Girl Can Sew

  This week I’m breezing in in my latest make, it’s the Pauline Alice – Coeli Blouse made in a light cotton voile from Minerva Crafts . Perhaps a little early in the year to be wearing such a billowy top but I’ve been waiting to make this since it came out and perhaps by wearing it I will beckon in more spring-like weather? If anyone could see the contents of my wardrobe they’d see that I am quite the sucker for a white shirt. They’re just so easy to wear, it can be smart, it can be casual, but either way, it’s effortlessly cool. There are some very pretty details to this specific blouse which I am particularly fond of such as the oversized sleeves, mandarin collar, and the cute little ties to close the back, not to mention the pleats! The fit is perfect but that’s not difficult to achieve as it’s not a fitted silhouette. It took a little longer to make than other shirts I’ve made due to the extra details: pleats, gathering, French seams, and button loops as opposed to buttonholes.

  Have you ever had a fabric in your stash with no idea what to make with it and then, as if by magic, a new pattern is released which matches perfectly? Well, that’s what happened to me! I picked up this Chambray remnant from Ditto Fabrics in Brighton over a year ago, washed it, and lovingly placed it in my stash and there it sat until now. This fabric has a soft feel and good drape in a classic indigo shade so I knew I’d find something to make with it eventually. When I saw the Bakerloo Dress (by Nina Lee) made up in chambray I didn't have to reach too far for my own, it was meant to be! The pattern has really clear instructions and is beginner-friendly. The hardest part is attaching the frill to the collar because it can get caught in the corners. I tried the top part on once I had stitched the side seams and I have to say it was a bit of a struggle to pull down over my bust. I double-checked the size chart and I’d definitely chosen the correct size but because generally, th

The Gemma sweater/dress pattern by Named has been sitting in my stash for at least year and I had every intention of using it to recreate the dress on the envelope but the velvet I bought was defected with the pile going every which way so those plans went out the window. It wasn’t until I was watching an interior design show on Netflix (as we all are some point during Lockdown) that I saw one of the contestants wearing a blue and red sweater dress that it got me thinking! ‘I have a pattern that would work for that!’ This pattern is perfect for colour blocking because it already consists of different blocks you have to piece together. The pattern came together really quickly, I whipped this up in an afternoon. The only thing you need to watch out for, especially when colour blocking, is to align the seams accurately. I think it was actually easier having it made up in different colours so I could see what was what but the instructions and diagrams are really clear anyway. The fit i