Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Happy returns

I'll let you in on a secret.   I often think of dropping blogging, turning to instagram or not recording my sewing at all.  So I take a break which somehow turns into a lengthy absence and it becomes apparent to me that blogging and the virtual friendships I have are important to me.

So here I am making a comeback with a long list of completed projects to talk about.

Project 1: Stylearc's Edith top pictured above was a dream sew in light weight cotton chambray purchased from Tessuti.  I'm a recent convert to Stylearc.  Their designs are contemporary and their pattern making precise and true to size.  I wore it lunch at my friend's gorgeous home on Sydney harbour.


Project 2:  Vogue 1247 (OOP) Rachel Comey's popular A-line skirt design with inseam pockets.  This project was a test run for a leather skirt that lives inside my head.  I agree with my daughter's comment that the colour is a "bit odd" but the verdict is yes go ahead with production in leather.  

There are a few tricks to this pattern. First use a woven without any stretch as the weight of the pockets will cause the yoke to stretch and bubble slightly, and second, make sure you use a tape or interfacing to support the pockets.  

Project 3: I raced to put together two t-shirts in merino wool from an ancient copy of Ottobre magazine (May 2010) to take to Japan trip.  They were worn to death but Japan in March/April is very cold and rarely came out from under layers of wool for a photo. I really love the teal design for its versatily.  It looks equally good over jeans or under a suit for work.  The sleeves on the casual t-shirt are a little long and baggy at the wrists. If I could be bothered I'll taper them in one day.

I've completed a few other projects.  I'm especially happy with my Morris Blazer and that will be the hero of my next post.  Promise not to be a stranger...again...! 

13 comments:

  1. Glad that you are back! I feel the same way, and it's been over a year now but I still think I'll start again. I love the interaction of the sewing community and there are lots of people who no longer post who I really miss.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely to see and hear about your finished projects here as I only get to see some of them in production. I have kept away from Instagram for the time factor reason, the internet hole take up too much of my time already.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sharon - have ambitious plans for our sewcation!

      Delete
  3. I know the feeling but keep putting one foot in front of the other, just, in the blogging world! It is nice to look back on what you have accomplished over time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Welcome back. I'm finding blogging hard at present too, but the draw in very strong. The online sewing community is special.
    Good tip on the rachel comey skirt. I've just made a second one, in a woven and they are both good. I'm tempted to go for a stretch woven next time, so your advice is very timely!

    ReplyDelete
  5. How lovely to see some of your projects. Can't wait to see the leather version of the Rachel Comey skirt. That should be spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good to see you back! Blogging is a drag...would be much better if we all lived close and could just meet up for coffee and fabric shopping! The skirt looks great on you...can't wait to see a leather version!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think the blogging/not blogging dilemma affects us all from time to time :). I'm happy you've decided to come back and share your beautiful creations!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your leather skirt will be very cool. In terms of blogging I agree that there is an amazing community out there but if I didn't like writing much I would stick to Instagram - it is just as friendly and welcoming and (as the name suggests) very much more Instant. I am committed to both at the moment but I think IG will win out because it is really all about the images with sewing, I think.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your leather skirt will be very cool. In terms of blogging I agree that there is an amazing community out there but if I didn't like writing much I would stick to Instagram - it is just as friendly and welcoming and (as the name suggests) very much more Instant. I am committed to both at the moment but I think IG will win out because it is really all about the images with sewing, I think.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great to have you back, I think most of us understand there are times when you need a break from it. It can be quite time consuming and I always have a backlog as I'd really prefer to sew. However I love reading other blogs and the interactions that come from it and that keeps me going.

    ReplyDelete