Shapes and Clothes

If only you could feel fabric through your computer/mobile/tablet [delete as appropriate], then you would know how heavenly this navy jersey is. You may just see navy blue, knit fabric, which looks no different from any other navy blue knit fabric but it’s not something you can see, it’s only something you can feel. 

You are going to have to trust me on this one. The quality of this jersey from NOSH takes you by surprise. It is super soft with an unexpected weight to it, much thicker than your average jersey. It’s the kind of fabric that you want to keep for yourself, ‘move over my little lovelies, this one’s for me’.

I have decided to make more clothes for myself this year. Scout’s wardrobe is overflowing with clothes, she really won’t need much more for a while. And Darcy is being very blasé at the moment. Our conversations tend to go a little like this..

“Shall I make you this dress?”
“I don’t mind.”

“Do you like this fabric?”
“Sort of.”

“Do you want another Ziggy top?”
“I don’t know.”

Whereas I on the other hand have a gazillion things I want to make for myself. Here’s just 477 of them..

As you will see, I’m rather partial to drapes.

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So the Japanese sewing book Shapes and Clothes made my heart palpitate with excitement when I saw it. It was an immediate pur-chase. Even though it’s written in Japanese, it didn’t put me off. The patterns look as simple as patterns get, just 2 pattern pieces and that’s it.

I decided on dress O. A loose fitting asymmetrical drape dress. The patterns in Shapes and Clothes are one size. Based on this dress alone I would say they would ‘fit’ a UK size 10-16.

Sewing it together was pretty straight forward, but I did a few things differently to the book:

1. I raised the neckline as i didn’t want my pale green t-shirt showing underneath.
2. I hand stitched the hem instead of using iron-on hemming tape.
3. I held a husky in my left hand rather than an owl in my right hand.
4. I wore my dress backwards so the main drape is on my right (of course it was intentional).
5. I didn’t really stand in front of a garage (the magic of Photoshop).
6. I made my dress with Nosh organic fabric

Ready for some more pictures?

If I saw this dress in the shops, I would buy it in a heart beat. It is 100% me. And to think that I made it in a matter of hours. That’s why I love to sew.

If you’re reading this and haven’t yet dived into the addictive world of sewing. I urge you to get started now, you will love it. Guaranteed.

And if you haven’t yet tried Nosh fabric, what are you waiting for? You will love it. Guaranteed.