Yesterday, I went to By Hand London‘s first birthday party and was treated to a sneak peek of their latest pattern – it’s a corker. The theme was 1980s, so it felt entirely appropriate that I rocked up in a 1950s vintage pattern – the Butterick B5605, as featured in my blog banner!
This dress is now on its third summer and I remain incredibly fond of it. On average, it gets worn once a year – but it’s well worth having it in my wardrobe for summer parties when dressing up is the order of the day. The fabric barely creases so all I need to do is take it out, pull it on, and cherish the memories that come clustering around me.
When I made this dress, I still could barely believe that I was capable of making any dress. Yet it has French seams, horsehair braiding, challenging kimono gussets and a self-fabric belt. Not bad for a relative beginner. It also reminds me that one huge benefit of making your own clothes is that they don’t date because they don’t follow high street trends.
I love this photo so much! Miss Demeanour is one of my favourite Sewists. If you don’t already follow her blog, you totally should. She is inspiring, fun, determined and did I mention fun?
Of course, there were loads of other people to meet. By Hand London’s talented pattern drafter, Victoria, (left) and Rosie of DIY Couture (right):
Indeed, Sewists wearing their handmade clothes abounded:
And there were Vodka Jellies:
I can’t wait to see what By Hand London do next. It’s bound to be awesome.
What a great colourful day. Some lovely pictures.
I love that dress so much! Lovely to see you yesterday, Karen. Those pretty, innocent looking jellies are very responsible for my head ache this morning! x
It looks like the party was a lot of fun. How lovely to be able to hang out with others who make their own clothes! I too love the dress you wore and you are so right that one advantage of maKing your own clothes is that by not following high street fashion they just come out of the wardrobe again and again. Plus you always look like an individual. I think that’s much cooler than being a fashion victim!
What a great event! So pleased you had a good time and met loads of fellow sewists.
the instagrams made me so happysad!
WISH you could been there 🙁 we almost did the math as to how much it would cost to fly out the international sewing babes to join us! Next time…x
I FELT THE EXACT SAME WAY.
I really liked your Birthday Party! Gorgeous photos!!
Beautiful dress. I think that is one of my favorite things about making my own clothes knowing that because my clothes are never really on trend I’m never likely to go ‘off’ trend. Looks like you had a great day. There are some fab clothes in these photos.
Looks like such tropical colourful fun!!
Indeed what a colourful day, Love your dress – everyone looks so stylish and even better them all being handmade 🙂
Ohhh vodka jellies! (in USA-speak- jello shots!) Tasty. The clothes are all so lovely- I’m with oona-happysad!
Lovely to see you Karen! What a fantastic day!
Thank you so much for coming Karen! It was indeed awesome and made so much more awesome by everyones’s beautiful outfits! And the jelly shots…xxx
Man, all of you gals looked gorgeous! What a genius theme for a party!
I love a man who wears red shoes!! Who is he? Surely he contributed to the colorful fun of the party!
I would be wearing that dress every week! Stunning.
Love all the tropical outfits! There aren’t enough occasions I think to wear a very brightly coloured dress… I’m glad yours got an outing this year. It’s beautiful
Karen you look great! That dress just says happiness and fun!