The sweater season is upon us once again. Of course I didn’t just make a sweater but instead a sweater dress. This is the Southbank Sweater pattern by Nina Lee London. I sewed up it in the cosiest Fur back Ponte Roma fabric which was generously gifted to me by Minerva.
I thought I should bring this to your notice that Minerva has launched their new website this week. It is much more interactive and it also allows you to follower other sewists over there. Another exciting thing about the new website is the ability to purchase fabric off their site in increments less than a metre.
Pattern Description:
The Southbank Sweater is a slightly oversized fit, funnel neck and drop-shoulders. This pattern comes in 3 versions: Version 1 is a sweater dress with a sweatshirt-inspired hem band and side-seam pockets, Version 2 is a hip-length top and Version 3 is a cropped sweater designed to finish at the natural waist. All three variations feature slouchy, slightly over-long sleeves with cuffs.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I lengthened the pattern by 2 inches.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I hope to make a few more of the jumper dress. I would recommend this pattern to anyone even to a beginner.
Conclusion:
I love my jumper dress and it has had loads of wear already in the short time since I made it. If you would link to read in detail about how I got along with making this jumper dress, here is a detailed blog post over at the Minerva website.
If you sew your own clothes, I am sure you know what Me Made May is. However, if you don’t, no worries I have got you. Me Made May was started by SOZO from So, Zo What do you know. It is a personal challenge among sewists, knitters, crocheters (basically anyone who makes items they wear) to wear their handmade items more often throughout the month. The challenge is meant to encourage makers to develop a better relationship with their handmade wardrobe. Everyone is free to set their specifications on how they intend to go about it. Majority of the participants go ahead and document it on their social media especially over on Instagram.
This is the third time I have taken part in Me Made May, however, it is just this time that I have been able to document what I have won every single day. I have done this daily on my Instagram Page and also a weekly roundup on my Youtube channel.
Here is a playlist of my Me made may videos from my Youtube channel if you prefer to watch.
I was on the fence about taking part until the first day mostly because the whole world has been on lockdown. I rarely look that presentable if I am staying home with nowhere to go. However, I took the plunge and I have successfully worn either an item or complete handmade clothes for the entire month of May. I should say May is also my birthday month (1st May).
Here is a round up of what i wore the entire month grouped into weeks.
This challenge is meant to help you develop a better relationship with your handmade wardrobe, however, it also highlights the gaps you have in your wardrobe. It also helps you identify what you may need to improve in regards to your handmade wardrobe. By the end of the challenge, I have identified two key areas I need to put more attention to.
Firstly, I need to deep my toes into jeans making. A well-fitting pair of jeans is an item I struggle to find in the stores and when I do they are quite expensive. I realised when I wore a blouse or top, I could only pair it with my RTW jeans. I have recently purchased the Meghan Nielsen Ash Jeans sewing pattern which is a step in the right direction.
Secondly, I plan to be more intentional whenever I sew up separates such as a skirt or pants that I plan or sew up an item I would be wearing it with. Unless I do this I will be left with wardrobe pieces I have spent time making but never wearing.
All in all, I have enjoyed taking part in me made may and I can not wait for next year. Did you take part in Me Made May? And if so, what lessons have you learnt from the challenge?
If you know a bit about me, you would not be surprised that I love pinafores. They are a versatile piece of clothing which can easily be worn all year round. I tend to wear them on their own during the warmer months and layered up in colder ones.
Who does not love a good comfortable shift dress for summer? I always forget that the world summer is relative to wherever you stay. I am in the UK, and to be honest with you for a total of six years I have lived in this lovely country, I have only experienced just one true summer. Being a tropical girl, one warm day amidst a week of rainy and cloudy does not count as summer. Let me stick to talking about the Carnaby dress by Nina Lee Patterns.
Pattern
Description
The Carnaby dress is a shift style dress with separate bodice and skirt piece and of with inseam front pockets. The skirt piece connects to the bodice at around the hipline which makes it really interesting. And the separate bodice and skirt pieces allow for colour blocking. This dress also features an exposed zipper at the back.
The Carnaby dress offers two style options; View A which is a
sleeveless dress and View B with short sleeves. Both can be made out of a range
of fabrics and can also be worn in the colder months with some layers.
Pattern
Sizing:
This pattern runs from sizes 6 up to size 20. And according to the
pattern size recommendations, I was a size 6 at the bust and in between sizes 8
and 10 for both waist and hips. I decided to cut up two dresses in size 6 for
both the bust and the waist which I blended into a size 8 at the hips. I
decided not to cut the waist at size 8 considering it is a shirt dress which
has some ease around the waist and the hips.
The pattern fitted pretty well all around apart from the armscye which felt small and the sleeves were a bit tight considering I cut up the recommended size at the bust. I plan to sew up the second one I cut up then omitting the sleeves and hoping it will fit much better.
Fabric Used:
I made this version out of an African wax print (Ankara fabric) I got from Uganda (home) which sewed up beautifully. And I have a second one cut up already in light blue chambray fabric.
Conclusion
I love how my very first Carnaby dress turned out and I plan to
make more in the near future. However, I intend to cut up a size 8 all
throughout as that might give me the best fit around the sleeves.
And one thing I have also loved with this pattern is the
well-written instructions and especially the instructions on sewing the exposed
zipper on which are brilliant.
The Carnaby dress is a well-drafted pattern and I am sure it would look nice on various body shape.
Lifestyle blogger
Josephine is an entrepreneur, blogger, public health professional who loves sewing, baking and is passionate about a healthy and natural lifestyle.
Josephine is an entrepreneur, blogger, public health professional who loves sewing, baking and is passionate about a healthy and natural lifestyle.
