My Mimi Blouse

So here it is, my first Mimi Blouse. This is my first completed item from Love At First Stitch and I am so proud of it! I think it may just be the best sewing I have ever done. It has piping and everything!

I really enjoyed making it, the instructions were easy to follow and I learned some new techniques which is always good. The fabric I used is a cotton poplin so a little heavier than the recommendation but I'm happy with it. I'll probably try something lighter if I make it again.

I love the back, I think the gathers here are lovely. I am pleased I went to the effort of adding the piping because it breaks up the back nicely and highlights these gathers.

I have two small things that I would change if I could. I would prefer if it were a little more fitted around the waistline so I will probably mostly wear it with skirts or trousers with a high waist and tuck it in. Also the cuffs of the sleeves are a little tight so I will make them bigger next time.

I have already started making something else from Love At First Stitch and I can't want to share it! Zoe x

Sewing School // What Would You Like to Learn?

Do you sew yet? Maybe you did a few years ago but haven't even glanced at your sewing machine since. Perhaps you haven't ever turned on a sewing machine and really want to but are nervous about what might happen. I've had a few readers say to me recently that they love the idea of being able to sew but just don't know how to use their sewing machine.  In a few weeks time I am planning on sharing some absolute basic sewing tutorials. The kind of things that most sewers don't even have to think about now when they sew. Before I start sharing these I wanted a bit of feedback from you! It would be really great if you could comment below and answer a few questions for me. (Even if you sew already your feedback would be great).

If you consider yourself a beginner (or before a beginner maybe) what would you like to learn? Once you have learnt how to use the sewing machine what would you want to make? Would you be aiming for something simple like a cushion cover or would you prefer to aim for something larger like a quilt? Or perhaps you want to go all out and aim for your own handmade outfit? Let me know what you would like to work towards and anything you are desperate to find out on the way.

If you have been sewing a while and would place yourself in the intermediate/master of all things sewing category, what did you learn first? Was this a good place to start or in hindsight would you have tried something different? What lessons would you consider to be the most important for an absolute beginner?

If you have anything else to add please just add it in to your comment. Thanks so much. Zoe xx

Me-Made-May So Far

Here a few snaps of some of my outfits choices for Me-Made-May this year. You might remember my earlier post where I pledged (along with other sewing bloggers all over the place) to wear one item of hand made each day during May. These are some of my favourites from so far. They are in no particular order and I haven't shown you every day but you get the idea. From top to bottom the hand made items are:

1. Half Circle Skirt
2. Gingham Peplum top
3. Peter Pan Collar Sorbetto
4. Vintage Floral Elisalex
5. Chambray Elisalex

I've also worn my DIY infinity scarf, my spotty pencil skirt, my green sleeves sorbetto, my button back top and my polly top. Also my daughter wore her refashioned top that I made last year:

I have almost run out of items to wear already so I will be sewing a few more but also wearing repeats for most of the rest of the month. Maybe next year I will manage something different every day. I am learning lots though and at the end of the month I will share my lessons from my challenge. Zoe xx