now, but not for this year. I've got lots more in my head and cloth to match that I want to make up. 

Sew Over It London has a fabulous range of patterns to choose from. This is the first dress pattern I've used from them and I loved making it. I found this blue crepe on the way to meeting a friend for coffee, as you do when you just find it impossible to pass by cloth shops. With it's wonderful drape I thought it was the perfect match for this pattern. I have it in mind that my man and I will finally learn how to dance properly and then I can swoosh away in my 1940's Tea dress.

As you can guess I've got lots more makes to show you and I've already written that post too as I intend to get back to this blogging lark far more regularly than every few months. 

And suddenly it just came back again

Just after Christmas the urge to make things came back big time. 

The very opposite to having to give an addiction up, I was waiting for my creative addiction to come back again. 

And it has.

I'm so thrilled. My mum is thrilled. My girls are thrilled. My best mate is thrilled. My man is thrilled. 

It's a big part of me and it just got lost in all the debris of the past year. I wondered if I'd ever feel the desire to make anything again. 

For my first stitchery treat I whipped up an Arielle skirt by Tilly and the Buttons in a dark denim.

This is such a fabulous pattern. Great to make up and even better to wear. It hugs right up into the waistline and for an extra bit of sass I moved the buttons over to give a tighter wiggle.

I've worn it lots and lots and also made another one in black and a patterned red and blue one too.

If you've been tempted by this pattern then I'd say definitely give it a whirl as you won't be disappointed. 

As my dress size has dropped this year too, dresses I made before had been relegated to the not being worn pile. I got onto this problem a couple of weeks ago with one of my favourites, my Townie dress. A few alterations later and it was soon back in action again.

Then there's another Tilly and the Buttons pattern which I bought yonks back and have finally made up. 

For the Orla top I chose a Tania Whelan red hearts fabric that I've had  in the stash for a while. 

Now this was a joy to stitch up too. Even those curved front darts, which give a flattering shape once you get them to fit just so.

The best part about this pattern though is the beautiful snowdrop collar. 

To be truthful I don't like the shorter sleeve style. Might just be that it doesn't suit me, who knows? All the same I re-drafted those to a shape that I prefer. 

There it is then, the finished article being worn on our one and only chilly snowy day in Norfolk. Being a sensible kind of lady I made sure I wore my vest too to keep any risk of chills off my chest.

Last week I was busy stitching a new Mr Bobo Bun. My man's birthday was looming and I wanted him to have a little fellow of his own. 

The wee mouse that I'd bought to turn into a brooch climbed up on to his shoulder and refused to budge. How could I separate them? Two new friends that went off to their new home together and much loved from the off.

My stitching pile already has a man's shirt waiting for finishing flourishes and another Orla which needs fitting adjustments.

Then there's the Happy Shoppers I've started making again, all cut out on Friday to sell.

My minds racing ahead to the next few projects too. 

So yes, I think most definitely I'm back in the making saddle once more and enjoying it thoroughly.

And I always make sure I have a rest now and again with cake and hot choccy too. 

Annual Tops

I've been busy whirring away on my machine over the last week.

I received so many lovely comments from you about the tops that I designed and a few of you wondered if I might be offering them up for sale to you lovelies aswell. 

Well, I'm really thrilled to let you know that I have the first four Annual Tops hot of the machine, ready and waiting for a new home.

Each top is a one of a kind, all handmade by me, Bobo Bun, with great attention to detail, in a selection of vintage fabrics. 

Annual Tops are inspired by the pretty and easy to wear tops I wore in my 1970's childhood.

 

 I even managed to get a beautiful model for the day so you really get a feel for how they look. 

First up isTammy.

 This is a stunning 1960's blue and lilac floral cotton print. One of my absolute favourites to be honest.

The facing is a blue polkadot print with stripy binding. 

The slash back is fastened with a lace trim bow.

Next we have Mandy. 

 This is a made from a beautiful light cotton print from the 1950's covered in flowers and bows.

I've added a pink floral facing with pink binding and fastened the back with a tiny white flower button.

Then we have June.  sold thankyou

 June is a 1960's cotton floral, edged with a blue trim. Polkas dot blue facings with a light green binding.

Last of all we have Bunty. Sold thankyou

This is a very pretty floral cotton from the 1980's. Pink polka dot facings and green lace trom to the neckline finish Bunty off a treat.

I've several of these tops which I wear all the time. 

On hot days they're perfect with shorts, skirts or cropped jean. I just love how they instantly cheer me with the pretty prints.

 On colder days they look great over a t-shirt and when it's really cold add a cardi too.

All are made from vintage fabrics with vintage and recycled trimmings too.

 They are cut generously to fit a size 12/14.

Length from shoulder to hem is 26" (66 cm).

 As these are the first Annual Tops I've made for you, I've made them all in a mid range sizing to start with.

I am planning in the future to offer other sizes, fabric choices and individual commissions.

Now for the nitty gritty.

 Each Annual Top is £40 plus £2 post and packing in the UK. 

If you are outside the UK please email me at bobobunmakes@yahoo.co.uk for postage costs.

If you wish to buy an Annual Top then please email me with the name of the top you're interested in. 

I'll then send you an invoice via paypal. If you don't have paypal, don't worry as I can also take cheques.

I can Sing a Rainbow

We rollercoasted into half-term on a wave of vomity sick bugs. Just as the scores were coming in on Eurovision night, Little Bun was the first to fall prey to the nasty that's been hanging about these parts. By the following week Miss Rosey had succumbed. Poor kid bang in the middle of her end of year exams which she'd been revising really hard for. She struggled through a day of three exams and now has six more left undone waiting for her return. I've held all the sick buckets, but so far I've just had a spinning tum. My Mr on the other hand went down crash bang wallop for the whole bank holiday weekend.

We had a wedding to get to on Sunday. The sun shone and I had my oufit all sorted. I was really pleased with my grown-up ensemble as most of my outfits involve jeans of different shapes. On Saturday I got it into my head that I definately needed a purple corsage brooch to finish it off just so. I cut out several wee heart shapes and then pinched and stitched until I was very very happy indeed.

I'm so thrilled with my new brooch, that I've gone into overdrive with colours and am chop chop chopping felt to make a rainbow of brooches to suit each and every outfit.

So, with outfit all sorted (bought for the Queenie garden party last year, but new cardi for the wedding), I was really really hoping my man would pull through and be there by my side for a good time. Sadly the nasty bug kept him home and I went off alone standing very high in my shiny heels.

After a fair few Pimms and suchlike I managed to get my act together to go out and play in the sun the next day. My Mr was feeling delicate, but much better so I packed a basket picnic and off we all headed to Binky Hall. 

We lunched in the park, people watching and feeling joyous to be together with the sun on our faces. It really doesn't take much to make the perfect day does it. Apart from wearing a pair of new shiny red sandals that is. I love shoes, colourful shoes I love the most, but I hardly ever get a new pair as I have big old feet. Not many lovely shoes are in big feet sizes sadly.

After lunch, I insisted we head off to find Little Vintage Lover Fair, which had set up in Binky's gardens for the whole weekend. Mr Bun and Little Bun chose to lay in the orchard making daisy chains while Miss Rosey and I went off treasure hunting. The setting was perfect with marquee's alongside the lake, but no photos I'm afraid as I was too busy chatting and scanning stuff.

I was thrilled to find a pattern with exactly the shape dress Miss Rosey has been after for a while now. After a good old rummage I added a few fabrics to my bag too. My head's been turning to thoughts of making another quilt lately. I think these will be the start of my ideas for it.

Several more bits were gathered up and then we headed back to the orchard with a sweet smelling punnet of strawberries. Sitting there in the sun on lush grass and munching our strawberries felt so good too. 

I had a quick show and tell of my treasures before we headed off for tea, cake and the secondhand bookshop. I found a few Ma and Pa Larkin tales, the Bun's added a Poirot, Bunty annual and Enid's Chimney Corner Tales. All exactly what I was reading at their ages. It made me feel warm inside knowing they choose these books. They also get books which is even better. Little Bun sat in one of the worn armchairs with a pile of books and she explained how much she loves the feel and smell of the different papers. Exactly one of the many things I enjoy about a good book.

Now here we are about to hit mid-week. Today is my mum's birthday and I've still not finished the scarf I'm making for her. I'm making a narrow Japanese Flowers scarf in delicate Debbie Bliss eco baby cotton. I made sure I stuck to the more muted colours she prefers and I have to be honest I'm enjoying playing with them. Just hope I can get it finished some time soon as June is already looking a pretty jam packed month.

Now I must away to my bed as we're up early to catch the train to Cambridge in the morn. See you soon I hope.