Batwing Dress

So back in July when I got this baby up and running I mentioned that I was taking a few lessons. I managed to make two dresses throughout the course and I am sharing one of them with you today. Yep, this one is totally from scratch! No nipping, tucking or running in a few sides. This is the real deal..following a commercial pattern in all its confusion and managing to get it right! Yay me!

 I love love love batwings

And just so you get an idea of the length...

This is soooooo comfy! The stretch material allows for a bit of give and is still beautiful and light, perfect for frolicking on the beach. I might just get this pattern out for another run soon.

Kaftan-abulous!

I have been missing in sewing action for a few weeks but fear not - I am back on the machine! Today I tried my hand at some copycat action based on this light & breezy kaftan/beach throw I picked up a few months back. I love this little piece and I'm certain its going to get worn to death around the pool and beach this summer.

While doing the obligatory whirling and twirling one does in a newly purchased flowy number, I discovered it was really two big semi circles of fabric that made up the front and back. See?

So when lil sis mentioned that she also had a fondness for my new purchase, I thought I'd try my hand at doing a bit of copy catting.

I layed it out exactly as above on some colourful summery fabric I snapped up on spesh. Then I traced one semi circle for the front and one for the back and cut a 'v' for the neckline. I did tinker with the idea of making a yoke for the neckline but instead decided on simply overlocking and sewing under. That's right my friends - I am even testing the overlockering waters!

The end result? A fabulous little kaftan/throw with a great splash of summer colour. This fabric is a little thicker than the original and so doesn't have the same soft flow, but a couple of washes should fix that.

Yay for summer!

Lazy Sunday Table Runner

For a while now little pockets of my house have been annoying me. Just niggling away at me, in need of a lil somethin'- somethin' to give them a tad more interest, so today my tired old side table got a well earned facelift.

It usually looks a little something like this, all boring & a little sad looking.

Enter a few fat quarters and a scrap of calico! I pieced them together - not quite a patchwork masterpiece - but the end result was a cute little table runner with a bit more personality than the current table top.

I am loving the gorgeous burnt orange colours here, just the tonic for a little decor pick-me-up!