Why I like nothing better than a good stitch and a bitch and how I aim to use this to improve Anglo Canadian relations or She Don't Use Jelly aka as I finished my tangerine jumper

Hello my sweet things,

How the devil are we all?  I for one am embracing the long overdue spring gracing our fair isle by lying on the grass at lunchtime barefoot.  I really do hope it's here to stay even though I've finally finished the woolfest that is the tangerine dream. So typical of me to present the world with a heavy Aran jumper just as the temperature starts to soar.  Fear not though because she's not a seasonal whimsy but an heirloom to be cherished year upon year.

I  think it's best to start at the beginning so let me take you back to when I first came to Brighton and indeed crafting.  As I previously documented I found myself back in B town in 2010 and I spent the summer getting reacquainted with the area.  By the time autumn came I was itching to take up a new hobby to while away the long nights and at that point with my leg still being naff, running wasn't an option. Instead I found myself getting into crochet.  I think I was in Urban Outfitters of all places and I spied the book below and decided to have a crack at crochet.  I made some pandas whilst watching a documentary on the Savoy narrated by Stephen Fry whilst quaffing a full bodied red.  It was then and there I thought I think I'm gonna bloody like this crafting lark.

This book is ace by the way and I highly recommend.

Not long after that I suffered the dreaded insomnia and was up late and crocheting and ended up googling sewing and started reading dear Tilly's blog and woosh my pilot light was lit and sewing was the next thing on the agenda.  I spent a good chuck of  2011 flexing my sewing muscles having hooked up with darling Zoe who herself was a new B town resident.  She massively encouraged me and aided and abetted me with fabric.  The summer flew by and as autumn returned I had a yearning for the yarn once more.  It was at this time I discovered a Stitch and Bitch  at wool shop a few roads from my house and met some amazing ladies and a fella and the best way of spending a Thursday night.

Our original home in Purl until the shop closed.  Where much wine and tea were drunk and laughs were had.

Our new home in the Prestonville Arms in Seven Dials where the wine still flows free and there's an open fire!

Once Purl closed we knew that we all still wanted to meet because what better way can there be to spend a Thursday night than drinking cava, eating chips and discussing bad taxidermy.  Yes bad taxidermy that is one of the topics we return to again and again and I still have no idea why.  After a long week at work there's times when I think oh I'm a bit too tired to go tonight but I kick my ass and I go and I'm always glad of it because it completely lifts me out of whatever funk I'm in.  It's definitely a kind of therapy and all of us have turned up at times with a lot on our plates and we've all gone home laughing and feeling a lot better about life. We've become real life friends to and have celebrated the wedding of one stitcher and the birth of another one's small person plus all the other triumphs in life.  I can thoroughly recommend joining a stitch and bitch group if you want to dip your toe in the crafty waters and meet fantastic people.    I think without them the tangerine dream would have been just that a dream.  I had lots of encouragement and advice from the ladies, which ultimately saw her become a reality. So now you've had the background to this yarn (sorry couldn't resist) I'll bring you to the main event.

The crossover from crochet to knitting came when I promised a lovely lady who is sadly no longer with us anymore that I would keep the knitting flame burning bright.

Tanya, a close family friend, lovely Mam,a champion knitter and all round good egg who sadly lost her battle with cancer 2 years ago today.  

She was an incredible person with an iron will.  She knitted up until she was too ill to.  The last time I saw her we were really laughing about whatever mad item of clothing I was wearing and she was at peace with what was happening to her.  For me it was tinged with sadness because I knew it would probably be the last time I saw her alive.  She loved all my crafty ways and made me promise I  would give knitting a go and I said I'd give it my best shot.  She died a a few days before her 45th birthday and when my Mam phoned to tell me I cried my eyes out and then I made a call to Purl and got booked on the beginner's knitting course because I wasn't going to let a dear friend down.  All the way through the knitting of the tangerine dream I've thought of Tanya and when I thought about chucking it in because it was taking ages or was too difficult I was reminded that to live this life is a privilege and not a given.  So I best to be sure to give mine a damn good go to honour the passing of hers.  It feels like she's weaved into all the strands :)

The book in, which I found inspiration.

Once I'd got a bit of practice under my belt I was gifted the above book in June 2012 for my 32nd birthday. Flicking through it I thought the designs looked pretty advanced bu then I saw her and fell in love.

All parts of me then and now know that tackling an Aran cardigan as your first knit project is not entirely advisable but neither is walking across France and Spain in Crocs but I did that as well.

I kinda figured from small acorns mighty oaks grow and what was the point in knitting a scarf if I wanted a 1960s style tangerine cardigan.  So out went reason to be replaced by my enthusiasm and belief that will a little elbow grease I could knit this baby.  Unfortunately the first hurdle I hit was that the wool I required for the project wasn't available in Europe.  I kid you not the email I received from Malabrigo on trying to source the wool had the subject, "Trouble at mill".  I was not to be thwarted nor was I going to even attempt to substitute.  I was already enough of a rookie on a difficult project let alone adding anymore uncertainty into the mix.

Eventually managed to source it from America and they were doing an offer so it worked out really reasonable and arrived in time for me to walk across Scotland with it.  What more perfect location to start an Aran jumper?

Once I'd gained gauge, which took several attempts I got stuck in and cast on the back, which I think was 150 stitches and the full enormity of what I was doing hit me.  This was November 2012.

I tried to knit most days and many times employed initiative when I couldn't find a cable needle.

I had a bit of a break in early 2013 but my March as spring was springing I was breaking the back of the back.

By May 2013 the back was finally done after having to frog 30 rows at the top after not realising I'd lost my place and thought oh I'll knit  through it will sort itself out.  I warn you this is the belief of a fool.  I eventually  had to admit defeat and rip it all back.  This was when I knew I was gonna finish the swine because although there were public tears on a very busy bus no part of me wanted to say sod it and chuck it out of the window.

Summer came round again bringing with it it holidays and hi jinx.  Progress slowed but on I plodded much to the surprise of myself and those around me who had worried I might get bored and it would be forever a WIP. I can actually say hand on heart I enjoyed the whole experience despite the tears, which I guess is a testament to doing what you want rather than what you should.

Finally, in the September 2013 there was a woollen vest that Delilah dutifully wore all through the winter.  Helpful gal that she is :)

All that was left with the sleeves and I thought ooh blink and they will be done.  Fortunately one of my very wise stitch and bitch buddies, Renee leveled with me and said, "honey the sleeves are like knitting a whole garment again".  This was the reality check I needed because I had delusions of grandeur that I'd be wearing this over the 2013 Christmas period despite a full time job, a shed load of sewing commissions and  marathon training.  Someone needed to put that fire out before I got disheartened and lobbed it in the to be done pile.

By mid January 2014 we had one sleeve.  I hasten to add more wool had to be ordered to finish this beast and again for number two and the making up!

Then hallelujah by 2nd March 2014 she was all knitted and I hit up YouTube to learn mattress stitch for the final push to golden glory.

At last all that was left to do was block it and then pick up stitches and knit the button band.  I decided to go for a wet block after reading it was the best treatment for merino and then for three long days I waited for it to dry out. Then in what I can only assume was a final fit of madness I stayed up until 4am using a crochet hook and a fierce disposition to pick up the stitches from the cast off edge to knit the neckband. On the early hours of 20 March 2014 my woollen baby arrived :)

Welcome to the tangerine dream.

A little from the side.

Check out that decrease in pattern.  That happened!

The face of batshit joy and relief that this woollen beast was finally tamed :)

 

Phew!  Well if you're still with me then well done because this post was a doosie but I guess that's in keeping with the scope of project.  I'm glad I didn't realise how big a deal knitting this cardigan was gonna be back in June 2012 as I may have tossed it side.  Seeing as this baby encompasses nearly 2 years of my life  I thought I'd chuck in some stats because I'm a bit geeky like that.

 

Knitting Stats

·         Balls of wool used 13, which equates to 1783m or 1.1 miles.

 

·         Weight of jumper 1.3kg equal to the weight of an adult human brain.

 

·         Length of time to complete 504 days, which is equivalent to the gestation period of an elephant.

 

·         Number of countries knitted in is 4 these are England, Scotland, Germany and Spain.  Most unusual place knitting has taken place is probably outside Amnesia before a night of raving in Ibiza.

 

·         Number of conversations started up over knitting is too many to count.  Most memorable though would probably be with a lovely Scottish fisherman from Oban whose Mam knitted him several Aran jumpers 30 years ago and they’re still going strong.  He said every clan had a different pattern because if you went overboard you tended to be unrecognisable on recovery but the pattern was easy to identify you as a Mackenzie or Stewart.  Gruesome but nonetheless very interesting.

 

·         Side eyes from commuting businessmen whilst I knitted and drank cider countless.  I can only think that the consumption of cider and the knitting of an Aran cardigan are mutually exclusive I thank gad they’re not.

 

·         Number of heartbreaks just one but a big one and one little heart wobble.  All good now though.  Knitting is a good healer :)

 

·         Number of babies born during the gestation period of my woollen wonder two absolute beauts and one on the way with my gorgeous bro and his lady expecting in two weeks’ time.

 

·         Number of years the tangerine likely to be worn a lifetime!

So my darlings that is very much that.  I'll leave with a picture of the Gos because rumour has it he is a very keen knitter and I would more than enjoy the opportunity to knock off a few rows with him.  So Ryan if you're reading this the Prestonville Knitters and I meet every Thursday night between 8pm - 10pm at the Prestonville Arms, Brighton.  Obviously, you'll need a place to stay and I'm more than happy to offer mine.  It's no trouble at all ;)  Anyone else fancies a stitch our doors is always open.

Love always,

Miss D

xxx

 

I can run and I can sew aka I ran the London marathon in a handmade dress woot!

Hey darlings,

How are we all?  I've spent my time recently sewing like a machine, dancing like a demon, eating like a Tudor, libating like an ancient Roman and lounging like a Greek God in no particular order :)  I so love the time around Easter because it's the gateway to halcyon summer days (please weather Gods let there be a summer).  As well more often than not you're guaranteed several long weekends and there's aren't so many obligations like there is at Christmas but like the festive season there plenty of food *unwraps another creme egg*.

 

One of the things I baked over Easter and I highly recommend.  Rhubarb and vanilla cake and here's the recipe.

Alongside  the good weather that is gracing my Isle right now there is much to be happy about, which includes a new frock courtesy of By Hand London's latest pattern Flora and gorgeous fabric from Fabric Godmother.  Oh yeah and I ran my first marathon the other week gah! More of that in a minute though.

Of note there is a Flora sewalong on the go at present.

Firstly, lets talk about how ace Flora is because she bloody is.  She's definitely gonna be featuring heavily in the summer I've already guaranteed we're having in the above paragraph. There's an option of a faux wrap or pinafore front and then either a full straight skirt or waterfall hem.  The girls asked me to pattern test her for them back in February and of course I couldn't refuse them. Plus I needed a dress to run the marathon in as I had originally stated when I signed up to the madness.  Flora couldn't be a more perfect match with her lovely full skirt that would mean I could the let pins spin freely and even her name fitted the bill.  The London Marathon is now sponsored by Virgin but when I fell in love with the race as a little girl and dreamed of one day going over the finish line it was the Flora London Marathon so that was that :)  Then throw into the bargain the offer of lovely  fabric from Fabric Godmother to make her up in and the thing was all sewn up.  I ummed and aaahed and eventually chose the tartan cotton poplin in the green colourway in honour of my Grandad's highland family colours.

 

Dear Josie's lovely note and fabric.

The fabric arrived and so did a care package in a lovely tote bag from the By Hand Girls that included the tonnes of lovehearts that I'm still finding throughout the House of D, Percy Pigs (my absolute faves) and vodka!  My days do these women get me or what?! :)

I cracked on with the making straight away.  From my measurements I concurred I'd go for a 20 and then probably have to nip in at the waist.  On the making of  a toile I realised I'd need a repositioning of both the bust and waist darts to allow for my ample lady lumps.  Just to make sure I re-toiled (is that even a word?) and realised I could sinch in the sides a little because the newly placed darts gave the girls plenty of room to roam free.

So I surged ahead and cut into my fabric and unfortunately that is when it all went a bit squiffy.  The bodice was a triumph but I somehow managed to cut the waterfall skirt so short at the front it was just gracing my hoo ha and any movement would have demonstrated the big reveal!  It was entirely my fault and nothing to do with the pattern.  A lesson learnt though nonetheless.  As you well know I'm not one for hiding my light behind a bushel and if this dress was meant to be used for a burlesque debut as opposed to my first marathon then things would have been quite different.  Alas this version had to be shelved and a new one constructed.  In the meantime while I ordered more fabric the girls sent me out the actual pattern and I decided to go for the straight hemmed version.

 

Here she is dear Flora being modelled in my darling friend Emma's back garden, which was where I stayed the night before the race and where I gorged myself on a tonne of sausage and mash.

 

Here on proceeds a run down (sorry this post is pun central) of the marathon so feel free to move along if you just came to read about the sewing, which is fair enough :)

To be honest it's all been bit of blur and I just wanted to send thank you all from the bottom of my heart. So many of you who have supported me with encouragement and sponsorship I've never even met.  I am beyond touched by our little community and its innate generosity.  It reminds me on days when I worry about the state of the world that people are truly amazing.

A couple of weeks ago now one of my life's dreams to run the London marathon came true and it was because of people power. The people you're supporting by supporting me and that's all the fabulous older people who are going to be assisted by Age UK to make their lives a lot easier. They blinking deserve it because they give so much to society and ask for so little. It was an honour to run for them.  I have since hit target!  So all the money is now winging it's way to the charity to help them help older people.

The other people that got me round were all of you in my life. Honestly if you ever want to feel a bit more sprightly about yourself run a marathon. I've been totally knocked over by all the support, encouragement and belief in me that has been shown since I started yaking about doing this. You drove my legs on further than they've ever run before and reminded me with a little bit of luck and a lot of love life can be amazing.
 

 

In my starting pen and smiling but shitting myself at the realisation I was about to run further than I ever had in my life.  Note the flower still accessorising obvs :)

 

 

Mile 4 and there was a band on the run :) No sign of Macca though.

 

 

Into double figures and just a steps away from being hosed down by firemen.  This is not an opportunity that will come along often.  I savoured it.

 

 

Going over Tower Bridge was like being in a film.  The crowd was so loud it was like a roar from a jet engine.  I felt so emotional.

 

 

Mile 20 where I realised I was sore but strong and with just 10K to go until I could say I was a marathon runner :)

 

 

Mile 24 was time for an outfit change.  Aymi and Emma were waiting at Age UK cheers point to be my wardrobe assistants and spur me on to the final 2 miles!

 

 

Flora gave me the lift I needed to keep on trucking.  Amazing the power of clothes.

 

As I said above you were there with me at the start when I was sick with nerves, at mile 10 when I went into double figures and was deliriously happy, you heard the roar as I went over Tower Bridge, at mile 17 when I thinking shit I've run a long way but I've still got loads to go and you were definitely there at 20 miles when I pulled myself together and was sore but strong and thought sheesh just 10k now that's no probs and I could hear you all celebrating as I pirouetted over the line wherever you were. I didn't do this on my own so I just want to say the biggest thank you to all and send a tonne of love your way.

 

 

My batshit joy face that says after 5hrs 30mins 21secs I am a marathon runner.

 

Massive thanks to all those who made it down to see me trackside with banners and big cheers including Sara and her mam all the way from Southy, the spoolettes, Aymi (who also has had to lived with my mad behaviour since November) and all my family it was such a high to see you at 14 miles even if I did have to doubleback to see Papa Demeanour. The look on his face was worth the extra 400 meters.  Pete and co giving it big woots at 23 miles and the lovelies from Lewisham that put me up and fed me well and provided my wardrobe change at 24 miles and to my marathon buddies Tim and Fi who both put in stirling performances.

 

 

Sara who brought the cheer all the way from Southy. She's a pro too check out her cheer crew woot!

 

 

The fam including legendary Uncle B and Auntie San who braved London town for me. I love them all dearly.

 

 

The future generation of sporting elites getting the taste for medal collecting :) I know there'll be big things to come from these two minkies.

In traditional Miss D style I didn't hit the protein shakes instead I nipped to Soho and quaffed prosecco and stuffed myself with fries in the company of Aymi, Clare, Alison and Sally.  A lovely end to one of the most incredible days of my life.



 

I'm honestly still so emotional but if I was any higher I'd need tethering to the the ground.  The pain was temporary and I believe they say the glory is forever or well I figure at least until my birthday so yest barman make it a double ;)

 

I'll just finish my ramblings with a little thought I had just after I went over the line.  The line that some man I didn't know deemed to tell me 3 years ago I wouldn't/couldn't do.  Firstly, I say well and truly damn the man and secondly always question why someone tells you're not capable of something.  It's good to get advice from those that truly care about you but sometimes people underestimate us and that's worth keeping a check on because you lot are bloody amazing and that's a fact!

 

For those of you hung onto this point here's that video of me going the wrong way up the course to give Papa D a hey as I missed him the first time.  It added on a few hundred metres but his reaction was worth it.

 

 

Love in abundance,

 

Miss D

 

xxx

 

 

In with the old and out with the new or I'll be doing some vintage sewing by jove!

Hey pickle pies,

Hope everyone isn't too wet and wistful after what has according to the news been the rainiest period in the UK in 250 years.  I for one have been soggier than Rich Tea that spent too long in the mug with all the training for the London marathon that I've been doing around our rain soaked shoreline.  Although it's been foul I've felt like a titan.

This was me high above B town running 12 miles in 60mph winds and diagonal rain *Rocky face*

The good thing is it's all for a great cause Age UK who do wonderful work with older people and what's a little running in biblical weather, chafed boobs, aching limbs and creaking bones when you're raising £2000.

If you would like to donate then you can find my page at Just Giving.  Any sponsorship is gratefully received :)

 In the midst of all the training  I've had a little problem with my left knee but thanks to my super physio all appears to be well and with 7 weeks to go I tackled the Brighton half marathon to see if all the stretches and rehab were working.

It turns out all is well and despite getting sunstroke post race I managed the half in 2hr 14 mins, which considering I wasn't properly hydrated, it was hot, I hadn't trained for 2 week and it was my knee's first race outing I was over the flipping moon :)

As previously spoken about I will be running the last mile in a handmade dress, which I'll be able to tell you more about when I get the nod from the dearest darlings at By Hand London.  I will say though I'm bloody well pleased with it!  

The talk of sewing leads me nicely into what this post was meant to be about as opposed to running though I'm afraid when you train for a marathon it kinda takes over a bit and I've even been running in my dreams.  The only benefit of this is that waiting on the finish line was the Gos with cocktail in hand. Anywho back to sewing. This time of year is whenever everyone starts making plans for what they want to achieve and I've been making them in my head and need to commit them to a post. As fortune would have it one of them was to kick my ass and sew some of the lovely vintage patterns in my cabinet. This ties in nicely with the deliriously pretty Marie of a stitching odyssey who is steering us all to retro glory with her vintage sewing pattern pledge. Some of my favourite bloggers are on board and I can't wait to see their efforts. So let me make my pledge here and now:

I Rehanon of Miss Demeanour do solemnly swear to make at least three vintage patterns from my stash over the course of 2014 as part of A Stiching Odyssey's vintage sewing pattern pledge.

There I've said it and now it's gold for go!  I haven't made up mind completely yet but one that deffo will be featuring is the Good Life dress as I'll be in the past life if I leave it any longer before making it.  It's not my usual style but hell with bare feet, home brewed cider and some mud on my face I'm sure I can rock it :)

I'm going long sleeved as I need that amount of flounce in my life!

For now though I'm off to run further than I've ever run before.  14 miles in total so exactly 0.9 miles more than I've ever run before but still :)

Love Miss D

xxx

Voice of the beehive or Miss Demeanour does blog voices

Hey y'all,

Happy Sunday to you poptarts.  Hope everyone is well recovered from all the festive frivolities.  After my 9 mile run with my fit bitches this morning the season of feed is well and truly over.

In a throwback to last year before I proceed with my first make of 2014 I'm putting up my contribution for blog voices.  This was an idea revived by the fabulous Lady Katza to let hear people the actual voice behind the blog.  I'm very lucky to have met a lot of you lovely lot that read my wafflings and this is for those who are intrigued as to what the girl with the big hair sounds like :)

A word of warning though the audio unsyncs halfway through the video and it looks like a badly dubbed martial arts film from the 70s.  I've had a fiddle with it but I'm not too techy so feel free to abandon ship at any point lol :)

I'm just off catch up on Sherlock (ogle Benedict) and I'll be back soon with my latest make the My Kinda Business Suit. Hint: It's not a normal business number and is inspired by dearest Dolly Parton ;)

Much love and glitz,

Miss D

xxx

I am Cher hear me roar or my last make of 2013 - The Shoop Shoop dress

Hello darlings,

How are we all?  I imagine if you're anything like me you're in the limbo period that is recovering from the Christmas excess and mulling over the year just passed.  Learning from the losses, celebrating the wins and laughing about the mayhem of life.

As has become custom in the House of Demeanour since it all began in 2011 the last make of the year is always my New Year's Eve outfit.  The first year I was wrapped in gold stretch as Marilyn Monroe and then 2012 I graced B-town in my purple velvet Prince inspired Let's Party Like It's 1999 dress.

 2011 - giving it blonde ambition as Marilyn.

 2012 - Purple power in my second Elisalex

 Not to disappoint I'm sticking with a strong famous theme :)  This year I went off to kick up my heels with the girls at Komedia for a Hollywood Mashup where you could come as a film character of your choice.

 

New Year at the movies

I thought long and hard about who I wanted to be as I've got so many favourite heroines - Pam Grier as Foxy Brown, Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, Uma Thurman as Mia Wallace, Molly Ringwald as anyone to name but a few.  Then like all good outfits ideas in my world it was triggered by a song on the radio....

Cher - The Shoop Shoop song

It was obvious of course!  I had to go as Mrs Flax from Mermaids in her too die for polka dot dress topped off with a hair as big as her attitude she is literally what we're all about at the House of Demeanour.  As well as part from her aging disgracefully as all my favourite people do I always say when the chips are down life will offer you two choices sink or Cher.  I will always choose Cher :)  This year has been a bit of a merry go round of woes and wins but I like to think that I faced it all with a killer outfit and hair to match like all my heroines.  So without further I do I present to you the Shoop Shoop dress.

I didn't keep strictly to the original as Cher's is baby pink and that shade and I clash more than the 70s ;)

She’s a marriage of the skirt from Vogue 8766 and the bodice of the Gertie wiggle dress with shaped pockets drafted using Casey's excellent tutorial.  I’ve recently taken the Lynda Maynard Perfect Fit class on craftsy, which gives you 8766 for free to work on during the class.  I’ve spent the last few weeks on and off fitting the pattern and I’ve used it to make my Little Red Corvette dress, which needs hemming and then blogging.  It’s a fab course and I highly recommend it if you want to get to grips with fitting our fantastically unique forms.  The Gertie I knew fitted me as I used it to make my Club Tropicana dress back in May and it was just a matter of slicing the bodice from that and by adding a little lace, some me made black satin piping and a hefty back combing session I was Cher :)

I had a fabulous night with the girls dancing until dawn and yesterday was spent in heavy recovery. My biggest achievement after leaving my bed was to make bacon rolls to enjoy with Sherlock and that was absolutely fine by me.

As I say this year has been a real mixed bag both in sewing and in life but I’ve learned a lot and that includes how to lassoo a hula, which I for one feel is a real life skill and what is life if not for learning.

Without doubt though it’s the people who have made this year for me. The ones who read me, believed in me, cried with me, danced with me, laughed with me, had that one last drink with me and who loved me. You know who you all are and I love your more words can say. Thank you for everything and I can't wait to do it all again in even more fabulous fashion.

Before I go I’ll leave with you one last Cher song.  It’s the one I belt out standing on the sofa gin in hand when all hell has broken loose.

I totes recommend following her on twitter she's so wonderfully indiscreet.

Happy 2014 to you all I hope it’s as fabulous as you are.

Love always,

Miss D

xxx

Sewing is for Super Heroes

Hey y'all,

How are we?  Hope everyone is wrapping up against the chill that is welcoming lady autumn in.  As is the way at the House of Demeanour there's lots been going on but a slight delay in documenting.  Though this time it was because I had to wait for my latest makes to hit the headlines :)

I was lucky enough to be asked by Breast Cancer Campaign to rustle up some ideas to publicise their Wear It Pink day that takes place on 25th October 2013 to raise vital funds for breast cancer research.  The work they do is amazing and so important because 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.  We decided to go with the idea of super heroes doing everyday things because those that are living with and fighting breast cancer are definitely heroes in their own right.  I whipped up the creative juices at the HQ and came up with the idea for outfits in the vein of Wonder Woman and She-Ra the princess of power who are both equally kick ass in my book.

Sisters who are definitely doing it for themselves!

Once I knew what we wanted I set about looking for a base pattern for the costumes and hit upon Kwik Sew 3272, which offers a choice of leotards.  

Kwik Sew 3272 + 5m of electric pink spandex = Super hero

I was not kidding when I said electric pink :)

So as we all know the thing that makes any outfit go from pretty good to powerful are some serious accessories and super heroes are no different.  I mean where would Wonder Woman be without her bejewelled headband and gold lassoo?  I decided that silver cuffs and a crown were the ticket and went about fashioning a set from silver PVC and heavy duty interfacing.  

If you fancy yourself as a super hero here's what you'll need to make your own crown and cuffs.

You will need:

• Scrap paper
• Scissors
• A ruler
• A tape measure
• Pins
• Fabric glue
• Sewing machine (optional if you want to sew instead of glue)
• 0.25m of silver PVC or any other metallic looking fabric you want to use
• 0.25m of heavy duty interfacing
• 1m ribbon
• 0.5 m of stick on velcro

First of all you will want to make a paper pattern for your accessories.  You do this by measuring round your head to find out the length you require for your crown and and then measuring your wrist and then again at the point of your fore arm that you want the cuff to finish.  It's up to you how big or small you make them but I think if you're going to be super then the bolder the better :)

Here are the templates I created for my crown and cuffs. Add an extra 1 - 2 cm to your cuff measurement to allow for a seam.

Once you've used the template to cut out the heavy duty interfacing then you can use that to cut out your metallic fabric. You'll need to cut two pieces and if you see from the picture above I've cut one slightly bigger than the interfacing so you can fold it down and glue it for a clean edge.

Glue the larger piece of silver piece PVC to the crown.  Cut into the corners for a clean finish and fold down the edges then glue the smaller silver crown piece to the back. Then when it's dry you can either sew or stick a length of ribbon to the back to tie it round your head.

For the cuffs you'll need to cut 4 pieces of your metallic fabric and either glue the wrong sides together or if you want to sew them up use a 1cm seam allowance and then turn out the right way.

Then stick on a length of velcro either side so you can fasten them around your wrists.

From seamstress to super hero in seconds boom!

Finally, here are Sam and Billie from TOWIE in the costumes I created and looking super even if I do say so myself :)

So there you go that's my latest make for a super cause.  I'm off to jump into a phone box and get my pink on for Wear It Pink day on Friday 25th October.  Hope to see a heap of you looking pink and super and raising money for such a great charity.

Love Miss D

xxx

I dropped the bomb on my handmade holibobs :)

Hello my bathing beauties,

The House of Demeanour was on it's annual summer holiday and this time I headed to Ibiza with my dear friends Laura and Sara who were the bride  and chief bridesmaid featured in this post.  To say we were ready for sun, fun and heady headonism was an understatement.   I can tell you happily though that is indeed what we got :)  Massive thanks to the gals for such a great holiday full of laughter and fun.

Wish you were here!

Today, I come to you from my seat behind the keys in a sun drenched Brighton.  They're saying it's a heatwave I believe back in the day they called it the summer ;-)  I don't really care about the label I'm just making the most of drinking every warm sea scented moment of it in as I go through my rave recovery.  I don't even mind that I missed a few days of it because I was on holiday because coming back from Ibiza and still being able to wear all the things I wore out there without fear of frost bite was a bloody delight!

Anywho on to the meat and potatoes of the post, which is simply to show you what I've been sewing in the last few weeks, which meant I was in handmade every day of my hols :)

A huge amount of my holiday wardrobe was powered by the ever fabulous pattern making legends that  are Elisalex, Charlotte and Victoria of by By Hand London.  If you're thinking do I need a blazer? Could I rock a princess seamed tulip skirted dress?  Is there room for a pencil skirt with a ruffle in my wardrobe?  The answer should be a bloody resounding YES!  Aside from all the patterns being fabulous and flattering if like me you're sucker for design and a tale you will melt at the packaging and the stories about the girls behind each of the designs :)

Before I headed to the White Isle I answered the long pondered question that is what do you wear if you don't want to wear a cardigan but a coat is too heavy?  The answer a faux fur lined blazer ;-)

The let me hear you roar jacket grrr!  

Who knew that black crepe de chine and faux tiger fur could be so powerful :)

So powerful indeed that on it's first outing to my WI meeting where we had a go at still life I drew this. I can't and have never been able to draw so I believe I harnessed the power from the blazer.  So much so I'm signing up for a still life course.

There are many versions of this blazer for you to feast your eyes on including the Miami fabulous one that Sew Dixie Lou wore to the By Hand London celebration of one year in biz :)

Tropical clothing + tequila = strong poses and power fists

Also at the Club Tropicana fiesta was the ever lovely ever fabulous Karen from Did You Make That? Get yourself over to see her take on the latest offering from By Hand London, the Anna Dress.  She's taken it to foxy force 5 ;-)

My first crack on the Elisalex - Let's Party Like It's 1999 dress with big hair as standard.

Next on my holiday wardrobe wish list was a couple of Elisalex dresses.  I will take this moment to admit I was in fact v lazy when I initially made this pattern for both my Christmas and New Year's Eve dresses.  I just cut a 16 and squeezed the cleavage in and although it looked perfectly fine I knew the girls weren't perky McKnockers to use the technical term and the back was gaping.  So using the knowledge gained from my fitting course with Mandy I did an FBA on the princess seams.  It was by no means simple as I had to drop my bust point 3 inches and immediately went into a panic that that the girls were going South.  Thankfully, research revealed I'm just titty.  The effort that went into alteration that produced the difference in my profile was so worth it.  I'm literally packing heat now woot!

Behold the Alohalex dress made with fabric gifted to be my wonderful friends :) Look how happy a good dress and Ibiza with good friends makes you.

The other frock I whipped up from the pattern is the Eye of The Tiger dress, which I wore to see the famous Ibizan sunset at Cafe Del Mar.  This pattern lends itself to floral, velvet, animal print you name it :)

I know it's only the sun going down and QI has taught me it's actually a trick of the eye but I believe you have no soul if when you're there and watching it with all those that gather and you don't cry.  There's just a real sense of communion sitting on the beach with all the other hippy types listening to music and watching the sun set.

So that covers what I wore out at night but as you know a beach holiday also hangs on a good swimsuit  that makes you feel fierce and  I was lucky enough to create two such swimsuits thanks to the amazeballs pattern making skills of Heather Lou.  I question whether you've been in outer space if you haven't heard about this piece of amazing.  When I saw her first versions she made for herself last year I prayed to the sewing Gods that she would offer up her wisdom for all and sundry to feast on.  In June of this year my prayers were answered with the release of the bombshell pattern.  I could wax lyrical about construction and materials but frankly I think Heather Lou herself does a perfect job of it in her comprehensive sew a long, which I followed to the letter.  It's also worth taking a peak at Lladybird's gingham version that was one of the first to be released into the interwebs a few weeks ago she looks the boom ting.  Having never sewn spandex or rubber elastic or ever dreamed of making a cossie I can say your hand will be fully held and your heart will swell when you strut your goodies round the pool :)  Here are my two versions:

The first cossie I made in a cheetah print from Fabricland aka The I  Love Bettie Page swimsuit in homage to the first lady of fierce clothing and strong beach poses :)

Number two - the All That Glitters swimsuit made from metallic gold spandex available at Goldhawk Road.  One of the things I love about this pattern is the ruching on the back gives those with no junk like me the illusion of a peachy ass.  Win!

Both suits got a thorough testing before I got on holibobs in the surf, the pool, washing machine and stood up beautifully to my rigorous movements (handstand, cartwheels).  As well of note regular readers of mine know that I'm mighty in the mammary region so support is of the upmost concern to me to make the most of what the Gods gave me :)  Nevertheless as I was sewing to the wire as usual I didn't insert any extra elastic or cups, which is what I would have done if I had more time but as you can see in the pics the girls are looking their buxom best ;-) I put this down to great design (Heather Lou's not the people that put me together) and the fact I lined them with power mesh.  It's basically the material you get in the miracle pants to hold you in.  It's really great to work with and unlike the swimsuit lining I looked at it didn't roll up on cutting but laid flat and behaved itself.  It's doesn't squeeze you uncomfortably but holds you firmly and gives a lovely silhouette to what is already an ace cossie.  I'm now in the process of learning about underwiring so I crack out some bombshell bikinis.

So there you have it darlings that is how I rocked the White Isle with my handmade wardrobe.  I know you haven't asked about my holidays but if you're anything like me you're on the right side of interested and  I can tell you that I had a fine old time.  There was sun bathing, raving and common all garden misbehaving and I felt bloody great to be alive :)

The holiday finished with me and the girls wangling our way into a 5 star resort where I felt it was my absolute duty to channel my inner Joan with a turban and fan obvs.

It was my second visit to Ibiza as an adult (in the loosest possible terms) the first being 9 years ago for Space's opening party when I was mere 24 years old.  At 33 I wondered if my get up and go might have gone but I needn't have worried because at 5am in Amnesia I was still dancing my ass off and only the difference this time was I wearing a dress I made :)  

I guess I was a wondering about my stamina because as I mentioned a few paragraphs up I've journeyed to the next year of my life and I'm now 33. In the weeks that lead up to my birthday I often think a lot about what has happened in the year both the good and the bad, what I've learned and what I hope to achieve in the next year.  Last year I wrote a post about what I'd learned by 32 and I know it was popular post but today I hand over my thoughts to a man who is often after my own heart, Frank Turner.  

Before you hear Frank's take on things I will leave you with this.  I believe when all is said and done and you've weighed up the pros and cons, your hopes and fears, what others opinions will be about it it's you and you alone that defines the life you live and the person you choose to be.  After several years of being a little lost sewing has allowed me to be more me than I would have ever though possible.  So in the next year of my life I choose to be  big, loud and colorful because that's what suits me :)

Until next time darlings enjoy some fun in the sun.

Mwah

Miss D

xxx