My mind is such a melting pot of ideas that it can often be difficult to remember what came first. I know this coat was influenced by the following:

• Seeing short versions of the Talea coat by other Burdastyle members.
• Needing an intermediate jacket for autumn.
  My obsession with cheap ikea fleece throws and their ease of sewing.
• Loving smart red coats.
• Wanting an extra large hood.

 

Oh, and some really cute vintage buttons and a secondhand cotton vest I bought whilst in Canberra.

 

Tweet

I loved these tights but they just didn't suit me. They did suit this cream jersey bed sheet though.

I kind of made up the pattern as I went along.

Tweet

 

Not strictly a remake, although I got the fabric dirt cheap about 8 years ago. This dress represents how much I've learnt over the last 18 months; from other blogs, books, magazines; but mainly from my own mistakes. I used several different techniques to create it.

 

The bottom was based on a dress I already own, the bodice and sleeves adapted from Burdastyle's Kristen pattern and the collar was a bit of freestyling, inspired by a top I saw online. 

I extended each side of the front bodice. crossed them over, wrapped round the neck and sewed together at the back of the neck. There are various bits of stitching to hold it together but the drapes and patterning pretty much hide the construction.

The fabric has enough stretch to get it on and off without needing a zip. Yay!

Tweet

I love my fleece robe so much, I made another one for my mum. This time the throw was ribbed and didn't have a fringed edge.

Tweet

This was just one of those things that once I had the idea I had start immediately (despite the fact that I have a huge backlog of half completed projects).

I had completely overlooked the free Kasia skirt pattern on Burdastyle until I saw this lovely grey wool version. I already had a navy fleece throw from Ikea earmarked for a dress. When I was reminded of the neckline from the Danielle dress (another Burdastyle freebie) its fate was sealed.

So the top part is from the Danielle pattern and the bottom is a simplified Kasia Skirt. I kind of blended the waistbands from the two patterns together. I had expected to need to move the zips on both patterns to the side, but since the fleece has a bit of stretch, I was very pleased to discover I didn't need one at all. I also eliminated the front flap on the Kasia so the buttons are purely decorative and the pockets joined so it's like one big pouch at the front. The pocket fabric is from an old dress.

Tweet

 It's been snowing and this sweet little angel lost her hat at the supermarket. So this was a quick fix. One scrap rectangle of fleece folded over and sewn down each side.

To seal the deal, I embroidered Peppa Pig on the top.

Tweet

As the weather becomes colder, I love to wrap myself up in a cosy blanket. Burdastyle agrees and includes some soft cuddly patterns in the Dec 09 issue. I especially liked this wrapover jacket.

I used a blue POLARVIDE fleece throw from Ikea and I incorporated the edging into the design. (Partly as there wasn't much fabric to spare.) This is the first time I've used a pattern from a magazine, but this was a nice easy one to try.

Tweet

I was really inspired by this kimono inspired wrap skirt, especially the way there's a flash of colour as you walk. I used some old navy cords for the main fabric and a vintage (i.e. even older) curtain from the kitchen of my first house. I would have liked to have the lining completely hidden when standing still, but there wasn't quite enough cord fabric to reach right round.

Tweet

Blanket - Found in charity Shop, £6.

Pattern - Talea, available from www.burdastyle.com

Tweet