Ralph Pink Prilla Dress

I have been super excited to sew a Ralph Pink design after my friend introduced me to his patterns a few weeks ago and I certainly wasn't disappointed!

I decided to start with one of his most simple projects, the Prilla Dress. Which is a jersey full circle dress. I made it using jersey from Minerva crafts which had a nice weight for the dress and it must have taken me no longer than two hours to cut and sew! The hardest part was putting the PDF pattern together which wasn't quite as straight forward as others I have made.

Although the pattern is labelled as a dress it is certainly not a dress on either me or the model (who also wears it with skinny jeans). It would need some serious lengthening to make it a dress but I like it as a top anyway!

The construction was really straightforward and I made it almost entirely on the overlocker. I did use my walking foot to make sure that it wasn't stretching so much that I could see the overlocking stitches.

My only drama occurred when I attached the full circle skirt only to overlock a hole in it! Luckily it wasn't too far from the seam so I sewed around it again and caught it into the seam.

The full circle gives the top lots of movement...

The only construction detail I'm not happy with is that Ralph Pink leaves the hem unfinished. I know I want to hem it but I'm also no sure how. Has anyone used jersey bias binding? Or do you have any other ideas for how to hem the top?

Happy stitching x

Me Made May

This is my first Me Made May and I am so enjoying viewing everyone's amazing me made wardrobe as well as scrutinising my own! I'd say that I usually wear a me made item most days but certainly not all days. Thesefore my pledge was to wear a me made item each day.

So, we are half way through and I'm pleased to report that I have worn a me made item each day so far! Fingers crossed that I can keep it up.

It's been really useful to look at my me made wardrobe and spot some glaring gaps I have. Because of this I would like to focus my sewing in some new areas;

Sewing more plains!!

Making more tops

Developing my summer wardrobe (most of my sewing happened this winter)

Creating a selection of plain pencil skirts to wear some of my tops with larger silhouettes with.

Are you taking part in Me Made May? Is it making you reflect on your own sewing plans?

Happy stitching x

Luscious Lilou

When I bought Tilly and the Buttons Love at First Stitch Lilou was top of my sewing list. However, over time I've made everything in the book but this gorgeous dress. As summer is approaching I decided to dive in!

It's made in a drapey cotton rayon so I made the gathered skirt version rather than the pleated version. The dress is lined and as I'm trying to sew using my stash rather than buying new fabric I lined in the same fabric. I do slightly regret this decision and think a pink inside would have been so girly and gorgeous with the hearts.

As ever Tilly's instructions were absolutely fabulous. I think her instructions are the most comprehensive of all the independent sewing labels. She really does hold your hand throughout the project. I didn't make any alterations to the pattern or construction. When I make it again, I will definitely lengthen it though as I feel that it's slightly too short on me.

Fit wise I altered it only at the end when inserting the zip and took it in slightly. It has a loose fit still but I like it. It makes it feel relaxed and easy to wear.

The drapey fabric gives it such a lovely swish when you move!

I always have trouble with rayon hems. Despite leaving the hem to fall it always seems to grow wherever I have joined two fabrics together. Because of this, I ended up re hemming it, but I think it's dropped again! Any ideas for how to stop this?

Happy stitching! x