I have always professed to have little to no interest in pyjamas or loungewear, so although they look great, those comfy hoodie, jogger and pyjama sewing patterns have never been on my sewing list. It took an almighty convergence of circumstances (and fabric) to bring handmade PJs into my life, but I’m sold, friends. Fully sold. Who knew pyjamas were so awesome?
The Portobello Trousers by Nina Lee is a pattern I’ve had for ages but for some reason never got round to making. I’ve been getting more into trousers and separates, so the time was finally nigh to make some Portobellos!
I’ve always struggled to get trousers to fit (maybe the real reason behind the Portobello-avoidance is coming to light), so I decided to toile these and make a pair of shorts to begin with.
As you may have seen from the Ilford Jacket saga, handmade gifts are not my forte. Truth be told, I just prefer sewing for myself. However, my best mate’s birthday was nearing and she sent me this photo from the Esska shoes Instagram page. Of course, my sewist mind instantly jumped to the Wilder Gown and I before I knew it, I was saying “I could make you that”:
So I did.
Continue reading “The Wilder Gown and the joy of a home sewn gift”It was a long time coming. I put off making the Ilford Jacket from Friday Pattern Company for no reason other than I prefer making myself all the pretty things. Alas, a promise is a promise, so I was bound to make this jacket for my husband.
Procrastination of this level is no mean feat. I delayed this by months; it was meant to be a Christmas present, then a birthday present in March, and finally, in May, an Ilford was born.
In a flurry of somewhat optimistic spring sewing, I made the top version of the Flor from Bella Loves Patterns. It’s a super-ruffly wrap top and dress that can be made in floaty viscose for a dreamy romantic vibe, or in a more structured cotton for full-on drama. Unintentionally, I fell into the latter, and the top is somewhat attention grabbing!
aliceirvine.com 