Joining the dots.

Sometimes in order to get any sewing done myself, I have to share my scraps with the girls and be their sewing slave. I have to stitch this pocket here, overlock this hem there and not be too precious about those bits of fabric I had saved from past projects that might have been big enough for a patch or an applique in the future.

This morning I lay yesterday's dress on another sheet and cut around it, but this time I cut more of an hourglass shape. Wider at the chest and narrower under the bust.

I sewed it together and wore it around for a few hours but it looked like a sack. I kept on cutting bits off and making new seams to try to get it to fit better but nothing worked.

Then from nowhere I had this idea to draw dots half an inch apart on the neckline and then join the dots together to gather the fabric.

I'm sure in dressmaking this technique has a proper name but I'm calling it joining the dots.

All of a sudden the dress had shape.

I sewed over the pleats, bound them and I liked what I saw.

It still looks too much like a nightie but I think that's just the sheet fabric.

In between the farm stall and more dress making for dollies, I might get to have another go today in another fabric.

A year ago today I got the call to tell me that my grandmother Lucy had died. Since she had been suffering from alzheimers for a few years before her death, in a way it seems like a lot longer than a year. But over the last few months I have been remembering her before the disease. I have been remembering the smart, funny, generous, beautiful, loyal, sparkly eyed grandmother who I adored. I miss you Booba Lucy so much.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. XX