Take me to bed - Manteau de Lit

I had wanted to make a Manteau de Lit for quite a while now but despite understanding French I just really couldn't make out what on earth Garsault wanted to tell the reader about how to make that bedgown. And helpful pages on the net weren't helping me either (too little pictures, I am very visual... but have a look at this page, it's really helpful otherwise http://marquise.de/de/1700/howto/frauen/18mdelit.shtml )
It was the collar thing that threw me really. 
So after years of contemplating I decided to buy a commercial pattern for the instructions ( I have to admit I felt really stupid to buy a pattern for a 5 piece gown... ...but anyhow it just proves that sometimes it's the simple things that are most difficult...) Even after reading the instructions of the JP Ryan pattern I wasn't sure where this was going to lead, and then I just thought I'd try it with the lining first. And it was dead easy. Honestly. I am glad after all to have her instructions.
I've had some fabric leftover from the Garthwaite Anglaise which I used as the outer fabric. And I've even had a bit over to make a pieces skirt for the Anglaise. I'm really pleased with that. ... :)


So here is a picture of my comfortable Manteau de Lit. :) Perfect garment, goes with anything. Even with jeans, a feather and a funny face.

the socks! (+ can you find the little mouse?)

 The collar of the Manteau de Lit can be worn 2 different ways, either inside out (so the lining shows, which can be a nice contrast), or outside in, which I prefer for this patterned silk.

Edit 7/2015: I've made a teeny tiny slideshow on how to assemble the collar.

Stella and Lotta and forest animals

Yes, I am sewing a lot of stuff for Daughter No 1 at the moment, mainly due to the fact that this well matured piece of fabric with the adorable forest animals was hanging around my sewing table and I all of a sudden I got into a sewing frenzy. :) (and I've got a skirt like that already, remember...?)

So, as I really like the patterns of Compagnie-M I thought I'd make some skirts.

Here they are. It's the "Stella" and the "Lotta" Skirt, they are both easy and have a great fit. They come with great instructions, multiple ways of customizing and both have an adjustable waistband. There is a fitting help with measurements included, too.

anyhow, here are the skirts. Can you spot the differences? ;)

Lotta skirt

Stella skirt (can you find the dirty patch?) ;)

Have a great day!

Foxy Louisa

I've made a Louisa Dress (Compagnie M patterns, love them! http://compagnie-m.com/)
 before, and then I had a bit leftover from that fox fabric (I made a skirt for myself from it ages ago)  and made another Louisa dress, this time with that funny partition. I like it. As always, Daughter No1 HATES new things.
The sizing of the pattern is great and it's a real treat to work with.

I love Elephants

Actually I would love to have a jacket like this myself - but I decided to make one for Daughter No 1 instead.

I found the pattern in Ottobre Design 1/12 (BrumBrum) and made it without the sleeve inserts. It's really easy, again, the size runs a bit big, which doesn't really matter in a comfy jacket and I knew it before.