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Showing posts from February, 2014

Wardrobe Architect - Catch Up Post [Weeks 1 and 2]

I have been "playing along" with Colette Patterns Wardrobe Architect series.  I love this series - it's a great idea and so timely for me and what I feel I need to gain focus on.  Given I have a series (all of two posts!!) about things I don't like, it seemed only fair to also share what I do like. In addition, I have fallen into a very common trap for new sewists which is characterised by a few different behaviours: I have learned to sew - therefore I should sew everything I should sew handmade gifts for everyone I know (then be cross if they don't like them), which means I have much less time to focus on what I actually want to sew Everyone else likes x - I should sew some of that  Maybe I don't wear stuff like [insert style or item here - i.e. dresses] so much because I find them hard to buy RTW.  I should sew those, instead of things I wear a lot. Why doesn't everything I own look like pinterest / so and so's blog etc. Anyway - this

Things I don't like but everyone else seems to...#2 Peter Pan Collars

So we are back, with the second installment of the long running (mostly due to my posting infrequency!) series - Things I Don't Like But Everyone Else Seems To (or TIDLBEEST for short)*. This time around it's the Peter Pan Collar.  As I began this post I started wondering about the origins of the collar - I couldn't recall who in Peter Pan that I have seen wears a collar like that.  Certainly not Disney's Peter - who is shown below in all his slightly sinister glory... It seems that the collar was named such after the collar worn by Maud Adams in her 1905 depiction of the character (below).  Even that collar doesn't really have the roundness to it which is en vogue these days, but I can see the link... So why don't I like them?  I am not really sure.  I think partly it's because they aren't flattering on me at all - they require a high round neckline, which is just about the worst possible thing a lady who is well-endowed can wear.  It's

Go To Patterns - Casual Lady Dress Revised

So in my first post about this, I detailed the various revisions I made to the pattern to get it to fit my rather non-standard form. TBH, I was quite happy with the dress as it was - it was flattering and comfortable.  I was a bit annoyed by the back darts I added though, they just weren't doing what I thought they would. So I off I trundled to sewing class to ask for advice on that...and ended up redoing the front also. I haven't included the "before" picture for this was as it hasn't changed dramatically.  Basically I took some more in off the sides of the skirt from the high waist down, and I redid the bust darts as they were way too long. The changes might be more visible in this side by side: I removed the darts in the back completely, and while the bust dart is actually still wrong (it's not pointing where it should), it is at least now the length it should be.   Annoyingly, I am turned a bit too far to the front i

KCW 01/14 - For the want of a nail...

Or in this particular case, snaps. I am quite cross with myself. I did exactly what I aimed to do for KCW this time. I prepped ahead, and focused on completing only one project - a much needed raincoat for Issy. Apologies for the shadow on her face and the photo-bombing dog... BUT!  It's not really finished because I forgot to go to bloody Spotlight for snaps to sew on; hence her question when I got her to model it this morning: "Um Mummy, why didn't you put buttons on this coat?". And yes, she is modelling this over her nightie, because I am the laziest mother ever :) Aaaaanyway, annoyance at my failure to actually finish this aside...I think it came out pretty nicely. I lined it (thanks to Sally at Virtu for pointing out that I quite obviously needed to!) in a soft greyish pink which went well. Yes, the dog is now having a wee. So very, very sorry... I didn't make button tabs or toggles, instead opting for the simple invisible snaps insi