What a week. I've been out of action for most of it due to a bad back - I've never had back problems before, and I never ever want them again, the pain was terrible. I have absolutely no idea what caused it, but am extremely pleased that it's on its way out - its still a bit achey, like when you've been doing a load of gardening or something, but nothing like what it was so that's good enough for me. Unfortunately it's kept me away from my sewing machine - I intended to blog about my Ivys before now, but I've literally only just finished the second one so its had to wait.
Anyway, before the Ivys let me fill you in on my rule change. Rewind back to when I started my stash busting challenge at the beginning of the month. The main rule is obviously do not buy any fabric until all the fabric in my stash has been used up, this is the main objective of the challenge. I also said that I wouldn't buy any patterns and would only use what I already have or free downloads. Literally as soon as I said that, the Ivy Pinafore pattern was released.
I love pinafore dresses, but hadn't found a pattern that I really wanted to sew. When this pattern was released, I knew I had at least 2 fabrics in my stash that would make perfect Ivys. So, I deliberated over it for a couple of seconds and decided (a) to drop the rule around not buying patterns - if I have fabric in my stash that is perfect for a pattern then I would be stupid not to get it, if I didn't buy it and used a pattern that wasn't as suited to the fabric then what is the point in that? The fabric needs to be made into the best it possibly can, right?, (b) not entirely sure anyone is actually reading my blog anyway, and if they are chances are they probably agree with me, and (c) I make the rules!
So, Ivy #1
This Ivy is made from some burgundy cotton drill I have had in my stash for yonks. I don't even know what I bought it for to be honest, and its been on my list of "aaaarrrgh! WTF am I going to make from this?!!" fabrics. Also lurking in my stash I found some white fabric with a paisley print (I KNOW, WHAT WAS I THINKING!!). I don't even know what this fabric is but its very similar to traditional satin lining fabric, so lining for my Ivy it became.
I absolutely love this dress. You know when you're sewing a project and you get that "this is gonna be a good one" feeling? Every time I worked on this, I knew it was going to turn out well. Its such a great pattern. I have made a Jennifer Lauren pattern before (I have the Bronte top pattern in my stash), so I knew the instructions were going to be nice and clear and that the fit was going to be good.
I'm so pleased how well these fabrics work together, it's like they were made for each other. Such a bonus, as in the beginning I had no idea what I was going to do with them. Check out my pockets! I love the buttons too.
Once I'd stopped dancing around celebrating my pinafore sewing success, I decided to go for it again and make a second Ivy. The first version will be for wearing to work, so the second one needed to be more casual. I had 2m of denim in my stash so would be rude not to, right?
OMG I LOVE THIS DRESS!! I've wanted a denim pinafore for yonks. I bought one from Top Shop last year but have always been a bit meh about it and never actually worn it. This one however will be getting lots of wear. I bought the denim last year when I decided I was going to make jeans. Then I got all scared about making jeans and so the denim was banished to the stash until I decided what was to become of it.
I had some brown floral print cotton in my stash which I thought worked well with the dark blue denim, so decided to use this for the lining. I also decided to attempt top stitching in a contrasting thread. I knew this would be a challenge as my top stitching skills aren't brilliant but I'm so glad I decided to do it, I think it looks great (there may be a few slight wobbles here and there, but you probably wouldn't notice unless I pointed it out). I also did buttonholes on this version - no buttonholes on Ivy#1, its an over your head job.
No idea why I look like I've had a few vodkas in this photo!
So yes, I have changed the rules slightly but what the heck - I've already used the pattern twice and have some navy blue cotton drill in my stash which could possibly become Ivy #3. And, out of the two pattern options I have only used one so far, so you may even see Ivy #4. Its quite possible you might have to read about more Ivys in the future - sorry not sorry about this.
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