Merry Hallo'mas! a Glow in the Dark Skeleton Dress

This was meant to be my Hallowe'en dress, and I had it all finished in time for Halloween except that I needed to buy and put in the zipper but then I ended up getting sick on Halloween. So since then its been hanging in my closet neglected. However I think now I've talked myself into believing that I can wear this dress just as everyday casual wear. I was pretty fond of goth looks in high school anyway.

Pattern notes:
This is the bodice from the Sultry Sheath from Gertie's Book for Better Sewing again. Pretty much I was in a hurry so I used something where I'd already corrected the fit. The skirt is a simple dirndl. I like the combination of the very feminine neckline with the macabre print.

Fabric notes:
This is a quilting fabric from timeless treasures which I bought online from ebay. It's an anatomical skeleton print, and oh yeah it glows in the dark! I recommend this bodice pattern with a dirndl skirt as a good one for using quilting cottons you want to wear, it came together really easily.

Sewing notes:
As I said above, this pattern came together really easily with the quilting cotton compared to when I made it with double gauze - definitely beginner friendly and a good match for hard to resist quilting cotton prints.

I used the scallop edge to finish my facing, but having yet to wash it you can still see fray check here - more of a precaution then anything it won't be visible to the eye after the first washing.

When I tried on my dress to hem it I realized I was really happy with the length it already was. In the spirit of stash busting and cheapness I used some cheap poly ribbon to finish the hem. It actually adds some extra body to the hem, which I like in a '50s inspired dress like this. The poor women's horsehair braid?

Looking forward to Christmas week, starting with a date at Casa Loma which should be all decked out for the holidays this weekend. I think I might wear this dress!

Lately

1 Hand Knit fair isle mittens for my sister made with this pattern and motifs from 200 Fair Isle Motifs by Mary J. Mucklestone
2 Awesome beer labels from Bellwoods Brewery
3 Toronto themed trinkets for my sister in BC, a wizardwolf patch from Bellwoods Brewery and a button from the David Bowie Is exhibition at the AGO
4 Cute Toronto button from this artist that I bought at the One of a Kind Show

Tiny baby Moccasins for my new niece

I've been trying to make all my presents for my family this year, both as a means to save some money and so that my gifts can be more meaningful. I came across the pattern for these baby moccasins on raverly, and luckily the Toronto public library had a copy of the book they are from, Knitting Gifts for Baby by Mel Clark. My sister recently had her second daughter, my new niece Sequoia. I haven't met her yet because my sister lives in far off British Columbia. Partially I think my desire to create all my gifts this year comes from the realization of the distance that separates my family and handmade gifts seem to me a way of forging a closer connection. Hopefully I get all my projects done in time!