Elephants and humans

I just had to run up another Sorbetto top in this quirky elephant print fabric.  In a neutral beige colourway, I thought this could be worn with similar neutrals, my uniform de rigeur - jeans - and layered with a cardi of any colour.

I had a steep learning curve and now fully understand why more fabric is needed for one-directional prints!!  Sometimes its the only way to learn...As I splashed out and bought one whole metre of the fabric, I had to get inventive to avoid having either the front or the back of my top with upside down elephants.  I decided to to sew an additional strip at either side of the fabric before folding to create the necessary extra width.  As these are next to the side seams, they are somewhat hidden.  Not too bad a job...

I was also brave when sewing the bias binding at the neckline.  As it was 1 inch wide instead of the 1/2 inch suggested, I thought I would definitely be able to catch both front and back in one sweep.  Ta da...success!


I also added two lengths of cream lace to each side of the central pleat and sewed this through both the edge of the pleat and the front.  This has the added bonus of securing the pleat and making ironing that much easier.  Marvellous!!

On another note, I am losing my faith in human kindness/courtesy, call it what you will.  Is it so very hard for people to make eye contact, smile, hold doors open, register other road users??  Are these people happy?  Is everyone so full of their own self-importance that they can't spare the seconds/minutes for these small acts of civility?  My hopes were raised this morning when a dog walker greeted me with a smile and a cheery 'morning' on my return from the school walk - only to be dashed later on by a lady driver who seemed to forget the rules of the road and someone who let a shop door close right in front of me .  Do you find this problem or are people happier in your part of the world?  OK, enough, rant over.


On a positive note, Mr B is currently enjoying the luxury of a French carp fishing holiday courtesy of an Australian businessman.  Largely thanks to my writing an excellent recommendation, I nominated him as a deserving member of HM Armed Forces and guess what?!... he was picked!!  And  now I am a fishing widow again... although strictly speaking its my own fault.


We are both astounded and overwhelmed that a previously unknown individual would wish to make such a massive appreciative and generous gesture and I must say, it does restore my faith in (some people's) human kindness.

Summer top

What with all this beautiful spring weather we have had (this really better not be the extent of our summer!), I have been inspired to make this super easy Colette Sorbetto top, available as a free download.  I have been following one blog in particular for some time now, and following this post on her version, I decided to add some extra length to the top as I seem to have a longer body and add extra length to any cardi, top....

As the top only uses less than a metre of fabric, you really can't go wrong and would be a good pattern for first timers.  There really is nothing more satisfying than practising as you go and being able to come out with an item as a reward.  There is also no limit to the details or personal touches you can add to this top and I love some other examples of this top on this blog.  


My wonderful mum recently bought me a remnant of some great Paul Smith striped shirting on her recent visit to the NEC Birmingham.  Just my luck this clashed with the weekend of the craft fair I did plus the hottest days of 2012....


I had to face using bias tape (aargh! first attempt a few months ago was disastrous!) to edge the neck and the sleeves of this tape.  Instead of using the method of using this best only attempted bu expert sewers, I went back to basics and used the slightly lengthier method that produces the best results.   More haste less speed as they say....

I have had this gorgeous, very old length of dainty crochet flower trim sat waiting for the perfect project and the dusky pink stripe and beige fabric needed just a bit of a feminine slant.

I pinned the string of flowers inside the bias tape on the front of the top only before sewing.  The addition of three buttons that were just too perfect to be true on the vertical pleat section gave the top some gorgeous details that helped lift the fabric.  You can't see from the photo but the buttons are cream with a sweet dusky pink daisy.

And voila!  A unique vintage style top that is just so comfy and wearable.   I will definitely be making more using this pattern although there are a few minor modifications I would make.  And I also think sleeves would also be lovely and as I love a challenge, I think I will draft my own to add.   The possibilities are endless.....watch this space.....