tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62195716961727905212024-02-02T07:07:33.144+00:00Laura: in a tangleLawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-30182795603391777762013-03-09T10:47:00.000+00:002013-03-09T10:47:39.781+00:00Reboot: part 1Ok so I have been pretty slack with my blog recently.<br />
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Honestly, even though I have been sewing, and also now knitting, its been taking me some time to settle into a new life in Bristol. Work has been really hard, and I've just struggled to find the energy and motivation to sit at my computer in my free time to write up blog posts.<br />
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I'd like to get gat back into blogging again, so here's a quick recap of what you've missed the past few months:<br />
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After learning to knit just before Christmas, I have been a knitting nut of late. People, how has it taken me 30 years of life to discover knitting??!!!<br />
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In October I booked onto a 6 week knitting class, and I loved every minute of it. The second I picked up some knitting needles something "clicked", and I'm not just talking about the needles here! That's not to say I'm a natural talent, I've completed afew projects and my stitches are a bit uneven, I can't sew things up very neatly, and my casting on is very loose, but I care not, I'm already addicted.<br />
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So here are the first few things I've made, some ribbed armwarmers:<br />
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I'm using the leftover woll from the armwarmers to start a blanket, which I'm hoping to add to every time I have left-over aran wool.<br />
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I also bought <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gentle-Art-Knitting-Jane-Brocket/dp/1843405326">The Gentle Art of Knitting</a> by Jane Brocket and have just finished the slouchy hat: <br />
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and just need to sew up the chunky cable cushion.<br />
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I have also just finished the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/honey-cowl">honey cowl</a> by Madeline Tosh. Pics to come soon.Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-36977166856053097742012-11-10T11:03:00.001+00:002012-11-10T11:03:22.851+00:00Freehand machine embroidery & knittingI'm back from a semi-sunny holiday in Spain, and the clocks went back while I was away. Now the dark nights have set in I am finding it hard to find a time to take pictures of my finished makes, except for weekends!<br />
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So last weekend I went to Bath to meet the super lovely Scruffy Badger for a Freehand Machine Embroidery workshp at the <a href="http://www.themakeryonline.co.uk/workshops/sewing-textiles/free-machine-embroidery-an-introduction/">Makery</a>.<br />
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It was amazing fun, but I did struggle to control the speed of my machine. It kept going a bit haywire until Susi, the teacher, put me on a different machine. It seemed the one I was on was misbehaving and the foot pedal was not sensitive enough to recognise when I wanted to GO SLOW.<br />
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I made the little piece below. <br />
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Am thinking I might frame it using an embroidery hoop. You can see ScruffyBadger's amazing creation <a href="http://scruffybadgertime.co.uk/2012/11/if-i-had-a-magic-wand/">here</a>. Check out the lace on the knickers, awesome!!!<br />
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Now freehand machine embroidery has so many possibilities creatively. I want to try more. The drawback is my machine doesn't have the capacity to drop the feed dogs (the little spiky teeth that push the fabric forwards). So it seems I am starting to reach a point that my lovely machine is just too basic for what I want to do. Perhaps it's time to look in to upgrading my machine......<br />
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On Monday I started a 6 week beginners knitting and crochet class at the <a href="http://www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk/">Folk House</a>. So far I have learnt to knit and purl. We haven't learnt to cast on yet so I can't start making anything. But I know what I want to make once we have covered the basics. hand warmers!<br />
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Now lovely blog readers as Christmas is coming up and I want to start writing my Christmas list, can you recommend any good books for beginner knitters? I want to start with a few simple projects, with a variety of stitches and I like the look of chunky yarns. I know <a href="http://didyoumakethat.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/the-gentle-art-of-knitting-jane-brocket-at-loop/">Karen</a> has recommended <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Gentle-Knitting-Jane-Brocket/dp/1843405326/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352544707&sr=8-1">The gentle art of</a> knitting, and I do like the look of it.<br />
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Also recommendations for pieces of kit I may want to get, and good yarn suppliers would be ace.<br />
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Oh also last weekend I made a new <a href="http://megannielsen.com/products/kelly-skirt-sewing-pattern">Kelly skirt</a> (you can see a sneak preview on Scruffy Badger's blog). But it's in the wash at the moment, so that blog post will probably have to wait till next weekend, so I can show you pictures of it in daylight.Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-45716345336489828092012-10-11T21:55:00.002+01:002012-10-11T21:55:31.862+01:00Kelly skirt = love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjqe98VoJP2H7CCakmIFzOxOWhDj3PzSnKrxInNFqTJqwnH4pyQhpQSipZXuj2zpcEEaA4KZIa7BsD7xp2bmukLSnT7Ywa8bOGaRYCp6yH_d3H3lH5dZtRosMGTCp-ao807P0JZiD5KU/s1600/Kelly+skirt+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjqe98VoJP2H7CCakmIFzOxOWhDj3PzSnKrxInNFqTJqwnH4pyQhpQSipZXuj2zpcEEaA4KZIa7BsD7xp2bmukLSnT7Ywa8bOGaRYCp6yH_d3H3lH5dZtRosMGTCp-ao807P0JZiD5KU/s400/Kelly+skirt+1.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I’ve wanted to make a nice simple A-line button-down skirt for a fair while and was mulling over purchasing the <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Sewing/Patterns/Tulip-Skirt.html?SessionThemeID=7">Wiksten Tulip skirt</a> as I loved <a href="http://pinnypinpin.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/fo-wiksten-tulip-skirt.html">Shivani’s version</a>. However because this pattern is a download I didn’t buy it. Partly due to the lack of a printer at home and also because I couldn’t be arsed with sticking the pattern pieces together and then cutting them out. So it was a real blessing when <a href="http://megannielsen.com/">Megan Nielsen</a> released her <a href="http://megannielsen.com/collections/sewing-patterns/products/kelly-skirt-sewing-pattern">Kelly skirt</a>. I snapped that up after seeing Roobeedoo’s awesome <a href="http://roobeedoo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/fo-kelly-skirt-for-every-day.html">versions</a>, (also <a href="http://roobeedoo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/fo-my-first-kelly-skirt-megan-neilsen.html">here</a> and <a href="http://roobeedoo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/fo-quirky-quilty-kelly-skirt-mn2201.html">here</a>), and it is still a homage Shivani's skirt because I loved the colour of hers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I use a cotton chambray for the main skirt and a cute flowery scrap for the pocket lining.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have to say I love this skirt. It's so simple and quick to sew up but is really cute and easy to wear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The only thing is it is a little loose at the waist, and I sewed the top two buttons quite close together so after a days wear, the skirt starts going into a V shape at the front waistband and sags between the buttons on the waistband and the button on the skirt. Any ideas how to fix this? I am thinking either adding a third button or a hook and eye in the bit that gets saggy, to hold it together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have already decided to make another one with some wine coloured corduroy I bought ages ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Seriously, I love this skirt! This is the first item of clothing I have made that I am truly happy with.</span></div>
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Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-86670365367926008792012-09-19T18:30:00.002+01:002012-09-19T18:30:10.153+01:00Pants!Well in truth there was nothing pants about my day on Saturday. Loads of lovely sewing bloggers, beautiful Bath, yummy food and a great knicker-making workshop, all organised by the lovely <a href="http://scruffybadgertime.co.uk/">Scruffy Badger!</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of Scruffy Badger</td></tr>
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Winnie and several more of the other lovely ladies have already posted about the day, but in case you're interested here are my knickers:<br />
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I'm really glad to have (kinda) mastered sewing elastic onto cotton, it is fairly easy but needs to be done with care. My stitching was pretty wonky but I don't really mind.<br />
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The day was awesome, and it was really nice to meet some more Bloggers. Thanks Winnie for inviting me!<br />
<br />Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-64132275961876242282012-09-06T19:16:00.001+01:002012-09-06T19:16:08.358+01:00I'm back, and I've made stuffYay, <br />
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After a few months not blogging, I have now finally settled in a bit into my new life in Bristol. Although have been sewing, I just haven't had the mindset to get blogging again, but now I'm energised and ready to go!<br />
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I have managed to make two skirts since moving to Bristol.<br />
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I had planned back in <a href="http://laurainatangle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/plan-2012-list.html">February</a> to make a few skirts of different styles (a-line, gathered, pleated) to see which suited me best. However I have realised by doing some "research" in a few shops (basically just trying a lot of things on in changing rooms) that gathered skirts and my posterior are not friends, so should never go together! Instead I'm having a go at a few pleated skirts. Firstly a Simplicity Cynthia Rowley pattern <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-5908-misses-miss-petite-dresses-cynthia-rowley-collection.aspx">2215</a>.<br />
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I made it from a nice cotton drill so it's more of an autumn-winter skirt, but can work for summer. I've never used a Simplicity pattern before, and despite checking my sizing on the envelope and measuring the waistband pattern piece before cutting out, it came out way too big, so I had to take the waist in by at least an inch. I love the a-symmetrical pleats on this, which is handy if you aren't the neatest sewer in the world (I'm not).<br />
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I also added some secret fabric to the pockets, it's some cute animal print that I used for friend's baby blanket way back when I first started this blog.<br />
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Although I like this skirt, it is still quite big and flouncy, and doesn't exactly slim down my lower half, so I am not certain that I would make it again.<br />
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So next up was a Simplicity Project Runway skirt <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/patterns/26500">2698</a>, which I think is now out of print. I made View J with yoke B.<br />
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This skirt is more a wearable muslin than an actual finished piece, and I haven't hemmed it yet. Mainly because I'm not sure the back pleats work. <br />
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I went down a size with Simplicity this time, and that seemed to work a lot better. However I am definitely not sure about the back pleats. I want to make this skirt again from some olive cotton sateen I have, as I love the look of the front pleats, but I'm not sure what to do about the back. Can I get the pleats to lie flatter, if so how? Should I move them closer to the centre back? Could I eliminate them somehow by adjusting the pattern (slash and spread or something??).<br />
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What do you think?<br />
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My next make is going to be a chambray <a href="http://megannielsen.com/products/kelly-skirt-sewing-pattern">Kelly skirt</a>, by <a href="http://megannielsen.com/">Megan Nielsen</a>. I have been lusting after a button-down skirt for a while, and now after several versions of this have been popping up in Blogland I want one even more. But again the back pleats are causing me concern.Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-64717971829861699692012-04-17T19:13:00.000+01:002012-04-17T19:13:14.207+01:00Overlocking action and big changes<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Sorry for the long absence, and lack of comments on your blogs, but big changes are afoot in casa de Laura and I have literally not had time to stop this past few weeks.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Due to my boyfriend getting a shiny new job, we are going to be relocating to <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> in the next month or so!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m very excited about moving to the west country, but at the moment I don’t have a new job lined up, or a place to live, or any friends in Bristol, so things are very much crazy hectic.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I’m looking forward to exploring my new local area, and if anyone has any recommendations for good sewing shops, craft cafes or sewing teachers / schools in <city w:st="on">Bristol</city> or <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bath</place></city> (or anywhere nearby) please let me know!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I’ll admit, because of this, sewing has not been top of my list of priorities recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A</span> couple of months ago I did buy a overlocker, with big plans to make zillions of jersey garments, which sadly did not happen. The poor thing has been stuck on my desk literally gathering dust! Lucikly, I had also signed up to a a 2 day overlocker course, and the first class was yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially we just got to grips with the basics; the first thing we had to do was cut the threads off and learn how to re-thread our machines from scratch!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a bit scary, and actually quite tricky (even though the teacher told me my model was actually one of the easier machines to thread), but once I’d done it a couple of times I had it figured out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely need to get some good tweezers for the fiddly bits though!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qu0nG_H1Y1cU-_evs67eEGFqr38Xl6hBt5gniKhuJgFiC2eZK1XwXWm9nbyoGIa245j3FCDQ-x_jT0fr8ogjVFPaLIcL9TaUehaRkH7Us3TPAZjBMJXKpKNvQ-1cVGRQIp32QdAL0IY/s1600/overlocker.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qu0nG_H1Y1cU-_evs67eEGFqr38Xl6hBt5gniKhuJgFiC2eZK1XwXWm9nbyoGIa245j3FCDQ-x_jT0fr8ogjVFPaLIcL9TaUehaRkH7Us3TPAZjBMJXKpKNvQ-1cVGRQIp32QdAL0IY/s400/overlocker.png" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">We then re-threaded using different coloured threads, so we clearly saw what each thread was doing in the stitching it created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Next we made little samples increasing and decreasing tension on the loopers and needle thread, moving the blade plate further away and closer to the needle plate and changing the stitch length.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAhpsVf37mpa762AMc05_6LMn2R5swNJiDeXahRHREjwZX_sYtcjMv_539im4Vyc_a27u_lFm6YVFpzt0qe_nkxIFeTz1l-lDKDFqv4Yi0Otji4jGQ2H4lvUloYfruIJPIHZxgrBfYSE/s1600/overlocker+samples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAhpsVf37mpa762AMc05_6LMn2R5swNJiDeXahRHREjwZX_sYtcjMv_539im4Vyc_a27u_lFm6YVFpzt0qe_nkxIFeTz1l-lDKDFqv4Yi0Otji4jGQ2H4lvUloYfruIJPIHZxgrBfYSE/s400/overlocker+samples.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">We also had a practice at sewing curves and swerving the fabric on and off the overlocker.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">We each got given a customised vest pattern, which we are cutting out at home and then sewing up next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are also going to learn an easy way to rethread, and how to attach elastic to fabric via the overlocker, and hopefully how to use the rolled hem feature.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I have to say I am not scared of my overlocker now, nor of a thread breaking and having to re-thread the machine.</span></span><br />
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It's not as scary as it looks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">I'll let you know how the second class goes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-88086115730304628572012-02-29T16:00:00.001+00:002012-02-29T16:00:04.284+00:00It's in the bag! First "The Plan 2012" project complete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVSQr6WAaTeu97oClt6oW69Ybjr7pGiTVhNQT8QUmGV-JrG4_wCzWOpddCkvqg5Z4RUOeJvU5xTmwbi_juL8FpoLELEbIBLUcI1AhpWw3fPtHNmt1xkORev5-XGmpabsjNcfC4k9xuhQ/s1600/blue+bag+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVSQr6WAaTeu97oClt6oW69Ybjr7pGiTVhNQT8QUmGV-JrG4_wCzWOpddCkvqg5Z4RUOeJvU5xTmwbi_juL8FpoLELEbIBLUcI1AhpWw3fPtHNmt1xkORev5-XGmpabsjNcfC4k9xuhQ/s640/blue+bag+1.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
Yes indeedy I've made myself a bag. I've been planning this bag for a while, but due to sheer laziness have not got round to making it. Feeling a bit despondent that my <a href="http://laurainatangle.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-got-da-blues-dress.html">Da Blues dress</a> was a big fat fail, I decided that rather than get into a sewing slump again, I should make something I know wouldn't be issuey.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC5frYp5SlyLf_sQcCGZH7vZgOyY66Ihxl8Y0D76IaVUeIEJ-AaA8LcU4KJqUEBQV5gZUIHVAt5Z0zdCoiIPxx7YpAhQmRY_uc7gKRQC1dLLZiKl_BIdAJrRwIBq9_Vjil5QFt9TsPUM/s1600/blue+bag+opening.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC5frYp5SlyLf_sQcCGZH7vZgOyY66Ihxl8Y0D76IaVUeIEJ-AaA8LcU4KJqUEBQV5gZUIHVAt5Z0zdCoiIPxx7YpAhQmRY_uc7gKRQC1dLLZiKl_BIdAJrRwIBq9_Vjil5QFt9TsPUM/s400/blue+bag+opening.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The main fabric is upholstery fabric I picked up at an Artist open house a while back. The lining is a red mini polka-dot cotton from Ditto (bought on the recent meet-up).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihT8U-XleWWGSth2NxIYqEyyX84M0YI4TaiPnltxtgAojGikjDWsk9ibcghSVfAETu5SxhvIK-AkDEaeSbMpm1FEIvSkak_pJpEwp7ISgSr3nEHrtkGCeFqnYNcHVhJB8rt-I4Aw-s6L4/s1600/blue+bag+lining.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihT8U-XleWWGSth2NxIYqEyyX84M0YI4TaiPnltxtgAojGikjDWsk9ibcghSVfAETu5SxhvIK-AkDEaeSbMpm1FEIvSkak_pJpEwp7ISgSr3nEHrtkGCeFqnYNcHVhJB8rt-I4Aw-s6L4/s400/blue+bag+lining.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scuse the markings, I forgot to rub them off before taking the pics</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I love making bags and purses, and really should make more. The pattern is a freebie by <a href="http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2010/08/free-bag-purse-pattern-for-pleats-sake-tote.html?cid=6a00d8341c574653ef01348694b59a970c">Lisa Lam</a>. If you like the look of this pattern, check out <a href="http://stitchandwitter.com/2011/07/23/guess-what-ive-got-a-robot-a-robot/">Stitch and Witter</a> as she has made a fab version of this bag too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IbU48C4HVNNNrUjqUKwiloJb2P0yTvAjQRIrUiz_8qTTQy_B3aT9C_a89Q1VkPNCQjCGw28cTRdpFwWUJGCMa9DWHpPv4RGocJMdluv-DLDfjyCJYjAGbdA6xUvgND9_6ZMjlLQX_lA/s1600/blue+bag+side+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IbU48C4HVNNNrUjqUKwiloJb2P0yTvAjQRIrUiz_8qTTQy_B3aT9C_a89Q1VkPNCQjCGw28cTRdpFwWUJGCMa9DWHpPv4RGocJMdluv-DLDfjyCJYjAGbdA6xUvgND9_6ZMjlLQX_lA/s400/blue+bag+side+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>I bought the handles at <a href="http://www.u-handbag.com/">U-Handbag</a>, Lisa's online shop. You just hand stitch them on with embroidery floss, as they have holes punched in them already. Handy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcqN0EBVbxNUlSbZ_FXKGqiqkeIv_x0drPsW7vuvG5J_BjFC97eVejx8tBRIOvcbo3xTaOF195x3Ar0oma76F08SB8yH9P7lOmFx40eMwbNQ5Qf1wZykXSFI05PAQkFkyIS_aLtBwSFM/s1600/blue+bag+handle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcqN0EBVbxNUlSbZ_FXKGqiqkeIv_x0drPsW7vuvG5J_BjFC97eVejx8tBRIOvcbo3xTaOF195x3Ar0oma76F08SB8yH9P7lOmFx40eMwbNQ5Qf1wZykXSFI05PAQkFkyIS_aLtBwSFM/s400/blue+bag+handle.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-44021360287570583312012-02-26T18:01:00.000+00:002012-02-26T18:01:36.948+00:00I got da blues dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrMtMD8OhYoWSS8Bbj0zbDfEGWdJKbgx-Wk3qHiHSvpxTkWtca0iwvANa-bN_ktbAoX1Xxd9sgm3hfQHMnyTP9Tucv-PdPoyWnNtej9xMP_BYqY6B1gQFm19hNF_bDuB6VVzJiTefP00/s1600/peony+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrMtMD8OhYoWSS8Bbj0zbDfEGWdJKbgx-Wk3qHiHSvpxTkWtca0iwvANa-bN_ktbAoX1Xxd9sgm3hfQHMnyTP9Tucv-PdPoyWnNtej9xMP_BYqY6B1gQFm19hNF_bDuB6VVzJiTefP00/s400/peony+2.JPG" width="285" /></a></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I started making up a Colette Peony over Christmas, after getting the bodice fitted in a private class blogged about <a href="http://laurainatangle.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-finally-had-my-private-pattern.html">here</a>.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">All went well with the sewing, the fit was good and the invisible zip went in without a hitch, happy days. Now I’ve even finally managed to hem it, which took a while as the rayon seam binding was a bit of a pain to sew on. It’s slippery and really narrow, so I kept just missing the edge of the fabric.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Anyway I finished the hem, tried it on and, well the neckline is weird! It sticks out loads!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaun1iERyjOVpw7OdmB7gWtVbJh_ecu1agjfvx1idGWa0gcFIR2sgsACpsPajco32j2tYrOjAYs20sRW_vAIViznfmYtgTGgj8z8-QRYi7mDlTGpDk2EGe-jEOof5XVz_vGHsvvo2xV18/s1600/peony+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaun1iERyjOVpw7OdmB7gWtVbJh_ecu1agjfvx1idGWa0gcFIR2sgsACpsPajco32j2tYrOjAYs20sRW_vAIViznfmYtgTGgj8z8-QRYi7mDlTGpDk2EGe-jEOof5XVz_vGHsvvo2xV18/s400/peony+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6UPO8hh-UR6KSHeN-W4VNhKxClv7QguyX9bIgDMpr_mgbX0_PObcCFxAC347zltzB0w-lv_UaKrfAO74cHYeGU1JWFPtZg0UKt_xWizPV08FKxs79NA1dCdzJMmfaNwtuQGqKZZOiYA/s1600/peony+side+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6UPO8hh-UR6KSHeN-W4VNhKxClv7QguyX9bIgDMpr_mgbX0_PObcCFxAC347zltzB0w-lv_UaKrfAO74cHYeGU1JWFPtZg0UKt_xWizPV08FKxs79NA1dCdzJMmfaNwtuQGqKZZOiYA/s400/peony+side+view.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Here’s a close up.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CJfw2aSvUxKCD3bGxe0r_M6BKUpGN1AyUqxNddFv63kUOFdGqe-gMZGsuIg2Noy8MUv6sIAC1GlSGI31jc1yeNlcFXjWyRlqpgHkTWg4mL5zEP8hk3Rvu-fxP1OyT-5pYrpbIuEHGdQ/s1600/peony+neckline.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CJfw2aSvUxKCD3bGxe0r_M6BKUpGN1AyUqxNddFv63kUOFdGqe-gMZGsuIg2Noy8MUv6sIAC1GlSGI31jc1yeNlcFXjWyRlqpgHkTWg4mL5zEP8hk3Rvu-fxP1OyT-5pYrpbIuEHGdQ/s400/peony+neckline.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It’s even worse wearing a cardigan (a requirement for 80% of the times I’d be wearing this dress).</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Can any master adjustment peeps give me any suggestions on how to correct this? I haven’t tacked down the facing, so could unpick that and fiddle around. I’m thinking maybe I could alter the neckline to make it deeper and less boat-necked, then just use bias binding to finish the neckline. Also the shoulders look a little long and actually end on the top of my arms, could I take those in, thus pulling the neckline in towards me a bit?</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">What do people suggest, as in its current state its not really wearable which is a shame as I quite like the fit and the style of the dress itself. I especially love the little gathers at the front of the skirt.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-30020530640712481462012-02-25T11:52:00.000+00:002012-02-25T11:52:57.531+00:00Argh inspiration overload<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It’s happened again, I have too many ideas going on in my head, have too many things I want to do, I spend every lunch-hour window shopping on the internet, filling baskets but never actually pressing the “continue to checkout” button. I can’t focus, I can’t think straight. I need help! </span></span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Ok ok ok, Laura, stop, breathe, re-group. I have issues. I have a very distractible flighty brain, my thoughts whizz from one thing to another very quickly. In fact I’m like a squirrel who’s drunk too many coffees. You should see me when I’m on a computer, my boyfriend gets a bit motion sick watching the screen when I’m on my laptop, I’m that fast.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The problem I now face is, I have a <a href="http://laurainatangle.blogspot.com/2012/02/plan-2012-list.html">plan</a>, and want to stick to it. I’m ready to start drafting my wool half circle skirt and to cut a toile for my darling ranges dress. The fabrics are washed and ready to go. Buuuut I’ve just discovered the joys of overlockers and sewing with knits, so want to make this pattern</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUy2IQrRLk_8k6am3L_hVpnrLqoMQQgiY_HPZJNZGXfAzxF2fQYY3OLJPrvx8bdkQpd0Znqby9AnZJKynVud3nZB5WbkeTyRZU_u-2Ei8T0T-YQRWd1B8xLTAxbKmpRTHUQFKUl2FvbH0/s1600/2369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUy2IQrRLk_8k6am3L_hVpnrLqoMQQgiY_HPZJNZGXfAzxF2fQYY3OLJPrvx8bdkQpd0Znqby9AnZJKynVud3nZB5WbkeTyRZU_u-2Ei8T0T-YQRWd1B8xLTAxbKmpRTHUQFKUl2FvbH0/s320/2369.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And this pattern</span> </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-C1IoYz1FYtVxxTHb9CHVmjzy1lB9uDSplL6HyeB_92uCehyuDtN3zIbpUpY65KIHYqEkeCBQewYjH2xkEh2KNUL49dm6_I_P1VhuXA7ZHugjzRf1trplM1FCJtcPG5PTxgNzV92bWA/s1600/2443l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-C1IoYz1FYtVxxTHb9CHVmjzy1lB9uDSplL6HyeB_92uCehyuDtN3zIbpUpY65KIHYqEkeCBQewYjH2xkEh2KNUL49dm6_I_P1VhuXA7ZHugjzRf1trplM1FCJtcPG5PTxgNzV92bWA/s320/2443l.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">and that pattern </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYDMEx6AL0qUaKAsh6xXSiNqxtv7FnaL3_ZBnatcMfmLJNHH7l8Ew86-DNviqB1ItZ-IjKVkfUCPQzo8nUIa27C0T6-Re9IdbdLUxF8SShYPlMkXJ0tQJZfYS61M_eD16kRdeSLLUD4c/s1600/V8413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYDMEx6AL0qUaKAsh6xXSiNqxtv7FnaL3_ZBnatcMfmLJNHH7l8Ew86-DNviqB1ItZ-IjKVkfUCPQzo8nUIa27C0T6-Re9IdbdLUxF8SShYPlMkXJ0tQJZfYS61M_eD16kRdeSLLUD4c/s320/V8413.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">and a million more of this pattern</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpn1188vAaavh_OUciJjBsM428H98LSXACC_NGgv3S02k-QAA_SqNAVHzwdqTQFvHwWCp3MzTNKJk16WK46fQfVwbkVy0nwx-pfWn6El3rkwdAVSYccmziHaWVju6LwyhxCBiVc_3lzF4/s1600/1201_sewaholic_renfrew_envelope_front1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpn1188vAaavh_OUciJjBsM428H98LSXACC_NGgv3S02k-QAA_SqNAVHzwdqTQFvHwWCp3MzTNKJk16WK46fQfVwbkVy0nwx-pfWn6El3rkwdAVSYccmziHaWVju6LwyhxCBiVc_3lzF4/s320/1201_sewaholic_renfrew_envelope_front1.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>Oh and the <a href="http://dixiediy.bigcartel.com/product/ballet-dress-pattern">ballet dress by DIY Dixie</a> too!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I need to pull up the reigns, and re-stock before I get too over excited and (like I usually do) end up doing nothing.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Maybe I can come up with a compromise. I have decided to buy an overlocker, and have signed up for a workshop in April that runs through everything you need to know to use one. I know I’ve already been playing with Zoe’s but she did give me a crash course on how to use hers, and I am a bit nervous a different machine might scare me off. So I thought if I bought one of my own I could get familiar with it in a structured environment. </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">So I am thinking that I should maybe make one more Renfrew whilst I have Zoe’s machine and then put knits aside until April. So spend March making my wool skirt and at least starting on my darling ranges dress, as that’d be a great springtime dress to have.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Then I have summer to whip up tees and summer dresses in jersey fabrics (my eye is on you simplicity 2443). I know myself and when there’s sunshine outside I will want to be out in it with my hula hoops. Sewing indoors will not be a priority for me, so trying to make a few vesty dresses for summer hooping is reasonable I think, as knits are quick and easy clothes to make, and are practical to wear.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Finally come autumn I can crack on with the rest of my plan and make the pleated and gathered skirt, and maybe try my hand at the trousers.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Ok now I’ve put that in words I feel better. Thanks guys, talking it through has really helped :o)</span></span></div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-39924418617773227972012-02-19T14:50:00.001+00:002012-02-20T12:23:36.988+00:00I love overlockers!!!!When Zoe brought round her overlocker last week she said "this will change your world". Well she wasn't kidding.<br />
<br />
I now love overlockers. I made myself this Renfrew T-shirt in about 3-4 hours. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUTgwa7H_UexcHGzTEekx9eaXYcnvDGA0e5mf-ZxCfrYWAWQfiGVDRdMj48n6IAkFtcfcp1YdbIH_4zRvDlAW8BFayZQdcaiqLfbBGqhzyxVbglCFeQ15OjmgHeVMd5G7AFALN3b1OBo/s1600/t+shirt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUTgwa7H_UexcHGzTEekx9eaXYcnvDGA0e5mf-ZxCfrYWAWQfiGVDRdMj48n6IAkFtcfcp1YdbIH_4zRvDlAW8BFayZQdcaiqLfbBGqhzyxVbglCFeQ15OjmgHeVMd5G7AFALN3b1OBo/s1600/t+shirt.JPG" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
It was my first time handling knit fabric, and using an overlocker, but once the dreaded cutting process was over (thank heavens I have a a rotary cutter), it was so quick and easy to put together. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FPBuRBX9k_DejkjJeMiZeBpuJ78_YY1NltF0eo9NXcYuCIm1o8awKsYIsWr5HUIuCkfzT0IHbRsbPvXnBP6Y1boNUP4eQ7KYYOnsH9K_bDlumJAYiR7BJSufQNkyu1YzDPKms4YyLXc/s1600/t+shirt+side+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FPBuRBX9k_DejkjJeMiZeBpuJ78_YY1NltF0eo9NXcYuCIm1o8awKsYIsWr5HUIuCkfzT0IHbRsbPvXnBP6Y1boNUP4eQ7KYYOnsH9K_bDlumJAYiR7BJSufQNkyu1YzDPKms4YyLXc/s320/t+shirt+side+view.JPG" width="257px" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost matching stripes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The jersey I used was pretty cheapy and thin, so I'm not mad about the T-shirt itself. Also I think I need to tweak the pattern a bit, I cut a size 10 in the end, but reckon I could go smaller in the waist. However I am dead chuffed with this first attempt. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1IAllazYdHDVtRyLn3JQu5sFzoYmQKdFBArD4bWjaUM_Xv2RSyUx6AIy5xdXeH7gtPe9OVOW-kH677g5q8b2i5aImpVuFdF-Rf1KPxYtLTKxI8tIUQ93gDmcOgVq70wGvj0GWW4xVZw/s1600/t+shirt+stretchy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1IAllazYdHDVtRyLn3JQu5sFzoYmQKdFBArD4bWjaUM_Xv2RSyUx6AIy5xdXeH7gtPe9OVOW-kH677g5q8b2i5aImpVuFdF-Rf1KPxYtLTKxI8tIUQ93gDmcOgVq70wGvj0GWW4xVZw/s320/t+shirt+stretchy.JPG" width="282px" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stretchy jersey!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Also the overlocker's abilities impressed John so much that, when I asked him what he thought of the finished T, he actually looked up and passed comment, rather than glancing my way and murmuring in a usual vaguely positive way! I think realising I could make him customised T-shirts has sparked an interest in the overlocker. This means I could actually buy one, without having to justify the practical necessity of the purchase, which is something I struggle to achieve when it comes to my other hobby, hula-hooping. <br />
<br />
Any more entry level overlocker recommendations greatly appreciated!Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-64379362584405279252012-02-14T13:16:00.000+00:002012-02-14T13:16:19.214+00:00T-shirts and a question for overlocker owners<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">So I’ve bought a shed-load of t-shirting from Fabricland. It’s not a stable knit as its quite stretchy, but it was very cheap, so is good for me to <s>ruin</s> practice on in my first attempts at using knits and an overlocker. Looking at the measurements on the Renfrew pattern it seems quite loose for a fitted top. I think I’d be a 12 as my waist is around 31 ½ inches, but the finished measurements make the waist 35 ½ inches, so I may go down a size or two. Also, although I’ve ordered some double knit online (planning to make a cowl version), for normal t-shirts I want thinner jersey, so I want to see what size I’d need to use for a stretchier material.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TXCUN6VZgXTuyvXeFnQiEtws3REamBm_pU6gaSrED3B1X6llC7xX-G53-3A2AoqhHcr48SfkCowqv2PPTI1_kHW6pirceaO_7SITCvL5dz1_n9Sx6Zk1cemv-1cgOSOUSHzXNaDKWZc/s1600/227_brother-1034d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TXCUN6VZgXTuyvXeFnQiEtws3REamBm_pU6gaSrED3B1X6llC7xX-G53-3A2AoqhHcr48SfkCowqv2PPTI1_kHW6pirceaO_7SITCvL5dz1_n9Sx6Zk1cemv-1cgOSOUSHzXNaDKWZc/s1600/227_brother-1034d.jpg" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.brothersew.co.uk/brother-1034d-overlocker-227.html">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Once I’ve mastered the art of t-shirt making (because I have full confidence I will), I also want to have a go at customising my creations. <a href="http://madmim.com/">Mad Mim</a> as a whole series of <a href="http://madmim.com/category/mini-series/t-shirt-making-embellishing/">posts on this</a> (and on how to make your own –shirt pattern as well!). I like the idea of yoyos on one shoulder, and the reverse appliqué bow.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Now although Zoe has lent me her overlocker for a little while (which I am super super grateful for), she is going to want it back at some point. And blatantly by then, I will not want to let it go, so I need to start thinking about getting my hands on an overlocker of my own.</span></span></div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbs2qRFf08kFzqvJ9yRN_Tj_V76J-zB7JS_nDOnHJxueOtcNgnjZe4JrGZ3YOBpNVr5qly1Z1lGS31g6eYo6IObb1Xdd3B8Eilxxo2PGNXwsH4g_0cXPisnD3WJhWvy7zw8I2HrZ30TGI/s1600/history_htm_txt_1960_baby_lock.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbs2qRFf08kFzqvJ9yRN_Tj_V76J-zB7JS_nDOnHJxueOtcNgnjZe4JrGZ3YOBpNVr5qly1Z1lGS31g6eYo6IObb1Xdd3B8Eilxxo2PGNXwsH4g_0cXPisnD3WJhWvy7zw8I2HrZ30TGI/s1600/history_htm_txt_1960_baby_lock.gif" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://babylock.co.uk/contactus.aspx">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I’ve seen that many peeps in blogland (including <a href="http://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/2011/02/i-got-urge-to-serge.html">Tilly</a>, <a href="http://didyoumakethat.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/counting-the-pennies/">Karen</a> and <a href="http://handmadejane.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-secret-shame.html">Jane</a>) have the Brother 1034D, which looks like a fab one to go for. However at around £200-£250 it’s a bit out of my price range, so I may end up going down the secondhand route.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3X9iV_Y12-uPfngtTW4Lf5jifNvT7MAMlWo-JhVchgtLj5jvfCWjKfCESq-BaKJk28XL46UYrU_ZahcWCObXeIDfUkm5DrIvHfQC_Lm79UFmiBk_cRLAtl-qz4Jvzj95zPv-cRO6KSo/s1600/JK795-4olockgts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3X9iV_Y12-uPfngtTW4Lf5jifNvT7MAMlWo-JhVchgtLj5jvfCWjKfCESq-BaKJk28XL46UYrU_ZahcWCObXeIDfUkm5DrIvHfQC_Lm79UFmiBk_cRLAtl-qz4Jvzj95zPv-cRO6KSo/s320/JK795-4olockgts.jpg" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gtssewingmachines.co.uk/buy/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=52">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">However if I buy secondhand I won’t really have that much choice in terms of make and model, or have any online reviews to help guide me. What are other peoples experiences of buying and using secondhand overlockers? Are some brands better than others? Are there any brands I should completely avoid? What about age, is it better to go for a sturdy 70’s-80’s overlocker than get a newer model secondhand? Should I just save my pennies and go for new? I was thinking about going to my local dealers to see if they have any reconditioned ones, or display models I could buy at a cheaper price. What do people think?</span></span> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-70470651854063555432012-02-12T18:20:00.000+00:002012-02-12T18:20:14.465+00:00Brighton swapping and borrowing someone's babySo a few bloggers have posted about the <a href="http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/2012/02/brighton-de-stash-meet-up-de-brief.html">Brighton de stash meet-up</a>, but me being me, I've taken a wee while to write up my post.<br />
<br />
It was a really fab day, and I met some lovely bloggers and soon-to-be bloggers. But I won't go into mega details as it has been so well covered elsewhere. So instead I'll just get straight to the important bit, the items I received in the swap:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiHw2IZSTFW7S7KXS6B285d6h93Y6ZIAOkjbkQHSPs1CIOtBuxqVZmGjaJRErsw1ICjF8eNXxs5xNq7e2W5w60_jp5jrbYbZ28dcoYXmldqszqPf6QQAnTaCy1dcXDLaT4rrfvn5NbNk/s1600/stash+swap+goodies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiHw2IZSTFW7S7KXS6B285d6h93Y6ZIAOkjbkQHSPs1CIOtBuxqVZmGjaJRErsw1ICjF8eNXxs5xNq7e2W5w60_jp5jrbYbZ28dcoYXmldqszqPf6QQAnTaCy1dcXDLaT4rrfvn5NbNk/s640/stash+swap+goodies.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
From left to right, a red muslin fabric (great for lining), awesome retro vintage cotton (cushion cover methinks), green and white heavy weight cotton (definitely going to become a bag) and tonnes of lush grey silk (Colette Truffle dress maybe). Oh and an ace vintage dress pattern too!<br />
<br />
The idea of a stash swap was a really great one, as we all went home with new-to-us fabric and patterns, and had given away things that we no longer needed or wanted but that others were really keen to have. Karma was topped up and we didn't spend any money!!<br />
<br />
I also ended up with something else as a result of the meet-up. The generous loan of someones precious baby.......well not their actual baby, but their overlocker!!!<br />
<br />
At the meet-up I mentioned how I'd like to try sewing with knits, and am keen to buy an overlocker, to sew knits, and to finish seams. Anyway Zoe, kindly offered to end me her overlocker for a few weeks, so I could get to grips with one, and hopefully make a few things. So earlier today she popped round to mine, overlocker in hand and gave me a crash course on how to use it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iVHuHMZS71QARe7VdeMcfGtmtSq6f2arLdlSTpeJYNuvETI_SnwmemNYWMnhyphenhyphen44CShAlwSZvVG4W9EoVNeFt8HuF22lAOQIPZ3kYgD3r60xBunLt8OAO-IC9zNBncbL5B5a_hY1mQI8/s1600/Zoe's+overlocker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iVHuHMZS71QARe7VdeMcfGtmtSq6f2arLdlSTpeJYNuvETI_SnwmemNYWMnhyphenhyphen44CShAlwSZvVG4W9EoVNeFt8HuF22lAOQIPZ3kYgD3r60xBunLt8OAO-IC9zNBncbL5B5a_hY1mQI8/s640/Zoe's+overlocker.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Isn't she pretty. Don't worry Zo, I will treat her well I promise.<br />
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Isn't the sewing community generous! Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-9054814964804169982012-02-06T19:55:00.000+00:002012-02-06T19:55:19.173+00:00The Plan 2012: The list<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Right so here's the list of things I'd like to make in 2012. Some of these are fully formed ideas, with pattern and fabric already chosen, others are vaguer ideas, and I may need some suggestions on fabric or pattern choice.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Note: I was going to have loads of pics of all my planned patterns and fabrics but haven't had time to get it all together, and as this post is about a month overdue, it'll just have to look a bit bland I'm afraid!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1. Red dress</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fabric choice: Red cotton lawn</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pattern choice: <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Darling</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Ranges</placetype></place> Dress by Megan Nielsen</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbajy_ZgsVH72QCVPCz0pZxnsQpSezB62RRwX0ASdj_U5zVacXUUKxtvzZ5-h6x89FhTijP6u4IMfT9fw03BTM-7L6wrd-X-Uk4Wbway-xjjfI7Ni5CLFzOTmaVWt13J90e_YpbWI7zE/s1600/red+dress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbajy_ZgsVH72QCVPCz0pZxnsQpSezB62RRwX0ASdj_U5zVacXUUKxtvzZ5-h6x89FhTijP6u4IMfT9fw03BTM-7L6wrd-X-Uk4Wbway-xjjfI7Ni5CLFzOTmaVWt13J90e_YpbWI7zE/s1600/red+dress.JPG" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I loved this dress the moment i saw it and am desperate to make one for myself. Instead of playing it safe and going for a black or navy fabric which is my first intstinct, I have decided to take a risk and make a red version. I’d love to have a red dress, and this’ll be a nice everyday wear kinda dress, that hopefully will be super comfy. The cotton lawn was bought online from <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Truro</place></city> fabrics, they threw in a spool of matching thread too, which was nice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The next three items all belong together really. In deciding that I needed some separates I was unsure what type of skirt to make. I don’t really wear skirts much and am not sure what suits me. So I have decided to make 3 different types of skirt. One gathered, one pleated and one half-circle. I already have an a-line skirt, my black Ginger, which is ok, but I’m not a massive fan of. I would like to try a pencil skirt, but that’s for another time I think.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2. Slouchy gathered skirt</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fabric choice: not sure, maybe black I want something drapey though</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pattern choice: Simplicity 2226</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3. Pleated skirt</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fabric choice: maybe an olive green or navy</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pattern choice: Simplicity 2215</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4. Half circle skirt</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fabric choice: A charcol grey wool from Ditto Fabrics</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pattern choice: For Christmas my mum gave me the book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Your-Own-Clothes-Custom-fit/dp/1843403897">Make your own clothes</a>. In it is a pattern for a half circle skirt. I just need to input my measurements into the program provided on a CD-rom, then print out a paper pattern supposedly custom drafted to my body. Will it work, we shall see, but it’ll certainly be handy if it does, as that eliminates fitting issues.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Also, I'm a bit nervous about using wool fabric, so any hints or tips would be greatly appreciated!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> 5. Wide legged trousers</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fabric choice: Not sure at this stage, will be a dark colour like navy, dark brown or black, probably cotton.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pattern choice: Also unknown. Any suggestions (high waisted is a plus)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6. Tops</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've just received two patterns from Sewaholic, the Pendrell and the Renfrew.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKX_xMtEyPmPu_fS8o4Xun7xa66cMFit8X1VorBKSkzgBclLzRE5sbB0EZxg1xXq2HPYAyXdOhQ1E9KfDlBMwPv6mtmIbHa_dX4kJVEM-fh_AuH17_NV0dRVwDak4DT0TsajtOF3VRAM/s1600/Sewaholic+patterns+I've+ordered.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKX_xMtEyPmPu_fS8o4Xun7xa66cMFit8X1VorBKSkzgBclLzRE5sbB0EZxg1xXq2HPYAyXdOhQ1E9KfDlBMwPv6mtmIbHa_dX4kJVEM-fh_AuH17_NV0dRVwDak4DT0TsajtOF3VRAM/s320/Sewaholic+patterns+I've+ordered.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am keen to get a good fit with princess seams, as I think it's be a very flattering look for me, and I am keen to give knits a go. No decisions have been made on fabrics though!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Plus a few non clothing items:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1. New bag using the free pdf pattern from U-Handbag, with a blue floral cotton and red leather handles I think.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2. Purse or wallet. I'm still searcching for a pattern for this as I am quite particular about what I want from a purse, but havn't quite got the skill to draft my own or adapt an existing pattern.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3. Oh and finally finish the quilt I started months ago, and blogged about <a href="http://laurainatangle.blogspot.com/2011/04/mysterious-case-of-disappearing-9-or.html">here</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I'm not sure if I will achieve everything on this list, but I have a clear plan now. Other project ideas may disrtcat me during the year, but I will try to hold off from veering too far from my plan and do my very best to make at least 2 or 3 of these things listed above!</span></div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-45275060155761480682012-01-24T19:34:00.000+00:002012-01-24T19:34:54.413+00:00Crochet attempts<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well the personalised croquis is on hold at the moment. I wanted to do one on the computer like Lauren at </span><a href="http://lladybird.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/look-a-mini-lt-and-a-tutorial-to-make-your-own/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">LLadybird</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, but alas the photoshop expert that is my boyfriend has abandoned me this week to go sliding down snowy mountains on a bit of wood (also referred to as snowboarding). I’m not much good with complex computer software programs, and I know it’s the kind of thing he could do in minutes but that it would leave me tearing my hair out and take at least a day. Therefore I am waiting until his return so he can do it for me! On the plus side I have pretty much finished my plan for 2012, so I’ll probably do a croquis post as a follow-up after I’ve posted about all my plans.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the meantime I have been trying my hand at another craft as I had </span>my mum to stay over the weekend, and persuaded her to teach me how to crochet. She's a master at embroidery, cross stitch, knitting and crochet and she can sew too! She got me doing a basic chain stitch and showed me how to double crochet, slip stitch and treble crochet. She left behind some perfect examples to look at that she whipped up whilst drinking a cup of tea and chatting (it's like her brain is on auto pilot the muscle memory is that good). Oh and she bashed these out in a few minutes as well.</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx-CvzZxsMgmazhV9PVCjlBGXigXm2zke-YSHAnjoHOjc9enbrfYEfJlNopoEI9pQ-eSEJKdyoEWRqiJHvlc5w6_SMfn8ov3odXa572LAvt1B0MCKifrZjKG2KUXNLbUw2-NK4QCN7AA/s1600/crochet+squares.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRx-CvzZxsMgmazhV9PVCjlBGXigXm2zke-YSHAnjoHOjc9enbrfYEfJlNopoEI9pQ-eSEJKdyoEWRqiJHvlc5w6_SMfn8ov3odXa572LAvt1B0MCKifrZjKG2KUXNLbUw2-NK4QCN7AA/s400/crochet+squares.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bad photos are due to the boyfriend taking the good camera with him on his snowboarding holiday. Bitter, me?...Never!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">Needless to say I didn't get that far, however I am very keen to get cracking on some granny squares, then maybe I can make this lovely crochet tie for my currently absent boyfriend</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKL1W_Y7D0xuJW5awzdh8jdse95hacmZTzGH-1_iI_Hcvta61OfyLLK78Dd03CWOyBwJm_ZjyFLZAxng2c0Y0FOwfApJNb3Z3MpFkI0P154fIVMeuQ1lMWpebfGSFeksfTexo7FVKbyE/s1600/CROCHET+TIE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKL1W_Y7D0xuJW5awzdh8jdse95hacmZTzGH-1_iI_Hcvta61OfyLLK78Dd03CWOyBwJm_ZjyFLZAxng2c0Y0FOwfApJNb3Z3MpFkI0P154fIVMeuQ1lMWpebfGSFeksfTexo7FVKbyE/s400/CROCHET+TIE.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">or these charming pieces of headgear for myself:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi913-Qj_M02sFpcH6JaErF0T2k5LdQHpHk3BjTaA1q-gTFIp0DYWoRb982SFO5ziNbGtZHQywefH47_c0nA1NUU8Fu8i1uMEK53oATyPH6fgTAmMKZHgplePRqJEWqsAHWv0FLqzgjItE/s1600/crochet+headgear+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi913-Qj_M02sFpcH6JaErF0T2k5LdQHpHk3BjTaA1q-gTFIp0DYWoRb982SFO5ziNbGtZHQywefH47_c0nA1NUU8Fu8i1uMEK53oATyPH6fgTAmMKZHgplePRqJEWqsAHWv0FLqzgjItE/s400/crochet+headgear+1.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yummy!</span>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-52054072252264775342012-01-19T13:01:00.000+00:002012-01-19T13:01:36.743+00:00Rayon seam binding<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16qzVZQGLMTFQURScqzMBx9FvMDlrCTIZmX6I2sl0vLW3VNhd1ij1ALgSnvw3b-XwIHgi8hpXwWBUMAzN2829XISjt8gPbV2KbWVBNd0aixgrXkDC_sThi4-NUkF-oY3jl9NojjQm3VE/s1600/seam+binding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16qzVZQGLMTFQURScqzMBx9FvMDlrCTIZmX6I2sl0vLW3VNhd1ij1ALgSnvw3b-XwIHgi8hpXwWBUMAzN2829XISjt8gPbV2KbWVBNd0aixgrXkDC_sThi4-NUkF-oY3jl9NojjQm3VE/s400/seam+binding.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I first heard of this stuff whilst reading Lauren's blog <a href="http://lladybird.wordpress.com/">Lladybird</a>. She seems to use it <a href="http://lladybird.wordpress.com/tag/seam-binding/">a lot</a>, and even has a <a href="http://lladybird.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/mini-tutorial-bound-seams/">tutorial </a>on how to use it. This stuff really appeals to me. I like the look of bias bound seams, but double fold tape can be a bit bulky. Also I hate hemming with a passion and a narrow hem practically kills me, I go nuts pressing the hem over twice, it’s such a pain in the posterior. So using seam binding on the edge and only folding the seam once will give my hems a nice finish that is less bulky than bias binding, and will avoid some of the painful and painstaking hem pressing.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69ZQnq34MD6UfvQ0iw-Q2tislXbLVvnip2N_y1bp_Al4lmm0E4QbLoSkQdmYf-JSI9lsg2sH6eXsEBybtSbwfrBTt_60XwYQDAQTLrcs8YYRsuSOio2y4GpXsv4yQq-_oQVLizj6o990/s1600/seam+binding+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69ZQnq34MD6UfvQ0iw-Q2tislXbLVvnip2N_y1bp_Al4lmm0E4QbLoSkQdmYf-JSI9lsg2sH6eXsEBybtSbwfrBTt_60XwYQDAQTLrcs8YYRsuSOio2y4GpXsv4yQq-_oQVLizj6o990/s400/seam+binding+close+up.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look how thin this is!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It doesn't seem to be something widely available in the UK though. <span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">So after scouring the Internet for a little while I found a UK based shop called <a href="http://www.craftyribbons.com/shop_seam_binding-355.aspx">Crafty Ribbons</a> which sells hundreds of colours of the stuff at £1 for 5 meters. They have an offer on as well, if buy 5 lots of 5 meters and get a 6<sup>th</sup> lot free. So I stocked up with a nice selection of colours.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCoYcb6Iw6HNcBAuyTDW0GZ2DmR1tYkNp-ek_KEOCpj0NBQWpcE23mRL8GQYIp6d9KVZvxyn46FrszR_iJwLfAZDCS46y3hvXQ2oIjjwdFEd764fOw_e-tZdYZ-OIh9hdivJn4v-9fdY/s1600/seam+binding+colours.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCoYcb6Iw6HNcBAuyTDW0GZ2DmR1tYkNp-ek_KEOCpj0NBQWpcE23mRL8GQYIp6d9KVZvxyn46FrszR_iJwLfAZDCS46y3hvXQ2oIjjwdFEd764fOw_e-tZdYZ-OIh9hdivJn4v-9fdY/s400/seam+binding+colours.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span id="goog_333295713"></span><span id="goog_333295714"></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The colours of the binding will give you some clue about the projects I am deciding on for The Plan 2012.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">So what about other UK sewers, do you use this stuff, how do you get hold of it and what are your experiences with it?</span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-50433048157976699592012-01-15T11:58:00.000+00:002012-01-15T11:58:05.447+00:00My 5 favourite wardrobe items<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>A few other peeps in blogland have followed one of the exercises recommended in the Colette Sewing Handbook, of picking 5 things in your wardrobe that you love to wear and analysing them to try and get a better understanding of your own personal style, and what you value in your clothes. I've had a go at this now, and my top 5 are below:<br />
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<strong>1. Chunky necklace</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXocYy5KZYGuoXasngA_YdLi9BH4ROn4ibNAVzPD09JpqQ0PthqcMoXws5OnN4J6yQbU-RK0ByrMlhp-2y9RjxNqreGzeMmksStgkaW2G_ocnmAtv9aRo6FMFypoPiB4AhY1RybHANNzU/s1600/necklace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXocYy5KZYGuoXasngA_YdLi9BH4ROn4ibNAVzPD09JpqQ0PthqcMoXws5OnN4J6yQbU-RK0ByrMlhp-2y9RjxNqreGzeMmksStgkaW2G_ocnmAtv9aRo6FMFypoPiB4AhY1RybHANNzU/s400/necklace.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love this necklace!! Every time I wear this necklace I get a compliment on it, it's just fab. Pretty, chunky, unusual and funky (also it's from Accessorize if you can believe it).</div><br />
<strong>2. Brown and yellow blazer jacket</strong><strong></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidU_LXc_P1CRykgGWoRwfOlsl9pfiVdLIoXV7UYSdAIFjbleHiDIa418w_sgLLFDEHxwgXTwPBTQXagRdZveGlODTDbp1hz79ghdJsn4hFs43tLDbIlxkka3Axq1iPIhxS6aVABooNZ3k/s1600/brown+blazer+jacket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidU_LXc_P1CRykgGWoRwfOlsl9pfiVdLIoXV7UYSdAIFjbleHiDIa418w_sgLLFDEHxwgXTwPBTQXagRdZveGlODTDbp1hz79ghdJsn4hFs43tLDbIlxkka3Axq1iPIhxS6aVABooNZ3k/s400/brown+blazer+jacket.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
This wool blazer is so warm, but is smart and cool too. I love the mustard lining, and the pinstripe. It's a really nicely tailored piece, but isn't "too" smart so I tend to wear it with jeans.<br />
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<strong>3. Purple blue dress</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMasVxl-FRzdsD-2Uanfhxyp2bp27mxkzA_y2KlOje-aU8S6CfU_ocIOZ0ZSMA15U3OmwqteoQDEL7_ZcQfjlvUrELUiLxBNphYmzv0A9d6LC12m015iH9tketltstayn3Ayy2Cn_ZlE/s1600/blue+purple+dress+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMasVxl-FRzdsD-2Uanfhxyp2bp27mxkzA_y2KlOje-aU8S6CfU_ocIOZ0ZSMA15U3OmwqteoQDEL7_ZcQfjlvUrELUiLxBNphYmzv0A9d6LC12m015iH9tketltstayn3Ayy2Cn_ZlE/s400/blue+purple+dress+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I love the bright block colour of this dress. It's empire line so is very flettering to wear, but not too restrctive either. I like the simple style, fitted bodice but floaty skirt. I also like the embroidery detail near the hem<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBHVBekdtW3e9YQslKb_PKDMGm6HQ9GQMZ-GOyMSyEiRJOVyICYMnKb9OURfdVgmy1H8M11gnOydFutsyMBbfgSRDH0VOpB-6oAhFrfOshJYOdbxJeXPDCGh1nirLyR5XXM2VWXSUqBk/s1600/blue+purple+dress+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBHVBekdtW3e9YQslKb_PKDMGm6HQ9GQMZ-GOyMSyEiRJOVyICYMnKb9OURfdVgmy1H8M11gnOydFutsyMBbfgSRDH0VOpB-6oAhFrfOshJYOdbxJeXPDCGh1nirLyR5XXM2VWXSUqBk/s400/blue+purple+dress+close+up.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Wearing this dress makes me feel really feminine and pretty.<br />
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<strong>4. Flowery jersey dress</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VbAYvboOXCaX8fwl406bOAtqhY8Vc3Kw9IWBzRHUP_8ia6d-EZ5y-7_JN36kDn5i0v7xUcGI6kzpNOUXHNe_yx71LUvujSvG7kr3a3wnTWVTv5u9etN2mXcS26VECqdxCNynBpFEIfw/s1600/jersey+dress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VbAYvboOXCaX8fwl406bOAtqhY8Vc3Kw9IWBzRHUP_8ia6d-EZ5y-7_JN36kDn5i0v7xUcGI6kzpNOUXHNe_yx71LUvujSvG7kr3a3wnTWVTv5u9etN2mXcS26VECqdxCNynBpFEIfw/s400/jersey+dress.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>This dress is so soft, comfy and easy to wear. I can just throw it on and go. It's basically just a rectangle with a waist tie and a cowly style neckline. It doesn't exactly make me feel professional or pretty but it does make me feel happy!<br />
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<strong>5. Chunky biker-style boots</strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqX0BGNYpHynHOK0d_EVwSC1EsDyHPJutQHIsvoJPlXj2lSOgyNdIJstbp75Uh9kDpTvzQ-Bfg9bYGx2lTNfy7U_qYIbekX4K8jzF-tVD2FDC-3LT6LQE-UcojMrrbHe6v2CNLwGaurQ/s1600/biker+boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqX0BGNYpHynHOK0d_EVwSC1EsDyHPJutQHIsvoJPlXj2lSOgyNdIJstbp75Uh9kDpTvzQ-Bfg9bYGx2lTNfy7U_qYIbekX4K8jzF-tVD2FDC-3LT6LQE-UcojMrrbHe6v2CNLwGaurQ/s400/biker+boots.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>I adore chunky boots. I own a fair few pairs. Although I'm occasionally tempted to be grown up and actually buy proper shoes, I really am only drawn to converse sneakers and chunky boots! Boots are practical in wet and muddy weather, and are comfortable for my feet. Also my favourite thing to do is pair chunky boots with a girly dress, I'm not sure why, I just love that look.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Looking at my chosen items, I'd say I like to mix soft with hard, feminine with a rocky edge I guess. I like soft comfortable clothes, but also things that make me feel pretty.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Browsing through my wardrobe, whilst selecting these 5 items, made me realise that I really really like blue! Almost to the point that it’s the only colour I wear. I am attracted to other colours but don’t tend to wear them, I’m not sure why. I don’t even know what other colours may suit me! So that’s challenge #1, make something not blue.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Besides blue, I tend I veer towards earthy tones and darker shades. But one of the reasons I love my purple/blue dress so much is that it’s quite bright and I would not regularly wear a colour that bright. That’s something I want to change too, so challenge #2 is make something in a bright block colour.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I have also realised I don’t wear trousers much these days. I tend to buy a bootcut pair of jeans and wear them till they wear out, then buy another and so on. But other than jeans I don’t really wear any other trousers. This is partly because of current fashions, I mean skinny jeans, harem pants or high waisted shorts on my body, um I don’t think so! I also hate jeans / trouser shopping because they never fit me because of my sway back! They always always gape at the back of the waist, and wearing a belt gives me this unattractive tugging look, nasty! So that’s challenge # 3 make a pair of trousers that fit me!</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Lastly I have spotted that I don’t own a lot of separates. I own a lot of dresses, and a few long tops that I wear over my denim skirt or jeans, but I don’t own many nice tops or blouses, and the only skirts I wear are my denim mini and my beignet, which to be honest gets pretty limited wear because I have no tuck-in-able tops to go with it. So finally that’s challenge #4 make more separates (a mix and match selection of tops and skirts/trousers is the ideal).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Right so the next step is too make a croquis, have a play with a few pattern ideas, and try to incorporate my 4 challenges to come up with a list of items to make this year.</span></div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-8337932054201919582012-01-07T13:34:00.000+00:002012-01-07T13:34:26.310+00:00The plan 2012Peter from <a href="http://malepatternboldness.blogspot.com/2012/01/practical-sewing-vs-fantasy-sewing.html">Male Pattern Boldness</a> had an interesting post the other day on whether we sew with practicality in mind or fantasy. Personally when I think about my behaviour in the past (especially when I first started sewing), the motivation behind my pattern and fabric purchases was pretty much always pure fantasy. I mean seriously what was I thinking when I bought this quilting weight cotton!? What can be made from this?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_AInbgAu0G5zp0jUWoOSQrO9MQjnUdHJu1D0cWJ_GWEaBMovvuMeVUzO6TNLLb9D4b1lKWSsIq677c41jSFkK3_B11RTudgRrC9fF93uAz7m9dOqCepsquZ8X3Z4HrcnOBpzu7XZgzY/s1600/leaf+fabric.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_AInbgAu0G5zp0jUWoOSQrO9MQjnUdHJu1D0cWJ_GWEaBMovvuMeVUzO6TNLLb9D4b1lKWSsIq677c41jSFkK3_B11RTudgRrC9fF93uAz7m9dOqCepsquZ8X3Z4HrcnOBpzu7XZgzY/s400/leaf+fabric.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And these 1950's retro patterns, yes they are beautiful, but lets face it how many occasions am I going to find to wear these?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_L-pMcn8r-m4w-N3ejqVLeWi1H_8ry_GvOOrNG9BCyACJZrKsyE40PuQfD3aexWwKDPLKkvGbTFvioNrxTgllWwcvT5hf5pWWvYCQZGeoCufxzgRdu2s5I3w62SfVNH-Y_mFOI9t0oro/s1600/Fantasy+vintage+vogue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_L-pMcn8r-m4w-N3ejqVLeWi1H_8ry_GvOOrNG9BCyACJZrKsyE40PuQfD3aexWwKDPLKkvGbTFvioNrxTgllWwcvT5hf5pWWvYCQZGeoCufxzgRdu2s5I3w62SfVNH-Y_mFOI9t0oro/s400/Fantasy+vintage+vogue.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I have realised that what I need to do as a sewer who still puts herself in the beginnerish category, is to make functional wearable and well constructed pieces. This will help me gain confidence in my sewing abilities, and in wearing the things I have sewn! Then later on down the line I can go a bit nuts and make a few things just for fun.<br />
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That's not to say I won't be having fun when sewing, but in order to enjoy the process I need confidence that the end result will be good.<br />
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Also I am an avid reader of <a href="http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/">So Zo</a>. I share a lot of her views when it come to consumerism in society, but so far have done little to start making changes in my own life. I would love to be able to only make my clothes and not buy new ones. Fantasy sewing in this respect is also fairly pointless if I make a "fantasy" dress that I hardly ever wear, only to have to go and buy some practical clothes I actually need. I really need to think about the clothes I "need" and then make them myself.<br />
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So I have decided for 2012, I am going to plan, and hopefully sew, a selection of key basic pieces.. When I say basic I don't mean dull and boring plain coloured things, just items that are wearable on a regular basis and aren't going to be crazy hard to sew (like smart skirts and shirts for work, or comfy tunic style tops for my free time). As fitting has been such a massive issue for me, simpler more basic patterns will also mean I can get to grips with adjustments more easily. For example I love the Colette Ceylon dress, but attempting to fit that to my full busted front and my narrow and sway back does not appeal to me right now!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_sILTWekkAvVPZ9V7O6Ros6bfDXWAtMOo_EC86EGGCrpWS-q7m6_YYDNezHP7osFM6nWffmIWUtM493TlsOF-tcdyN80Vc1_ABTOZnr4DjH4aqQUh6auwJ7Ysfc5uSvnP32-QOoG29g/s1600/colette-patterns-ceylon-6-lg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_sILTWekkAvVPZ9V7O6Ros6bfDXWAtMOo_EC86EGGCrpWS-q7m6_YYDNezHP7osFM6nWffmIWUtM493TlsOF-tcdyN80Vc1_ABTOZnr4DjH4aqQUh6auwJ7Ysfc5uSvnP32-QOoG29g/s400/colette-patterns-ceylon-6-lg.png" width="233" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>With that in mind I am starting to follow the "programme" in the Colette Sewing handbook. I intend to:<br />
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<ul><li>Analyse my wardrobe to find my favourite 5 items, and work out what I value in these.</li>
<li>Look and see if there are any obvious gaps in the clothes I already own, that I could fill by sewing up something</li>
<li>Make a Croquis of my self so I can have a play with a variety of pattern styles.</li>
<li>Come up with a list of maybe 5-10 items (I'm not trying to be over ambitious) of things I would like to sew in 2012</li>
</ul>So thats the plan anyway!Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-7873098212760763522011-12-24T12:52:00.000+00:002011-12-24T12:52:59.838+00:00Farewell 2011<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Hi everyone,</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I'm not going to do a year in review / round-up post becuase quite frankly my sewing achievements are petty paultry compared with a lot of other bloggers out there. Sewing hasn't come easily to me, and I have strugged so much with fitting that it has put me off even attempting to make a lot of the things I've really wanted to. However I do get a lot of satisfaction from sewing, in both the process and the completion of a project, and I do want to do a lot more of it next year. </span></span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">With that in mind I do have some serious sewing plans for the new year. I have already started sewing my peony dress, I’ve also ordered the fab <a href="http://shop.megannielsen.com/product/mn2001-darling-ranges-dress-sewing-pattern">Darling Ranges dress</a> from Megan Nielsen’s <a href="http://shop.megannielsen.com/category/sewing-patterns">website</a> (then saw you can buy it in the UK at <a href="http://www.backstitch.co.uk/index.asp?ref=product3_376">Backstitch</a>, d'oh!), having seen awesome versions by Mary at <a href="http://www.idlefancy.com/2011/12/miss-violet-comes-home-darling-ranges.html">Idle Fancy</a> and <a href="http://paunnet.blogspot.com/2011/11/darling-ranges-dress.html">Paunnet</a>. Not forgetting that I have an altered Rooibos pattern just sitting there begging to be used, so I have three dresses now in progress or being planned in my head. Hopefully I will finish one of them in time to wear for my birthday on the 14<sup>th</sup> January.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I have also been doing some Christmas related sewing and embroidery, check out my <a href="http://craftychristmasclub.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-i-ended-up-making-for-christmas.html">post</a> over at Tilly’s <a href="http://craftychristmasclub.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-i-ended-up-making-for-christmas.html">Crafty Christmas Club</a> for more info on that!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRaefiiZ9tqzguJfVGjqCWj79yOEqdLEqXJMmySnRhsfNMxtG58kW-qhkqP91N2UDWylQzNm0Haqx_14Z6cm7YwEbPEbF5zAMvbo3thwDNEi926f1WTzTLrHcfCB53JPRT5a7FPmQ5fg/s1600/christmas+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRaefiiZ9tqzguJfVGjqCWj79yOEqdLEqXJMmySnRhsfNMxtG58kW-qhkqP91N2UDWylQzNm0Haqx_14Z6cm7YwEbPEbF5zAMvbo3thwDNEi926f1WTzTLrHcfCB53JPRT5a7FPmQ5fg/s400/christmas+tree.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Have great Christmas everyone and see you in 2012!</span></span></div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-57367729439775163192011-11-30T17:00:00.000+00:002011-11-30T17:00:01.609+00:00Rooibos and Peony fabric choice dilemmas!So my Rooibos and Peony patterns are altered and ready to go. I had some existing fabric in my stash that I could possibly use, but I also bought some new fabric in a recent splurge in Ditto.<br />
<br />
But now I've sat down and looked at the fabrics I am stumped about what to use! I am totally overwhelmed by fabric, weight, composition, draperyness, it's all so confusing! I usually just go for cotton poplins or twills when making things as they are so easy to find and don't scare me. But I really fancied trying something a bit different with these makes.<br />
<br />
But onto the actual possible choices. First up Peony:<br />
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I have this lovely cotton sateen in my stash, it's heavy and quite stiff, but still has movement:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTIKmmn4XdYigV1wkHNHsiid4WwhU8bPsENNWwRWo5E9wuV5beXJ1SiHTw5PyZi9WFKtz3sFqkIGwBZPcHdU-Vsrhwyg2R7FwCrkeghqnZy9PIvxl2T-HuxYMLQJjS-bE__BOM-_UoDg/s1600/cotton+sateen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTIKmmn4XdYigV1wkHNHsiid4WwhU8bPsENNWwRWo5E9wuV5beXJ1SiHTw5PyZi9WFKtz3sFqkIGwBZPcHdU-Vsrhwyg2R7FwCrkeghqnZy9PIvxl2T-HuxYMLQJjS-bE__BOM-_UoDg/s400/cotton+sateen.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>It's quite thick though and I wasn't sure it's work with this dress pattern, it feels like it needs something lighter.<br />
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I found this lush viscose fabric in Ditto, it is so soft and drapey and lovely I just fell for it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7RkMbZVnmrr6UrF6dihsquR4iXXhaz5WBVbdZXj8Sy9fLsX-h3VLG5Lbcvw_HJQLsVowiH0K48wpvCCXzxU6fm3-shSUvNjC3AgSu6R-lESkXguW4h7arwOAwq0UBJUbCR7fER3Umt8/s1600/yummy+viscose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7RkMbZVnmrr6UrF6dihsquR4iXXhaz5WBVbdZXj8Sy9fLsX-h3VLG5Lbcvw_HJQLsVowiH0K48wpvCCXzxU6fm3-shSUvNjC3AgSu6R-lESkXguW4h7arwOAwq0UBJUbCR7fER3Umt8/s400/yummy+viscose.JPG" width="322" /></a></div>But this pattern recommends a crisp fabric, and this fabric is anything but crisp! The pattern actually suggests a poplin, but this is something that Karen at <a href="http://didyoumakethat.wordpress.com/">Did you make that</a>, does not recommend. And she's made up a fab version of <a href="http://didyoumakethat.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/the-colette-peony-a-giveaway/">this dress</a>, so she should know! So could I get away with a drapey soft soft fabric rather than something more crisp and stiff?<br />
<br />
Is it worth doing a wearable muslin in a poplin to see whether the pattern works better with stiff or drapey? <br />
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Help! <br />
<br />
And then there's my possible choice for Rooibos:<br />
<br />
I wanted a nice thick warm fabric and was looking for a gabardine, but have struggled to find any, and anyway is wool gabardine machine washable? If not can you get a cotton/wool mix?? <br />
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I did find this lovely olive green needlecord with orange running through it. It was so hard to photograph though!.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgzQkOBjVyaCUVk2JVR5NPOD8SsxzV-ffaFb3lrBcVMw5A6j47s_paiVRBVTIOx3l8VGJASwePhTQnaxSo0E2pbCIplnoMFiWsqE7AMNgLzxV2rnsUBkM-RYmL12RBPNz1tBFeETquC8/s1600/olive+needlecord+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgzQkOBjVyaCUVk2JVR5NPOD8SsxzV-ffaFb3lrBcVMw5A6j47s_paiVRBVTIOx3l8VGJASwePhTQnaxSo0E2pbCIplnoMFiWsqE7AMNgLzxV2rnsUBkM-RYmL12RBPNz1tBFeETquC8/s400/olive+needlecord+2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>But now I have it home it seems really drapey and I think drapey is bad with Rooibos, I want stiff right? Also it is fairly light (for a corduroy) which I think is also bad. <br />
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I did also buy some more needlcord, it's almost velvety, the cording is so fine. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbwRMkdgJixU3duPoADUAPevgDcOcbT9AwkyWRKHgfkK49BhMRVIYJFWv9dTGDQHVWXRNg1Sm5ASlkzsSZQqCt88bIC-fuz5nRH7es3O4ASGdheNpUwO8Uj6KdC4Hoth-bvmYIXkJTx4/s1600/PATTERNED+NEEDLECORD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbwRMkdgJixU3duPoADUAPevgDcOcbT9AwkyWRKHgfkK49BhMRVIYJFWv9dTGDQHVWXRNg1Sm5ASlkzsSZQqCt88bIC-fuz5nRH7es3O4ASGdheNpUwO8Uj6KdC4Hoth-bvmYIXkJTx4/s320/PATTERNED+NEEDLECORD.JPG" width="255" /></a></div>But it has a pattern on it, and Rooibos has a lot of seams, so I wasn't sure it would work for this make. I just couldn't pass up this cord, it' so pretty!<br />
<br />
Argh maybe I should just buy a cotton twill and be done with it. I so wanted to be more adventurous with my fabric choice though.<br />
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I repeat, help!Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-85486692127412008472011-11-23T22:18:00.001+00:002011-11-23T22:19:11.751+00:00Pattern fitting class - result!I finally had my private pattern fitting class, and it was a revelation!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Firstly the teacher took my measurements, she measured pretty much everything you’d need when making a bodice, including my wrist (it's 15cm).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Then we tried on my toiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I wonder how anyone manages to do adjustments to a toile on their own!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could just about do the front yourself, but the back!!?? I’m not even sure using a dress form could work unless you’re 100% certain the measurements are exactly the same as yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if you do one of those gaffer tape dress forms of your own shape, you’ve effectively added a few millimetres to yourself all the way around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously how do people do fitting on their own?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Now in the end I chose to fit Colette Peony and Colette Rooibos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the size I cut was not the one I probably should have gone for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having made the Beignet skirt (which is quite fitted) I knew the size 12 fit me well from the waist down, and rather than start with a bodice too small for my waist and add to it I thought it’d be easier to get a bodice that fitted my waist and take it in in other areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My full bust and high bust measurements were 37.5 inches and 35 inches respectively, so if anything I “should” have gone with a size 4 or 8, but I have a 31 inch waist so I knew that even the 8 was never going to fit me, heck I wouldn’t even be able to pin it up.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I admit that the 12 didn’t fit in the shoulders and we had to take it in loads, but we did practically the same adjustments to both the Rooibos and Peony toiles so now I have some standard adjustments for Colette patterns I can use straight away.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">So this is what we did:</span> <br />
<div></div></div><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Took in the shoulders by 0.5cm on the front and back (so 1cm in total)</span> <br />
<div></div></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Took in the centre back by 2cm</span> <br />
<div></div></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Reduced the armhole by 2cm. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Peony:</span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">moving the dart to the armhole and increasing this dart by 2cm. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rooibos:</span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">pivoting this amount from the armhole and adding it to the under bust darts</span></span></span></div></li>
</ul><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Adding a bit more length to the front of the Rooibos under the darts because of the additional dart fullness there.</span> <br />
<div></div></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Increasing the length of the back waist dart in the Peony to 13cm, and in the Rooibos by a fair bit too</span></div></li>
</ul><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Taking off another 1cm the Peony back by adding it to the upper back/shoulder dart</span> <br />
<div></div></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Reducing the length of the centre back of the Peony by 1cm, tapering to nothing at the side seam.</span></div></li>
</ul><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lowering the Peony neckline a little as it was cutting into my neck a bit</span></div></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Phew, that was a lot of adjustments! Here are the results</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPWBaoOGh-0-VS9AdUcJqFer8rRYIIVS8_YKqCyHkU0V1FEyLvxREtw7Qw2pfQT_50aPB5yMp7hs_5k5Brj2aIXpFgBb68bSyWRtcmtvY-cuINVtnGcTseyi8lAblHWCE-rTi3-86i-o/s1600/Rooibos+front+bodice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPWBaoOGh-0-VS9AdUcJqFer8rRYIIVS8_YKqCyHkU0V1FEyLvxREtw7Qw2pfQT_50aPB5yMp7hs_5k5Brj2aIXpFgBb68bSyWRtcmtvY-cuINVtnGcTseyi8lAblHWCE-rTi3-86i-o/s400/Rooibos+front+bodice.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rooibos front bodice</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FOnb8xj7X0FK52B0OmL-44HLF7U4qwEuV-5duJN-gAqYlJoPVtp8EKgthAPTpgl6kT23SiThNBfergwQH6FgtI32rPUiplOXXzVDeb9HiuYq3sFqUkBBBFtaBiXBCrYSaIz93zSg0Ls/s1600/Rooibos+bodice+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FOnb8xj7X0FK52B0OmL-44HLF7U4qwEuV-5duJN-gAqYlJoPVtp8EKgthAPTpgl6kT23SiThNBfergwQH6FgtI32rPUiplOXXzVDeb9HiuYq3sFqUkBBBFtaBiXBCrYSaIz93zSg0Ls/s400/Rooibos+bodice+back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rooibos back bodice</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvO6QvuHuXJiTH1mG-LcPWLDKytMCJnbnuW0Q89hVbcevGi_7UrodHXAullDcHhww6B4r3a8nfqXUUvO9uZ1ZNw-Y6TnoDBcba5TMKW0eMhz51R4Lp326SF99VFsiLclmXalCuqVaUqA/s1600/Peony+front+bodice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvO6QvuHuXJiTH1mG-LcPWLDKytMCJnbnuW0Q89hVbcevGi_7UrodHXAullDcHhww6B4r3a8nfqXUUvO9uZ1ZNw-Y6TnoDBcba5TMKW0eMhz51R4Lp326SF99VFsiLclmXalCuqVaUqA/s400/Peony+front+bodice.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peony front bodice</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmefotzny3ZFj4-bfjWMjpHXgxoMRHHvfuunGUyjoOgdhPp3J_OCzxlhp3bKKJTIU6fSFDIAT7XU6or0TYVOIhQwfEZEJHDbYMql0Nvr-tmqUs13o7b0zKVR4wXiVhYxRwTKwZ2PoEz4/s1600/Peony+back+bodice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmefotzny3ZFj4-bfjWMjpHXgxoMRHHvfuunGUyjoOgdhPp3J_OCzxlhp3bKKJTIU6fSFDIAT7XU6or0TYVOIhQwfEZEJHDbYMql0Nvr-tmqUs13o7b0zKVR4wXiVhYxRwTKwZ2PoEz4/s400/Peony+back+bodice.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peony back bodice</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Although I don’t feel confident that I could grab a random pattern and fit it, I have seen the process of fitting close up and now know how to adjust the pattern pieces to take account of toile adjustments. I have also seen that in a lot of cases it involves just pinching up fabric to increase darts etc. I also have some standard(ish) adjustments I can now apply to the other Colette patterns I have, and will have confidence that the fit will be good.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now I just need to sew these babies :o)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Other things I learnt:</strong></span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><ul><li><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">How to draft facings (and it couldn’t be easier)</span></span></div></li>
<li><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">How to alter a neckline shape (who knew it was literally just a case of redrawing the neckline however you like!)</span></span></div></li>
<li><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">If you are redrawing a dart, how to draw the bottom of it (the other pointy bit that sticks out of the pattern).</span></span></div></li>
</ul><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
<div></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div> </div></div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-66762099608472599852011-11-12T10:14:00.000+00:002011-11-12T10:14:27.331+00:00A change of sceneryDo you remember a while back when I posted about my lovely <a href="http://laurainatangle.blogspot.com/search/label/sewing%20space">sewing space</a>? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKrfl4APgDplSX0XfcS44sxvdMQ5-NVIO4VHUwc3gPrdZMyA7MIrSStd6XgZPO0gpoyLi8X_EtEy1_4OEXFn4sSVFo-y0baRnLjy402SI65IJpzfbJhF0DL2D-4oLwe3nQ9qPbLrd2Tg/s1600/my_side_whole_room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKrfl4APgDplSX0XfcS44sxvdMQ5-NVIO4VHUwc3gPrdZMyA7MIrSStd6XgZPO0gpoyLi8X_EtEy1_4OEXFn4sSVFo-y0baRnLjy402SI65IJpzfbJhF0DL2D-4oLwe3nQ9qPbLrd2Tg/s400/my_side_whole_room.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Well sadly I have had to vacate it. Our landlord decided to sell our flat, and it was bought by someone who wanted to keep it as a rental property. This was great for us as it meant we didn't need to find another place to live. The downside being the new owner wanted the spare room back to use for storage. As it has it's own door on the communal hallway, and is separate to the main flat this was something we couldn't really argue with, but we did manage to negotiate keeping half of it. I made the ultimate sacrifice and gave up my sewing space, because at the end of the day there was no way 3 bikes, 2 surfboards, 2 snowboards, 3 wetsuits and a copious amount of camping gear could have been stored in the flat.<br />
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We managed to squeeze in my sewing desk into the bay of our bedroom window<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZO4m6ImbojJtcJVykw3YD0iB-vnGDBmzQxEDe6hcIDZFCJjz1xbkGuWh5Ck1jwJpOeB08mNfhFC4UZBxp28AxEJQa5AFoGGEFwBksXSlPuQ_BSUV2TYeS9jcVv5M98SjvLCD2hXRhn7A/s1600/sewing+table+in+bedroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZO4m6ImbojJtcJVykw3YD0iB-vnGDBmzQxEDe6hcIDZFCJjz1xbkGuWh5Ck1jwJpOeB08mNfhFC4UZBxp28AxEJQa5AFoGGEFwBksXSlPuQ_BSUV2TYeS9jcVv5M98SjvLCD2hXRhn7A/s400/sewing+table+in+bedroom.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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And have moved the big Ikea shelf behind the sofa, so all my sewing patterns and fabric and stored out of sight. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9EjPoWXWk9A1zVHdMlIWaVb8_o9cZcbbp9nBBUfFo4Swhxj22_CQ1U0neJWrDGB0iJ-YNa4FSCCAOhCz0oIAC4ABMhjyCNQEVxgjOhBh7syjSaWj9cBfkkDrEyk38TcL_f69okCVpJo/s1600/storage+in+living+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9EjPoWXWk9A1zVHdMlIWaVb8_o9cZcbbp9nBBUfFo4Swhxj22_CQ1U0neJWrDGB0iJ-YNa4FSCCAOhCz0oIAC4ABMhjyCNQEVxgjOhBh7syjSaWj9cBfkkDrEyk38TcL_f69okCVpJo/s400/storage+in+living+room.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Yes I have to move the sofa to reach it but it isn't that much of an inconvenience<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8JqmE0oj1BOqOo8EeBM_jtCrXVdlR6n00jWXj_JVAICcVQkoDxUtxAh6WcsyZE4S7GG8oB0ZZqjS5hvsYuZC1MxWSVKPYhvFJAdRbshRB0QmomXwp0Nbz5cx9ImjCO8oHQX6ztEprzk/s1600/storage+in+living+room+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8JqmE0oj1BOqOo8EeBM_jtCrXVdlR6n00jWXj_JVAICcVQkoDxUtxAh6WcsyZE4S7GG8oB0ZZqjS5hvsYuZC1MxWSVKPYhvFJAdRbshRB0QmomXwp0Nbz5cx9ImjCO8oHQX6ztEprzk/s400/storage+in+living+room+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This turn of events initially seemed like quite a bummer for me, but as it has turned out it was a blessing in disguise. Having my sewing room away from the flat meant it took more motivation for me to go down there, yes it's only one flight of stairs, but psychologically it did feel like I had to make a concerted effort to go and sew. I also felt a bit cut off in there because John wouldn't be popping in and out at all. In fact he used to ring me on my phone if he wanted to talk to me rather than come down and speak to me face to face!! That may be more of a reflection on him than my sewing space though. <br />
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Also having my sewing stuff far away meant there was nothing around me to remind/inspire me to sew. Now everyday I see my sewing machine sitting opposite me when I wake up , and I kinda like that. I have sewed (sewn??) at least every other evening over the past couple of weeks, and I hardly ever used to sew in the evenings, I'd save it all up for weekends.<br />
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This new set up clearly works for me, but I am curious about other peoples spaces. Do you like to have a room whose sole purpose is to be your sewing room, or do you prefer to have your sewing machine in a communal room? Do you like having your own space away from everything else, or do you feel cut off and lonely??Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-29573220910976776542011-11-05T20:06:00.000+00:002011-11-05T20:06:09.397+00:00No sun on the darksideSo I wanted to take some pretty autumnal pics in my darkside skirt, but the UK weather isn't playing ball, so here's some indoor pics instead. Also my boyfriend hates being my photographer, and was not taking the process<span id="goog_1814681343"></span><span id="goog_1814681344"></span> seriously, hence I got a million pics like these:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mNJb-hYqg-2wLss4o93kPXrcKFZBotVFGDAoylB-Ka7xJMnqtzOfngRgI4BbTV_ed8uESOTXxugo1uAzLUUYBy9G1T91ZEOV51Q9MfiBRxO8LIaEmIlYYYqJPgZjEP1W0OzQUGH7hhA/s1600/ginger+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mNJb-hYqg-2wLss4o93kPXrcKFZBotVFGDAoylB-Ka7xJMnqtzOfngRgI4BbTV_ed8uESOTXxugo1uAzLUUYBy9G1T91ZEOV51Q9MfiBRxO8LIaEmIlYYYqJPgZjEP1W0OzQUGH7hhA/s400/ginger+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_ybgzoXaaVB_OYwuKvRpFVJ1xYjhzxFGYH98XACwJ9FoM50IQwr7VHUV_QPZu9D7Uqa4u3GmZAnWnvV7rDn5wins1NlkLen3QfEcV4dH51mYHFPkZbbS71kBnTXmZnNhANLzeGF9a8Q/s1600/ginger+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_ybgzoXaaVB_OYwuKvRpFVJ1xYjhzxFGYH98XACwJ9FoM50IQwr7VHUV_QPZu9D7Uqa4u3GmZAnWnvV7rDn5wins1NlkLen3QfEcV4dH51mYHFPkZbbS71kBnTXmZnNhANLzeGF9a8Q/s400/ginger+5.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbKKREqXl4jK-0og92lU045BMDvcKFXzoTvRpSUTo3Y8Xh14n6Yrh21r9yDYxFEXQLlZB01nSB0isbMVzHGLr6KYXM4ocht5i4oLbhenVZIFzOKyK_sH-co5nt7CGB9tbXjfEr699_n4/s1600/ginger+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbKKREqXl4jK-0og92lU045BMDvcKFXzoTvRpSUTo3Y8Xh14n6Yrh21r9yDYxFEXQLlZB01nSB0isbMVzHGLr6KYXM4ocht5i4oLbhenVZIFzOKyK_sH-co5nt7CGB9tbXjfEr699_n4/s400/ginger+6.JPG" width="286" /></a></div><br />
Anyway you get the idea!<br />
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This skirt was so easy to sew, and it has such a nice shape. Colette patterns seem to fit my lower half really well which is such a relief!!<br />
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The invisible zipper insertion was a bit tricky, and it isn't completely invisible. Not sure what I did wrong there, did I not sew close enough to the teeth? Also do you press the zipper teeth before sewing the zip in or not? I didn't as I didn't want to damage the zip so it got stuck or broke or something, and I thought pressing a hot iron onto plastic teeth might muck it up!<br />
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I already have my wine coloured corduroy ready to go to sew up another version of this pattern. I'm going to line that one, I wasn't certain how to do this but now <a href="http://scruffybadgertime.co.uk/">Scruffy Badger</a> has provided me with a quick <a href="http://scruffybadgertime.co.uk/2011/11/what-ho-ginger/">how-to</a> on her blog I am ready to go!Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-87294669134996063172011-11-04T22:34:00.000+00:002011-11-04T22:34:08.875+00:00The darkside skirt aka the which-side-is-the-right-side skirt<div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I have some fairly heavy weight cotton drill that I’d been planning to use to make a pencil skirt. Having never got round to that I decided to make use of it and make a Ginger skirt instead. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixDfPjfoUjnsXSPm_N9NRGMMnEFGqLbCie_cStigRPrmgTPpMmNJuYg_GmX41MtGMTTUzPXGt93Du5kXurqbuk-S5zIkEuHd-E4oacwDI3qjlOcBwFuKOJ1gw4SRWR5djN0B-QgZGBYw/s1600/Ginger+pattern+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixDfPjfoUjnsXSPm_N9NRGMMnEFGqLbCie_cStigRPrmgTPpMmNJuYg_GmX41MtGMTTUzPXGt93Du5kXurqbuk-S5zIkEuHd-E4oacwDI3qjlOcBwFuKOJ1gw4SRWR5djN0B-QgZGBYw/s320/Ginger+pattern+pic.png" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">At first glance the fabric appeared to have no right or wrong side. Thinking nothing of it I happily went about cutting up the fabric. It wasn’t until I went to attach the waistband (which I had already interfaced) to the main skirt, that I realised that oops there was in fact a right and wrong side to this fabric and that I had interfaced the waistband so that the right side of the waistband didn’t match the right side of the main skirt.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">As I’d already finished the centre seam on the main skirt with bias binding (the first time I'd tried this technique and it's such a nice neat finish) I decided that re-cutting and interfacing the waistband was the quicker job, so made the call that the right side of the skirt was in fact the correct right side of the fabric.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">However I am not certain I made the right call.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The side which became the “right” side of my skirt has a noticeable diagonal weave to it. My attempt to photograph it looks like this:</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMab7etTmPzfgo17E73um21ObZIFJ7cDDjTpw4VawQVatTt_Yn__teiUCm_JdtczB1IOObj1I3oalfsOJyiO6logr68n4DZbotAXYL_LtabdsK-piNGB7IPk0ZYSRHU3r4TKb-jucJOo/s1600/cottom+drill+right+side.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMab7etTmPzfgo17E73um21ObZIFJ7cDDjTpw4VawQVatTt_Yn__teiUCm_JdtczB1IOObj1I3oalfsOJyiO6logr68n4DZbotAXYL_LtabdsK-piNGB7IPk0ZYSRHU3r4TKb-jucJOo/s400/cottom+drill+right+side.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The side which became the “wrong” side of my skirt is very flat and it’s hard to see a weave of any kind unless you do an extreme close up, like this:</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmB9KQPL898D54wowmCcR3QsBwWtugDH6pZddwrcZ8ZC7VxcGaTMA6BGTrMalar6RfXtGLF8_kwbao4iChY0SVmYjxrNkXEhakc4hdC7Uw_v9aEeQCvOhNkzGt4X3QoDjD_mxVKF6NEY/s1600/Cotton+drill+wrong+side.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmB9KQPL898D54wowmCcR3QsBwWtugDH6pZddwrcZ8ZC7VxcGaTMA6BGTrMalar6RfXtGLF8_kwbao4iChY0SVmYjxrNkXEhakc4hdC7Uw_v9aEeQCvOhNkzGt4X3QoDjD_mxVKF6NEY/s400/Cotton+drill+wrong+side.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">So I’m curious, which side do you think is the real right side??</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Ultimately it doesn’t matter, and unless someone looks at my skirt up close with a magnifying glass I very much doubt I will encounter any public humiliation or shame because of having a the wrong side of my fabric showing. But for future reference I would quite like to know which side I should be using on fabric like this.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
P.S I have finished the darkside skirt, but haven't been at home in daylight to photograph it!</div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-78594952835471425992011-10-26T13:44:00.000+01:002011-10-26T13:44:08.513+01:00Pattern fitting advice needed<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I’ve booked a private sewing lesson in a few weeks to focus solely on my fitting issues on my top half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The teacher has suggested either making up a couple if muslins in advance using unadjusted pattern pieces and then adjusting them and then making the appropriate changes on the paper pattern, or starting from scratch by adjusting the pattern pieces first then making up a muslin from those.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I prefer the idea of having some muslins ready to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can always take more fabric with me to make new muslins, plus I intend to make copies of the pattern pieces, so I will have unadjusted originals whatever we do.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The class will be 4 hours long so it’s going to be an intense one-on-one class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My main aim is to be able to look at a muslin and see the fitting issues and know how to adjust them to make the fit better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am unsure on which patterns to use.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I think my options are:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>a)</strong> Focus on one pattern for an item I am keen to make - in this case it’s the Rooibos dress</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy0ksz7yFezMQYvjl2lpd5mHwgSobRYCJBCrqPao95hsnZh2yqgQPNglvXJcKlUK4y-ZlqXLMzLqDgb7XXEOBHNAsrxj0v9i4Rnq04FloT1KJ-p8Ehh-lqZghEon5V30unrsOdhG_i1A/s1600/rooibos.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy0ksz7yFezMQYvjl2lpd5mHwgSobRYCJBCrqPao95hsnZh2yqgQPNglvXJcKlUK4y-ZlqXLMzLqDgb7XXEOBHNAsrxj0v9i4Rnq04FloT1KJ-p8Ehh-lqZghEon5V30unrsOdhG_i1A/s320/rooibos.png" width="212px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/rooibos">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><u>Positives</u>: I will have a good-to-go adjusted pattern that I can use straight away</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><u>Negatives</u>: I will learn very specific adjustments to a non-standard bodice so I may not be able to apply what I have learnt to other garments</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>b)</strong> Make up a couple of muslins for two basic bodices, I’m thinking a princess seamed bodice and a standard darted bodice, and then work on those</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><u>Positives</u>: I will hopefully have the skills to adjust most bodices</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><u>Negatives</u>: I may be trying to cram too much in here, 4 hours may not be enough to do two different bodices</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>c)</strong> Pick one basic bodice that I think I can learn the most from and focus on this</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><u>Positives</u>: Will have plenty of time to get it right</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><u>Negatives</u>: Which type of bodice to pick?? I really struggled fitting a princess seam, but only have two princess seamed patterns and am unsure if learning adjustments on these types of bodice will be that useful to me. I have quite a few gathered bodice patterns, but would rather get the fit a standard darted bodice right as I think these adjustments will be applicable to most bodices as you can always pivot darts into gathers and so on. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>d)</strong> Same as C but take a Rooibos muslin with me in case we have time to look at that too</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><u>Positives</u>: If there is time I will be able to adjust the Rooibos</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><u>Negatives</u>: Same as c) – which bodice to pick??</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I am erring towards d) – taking a basic darted bodice and a Roobios in case we have time to look at that too, and for the time being avoiding princess seams.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">In terms of basic bodice patterns, I had a rummage in my pattern stash and I only own about two top patterns, one is Colette Jasmin, which as it's bias cut is no good for me at this stage. In my dress pattern stash the only simple darted bodice pattern I could find was this:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Burda Style Danielle </strong></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqtH7GglEEAEB2CkbTWDzUKXoh7HY-2BkkcKBayQgQS9vKFpHdsQuJafOLHp_rC3b1NLYSfHx4lx7mGR3jcSgN7ml3LIpYkxxqT86MrbWcdPALJCqq3S1YlbwNAXeSkvRa8Z4HeFGjvM/s1600/9306_danielle_tech_dwg_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqtH7GglEEAEB2CkbTWDzUKXoh7HY-2BkkcKBayQgQS9vKFpHdsQuJafOLHp_rC3b1NLYSfHx4lx7mGR3jcSgN7ml3LIpYkxxqT86MrbWcdPALJCqq3S1YlbwNAXeSkvRa8Z4HeFGjvM/s1600/9306_danielle_tech_dwg_large.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/danielle">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><div align="left">So I was thinking of buying this pattern as it looks pretty good for my purposes:</div><br />
<strong>Colette - <span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Peony</span></strong></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5wgZdz0GlCB1Qdf63_o-uzI5By3rz3PJRzYzqk0RSJHINf_S7Z-VkxhPA_I29KxS7g3EQV-5sCXDFBck53IEwno2Q_XxjoA_fNqz3P0icSTFDlFyY7HJJXlA7IZ5G4Gdn7THga_laQ8/s1600/peony.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5wgZdz0GlCB1Qdf63_o-uzI5By3rz3PJRzYzqk0RSJHINf_S7Z-VkxhPA_I29KxS7g3EQV-5sCXDFBck53IEwno2Q_XxjoA_fNqz3P0icSTFDlFyY7HJJXlA7IZ5G4Gdn7THga_laQ8/s320/peony.png" width="213px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/peony">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;">In terms of a princess seam pattern I was thinking of New Look 6457, View A destroyed me but I am thinking view E might be good to try out</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><strong>New Look 6457</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNpyds4vAKBmC0yQVFCZDnQp2jS9wDLWwMpG4H8D7pvTCK7vRF7JEAtsAXJ8XxHZJvgnxK22aOLD7bm5u7oHqV6jMitj7rqBZc5za_3X2vUHc4uemkvX790UCVGs4gOHscx8v5eVRpoo/s1600/new+look+6457.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNpyds4vAKBmC0yQVFCZDnQp2jS9wDLWwMpG4H8D7pvTCK7vRF7JEAtsAXJ8XxHZJvgnxK22aOLD7bm5u7oHqV6jMitj7rqBZc5za_3X2vUHc4uemkvX790UCVGs4gOHscx8v5eVRpoo/s320/new+look+6457.gif" width="290px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-2327-misses-dresses.aspx">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">What do you think? I basically need advice on what bodice to take and whether you think my plan makes sense?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> What do you think is realistically achievable in 4 hours? Do you have any other suggestions for simple bodice patterns I could use?</span></span></div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6219571696172790521.post-84196917866719768562011-10-16T16:52:00.000+01:002011-10-16T16:52:44.628+01:00Finished Beignet, now known as my happy autumn skirtYay, I have finally completed my Beignet skirt.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6y3iP79kAmWgXENwc_xsy_At7gG2ia_XgPEuJP6SjqOhqh8W1vMJutMbT5FDnyE6gDSg9BOngWlCr5621ru3dDf6smc_kktzOxAMX8TZAnWcIu39kEyOcAe24Zgx6N3vBbEJHbwYeCM/s1600/me+in+beignet+2.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6y3iP79kAmWgXENwc_xsy_At7gG2ia_XgPEuJP6SjqOhqh8W1vMJutMbT5FDnyE6gDSg9BOngWlCr5621ru3dDf6smc_kktzOxAMX8TZAnWcIu39kEyOcAe24Zgx6N3vBbEJHbwYeCM/s400/me+in+beignet+2.1.jpg" width="327" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a great pattern, it definitely deserves it's intermediate status though, as I found it a quite time consuming and complex project. I did deliberately take my time with it, as I wanted it to feel solid and well made. I have to say I love the result. No wonder this pattern is so popular.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxFTUiu9mcksqclZ5CS-GT8AsvAP1R_noqFI0TmwFt41Tx3Xujvfvud78iEqkUIsQlFFLJUk77vJjD4gz2PCQ_wyHoK98-ha-j9gOLOrsrZP8bieJDvlPklXfxJKmoj-tGqdLICXsZBI/s1600/skirt+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxFTUiu9mcksqclZ5CS-GT8AsvAP1R_noqFI0TmwFt41Tx3Xujvfvud78iEqkUIsQlFFLJUk77vJjD4gz2PCQ_wyHoK98-ha-j9gOLOrsrZP8bieJDvlPklXfxJKmoj-tGqdLICXsZBI/s320/skirt+back.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><br />
I made mine from a medium weight denim for the shell, some polyester anti-static lining fabric for the lining and used a patterned cotton for the facings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RXdcPCLu_5hay2kGTSwRo1NfOM7LYlaidwLp70eXeK6FIT_wjQPQ3lVxxY06kZtC7dXOkvTudZhMvhviFpp86vHRBBu4-Hnwo-bZsm465cW5VwaIfSeICFuWyD3Zt29KawH3GI90ttM/s1600/skirt+side+.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RXdcPCLu_5hay2kGTSwRo1NfOM7LYlaidwLp70eXeK6FIT_wjQPQ3lVxxY06kZtC7dXOkvTudZhMvhviFpp86vHRBBu4-Hnwo-bZsm465cW5VwaIfSeICFuWyD3Zt29KawH3GI90ttM/s400/skirt+side+.1.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />
I had a few new sewing experiences with this project, most notably:<br />
<ul><li><strong>Sewing buttonholes</strong></li>
</ul>My machine has a 4 step buttonhole function, and once I'd had a few practice goes, these were pretty easy to do. My machine makes them quite neatly I think, but making 12 was pretty stressful!<br />
<ul><li><strong>Sewing with polyester lining fabric</strong></li>
</ul>All I can say on this subject is argh! It frays ridiculously, it slips and slides all over the place, it wouldn't hold a crease when I was trying to press the hem and my chalk marks wouldn't even stay on it for more than 5 seconds.<br />
<ul><li><strong>Sewing with denim</strong></li>
</ul>This fabric was the polar opposite of the lining fabric, it's sturdy, hardly frays at all, chalk loves it and I love it. Would be tempted to make an entire denim wardrobe just because it's so easy to handle.<br />
<ul><li><strong>Basting</strong></li>
</ul>I am a cheat, if a pattern tells me to pin, then hand baste and then sew, I usually skip the basting. I mean come on, I have to pin it then sew the thing up a bit rubbishly and then do it again properly, and finally pull out my basting stitches after I'm done. What's the point. However on this pattern, those two evil curves on the lining and facing, one concave one convex, well basting twas the only way to go. And even then I had to unpick and re-sew them because I fudged it up the first time. Rubbish slippery lining fabric got caught up underneath my needle, grrr.<br />
<ul><li><strong>Under stitching</strong></li>
</ul>I'd not done this on anything before, but the pattern instructions suggested under-stitching the facing to stop it rolling out to the outside. I found sewing right into the corners a bit tricky though. Did anyone else have this problem?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpN9wT0oSIDqLOc52GTNiwNc1Rhki_YhBSWP5QtcINKnFmaAfNSxpg4hmBljBM5EQwpsptWuZhiecXsHtNH5bRe3AEJbjQEHsOfCeRw9SdT8_-hkwEXpfREVu4PXP8oh2Tii4VTOXojU/s1600/skirt+front+1.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpN9wT0oSIDqLOc52GTNiwNc1Rhki_YhBSWP5QtcINKnFmaAfNSxpg4hmBljBM5EQwpsptWuZhiecXsHtNH5bRe3AEJbjQEHsOfCeRw9SdT8_-hkwEXpfREVu4PXP8oh2Tii4VTOXojU/s400/skirt+front+1.1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It's such a relief to have a well fitting garment that I have made myself. After all my fitting issues with the upper half of my body, this skirt has really improved my sewing confidence. <br />
It's not perfect by any means. I got bored when sewing the buttons on and Downton Abbey was on the telly and I'd had a glass (or two) of wine by this point, so a few are a bit wonky. Plus the hem of the lining is dreadful, but it's on the inside so nobody will ever see that it isn't straight.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWjnhOMKU336TDBhpxtanimBNAyNQ4Jyn218mHL892-Too0ZzGVoqT-sARlYVG1J4gGomZEct7eI6GSYW2v7Dq5W-y83pZQuwQC7aPqUqJELia8ZmmuctAPlmpfHGCziAryK2Hc0pT2g/s1600/me+in+beignet+1.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWjnhOMKU336TDBhpxtanimBNAyNQ4Jyn218mHL892-Too0ZzGVoqT-sARlYVG1J4gGomZEct7eI6GSYW2v7Dq5W-y83pZQuwQC7aPqUqJELia8ZmmuctAPlmpfHGCziAryK2Hc0pT2g/s400/me+in+beignet+1.1.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15487119675699417109noreply@blogger.com11