Saturday 4 February 2017

Tilly and the Buttons Cleo(s)

Hi!   It's been a loooooooong time since I wrote a blog post! Ages ago when Tilly and the Buttons released their Cleo dungaree pattern I instantly fell in love and snapped up the Aubergine needlecord kit. In the pattern photos on the website Tilly uses a larger size model as well as a smaller sized one, I really like this as it helps me to see how it would look on someone similar to my size, I wish more pattern houses did this. I decided to make it in the longer length as I thought this would be perfect for winter. I was so pleased with the result (I have a bit of wrinkling in the bib bit and I think it may be a little big - but I don't like things to be tight so I am happy with it). I Have had lots of good comments about it when I have been wearing it (which is almost constantly!) I usually wear it with bright tights and brown boots.


There are two versions of the pattern the long one above with the knee split and a shorter version. I knew that I would want to make the shorter version too and this will be great for spring (and winter!). I chose this mustard needlecord I had in my stash which I think was from My Fabrics. Now you would think that as I had made it before and given that the previous make was such a success that this one would have been a breeze - this was not to be. It all started off well and I used a lovely contrasting cotton lawn for the insides which I love.


 Then as the dress was nearly finished it all went horribly wrong. I am not sure how I managed it but I must have used a 1cm seam allowance rather than a 1.5cm one on the straps and by the time I had realized the dress was constructed so to correct it there would have been an awful lot of unpicking to do - I decided to leave it. I think it looks OK and only I will know. As if this wasn't bad enough can you imagine my upset when I had completed the entire dress including the hem, put it on for the first time and discovered I had put the front pocket on way too low AAARRRRRRGGGGGG! (to put it mildly!).


  I was determined to unpick it and move it to the correct position however I chicken'ed out at the last minute too worried that it would lead to an awful pocket outline right in the middle of the dress - had it been one of the back pockets or even the pockets lower down on the dress it would have been ok - but I decided I couldn't risk it with the center front pocket. 


The back is lovely too:



Despite the stupid mistakes I do still love the dress and will wear it lots, but will always have the knowledge that it is not perfect.



 I am going to try to blog a bit more often  and have decided to write down my plans using the free template from Sew DIY  here are some of my plans for February:


  I am hoping to take part in the Moneta party at the end of February, it is an instagram based concept where everyone makes a Moneta and post's a photo of their dress in the hope of winning some great prizes. I have completed my (very) wearable toile with adjustments and am just waiting for my fabric to arrive so that I can start on the 'real thing' (I am keeping my fingers crossed that things don't go the way my Cleo's went!). I also want to try and find time to make the new TNB pattern Zadie


  I have seen this gorgeous version by Cookin' and Craftin' that I am going to shamelessly copy!!!!

  Thanks for stopping by and I hope it won't be too long before my next post........

      Su xx


6 comments:

  1. I don't think the lower pocket is a disaster. It's a matter of personal taste and I wouuld deliberately put that pocket lower on mine because I would find it easier to get my hand to it. I love pockets as I am always stuffing things into them, my two Cleo's have front lower pockets only because that is the best place for me. Many thanks for the link to the Calendar- it may shame me into tackling more sewing if I actually write down my intentions and it will provide a record of what I have managed to do. Totally agree about seeing patterns on different types of models. Can't wait to see your version of the Zadie dress, which seems a brilliant pattern- different sleeve lengths and Pockets. It means, like the Cleo, it is an all season dress.

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    1. Thanks! I must say as I have been wearing it - it has grown on me!! Just had a look at your cleo's - Love them!!!! Yes I thought that if I wrote a realistic sewing list each month there would be more chance me actually managing to make them!

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  2. I love it when you blog! Yey!! Both are beautiful, but the mustard has a slight edge and actually looks good with the lower pocket.

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    1. Thanks!! The more I have worn it the more I like it! It is a good length to wear with leggings too which I like as well!

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  3. Hello! I made a Cleo but my needlecord was a bit fine and the weight of the buckles pulled at the front so I am going to try again. It looks good on you. I emailed Tilly after the release of the Fi Fi pyjama set and said I was disappointed that different figures were not shown on her image marketing. I think you should say you bought a pattern based on the model variations - it would be important feedback I think. I had people at my sewing class who had not bought Tilly patterns based on the modelling - it screams "oh that pattern is not for me, I am bigger than that" Jo xx

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    1. Mine buckles a bit at the front too - I had assumed ot was a little big - but actually it could well be the buckles weighing the fabric down. I will write to TNTB giving feedback - good idea - positive feedback is probably more important that negative in some ways!

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