Makin' an Aiken

Pattern: Aiken by Andi Satterlund
Size: M
Yarn: Patons Colour Works Aran

Andi Satterlund designs the most fantastic patterns. All really cute, classic, 50's-esque and lovely to make, too. I'm a big fan of the Miette cardi (and Chuck, although sadly mine never gets worn due to bad yarn choice), and so knew I would get on well with Aiken. On a side note, I was convinced I had blogged not one, but two Miettes but it seems I haven't! That will have to be next.

Scrap the time machine

Pattern: Sureau by Deer & Doe
Size: 38-40
Fabric: Wool mix from Mason's / Viscose lining from Ditto Fabrics

Pattern: New Look 6000
Size: 14
Fabric: Jersey with lace overlay from Mason's

I reckon most of us have, at some point, had that feeling of wishing we'd bought multiples of what turns out to be a favourite garment. For me, it's a pair of Gap jeans - the only pair of jeans I have ever felt good in. I have a friend who told me that if time travel is ever invented, she would use it to go back 8 years and buy more of her favourite cardigan from M&Co. Good use of science, there. :-)
The great thing about making your own clothes is that if you have that feeling, you can just go ahead and make another! Granted you probably won't get the same fabric again, but you will get something you know you love the style and fit of.

Victory is mine!

Pattern: Chloe from Victory Patterns
Size: S
Fabric: Corduroy from John Lewis

I treated myself to a cheeky trip to John Lewis in Reading after Christmas. They stock beautiful fabrics but always at unaffordable prices. Until sale time, that is. I got enough for about five garments, all for around £50 and the most I paid was £8 a metre for some beautiful lightweight cotton that looks suspiciously like a Liberty print and originally cost £17 a metre!! Bargain. :-) I also got to have lunch at one of my favourite cafés, the Global Café, which serves the most glorious Ethiopian stews and injera.

L-O-L-A Lola!

Pattern: Victory Patterns 'Lola'
Size: 8
Fabric: Sweatshirting and matching rib from Vend Fabrics

This is my first Victory Patterns um...pattern. I hadn't paid them much attention but one of my resolutions for 2014 is to make mostly independent patterns so I gave them a revisit.

Cinderella Part II

Pattern: Anna dress from By Hand London
Size: 12-14
Fabric: Satin from Mason's

As always with dressing up dresses it took me quite a while to decide on a pattern, but I knew I wanted a maxi and the Anna dress had been catching my eye for some time. A lot of the versions in blogland are beautiful, don't get me wrong, but more along the lines of a summer day dress so I just wasn't sure if it would posh up enough. Then I saw this glorious version courtesy of Diary of a Chain Stitcher and I knew my prayers had been answered.