All posts filed under: dressing up costumes

Lekala 8000 – A Tale Of Two Frocks

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Well it’s one frock really, but due to it being far too tight and having giant ric-rac on the hem it was in need of attention before I could wear it publicly. Remember the Mexican party we went to? It was over the back holiday weekend in August which now seems ages ago.  I needed a Mexican outfit.  After much deliberation and with a hangover I began cutting out the Lekala #8000 – a free pattern that is made to measure my size (or yours)!  It was 4pm and we were going out at 7:30pm so I didn’t have time for fitting issues! I decided to use the raspberry stretch denim in my stash.  As you can see from the photo below it came very close to being another pair of culottes!  And it’s also what I used in my last post to make the personalised peg bag. The dress went together really easily.  I had it finished before 7pm but I did cut a few corners. I added a big red flower from my trip to …

1950s Finale & A Giveaway!

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 Hi Folks, here’s my 1950s outfit and details of a little giveaway in celebration of absolutely nothing, it’s just a thankyou to those of you who take time to read my blog, and especially to those of you who take time to comment.   For those of you who’ve seen my Parts One, Two & Three of me putting together my outfit for the 1950s themed party I went to last night, here it is finished.  The above pic was taken at my parents, I called in on the way to the party. Below I’m with my one of my Bestest Friends every – Martin – who I made the Boxy Dopp Kit bag for and have previously blogged about it here. Out of everything I’ve ever sewn I think I’ve enjoyed making this the most, and I’ll probably be wearing it the least! It’s not the sort of thing I’d throw on to nip to the supermarket!! I eventually opted for the poodle appique as they were all the rage in the 50’s.  I didn’t want anything …

1950s theme party – part 3

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Hi folks, this is just a quick update, it’s almost 11pm in the UK and I’m ready to hit the sack. So here’s where I’m at….. I’ve made the petticoat – hence the puffiness under the skirt! Here’s how it went From this…. To this…..! I’m so pleased with the petticoat except it’s really itchy so I’m going to have to make a lining. Next job is to refashion this (An old hoodie of Harrison’s) into a T Shirt with spotty bias trim….. Only 20 hours to go before I go the ball! 50s party! There’s nothing like a tight deadline to get you motivated!

1950’s themed party Part 2

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This morning I woke at 5:30am, my alarm was set for 6 as I was due to start work at 7. ‘Ooo’ I thought, ‘I could get up and cut out my tulle for my petticoat to go under my full circle skirt’ (which can be seen here).   I did some working out on my iPad:   I managed to cut my net out before I went to work so I’m all ready to get sewing when I finish work tonight.  I’ve been thinking about adding some appliqué to the skirt. I’ve looked on the internet and seen this: I’ve seen this…… And this: So today I am going to attempt drawing appliqué templates. I think ice cream or maybe a single big flower. What do you think? If I do add appliqué then it will mean I probably won’t be able to wear the skirt for anything other than dressing up. But hey oh, it hasn’t cost much to make it.  Edited with BlogPad Pro

1950s themed party Part 1

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On Saturday (only 2 days away – yikes) I’ve been invited to a 60th birthday party with 1950s theme.  I planned to make a dress but as I’m running out of time I’ve now decided to make a skirt and top.  The main reason I’ve left this until the last minute is due to my current addiction/obsession with crocheting. (More here about that.) At the end of December I went shopping to Harrogate and bought 2m of each of the following fabric: The fabric is only 45″ wide so not wide enough to make a full circle skirt (well not for my waist size!).  I had a re-think and rather than make a less full skirt I used some white 100% cotton sheet and made some bias trim for the bottom.  I used my new rotary cutter – whoppee – super easy to make 157″ of it! I love it!  I think one rainy day I’m going to have a full day making all sorts of different bias binding! I’m not sure how I’m going …

Christmas Party – 80s Style!

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I’ve just been to my SECOND Christmas party! This was a fancy dress party – 80s theme! Time to get sewing!!  For my ‘outfit’ (I’m on the right)  SKIRT I had an old skirt with a broken zip. I read on ForeverFierce how to bleach denim and thought I’d try and revamp this sad skirt that I’d never wear again….. I laid it out in the bath and squirted neat bleach on it, and left it about 20 minutes.  It turned a mucky yellow colour……. Then I washed it on a quick 40 degree wash. I chopped the peplum off the bottom and using my ruffling foot made a ra-ra inspired trim which I stitched behind the lower edge.  For the white cropped top, dare I say it, think I should whisper, I used my Sobertto pattern, without the pleat at the centre front.  For the blue top I used McCalls 6648 which I’ve previously used to made 2 dresse and a grey top. It’s a really versatile pattern and easily adapted. Previously blogged about here. …

Halloween Costume

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I managed to finish Harrison’s scary clown suit in time for Halloween. It’s amazing how a costume can change someone so much.  I previously blogged on this here which shows the lekala pattern I downloaded.  When I came home from my night shift at 7am on the morning of Halloween Harrison was fast asleep. I was so excited I had to wake him to show him his costume. Here’s how it went: Mum: ‘trick or treat?’ H: ‘grunt’ Mum:  ‘trick or treat?’ H: ‘mmmm…..treat…..’ I laid his trick or treat bag at the side of his head…. H: ‘turn the lamp on…….’ (Sleepy voice) Lamp on, holding up his costume….. ‘WOW!   MUM, IT’S AMAZING!!!!!’ He was really really really pleased – I don’t think he was that excited when he got his xbox for Christmas!  We had a little photo shoot in the garden before he went out later that night: And one last one……this is my clinical supervisor trying the costume on at work (on the left)……it’s had quite a few comments on FB …

Spooky times ahead

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Is anyone making any costumes for Halloween? My 11 year old wants to dress up as a scary clown! Here he is in his new mask & wig – £1 each from the pound shop. Definitely scary!! I’ve bought some black poly satin with various coloured stars on and some luminous green and purple to make ruffles around the neck. He’s so a bit excited, even helped me cut out. I’ve downloaded a pattern from lekala of a ladies jumpsuit: I’m going to omit the buttons and add a zip at the front. I’ve also omitted the pockets. I’m going to add elastic to the arm cuffs and leg bottoms, and a ruffle round the neck. Oh, and hopefully I’ll have enough fabric left to make him a goody bag to take trick or treating. Hopefully I’ll get it finished off on my break at work tonight. ‘Have sewing machine will travel’ ….that’s my motto!