Lace Crop Top

Okay so I think I have a thing for crop tops? Its becoming like an actual thing!!! This one came about because I was going to do fancy dress for my hen party and the theme was going to be 80's but people seemed kinda meh about the idea, and the idea of just me and like two other people turning up in fancy dress filled me with sheer terror!!!! So I cancelled the fancy dress part and just said to dress nice.

Anyway this was based off Madonnas like a virgin outfit, and to say its made from old net curtains and some other scraps of white fabric I think its pretty cute. 

The pattern is from the third GBSB book its the pattern hack from the corset I didn't do a zip from and instead sewed 14 eyes [from hook and eyes] up the front so I could make it corseted. That was completely spur of the moment but ended up being my favourite feature. But it does take quite a bit of "jiggling" to get everything to sit right and to make sure the front isn't ruched p from the ribbon.

The straps are recycled from an old bra and aren't quite long enough so pull it p a bit too much, meaning I have to pull it down. I'm going see how much this annoys me before I unpick them and replace them. The whole thing is lined so It looks super pretty on the inside, I didn't do flat felled seams because flat felled seams with lace seemed like a lot of effort.

Overall I'm pretty pleased with it, I'm really loving crop tops at the moment for layering under tops and wearing with oversized men's shirts!!

Funnily enough I left this on after taking these pictures and a jar of pasta sauce exploded all over me. And I mean all over from my freshly washed hair, to my white lace crop top to my skinny jeans. Could not have been more peeved if I tried! 

I have no idea if the stains going to come out, I have soaked it in vanish but I don't have high hopes!

anyway in other news! I'm getting my hair done today so expect selfies!!!!!!!

and I'm taking part in the #sewphotohop so Ill be doing weekly round ups for those of you who don't have Instagram or don't follow me [although if your not following me WHY NOT!!!! Your missing out on some serious sewing goodness, and also my face!!!] 

Much Love

Frankie

xxx

Daisy Dress For Pudding

I cut out a dress recently and found myself with a small piece of fabric left. well a medium sized piece, Not quite enough to make myself something but a bit too much for it to go in the scraps box.

Luckily for me I have a lovely lil god-daughter "pudding" and it seemed a shame not to make her a lil something.

Now normally I don't do children, there's a few I like [my own included] but mostly I just think they are sticky, loud, obnoxious little beings. 

I like pudding though, luckily for me shes still small enough to think I'm humorous and doesn't require much more attention than the odd silly face!

Anyway the pattern came from the second great british sewing bee book, but I omitted the collar and added a ruffle along the bottom. For a dress the pattern seems very short?

I lined the bodice and left an opening in the back neck so it can be easily gotten on and off. I used an odd button and a loop for the closure.

I put lace trim around the join between the skirt and the bodice, mainly because I was caught up in a whirl wind of adorable baby making! Luckily I had just enough of this lace to do it!

I spent most of my time basking in how adorable it was turn out and the rest of the time trying to make sure there were no scratchy seams.

I top stitched the neckline and armholes so everything would stay in place and so It wouldn't need ironing.

I'm really pleased with this, It was actually quite nice to make something for someone else even if I don't think I'll be doing it a lot! babies grow too fast!!!

And I'm definitely glad I added the ruffle onto the bottom!

Now I just have to hope that baby likes it, mum likes it and that it fits!!!

Much Love

Frankie

xxx

Lace and Gingham Dress

This is a new make! Well I say new, I made it ages ago but it took me ages to get round to photographing it. Like my background? Santa's already started putting presents in our spare room so I've had to borrow little Knitwits wall to take these! Thomas the tank engine is super awesome by the way!

It's the princess seam bodice from the second Great British Sewing Bee book. Its used for two of the projects the shift dress and the full skirted dress. Anyway I had already traced the bodice for my shift dresses but I really liked the full skirted look. So I used that as my inspiration. But because I'm lazy I couldn't be bother to trace off the skirt pieces so I drafted a full circle skirt all by myself! LIKE A BOSS!

As I've said I was only using their image as inspiration so I left of the sleeves (well kind of sleeves more like sleeve cap things) and added a lace waistband. The lace waistband came about because I have a ready to wear dress that has a lace waist band and Mr Knitwit commented that he thought it was cute..... And he says I never listen to him! Oddly enough I didn't need to alter the bodice in any way to accommodate the waistband. I think its because the bodice is drafted to be quite high anyway [Much higher than how it looks on the model in the book]

The fabric was sent to me by a lovely lady who reads my blog. And I really love it! I don't really own too many check items but this dress is making want to expand my horizons! Even if it was a beast to try and match! 

Here's my self drafted skirt , well I say drafted I just measured myself and then cut into the fabric! The skirt is bias but the lace band and the chequered band art the bottom are cut on the grain. It was actually really easy to apply and because the bottom band is cut on grain and is straight it made hemming the skirt so easy! Even if there was bloody loads of it!

Lace application wise I just sewed it on and then top stitched the seam allowance towards the chequered fabric so you couldn't see it through the lace.

I feel pretty fabulous in it to be honest, I'm really pleased with how it turned out! I love the skirt and the lace and the kind of texas/wizard of oz feel it has! I'm also please that I didn't just play safe and make another Lilou. However I am wondering if I should alter my pattern pieces to make the neckline a bit lower. Not like full playboy low but maybe a little more cleavage? 

Here's the pattern matching, The side seam is like OMG! LOOK AT THAT ! But the boob seam is not quite as awesome, which makes me kind of sad but not so sad that I wont ever wear it again. Some of the across stripes match but the up ones are all over the place. I'm not sure if its me that's screwed up or if its just because its a princess seam?

All in all I'm calling this a resounding success! And I think I might have fallen in love with circle skirts! Which is huge! because I am such a gathered skirt kind of girl! But boy is the full circle flattering! It just skims! and I'm really please with the fit of the bodice as well.

I wonder if a half circle skirt does the same?

Much Love

Frankie

xxx

Jumper refashion!

Im a huge fan of jumpers! Especially since I've been walking little Knitwit to nursery in all weathers! I'm also a huge fan of comfort! I was not however a huge fan of this jumper my mum gave me to refashion. 

Please excuse the mess! My mum has had this jumper for as long as I can remember and I have a sneaking suspicion that she may have got it from my sister! 

Bet you've not seen a new look label like that for a while! Other than some stitches  coming undone at the roll neck collar it's in very good condition! I think the Fabric is some kind of acrylic woolness and is in a very fetching speckle pattern! Which makes the jumper look quite busy. 

I started off by removing the roll neck monstrosity! Which luckily I just had to unpick! (Very carefully!) 

Next l had a little play around with putting on a lace trim, I really liked it but had a sneaking suspicion I wouldn't wear it very often, I was really looking for something I could just throw on and look effortlessly cool! (Or at least try to)

So instead I kept it pretty simple and just added some flat lace to each shoulder seam using my sewing machine. 

As far as refashions go it's pretty simple, but I'm trying to stock my wardrobe with day to day things and not just SPECTACULAR items! 

And it does sort of remind me of something you might find on the highstreet! 

This is me trying to look naturally posed, instead I look like I've waved back at someone who wasn't waving at me, (we've all been there) 

In other news! My invisible zipper foot came yesterday, so once I've worked it out I can finish off my new dress! 

I repaired some bras where the underwire was sticking out, I really shouldn't tumble dry them! 

Have done THREE Easter crafts with little Knitwit! 

Sorted my wardrobe, again! Sighs, I think I just need a bigger wardrobe! 

And watched that politician thing on channel 3 last night, and I can quite safely say I have zero idea about politics, they all seem lovely! Until the next guy gets the mic and turns them into satan! It's been said before, but the last man to walk into the Houses of Parliament with honest intentions was guy Fawkes!

Much love 

Frankie

Xx

Another owl!

Hi my names Frankie and I'm a Netflix addict.

I have a serious Netflix problem, I've binge watched gossip girl, and mr selfridge , American horror story, countless Molly ringwald films and now I'm in to heroes. 

Luckily it's not a complete waste if time , I've been multitasking, sometimes I knit and sometimes I sew.

Today I sewed 

Another textured owl! Anyone sick if them yet?

Well tough! Because I still love them!!!! 

 

Vintage lace, beads, vintage buttons! All the usual suspects are included! 

The beading took forever! And ever! 

Now I just have to make it into a cushion, sighs (the boring part) 

I've also been working on my first project from the fashion with fabric book, it's sort if an upcycle , recycle hybrid type thing! Anyway hopefully it turns out okay! 

Much love

Frankie 

Xxx

New textured owl!

Ive not made a textured owl in absolutely ages! But today whilst on the phone to my momma I found myself giving it a whirl! 

I can't wait to turn it into a cushion! 

I used peices of lace and a vintage lace doily! As well as other materials from my stash.... Including.... 

Cute lil brass circle bead things! 

And the wings are my from some Indian silk I had left over. 

I think it's adorable! I'm making it into a cushion tommorrow and it will be popping it into my etsy shop not long after !

Now I'm wondering if theirs any other animals that would look cool texturised! 

Much love

Frankie

Xxx

This is the end. I'm sure this time....

Mr Knitwit has been unwell. The day after his birthday in fact. Luckily little Knitwit was already having a sleep over at his nanny a so I didn't have to worry about him. The other bigger baby though , he was feeling well and truly sorry for himself. Poor lamb! So whilst he spent the day in bed sipping water and telling me that this was the end and that he was going to die ! I did a whole lot of nothing! I watched a sex and the city marathon, did some drawing, watched a dance moms marathon and knitted some booties!! Not productive but at least relaxing! I got two pairs made up! 

A super adorable pink pair! With lace bows and...... 

A fluffy blue pair! With blue lace bows! I also downloaded a free stitch counter app for my phone! And it's wonderful! No more hunting around for a pen! No more counting of rows and loosing paper! Just swipe and go! So much easier!!!

Anyway mr Knitwit appears to have made a full recovery. Well at least he's been well enough today to have a go with his new game! 

Men and illness eh?

Much love

Frankie 

Xxx

Can Owls Be Couture?

I've been watching to much project runway. I recently realised that I can watch full length episodes on Youtube and I can watch them on the television in the living room. It's bliss! And I think that unconsciously became the inspiration for this project.

 In a few days its going to become a cute little cushion but for the moment it looks like this.

 

 

I think this is such a cute, chic, little owl! Can I use the word chic? Is chic a word that can be used to describe an owl?

 

 

Its got a lot of texture involved and everything is hand sewn, not a machine in site. The eyes are buttons and hand sewn beads. I love that its kind of got a vintage vibe as well, kind of like a 1920's flapper owl!

 

 

I used a lot of texture on it, there's vintage fabric, felt and vintage dolies (thanks to Momma Knitwit and here shopping skills!)

 

 

Metal rings and assorted lace!

 

 

And more beads!!!! You can never have to many beads! Even if I did nearly loose my entire box of beads on the floor.

 

 

Okay so I  know I'm biased but I LOVE it! It doesn't help that I have an unhealthy obsession with owls! But I just think it looks awesome! I'm having a super proud moment!

 

I can't wait to start something similar I'm loving the textured approach at the moment! Although it does kind of remind me of winter with all those layers.

 

By the way if anybody is looking to get rid of their dolies! I know someone who'd definitely be willing to take them off their hands, Wink Wink.

 

Much Love

 

And

 

MAKE IT WORK!

 

Frankie

 

xxx