Almost a hippy: A pretty take on London transport

Sunday, 16 October 2016

A pretty take on London transport

When I spotted this liberty fabric a few months ago in Simply fabrics in Brixton, I knew I had to have it. It combines some of my favourite things in a fabric print; bikes, flowers and stylised London transport, how could I resist? From the beginning I knew I was going to make another Mathilde blouse with it, it just took me a few months to get round to it.

Like my previous version I made a straight size 4, which fits fine, however maybe next time I make it I will narrow the neckline slightly as my bra straps are often on show with both versions. I love the huge sleeves and really enjoy how they showcase this fabric. I've worn this top a few times now and have got so many compliments on it, it's clearly one of my most popular makes.

I used some buttons from my stash which Kristi had sent me as part of a thrift swap we'd been partnered in a few years back. They are a really unusual colour and they match some of the flowers on the fabric perfectly.

As I was making up this Mathilde, I realised how much progress I've made in my sewing skills in the last couple of years. I remember struggling with some of the instructions last time and this time it was a doddle. It also helped that I was making this on my new sewing machine! The buttonholes, which my old machine struggled with, are a thing of beauty. Sadly I couldn't get detailed enough shots of them, so you can't see but you can take my word for it.

I took these photos on a trip to Whitstable with my cousin this weekend and there were all these beach huts which made such a great backdrop for the photos. We went for walks which gave us views like this:

We even managed to sneak in a little sewing related tourism. I spotted this industrial Singer in a sewing machine shop on the high street:

And I bought these patterns and notions. The dress came from a charity shop and the lingerie pattern and buttons came from a vintage shop. The lingerie pattern is one I've been searching for on ebay/etsy etc for a while and it was in my size, it was very exciting!