I was keen to make a pattern from both Liz Hayward and Pattern Union as both these pattern companies gave us a pattern as a prize for our Perth Stitchers Picnic in the Park. I also wanted to recycle some fabric and this began life as a Gorman doona cover and pillowcases – I loved the print and mix of fabrics.
I began with the Cora blouse . I was determined to use the pillow cases for this. Goodness knows why as I had a mountain of fabric in the doona cover, but there you are. In order to get the blouse out of the pillow cases I had to do some piecing. I decided to play with the stripes, but am a bit sad it’s not so obvious.

I’m hoping the deep creases wash out. I was pleased to use my home made #SewOver50 Label. I think I even got it on straight!
I had three Gorman labels that I removed from the set and added the word “recycled” to them and stitched them back on. The Cora has one on the sleeve. I love that people say they didn’t know that Gorman has a recycled section of their business!

I added a drawstring to the Cora as I did in my last post, I’ve decided that it works well. I also added faux cuffs following the tutorial from @sewandrew over on Instagram.
I then made the Liz Hayward Clair Skirt, which is a zero waste pattern. I’ve made two before (here and here), and I love the shape. Each one is slightly different.
Here it is with the Cora blouse.

I do feel like a giant iced lolly, but I have to say that I adore the colours (I spotted some of these in Diane’s latest post on the season’s trends), and I find the combination of large flowers and stripes strangely appealing.
As my fabric was so light, I lined the bottom part of the skirt with the striped fabric. This means that I have a nice inside on show when I sit down.
The skirt has a quarter circle removed from the hem which can be used for a hat, apron or bag. I used this one for a bag.

Once again I used the Gorman Recycled label on the pocket. I had the twill tape in my stash which was lucky as I wasn’t buying any!
I lined the bag with the cut out from the striped lining for the skirt. I also used some padded interfacing to give the bag a bit more heft.

I felt very pulled together and adore the bag with it. It won’t go with anything else in my wardrobe though!



I wasn’t sure how this would go at the picnic: would I trip over the skirt as it’s probably a bit long? Would I be cold as the weather has turned windy? Would I ruin it by spilling food all over myself?
The event is now in the past and I scored 2/3 – I did trip over the skirt and I did spill a delicious strudel down the front, but it seemed to blend in, so I think I got away with it.
Here are the obligatory event photos. Can I just say how much I enjoyed myself and we’ve all decided that this could become an annual event.
With my co-organisers, Megan and Katherine. Thanks to Megan’s sister Sophie for the photos


I teamed my outfit with my yellow sandals, they seem to be a match made in heaven and meant that I was 100% me made. My hat is the Liz Haywood free bucket hat pattern.
The very excellent Sew Over 50 group. I’m next to Sarah, who is sadly a bit hidden, but it seems appropriate as she designed the pattern for my Cora blouse.

Some photos of the day. I get so carried away that I forget to take photos. How good was the spread?



I took these photos from Sarah’s instagram. I hope she doesn’t mind, but I do love them both.


A couple of photos that I took before the event, and I’m using them because I quite like them. This outfit is going to be worn a lot, in combination or separately with other garments. I’m entering it into The Refebulous challenge as it’s from a doona cover set. This will be make number 7 this month for that challenge.


Sue ,
You look fabulous!
How great you managed to recycle a Doona cover & pillow case .
Looks like a great day was had by all.
S x
Thank you Suzanne, we had such fun.
You all look fabulous and what a great day.. a fantastic spread. I’m really pleased to see that Katherine and Megan are well too.
Thank you, it was the best day, we had so much fun. And Katherine and Megan are both really well.
Looks like a great day enjoyed by all!
How appropriate to wear Sarah’s pattern and mine. I love those soft pastels.
Love the colours!
Thank you, they were together on the doona cover. I never would have combined them.