Tag Archives: sewing blogger

Self-Drafted Maternity Dungarees

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I’m so excited to finally share this make with you. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to put it up on the blog, but it is probably because I’ve had a lot on my mind recently. We are on a bit of a mission to get a million and one things done before the baby comes.

This make was my first attempt at maternity sewing and was self-drafted. I’ve decided to try and push my pattern cutting skills a bit more this year and try making more complicated garments from scratch. I really enjoy the problem solving element of pattern cutting and dungarees were an interesting challenge.

I hadn’t originally intended these to be maternity suitable, I started drafting the pattern before I found out I was pregnant. When I found out I put the pattern aside thinking I’d wait, but my desire for dungarees was too strong and after a couple of months I decided to make a couple of adjustments and get on with sewing them up.

The modifications I made to my original pattern were relatively minimal:

– I widened the pattern at the hips to give a looser fit (I had originally planned for quite a close fit at the waist and hips, but I actually prefer them looser).

– I extended the width of the side seam button plackets, which are sewn to the side seams of the back waistband. This meant I could add extra buttons to allow me to adjust the fit as my bump grows.

I think they turned out pretty great. I love wearing them and they have been a life saver for occasions which call for something smarter than my current maternity uniform of stretchy tops and leggings.

The corduroy, from Merchant and Mills, is so comfy to wear and I love the deep navy colour. The bib is lined with Atelier Brunette fabric leftover from this project .

The one problem I ran into making these was that I tried to hammer on the buttons for the buckles and managed to break one of them. It turns out you just push them on by hand, so my trusty mallet was completely unnecessary. Oh well, you live and you learn.

Self Drafted Dungarees by Attie and Dora

Dungarees designed and made by Attie and Dora

Dungarees Designed and sewn by Attie and Dora

Attie and Dora Dungarees Back View

Close Up Self Drafted Dungarees Attie and Dora

Self Drafted Maternity Dungarees

Maternity Dungarees

As my bump grows (see photos above) I’ve been adjusting the bib straps to better fit the bump. I haven’t had to add new buttons to the side seam panels yet, and I’m nearing my third trimester. I’m really pleased that I’m still fitting into them.

 

 

 

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Spring Dora Dress 25% off Offer Code

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The weather is finally warming up in Shetland and it is really starting to feel like Spring. Two lambs have been born on the croft and if you follow me on Instagram you might have seen that I am expecting a baby, we are so excited and the baby is due in August 🙂 .

To celebrate this I wanted to share an offer code with you, for 25% off the Dora Dress and Top pattern in my Etsy Shop.  I hope this post will inspire you to give the Dora Dress pattern a try for your Spring/Summer sewing wardrobe.

Use the code SPRINGDORA at the checkout for 25% off. Follow this link to buy the dress.

This change of season has inspired me to make some new Dora Dress samples to show how the pattern can be worn during warmer times of year. You will notice I am not modelling these samples, as thanks to my growing baby bump I no longer fit in them, ha! I really enjoyed not being in front of the camera this time. I am definitely not a natural at having my photo taken so it was a relief to get to hide behind the lens and help Aaron to compose the shots.

The Dora Dress made up in a cotton lawn fabric is so comfy and breathable and great for hot weather. We don’t get much hot weather up here in Shetland but I did wear a cotton lawn Dora Dress while on holiday in London last year, it was above 30 degrees celsius  (very hot for a Shetlander), and wearing the dress certainly helped me cope with the heat.

Marjolein, a good friend of mine who you may remember from this post if you have been following me for a while, kindly agreed to model these samples for me. She is an amazing comedian, I would recommend going to see her perform if you get the chance. You can follow her here.

The blue and white fabric was from Merchant and Mills and is a beautiful weight and drape for this dress. I love the print.

We took these photos at the Lodberries in Lerwick, if you watch the BBC series ‘Shetland’ you may recognise the building behind her as Jimmy Perez’ house.

Dora Dress Side View 2 Attie and Dora

Dora Dress Front View Attie and Dora

Dora Dress Front View Attie and Dora Patterns

Dora Dress Back View Attie and Dora Patterns

Dora Dress Back View

Dora Dress Side View Attie and Dora

Dora Dress Close Up Attie and Dora

 

This second version was made using a burgundy poly crepe fabric from Stoff and Stil.

Last summer I wore a green crepe version of this dress to a couple of weddings and I thought it made a lovely wedding guest dress.

Red Dora Dress Attie and Dora

Red Dora Dress Attie and Dora Side

Use the code SPRINGDORA at the checkout for 25% off. Follow this link to buy the dress.

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Ikat Scout Tee

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At the beginning of March I was contacted by Fibers to Fabric and very kindly offered a voucher for fabric in exchange for a review * . I had a look at their fabrics and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to try them out. I took my time over my choice and eventually decided on this black cotton ikat fabric. There were only 2m left and it was quite narrow in width, so I knew I would be limited as to what kind of garment I could make, but I loved it so much I had to choose it.

*I only ever share products and promote things that I love and I think you will too. I was sent this fabric in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media and all opinions and thoughts are my own.

The fabric was shipped from India and I was very surprised when it arrived so quickly, unfortunately I forgot to write down the date it arrived argh sorry, but it was surprisingly quick, especially as I live in Shetland and the postage was reasonable at £3.72.

Before pre-washing I overlocked the edges of the fabric, as it looked like it had quite a loose weave, I didn’t want to lose any yardage to fraying. I think this was a good call as the fabric did fray a lot after cutting. I found it easy to work with other than that. It is quite light weight and is extremely comfy to wear. It is 100% cotton and so breathable.

I selected the Scout Pattern by Grainline Studios to make with it, as it required under 2m to make. I had been eyeing up this pattern for a while and thought it would perfectly compliment this fabric.

I made a few minor adjustments to the flat pattern before cutting. I lengthened the body on the lengthen/shorten line by 5cm. I then added another 5cm to the hem length. I added notches to the side seams 20cm up from the hem to leave open as side slits.

This was a very quick pattern to cut out and sew up. I followed the instructions to finish the neckline with bias binding and I really like the result.

For the side slits I sewed the side seams to the notches I added earlier, then pressed the seams open, overlocked the edges and topstitched around the openings. I then bar tacked the top of the opening to secure in place.

We took these photos at one of my favourite locations in Shetland, Nesbister böd. It was such a beautiful sunny day I only managed to get photos at the back of the böd, out of the direct sunlight, but coincidentally the yellow lichen on the back wall matched the yellow in the fabric, which was cool and totally accidental.

I absolutely love this top! I have been wearing it constantly since I finished it. I think the combination of this pattern and this fabric was perfection and I love the bold ikat print, it just feels really cool and modern in these colours.

Scout tee Attie and Dora

Back view Ikat Scout Tee Made by Attie and Dora

Ikat Scout T-shirt made by Attie and Dora

Ikat Fabric Scout Tee made by Attie and Dora

Ikat Scout Tee Attie and Dora

Introducing the Dora Dress and Top by Attie and Dora

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Hello,

I am thrilled to let you know that I have just uploaded my first digital sewing pattern design for sale on Etsy. The pattern is sold as a digital PDF file which can be downloaded and printed at home. It is available in sizes 8-18.

Attie and Dora is a sewing pattern company based in Shetland, Scotland. All the patterns are designed, cut and graded by me, Eleanor Coutts. Each pattern is designed with the goal in mind of creating the ultimate between seasons capsule wardrobe.

The Dora Dress is a modern take on the traditional slip dress with a 3 part empire line bodice. The pattern includes the additional option to make a hip length top version.

The bodice finishes just under the bust and the skirt is slightly flared skimming the body, to give a flattering silhouette.

Dora is suitable for makers who already have some experience of garment sewing. It is a relatively easy sew, with no tricky closures to deal with, but looks best when made with slinky fabrics with a lot of drape.

I had some help in the development of the Dora Dress and top from my wonderful testers. I couldn’t have done it without you. Megan, Allison, Miriam, Jenny, Georgia, Hannah, Laura, Jennifer, Lizzie and Linda.

I also need to say a big thank you to Leanne, Lens in the Lane, the wonderful photographer who captured the photos below.

If you make a Dora Dress I would absolutely love to see how you got on. Please share your makes using the hashtags #sewingdora #attieanddorapatterns

Also check out my Etsy Shop if you would like to see more photos of the Dora Dress including my silver version 🙂

Dora Dress by Attie and Dora

Dora Dress by Attie and Dora

Dora Dress by Attie and Dora

 

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