January Blues

I always assume that January will be a quiet month, one where no one will want to go out because no one has any money. I'm always wrong, ha ha. I've been out for dinner, am planning a trip down to London mid-month, three leavings dos, and I couldn't make it to a murder mystery evening due to the number of invitations bandying about! So naturally I have been grumbling about my fabulous social life instead of just getting on with it. Sometimes I pine for the days where my one social outing a week was the craft club in Edinburgh, and then I remember that no social life is no fun at all and I get on with it. How has everyone else's week been? Do you moan about having 'too much' to do?

I've been wearing my comfiest clothes in this super cold weather, trying to stay warm and not moving much from the brand new sofa where I can. This outfit is a comfy weekend/ evening favourite, another 2014 make, I'm catching up promise! The top is based on the Coco pattern. You may remember I attempted a dress from this, and though the comfiest dress ever, I didn't feel pulled together enough for day to day wear. However, I did see potential in the pattern.

I wanted a pattern to match my favourite jumper (the black and white one in this post), so laid the coco pattern over the jumper, with a roll of pattern paper underneath. I then matched up the under arm seam, and neckline. Areas where my RTW jumper extended past the pattern, I drew onto the paper underneath. 

I then took the jumper away and matched up the Coco pattern with the new lines. I followed the Coco pattern instructions to complete, and got the following jumper! 

The material is a mystery knit from a basket at Abakhan, with a lovely stripe of gold for a bit of glam. I've still got loads left, maybe I'll attempt a cardigan too? The skirt is an unblogged New Look 6128, very straightforward, navy cord skirt, nae fuss. this is a workhorse outfit. I've been trying to work at filling gaps in my wardrobe, and this certainly ticks all the boxes on that. 

Comfy Coco

I think I have to admit that in the case of this dress, I probably made a bad choice.

I loved what everyone was saying about the Coco, that it was crazy comfortable and felt pulled together, so I'll admit to being convinced into it by all the gorgeous versions that were appearing.

However, I never wear jersey because it always feels too clingy, so I was undecided about making it. I do have a jumper though which is a similar shape that I love, so I thought that maybe with a bit of drafting I might love it. Plus I hadn't worked with stretch before so thought that it would go well with my new challenge myself plan! I had some denim look stretch that I used as a muslin, and recreated the jumper. To do this I first traced the coco in the packet measurements, then laid the jumper over the top, tracing the areas where it differed from the pattern. The main difference was the accentuated A line of the bottom of the top.

I really liked this top, and decided for my proper make I would try and adapt it to a dress. Having never owned a jersey dress, and knowing I liked the top, what could go wrong right? Something that I learned though once this was made. I don't just not wear jersey because it clings, I also don't feel 'done up' enough. I've gotten so used to wearing cotton/ woven fabrics that this feels way too casual.

Cat - bombed

So I thought id show you how I do wear this... with my pyjamas (leggings now it's colder) usually a hairband cos I haven't bothered washing my hair. This is officially now my day pyjamas. It serves its purpose well, and I did learn a lot about jersey sewing in the making. So a definite 50-50 make. 

I have since made a jumper from the top pattern, and love it! Just, the dress is not for me... until I need another pyjama dress anyway. Ya live and ya learn