Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Moving from the back burner

I'm annoyed that I have so little to show for myself - an unfinished blouse that I hope will be ready to wear to my friend's 50th on the weekend. The sleeve is only pinned in, and the other is ready to go.


This blouse is sewn from Vogue 7316 OOP from the 80s, which includes two tunics and a great frilled wrap blouse that I plan to use for my leopard print. Initially I'd planned a longer length tunic but the panel ended up looking like a giant cross on a medieval crusader! So I lopped off the bottom and will make an elastic casing for the base. This fabric is very tricky to cut as it is made from panels that are quite narrow. As I was using leftovers from another garment, I had to break all the rules - I cut across rather than down the grain and used the fabric inside out as I'm over shiny satin. A word of warning on this approach when using polyester fabric. The inside is generally smooth and fairly stable to make sewing easier, so when you reverse it, it is VERY slippery. Super sharp needles and patience are absolutely essential.

Sewing has been on slotted in around other things these last few over committed weeks. I've had reports due, new clients to smooze and a house guest from China. I lost most of Saturday looking for reasonably priced fabric for mini-me's formal dress and Sunday to a music festival (a feast for the ears!).

The net results:
Mini-me bought a very cute formal dress for $40 - having been unable to find navy blue silk for under $40 a metre and completely unwilling to compromise.

I went into a sewing shop with my blouse frill pieces asking to test the Babylock Imagine on my garment. I loved the results so much that I ordered one on the spot. Having recently had the pleasure of sewing on a quality sewing machine I borrowed from a friend, I thought go for broke and also ordered a Janome Memorycraft 5200 that was on sale. I pick up the overlocker on Friday, but have to layby the sewing machine.

My Chanel jacket has bound edges and trims, but still needs sleeves. I bought fabric to line the sleeves. Now that the cherry blossoms are out, I think I've lost motivation.

I have tidied my sewing cupboard and planned my spring/summer wardrobe using pieces from my stash, plus newly purchased white cotton and a beautiful navy and gold shirt panel. My plans are overly ambitious and to avoid the embarrassment of non-completion I will not share the entire SWAP. The base items are a crisp white cotton skirt, white linen trousers, black ponte pants, and unlined jackets in black and white stripes, mustard linen and burnt orange ponte. There is a new dress for Rosh Hashana using the navy and gold skirt panel, 2 party dresses, as well as some t-shirts and blouses to wear with the base items. Lets see how much I complete by January!!

13 comments:

  1. I laughed when I read "ended up looking like a giant cross on a medieval crusader!" my sons would have approved. Good luck with your list of projects, we are an ambitious bunch don't you think?
    I do like how the blouse is looking.

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  2. Wow. That blouse is going to be a stunner. It looks fab so far!

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  3. You will love both machines. I have the Imagine and a Janome 9000 and Janome 10000.

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  4. Loving the look of your blouse!
    Congratulations on your new machines - having quality machines will help you get through that list of projects you have planned!

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  5. The blouse is looking goooood! I, too, am always loathe to post my sewing plans in advance as I don't typically make it through very much before something else comes alongs and distracts me (Oh, something shiny!). Excited to see the garments as they're completed though. :)

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  6. I love being overly ambitious - is there any other way? WOW - new machines - very exciting!

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  7. Oooh your blouse is coming along beautifully - I love the neckline. Congratulations on your new machines!

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  8. You have some exciting sewing plans looming. Sounds like some beautiful additions are to be made to your wardrobe!
    The blouse looks stunning, and quite complex. Is that check on the sleeve part of the fabric print, or a separate fabric altogether? Either way it's like a stroke of design genius...

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  9. You will be so motivated when you gat your new machines home that you will whip up those summer clothes in no time! Enjoy!

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  10. The blouse looks great! You have a lot of wonderful projects planned --- I'm sure your new machines will help you complete all of them!

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  11. fabulous blouse! i cant wait to see the finished one! :)

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  12. I have the Babylock Evolve serger and I love it. You will love the Imagine. I recently purchased the Janome Horizon (7700) and I am so happy with my purchase. I know you'll have fun with your new machines. The blouse is looking great so far.

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  13. What a great job you have done utilizing the panels! The placing is so clever, and makes the look really different from the dress you made with the same fabric

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