A few weeks ago I was sitting in the hairdressers, scrolling through Instagram when I spotted Lorrelle at Loudbodu Fabrics had posted a call out for testers for a new selection of fabrics. I replied and was lucky enough to snap up the last one; a beautiful scuba crepe. I proceeded to order another couple of lengths of jersey from the same site (only polite, I thought) and if you haven’t been on there recently, especially since the launch of the shiny new website, head on over because there are some beauties in stock! The two I ordered were the glitter blue leopard print and the dream catchers, which I thought was really pretty and unusual. I have yet to sew them up as I have been mainly machine sewing over the Easter hols, but I can’t wait for them to become wearable garments.

Now, the great thing I have found about being fortunate enough to be gifted fabric is that it often is a type or design that I wouldn’t have chosen myself. I see this as a huge plus – I am always dismissing certain colours/prints because they don’t inspire me but then I see them made up by other sewists and look at them completely differently. I don’t think I would have chosen this colour way or this belt design but when my squishy parcel arrived I was very impressed with the quality of the fabric. I have used scuba before but it’s usually had more of a sheen and to be honest, that’s sometimes what puts me off using it. This scuba crepe however is completely different. It has a subtle matte texture and is excellent quality. It’s still in stock here AND if you are quick there’s a discount running over the Easter weekend.

With 2 metres I knew I wanted to make a dress, and I had recently got my first two AK Patterns back from the copy shop. I decided to make a Sheona dress with the slim ruffle hem and sleeves. It’s a straightforward make, more so if your overlocker doesn’t decide to chew up the neckband half way around (WHY is it always the most noticeable place?) and I sewed the majority on my overlocker which some zigzag topstitching on my machine. The fabric behaved very well and if you didn’t want to hem it there’s no danger of fraying, but it turned up nicely for the hems and went through both machines no problem.

I am really happy with my finished dress, I think the print of the fabric plus the style of the dress actually make it suitable for a more formal occasion, as well as it being perfect just for a wander around the garden centre. I like the length of the dress and the ruffle detail. I made a size 14 and would possibly make it a little wider over my hips next time but otherwise the fit is good. I would definitely buy this variety of fabric again as a few of this type of dress in my wardrobe would definitely set me up for this gorgeous weather we are having over the bank holiday and into summer. I cannot recommend Lorrelle highly enough in terms of her stock, how quickly she dispatches and just how friendly she is, and I am certain I will be placing another order with her in the near future – sprinkles, I’ve got my eye on you!