There's nothing quite like shutting-up talking about it and just getting on with it is there? I've been going on about rustling up a jersey top on my overlocker for ages. So last night instead of going to the gym I concocted this tunic/dress. I can't believe it doesn't resemble a pile of ironing. Like; I'm really happy with the way it turned out - blow me down!
This dress is my own design (no really it is!!). I bought the white top below and then I traced the outline of the main body of it to get the overall dress size and I then made up the arms and the neckline myself. I also made the overall length of my top longer so I could also wear the top as a dress. It was so much fun to make because I didn't really know what I was doing so I just sort of fearlessly made it up as I went along (jersey isn't expensive, so there was less pressure!). I just made sure that everything I did was symmetrical and I measured things carefuly.
What do you think folks? Have I actually made something that I can wear out in public?!
Contrary to popular belief jersey (or any other knitted fabric) is your friend (I know that Jo will agree with me on this). Knitted fabrics can fit nicely over your hippage and boobage without any need for darts and tucks. The way that Jersey drapes and stretches over your body means that it is far more forgiving when pattern drafting (which is such a blessing for a maths numpty like me).
I LOVE this machine! She is so reliable, completely predictable, and strong. At the shoulders of this dress she had to stitch through 8 layers - 6 layers of jersey and 2 of silk, and she sailed through them like a hot knife through butter.
To read more about my overlocker click here.

Heh! I'm thinking this a good top to wear to dinner; you can let your tummy reee-lax as it fills up on lots of lovely nosh!

I was going to make the tie out of the same grey jersey then I thought 'hang-on" I have a scrap of plum coloured silk that is too small to make a bag from...
Worn as a dress. Right, this is probably the only time I'll get my legs out in this blog. This is very uncharacteristic of me as I am usually glued to jeans and T-shirts, but then I don't make clothes for myself every day so I thought why not push the boat out a bit? Mmmm, I think if I don't stand up straight in this dress I might look like I have a Santa Claus tummy!

I think I'll take this dress on holiday with me as it's way too cold to wear it in windswept and rainy London.
"I found these awesome paperart:
http://www.ragandbone.com/blog/
(crossing my fingers so they hurt... just neeeed to win ;) )"