Monday 31 December 2012

Year End

Where has it gone?!? Every year I think it seems to go faster and this year is no different (does it ever slow down?). Anyway, I have had a lovely textile break - back to work on the 2nd. So far I have:

  • Finished my not-Noro scarf (not sure who this is for, but it was fun to make. Loved watching the variegations flow across each other)
  • Finished my Kellswater socks (these are for ME! Took a while to finish but they are lovely to wear. Pity the day's temperature is in the high 20's to early 30's for the next few weeks. No chance to wear them right now)
  • Started AND finished a pillowcase top for the Princess. I found this pattern at this fabulous blog and neither of us could wait to wash the fabric (always!) and get started
  • Started and finished (I know TWO projects!) a ruffle skirt for her too. The cutest cherry print is the ruffle which we are planning to use as a motif on a shirt too. 
Both these last two sewing projects took less than an afternoon each. Now I need to find these kinds of patterns for me! I was planning photos for both of these sewing projects. And I still might manage it. But things have been so casual around here that I haven't managed it so far. I can feel a New Year's resolution coming on.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope 2013 is everything you want it to be.

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Sew retro #2

I approached the preliminaries for the fitted dress with some trepidation. A dress with this much structure is going to have to really fit! So I took my measurements (no cheating!). I had thought the worst and expected best fit would be a 14 but discovered it was 12. Nice surprise.

So I cut out the muslin leaving plenty of space around each piece. I'm sure my singer's diaphragm won't fit. I enjoyed the process of placing each piece and using the tracing paper and wheel to mark the pieces and any other details. Once again, I have to say make sure you check out other classmates' questions. I had a few 'ummmmm' moments that was able to work through using answers provided by Gertie and other fab classmates.

More precision work sewing the outlines of each piece. I am really enjoying this! I can see how it is all going to fit together and how adjustments will be able to be made without loosing precious pattern detail (it's stitched on!). Photos coming!