So I am at the end of my second week of my final placement. It is going SO well and I am enjoying it immensely, the feedback I am getting is really helpful and productive and I am learning an awful lot. The end feels very near and soon I will be a fully fledged teacher! I can’t wait 
Understandably I haven’t had much time to bury my head in sewing this last week or so but it will soon be the weekend and I plan on doing a lot of sleeping, eating and crafting!
In the mean time I thought it was about time I shared one of my more wintry creations. Well, I suppose it is quite Autumny really, what with the colours and the flowery pattern. Either way I think it is super cute and super vintage.
To make this dress I used Simplicity 2588 which I think I got free with a magazine a while back – score!
It is the first time I have put this pattern to use and it was really simple to use, but the fabric, as lovely and unusual as the design is, was actually a little tricky to work with. It is a jersey knit and if I’m honest I just haven’t had much practice working with fabrics like this.
Any tips for working with stretch fabrics people?
On another note – isn’t Cici getting big?! She is getting a big personality to go along with her size too She is much better on the lead for the hubby, I just get dragged along.
Also, do you like my owl handbag? it was a christmas present of my lovley mum. I have been wondering if i could use this design and work out if I could make my own version. it is certainly something I would be interesting in trying out.
I’d love to hear from you. could do with some creative based chatter to stop me from being completely teacher focused!
Hehe
Speak soon
I love the owl bag! I think you should try something with it. And I love your boots. Where didi you get them?
Thanks – I really like the patchwork idea to create the owl, I will certainly be trying to re-create it. Any ideas for how I could put it to use?
The boots are adorable aren’t they! Hehe. They were a Christmas present of my lovely Hubby all the way from China. I don’t want to take them off
It looks like you did a great job sewing with that fabric ~ what did you find tricky about it (if you don’t mind me asking)? I usually sew with knits and I think a couple of things help – sew with ballpoint needles, sew slowly (it does tend to stretch a bit, and that can be tricky so for that matter, I try to pin a lot and take it slow) and stop every so often to make sure the fabric is staying where it’s supposed to be. But it’s a lovely dress and cute owl bag too! Oh and congrats on soon to be a teacher!
Ahhh, you may have highlighted my problem! I can’t go slow
I’m so impatient and get so frustrated, this may be why me and knits tend not to be a frequent combination. I am willing to try though. I will certainly give your ball point needle suggestion a go, and attempt to slow things down of course. Thank you very much for your tips, very much appreciated. Much more practcice is needed – but hey, that is just an excuse for more sewing xXx
Very lovely dress! And congrats on reaching your final placement in one piece – it will so be worth it. I always find sewing with knits harder so I sew them much more slowly – that way they don’t curl or stretch out of shape. You can get different needles too and the quality/ type of thread will make the world of difference. There are lots of tips here http://sewaholic.net/a-big-list-of-tips-for-sewing-knits/ Enjoy the snow if you get any! Lara xxx
Oooh thanks for the link, I will check that out now. it is simply something I am going to have to practice.
xXx
If I remember correctly haven’t you sewn up this pattern also?
And thanks for your kind words on placement, it is always nice to hear especially from other teachers. I can’t wait to graduate, just starting the job searching process now but there isn’t much up yet. have you been teaching long?
Just got the snow today – I think I was more excited than the kinds in my class
I did indeed make that pattern too http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/hint-of-pink it came together very nicely actually so I may try it again. Most jobs will come up in April and May, I think that’s when people have to hand in notice etc. This is my 3rd year teaching now and I was definitely the most excited about the snow. We made a snowman at school and then got sent home – amazing! xxx
Awww that sounds like so much fun! We weren’t allowed to make a snow man
It is crazy how many crafty bloggers I have met who are teachers. Any advice you have will be greatly appreciated, very nervous about my NQT year, but even more excited. What year do you teach?
How spooky, your dress was one I commented on
xXx
Well we only had 2 kids in and we were sent home by 10 so it wasn’t a normal school day lol. I think maybe teachers like to do something productive all the time so get a hobby like crafting! NQT year is great because you get time to do extra training and sort things out. But yeah, any questions, just ask. I teach Year 4 at the moment. What age are you focussing on?
Oo that is interesting – we do seem to have very similar tastes! xxx
Well thank you for the offer
I am with year 5 at the moment but I am happy to work with any class KS1 or 2.
How do you manage to find so much time to make so many great creations? xx
Ha – I’m not very good at sitting still. My boyfriend gets really annoyed with me because we sit down to watch a film, hang on scratch that, he sits down to watch a film or TV show and I move between the living room and my sewing machine to make my projects. In fact I feel a little bit lost this weekend as I’ve been doing blog prep rather than moving around. Might have to get back on it tomorrow! I think I might try and make less this year though and take my time with everything more xxx
I love your dress. Looks great in the floral fabric. You must be cold in those photos though!
I thought it was a nice twist on the pattern – the obvious material choice was a cotton or suiting but this worked well. I will admit In was a bit chilly, I had my coat on standby for once the pics were done! xXX
Darling dress! Love your boots, too =D
Thanks hun, I was made up they went so well together xxx
Stretch fabrics – a walking foot and some spray starch with your iron!!! Best discoveries ever.
oooh, I bet the starch idea works really well! thanks xxx