I am finally getting to make my way into remaking some of VdeP textile waste. One of the motivations was Frocktails, and this year it was going to be ‘up the river’, on a large tourist river cruiser, going up to Loch Corrib in Galway. Frocktails was on last Saturday night and the weather was amazing so I can’t wait to see the photos!

So what to make! I had come across the Roberts Woods pattern somewhere, and was well curious…. what I had conveniently forgot was I don’t like shirt-making and I don’t like patchwork ( fiddly and ‘not for me’)….. seriously what was I thinking when I bought the Bow Shirt Pattern….These thoughts were racing through my head the more I sewed the shirt!

In the textile waste stash (I now have far too many stashes they are categorised) there were 2 white blouses. One was a linen look cotton and the other a ‘Bereska’ Viscose. I also had a donated piece of ‘shower of hail’ poly cotton that I never knew quite what to do with. I made the ‘shower of hail’ the dominant fabric as it was the most interesting and forms the ‘bow’. The cutting and sewing are fiddly. at the time of doing it seemed never-ending. the pieces are sewn together in lines across, overlocked. then joined to the line above – and everything flat felled (although I think I flat felled each line separately at first). Everything was going pretty okay….until the sleeves…..the very last sew…… and with the curved seam the overlocker nicked each sleeve (see photo above)… so panels had to be removed and recut….I considered trying to repair somehow…but no, had to be removed and reinserted….

The instructions for the sew are fine, but lack a bit here and there, and I think I would consider doing a one piece collar instead of collar and stand, and would do the cuff openings differently – the sewing level for this is ‘advanced/intermediate’, and while I am sewing a long time, it would have been nice to see the cuff opening finish on the inside (instructions are computer generated).

While making, I was really cursing my sewing choices but once it was done, I was well pleased with it and even thought – yup, I would make that again.

The Skirt

The Skirt never happened in the end. I had been planning a skirt from this chintz since last year and liked the idea of pairing it with some denim. the skirt was to be a wrap that was either similar to a sarong (like this almais one) or this other image found on pinterest (with a more angular look). once I started pinning it on myself, I really couldn’t see it working for me. I no longer have a 24/26 inch waist so mid length skirts don’t seem to ‘work’ for me anymore. I also considered a maxi, but parked that too….I was now just making it for the sake of it

The Alternative

I thought I would try making this pair of gauchos from Burda January 2022. I have been wanting to try these for ages. There is a misprint as they estimated the yardage needed is 1.5m (and as each piece is nearly a metre long, it doesnt add up. I did toile it in a fabric I had in stash, but I used the tracing I did 3 years ago so it was too big (after much effort I am finally beginning to drop back a dress size) So I decided to wait till my weight settles before re-tracing and trying for real – and will try and source some fabric as I think they would be a great wardrobe staple for me.

The final choice

I ended up wearing a pair of RTW navy linen trousers I have for years but also haven’t worn in 8 years due to menopause fairy handing me some extra inches. There are a few pieces I held onto so happy I these now fit. The cut is very similar to Vogue Paris Original 2965 (which I made in grey deadstock last winter). Its a great pattern and I am glad I tried it. To grade out (pattern I have is a 12), I just increased the outside leg and it worked a charm. I since came across a very useful trouser adjustment piece (shared on pinterest) and looked up the source. I may or may not get this book (sewing library v full here) but the pattern adjustment tips look great.

The Coat

I wore the Laroche coat I made a few years ago – posted in 2022, and think it worked very well with the trousers, and nice to have a quirky outfit on stand-by in case I am going anywhere nice this summer!

Frocktails

I had a fabulous time. I felt a journalist at some alternative red-carpet event… asking people ‘what/who are you wearing’. It was great to see some many different makes and some serious creativity. of course I didn’t take any photos, but one of my favourite inspo’s of the evening was a bag made with gold leatherette and a hand stitched 60s style landscape tapestry – which got me thinking what will I do with this one I have here (it was part of a donation to the sewing room years ago). One of the quick witted ladies there suggested to put it on the back of a jacket… which I LOVE – imagine making a grand exit with that!