I know what I like, okay?!
I've tweaked the toile almost to death and am now working on the first real version of my self-drafted pussy bow blouse. I'm really hoping I get to finish it before the lovely weather we've been having in London stops. Unlikely. But my office is like a sauna so I'll still get to wear it :)
In other news, I totally busted my fabric scissors. I'm too embarrassed to tell you how... Oh hang on, when has that ever stopped me before? Let's just say a little DIY sharpening backfired. Doh! No lectures, please. But I would be interested to know if you have any scissor preferences before I buy a replacement pair. Big heavy shears? Or lighter weight soft-grip handles? Ta!
[Soundtrack: 'Wolf' by First Aid Kit]
I got some light weight Kai ones and I LOVE them. Mine are 7205 (blogged here: http://mymessings.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/aqc-purchases.html) and they're AMAZING. They are slightly smaller and i like that, they're just the right size for my hand. they use the bigger ones at my local fabric store and rave about them there too.
ReplyDeleteMy current pair are Ginghers and I love them. Add to it that sharpening is only $7... I'd been using Fiskers and old Singers before, and the difference is like night and day! I've heard Kai is a good brand, too, but I have no personal experience with them. My ginghers are heavy ones, and part of me would like lighter scissors--especially when trying to teach the Bit to sew!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have a 'signature fabric' and polka dots are the best! Add chocolate into the equation and it's a win win!
ReplyDeleteBig, heavy. They make that super satisfying cutting noise. And they make it so easy to cut in a straight line.
ReplyDeleteI can understand an abiding passion for chocolate polka dots :) As for scissors, so much depends on the size of your hands. One woman's heavenly shears are another's unwieldy hedge clippers!
ReplyDeleteThe chocolate brown polka dots are gorgeous, you can never have too many!
ReplyDeleteI prefer a lighter pair of scissors, but that's what I'm used to.
I also busted my sewing scissors by handing them to my husband to sharpen....Oh well, lesson learnt!
ReplyDeleteI have a heavy duty pair of shears. They're very old skool-esque and remind me of my Mum's set that have lasted her 50 odd years. I can see the benefit of the lighter skooshy handled ones but I figure if I'll be using my rotary cutter most of time the extra weight won't be too extreme.
ReplyDeleteAnd everyone needs a ridiculous amount of polka dots. Just sayin' :P
I love that fabric! One can never have too many polka dots. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm a big, heavy shears gal. I've had my Gingher shears (all metal) for 10 years and they're still going strong (though I need to get them sharpened this fall). This is even after dropping them on a concrete floor and knicking the blades--my scissor sharpening guy at the time was able to even things back out. ;) Love those scissors and need to get myself a back up pair, actually, so I have one while the other gets sharpened! lol.
I bought a lightweight pair of Ginghers recently and love them! The quality of Ginghers in a lightweight pair. Love your polka dots
ReplyDeleteooo more polka dots! cannot wait! :D
ReplyDeleteI prefer heavy duty scissors. cannot think of my brand though ...
I love love love my Mundial heavy shears. They have stayed sharp a long time. After 10 years I will have to sharpen them soon but probably not this year. Love your blog and I look forward to reading it. Thank you for sharing your amazing-ness with us!
ReplyDelete8" Gingher dressmaking shears. They are fabulous - and they will last you forever. Just make sure you take them to a professional to get sharpened ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree - having a signature fabric is totally valid! :) I always go for red & black - at least yours is more interesting! lol
ReplyDeleteStick to what works, right? That's the way the saying goes, correct? Can't wait to see this blouse completed!
ReplyDeleteSo in love with this fabric and the last chocolate polka dot top. Can't wait for the one in progress!
ReplyDeleteloving polka dots as well! simply too cute to resist, right?
ReplyDeleteGingher 8" Knife Edge Dress Maker Shears are my fave. Not too expensive and the sharpening dude always compliments my scissors ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe brown dots are fab so keep 'em coming!
I thought that too when I read your post! I thought , didn't you already make this...
ReplyDeleteI go Gingher all the way - dressmaker's shears, pinking shears, and rotary cutter. All great investments. I also have a pair of their designer shears with a black and rose print handle in my "traveling bag". When I go to classes or guild meetings, it's easier to keep track of my scissors because no one else ever seems to have that particular pair.
ReplyDeleteI love the Gingher dressmaker shears. I've had them for over 15 years and I didn't need them sharpened until about year 10. The big heavy ones are too hard to handle. I have some of those too (also Gingher) but only use them for leather and very heavy weights.
ReplyDeleteI have two pairs of dressmaking scissors. My favourite are Mondial all metal scissors. The second pair are Fiskars which are great for cord & denim. I like heavy but I have big hands.
ReplyDeleteI have had the same pair of Ginghers for nearly 30 years. In all that time I've only had to get them sharpened once. (Or was it twice? Thirty years is a long time to try to remember little stuff like that.)
ReplyDeleteI had been toying with the idea of getting gingers then about 2 years ago I went to Sheffield with uni on a metalworking field trip and they took us to the whitely's factory where they make scissors. I fell in love with proper old fashioned scissors made in the UK, I talked to the men in the factory about what I wanted to use them for and they suggested the best ones AND told me I could get them in London. I have two pairs, one has have a special serrated blade on the bottom that grips the fabric as you cut and stops it slipping and another smaller plain pair for trimming etc. I bought both at William Gee in Dalston.
ReplyDeletehttp://williamgee.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=486&category_id=66&manufacturer_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
http://williamgee.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&Itemid=1&category_id=66&product_id=470
I vote for squishy ones. I have a pair of plastic handled ones that are spring loaded, making it easier to cut a bunch of fabric at once!
ReplyDeleteI bought 3 pairs of ginghers and they're amazing. I got the short snips, the 8" serrated shears and the curved applique scissors, which are great for grading fabric. I've found them to be fantastic but I know you can get great UK ones too. Hope this helps. There's no judgement here. I tried to serrate crackling on a pork join with a rotary cutter - that is foolish.
ReplyDeleteOh man! I totally busted my 8" serrated Ginghers that way too! I'm so embarrassed! But I'm glad I'm not the only one. However they were totally lovely before I butchered them, so I'd vote for them.
ReplyDelete