I'm really blessed with some lovely friends. One of those friends thinks of me whenever she's got a sack full of fabric to give away, thank you Di!

This fabric was a large door curtain and I kept it because it was in immaculate condition, a good thick cotton and I thought I could use it for making a muslin one day. The fabric is 'The Country Classics' by Ashley Wilde.

I'm going to hazard a guess that it was produced around the 1980's. It's just got that sort of chintz chic look about it.

I'm eagerly awaiting a package containing some voile from Sara Lawson's new Jungle Ave collection and I have a Washi top in mind for it. I thought I'd better make myself a muslin first before it gets here to check fit and make sure I don't completely ruin the new fabric from Sara! That's where this home décor fabric comes in. Ker-ching!

I wanted to make the dress length to check it for future dresses (even though I've a tunic in mind for the Floral Asphalt voile) and didn't have quite enough for the whole dress out of the curtain fabric. Once again my never diminishing stash stepped in and provided some beige linen for a front bodice. I wasn't intending this dress to be worn but once I put the two together I decided I really liked it and hence forth it became thought of as a wearable muslin.

Yes, my legs really are that pale, do not adjust your screens!

Because of my ever expanding pregnancy belly I made the following adjustments to size which might be helpful to anyone else who's planning on making a maternity Washi.

Based on my bust and upper bust measurements I was spot on the largest size in the Medium size range. I cut the back of the dress in size medium. I cut the front bottom of the dress in size large. I used a marker then to match the size medium arm holes (sycthes?) to the size large side seams and bottom seam. Size large bust darts too.

I used an elastic casing on the back rather than shirring because a) the fabric is very heavy and b) I have a drop in bobbin Brother - notorious for shirring issues and I really didn't fancy having to adjust the bobbin tension! Next time I'll cut my back elastic to the large size though so it's not as tight.

I'm only 22 weeks pregnant in these photos and I want my Jungle Ave tunic to last me through to the end of pregnancy and possibly nursing if I can follow Rae's nursing alteration tutorials.


I think I made the right decision with the size adjustments, there's enough space for a slightly larger bust and a very much larger belly but the back isn't ridiculously over-sized. I didn't have any issues matching the two different sizes of the front and back.


There is a slight gape at the neckline so next time I'm going to stay stitch the neckline as soon as I've cut the pieces rather than in step 6 as instructed. I think because I didn't make it up in one go and instead folded it up and put it away, then got it out another day, repeat etc, it must have stretched out slightly.

I wonder if I should also consider moving the seam up an inch or two if I make another Washi with contrast bodice/skirt so that it hits above my bump, but I think on one that's the same fabric it won't matter so much. The same with the rather obvious darts!


I didn't really feel my bump was that large before taking these photos, I'll blame it on the heavy drape of the fabric coupled with the extra bump growth room!

It's not really warm enough for summer dresses here yet, but you can bet your bottom dollar that as soon as it is, this wearable muslin will be making it's fair share of appearances! Who knows, if I get a nice little amount of sun you might be able to see where my legs end and the cream of the fabric begins!

Some of you already know this, but sewing clothing scares me some-what. I'm happy to tackle the most difficult pattern of anything but when it comes to clothing I like to stick safely in the 'beginner' camp. I was pleased with how easy it was to follow this pattern and I'm really pleased with the result. Onto the next Washi!

Hello my darling friends,

Thank you for hanging around while I've been absent, I've been horribly ill.

As you all know, I'm pregnant (currently 22 weeks!) and up until about two weeks ago I was suffering with Hyperemesis Gravidarium. I think it's otherwise known as 'severe morning sickness' but let me tell you, it's so far removed from morning sickness and so much worse it almost needs a category of it's own!

For a long time I was so ill that I was unable to even move from bed as every movement would make me ill. Even speaking would make me throw up. Dus didn't mind the enforced silence lol!

During that horrendous time I managed to restrain myself from murder whenever someone texted me asking if I'd tried ginger ale/biscuits/peppermint tea/flat coke etc. Trust me friends, my hardcore anti-sickness drugs (yes, the ones they give cancer patients) were barely making an impact, the regular morning sickness remedies were even less effective than a chocolate tea pot in the world of Hyperemesis!

However, it's been nearly a week since I last threw up and some of my energy is starting to return. I'm still waiting for that magical enjoyment that's meant to come during pregnancy. So far it's all been far from magical!

Now I'm enjoying the visage of a teenager with awful acne....but it's an improvement on the sickness!

Furry slippers obligatory, teenage acne face optional!

My mother has of course gone crazy and despite my telling her not to go crazy buying things for the baby, she's already gone ahead and purchased an entire week's worth of clothing for the baby!

We found out at the 20 week scan that bazza (aka baybee's baby or Elvis) is a girl so hopefully it won't now come out a boy, my mother's stuck very firmly to the pink aisle of the baby clothes shops!!

I can't blame her too much, I'm very disappointed to find that baby clothes come in blue, pink or cream. It's almost as if every other colour, tone and hue have been surgically removed from the world when it comes to babies!

Obviously my sewing has been seriously curtailed, there's not much sewing you can be bothered to do when just laying in bed watching telly wears you out (or maybe that was the violent sickness....) but since I've been feeling a little better I've managed to make a toy bag for my sister's friend's son. I've got a Washi dress cut out ready to sew up for sizing and my 'to sew for baby' list is very long!

If you're one of my personal friends and were thinking of posting something for us/the baby please email me to check you've got the right address as we moved last year and some of our mail is still going to the old address and getting lost for all time.

I can't promise normal service is going to be resumed yet, but I just wanted to let you all know I'm still here!

P.s. thank you for the get well messages, postcards, cards and emails. They've cheered me up no end and I feel very supported!