My latest sewing project and a favourite recent thrifting find.
After well and truly catching the dressmaking bug at my Red Thread Studio course during the Summer – which on this cold, crisp November morning feels like a lifetime ago – I was itching to get started on a new project. Having tried my hand at a Summer dress and enjoying the results, next on my to-make list was a versatile skirt for autumn/ winter. Here are the results of my sewing endeavours.
The great thing about dressmaking is translating an idea in your head into the finished product – I could visualise exactly the kind of style I had in mind. I love midi lengths and I wanted to make a tweedy skirt that would be perfect for the colder weather. When I found this grey fabric I thought it would be a great match for a ladylike midi. I love the subtle puppytooth pattern combined with the red check, although in hindsight the print did make matching more difficult (not to mention time-consuming) I’m pretty pleased with the results!
I didn’t find the exact pattern I was after, but this Butterick one was pretty close and I adapted it to make it longer. The pattern was supposedly ‘very easy’, but I think it made the pleats more complicated than they needed to be! That said, I do enjoy immersing myself in a sewing project for an hour or two at a time, and the finished product was worth the faff. Thanks to the colour and style, the skirt goes with everything – exactly the kind of versatile piece I had hoped to make.
Not long after finishing the skirt, I found this 1970s blouse in one of my favourite Edinburgh vintage shops Herman Brown, and thought it would be a match made in heaven. I love the ’70s take on Edwardian style that was so popular at the time thanks to the likes of Laura Ashley, and adore the stand-up collar, puffy sleeves and lace detailing. I felt a bit like Beatrix Potter in this ensemble, which I think is no bad thing – there’s nothing wrong with a bit of prim and proper if you ask me!
What have you been making and thrifting recently?
What I’m wearing: handmade skirt, vintage blouse from Herman Brown Edinburgh, Clarks boots & oxblood Cambridge Satchel.
8 comments
[…] By Nov 8, 2014Edinburgh […]
Oh my, I so love that vintage women clothing outfit. I wish I can have the pattern of the design because I love sewing my own clothes especially when I’m at home for a vacation. i love your hair style, your top and skirt the bag and even the black stocking and shoes. You inspired me.! Thank you so much
[…] itching to get my hands on some Cath Kidston fabric for my next sewing project, maybe a floral skirt or a summery dress – what do you think? Cath also has some gorgeous […]
[…] Christmas I’ve worn it with vintage tea dresses and the tweed skirt I made; I also love it paired with these vintage tartan trews, thrifted a wee while ago. They’re […]
[…] the sale… The skirt is similarly versatile and I’ve worn it – just like the tweed midi I made last autumn/winter – non-stop. It just goes with […]
Such a pretty blouse and a lovely and really practical skirt.
Thank you Susanne for your lovely comments! 🙂
[…] saw the first shots of the collection I knew I had to make it mine. My love of piecrust blouses and Victoriana shirts has been well documented in the Everything Looks Rosie archives and – in spite of my […]