Eleanor as a Pinafore

For the beautiful August strikes, I saw the Paisley Eleanor and instantly knew it had to be something with a bit of sweetness. It had to be seasonally appropriate so I went with a pinny: something that can be worn with layers in the transitional seasons and then worn alone in the summer months. The cotton lycra would be perfect for both spring and summer, and the lining and main bodice (both use the print) add that bit of extra warmth. I love the idea of the tie shoulders, and had been inspired by a make shared earlier on The Telarie’s Facebook group, so I sought to emphasis that look. Again the CL was ideal here: I think french terry would have been too bulky on a child’s shoulders, but the CL was ideal for structure yet less bulk.

This was the first time I made this specific pattern, although it was from a pattern designer that I was really familiar with, and I had used the bodice before on an overalls pattern. For the skirt, I went with the gathered skirt to give it a little bit of classic femininity, and to add to the sweetness of the print. And of course it has pockets. Generally for my own clothing, I use the overlocker hack to gather skirts, but I had that feeling that the delicacy of this print needed something with a bit more finesse. I used three rows of gathering stitches, within the seam allowance, and while I keep my spool thread the same colour, I use different colours in my bobbins, so I know which threads to pull and tug and tighten when gathering. I used a yellow, the most lurid green and a fluorescent pink this time! They certainly stood out.



Once I was happy with how the gathers were arranged, it was back to the overlocker to finish attaching the skirt, with the gathering rows hidden in the seam allowance. I quite liked this method, as it allowed for a lovely even hem on the rectangle skirt: it’s a nice break from hemming circle skirts. Annoyingly I missed the hem in a three inch section, by just a millimetre or two. Rather than unpick it all - I was really happy with the stitching otherwise! - I used a catch stitch and hand joined the reverse of the twin needle stitch to the overlocked turned up hem. The result was perfect and invisible. Hopefully this lasts well over the few seasons, and gives the wearer many months of fun and play!

Lauren - Brand Luminary