Kate Dress: A Wearable Toile

Hello!  Oh, the shame of neglecting my blog for so long!!  Still, I'm here now and ready to blame both the FAL and the garden for my absence. I started the quarter like an ageing, arthritic greyhound: straight out of the trap and full of enthusiasm, built up a little speed and then stopped for a long sniff and a nap about halfway through. This, combined with being busy in the garden, meant I just haven't had the energy to blog.  I have finished some things from my quarter three FAL list, though!

I'm going to blog them in the order they were finished, so if you could just pretend that it's mid July, then I'd be ever so grateful!


My Kate dress looked like this when I wrote my Q3 list:

which meant it was (machine) tacked together to check the fit.  I'd added 1" to the armscye when tracing it and discovered that I needed to take 1/4" back out and then raise the bust dart by 1/2", which I then did on the pattern and then the fabric:

Making alterations

I added two sleeves (this is the first one):

Two sleeves!

Finished the neckline with some (bought) gingham bias binding, levelled the hem, and I was done!!

Pattern details

Pattern - Kate Dress by Sew Me Something
Fabric - 100% cotton poplin from Boyes, for about £5.25/m (I can't quite remember)
Thread - Gutermann sew all navy and Coats cotton in bright pink (for the top stitching on the bias binding because that's what I had that matched!)
Alterations - added 3/4" to the armscye and sleevehead, raised bust dart by 1/2" (I added length to the body and sleeves and ended up taking it back out when it came to hemming!)


I'm really happy with this toile and have worn it a few times and it's really comfortable.  I have another few planned, with various adaptations.

I'll be linking up when the time comes (tomorrow!)

At the end of July, Archie got a partner in crime:

Well hello there, little fella!  Come on out and say hello!

I was Betti's 1,000 follower on her Instagram account (@bettis_stitches - mind that first photo if you're scared of spiders) and she kindly said she'd make me something special to mark the occasion. If you don't know Betti, she makes the most wonderful tiny creatures out of felt, complete with removable outfits and strong personalities!  (She takes commissions, just DM her on Instagram or contact her through her blog bettisstitches.wordpress.com - that's in the very early stages so if that doesn't work, leave me a comment and I'll put you in touch.)


And here's who Betti made me (us) - Mini Archie!!

The pair of them are having a lovely time together and Archie has even agreed to share his food!  (After he negotiated extra rations...)

Thanks for popping in!!