C . W : Patterns

Changing Wardrobes : 

Patterns : Aug 2014 & May 2015

Both of these patterns were given to me - both are separates to a make a whole outfit. May 2015 Prima Pattern on the left, makes up a squared necked dress and fitted jacket. White Aug. 2014 Prima pattern makes up a top and skirt pairing. Both patterns allow for matching sets or mixing fabrics or patterns.

These two patterns are of two very different styles of necklines and though the dress and top have similar dart placements - they can be fitted to be more boxy/loose, as the dress is photographed or more fitted as the top. It would also be possible to swap the necklines between them - as long as any sewer is aware of the changes it it bring. For my style - last year I would have likely sewn the dress - I try to wear less trousers when I'm out of work and its even a little warm. Make it out of floral cotton or a glittered black fabric with a heavier cotton. Lowering the neckline a by 2-4 cm. 

However, I would lean towards the jacket from May 2015 Pattern and the skirt from the Aug. 2014 pattern. Making them in matching small print. OR a floral skirt and soft great jacket. I'd do this to have more jackets that would fit me well and I enjoy sewing skirts a lot after making many sun dresses at the beginning of lockdown. The skirt would pair well with a lot more tops I own.  

The jacket - if care is taken- could even be made it cotton with sheer panels or lacey effects. Making a very unique piece.

The top is could become boxy and short on my body - due to my bust. I can make several adjusts to help the fit - however if I made the top and it wasn't a perfect fit I wouldn't wear it even with a matching skirt. Or amazing fabric I loved.

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C . W : Patterns

C . W : Dress Patterns

Changing Wardrobes : 

Structured Dress Patterns : 5827 Versus 5853

Both of these patterns were brought while I was in Derby - but on separate visits to the market stall, about 2013-2015. This was one of my favourite stalls as they had a great collection of printed fabrics, patterns, and they often had swatches for pennies. Great for tests, mock up, illustrations, and research for sketchbooks. 

These two Butterwick patterns are of two very different styles of dresses in the construction and structure of them. 

The left pattern 5827 appears to be very simple with the option for contrasting fabrics and high keyhole opening. While its my favourite of the two the High neck and yoke  means this dress wouldn't be the most flattering for me. The length and fit with the dress could be very adaptable if you keep a lot of shape in the bodice. Depending on the intended outcome it would need to still look somewhat simple and modern still.

5853, on the right, is the pattern that would suit me better. A sweetheart neckline and defined waist  are much more flattering for me. I'd also feel more comfortable with picking more vibrant and patterned fabrics. While the bodice and skirt have more parts for the construction, as well as a sheer/stretch net neckline - I have sewn with more slippery blouse suitable fabrics. I feel  much more confident and don't feel this would stop me from creating something flattering and on a slightly higher difficulty level.

While I was a university student at the time of buying these two and its now that I'm more able to sew this style of dress with confidence and definitely needed - more space. I'd likely want to use my mint green sheer fabric (Leeds market stall) and use my white lace (brought from charity shop) for the body. The fabric for both would preferably be something with some body and structure to it, both could be made without a lining with fabrics that sit on the middle weight. However, you'd need to consider bias binding the edges, since no lining means the edges will need a tidy finish.

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C . W : Dress Patterns

C.W : Filling up my dress up box

I actually love dressing up, whether I'm in my 20s or younger or when I get older I think I will always love costumes.

Before August I was invited to a costume party and it took some time to set my heart to something as it was themed to something from your childhood. I picked Hades, but I didn't have the time to do something really fun like I had originally planned. I made a female version and bleached the ends of my hair to apply blue to it. However, I did a wardrobe costume with a dress, and added pieces or accessories  - so this isn't what I want to share. I want to share that I made a alternative costume, a unicorn outfit. I want to share this unicorn horn I made!


Made a lollipop stick, wadding, bright fleece, several sparkly or organza fabrics, ribbons and thread. The little  'gems' lying around were gonna be loose inside or glued to the outside, or just under the top layer of material. The ribbons allow the horn to be tied to the head or to a head band.

I am sorry I didn't take any photos of the construction. But I'll do my best to describe my process.

I started with the lollipop stick, and glued the wadding to it, just a basic cone shape to begin the shaping. This then needs to dry.

Then I used strips of wadding, I created the spiral shaping, stitching this into place, This is then layered on with two more layers, With less and less wadding nearer to the top, so the cone is heavier at the bottom.

The boldest, and sparkly fabric is then layered to cover it from the bottom to the top. This is then roughly stitched down in a spiral pattern, before layering the yellow fleece, in strips down the horn - not matching the spiral exactly. This is then stitched down, this time more neatly following the spiral again and the edges. More stitches are applied to add more colour - using pastel blue, yellow and pink threads. Just using seed stitches.

Now the bottoms is tidied up a little, bringing in the wadding and the fabrics that have already been applied, Create a rounded a base to work into more later. The next layer is the pink organza. This layer doesn't cover the entire horn, in one layer, it's a strip of fabric with the edges folded in, and spiraled till it covers the horn, this is then stitched down along the spiral and the bottom to tie the remaining down, cutting down on too much excess before folding the edges in.

To neaten the overall shape, stitch the spiral in, making sure stitches are even and neat. Then stitch down the folds and loose areas down.  With the horn complete I then added how the horn could attach to my head, for me this was ribbons, I could then tie this to my head, to a headband or a comb etc.
Whilst if some else had the option this might go for hair grip or clips. But I live this ribbon and if I did opt for a comb or something else, I could tie these to nice bows.

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C.W : Filling up my dress up box