Barbados beach dressin’

Holiday sewing

Warning: this post contains a lot of idyllic beaches, warm weather and sunsets. It might not be suitable if you’re lodged in wintery gloom. I’m feeling that myself with an extra post-holiday crash this week if that helps, but I did have a lovely little break in Barbados and managed to get a few new me-mades into my case despite still being an overlocker down. (There are some more photos of my trip over here if you’re feeling brave.)

Holiday sewing

Firstly two more Zippy tops – well, a top and a dress variation – both made from House of Hackney silk that I got in last year’s excellent sample sale. This blouse I just love – what looks like leopard print from a distance is actually amoebas up close. Secret science print!

Holiday sewing

I accidentally cut the dress bodice a bit too high and ended up with empire line, which also made it end up rather short hence the addition of vintage lace trim to the hem. As well as having fabulous designs HoH fabric is so well-behaved and a dream to wear – I hope they do another sale soon.

Holiday sewing

You can barely see ’em, but this is a pair of Katy & Laney Tap Shorts that I made last summer. It’s the same polka dot denim as these jeans, with the plain reverse side used for the front and the dots on the side/back. I love this pattern and was hoping to make a couple more pairs, but I didn’t fancy leaving raw denim seams without my trusty overlocker.

Holiday sewing

This is a Marilla Walker Maya top (with a different pair of Tap Shorts), which Marilla kindly gave me the pattern for. I bought the fabric when I met up with Marilla and a few other sewists on Goldhawk Road in January, it’s a super soft cotton with the pattern woven in; I think I used the wrong side out but I like the stripes. The top took just an evening to sew and I really like the construction method, with wide facing pieces for the neck and sleeves which are topstitched down. It fit perfectly with no adjusting and is so nice and comfy, both in heat and cold (I wore it back at home before the trip too). Winner!

Holiday sewing

Tiger dress! This is my second Pattern Runway Gathered Sundress (the first one’s here). The bodice fits me like a glove with no modifications, and I’m fond of the scoopy skirt pockets with sweet gathers. I just omitted the waistband both times I made it as they do nothing for me. It’s made from Cotton + Steel quilting weight cotton which I’d been hoarding for a while – it’s a bit novelty (and pale) for me normally but I think you get away with that type of thing on holiday. I didn’t quite have enough so cut the side princess panels from a plain black, and tried to tie it in with a black decorative stitch on the hem too.

Holiday sewing

I’ve been trying to get over my invisible zip aversion, so this one has one up the back. Getting a good screw-on Janome zipper foot for Christmas, rather than the flimsy proprietary one I was using before, really makes it easier to sew up the remaining seam accurately. There’s a neat finish inside the dress with a mix of French seams, pinking, and hand-sewing.

Holiday sewing
Holiday sewing

Finally, the reversible Turia dungarees I made my sister for Christmas got an airing – but only briefly because I made a BIG mistake. I didn’t prewash the fabric as I was in a rush to get them made.. after fifteen minutes in the hot sun, they’d bled blue-black dye all over her legs. Aaaaagh! I hope a gentle wash with a colour-catcher sheet renders them wearable. The good news is my sister (extremely impressively as she’s a beginner) sewed up her very own version of the pattern which also got worn on the trip. I just need to wrestle the pattern back to make my own pair!

20 thoughts on “Barbados beach dressin’

  1. Teresa

    Sigh! Thanks for the warning… Spring still seems a long way off, never mind Summer! You’ve made yourself a super hand-made holiday wardrobe. I particularly like your tiger dress and amoebas top :-)

  2. Sasha

    I’m trying hard to overlook the scenery, I am after all one of those lodged in wintery gloom :( … but I cannot overlook the outfits they are justperfect for a tropical holiday!

  3. Ingrid

    That looks LUSH. Glad someone is escaping the horrid European winter. That project runway dress is really cool – I’d never seen the pattern before. Will def be making one for warmer times!!

  4. emily marie

    Ok, totally drooling over those House of Hackney fabrics! I’d love to transport myself over there for the next sale! That’s the most perfect leopard print… probably ever. And the empire waist was a totally happy mistake- it gives it an awesome 90’s vibe without a floral that looks like it’s *actually* from the 90’s, and the lace trim also updates it and brings in a nice texture.

    Those beaches look super heavenly, but you already know that. ;)

  5. Camilla

    Gorgeous photos. How very organised of you to sew a holiday wardrobe. I’m hard pressed to sort out my holiday shopping. I’ve got the blue floral fabric in a H of H sale too. It’s so lovely I don’t want to cut into it. I also have the amoeba fabric in a scuba like double faced jersey. Their prints are awesome.

  6. Michelle

    Your vacation wardrobe is fantastically wearable and gorgeous. The flowy fabrics and designs you chose are perfect for island weather. I really love the laced hemline on your dress. It looked completely planned to me. It’s a great detail.

  7. jenna

    Aaaah, looks like heaven!! I love all the clothes, but that fabric you used for the Maya top is fab! Also, your sister’s hair – I’m so jealous of that!!

  8. Sally

    I am having SO much weather envy right now!!! And you look so adorable in all these outfits – especially the tiger dress. I want to steal it! :)

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