Last Post for 2010

Hi all.  I'm going to sign off for Christmas and the New Year today.  I've had some early starts this week (6am) as the shop prepares for the sale and as we have guests over the festive period I have a lot to do. 
This afternoon I want to do this:

(But will end up looking like this!)

I would like to thank you all for stopping by.  I set up this blog at the end of August and am amazed to have had over 2,000 hits, even though there hasn't been an awful lot of sewing going on!  Thank you to those of you who are following.  In traditional blog stylee I will have a giveaway when I hit a "magic" number and promise to show you more of my work next year, including hints, tips and techniques.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

And if you have a few minutes to spare you may enjoy these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwHyuraau4Q&feature=player_detailpage
The beautiful Kirsty McColl - she died 10 years ago and is greatly missed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXjbI3kRus&feature=player_detailpage
Bing and David - what a collaboration!!

Today...

Today I wanted to feel like this...

But really I feel like this....

It's the time of year I think. Oh well, must plow on with some more sewing.  I've decided to make a table runner for our Xmas dinner table.  Photos to follow shortly.

Book Review: The Dressmaker's Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques

Dressmakers Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques

Lynda Maynard

I placed a pre-order via Amazon for this book 21st August as a birthday present to myself hoping it would arrive early September.  It arrived yesterday...

When I first flicked through it I was a bit disappointed to be honest.  Mmm, how to apply bias neck edges, sewing a hem with a twin needle, using cotton lawn as an interlining - nothing new.  The photographs are very good in places, but in others they are hard to understand because you see a small section with no reference - ie hands, thimble etc. 

Then I looked at it again about an hour ago (after first-phase Christmas clean!).  It is a good book.  From discussion about quality fabrics, through to cording, couture cuffs and my favorite, silk organza bubble hems.

I would recommend it if you are at a stage where you want to improve your sewing techniques, but if you already know how to use interlinings, horsehair braid, bindings, single-thread and balanced darts etc then I'd give it a miss.  If I had seen the book in a shop I don't think I would have bought it, however now I have it it's a keeper and I am sure it will pick it up every now and again.

6/10

Uncanny Resemblence?

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a big Joe Cocker fan (being a Yorkshire Man and all...) but this though just suddenly struck me whilst sewing a corset - where it came from I have no idea, perhaps I'm tiered and need a good nights sleep?

Father Jack

Joe Cocker

Thank goodness Mr Cocker now looks like this.....