I've been tagged too

Judy over at Just Sew Everything tagged me. I've enjoyed reading other bloggers responses so I thought that I would have a go.

Which pattern/vintage style have you been thinking about lately?
A few actually. In moments of weakness I’ve bought vintage patterns on Ebay and I also have a few in my stash that have matured into vintage items through years of idleness. Three I want to highlight are Vogue 1688 a Vogue Couturier Design by Pucci from the 1960s. I’m not sure about the ensemble, but I definitely will make the coat in jersey ponte. I’ve found the right aubergine, now looking for a paler contrast. I’ll do the dress in summer with a Japanese cotton floral center and the rest in black. Next one of my mature patterns, Vogue 2176 wardrobe. I found some wild animal print velvetine in the stash that was bought to make a jacket and skirt for Rachel when she was nine. Am I brave enough to wear a long coat in animal print with a plain black dress under. Still mulling that one over in my mind. The skirt is the perfect partner for a secret project soon to emerge from my blog. Finally, a recent ebay purchase Butterick 3893. Originally, I thought it might be suitable for the leopard print, but I have some other ideas for that cloth now.
What's the one place you want to visit that you've never been to before?
One place? Come off it, I’m a traveller with big dreams and a half empty wallet. My next dream holiday is Spain, Portugal and Morocco. I also have retirement plans, a round trip from Greece through Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and back to Greece. A spell in the Greek islands would be civilised. I’m also up for a road trip around America visiting my blogging friends. I’ve got a friend in Chicago who is documentary film maker. Great concept just need a financer.
How do you relax?
Sewing is definitely part of my down time. I also read, go the theatre, and walk my dog. I’m blessed to live in one of the world’s most beautiful cities and have special places here – Balmoral Beach, Waverton Reserve and Centennial Park. I love dining at home or outdoors with friends – especially with a few bottles of good Australian chardonnay or shiraz.
What is your favourite holiday?
The best holiday I ever had I took on my own. My daughter was on an exchange scholarship to a private girl’s school on the Upper East Side of New York. I had eight glorious days in New York visiting. My days I had to myself, wandering wherever I wanted, seeing all the galleries and shops I wanted at my own pace. By night, I teamed up with my daughter, met her friends and her friends’ parents. We went to Broadway shows, ate in great restaurants and in some pretty swanky private homes. Perfect.
What is one sewing skill you want to learn/try out?
I am working on a new Chanel jacket using couture techniques. I’m learning quilted lining, and welt pockets and couture button holes. We had a workshop on the weekend at the sewing guild that helped a lot
Can you knit? Crochet? Other crafting talents?
I don’t knit or crochet. I do embroider. My proudest embroidery achievements were my daughter’s tallits (prayer shawls) made for their Bat Mitzvahs. I don’t have photographs of the younger daughter’s one which uses appliqué techniques. I’d love to try fabric art, but while the inclination is strong, I definitely don’t have time.
What garment/accessory do you wear the most?
My black ponte skirt - I've literally worn it out. My favourite accessories are a silver pendant I bought in Jordan, my collection of pashmina scarves (It’s been cold). I’m also fond of some red wooden beads on leather made by Elk.
How much time do you spend reading blogs? (Per day or per week?)
Too much. I follow too many sewer and don’t have the heart to unfollow anyone.
Your motto/mantra?
What the human mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.
I’m also quite fond of “Life is too short to be idle”, but both husbie and the DD’s tell me that I sound totally manic when I say it.

I think at this point I’m meant to tag others. Like Judy, a lot of the sewers I admire have already been tagged or are always chosen. So I’m choose
j.kaori designs Who sews the most incredible, unique garments with style and finesse
Jorth A fellow Aussie sewer from the other end of this wide brown land who deserves more attention than she gets, and
Miss Muslin An Aussie of style who went to the US to beat the Yanks at their own game. She says it was for love, but we know!
Sadly, I’m all out of blogging time.

Who is Sailor Moon?

This is Sailor Moon and I've got to confess that DD paid me a back handed complement. I wish I really did look like Sailor Moon..not the outfit..just like I worked out at the same gym!

For the record it was my 14 year DD who made the comparison. She hasn't watched Sailor Moon since she was little. My older DD, the one with taste and tact, is still studying in Jerusalem. I'll have her back in January to pass judgement on my summer wardrobe..

I propose to work on something more challenging when I finish DD junior's second pair of 'trackie daks' - Aussie for yoga pants using BWOF 11/08 126.

Chanelling Coco or Sailor Moon?

We had a long weekend for the Queens Birthday (absurd yes, she is the Queen of England and it is not even her real birthday!) but I didn't do much sewing. My DD went away with friends for the weekend so husbie expected some attention. We had a great time. Highlights were seeing the new Australian film Animal Kingdom, one of the few truly great Aussie films by a first time director and starring some of our finest actors. No Nicole Kidman wasn't in it (that's why it was so good!) and seeing the dishy Australian actor singing the songs of Jacque Brel at the Basement. It was funny returning to the Basement, which was a hang of ours in our beatnik days of the late 70s. It looked like the same crowd there, but their goatees had gone grey. The bar stools didn't feel as comfortable either. Couldn't be possible!

Anyway, all things Francophone made we think up another jolie Jalie project. I used a metre of red and white striped rugby knit that I originally bought at Tessutis to make a pair of rompers for my eldest daughter. This child is now 18, so that is serious stash busting! I added some white merino jersey scraps for the ties and a cuffed sleeve.

I thought it all looked great, until DD came home. "You look like Sailor Moon" she wailed. Oh well, at least I match my doggie Alfie.

Quebec's revenge

Picture the scene. At Jalie headquarters Montreal the head of design is briefing the pattern makers. "We av to come up with a shirt pattern zat will baffle ze English but for the smart ones that can follow our instructions will dazzle them with Francophone ingenuity and our superior pattern making".

One of the pattern makers has a moment of deep inspiration. "Mais oui I av it!" she says "We will create a collar that one must roll the entire garment through. Ze finish will be magnifique, but the making will be a challenge."

Well as you can see from this poor attempt at humour, I was challenged by Jalie 2921. I sat for an hour reading the instructions thinking that I must have misinterpreted the text and drawings. But no, you do indeed roll the garment through the stitched collar, creating a very clean line and no raw edges.

I'm very happy with the result and fit. I used a very drapey wool blend knit. My only complaint is that my tie hangs lower than on the pattern illustrations. I suspect this is a combination of not being generous enough with the seam allowances and the loose weave dragging it downward. I will definitely make another soon.

Decision time

Thank you all so much for your helpful suggestions for my leopard print. My fabric arrived from Hong Kong today and it is beautiful, but sheerer than expected. Far too light for a dress or skirt. I have decided to make a mock wrap top using Simplicity 4074. I've had this pattern for years and never used it. I will use a fuller sleeve (View D from Simplicity 2732). Unfortunately, the belt is a fabric guzzler (1.5mts) so may be forced to use a tie side instead.

My next dilemma - the belt or follow Mary Nanna's suggestion of a kaftan with the remaining fabric. I have a muslin cut for Simplicity 4528 that didn't make it on time for my Middle Eastern odyssey. The style would be perfect but I may not have quite enough fabric. Or BWOF did a very simple 4 for 1 kaftan a while back.

Meanwhile I am almost finished my Jalie tie neck knit, found the perfect buttons for my silk affair blouse and have completed few quick refashioning projects. All will be revealed next post.

Inspire me

I have three metres of this leopard print Habuti silk on its way to me. I'm thinking a shirtmaker dress and if there is any fabric left over a top, but am open to your suggestions. Help me out with references to pattern numbers.