Purple Cord Tilly and the Buttons Cleo Dress

I was extremely organised this Christmas. As in most of my shopping and wrapping was done by the first of December. 

And not for practical reasons I started shopping in late October for three reasons:

1. I didn't want to empty my bank account at the start of December.

2. I loves a bargain!!!!!!!

3. Lil dudes birthday and boyfriends birthday are both in January which realistically means I need to have the shopping done for those by the end of December too! Or at least I need enough money in my bank account to do it! 

Anyway I spent a LOT of time shopping the black Friday deals and making sure I got the most bang for my buck. And whilst shopping these black Friday sales I happened to see that Tilly and the buttons was having a little sale of her own! 

And well a Cleo kit fell into my shopping basket and I brought it a little "to me , love me" type present.

Now at £37.50 for a sewing pattern some fabric, some thread, a set of clips and a PE bag I know its expensive. Realistically I could have sourced all of the components separately for a LOT cheaper!

BUT

I was in one hell of a sewing funk.... I hadn't touch my machine in months I was exhausted and to be honest I just needed an easy fix and this did it. 

Anyway It arrived and I was so pleased and for the first time in months I actually felt like sewing again! 

So i made it almost immediately and wore it to my works christmas party. 

Luckily its a very easy make, no darts and I didn't need to do any fitting.

I opted to use both the front pocket and the bum pockets! 

But I lined all of the pockets with a quilting cotton rather than folding the edges over. Its a silly thing but I always do it with my pockets because I'm not a fan of folding and ironing and I think it makes the pockets stronger!

The only thing I'm not a huge fan of is the dungaree clips, I find I have to take them off to wash it or dig them out of the filter later and I am not the type of girl to remember to take them off before I wash so on my next versions [and oh yes there will be more] I think i'll just keep it easy and use buttons.

Its a shame the colour doesn't photograph better but its a really lovely plum coloured needle cord. 

I've worn it a few times , but I did have a month or so where I didn't wear it because I actually lost one of the clips in the the washer filter incident I mentioned before. 

In other news! 

-My dad took these photos. We had a couple of hours whilst my mum was at the hairdressers and he was a really good sport about everything. Especially seen as I took about 15 makes! 

- My mums turned 60! and in proper momma bear style shes having meals out and two parties. One was an adults only party for friends last weekend and this weekend we are having a big shindig with family and a HOUSE FULL of kids!

Much Love

Frankie 

xxx