September- a month of finishing and planning

Hello! Hope you all had a lovely summer? I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blogs, in between jumping up and down at the tv (Olympics), bbqing between the rain, painting, buying a bathroom and knitting. You know, just normal life. I needed a blogging break, I was getting "stressed" because I didn't post every day, didn't have great photos, and didn't have anything of any interest to say about anything other than sewing.  So I turned a corner - isn't blogging supposed to be "fun"?  I'll blog a minimum of once a month, not stress about how many hits, followers or page views I've had.  For me it has to be about good quality sewing, not chasing numbers.

I have decided that September should be the month to finish up a few projects:

1) casual shirt in a beautiful Liberty print lawn,

McCalls 6401 view D

Liberty Lawn from Sewbox (UK)

2)  2 cardigans (4 sleeves to complete!)

3)  a linen dress in a lovely plum colour with bias strips



Butterick 4443 view C (just love this pattern!)



There are a few projects I would like to tackle over the coming months, the first being a shirt for Ian and the second being a winter coat.

Vogue 1083

There was lots of discussion this summer around how many items of clothing a woman buys in a 12 month period so thought I should keep a track of what I make and end each month with a brief summary. Some months I'm on fire, others I'm just not!  I will commence from 1st October as we head truly into Autumn. Oh, and I hope to overcome my IT phobia and get to grips with my camera - I may even consider buying a new one....

No sewing, just cutting

Very, very occasionally I drop a clanger when fabric shopping, and I did it when I purchased the lining for my coat. I thought it was 150 wide and its 112, so there's no way I can squeeze out the pieces I need and I was so looking forward to working on it. Oh well, the main pieces are cut and marked and I've made a pattern piece for the fusible interfacing.

So this afternoon I have been looking at some of the new Vogue patterns and it struck ms that some of their photographs are a bit "dodgy". Anyone else noticed these?



I don't even need to comment!



Well dodgy right bodice.  Although I havejust purchased this pattern (blush)

Is this the front or back of the model?
How thin?!?!

Roll on Friday.  I'll have to go over to Newbury to buy more lining (no I will NOT make any further purchases) and can then crack on in the afternoon - all weekend to myself, bliss

Enjoy the rest of your day

Autumn Sewing

I've borrowed Ian's notebook so I can post again, yay!

I've been busy making work clothes over the last few weeks and will post some photographs later.  I used a KwikSew pattern for the first time and am astounded at the great fit, which means I will be adding more of their patterns to my collection over the next couple of seasons for sure!

Anyway, this is my next project.  Because I'm pushed for time now I am working full time, it had to be quick, simple, but do the job:

An Autumn coat/jacket to wear walking to and from the car park:

Vogue 8562

I will probably make the longer version, depending on the length of fabric I bought (yes, sorry, not coming from the stash!) and will be using a brown based tweed which I suspect may need some supersoft interfacing added to it to help keep its shape.  Here it is, not a great photo, I lifted it from the Fabricland website.

If  you like this pattern you should note that it's about to go out of print, according the the Sew Today website.

Wish me luck, I'll be starting it on Sunday, with a view to finishing it same day!

Have a good weekend all

Hello strangers!

Hi everyone. I hope you all had a nice summer(if it was summer at your end of the world?)

Last week I received an iPad for my birthday - it was a shock. Ian and I are not big on presents as we have a lot of things that make us happy so typically a present from Ian is a few pounds and a trip to my favorite fabric shop.

I downloaded an app called fabricstashxl which I have yet to try but other than that I'm a bit lost. Can you re recommend any good ones, sewing related or not?!

Well the wedding dress is finished and will be delivered tomorrow evening and i am really looking forward to getting back to sorting through all the bits and pieces that I need to pass on. I have already posted some patterns out to other bloggers I know will make better used of them then I ever will and have a LOT of things to give away over the coming weeks

I'm. Also looking forward to sewing for myself again and have a few ideas tucked up my sleeve, mainly an Autumn jacket (as I have a 10 min walk from the car park to the office) and some shirts, a black pencil skirt and another dress. I finished the New Look dress so will have to post some photos later in the week.

I have one sewing related picture in my iPad so will post that to close. It's a corset I made last year for oNe of my lovely customers, Lori

Oh dear - how do you upload pictures from the iPad?!? I'm not convinced this gadget is for me....

I'll be back to regular posting again over the next few days - see you soon!!

Autumn Planning

That's right.  It is still summer and I'm thinking long sleeves, knits, trench coats and boots.....  I desperately need some transition pieces.  It's raining here again this morning, the sun isn't up and it's just blah.  Perhaps summer will come to us late again this year?

I need:
Casual Basics:
Long sleeved white classic shirt
Neutral jacket
Trench coat
Skirt
Trousers

I've been having a good look around the Internet at a couple of my favorite sites.  Some are still showing Summer sales, but Hobbs are forging ahead.  Their colour palette this year is black, blue, white, red and coral.  Here are a few of my favorite things....



Hobbs




Hobbs




Hobbs



Hobbs



Stella McCartney




Marc Jacobs




Hobbs




Hobbs




Balmain




Lela Rose

 Aside from the Trench Coat, I don't think there's anything too scary.  Obviously I'll have to save up for the watch!!  I truly love the denim skirt and that belt, it takes me back to early school days (remember snake belts?).

I'm waiting for Liberty to update their website.  I just know there will be lots of Vivienne Westwood designs to ogle over.....

Have a lovely weekend all.