17 February 2010

Sencha blouse

Et voila!

Admire my buttons!

The instructions called for pattern weights - I improvised 

I learnt catchstitch!

Check out the accuracy of that tuck!

Both the pattern (from Colette Patterns) and the fabric (from Saints and Pinners) were a joy to work with

All it needs now is one last press...

7 February 2010

It's been a long, a long time coming

[Or, dress no.2]

It seems like many moons ago that I started working on this little blighter, the second attempt at pattern no.1, which I started out believing was going to be a breeze to work on. (I don't know how Mena at The Sew Weekly does it.)


Admittedly I have been away so haven't spent that many physical hours on it - maybe just emotional hours - but I did encounter a number of hiccups:

1) a failed attempt to make the skirt more fitted
2) puckering seam finishes
3) lack of machine speed control (I've heard it's like driving a car, but I never got my licence)
4) lots of alterations needed at back and sides
5) ripped fabric.


Things I have learnt:

1) I love my stitch ripper
2) beginners shouldn't buy thin cotton
3) always sew in slippers
4) I should start saving for a dress form
5) no one need see the inside!


The dress does lack a certain je ne sais quoi. I can't decide what to add to the front to make it more snazzy. A bow? Pleating? Peter pan collar? Fabric-covered buttons? Ruffle? Key hole cut out? Or a recycled lacy panel inspired by Whipstitch

What do you think I should do? Thoughts, please!

[This post was written to a soundtrack of A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke and a smelltrack of sweet chilli sauce]