Saturday 15 August 2015

Thou shall hev a fishy on a little dishy...........



If anyone recognizes the title of this post then I apologize for reminding you of painful memories, If you don't recognize it then take the following as a cautionary tale:

      One childhood holiday (presumably in Suffolk) my parents (in what can only have been a fit of madness) bought a cassette tape (yes I know I don't look it but I really am that old) of  'Suffolk fishing songs'. Well you can imagine what the contents were, then imagine this played on a continuous loop whenever we were in the car during the whole holiday..... Someone only has to mention the words 'Suffolk' and 'fishy' in the same sentence and I get a cold shudder.

  Anyway painful memories aside I made a fishy dress and I'm rather pleased about it! Five or six years ago I bought a dress/tunic which was the perfect colour, cut, length, material etc and I wore it, and wore it, and wore it, and wore it. Two years ago it was way past it's best and I started to look for a replacement promising myself that I would throw the tunic away once I had found it's double. I never did find a RTW replacement so once my sewing confidence started to grow I was on the look out for a suitable fabric and pattern.

The pattern: Pocket full of Posies dress/tunic, it's my first intermediate pattern, I made a large and made the dress length. I had intended to use my overlocker for the whole make but it sounded grumpy going over the thick seams and given it's history of breaking down mid make I decided not to risk it.

The fabric: It was an end of bolt remnant, it is quite a thick jersey so was very stable and easy to sew with.

 The neckline is not perfect (I always struggle with knit necklines) and the pocket lining is always turning to the outside (I think I can remedy this by putting in a couple of stitches a few inches below the neckine). I have worn it all day today and it is sooooo comfie, the pockets are perfect for lego, phones, dinosaur teeth - you know all the usual stuff. It will be worn a lot during autumn, spring and cooler summer days - I just hope it will survive all the wear and tear and washing as I am planning to wear this for at least another 5-6 years!!



The pockets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



 Today I went to the Fabric Godmother open day. The fabric choice was amazing (I may have been tempted to purchase a few meters) and there were lots of fellow sewists and bloggers.



 I don't think I have seen so many hand made garments together in the same room - I felt quite rude staring at people looking at what they were wearing. It was really wonderful getting to chat to like-minded people. 

  Thanks for popping by!

                Su xx 


12 comments:

  1. It was a great day. And blimey your dress is even nicer in real life than the photos. It looked really comfy and stylish. And the fabric is awesome. We are off on our hols tomorrow and I'm rather gutted not to just get stuck into my purchase straight away. Have fun with your fabric.

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    1. I hope you have a great holiday!! Come back rested and ready to sew!!

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  2. It was a great day. And blimey your dress is even nicer in real life than the photos. It looked really comfy and stylish. And the fabric is awesome. We are off on our hols tomorrow and I'm rather gutted not to just get stuck into my purchase straight away. Have fun with your fabric.

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  3. The best garment that you have made so far. This is my type of dress - knit fabric, comfy, lovely shape and the pockets are fab! It must be nice meeting other sewists/bloggers - I must do it sometime!

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    1. Thank you so much! I think it's the fabric that makes it shine! It was so great to meet other sewists!

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  4. I love a big pocket - looks like a fab day. Jo x

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    1. As you know it is all about the pockets for me!!!!!!!!

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  5. Su, that looks so nice on you! I love the fabric too.

    I've eyed that pattern before but have not bought it as I don't sew much with knits. However, I have been wondering how it will be sewn up in linen, minus the hem band. What do you think?

    It must be so nice to meet up with other sewists/bloggers!

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    1. Thank you!
      ooooh yes I think your linen version would work - what a great idea!!!!
      It was great to meet up with other bloggers in real life!!

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  6. I haven't seen this dress on anyone else - it is SO interesting with those pockets I wonder if you'll start a craze? I thought it was a Scottish song- doesn't it start Danced gorgeous your daddy, my bonny laddy? Love it when those childhood songs suddenly come back into your head! Lovely meeting you and already looking forward to next time.

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  7. It was so great to meet you too - I hope the next meeting is not too far off!!
    I'm sure the fishermen of old traveled about a bit - it could well be the same song but with a Suffolk slant to it! These are the words I found on the internet which I think are the ones from the version we had!!!!

    Come here, maw little Jacky,
    Now aw've smoked mi backy,
    Let's hev a bit o' cracky,
    Till the boat comes in.

    Chorus:
    Dance ti' thy daddy, sing ti' thy mammy,
    Dance ti' thy daddy, ti' thy mammy sing;
    Thou shall hev a fishy on a little dishy,
    Thou shall hev a fishy when the boat comes in.

    Here's thy mother humming,
    Like a canny woman;
    Yonder comes thy father,
    Drunk - he cannot stand.

    Chorus:
    Dance ti' thy daddy, sing ti' thy mammy,
    Dance ti' thy daddy, ti' thy mammy sing;
    Thou shall hev a fishy on a little dishy,
    Thou shall hev a haddock when the boat comes in.

    Our Tommy's always fuddling,
    He's so fond of ale,
    But he's kind to me,
    I hope he'll never fail.

    Chorus:
    Dance ti' thy daddy, sing ti' thy mammy,
    Dance ti' thy daddy, ti' thy mammy sing;
    Thou shall hev a fishy on a little dishy,
    Thou shall hev a bloater when the boat comes in.

    I like a drop mysel',
    When I can get it sly,
    And thou, my bonny bairn,
    Will lik't as well as I.

    Chorus:
    Dance ti' thy daddy, sing ti' thy mammy,
    Dance ti' thy daddy, ti' thy mammy sing;
    Thou shall hev a fishy on a little dishy,
    Thou shall hev a mackerel when the boat comes in.

    May we get a drop,
    Oft as we stand in need;
    And weel may the keel row
    That brings the bairns their bread.

    Chorus:
    Dance ti' thy daddy, sing ti' thy mammy,
    Dance ti' thy daddy, ti' thy mammy sing;
    Thou shall hev a fishy on a little dishy,
    Thou shall hev a salmon when the boat comes in.

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