shorts, shirts and dresses

June was definitely the month of shorts, shirts and dresses. Let me show you.

First, the shorts. These are all made with the Jalie pull-on pants and shorts pattern I showed in my last post. Sorry about the display of tummy skin! 🫣

I then made another two pairs:

This pair was actually a pair of trousers I'd made from that pattern years ago which I had hardly ever worn. I decided I'd get more wear out of them as shorts so just whacked them off at the appropriate place and then hemmed them. I've already worn them more times than I ever wore them as trousers so mission accomplished!

Next I made more dresses for Emily and Isla. These are all using the Kitty dress from Puperita.

I wanted to use navy buttons on the backs but didn't have enough. I ordered some but, when they arrived they were definitely not navy - more royal blue. I then ordered some from another seller but they never arrived - lost in the post apparently! I got my money back for those and just decided to use white buttons on 4 of the dresses and cream on the others. Perfect!

Next it was back to the Monty shirt pattern which I showed last month. It's pretty clear I like this pattern as I've now made five!! I do have another piece of fabric I might use for another one - maybe!

Then it was on to some dresses for me. This is the Lena Shift dress which I made a few of last summer. I had some fabric which Santa gave me last year that I wanted to use so I did. I made a size smaller than I made last year - go me!!

When I asked Jo to take photos of me wearing them she told me to strike a pose so I did! 🤣

I have to say, I wasn't sure about a dress with chickens on it but I LOVE it!

I love these dresses - so comfy and cool in the heat! Let's hope we get enough heat this summer for me to be able to wear them!

the rest of May

I spent most of May sewing the quilt I showed in my last post but I did make a few other things.

First I made some pincushions to hold the new pins I'd treated myself to. Let's face it, pins don't last forever so I decided to renew some and, naturally, had to make pincushions to hold them. I made some square-in-a-square blocks using sewing fabrics for the tops. For the backs, I used the same sewing fabrics in single pieces - ie not patchworked - and I filled them with crushed walnut shells. They're just perfect.

Here they are all filled with my new pins. I love them!

Next I made myself a couple of new blouses. These are made using the StyleArc Monty dress and shirt pattern. I always buy StyleArc patterns from Etsy as they come in PDFs and there are 3 sizes in each so you can adjust the pattern to fit you if you're not the exact size. Luckily I am so no adjustments for me - other than lengthening the pattern by 6" as I really didn't want it as short as they had it! Anyway, I LOVE these blouses and they're never out of rotation!

Lastly, I made myself some new shorts. I'd been hunting in the shops for knee length shorts and couldn't find any anywhere. I'm not of an age to be wearing short shorts any more so I decided I would just have to make some.

I used my favourite trouser pattern - the Jalie pull-on pants and shorts. I realised the shorts on the pattern were the short shorts kind so I measured the shorts I had in my wardrobe to find the length I wanted and went from there. These are soooooo comfortable! I don't think I'll be buying any more ready made shorts any time soon!

I have already made more Monty blouses and more Jalie shorts but I'll show them in the June makes post.