Thank you to all of you who voted (for me, in particular) in the ugly fabric contest, the winners have been announced, of which I was not one. It reminds me of that joke about the Jewish guy who gets a hole-in-one on the Sabbath, God's revenge being he can't boast to his mates about it. Similar awkward conversations were thus averted with my mother in law, "hey, you know that fabric you gave me, well I won, ...oh um, nothing, I mean I feel wonderful in this BEAUTIFUL skirt I made with it."
Congratulations to Johanna of the last stitch who was placed for her raincoat. Personally I have new respect for anyone who does anything with raincoat fabric and for that alone she is tops in my books.
Actually it never occured to me I might be a competitive person but those competitions are a great way to channel the sewing energy and provide some focus. So I'm all up for the little black dress and the lined jacket ones later in the year.
Yes, I am definitely feeling the sewing love at the moment but my productivity has received a big kick in the pants by a little boy who has decided that 4:30 am is THE time to get up and play for the day, and that an afternoon's sleep of an hour is all that is required. Harruph!
The less time I have, the more I want to do. I want to do a lot at present, but I've put another winter coat on the back burner because sewing a coat half an hour at a time is too painful to even contemplate.
When I worked in education with school holidays I'd loaf about at home sewing for a week at a time. Then because we had flexi hours at work I reduced to a 4 day week and had 3 day sewing weekends.
Aaaaaaahhhhh those were the days my friends. Finished the jacket yesterday. Verrrry pleased with it. Perfect stay at home Auckland mum wear. Warm enough to take the chill, casual enough to look in keeping with the playground, fun enough to keep a smile on my very tired face.
Bagged the lining, came out well, call me old fashioned, but I actually prefer hand sewing my hems.
I am now set to work (half a painful hour at a time) on my retro pattern. I bought some cheap 'n' nasty fabric to muslin it - I don't usually bother but I have never graded a pattern down before so I'm allowing for plenty of room for error. The good news was that it wasn't that hard to do, the bad news is because I didn't have to change that much (it's a size 20 1/2).
Three cheers for modern vanity sizing, personally can't get enough of it.
Looking good!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you've figured out how to bag a lining...I still can't figure out that corner bit.
Spent about 3 painful hours last night cutting out a princess line plaid jacket. Too many lines to match...eyes and brain hurting very much. Machine's still not back from the technician though, and I've buggered up my knitting, so cutting out it is.
Catch up soon,
J
PS...I'm having real trouble finding a suitable pattern for the PP tailoring course. You're right, all the ones with both those things are too corporate or too hideous. Harumph.
It does look marvelous! I am so excited that you are doing a retro pattern! I just sized one down--usually I am sizing up. I found that making a muslin and then draping (pinning wherever needed) was the best. Transferring said changes to pattern was tricky but doable. I found it to be a two muslin deal. I probably made no sense just now!
ReplyDeletegreat coat. I think you are a very productive sewer despite 'domestic duties'. I also find my sizing in patterns alarming. I buy 12-14 off the rack but cut a size 16-18.
ReplyDeleteNice coat! Is that buckle at the neckline how the coat closes? I love that the PR ugly fabric contest is bringing out your inner sewing beast. Can't wait to see what's up your sleeve for the LBD contest......
ReplyDeleteTwo coats in one winter? I am envious! I obviously need to stop sewing for my children and focus on memememe. This one looks just the ticket for winter playground duty.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the sewing while they sleep thing. If mine don't sleep at night I'm not mentally able to sew, no matter how much I want to! How about earplugs for the early start? Or teach him to call for Daddy.....
I love your jacket! It makes me want to sew one right now even though its the middle of summer here!
ReplyDeleteThe coat you have made is great - that will be my challenge next Winter.
ReplyDeleteThe competitions on PR are great as they give you focus. I have done a few and find it fun (no I haven't won anything either) and really worthwhile.
I have got to catch up with Johanna Lu's stuff. I've been checking her blog as "unread" in my reader.
ReplyDeleteI'm so behind...
But the jacket... you did it again. For some reason, "ultra funky" comes to mind.
I'm always impressed by how quickly you sew and with a great eye for fit and detail. I know what an uncooperative toddler can be! yes, I agree with you,half hour sewing slots are torture.
ReplyDelete