OMG finish, sort of.

I am happy to say that I have completed both my goals for this month, sort of, see what you think.

First off I made the final 5 basic blocks for my Wonky Wheels UFO.  Here they are.

That makes 20, now I need to find 1 or 2 background fabrics to build up the blocks in order to make the flimsy.

That is a definite completed goal.

At the beginning of January I also set myself the challenge of making a sleeveless winter dress to wear over a turtleneck.  This is the photo showing the pattern and fabric from my goal setting post.

This is my finished dress.  Many apologies for the terrible photo, I was only allowed 1 shot as my daughter had to get back to whatever socialising she was doing and wouldn't come back so I could try to look less cross and tired.

As you can see, right dress, wrong fabric.  What happened?

In short, when I made up the muslin I decided that sleeveless really doesn't suit me and the sleeves on this pattern come in 2 halves with a seam right down the middle that I didn't think would work with the thicker winter fabric I'd chosen.  Fortunately I had this slightly stretchy, cotton in my stash that I never got around to making into a skirt last year, I'm really happy with the result but does it count as my goal finished?  You decide.

I made quite a few alterations in order for it to fit me properly so for anyone who's interested and for my own reference here's what I did.

1. I cut the pattern for size 14 at the chest and 16 at the hips.
2. I decided not to have a seam down the front so I cut the fabric pieces on a fold allowing for the 5/8 inch seam allowance.
3. I shortened it at the waist by 2 inches when I copied the pattern, then a further inch after I tried on the muslin.
4. I altered the bodice to adjust for my 'hollow chest' (thanks Vogue Pattern's fitting guide, that term is really good for my self esteem) by pinning out excess fabric across the chest from arm hole to arm hole and adjusting the pattern accordingly.
5. I also made the curve in the side of the hips more gradual as it looked a bit lumpy on the muslin.

I am really pleased with how the fit has turned out and might make another but I shall wait until summer and see how it wears first.  I'm also thinking that I can create a well fitting basic princess line pattern by cutting the muslin up.  All in all, it's an easy pattern to follow with only 6 pattern pieces and I think I'm going to use it again.

That's all folks. Tuning into Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal - January Finish Link-up.