Sewing Cleo

Greetings friends. I am a lot more upbeat than I was in my last post! Thank you all for your nice comments both here and on IG. To know so many of you have had similar experiences and persevered has been inspiring and reassuring, so many thanks.

Today I am going to share my latest make: Cleo, the newish pattern by Tilly and the Buttons. I made two versions, one too big and one too small, but luckily I've been able to rescue them.

My first version was a toile, to check the fit using the cheapy cord left over from my trousers. Even though I cut this version out at the size that corresponded to my measurements, I couldn't even get it on. Then, my friend Jenny (Silverbellsandcockleshells on IG) suggested unpicking and using smaller seam allowance and that's what I did. It's not roomy, as I think dungarees should be, but it's wearable.

So, having learnt my lesson, I then got my nice fabric out. Although I kept the bib the same for the side seams, I cut out the next one a size up. And would you believe it but it was huge and gapey!! Much cursing ensued, then unpicking and increasing the seam allowance this time!

I love the style, I think the aesthetic suits me. It is also a happy, easy shape to wear, flattering and loose around the tum, perfect for eating in!

The fabric is a sparkly denim with stretch, and perhaps the stretch was why it was too big for me. The sparkles catch the light and shine in the sun, which is fun. I still don't feel I have nailed the fit, and I am going to have one more go in due course, with some gorgeous gold denim from my stash. I fear the green version will not keep its place in my wardrobe, but the denim is a keeper!

If you have made Cleo how did you get on with fit/gaping?
Lou xx

Hello 2017

Hope everyone has had a great Christmas and New Year. We had a fab time here, but once 2017 hit, so did illness. Feverish and sick is not the best way to be to usher in a new year. But the family are now finally surfacing from the arena of the unwell.

Have you made any New Year's resolutions? I need something to change in my life. My number one priority is to get some purpose. Those of you who know me personally will know I do a great deal of voluntary work, and obviously I also do and enjoy the sewing intern work too. However, making the jump from voluntary to paid work in my chosen sphere (public sector) has eluded me. Over the past three years I have applied for more jobs than I can remember, each application taking days to fill in. I am not even getting close; not even an interview in three years. Feedback is always the same: you are a strong candidate with good experience, but we were inundated and can take our pick.

To say it gets me down is an understatement. I have given up a large portion of my adult working life to raise my beautiful babies, but they have all started school now, and I need to do something challenging. But here's the rub... I need it to be part-time.

So, why am I writing about this on a sewing blog? Sorry folks, I just needed to say it 'out loud' to hear myself think, and this is a space I feel safe in. The sewing won't stop, I love it, but I need to acknowledge that life cannot carry on like this. So what next?  Short term, more voluntary work with different charities to gain more skills. Long term... I don't know; back to university, maybe? Expensive, but possibly worth it if I finally get to use my brain again.

Well thanks for reading if you got this far. I just needed to put it out there to make myself realise that I need to find a solution.  Come on 2017, reveal your secrets.  Louise xx

P.S. As far as sewing resolutions go, mine is to sew what I enjoy, plus to try hard to use up the fabric I already own before buying more!