Tag Archives: Meelup

new/old denim skirt

10/11/2024 1:49 pm \ 5 Comments \ Carolyn

hello! I’ve made a new skirt, using all bits and pieces from old denim jeans .. or should that then be an old skirt? Hmmm.. a debatable concept!

I like using old textiles to make something different, however it must be said that old fabric often does look old, and not necessarily in a good way. In this case, the denim is actually very well-worn and I may or may not subject it to a brief navy blue dye bath, just to maybe jzoojz (spelling?) it up a bit? as yet, undecided…

I used our own Carolyn & Cassie Meelup skirt pattern, and I think this could be one of the first ones I’ve made for myself without a lining? well, it is just a denim skirt! The skirt is partially cut from a pair of Tim’s old jeans shorts, and a bit extra from some other, previously cutup, old jeans.

The pocket linings are a lovely cotton lawn, leftover from this old favourite dress… I picked off the old pockets from the shorts and added them to the back of the skirt, and another one to the right front. I also made a large, slanted edge patch pocket for the left front, and this one has a totally superfluous coin pocket on it too… superfluous in that I put one in the right hip pocket too. This brings the number of pockets to a grand total of eight! Hurrah for pockets!

The hem of the skirt is the original hem of the jeans shorts, and I unpicked a little to sew the side seams, before resewing the original hem in place. The original topstitching on the jeans shorts was a mixture of navy blue and a kind of dull, mustard-y orange, but all my new topstitching is quite a brighter orange.

The buttons were harvested from off an old cushion here. The buttons for this skirt don’t matter at all actually since they’re not seen on the outside at all. Just one more of the things I love about our pattern!

It’s a bit daggy, let’s be real, but I guess I’m an 80’s girl at heart really so daggy is set in stone into my DNA. I’ll happily wear it as a knockabout skirt on the weekend and when I just feel like slouching around. It’s fun, very comfy, and I often kinda like that scruffy vibe anyway, hehe.

wearing it here with a Booragoon top and a hand knit cardigan

Posted in: sewing, Uncategorized \ Tagged: Carolyn & Cassie Pattern Co, daily outfit, Meelup, Meelup skirt, skirt

Original Digby Julie tunic dress/ tops

05/11/2023 6:11 pm \ 1 Comment \ Carolyn

Hello!

Finally posting some other new things I’ve made this year…

Item 1; a love floaty top for summer. Actually to be specific, I think this is the dress version of the pattern! however it’s kinda short on me thus I am wearing it with a skirt here. And I will probably choose to wear it with shorts or a skirt over summer.

The pattern is the new pattern by Original Digby patterns, the Julie blouse and dress… it’s so pretty isn’t it? I absolutely love it! I kinda want to rush out and buy prettier fabric in like a softer colour, or even something printed, like a floral or something; but you know. Stash busting is still going on over here. Anyway.

So, this is the longest version of the pattern. I added inseam side pockets, just because I like to have them in everything nowadays and am not readily prepared to go without. My fabric is a very lightweight cotton, I think originally from a Morrison seconds sale. It’s quite good for the design, but maybe not strictly “flowy” enough for those lovely softly gathered panels. I think in a very lightweight chiffon or crepe the gathers would fall and flutter beautifully. However I am still very happy!

I hand-stitched the button loop as instructed, and think this looks really nice; however to be honest I’m able to just slip the dress straight over my head, with no need to unbutton. It’s ok thought, because I can appreciate the long slit and button makes the back yoke look more interesting. The instructions for constructing this bit was really good and I enjoyed the lovely clean finish both inside and out that you get at the end of it.

The sleeve pieces are absolutely massive and the result is lovely in my opinion! a very pretty, half pirate-y, half mediaeval sort of effect!

Just secretly, although I am putting this out on the internet, hehe, for the whole world to read should they so choose! but still; just secretly…. I have started doing some embroidery on the yoke. I saw this embroidery design on Etsy and got inspired enough to purchase, ahem. I’ve made a small start. Hmmm. This might take me a while.

Item 2; hehe, I just realised the skirt I’m wearing is as yet unblogged too! It’s just one of the test runs for our new skirt pattern, due to be released very soon, we hope! The Batman cotton drill is from Spotlight, and was leftover for a cushion I made for Theo when he was a tiny bub.

The skirt is fully lined and is a joy to wear. More on our new pattern in a very short space of time, I hope! I think it’s a terrific basic and one I’ve made and wear a lot.

I’m wearing it with a very old T-shirt made absolute yonks ago…

Finally, I made a second version of the Original Digby Julie blouse… hoo yes I managed to find some prettier and silkier and flowy-er fabric…. IN LE STASH what’s more! Whatup?! I knew I could dig up some more appropriate fabric if I really tried. One was just not trying hard enough, that’s all.

This is a silky stuff inherited from Mum’s stash. It’s absolutely gorgeous and feels beautiful against the skin but I have a sneaking suspicion it’s not precisely “pure” silk. Most likely spun from the sloughed off cocoons of the Plasticus Bottleus variety of silkworm, ahem. Anyway, how pretty is it? that’s all that counts really. I’m wearing it with yet another new skirt, white linen, fully lined; also our new pattern, hehe. To be revealed soon!