This year is going to be a different one for sewing. If you haven’t already noticed, things are going much slower. By this time last year I’d completed 22 projects, this year I’ve done 13 and am working on my 14th. It’s not as if I have less to make, or less fabric to play with. Just less time.
I have stuff I need to photograph, neither Camas Blouse have made it to the pages of the blog yet, despite them being completed late January, early February! Here’s a glimpse.
I decided this year to get my act into gear regarding trousers too, the styles in the Burda magazines aren’t floating my boat and there really is a limit as to how many times you can remake a pattern, no matter how you think they look so different in different fabrics. So I’ve managed to get a new pair of self drafted trousers up and running too. I stole a couple of different styling ideas from different patterns I like, like pocket shapes and cuffs. I’m pretty happy with the first pair, I think the proof will be in the wearing though, so I’m holding off rushing to make a new pair before I’ve worn these a couple of times to identify areas of improvement.
My current project is a simple v-neck tee from a self drafted block. I’d needed to adjust the original block heavily, apparently Winnie Aldrich doesn’t really mean 0 ease when she says it for a tee block!! I think it’s sorted enough, so I’ve marked the fashion cut and created the style pattern I’m after. I need to toile it today, so fingers crossed.
The one thing about making garments with jersey is that each and every jersey behaves differently. I’ve even had different results from the same bamboo jersey in different colours!! Does the dying process have an effect?? Who knows. This time I’m using a pale grey viscose jersey I bought from Croft Mill Fabrics last year, it’s not one of those flowing jerseys, so hopefully it works well with the simple shape. I decided to lift it from being a boring grey tee I’d dig out a tube of silvery beads and embellish a bit. We’ll see if my hands behave enough for me to hold a beading needle long enough to get any beads attached!
Speaking of hands, I’ve been rushing to crochet enough granny squares to make a throw for daughter no2 before I have to stop. Holding a crochet hook is not easy at the moment, but I’ve managed fairly well so far. I crochet like mad when my hands behave and then have to leave if for days other times. I hope I get it all finished and put together before she heads off to University in September. I have a long way to go yet!
Of course, just because I am not sewing much doesn’t mean I’m leaving the growing of the stash alone. I persuaded Daughter No1 to attend the Sewing for Pleasure at the NEC last week with me, on the promise that I’d buy the ticket, lunch and any fabric she required. Sucker. We got a good haul, she left with silk and wool tops for embellishing, wool felt and silk woven pieces to add texture to her latest project. Me? Well, I left with these, amongst other things…
So that’s me for now. I have lots to sew and lots to crochet and lots to photograph! Daughter no1 will be home for the Easter Hols soon and I have lots of things I want to make for her before she goes back to University, so I’m going to have to hurry up just a little.
THE COMPULSIVE SEAMSTRESS 
A good haul from SFP! I am also intending to sew for myself with more thought this year. You are still outpacing my output by a distance though. I sympathize with your hand problems – I think it is a sign of much effort in the past 😃
I was good this year, instead of buying lots of cheap fabric I got smaller amounts of lovely stuff. It’s not like I need any more… 🙂
I know just what you mean 😃
Your fabric haul is gorgeous, and your trousers! I love the details so far. I hope they wear well for you, but you’re such a whiz at drafting, minor tweaks probably won’t phase you much! The sequin shoulders are beautiful. Something about sequins that’s just so FUN, y’know? And I totally sympathize with your hand issues. I recently was told I have tennis elbow, so hand sewing is truly a pain-in-the-elbow. What the heck?!?! I’m searching for different posture positions while I hand sew to see if anything helps. It’s incredibly annoying.
I totally love the shoulders! When I first saw the pictures on the Thread Theory blog, I thought they’d use a textured fabric, that’s what inspired me to go for sequins! I’m waiting for an operation next month to get one hand sorted, the other will be done later.
Good for you, Anne, for following your own agenda this year! Love what you’ve done/shown in this post, but really drool over that vintage print. About diff colour fabrics having totally diff hand: I agree totally. Don’t know how or why. Probably a chemical thing, how the dyes react – something there, no doubt. Yes, I share that love/hate jersey thought! Happy sewing & drafting!
del
Well the toile worked out fine, but the viscose hasn’t the same stretch. Typical… i definitely want to sew more for me this year, Daughter No2 cannot fit all her clothes in her wardrobe anymore, so I have to stop making for her, no matter how much I might want to!
Yes, definitely time for you!
Hi Anne…your post really resonates with me. I recently wrote briefly about slowing my sewing down too…really savoring the process. Your makes always look beautiful, whether slow or pedal to the metal. The teases you’ve given us today hint at more beauty, and top-most quality. Pure Anne! I especially look forward to seeing those self drafted trousers! You have designed some really genius features! I’m loving your fabrics…and your sneaky way of getting your daughter on board, ;). The linten tweed is spectacular! Have a great week!
A Colourful Canvas: My 99 Pink Balloons Dress and the Joy of the Slow Sew
It’s definitely better to slow it down and take time. I have been guilty of rushing to get things made, mostly because I’m keen to see them finished and being worn quickly! This time I want to make sure I get stuff right first, not second. I loved your post, and that dress is devine!
You’re a very good mum doing so much selfish sewing. And your fabric haul looks gorgeous. Question: how do you intend to handle the Linton tweed? I keep buying it (I live like 15 mins from the mill shop!) but I just can’t face quilting/ hand sewing etc. thinking of either underlining, fusing interfacing or quilting the whole fabric then cutting out pieces, sewing and lining separately. Would love to know any thoughts you’ve got.
I’ll steam it, cut it, fuse all over with one of Gill Arnold’s interfacings, depending on what structure is required, then get cracking! Have you been on the factory tour before they stopped them? These fabrics get solidly beaten up before we get our hands on them.
Ah…I gather Gill Arnold interfacings are of high quality. I’ve been having challenges with fusible interfacings and have been avoiding using them.
They’re the only ones I buy, industry standard & very good as long as you follow the instructions! 😉
No I never went on the tours. And great advice re. Gill Arnold who I had never heard of. Will definitely be looking to purchase some of her interfacings!
Living so close would be very dangerous indeed. I’m about an hour and a half away…it’s a safe distance! 😉 Although I have promised myself a Linton jacket this year…quilting and all.
Your work is always so beautiful and I love your fabric choices. That poplin is gorgeous..I’d have bought miles of it! 😉
I love your commitment to sewing thoughtfully, and (perhaps) more slowly this year. You’ve inspired me to do the same. Sometimes I think my stash is a pressure that makes me sew too quickly to reduce its size. Yet if my stash is too small, I feel inhibited by that too. It’s all about balance. That said, your fabrics are so gorgeous, I want to go out and buy more. Argh!
That Linton tweed is divine.
You really are one of my sewing muses; you already know I totally fell in love with your Burda trousers aplenty – and I totally love your new self drafted ones as well; can’t wait to see them on! I know exactly what you mean about wanting to wear them a bit before calling them done, though – wearing tells you so much doesn’t it? ^__^
I think we are definitely in the same mindset; I have been dying for a great v-neck tee as well, only I want a woven one, and a sleeveless version too. Do you think I can find a pattern anywhere? No I can’t LOL, and so it looks like I’m gonna have to try my hand at drafting – wish me luck! ^__^
P.S. Your slow sewing is my lightning speed haha! I’ve only made maybe half what you have and I feel pretty darn accomplished LOL.
Beautiful fabrics – love Gill Arnold interfacing’s – have done a few courses with her too lovely lady
love everything!
❤