oh la la, bruyere love!

 

 

 

I really liked many of the Bruyeres I saw on the internet, especially Tilly's  and Sally's fabulous bicycle version.   I didn't know if it was the right shape for me, but I thought I would have a go and I'm afraid pretty much copied Tilly's!  The fabric is Robert Kaufman dot chambray (yes, more Robert Kaufman chambray, and I've already bought this fabric in maroon dot for a shirtwaister!). 

 I got the fabric from M is for Make and can I just say the service was fabulous, as I made a mistake with the amount I bought and they sorted it out so quickly.

The pattern is a Deer and Doe and comes from France.  I found the instructions generally good though I got a bit stuck at the sleeve placket and had to use the photos from the sew-a-long (the text was French!) to help.

Anyway, I have to say I love it.  I think the fit is probably the best I've ever found.  It's really fitted without being tight.  I usually take an inch our of the bodice length because I have a high waist, but I noticed that it looked quite high on other people, so decided to leave it as it was and I think it's just right.  If you don't have a high waist you may want to lengthen it. 

 

The only change I made was to narrow the shoulders by 5/8" which is a common alteration for me, otherwise I think the fit is perfect.  The other thing I love is how neat you can make the inside!  It's becoming a bit of an obsession.

 
I used French seams everywhere except the arm-sythes (must learn how to French seam the sleeves as well).

 
 The only bit I struggled with was the cuffs, this was tricky and my actual cuff has ended up not quite square.

I'll be making more of these!  Perhaps a Liberty print.

I've also been crocheting and finished the first section of my blanket (a bit of doggy photobombing!)

 

I think haircuts are long overdue!  One Saturday a month I go to Unique Image in Ulverston for my Saturday sewing workshop and this Saturday it was also the Dickensian festival, a sort of surreal day when people dress in Victorian costume (and obviously as a cracker!), so we had a fantastic view from our window, checking out the costumes whilst sewing (A coat - more to come later).  I've so many projects on at the moment; crochet blanket, crochet scarf, in the middle of a coat, a skater dress to hem, 3 jumpers to block and make up, Francoise dress and shirt waister dress cut out and ready to sew!  How on earth did I let this happen!  What are you making at the moment?