First Crafting of 2011

Amelia and Grace saw me looking at this mushroom fabric online a while ago and both immediately wanted it in different colourways.
Amelia wanted me to make a dress using a pattern in this Vintage French sewing book (you can see it in the bottom picture on the right). The first one I made was awful - the hole under the button was huge and it was too tight at the neck. This second version is a little better, but still has problems with the top part. I added a zip to the back (as it is quilte slim fitting) so it doesn't have a buttonhole (the button is sewn through all the pieces) and it is much easier to get on and off. I added pockets from the Oliver and S Jump Rope dress.

Grace wanted Simplicity 2320. It was a quick and easy pattern, nearly exactly the same as this one I made for myself. I am glad I had made that first as the instructions for this aren't great and some of the pattern pieces did not seem to match very well. After sewing some great patterns from Oliver and S and other smaller pattern companies sewing this one was a bit of a disappointment. These patterns might be a bit more expensive and a little harder to get, but they make up for it with great instructions, well drafted patterns and I want to make them again and again so they are definitely cheaper in the long run.

More details are here at Pattern Review. I have decided one of New Years Resolutions is to write pattern reviews over there as it is the first place I look when I am thinking about trying a new pattern so I would like to help other people when they are deciding on what to sew and what changes they should make to patterns.
A small pair of kimono shoes for my nephew using this pattern. If you are looking for a cute baby present I recommend this pattern. The smaller sizes can be a bit fiddly, but with a little patience they turn out really well.