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.

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!

Sew Retro - the beginning

I've been watching the Craftsy online courses for a while. There are a few that have got my attention but I've become particularly interested in Sew Retro The Perfect Bombshell Dress. I don't have a standard shaped body (does anyone?) and have shied away from trying a fitted dress because I've never had the confidence to modify a pattern to fit properly. That's about to change! I am going to take my time. NO RUSHING. There are plenty of places that I would like to wear this frock but I'm going to focus on the process - live in the moment!! Something I need to do more of. 

So I've joined up, read the introductory course notes and got thoroughly excited! I had some time to myself (read: MADE some time for myself) so I wandered down to my LFS and found a fabulous pink-on-pink rose 100% cotton fabric. Mid-weight about the same as calico. Lolly pink lining to match and, in a flash of brilliance, some aqua seam binding and Petersham ribbon. The contrasting aqua/pink is much better in real life than in than the photo.

Fabric, lining and contrasting seam binding and Petersham ribbon

Next was the pattern. It's a jigsaw for grown ups! Note to newbies: READ THE COURSE COMMENTS. A few well-answered questions around printing out the pattern saved me heaps of time and heart-ache.

The rows are done. Now to join it all together

Hello!

Where to start... 

I guess the beginning is as good a place as any. I come from a long line of textile nuts. My maternal grandmother, Granny, is the most amazing crocheter ever. At 92 she is still working up granny square rugs for anyone who sits still long enough. Right now she is making on for my grandfather (Grandpa) in a variegated brown and cream wool. He's 93. I remember Granny trying out silver smithing too. I still have a silver crucifix she made. It's a very special piece. Granny taught me to crochet (keep that hook facing away from you!!!)

My mother (Groovy) is the most amazing embroiderer I know. She uses cottons and silks to "paint" pictures. Her work is technically brilliant. She always has at least three projects on the go: one counted piece (good for working on when she is out), something familiar (good for working on when she is tired or unwell) and something new and exciting. She has tried most forms of embroidery. I'm not sure which are her favourites but I know she likes crewel and has started to learn traditional Chinese embroidery. She also knits and sews. She is an inspiration for me in so many ways. Perhaps the most enduring is her ability to be completely present in whatever she is doing at that time. This extends to those what she is doing it with. I love watching her with Mr X and the Princess.

So now to me. I have been trying to think about what would be my first textile memory and to be honest I'm not sure what is. I remember the feeling of taking a finished woven "blanket" made using a weet-bix box and scraps from Groovy's material and wool basket. I finished something! I made it! Me! That blanket was useful too. It was for one of my teddys. I guess that this is a theme for me. As much as I enjoy the creative process and the making of something, the idea that the end result will be useful to me or someone else, is a huge part of the justification.

Since those humble beginnings I have tried my hand at many things. Sewing, crochet, knitting, lacemaking (tatting, bobbin lace), weaving, embroidery (tapestry, cross stitch, black work). I have slowly landed on knitting and sewing as the things that I like to do most. 

The germ of the idea for this blog started when I discovered and then registered for Gertie's Gertis's sew retro perfect bombshell dress on Craftsy. Fab class by the way. Via Gertie's blog I have discovered so many others who are sharing their experiences online. If they can, why can't I?

I am looking forward to sharing stuff, but particularly how I learn how to do things better. I can sew but my techniques are pretty slap-dash. Technically correct sewing techniques has not been of interest to me until now. I hope you enjoy this journey with me. I can't wait.