Ta Dah!

Dressmaking is not something I have had the time or inclination to do for many years. I hate to admit it but it's been 22 years since I last made an item of clothing and that was to wear for a boyfriend's 21st Birthday Party. That, as I remember it, was a shocking creation involving a pair of trousers and an evening coat with huge shoulder pads (I have an excuse for this; it was the very end of the 80s!). Clothes in the high street are so inexpensive these days and making something to wear can work out to be more expensive than simply nipping into a clothes shop. Also I tend to concentrate on making things that will be used either as accessories or to decorate the home.

I was inspired as I am sure many people were by the first episode of "The Great British Sewing Bee" - a programme that hopes to do for sewing what "The Great British Bake Off" did for home baking. In this episode the contestants were challenged with making an A Line skirt and being a fan of skirts in the Summer I decided it was time to re-acquaint myself with dressmaking.

Back view

A while ago some fabric in a shop caught my eye. It was a retro design in greens, whites and turquoises in a funky curvy geometric pattern. I loved it but realised that it didn't fit in with the usual Hope & Gloria designs but could make a fun skirt for the Summer just for me. Armed with two metres and my pattern ordered from ebay I set to work.

Apart from a minor hiccup with cutting out and needing to dash back to the shop for another metre of fabric it was fab to make and I am delighted with the results. I am sure that a professional dressmaker casting a critical eye over my project may find a few faults and I am sure that the seams could be straighter in places but this is just down to practice. Speaking of which I have more fabric on order to make another. All I need now is some sunny weather and some fake tan on my legs and it's ready to wear!