Vogue 1353 and holiday time

I've just had two weeks holiday, not very good weather I'm afraid, but I've got a lot done!  With new carpets coming on Wednesday I've repainted three rooms (not my favourite job and my poor right hand feels very weak).    I'm not going away this year; I'm at a bit of a crossroads holiday wise.  Now Dan is grown and married, I'm need to start going on my own, which is quite a step!  So I plumped for new carpets instead. 


I have managed quite a bit of sewing too.  I finished Vogue 1353, a Kay Unger pattern  and I've already worn it three times.   I would love it in the fabric choice on the pattern, but I couldn't find it anywhere, it looks like silk.
 
Anyway mine is a great dress for work.

Quite a good shape, although different for me.  I really don't wear sleeveless dresses, but I ended up with this pattern because a friend at my sewing class had accidentally ordered two.  I'm afraid I also copied her fabric choice and I absolutely love this fabric (more in future posts).  It's a linen  look but without the crumpling problem.

The fabric was probably a bit heavy for the pattern and it was really thick at the facings.  I ended up both understitching ......  (would May approve?)

..... and topstitching to keep the pleats acceptably neat.

Top stitching round the armholes has made them feel a bit sharp, so that's probably not something I will do again.  The skirt is pleated and quite nice, though I could have done with an inch or so less around the waist (hence the belt).

 

The other tricky bit was the shoulders,  you attach the lining before joining the shoulders and I found it very fiddly and thick, I don't think I'd attach shoulders like that again.  But the worst mistake was made after the dress was finished, in my final press I managed to melt the lining, properly melt it and my only option was to cut the melted bit out and patch it!  What an idiot!

Have you been enjoying The Great British Bake Off.  I have.  I haven't done any baking for ages ... but feeling inspired I'm going to try and choose a dish each week and have a go.  For week 1, cake 1 I went for a Swiss Roll.  I've never made one before, but armed with my Mary Berry Recipe I've had a go.  Its a whisked sponge  which definitely rose (n.b. remember to grease the sides of the baking parchment too, hence a bit of sticking!). 

I rolled it when hot ......

.... and I have a really good roll.

Then some whipped cream, strawberries and icing sugar.    I went a bit overboard with the strawberries and had to remove a few to reroll!

What's not to like.  I can almost hear Mary and Paul .... "It's a little overbaked which has made it a little dry, a good roll though!"  Next week Florentines.

Finally, a little celebration.  I have 50 followers on Bloglovin and I am really touched that anyone can be bothered to read my little offerings.  So thank you very much and especially to those of you who leave a comment.  Enjoy the rest of the Bank Holiday.