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From The Saturday Bulletin.
Meantime – I have flu. Swine flu? Who knows. The doctor said to keep doing what I’m doing (lots of fluids, bed rest, paracetamol, aspirin) and come back immediately if it gets worse.
Poor Mr Beloved is on his first day of the wretched virus now. Nothing to do but ride it out…
And we’re so faithful with getting our flu vacs super early – not fair when a whole new virus jumps out at ya, is it?!
The girls at the PRDU get together yesterday were rather amazed by my Magic Pattern Book. I must admit, I kind of take it for granted – but their reactions reminded me that others might like to see how I do it!
See, I’m a hopeless pattern-aholic. Seriously. Sometimes I buy patterns just to read the instructions! So obviously I don’t remember all of them. But more importantly – I’m not good at estimating the amount of fabric to buy for a particular design. I know there are common rules to use – twice your length plus this or that – but that often results in having to be rather creative in getting an outfit out of the amount of material available.
So – I either scan (for out of print patterns) or pop over to the pattern company’s website and catch an image of the pattern. Then I stick it in my Magic Pattern Book, and write the amounts of fabric I’ need for my size, and usually any other notions I’ll need. My book is an A5 “visual diary”, available at any office store or newsagents – just blank pages work better for me.
click to see bigger!
Once I’ve actually made a pattern the idea is to write notes and add swatches of fabric. I don’t always remember to do that! But I did on the left hand side of the page you can see above.
Sue’s version of the book is better organised than mine- she cleverly found a notebook with coloured sections, and has divided heres into the same sort of pattern categories that the Big 4 companies use in their catalogs – tops, skirts, wardrobes, etc.
Meantime, I’ve still lost that koala pattern – methinks there is now a HUUUUUGE Frustration Field in place…
WELL! Yesterday Sue and I ventured down the hill and into the big smoke – and right out of the big smoke again to the faaaaaaaaaar side of BrisVegas. We met up with a bunch of the girls from the Pattern Review Down Under message board – frustratingly, my camera didn’t work, so I can’t show you a picture!!
We started at East Coast Fabrics at Lawnton. A few of us HAD to buy this fabric:
It’s cotton, a good weight for a coat or a skirt, and was only $5.95 a metre!! (That’s my Magic Pattern Book on it for scale – the book is A5, which is 5.8 X 8.3 inches. More on the Magic Pattern Book soon.) I’m thinking it will become either this coat
(#106 from Burda WOF 4/09 – because I have been in LOVE with this pattern wince I first saw it; and even more so when I saw Anne’s gorgeous floral version!
The other possible pattern is this “Hortensia” coat from Ottobre Spring/Summer 09.
We then managed to get lost (It was the Magic Talking Lady’s fault! She kept blanking out her little screen map and tsking at us: “RE-Calc-u-lating!”) and find our way again to Indooroopilly shops, where we had lunch, and a shop at Sckaff’s Fabrics. I was VERY GOOD and though tempted (mostly by their hats!) I didn’t buy anything there – this time!
We were reluctant to say goodbye to the PRDU girls, but were late getting on the road already. Still, we figured a quick stop at Gardam’s (just around the corner from the Indooroopilly shops, after all!) was in order. Sue managed to find exactly what she’d been looking for; and I grabbed this 95% poly/ 5% wool tweedy/herringbone fabric to make a skirt.
The trip home was looooooooong! It took us ages to get anywhere – major roadworks combined with the first night of the school holidays left us with plenty of time to put on a CD of ’80s favourites and bop along… two forty-somethings singing “my job is very boring I’m an OFFICE CLERK!” with great gusto, and “air drumming” along with Adam Ant… it passed the time, anyway!
We’d already booked for a girl’s night out with friends from the gym, but I was soooo tired I left early. I did manage to get a leeeetle bit squiffy and attempt to teach my favourite drunk tongue-twisters to a couple of the girls!
Bed day today. If it’s not drizzly tomorrow I hope to get my new fabric washed and the patterns traced – because I neeeeeed a floral coat, don’t you think?!
So there he is, in all his rhinosity! Little Caitlin, who has just had her first birthday, is the Aussie baby of South African parents, and she apparently thinks that his best feature is his handle – otherwise known as a horn!
And his Grandma – who is about to leave for Namibia to lead a safari tour – was UTTERLY thrilled that not only is he a white rhino, but his mouth is in the right place (not all cartoon-y anthropomorphic) and he has authentically short sighted little eyes.
I’m hoping Mum will send photos of the delighted recipient soon!
I HAD intended to make this pattern yesterday or today, from the same very talented designer. Sue and I met Pauline at the Brisbane Stitches and Craft fair, and I think she was worried that I wouldn’t give her sample Rhino back – he was so soft and cuddly!
But I’ve LOST the @&#$(*@& pattern somewhere in my sewing room….
You can also see one of the mouse wrist rest here – I nicked the photo from over on Sue’s blog.
The other one was for our friend V who is recovering from some particularly nasty wrist surgery. (and check out Sue’s gorgeous shirt!)
I’ve been using fairly inexpensive polar fleece (from Lincr*p, if you’re an Aussie – it was about $6 a metre, I think) and I’m surprised how wonderfully these toys (and wrist rests!) turn out.
Bet you didn’t know I used to be a full on cloth doll maker, didja? Ahhh, the dim distant past… my total time from tracing the pattern to tying the bow on the mouse was about 40 minutes. The Rhino was about 90.
There are a few tricks to keep in mind – make sure you shorten your stitch length; trace a stitching line template onto freezer paper and then iron the freezer paper to your fabric (using very low temp for polar fleece) and stitching around that – this avoids having to mark the fabric directly, so there’s no risk of the pattern tracing showing through on a light colour;
(someone gave me a 150 yard roll years ago – I’m only just coming to the end of it!)
and I find the best tool for turning through teeny pointed parts (like the mouse fingers) is a tube about the same diameter as a drinking straw (sturdier plastic if you can get it) and the blunt end of a bamboo skewer assisted by a lockable hemostat (available from medical supply stores quite cheaply.)
Ok – off to find that PATTERN!
He’s for a little girl who’s turning one year old…. Will show more once she’s got him!
(meantime, see more of his friends at Funky Friends Factory)
I had a WONDERFUL day today!
BFF and I went to a sewing class. With a very brilliant teacher. Felicity knows SO much about industry techniques for production sewing, and sewing couture… my mind was in OVERDRIVE! (Fortunately I can read my own scribbled notes, since as we know, my memory is rather dodgy…)
Two important mantras I MUST repeat, especially when sewing samples:
My perfectionist tendencies need to be on a tight leash in class time. In fact, next time I don’t think I should take my seam ripper with me at all. Hmmm. Does it really matter if somethings out by a milimetre or two on a sample? GET OVER IT!
I really loved the structure of the day – we got to ask questions, veer off into things that weren’t necessarily in the plan, and learned even more on those side excursions. I’m feeling much more confident and enthusiastic about tackling shirts again. Yippee!!
And it was funny to see someone else press – I am have been waaaaaaay too timid about really leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaning on the iron. No more – when Felicity says PRESS, she ain’t kidding!
I even liked sewing on Baby Pfaff. She’s not at smooth as The Goddess Pfaffalina, and sounds a bit clunkier at first – but she does everything I ask of her with no complaining.
And spending time with BFF is sooooo good for one’s mental health. Should be more of it.
I resisted buying any fabric (good girl, woof!) but did succumb at long lsat to the luxury of my very own Point Presser /Tailor Clapper. Ahhhh! If you’re not a dressmaking enthusiast, you’ll probably be wondering why on earth I’m so excited about this gadget.
If you DO sew, and you don’t have one of these – GET ONE. It will improve your sewing immensely.
After all that and a lovely (unexpected!)catch-up with friend C at lunch, and wind-down with Sue over tea and chat, I had the best email EVER arrive in my inbox. A friend I hadn’t been in touch with for ages – (isn’t it awful that the only time we are in touch with important people in our lives is when there’s a funeral? That needs fixing) – wrote in reply to a recent snail mail sympathy card I’d sent.
All the store bought cards were a) expensive b) TACKY or c) both. So I made a card using tools from the art cupboards (Fiskars embosser, if you must know – hey, I never claimed to be a purist!) and wrote about my favourite memories of the person. Turns out this was the right thing to do – far far better than any pre-printed guff from an anonymous card company. It was so wonderful to know that what I’d written meant something more.
NOTE TO SELF: Make more time to do this stuff!!
And now, the cuppa tea cake is nearly ready; I have a brand new roll of pattern paper, and a sleeve to alter.
Ok, you’ve rubbed it in – I’m stuck in Canberra with craft shops closing left right and centre. So where is the craft show debrief??? you’ve been back for at least 2 nights? why are you making us wait? where are the great photos of the clever peeps that I’m sure you took, the detail of the fab quilts, who did you hob nob with, how did the clothes shopping (not buying) efforts go? spill the beans Ms Caity.
WELL, since you asked, Miss Nic! I do apologise for the delay in reporting in – I totally wore myself out! (And then the new neighbours moved in with a Very Barky Dog who didn’t shut up all night – for the last two nights in a row. Grrr!)
So here is the somewhat delayed (and I hope not too disappointing) review:
MEH.
There were hardly any stalls – I mean, you know how normally craft fairs are so packed with women-with-backpacks (Guilty! this year:-))and strollers and strolling middle aged women with their Mums… well, you could have swung a cat-printed scarf through the aisles with ease. Apparently a lot of the stallholders pulled out in the last couple of weeks leading up to the show. (You have to wonder how much of that is due to the heavy promotion being done by the rival mob – who have a show in just a month’s time.)
The hall decorations were cool – although if you saw any of the fab bloggers writing about the Melbourne version of the show, you’ve seen this already. I did get the chance to see the awesome Selvedge dress (and chair!) however:
That's a LOT of selvedges!
How clever (and dedicated!) is Jodie of RicRac blog? AWESOME!
I’ve put that pic in at a large size so you can see what I mean (in the dark background) about just how empty the place was.
Also, some things that got fairly big billing on the show’s website were quite – how do I say this – UNDERWHELMING. “The Teacosy Revolution” had FIVE teacosies. I had hoped to see a LOT more than that! (Never mind, her blog about them is lovely!) There were some bead stalls, some of the usual quilt stores, but nothing that really had me falling over with WOW, y’know?
NOW that’s the whinging over – let me tell you about the GOOD BITS!!
And oh, they were VERY good.
First – the company was grand – thanks, BFF!! We met the fantabulous (and so busy!) Nikkishell of BurdaStyle.com, Wardrobe Refashion, and one of the founders of Mixtape magazine. (Can I be Nikkishell when I grow up?!And Oh my GOSH now she’s gonna be a Melbourne’s Tessuti Fabrics!! AWESOME!!) BurdaStyle.com had a fashion parade – which was GREAT (even with those poor teeny weeny malnourished models – seriously, I just wanted to take them aside and say “Have a crumpet and a cuppa before you CUT yourself on your own bones, dearie!). Seeing clothes In Real Life is so much better than peering at a pattern on a screen…
"Judy" skirt - pattern from BurdaStyle.com
Paola wrap dress pattern from BurdaStyle.com
These were two of the patterns paraded – seriously gorgeous and made me determined to get sewing on some soon!
Another fashion parade featured garments from Wardrobe ReFashion – I was pleased to see the mob of shcool kids watching the show tooks HEAPS of pics of those!
We also met Justine (The other force behind Mixtape zine – it’s very cool, now I can see why people were excited every time the new issue comes out!) in blog alley – a row of indie/bloggers with their products which along with the fashion shows wsas really the highlight of the event for me.
We hadn’t seen peppermint magazine before either – not that I’ve had a chance to read it yet!
I couldn’t resist a couple of patterns from the very clever Pauline of Funky Friends Factory – seriously, how cute is Kiki the Koala? These patterns were all designed to be baby safe, are made of snuggly polar fleece, and I had a great deal of trouble giving back the rhino toy, he was so cuddly…
Sue got some GREAT organic cotton jersey hand printed fabric from Thea and Sami, which I’m sure she’ll show you when it’s made up!
I was worried given the sparse offerings that my two absolute MUST STOP retailers wouldn’t be there – but they came through for me, Yay!! I always need more scissors – this time I needed to replace my thread snips, so we had to stop at Scissorman. I bought some lovely curved blade snips and a little brush-tipped bottle of oil – gotta have the right tools for the job!(Onya, Trevor!)
And my other MUST visit is of course Stephanie at Can Do Books and Perpetual Patterns. I knew I wanted at least one pattern – and I got the Liberty Shirt from The Sewing Workshop. I already have fabric in my stash – I just need to trace the pattern out and get going…
Then into town across the bridge (slap upside the head to IDIOT Caity – MORE THAN ONE PAIR OF SHOES next time, OKAY?!) and over to Borders bookshop. Another delightful Canberra pal (I miss you guys!) organised a book voucher for me at Borders, knowing that this was the one day I had access to a big bookshop. It took me aaaaaaaaaages but I finally decided on two FABULOUS books:
and one just for fun – the EXTREMELY silly “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.”
Braaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiinsssss
Then Sue and I window shopped for while before going out for dinner – we had the NICEST meal at San Marco’s, overlooking the river. Then eventually to bed.. and more shopping (mostly of the window type!) on Saturday before heading home. We did stop in at Gardam’s (fabric heaven!)new location but no fabrics really grabbed us – then to Sckaffs fabrics at Indoorapilly, plus a good look round a lot of other shops there.
And by about 3 pm we were totally shopped out – and I came home and went to bed for a coupla days!
There is more (and I’m sure I’ve missed out stuff I wanted to show you) but I am too tired…. ttyl!
… my dress sewing has stopped tonight. I can’t find my camera (hopefully when the TeaBot 5000 reads this post he’ll remember where I put it, LOL!) to show you progress, but apart from the zipper and binding the neck and armholes and doing the hem, it’s done.
Simplicity 4505 is long out of print, which is a shame, since it’s a useful pattern, with a jacket, dress, skirt, and pants all in the one envelope. No linings though, and I couldn’t be bothered THINKING about linings, so the dress is unlined.
(photo will go here when the camera is found!)
I perhaps should have made a full pattern and tried to match the pattern in the fabric a little (naaah, this ain’t couture!) and I think if I bother to do this one again, a slightly heavier fabric would be better than the 100% cotton I used in this version.
I cut out a 22… but cheated on the seams at the waist and managed to squeeeeeeeeeze enough out to fit in my waist (groan mutter curse curse) It’s okay… not as good a fit as I’d perhaps like, but hey, it’s fabric that was $5 per metre from Spodshite, it’ll do.
In other news….
I got to gym last night for cardio + Pilates, then again this morning for BodyStep. Managed to do more of the class actually using the step today. Yay me, huh?! Tomorrow: cardio + Oxigeno (love those functional movement and stretching classes!). That’s provided the neighbours let me sleep…
You see, we live in a worker’s cottage. And very close next door is what started out as an identical worker’s cottage. So the floor plans are exactly the same in both wee houses. Which means that THEIR loungeroom? Is about 5 feet from our bedroom. (Don’t even get me started on uncorrected property boundaries, grrr!)
Not soooo bad when all they’re doing is watching (violent, noisy) movies late into the night. Up until about, say , midnight, I don’t care, I’m usually awake anyway. But combine the loud action flick with even louder sex? That becomes less tolerable.
The straw that broke this poor old camel’s back, though, was that that decided to DO IT with the lounge (sofa) jammed up against the outside wall of their house. 5 feet from our bedroom and RESONANT. And they’re young, so they go at it like rabbits. HYPERACTIVE RABBITS.
"Wait wait! I think I've got a hare in my throat!"
Bang a bang a banga banga bangabangabangabanga ooooooooohhhhhh bangabangabanga banga YES! OH YES! bangabangabanga….
This went on until 4 am.
When I overslept the alarm this morning and had to rush to get to the gym, I mentioned that the neighbour’s shagging had kept me awake. Various suggestions on how to deal with the problem were made:
All good – but not as funny as the song that appeared as track 5 or so in the BodyStep Workout: Yep, Acka Dacka’s “YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG”
sing along, everyone!
I was laughing so hard I was nearly crying, and still trying to do the step class!
Ahhh, ya gotta laugh, eh?!
Anyone got any further suggestions? Would a note saying “HI! We’re your neighbours! Would you mind moving the couch out from the wall when you have noisy fun?” be too much, do you think?
Yep, it’s that time of year again… time for Miss Caity’s Annual Rant about Easterfest (previously know as the gospel music festival, but generally known in our house as “THAT BLOODY NOISE”.)
Usually I’d go on and on about the way the super-amplified bass and drums drive right up the creek and into our house; then I’d have a rant about the way that the entire Queens Park is shut off from the people it’s meant to be there for (pardon grammar) and finish with the fact that the organisers of the event don’t give a shit about noise complaints and in fact won’t even supply the correct number for the regional council to register a proper complaint.
But I’m really tired, have spent a lot of the weekend sleeping (to get away from the noise, and because I’m just feeling like a wrung out dishcloth these days) so we’ll just leave it at that, yeah?
I’m popping into Lincraft tomorrow (not sure how they got dispensation to be open when just about every other shop will be closed – I don’t understand Toowoomba’s trading attitude at all) to pick up two Simplicity patterns for just $7.50 each, plus one Vogue pattern for only $12. Yay!
Simplicity 4014
Then I really have to sew my little heart out this week. I have to have a decent black dress for Friday (a funeral to go to) and my previous funeral outfits are now way too big.
(I’m just working out what to do with the seam finishes on this unlined dress and jacket - I can do Hong Kong bindings (like Sue just did) on the straight seams, not quite sure how I’ll finish the princess seams.. maybe just hand overcast? Hmmm…. suggestions welcome!)
Oh yeah – I have to buy black shoes, too – I don’t know about you, but I cannot wear red shoes to a funeral. Nuh uh.
AND – I fell off the food plan in a bigggg way over the last week or so. And I didn’t even eat any Easter eggs! Never mind, I’ll climb back on… unfortunately my plans for attending BodyStep this arvo were hijacked by my overwhelming need for sleep. THe gym re-opens Tuesday, so I’ll be back into it then…
TWIRL!!
So here it is: The McFractured Tartan skirt. As you might be able to see, I went a teeny bit berserk on the piecing… there was no plan, just lots of hacking fabric apart and then sewing it up again. I *could* have just used the fabric as it was off the bolt, but – naaaah! I have more of the same fabric on layby, and the plan is to make a little jacket that is *perfectly* matched across the plaid. Just to show I can, you know!
Fabric was a bargain buy from Gardams. It’s a wool/ poly/viscose blend, and creases just seem to drop out of it. It also goes through the washing machine very well! I used a couple of metres of inch wide black grosgrain ribbon for the waist ties. Top is a $7 special from Rockmans; shoes are my favourite I Love Billys that you have seen me wearing almost every photo.
Pattern is the wrap skirt included in this book:
which of course I have mentioned previously. I did alter the pattern for length. And for width *sigh* since I am CONSIDERABLY larger than the pattern given, LOL! Still got a long way to go on this weight loss/getting fit thing…
… as the dog and I are both showing our rounded tummies in this pic!
McFractured skirt= FINISHED! Pics tomorrow….
[memedex: pollid#489175]
Threads April/May 2009
OMFSM!!* This latest issue of Threads magazine, issue 142, has got to be the BEST EVER!! And I have every single issue from issue 53, June /July 1994. So that’s really saying something!
(and no, you can’t borrow them. Unless I really really trust you and value our friendship. And know where you live.)
You know how sometimes you get the latest mag (not just Threads, any magazine) and flick through going “Ho hum same-o same-o yawn blah”? And then sometimes you get an issue and every turn of the page IS EXACTLY SOMETHING YOU NEED RIGHT NOW?
Yep.
It’s not just that this is a fitting special – although obviously, given my changing shape and my desire to actually wear clothes that show I have a waist (YAY!) I’m getting a lot out of that; no, it’s also got a super groovy article on splicing knits (swoon!)…
Connie Long's article on splicing knits looks like fun...
(you don’t think they could look too star-trekky, do you? I mean, that’s the appeal of CURVES over straight lines, but still…)
… and another neat article on various hem finishes . As well as the usual gorgeous image on the back cover of a divine vintage garment. Oh, and the Quick to make wrap…. and the gallery of winners of the Threads/ Association of Sewing and Design Professionals challenge… and oooh, the article on making fabric roses, I always like new techniques for those, and….
Well. I’m kinda keen, as you can tell.
No brown paper bags or affils, yada yada – I’m obviously just a huge fan of the mag and the consistently clear photos and instructions.
Now I’m off for a quick cuppa with my bestest sewing buddy (yay!) and then some more sewing on the “MacFractured” wrap skirt before Pilates class. Whew!
*oh My Flying Spaghetti Monster.
…just hate that day…
Well, not really. Got up, went to gym for Oxigeno class, sat around and chatted over coffee then did the groceries.
And now I’m off to SEW, yippee!!
(Or at least trace a pattern off so I can sew later…)
Our entire HOUSE would fit into this space!
New (old) skirt
So remember a few posts back (before the blog was Hjørsejacked for the nano song) I mentioned I was reworking a skirt? Here it is.
(As you can see, I still have quite a way to go on getting rid of the tummy *sigh*. I think I’m doing SO well and then I see a photo of myself and get all discouraged.)
Mr Beloved says this is NOT the most flattering outfit, and he’s right; but at least I have a wearable skirt for a little while. And the trim is so much fun!
Ribbons (mostly from the stash), some measuring tape (which may have belonged to my Nana – or someone else’s Nana, I do seem to get a lot of inherited craft bits and bobs!) that had suffered an unfortunate accident with a rotary cutter; and a flurry of tulle at the hem. (also unintentional but inevitable trim: small feathers from the cockatiels, cat fur, and poodle hairs.)
Anyway, I’m happy with it, it’s a fun skirt to wear, and even though I ended up pretty much remaking the darn thing from scratch, it was worth doing. PLEASE tell me honestly what you think of the skirt!!
(if you’re interested, the review is here on Pattern Review)
Now if only the new Ottobre Woman magazine would come so I could make some other patterns up….
Meanwhile, I’m off the to the gym for Pilates class. I went to the physiotherapist (again) today and he worked out that I have some residual nerve damage from my glorious ankle twist of mid January… also that I have long-standing issues with my C6-C7 neck joint which are in fact the cause of some of my wrist weakness and pain. Huh! I also have ulna/radius joint weakness as well, so it’s lost more rehabilitation exercises for me and even more phsyiotherapist appointments… it never ends!! Who knew that hyper-flexible joints were such a problem?
So before I went on my holiday to Adelaide at Christmas, I made a skirt. Which didn’t fit, and so didn’t go on the holiday with me. Which was a shame, because it was a CUTE skirt, with a border of this fabric from the “Sew Girls” range by Loralie Designs:
Loralie Designs Colourful Manequins
And it was this skirt pattern, View A:
McCalls 5591
Seriously cute, yes?
But at the time I was still suffering badly from swelly belly (which I’m very glad to say has settled down considerably with a different HRT regime and the new-found love of gym) and so had to add an ENORMOUS amount of width to the front to compensate.
Now – I’m taking the width OUT again! But since I didn’t want to remove top stitched angled pockets on the front of the skirt, nor did I want to make a centre seam, I’ve had to get a little creative. Which has involved unpicking EVERYTHING except the front with attached pockets, and the side seams under those pockets.
My sweet wonderful friend Sue *mwah, sweetie!* gave me a book this week – out of the blue – and it’s so INSPIRING I have to jump about when I’m trying to tell anyone about it!
This is the book:
Forty Nine and a Half Sensational Skirts
(Aussie readers will find the same book under a different cover)
The artist is just … wow. Talk about really exploring an idea! Talk about your working in a series!! So many pieces that share elements but are each unique - love that!
This isn’t just me going off on a tangent – really! – because one of the ideas Ms Willoughby explores in the book is cutting new seams in reclaimed (or new) skirts to add embellishments or other features. That neatly solves my problem – I can make 2 new cuts in the front of the skirt (thereby making it look intentional from the start!) and reduce the width by the necessary amount without an ugly centre front seam. AND I get to add more splashes of colour to the plain black body of the skirt, so it will look even better with that colourful border! Très clever, très chic, oui?
Why now? Well, another friend is launching her new business on Friday night – and what better excuse to get this skirt finished than to wear it to a sewing teacher and designer’s party! I’m pretty sure I can get it done. But not if I don’t get to bed NOW – got a gym class in the morning, then lunch with the girls…. eeek! GOODNIGHT!!
Sorry to have been absent – I swear, this sinus/migraine headache pattern is NOT FUN!! And I have been doing a lot of sleeping again, which is ever so boring to blog about.
However, I did play photographer for Sue one day last week – her sewing is awesome, I think she’s just getting better and better!!!
I took a heap of patterns around to her place the other day to sort out – and discovered that I keep buying similar things! So it’s WAAAAAAAAAY past time to make up: *deep breath* A pencil skirt, a pinafore, a puffy sleeved blouse, and a tailored jacket.
Possibly this is next up: Do you think the straight skirt or the swingy flared version is that way to go?
Simplicity 3673
With jodphurs and whip and chair, oh my!
Today Sue and I wrassled our overlockers (sergers for my US readers).
WRASSLED THEM TO THE GROUND AND MADE THEM SIT UP AND BEG!!!!
We did have help:
and this one:
I thoroughly recommend both books. The ABCs of Serging is a great basic book with clear line drawings and great information on the basics. (And since it was published in 1992, reminds me a little too much of the clothes of my misspent youth – frills!! And MORE FRILLS! And let’s stiffen those ruffles with FISHING LINE that would catch a marlin, yeah baby!!)
The Easy Guide to Serging Fine Fabrics is exactly the quality we sewing enthusiasts have loved in Taunton’s books: Clear text, informative pictures, and techniques that really lift your sewing out of the ordinary. (WHY they aren’t reprinting this yet I just don’t know!)
The instructions for making bias tubing in the Fine Fabrics book had us rolling on the floor - not because they were WRONG in any way (in fact, we’ve both decided that this is THE way to make those tricky little filled cordings) but because Ms Benton instructs that once you have your turner-looperer- thingummy (ok, she used the real name, I don’t have the book in front of me!)
hooked at the end of the tube, you put the circle handle end over one of your thread spool holders and “Back away slowly” to turn the tube through.
“Don’t spook the sergers – they’re skittish beasts!”
“Maybe if we blow in their nostrils and offer them a carrot?!”
“*snort*” (that was me making an unladylike noise after too much giggling, not the sounds of the unruly overlocker!)
ANYWAY, the point is that while we may not be qualified Serger Whisperers yet, we can now at least approach from the correct end and saddle up the beasties. WIN!!!
And now – I shall tackle threading the upper looper with *drum roll and audible intake of breath from the crowd* WOOLLY NYLON THREAD.
If I’m not back by sunrise, bury me with my boots on.
Caity will explain Møøse later. Probably after Caity discovers Møøse.
Ottobre Woman 2/2008
(Now I just have to grade it up *very* slightly, add seam allowances, tissue fit, choose which fabric to use, and actually sew it up)
(And then I asked the Teabot5000 if he’d seen that cover and YES, he’d saved a magazine called Ottobre in a box that he’d mentally marked “Important Textile Magazines KEEP THESE”!!! YES YES YES!!) So now I just have to locate the 2/2006 issue somewhere in our house/shed/combined clutter and I can stop obsessing:
Ottobre Woman 2/2006
Why were these suddenly VITAL, I hear you ask? Well, because I am now so very very close to fitting into some of the patterns that I adored in these but which would have been just too hard (I told myself) to re-draft to fit my larger size. Now I don’t have to re-draft, just trace, add seam allowances, tissue fit, and sew! I suspect only another delusional sewing nut would understand the difference, but trust me, it’s VERY motivating!)
PS: Several LOVELY blogfriends have nominated for awards – I will get to them soon, thank you sweeties!
OI! Hello! It's meeeee!
Hello! It’s me, Caity! Shocking you as I reveal the alarmingly unflattering arms-length self portrait to show you my even shorter hair and new green framed glasses! Wooooo!
Yep, that is grey at the temples there. The pink just fades too darn fast, so I’m going BLONDE next. At the next haircut. And I finally got to see my waxer today, so I’m no longer auditioning for any roles as “grotesquely bearded lady” – just “slightly spotty” one. And given how NONE of you wanted to hear about my facial hair woes mentioned in the last post, I’ll just leave that there, eh?
Sewing: ummmmm – well, I’m going to Gardam’s to order velvet tomorrow after gym… does that count? And I’m planning on rethreading the @*&#!)&*(# overlocker (serger) tonight and replacing the needle that broke right before I went on holidays. Provided the front room has cooled down some – our wee hoose has no insulation and the temp got up to 36 degrees INSIDE today. That’s 95 F… hot for Toowoomba, but nowhere near the summer scorchers of my childhood.
(In primary school in Dubbo, we all FERVENTLY believed that when the temperature outside reached 46 degrees (115F) we’d be allowed to go home. I have no idea if it was ever true, but I do remember when the temperature sat at 44 or 45 degrees for weeks and we’d have our classes outside under trees instead. Back in my day, sonny, we didn’t HAVE aircon at school…)
And I will confess to ordering a couple of new Vogue patterns: I like this one from Sandra Betzina especially.
Once my stupid swelly belly problem is a bit more sorted, I’ll sew up some skirt patterns… in the meantime, it’s just easier to wear loose dresses and tshirts with jeans.
Quilting: After quite a long hiatus I actually feel inclined towards making some fibre/quilt art. I’ve been so out of that loop that I haven’t even read the last few issues of Quilting Arts… horror! And I’ve let my subscriptions to most of the other magazines lapse. In their most recent email, though, there were some books coming out this year that looked worthwhile…including this one by Melanie Testa:
Doesn’t that look inspiring?
And now I really need to go and get settled for sleep. I’m trying a new gym class in the morning and I’m feeling very nervous…
… but for now, I’m still so thrilled with myself every time I get there!
I’m especially loving this Oxigeno class thing – did it Monday morning and I can still feel muscles waking up from their 20 year long sleep. “Hey! WHAT?! You want us to do WHAT?!?”
Not painful sore, just – yeah, I worked out, ooooch.
Skipped yesterday because I was SUPPOSED to have a full schedule of appointments. Now, I HAD been syncing my phone with my computer before I switched to a Linux box (which I love)…but when I got back from my holiday something weird had happened to all my appointments in my phone. OH NOES!
I got to my first appointment for the day ok (the gynaecologist, see him again in three months if this new medication works) because that was written on the calendar in the kitchen. But – embarrassingly – missed the next two, which I thought were an HOUR LATER than the booked time… oh dear. I blame the auto time updater on my phone.
So – I have gone back to good ol’ low-tech writing stuff in a diary, dammit! I bought one that is a very pretty blue -called “aqua” by the manufacturer, but in reality darn close to Tiffany blue (a girl can dream eh?)
Low tech, but it works!
So – re-booked appointment with the waxer (have I mentioned recently my struggles with chin hair? If not, remind me later, I’m sure you’ll all be RIVETED…) and the hairdresser. The lovely pink of a few weeks ago has faded to a dull – hmmm, brownish pinkish? on top, and a purpley-pink for the rest.
I may yet shave it all off and start over – or get white blonde highlights – or go black and red… it’s only hair, after all!
Gym today again – I can’t believe how rotten I feel before I go (”mumble grumble, bed, tea, mumble OH NO MR BELOVED, NOT THE FROZEN SPINACH I’M GETTING UP, REALLY!!!”) and how good I feel afterwards.
But now – I must go clean off the table to trace out a pattern.
Jalie Lounge Pants Pattern
The annoying thing is that – even with the weight loss I’ve already achieved – the only workout clothes around seem to be for TEENY WEENY (already fit? Grrummph) people. It’s not like I even want anything fancy – and I *know* I can sew it – but it’s finding the right sort of fabrics in retail amounts that’s difficult. And I’m not even talking technical/performance fabrics that do fancy things like wicking, oh no – just plain decent quality knits with a bit of body, that’s all I’m after. Oh, and in just about any other colour than “grey marle”- was whoever invented THAT having a bad day or what? Is there any (non)colour more depressing?
Must get on with the day….
First day doing gym by myself. I asked the trainer yesterday about the quietest times, and she was spot on – no waiting for machines (I only know how to use two!) and no gawkers.
I think I’m getting the hang of the treadmill it sound totally woossy to admit it, but DANG that thing scared me yetsterday! I was white-knuckled at 2.2kms per hour. Which is S—L—-O—–W! Today I was more confident, even played about with the incline settings, and got comfortable walking at 5kms per hour. Still much slower than I walk outside, but a big leap in confidence.
So – I did an hour of weights/stretches/pilates/treadmill. All at a very low level, but…I’ll get there.
The gym equipment looks quite a roomful of angular monsters with bright orange mouthparts! *chomp chomp chomp* I think it would all look much more civilised as a steampunk gym… all brass dials and gleaming ebony – don’t you?
I have a question though: my iriver MP3 player is NOT a fancy beastie. Basic black with white ear thingies (Dontcha love it when I talk all TECHNICAL!)
And so there are no super duper fancy schmancie armbandy thingummies to buy to fit it – and even if they were, I seriously doubt they’d fit around my arm.
- So – does anyone else have suggestions for how to make something to hold the thing? The gym music is okay but there are times when I don’t want to listen to “doontz doontz doontz doontz”…. (as I write this I’m listening to Mercy by Duffy – awesome – and appropriate for gym perhaps!)
So I’m thinking a cuff/sleeve MP3 holder, with velcro maybe? Hmmm.
Duffy - AWESOME voice!
And I’m back to my food diary. Tedious, but necessary.
Poor Connie J. Woodle was so excited that I was wearing shorts/t/walking sneakers… and then CRUSHED when I told her I was going to gym not to take her for a walk! I’ll take her later to make up for it – but geesh, that disappointed puppy face – I felt like the world’s cruellest Mum!
Right. Off to hang the washing and think about tackling …. THE SEWING ROOM ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT…
Now, as I may have previously mentioned, I am in the process of trying lose weight and get healthy.
BUT for some time now I’ve been stuck. On a plateau. Frustrated.
And we all know why, don’t we, boys and girls?
Yep – simple equation that even your math challenged blogonaut here can figure out:
And even on as low as 1200-1400 calories a day – allegedly below the amount needed to fuel my resting metabolic rate – the weight isn’t shifting. Plus I HATE how I look. Really hate the extra padding. And the painful joints and all the other miseries of being so overweight. (Yes, I’ll probably still have joint pain, that’s the nature of arthritic diseases, but putting less load on the bendy bits will help.)
And I know I don’t have to look like I do. I know I can be healthy at a much smaller size – ideally, about 40-45 kilograms less than what I currently weigh. (That’s 88-99 lbs less than now.) When I was younger I looked like this:
Caity in 1968
AHEM! Let’s be a leeeeeeeeeeeeeeetle more realistic now…
Caity in 1991
This was in 1991. Which means I was 23. Now, while I don’t NECESSARILY want to be as thin as this, (and it is, after all, *mumblety* years later) I reckon I can go a lot closer to looking like THAT than I am now.
So today I FINALLY JOINED THE GYM!
My dear friend Sue has been encouraging me to join the gym for some time now. She’s worked hard to get trim and toned – and she looks great. So – I have my fitness assessment TOMORROW! I’m so excited!
No big lock-in contracts, no poseurs – just a nice clean friendly gym. Run by nice people. And a lovely personal trainer I will work with once a fortnight. And a goal for the year: 20 kgs less than I am now, with much improved fitness and sleekness! I think that’s reasonable and achievable.
All the specialist doctors I see have been encouraging me to go for it – Mr Beloved is STRONGLY supportive – and my Mum and Sister-In-Law have weight loss goals for this year, too.
I know there will be days when I try to pike out – but I’m DETERMINED TO DO THIS.
(Just – if I do slack off – give me a gentle kick and tell me to get back in there, ok!)
So: tomorrow is full of good stuff. Psychologist appointment, then the gym ,then I pick up my new spectacles and prescription sunglasses. Oh, and I get to order the silk/rayon velvet I need for my S-I-L’s bolero – good on Gardam’s, they’ve come through for me yet again!
Eunju and Mum outside Glynburn Fabrics, Firle, Adelaide
Had a lovely time this morning playing in the local fabric heaven – Glynburn Fabrics. Their store is just a TREASURE cave! We found fabric to make Eunju her “Audrey” dress (she loves Audrey Hepburn’s style, and this dress pattern will look gorgeous on her)
New Look 6723
as worn by the Divine Audrey in “Sabrina”
And because I couldn’t resist: this wonderful heavy cotton in cream, red, orange and brown (I KNOW, not supposed to be my colours, but it’s just so FUN!)
Very Caity Fabric!
Also shown = some cream pre-made satin bias binding, because that makes the neckline and armhole finishing so quick…
So – just an final check of the tissue fit for Ju’s pattern (we did the FBA last night, and shortened the waist length) and a quick iron and we’re off!
No pics yet – I keep forgetting to take my camera! So far a lovely time with family, it’s embarrassing how much sleep I need 
Went to Ikea today – oh, I LOVE Ikea!! Saw a bed that would be perfect – but mostly I’m in deep desperate LOVE with a their clever storage solutions. And this table and chairs set: Oh, to not have to eat dinner on my lap – really, that’s not too much to want from civilisation, is it?
Haven’t found the good fabric shops yet… but I did buy some cheap 100% cotton at Ikea for another version of the trapeze dress – $3.99 metre!
My brother and his family live in the inner east of Adelaide, which is very beautiful. lots of old stone houses, leafy trees, and the river just a short walk away. Bidgee the Border Collie takes me for a walk every day to play “Stick in river” – not a complex game, here are the rules:
Tell dog to find a stick! FIND A STICK!
Throw stick in river.
Dog dives fearlessly into river, retrieves, and races past you with the stick, dropping it anywhere from 20 to 50 metres away (this is the human exercising feature of the game)
Repeat until either a) too dark to see river, dog, or stick or
b) your arm falls off.
I miss Mr Beloved A LOT, and have to speak on the phone to Constance J. Woodle each day, but I’m having a lovely time.
Here at Chez Beloved, we’re fighting a (losing) battle against these rotten little buggers:
!)@*(#&@*& PANTRY MOTH!!
They are EVERYWHERE. And it’s going to be very expensive to get rid of them – not because it’s an expensive process per se – just some pheromone based traps from the supermarket, and a good wipe down of everything – but because you have to THROW OUT EVERYTHING THAT MIGHT BE INFESTED.
Oh sure, some of the food can be frozen, that kills the blighters. Unfortunately, even though we have an insanely large fridge/freezer, there is NO space in the freezer section at all.
So MOST things - like flour, spices, rice, pasta, etc etc etc – basically anything not in a TIN (although I believe the moths are secretly breeding a mutant SUPERMOTH to even get around that difficulty) have to be tossed. *fume*
MOTHRA!
And the moths are, of course, in my sewing room as well. Which is why my grabbing the lidless can of this
Spray Starch
and attempting to spray it around the room -INSTEAD OF THIS
FLY SPRAY
was inevitable.
However, those moths have the CRISPEST, MOST CREASE FREE WINGS you ever saw…..
*headdesk*!!
Ok, just so we’re clear, I don’t mean THIS Pink -(tho I LOVE her!)
I mean THIS PINK!
Yep, I was bored at the hairdressers today – bored with being grey. So – if I’m going to colour my hair, I thought, why not COLOUR it?!
Pink! I like PINK!
And although the weight loss is still slowed waaaaaaaaay down, I’m feeling better about it and back to counting calories. I thought you needed to see me posing in front of our suburb’s emblem: the abandoned car surrounded by unmown lawn. CLASSIC!
AND – I had the NICEST thing happen to me today! You know I just ADORE our local fabric heaven, Gardam’s, right? Well, I went in to pick up a layby (pics to follow soon, I promise) only to have the lovely manager hand me an envelope and explain that it was a gift certificate from Mr and Mrs Gardam! YOU COULD HAVE KNOCKED ME OVER WITH A FEATHER!
Of course I spent it immediately on more yummy fabric, LOL! Seriously, their store has the best service and fabric – there were some young things in there today making choices for bridesmaid dresses and I promise you, these would NOT be “Bridesmaid Dresses” – you know, the ones that are so unspeakably awful that you look at the photos and cringe – no, these girls were playing with gorgeous silk chiffons over some luxe duchess satins – soooo pretty!
And now I must go and retrieve my new fabric from the washing machine – by the time Miss Constance and I get back from our walk, it will be ready to iron, cut out and sew – wheeeeeeeeeeee!! Another iteration of the fabulous trapeze dress from McCall’s 5583, this time in a rayon/poly/nylon blend that has an interesting (almost looks like velvet but it’s not) texture in black – prefect in case I get to go out some evening on holidays. And now I know that dress doesn’t need a zip, it’s even quicker to make.
… starting with a new therapist. I had my first appointment today.
Now just a firm twist to the RIGHT and....
I’ve seen a LOT of different doctors about my messy brain. I’m even seeing yet ANOTHER new one (psychiatrist – today’s was a psychologist) next week.
I am, however, hopeful. Not least because this new bloke makes sense. Which is not a given, in the head shrinking field. We shall see. Maybe I’m at a point now where I can actually address the issues.
Scary.
Here’s a novel concept (and pretty much the focus of this therapy): Anxiety is not inherently a Bad Thing.
I remain sceptical. But I can’t go on doing what I’m doing because IT’S NOT WORKING. So we shall see.
In other news: I’m off to tissue fit and try to make this:
McCalls 5664
The reviews have been mixed over on Pattern Review – I’m not sure how the engineering works, but it seems that if a garment wraps from the front to the back, then the front rides up. I have fabric for two versions: white with a red and white sash, and blue with a black sash.
And if I’m going to get it cut out tonight, I need to stop faffing about online and go do it!
Simplicity 2981 again!
Proper post to follow – but I thought I’d show you The Dress – sewn yesterday!
Not bad, hey? The cotton was jsut a DREAM to work with – I will finish the Dress from Polyester Hell, but not just yet.
Do you like my hat?
I love hats!
My hat - made last night!
I was inspired to try the zipper roses by Outsapop Trashion – a Finnish girl who makes gorgeous stuff from zippers. I bought the shell (?base? the sinamay straw shape thingummy) at Spotlight; covered it with a double layer of black silk organza, and then used separating jacket zippers to make the roses. A few ribbon leaves and fripperies, some black veiling – ta da!!
Karen, Caity, and Sue at the lunch
And now I think I’ll just go have a little nap – the wine was lovely but now I’m REALLY TIRED!
Simplicity 2981 again
I am three-quarters of the way through the next version of The Dress. This time in black polyester fabric I bought for $5 a metre.
Now, sewing buddies – SPOT THE PROBLEM IN THAT SENTENCE.
Woven polyester fabric. Very PRETTY woven polyester fabric, black with little white spots. At a price I couldn’t resist.
Now, what are the three words we need to remember about polyester fabric, if I should EVER EVER EVER attempt to make anything else from this hellish material?
(Also, it frays if you so much as look at it wrong. Into teeny weeny very pretty thread snarls that look just like guinea feathers, except are nowhere near as useful.)
(OMG! Just found a shop I could spend most of a lotto win at – Millinery Suppliers! WOOOOOOT! *wanders off singing “heaven… I’m in heaven…*)
AHEM! Back to the business at hand: I bought the fabric from HELL. Straight from Stan’s loom , I tell ya!
Which is why, at 7 pm on Sunday night, I’m just starting to cut out version THREE, in cotton (oh cotton, how I love you!). Remember I want to wear this on TUESDAY. And I have a hat to trim , too. Last time it took about 2 hours to cut (but that was horrible slippery fabric – oh yeah, I forgot to mention – polyester’s SLIPPERY! and I had to mark every piece carefully with right and wrong side, because there was a subtle but noticeable difference…)
Right. Back to it! Just promise me, dear readers, PROMISE ME, that if I so much as LOOK at el cheapo polyester woven fabric again, you will take me by the hand and repeat those three words: Polyester. Doesn’t. EASE!!
My Bestest Sewing Buddy, Sue, is having a giveaway on her blog- this fabbo issue of Burda World of Fashion Magazine!
Burda July 2008
Get over there before November 5 and answer her question, ok!
So I’ve been struggling with this dress… but I think it’s worth it! Mr Beloved thinks it’s “classy” and my bestest sewing buddy deemed it flattering and pretty… it certainly wasn’t a quick project.
I sewed from Simplicity 2981, which was released some time ago as a Khaliah Ali Plus size pattern (18W to 24W, and 26W to 32W). I noticed that a smaller version (6-14 and 14-22) of the exact same dress was put out under the Threads Magazine Collection label as Simplicity 3877 a while back.
I made the shorter length with collar and short sleeves (view B or view D, depending on the pattern you’re using.) The instructions do warn that you must decide on your finished length before you cut the fabric -I shortened the skirt length by 2″. There is no provision for above waist adjustment on the pattern (but that shouldn’t deter you – get a copy of Fit For Real People and go for it!) I’m long waisted so I lengthened the top by 1″ – in retrospect, I could have even gone 2″. (This might sound odd – why did I shorten AND lengthen? Well, because I needed a flattering skirt length and for the waist to actually reach my waist!)
Can I just say that the pattern instructions SUCK? I mean, really suck. They were confusing and the illustrations made things even more muddled. Even though I’d read through the pattern, it took me a while to work out when to attach the second tie of the sash. The jumping backwards and forward in the instructions really threw me, too.
The zipper goes in almost LAST, which is not at all helpful – it makes getting a nice finish even more difficult. I was also undecided up to the last moment about whether to use an ordinary zipper, hand picked (not machine sewn) or an invisible zipper. I knew an ordinary machine applied zipper was not what I wanted, even though it’s in a side seam and unlikely to be visible when the dress is worn. After reading Summerset’s blog on her latest dress, I went with hand picked – it’s amazingly quick and strong. (Mine is NOT as nice as hers – she’s one of my sewing heroes, I aspire to her skills!)
I think the collar is ok – the spread works on this style of dress. It’s applied directly, no collar stand – which makes it easier to sew, but not as crisp, in my opinion.
I’m very, very proud of myself about the skirt – 4 front pieces, 4 back pieces, and 8 godets – all of which went together smoothly first time with no ripping and restitching thanks to the godet instructions in Sandra Betzina’s “Power Sewing.” Yay for skill building successes!
I let the dress hang for DAYS to let the bias drop (and ok, because I was procrastinating!) and when Sue helped me pin the hem, we were surprised by how much some sections dropped – and how little others did. Fortunately I knew I was using more of the same fabric made into bias binding for a bound hem – so I could get away with having a few sections that were quite a lot shorter. And with 160″ or so to sew around the hem, I had to accept that some compromises were necessary if I wanted to wear it THIS YEAR!
In this hem detail photo you can also see just how cute the all-over print of sewing things is!
The neckline was rather *ahem* LOWER than I had anticipated – perhaps next time I need to stay the neckline? (I don’t think this was caused by my lengthening the bodice – it looks low on the pattern cover, too.) But the crossover point got a wee press-stud inside, so I won’t flash bra at anyone.
HOWEVER – I will probably make this dress again – cos it’s TWIRLY!
And I grabbed some $5 per metre/115cm wide all polyester (not too bad to the hand, though, and totally non-crushable) in black with white dots when Sue, Vicki and I stopped at Fabric Barn on our way home from Brisbane the other day. I’m glad I did the first one in cotton though – I know some of the traps to watch out for in the second iteration.
Not least of which is MARK EVERYTHING. A LOT! The chalk I used seemed to disappear just when I needed it most – it’s back to good old-fashioned tailors tacks for me. I have shamelessly snagged this illustration from Vintage Sewing Info, who very kindly provide their info under Creative Commons:
The very best way to mark perforations is by using tailor’s tacks since you can then mark them through two pieces of material at once. A very good plan is to mark all small perforations with one color thread and all large perforations with another color.
Tailor’s tacks are thread marks placed in the material, made through the perforations in the tissue paper pattern.
This is the way to make tailor’s tacks.Use a double thread preferably without a knot. Take a stitch or two stitches one over the other through each perforation and down through both pieces of material if the material is double. Where there is a row of perforations close together like those at the shoulder seam or the underarm seam, take a row of stitches through each perforation and leave a loop between each perforation. (Ill. 25.) Cut the thread half way between the perforations and take the pattern off.
Now, to separate the two pieces of material, pull them slightly apart and snip through each tailor’s tack between the two pieces of material. A little whisker of basting thread will be left in each piece indicating where each perforation comes in the pattern.”
There, wasn’t that useful?!
I’m off for a little bite of dinner, and then to work on the petticoat…
Now I just have to get it and the petticoat done by 5 am Wednesday morning… please note my very expensive and exclusive pattern weights – otherwise known as tins of tuna!
Getting ready to cut 4 metres of fabric
Think I overdid things in the last few days. Hiding in bed today feelng particularly blah. I want to be sewing, but I’m too achey.
*sigh* just pretend this is me having fun, ok? I’ll be over here in the corner chewing painkillers and whimpering…
New Look 3735: Short sleeved T Shirt
Please excuse the awful photo – Mr Beloved is having a nana nap after getting quite stressed out by noise. This was done with the camera self timer!
Pattern Description: Lovely wearable collection for knit fabrics – a 3/4 sleeve top, and cap sleeved top, cardigan with belt, skirt, and pants.
New Look 6735
Pattern Sizing: 10-22 in the one envelope. I made a straight 22 with no alterations at all – not even my usual D/DD Full Bust Alterations!
New Look 6735
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
YES! Other reviewers have liked the fit and those curves in the illustration on the envelope are really there – WOOHOOO!! (I’ve been caught before by over-optimistic illustrators, so I was pleasantly surprised that the promised shaping was delivered.) And I bought this pattern for $5 when it was on sale, so I reckon I’ve already got my moneys worth our of this one!
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, but… for my first run through I followed them exactly – and I sure won’t next time. I do not understand why pattern companies insist on inserting only-very-slightly-eased sleeves in the round, when sewing them in flat is so much easier.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Quick, fits me straight out of the envelope! The scoop neckline shaping is super flattering, the sleeves look like they’ll be too short but they really work, and the centre back seam really improves the fit. Best of all is the gentle gathering of the front sides at the bustline – not enough to look like gathers, just enough to make a beautiful fit.
Fabric Used:
ARRGGGH! The cheapest, awfullest knit you ever did see – only $1 per metre at a Spodshite clearance and now I know why! It stretched out of shape and didn’t bounce back; it was super-soft and so was tricky to sew, and I don’t expect it to last more than two washes! This was only a wearable(?) muslin though, so I’m not worried.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
None this time BUT: next time I will:
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I’ve got fabric in the washing machine right now to sew into two more tonight… I LOVE this top! I’d certainly recommend it to others, especially beginners or those (like me!) lacking confidence in sewing
knits. Just remember to put the sleeves in flat (before you sew the side seams) and I reckon you can make this in no time.
Conclusion:
A beautifully fitted quick and easy t-shirt that will become a TNT (Tried and True) pattern for me.
*************************
And in other news today: went back to the gastroenterologist - keep taking the drugs for reflux, lose more weight, yada yada.
Next in the sewing pile – a pirate shirt for the TeaBot 5000™. Years and years ago – maybe SEVENTEEN years ago, in fact ! – he asked me to make him a shirt. Better late than never – the fabric is almost dry on the washing line: black with a print of grey pirate skull and crossbones (sideways in this image):
Complete with late afternoon silhouette
About to become this shirt (Butterick 4486)
Ahoy there mateys, it's a PIRATE SHIRT!
unless, of course, I decide to cut out those other two new t-shirts first….
Sue and I had the BEST girly day out today! We were originally booked in with a make-up artist who was coming up from BrisVegas – for whatever reason, that didn’t happen. But we kept the booking with the cosmetics counter and ended up getting much better value for money!
First thing: I’m not a warm undertone at all – I’m COOL? (Yeah, you always knew I was cool, eh?!) In fact, I’m not an Autumn at all – I’m a WINTER!! Look, here I am in pretty pinks – looking HEALTHY!
Pink lips, pink blush, turquoise(!) eyeliner
And look how far I’ve come: this photo was one I posted in May this year: (Admittedly, a less flattering shot, with too much flash, but still…)
May 2, 2008
I’m bloody AMAZED! So you’ll be seeing me in more of these colours:
Winter colours
(Someone who happens to be one of my very dearest friends and who IS an Autumn is going to get some fabric, LOL! but not that Japanese piece, I’m planning on cutting into that TONIGHT!)
Sue and I both DESPERATELY want to go see Kerryn and get our colours and image style done - I think that it would best the absolute BEST treat once I reach my goal weight, don’t you?
After the whole skincare and makeup stuff was finished, we went for a coffee and then a little shopping – until all of a sudden we realised it was quarter to FIVE! (our appointment was for 12:30!) We both tried on a new perfume (which I am totally in love with, the mandarin and pepper notes are just gorgeous) and went to the discount cosmetics shop for quick drying nail polish (bare toes, need polish!).
And we did a lot of sneak shopping – I wish I’d though to whip out my camera phone for some details: tops with masses of pintucks; a shirt with a lovely wide collar shaped by an inverted pleat; covered buttons and beads embellishing another pricey jacket; colour combinations to reproduce. All things that we could add to our sewing…
I had the nicest day! And now I’m feeling much more confident about going for new colours – I just want to get sewing! And now I know what colour make-up to buy,I’m saving up and veeeeerrrry gradually getting myself new things. WOOOOOOOO! Look out world, Caity is BACK!
Next up: New Look 6735
The t-shirt in this has good reviews over on Pattern Review – but I SUCK at knits! Wish me luck…
So, I just made View A of this skirt, with the lovely cascade formed by a couple of pleats and the shaped hem.
McCalls 5430
Pattern Description: Skirts A, B, C have waistband with self-ties and inside buttonholes; skirt A has front pleats creating a cascade; skirt B has optional trim; skirt C has self-faced pockets; length is 2″ below mid-knee.
Pattern Sizing: 6-20. I made a size 20.
I tissue fitted the pattern and thought I would have enough overlap to allow for my swelly belly – NOPE!! Close, but I don’t know if I can wear it in public. (I think I might have forgotten to pleat out the pleats. Truly, I am such a NONG sometimes!)
Wrap skirt
What do you think – can I go out in this or should I leave it in the wardrobe until my belly goes down?
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes! Of course, the pattern illustration girl is unrealistically tall and thin, IMHO….
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. The only tricky bit is the waistband and attached ties – but just read the instructions through carefully and you won’t have any problems.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Like: It was quite simple to construct.
Dislike: Unless it’s an hour on some planet with a MUCH longer day than Earth’s, there is NO WAY this is a one hour project! I’m sure I spent at least that long just pressing during construction.
I am, however, now QUITE motivated to learn how to use a narrow hemmer foot properly – because doing the whole “ease stitch, press up, then pin and stitch” on that much hemline, as per the instructions, is just silly. Next time I might just use the serger for a rolled hem -there’s a LOT of hem!
Fabric Used: Quilting cotton from my stash. (Robert Kaufman Fusion Roses in red from Hancock’s of Paducah.) I probably should have thought more about the wrong side of the fabric showing in the cascade – but I can live with it.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: None! This is straight out of the envelope. I *should* have altered it to accommodate my larger than normal belly, but I didn’t.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Already got the next one cut out – this time view C with pockets and top-stitching.
Conclusion: Don’t go into this expecting to make a skirt in 1 hour – there’s just NO WAY! But it is a simple and wearable skirt that will be fabulous for summer.
**************************
BTW – my hair is even shorter now! Mr Beloved thinks it’s a little too severe this short. I kinda like it. And did you see how Constance posed just like in my avatar?!
Oh, and I got my new glasses today – they fit better than the old ones, and are slightly stronger. Purple frames again! Also, the lenses aren’t scratched – amazing what a difference that makes. I try to be careful with them but ya gotta LIVE, eh?
Note – this is almost the same as my review over on Pattern Review, but with a few more details and lots of extra pics.
Pattern Description: MISSES’/MISS PETITE DRESSES AND SLIP: Loose fitting, slightly flared dress, above mid-knee has back zipper closure; dress A is sleeveless; dress B has long sleeves with wrist casings; dress C has three-quarter length sleeves; pullover, above mid-knee, A-line slip D (fitted through the bust) has shoulder straps and stitched hem.
McCalls 8853
I made dress A, the sleeveless view.
Pattern Sizing:4-12 and 14-20. All have alternative pattern pieces for A/B cup, C cup, and D Cup. I made a size 20 with C cup (yay, I’m not a D cup in these patterns any more!)
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? YES!! Except I think mine is even cuter. I would have loved to get hold of the exact same fabric as the pattern picture – looks a bit Marimekko, doesn’t it?
Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy – but I cannot work out for the life of me why pattern companies insist on putting zippers in things you can pull over your head! I did use an invisible zip this time, but won’t in the next iteration.
And without the zip, there’s no reason to have that centre back seam – so I’ll cut the back as well as the front on the fold next time. That will also avoid the awkward “oh, I should have pattern matched the back” problem on this fabric. (and I wasn’t entirely happy with the way I did the zip – never mind, I’m not re-doing it now!)
Next time, no back seam!
I used French seams on the shoulders and sides – the pattern called for “double stitched seams” so why not?! The neck and armholes are bound – I think next time I’ll stitch the binding so it finishes on the outside instead, as a design feature in contrasting fabric. With no seam in the whole dress could be made with no exposed seams – which means the stitching will probably outlast the fabric.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Likes: It’s fun, flirty, twirly- and quick! I needed an outfit for a “Frock Up” event for a friend’s birthday party, but at only 7 weeks post major abdominal surgery, I can’t wear anything with a waist – because right now, I don’t have one.
Twirly dress!
Dislikes: This is a trapeze style dress (super cute!), and so has a LOT of hem. I hand stitched it this time – all 200cm/78″ – the next version will definitely have a machine stitched hem. Hand hemming took me almost as long as making the dress!
Fabric Used: 150 cm wide Cotton with 3% lycra, bought from local fabric heaven, Gardam’s.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
As shown on the pattern envelope – this is SHORT!! For a size 20 the finished pattern measurements from back of neck to hem are 92cm/36″. I initially lengthened the pattern at the hem by 11cm; once I’d hemmed it to my satisfaction the finished length was 98 cm, which falls just mid knee for me (168 cm/5′6″), so I cut about 4 cms off that 11 cm.
I also used saddle/triple stitching with embroidery thread to finish the neck and arm bindings – not something most people will notice but it made me happy.
As already mentioned, I used an invisible zipper – in low stress seams such as this I think they look better than the “traditional” lapped zipper. You really don’t need a zipper at all.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I’m already planning the next version in a sheer chiffon with a jap silk slip.
Conclusion:
I adore this dress! Can’t wait to make it again, it’s so quick and easy to wear. I can see me wearing these a
lot over our hot summer here in Queensland. And in a less dressy fabric these will be perfect for popping over togs on the way to and from the pool
Next up: Simplicity 2981: in this fantastic cotton poplin sewing themed fabric! (The scissors are about half an inch long, to give you an idea of the scale)
Simplicity 2981, View B
Divine!
Vogue 1078: *sigh* unutterably gorgeous. Masses of almost Fortuny -like pleating and presented in a flattering colour – If I was a size 16 I would sooooooo find an occasion to make this dress. (A bit much for popping down to the shops, yes?)
It burns! IT BURNS!!
Vogue 1079 – oh my eyes! They BURN!! Too much lamé is – well – TOO MUCH! I can see this dress working beautifully in silk charmeuse, but as it is ? The horror, the horror! (and yes, her bum DOES look big in that!)
Vogue 1082 - a new skirt from Sandra Betzina. I’ve seen similar skirts (Butterick4859, Burda 7995 ) but I know that Sandra’s patterns fit me and her instructions are generally much better than the average. One I’ll definitely be buying.
Genius or madness?
Vogue 1073 – another challenge from Chado Ralph Rucci – I can’t decided if this is genius or madness! All those teeny shaped pintucks – almost looks like you’ve gone a coupla rounds with Edward Scissorhands – but it could look awesome.
But my two THREE “I could really use that patttern” picks: a new basic tshirt with lovely shaping and variations, Vogue 8536
Super cute ts
and the dress that seems to be the bloggists pick so far – Vogue 8532 - which, as Erica pointed out went from “yeah maybe” to “MUST HAVE” as soon as I saw it on a real person (well, a model!) Love the sleeves, love the bodice, love the fit – it’s just gorgeous!
Lovelovelove this dress!
And now that the correct line drawing is up – this, oh, this!! Sue, we’re going to find a hat to go with this a do the races! I can see this in an embroidered silk, understated and elegant.
Sophisticated Summer Suit
So – what are YOUR Picks and Pans? What do you think of my choices?
MUCH excitement here at Chez TeaBot – I’ve just booked flights to go to Adelaide at Christmas to be with my family!! WOOOOHOOOOO!!
But the Beloved TeaBot5000™ isn’t coming He’s staying to look after the wee beasties and other things here. I will be away for EIGHTEEN sleeps – I don’t think we’ve EVER been apart for that long! Oh NOES!
Dad, as always, told me not to stint – “Pay extra and get a seat on the INSIDE of the plane, dear!” – yup.
The new baggage rules are sucky though – you have to pay for baggage on the cheap tickets (yep, $8 extra per flight) and have only a checked allowance of 23 kilos. Plus a carry on of 7 kilos, with very restricted dimensions, plus a handbag or laptop. So by the time I take my CPAP machine in its bag, that’s it – no other carry on gear! SHOOT! So much for taking my featherweight and doing some sewing…
Back to bed for me now. I was doing really well with recovering until the dog accidentally landed right in the middle of my tummy this afternoon. (She was chasing a ball. Tends to get a bit oblivious to anything but BALL!) Nice cuppa tea and a good lie down, that’s the ticket.
(Well, my 6 week (only 5, but who’s counting!) check-up with the doctor was GREAT! He’s very pleased with my progress; when I said how much better I was feeling, he said “I’m not surprised – I’ve been inside your pelvis and it was a MESS!”
I mentioned that my belly was still very sore. He said “well, we did have you open right up to HERE” [pointing to the bottom of my sternum]. OW!
So I’m cleared for swimming, sex (yay!) driving, housework, gym – just so long as I take it gradually. He’s given me a script for oestrogen, which I can start on November 11 (12 weeks post surgery) and then I see him two months after that to see if it’s working ok for me.
Apparently the oestrogen will help with the excess hair (mops up the free testosterone) as well as the bladder owies – who knew that your bladder was so affected by oestrogen? And will also help with my skin. Yay!! Not to mention the hot flushes, irrational crying, and insomnia…
Here’s the fabric for the trapeze dress – artfully (!) draped over the ironing board. It’s freezing cold here tonight and I’m a leeeeeeeeeetle concerned that I have chosen a high summer sort of dress for the Frock Up… time to think of a Plan B! (TeaBot5000™ just read this over my shoulder and commented “Well, just have a hot flush, you’ll be right!” *sigh* sad but true!)
Told you it was LOUD!
Sue and I just had a lovely day of girly shopping – looking at makeup, dresses, tops, and shoes. Of course we ended up at Gardams, where I bought a dress pattern for the Frock Up. Just got home and read reviews that said it was ridiculously large around the hem… almost 2 metres! (78inches). Well, we shall see. At least no one will see my swelly belly in this one! (I will be making it a couple of inches longer than its shown here. Sleeveless.)
And the fabric I bought is LOUD – pink and orange and brown and green and – well, I’ll show you as soon as it’s out of the washer!
This pattern included a slip which was perfect for the dress Sue’s making – so we borrowed scissors and cut the slip pieces from the tissue pattern before we left the store, LOL! (Wait til you see her fabric – swooooon!)
Off to cut the tissue and iron it…
… in months! Today I slept until after lunchtime (such a relief after weeks of only 4 hours per night, usually between about 5 and 9 am) and then sorted through clothes. Four green garbage bags full ready at the door to head to the charity/recycling shop!
(I did have to let TeaBot5000™ rescue a few old cotton t-shirts for use as cleaning rags. But they better not come back in the house, grrrr!)
We had a lovely storm this evening – fortunately AFTER the season finale cliff hanger of Dr Who… I know David Tennant (swoon!) was having time off from the series to go and be Hamlet for the RSC, but – will he be back? (apart from the Christmas Special, I mean.)
Got the tissue cut out for this skirt:
chosen because a wrap seems like a good option for my bulging tummy. Think I might have to alter it a little to be big enough at the waist even so. *sigh* Now I just have to dig out some fabric and get access to my sewing room – it has been FORBIDDEN up til now so I didn’t hurt myself moving and lifting things I shouldn’t!
Today’s wardrobe clean out showed up some serious gaps – I need skirts, and tops. I have 5 pairs of jeans I can now fit into (back to (almost!) the size I was when I first moved to Toowoomba, yay!) and two pairs in the “Another few kilos yet” pile.
And of course I HAVE to make that dress for the frock up event – now just 2 weeks away!
Right. Off to suck another &#$@*()&$ lozenge (Naiiad, they *could* be orange flavoured – it’s just a nasty artificial citrus taste, so could be lemon or orange or even lime, for that matter!)
… was HOT! Today was the warmest day we’ve had this Spring – misty this morning, burnt off to a sunny blue sky, and is now darkening into this:
Stop just sitting there and RAIN!
so far for all the darkening clouds, we’ve had about six drops of rain.
The Stitcher’s Dream Day Out was held (as usual) under (in?) a marquee on the lawns outside The Quilters Angel. There were about 140 women in the tent – and not a whisper of a breeze. Mostly that was ok – just with my wonky thermostat, I had to lie down on the cool grass a few times.
The projects were gorgeous – remembering that I am NOT a “girly-girl”, and pink really isn’t usually my thing! Everyone gets a kit with the materials to make one of the projects, and all the patterns so you can make the rest later if you want to. The theme was “Vintage”.
Samples plus more by designers
I was quite happy with the my kit: the design was shown mounted as a wall hanging, but I think it will probably be a cushion: (please note – my photo is wonky, the actually piece does have even borders!) This is “Butterfly Dreams” by Leanne May of Candlelight Creations.
So far, this is where I’m up to:
Um yeah, Chriss and I may have spent more time chatting with each other and the other ladies on our table than actually stitching!
Today I also got to meet up with someone I’ve known online for AAAAAGES but never met face to face before – Carmel! When she’s had a chance to get home and on her computer, there will be photos.
I’m off for my “nana nap” – you know, the little lie down you have to have after going out? (or just because it’s the afternoon…)
… here we are, day 26 after the operation. I’m still super tired, and needing painkillers every 4 hours… unless I sleep though, which is nice, I guess. My tummy is GINORMOUS – seriously, from standing up I can’t see my feet. And sore - yikes, is my belly sore!
I’m also worried about being careful and not lifting stuff, or overdoing things – not easy, when just doing the dishes (Poor Teabot5000™ was exhausted, and it was something small I could do…) wears me out. The big fear is developing more adhesions – I do not want to EVER have to have abdominal surgery again, since I now know what a low pain threshold I have! (Hardly surprising, given I’ve been in chronic pain since 1992 – yep, 16 years will really burn that message into your neural pathways, huh.)
Also – I can’t have hormone replacement therapy for at least another 2 months – arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!! Anything that acts like estrogen (ie, anything that works to stop the symptoms!) could trigger any remaining little bits of endometriosis – and then we’d have to do this all again. No thanks!
The hot flushes are much worse at night (why?!) When I can sleep during the day I might only have one or two, but at night they’re ALL THE TIME – just far enough apart for me to hope that I might actually get some sleep and then the next wave hits.
(I’ve put the picture for this post and more sewing stuff below the cut, as it’s got nudity. (Not mine!)
Ok, well not HERE… but they’re online. (They won’t be in Australia for about 3 months – see why I buy online?) Now, which do I want the very next time they go on sale? Hmmmmm…. Here’s my faves from my first glance – doubtless more to follow!
Vogue 1057 : Donna Karan Dress and jacket. LOVE the look of this dress, like wearing a top and skirt but without the hassle… and the length of this jacket is just right. The bodice is knit, so I’m not sure why you’d need the “invisible zipper closure” – hmmm. (And is it just me or is the model cross-eyed??)
Best of all – goes up to a 22! Not that *ahem* I plan on being that size, after all, I’m aiming at 70 kg (which is about a 14…)
I even like the jacket collar – I’m not a fan of fussy princess collars, but this one looks just pointy and spread enough.
Vogue 1056: Tom and Linda Platt knit dress. Loving the twist at the neckline- HATING the granny sleeves! I didn’t show a photo of my version of Simplicity 3678 that had these sleeves – because it was so awful it would have frightened the horses.
And small children.
And anyone with taste.
It was STUMPIFYING! *shudder* Moving on.
Vogue 1064. What a PERFECT little jacket! Lovelovelove the shaping. Princess seams AND multiple darts: even with weight loss still “in progress”, this is going to be a breeze to FIT!
The pants are good too, contoured waistband and otherwise very unfussy. I don’t do fussy, especially not around the waist. These pants have just the one little fob pocket – aaaaaah, lovely!
Although now I go back, these trousers by alice + olivia look very wearable too…
One I’m less sure of: Vogue 8515
In Theory, asymmetrical clothes are interesting and flattering. In Real Life, I always worry that it looks like I don’t know how to dress myself properly.
Also, the sleeves seem awful wide at the cuff… (easily remedied, but… hmmm.) Maybe as a pattern to make up the “Buy x number get y free”, but otherwise? Probably not.
A swing… and a miss? I can’t quite decide yet about this new Sandra Betzina design, Vogue 1061. The pants are slim and look quite versatile… the top appears to have ruched sleeves similar to the Christine Johnson pattern I just received. (Although CJ’s is a gathered overlay rather than SB’s “elasticised gathers”… and CJ’s pattern is AWESOME for the amount of extra info you get. More on that in another post.)
But that back detailing, and the optional hood – do I love it?
It’s growing on me by the second. I could actually see this as a fabulous jacket sort of top to throw on after the gym…
… Because YES, Gentle Reader, today I actually phoned up and organised a trial pass at the local girly gym. I think I’m ready – my weight loss has slowed, so I need to kick it up a notch; and my back and knee pain have been stable for a while (touch wood!). I just need to negotiate how to fund it (eek!) and get over this cough a bit more.
Had all good plans of walking today – but woke up to a temperature of 2 degrees (Which with wind-chill was MINUS TWO, arrgh!) and a 10 minute long coughing spasm that eventually calmed after a large dose of The Nasty Medicine™. My lungs have been a bit squeezed all day, even after two puffs of ventolin – that next doctors appointment can’t come soon enough.
So – that’s it from the cold cold keyboard of Caity. Have you got faves in the new Vogue patterns?
I have plans to get out to either Spodshite™ or Lincrap ™ tomorrow to take advantage of their pattern sales – there’s one skirt pattern I have my eye on (Butterick 4859 – reviewed in the latest Threads but sadly with no photo of a finished garment) and for just one pattern, it’s not worth paying the postage to order from overseas.
Brr! I’m headed back to hunch over the heater.
This from McCalls Patterns:
At first I thought it was just the turquoise blue hosiery I hated. But no, I realised when I saw the line drawing:
wide lapels (ugh!) pocket flaps on the widest part of the hip (double ugh!) and a RUFFLE on the bottom of the whole shebang? (BUCKET!!!)
I realise that although this has just been released, SOMEONE NEEDS TO RECAPTURE IT AND NEUTER THE HORRID THING BEFORE IT BREEDS!!!!!!
I can get with the ruffle at the bottom of sleeves things – really I can. On a bell sleeve, it CAN be super cute. I am waiting with bated breath for the May Burda World of Fashion magazine to come (in about 4 weeks time) because I think this jacket is adorable.
See? But that McCall’s pattern is the mutant offspring of a princess line coat and a provincial production of “My Fair Lady”. And even though I would quite like a pair of turquoise leather gloves (well, maybe – although a classic plum or scarlet would be better) NOT EVEN THEY can excuse the hideousness of that coat.
There is no possible universe in which this outfit could look good. If you happen to see anything like this In Real Life, I suggest you back away quietly – don’t run, you don’t want to attract its attention. *shudder*
Sorry, all – I am truly miserable and while I lovelovelove getting your comments, I am just not up to replying. Arrgh! Thanks you so much for them, they DO help – but I think something is really WRONG. I’m just so tired and feel so HEAVY all the time.
Mr Beloved thought I was up reading too late- nope, even putting the book down and turning of the light and putting on my CPAP mask at a reasonable time, (ie, before himself even breaks away from his computer!) and sleeping right through until about 5-6 am when the dog says she has to go OUT, I’m STILL EXHAUSTED. So much so that I crashed out from around 2pm til 7 this evening. THIS IS NOT RIGHT!!
Did a few minor errands today – needed more pattern tracing paper so I can trace off a Jalie pattern – possibly this one – to make up in the $2 metre knit I scored at Spodshite yesterday.
Also got to the library – my turn with the Trinny and Susannah Body Shape Bible finally came up (there were a dozen reserves ahead of me) – but after a quick look through I’m more confused than ever about my shape.
Haven’t lost any centimetres off my waist or hips in the last 4 weeks – but my weight is now down to 107.9 – that’s lighter than when I left Canberra, at the end of 2003. Yay!
It probably would have been a little bit more if I had said no to dinner with the girls before we went out on Saturday night – but hey, ya gotta live, right?
And now – I’m back to bed. For those of you lucky enough to be able to work, I’m sure that sounds like BLISS – it’s not when it’s your whole LIFE!!
Whine whine whine.
Had a lovely night out with the girls on Saturday night – dinner at a Thai place (Thanks, Sue, for bringing wine – yum!) and then off we went with several THOUSAND other women and a few intrepid blokes to see Menopause the Musical. Fun, but LOUD!
I have spent the last two days entirely in bed – Mr Beloved wakes me up and makes me eat stuff, and feeds me cups of tea, but that’s all the energy I’ve had. Pathetic.
Tried to sew a dress to wear for the big night out and it was even more DISASTROUS than the last attempt!! At least now I know that long full sleeves with elastic at the bottom make me look older than my grandmother…. and that the weight of knit fabrics makes a HUGE difference to the alterations I need to do- which I spent AGES on – and which were then TOO BLOODY BIG.
BTW: I HATE THE F****KING CONTRACEPTIVE PILL. It was supposed to suppress ovulation and therefore the pain – NOPE. after some research, did you know that every kilogram heavier you are than 70kg makes the pill less effective? Great. I’ve had 4 migraines and feel like I’ve had PMT all month and THEN been run over by a garbage truck. And the diet? That’s just a loss right now – I think if I even walk PAST food I’m putting on weight, I don’t even have to eat it. I am NOT looking forward to seeing the dietician tomorrow.
Right, that’s about enough whinging from me – I’m off to make a last cuppa tea for the evening and watch CSI:NY.
Yes, we went and saw Sex and the City: The Movie. Yes, the dresses were fabboo – and yes, we cried – even the one of us who claims to be QUITE hardhearted shed a tear, didn’t she, Chriss??
Best dress? Ooooh, such a choice! The rose dress. DEFINITELY the rose dress! Not the shape so much (cos bubble dresses on bigger bodies= CIRCUS TENT!) but the print – I am sw0ooooooooning for the print!
Also? Tomorrow, I’m getting my hair cut. OFF.
Yep, you heard me – OFF!!
See, there’s this dyed LINE in my hair (from when I gave up getting it dyed) that looks totally BOGANish, and since I refuse to start smoking Winnie blues and wearing flannie shirts, the only other option is to REMOVE IT. WITH SCISSORS.
My hairdresser doesn’t know yet – except that I changed my appointment from “Trim” to “Style Cut”….
In other news – tonight I decide whether to attempt to pull apart the Domino fabric dress and re-sew it smaller. Cos – this “sack of unsmiling potatoes” look? BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!
I can’t believe I just blogged that picture. Have I NO SHAME at all?
Well, since I have…. should I attempt to unpick it? Or just give up??
Thanks all for your good wishes – the pain is almost back under control – HATE getting a bad flare-up like that!
So Saturday – was FANTABULOUS! Sue, Chriss, and I went to Brisbane and had a lovely time. Sckafs fabrics was amazing – a real Aladdin’s cave of fabrics, trims, hats, and fascinators – swooon!
Here’s what I got: (obligatory fabric haul on bed shot, for the PR girls!)
From Fabric Barn in Sumner Park: beautiful polyester jersey, cream/grey/black dots – 2.1 metres.
From Sckafs in Indooroopilly Shopping Town: the yummalicious polyester jersey in cream/chocolate different scale dots – reminds me of dominoes a bit! Also 2.1 metres – I was being optimistic about the size I was going to cut out, I think. Might have to be some creative piecing now to get this to work!
And the black with red squiggles fabric – from Sckafs bargain bin, $5 per metre: it’s only 1 metre wide, and I got just over 2.5 metres. It’s permanently pleated, (so behaves almost like a knit – lots of stretch), dries in a nano-second, and would be perfect for a reversible top of some sort: I can’t decide if I like the black or the cream with black side better. In any case, the mark which we were hoping would wash out didn’t – so I’m going to have to plan and cut this one carefully. ( I did get a further discount – only paid for 2 metres, and that was the end of the roll, or I would have bought more!)
Also – a couple of pieces of tailors chalk (chipped due to my carelessness, bugger!) to replace the pieces Constance J. Woodle ate (ewww!) and some new pins – nothing worse than trying to sew knits with big old blunt pins.
And today in the mail: Jalie patterns! I’ve been reading everyone’s reviews of them for ages and not been brave enough to order, but Sue and I took the plunge. First up – the twin set, I think. The pattern paper is HUUUUGE, since there are 27 sizes printed on the one sheet, but once I trace off the right size I think it will almost take longer to cut than to sew! I also got Pattern #2804, the Empire Crossover Top; Pattern 2215 (which I ordered for the little skirt with the attached undies, but now I really like the pants and shirt as well), and Pattern #2682, the V neck top.
There’s nothing on TV tonight after Time Team, so if my back holds out I might actually get something made.
Also in the mail today – something I won off ebay. Which I probably didn’t NEED but I really really WANTED – since I have such fond memories of looking at Mum’s copy all those years ago:
I know, I know – totally frivolous! I don’t have kids, I barely even KNOW anyone with little kids – but – *sigh* I am going to daydream about these patterns! Mum was incredibly creative and took the bloomers from one design, the bolero top from another, and the little hat from a third to design my fondly remembered bee costume (hey Mum, any photos?!?) All the patterns were given as diagrams – it was up to the dressmaker to draft out the patterns in the correct size.
Right, now we’ve had dinner I can go try and clear enough floor space to actually CUT something out!
I missed ANOTHER quilters day. Grrr! I am SO SICK OF THIS PAIN!
Went to the gastroenterologist yesterday – he was much nicer than he seemed last year – thank goodness! Agreed that my issues are NOT his department, and also agreed with the course of action that my GP had already planned. Good to know, but not particularly helpful on the day.
Also – he acknowledged that while I don’t have diagnosable coeliac disease, I do have a wheat intolerance. YAY! Why yay? Well, now I feel justified in avoiding gluten most of the time, but can allow myself the occasional piece of toast if I really feel like it.
No sewing happening either – tried a sleeve from the Rio jacket in muslin and Mr Beloved reckoned it looked like something Frankenstein’s monster would have sewn! Also, the whole tricky seam is on the back of the sleeve, where it can’t even be seen – so why bother?? I still like the look and drape of the vest so I might have a go at that. I might even just put a plain sleeve in and make the jacket…
Sorry no posts with pretty pics – all I want to do right now is hunch over a hot water bottle and moan. I realise that isn’t helpful, but you try exercising when your lower abdomen feels like it has a bread knife cutting into it!!
GRRRRRRRRR!
OMG, I did it! I worked out how to make the overlocker do a really nice coverstitch! WOOOOOT!
Right now am sooo tired – and have lost a VITAL piece of paper for a job I needed to do…ummmm… yesterday-ish?
(Well, I was excited!)
After what feels like aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaages of reading other peoples reviews on PatternReview.com, at long last the NEW BURDAS ARE HERE!!!
Even better – THE BURDA PLUS IS HERE!!
[Mum, I'll be popping yours in the post tomorrow. Along with the January one which I really really liked a lot of things from.]
Some months I want to make EVERYTHING in the Burda magazine – some months – meh, not so much. I love every pattern except one in the Burda Plus – so that’s 29 out of the thirty illustrated. Not bad for $20, eh?!
The March issue of Burda WOF – well, not so impressed with the plus size selections, but there are some very pretty patterns in the regular sizes. For now I have enough alterations to make on a plus size, there’s nothing that would realllly tempt me to grade up a smaller pattern.
Now if you’ll excuse me, that lining fabric has just finished going through the washer; it’s still so windy here (but not as cold, thank goodness!) that by the time I make a cuppa tea the lining will be dry and ready to cut out.
Off to SEW!!
Well, Sue is was being very good today and sewing up a skirt. She had to stop to go get lining, so we popped over to Lincraft – only to find them shut. BUGGER!! One of the few stores in Toowoomba actually open on a Sunday , but we missed it! Never mind, we went and had a coffee, then I loaded her up with even MORE books and magazines once we got back to my place. (Yes, Canberra folks, Caity’s Library is still going strong!)
I have been looking through the stash, finding a lot of bigger dressmaking pieces of fabric from way back when there was a big fabric shop in Canberra down around where the Casino is now – the name has gone from my head. (”Fabric something-or-other” – anyone remember?) ETA: Annie reminded me: Home Yardage! Thanks, Annie!
Discovered I have SCARLET wool/poly crepe – 8 yards of 60″ – perfect for one day making this suit. Not now while I’m still shrinking, though. Damn – just realised I have this pattern in sizes 18-20-22 – now I’ll have to go looking for it in the smaller range… arrgh! Of course it’s OOP…(Out Of Print)
Isn’t it DIVINE? Of course, I need the mink wrap too, dontcher know – and the hat, and gloves, of course. Just the thing for popping up to Woollies for the bread, yes?
(I know one thing about glove making – the fourchette is a BUGGER! “What’s a fourchette, Caity?” A fourchette is the gusset in between the fingers. Not found on el cheapo gloves. And I am NOT talking about the female genital piercing of the same name, owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Although I bet that makes your eyes water, too.)
Do I even remotely DRESS like this? No. But I’d like to. And pattern buying is nothing if not aspirational! I mean, I can’t be the only one who lies in bed and reads pattern instructions, can I? (Ok, I also read dictionaries, I may be just weird.)
Also excavated enough fabric to really have a good fang at some shirts for me AND for Mr Beloved: two shades of blue tshirt material, one of bottle green (it looks browner in the pic) – and quite a lot of a scarlet stretch velvety thing (think I’ll keep that one for mine, not sure it’s Mr B’s colour!)
Now that my overlocker (serger) and I have declared a truce (and may even become friends) I can consider sewing this sort of thing.
Don’t worry, the sewing obsession will lessen and I WILL get back to quilting eventually. The prospect of actually fitting (with alterations) into even the largest size of patterns is just so thrilling!
And as the lovely Rooruu commented on my coat patterns post:
I notice, however, that many of them are what you could call afashional, not specific to a year or season, based on interesting shapes, so they don’t date.
Yep, that’s me – although I adore reading the fashmags, (”Aby-bloody-synnian Vogue!” chimes in Mr Beloved, channelling the AbFab fashmagslags themselves) drooling over the impossibly expensive designer gear at Net-A-Porter, and checking into Style.com every day, I’m not a slave to fashion. For one thing, I’m not rich. (ha! We actually live so far below the poverty line that we ASPIRE to being poor!) For another, I am not 6ft 2 tall and I weigh a LOT more than 40 kgs.
But I know what I like, even if I don’t wear it a lot of the time.
I have no memory of buying this either, but isn’t it yummy?
*Swwooooooooons and has to go lie down with a nice cuppa tea.*
I have ONE piece of Marimekko in my stash, that I got as a trade many years ago. It’s lime green with orange flowers and I love it too much to cut it up!
In other news: Today I bought a new book. Which is very helpful, so I’m off to read some more. I have got a photo to trace off to see my body silhouette (so very confronting!) like these women did.
The author, Annabelle van Tongeren, is an Aussie who has dressed a lot of our celebrities, 
and the book is beautiful. (And looking at her gallery, I remember seeing one of her gorgeous dresses ages ago in Australian Stitches magazine – but that’s not one I keep, so I can’t tell you which issue.)
You know, when I finally get down to my goal weight, I’m going to find a way to have one of those makeovers. In the meantime, I’m going to try and learn and sew as much as I can to keep me motivated. Only another 47 kilos to go!
…and not getting terribly much done. I’ve been mostly in bed since Wednesday – arrrgh! Twenty minutes of a fairly fast walk without any preparation, followed up by a fast-ish 10 minute walk down town on Thursday and I am BUGGERED! Hate hate hate hate that. It’s not just the hip and knee pain and muscle tiredness, its the overwhelming fatigue that gets me.
We did have time to pop into the Salvos thrift store on Friday on the way to the greengrocers, where I scored about a metre of green knit fabric – which solves the “What do I use for a muslin?” issue for at least B5001. It won’t have quite the same properties as the nice jersey I’m planning on using, but it was $1 – and that’s the right price!
Probably only just enough to check the bodice, but that’s the main worry – that, and the arms, which I have to make sure are large enough – nothing worse than heavy arms looking like sausages bursting out of their casings, yuk.
I’d love to make it in this jersey from Kerryn’s Fabric World – exactly the colours I keep coming back to this winter, browns, caffe latte, teal, and blue. Yum.
Instead the first iteration of this dress will be in a black jersey overprinted with a beige and coffee swirly, as modelled here by the faithful Dolly Bustenschneider. (That ‘u’ should have an umlaut, never mind.) The main shot was taken with flash, the detail shot without flash. I don’t know which is the more accurate. In some lights the beige print almost looks gold.
This fabric (like most others in my stash ) has “gunna be” a whole heap of different patterns – I originally bought it for the Wong-Singh-Jones Kimono Wrap Dress from Hot Patterns, but that will have to wait for another time.
I have recently decided that black is NOT a colour I should wear, since it makes every zit, wrinkle, and dark circle look a hundred times worse than any other colour. I’m hoping that this will ‘read” ok with all the beige, but even if it doesn’t – hey, I’m sewing it up anyway!
I need to take a leaf from Sue’s book and just get in and SEW THE BLOODY THING! I have so many books, back issues of Threads, and other advice running through my head that I’m almost afraid to cut ing out, cos I know I’ll do something wrong. *sigh* My recovery from being a rigid perfectionist goes better some days than others…
In any case, not much will happen in sewing today – first we get to watch the Red Bull Air Race (vrooooooooooooom!) then the V8 Supercars at Barbagello (Vrooom! Vrooooom!) and then tonight the F1 from Turkey (Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeroooooooooooom!) Not often we get a decent run of motorsport like that!
At least I’ll get the paper pattern cut out, that’s a start.
[Later Edited To Add: I did get the pattern cut out. But once I started tissue fitting and reading the finished garment measurements printed on the tissue pieces, I decided that I needed to go buy the bigger pattern size after all – BUGGER! Back to the drawing board, eh?)
Vogue 2017, copyright date 1997.
“Fitted, interfaced, lined, above hip jacket has raised neckline, shoulder pads, side panels, no side seams and long, two-piece sleeves with button vent. Semi-fitted, interfaced, line, straight skirt above mid-knee or above ankle, has waistband, side front seams, no side seams and side front button closing.”
I could happily and make and wear this RIGHT NOW – except that I couldn’t be bothered altering that pattern UP so many sizes. When I have lost more weight, though, look out!
I was feeling guilty about my pattern stash – so many patterns that are still in factory folds – but now I look on them as inspiration. As in – I want to wear that!
Just watched Trinny and Susannah’s show where they fit 1000 women in the right size bra. I cried. Seeing someone transformed by something so simple as actually being fitted properly – wow.
This ties in with my new sig line over on PatternReview.com (and something I have expressed previously on this blog) NO MORE FRUMPY CLOTHES! I’m getting closer to feeling able to try some new things for example – I really really REALLY want to make this dress.
The new things are: I haven’t made anything in knits for a really long time; and – I haven’t ever made anything that looks quite this glamorous. But I’m so sick of frumping around in baggy mens size t-shirts and jeans… I bought a size 24, even though my current measurements are closer to the 26 – but that’s where the pattern range split, and I can see myself using the smaller sizes soooooon.
(Ummmm – at the moment ANYTHING that’s not superfrump = glamorous. I’ll work up to actual evening gowns if I ever have a life that needs them, yes?!)
My excuses for not starting this dress right away, even though I have some lovely stretch fabric that I could use:
Hmm. I may have just run out of excuses.
* Must be read in ABFab Eddy voice, dahhhling!
Well, I TOTALLY score at the town library today – one of the books I have been COVETING but had no $$ to buy (since I spent up big on patterns and had to renew my domain hosting – life’s tough, innit?)
Christian Lacroix On Fashion (ISBN-13: 978-0500513910) is a book to LUST after if you have even the tiniest interest in fashion and the history of dress. After several introductory essays, we get down to the business at hand, as described by CL himself:
“This is not a retrospective, but my own look at the costume collections of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, from which I chose pieces from all eras, some never before exhibited. I chose those that were most inspiring, those that best told the story of fashion that I would have wanted to tell if I were the museum curator that I intended to be when I was a student.”
And of course being a Thames and Hudson book, everything about it is superb. (long time readers of my blog have probably already picked up on my obsession with books that are well constructed and well designed. I find it really difficult to read badly designed and poorly made books, ugh.)
The photography is brilliant, with the garmetns showcased amongst ( what I assume must be) the warehouse of the museum. Of course, I would have loved more detail shots, but we can’t have everything (and there is always the wonderful Fashion In Detail series – I only own the 17th and 18th Century one, but I would love to own the 19th C, Around the World, and Modern Fashion all from the V & A Museum ).
I know that this is a book I will want to go back to over and over again- every page is inspiring – the details, the colours, the cut! And the photos are arranged in sensible categories such as “”Flowers”, “Back to Front” and “Cobwebs”. Part of the joy of this book is looking at a double spread of clothes then flicking to the catalogue details, only to find that an outfit that looked like one era is in fact from another period entirely. The first photos in any category showcase some of Lacroix’s (how does one add the possessive there? that doesn’t look quite right) own designs – which emphasizes his mastery of historical material and genius for re-invention.
The last section of the book features computer generated sketches (apparently now his favourite way of working) for both his history of fashion and the Fall-Winter 2007-8 haute couture collection. I had never seen these drawings before – and yet they are in the loose flowing “ink and colour” style of several of my favourite illustrators (Ralph Steadman, Ronald Searle, Gerald Scarfe immediately come to mind)
I’m off to watch Grand Designs (it was a beautifully transformed church in Ireland – sigh!); then I think my notebooks and I will be spending a few happy hours with this book.
I’ve been looking at this “Gypsy Gripper” tool and saw on live at the Stitches and Craft show last week. It’ s the same tool that glass repair people use to lift panes of glass – a really good lock on suction handle. Someone had the wonderful idea of using them to hold your big (and little!) patchwork rulers steady while you use a rotary cutter.
So – did I pay approx $36 for the “official” patchwork version? NOPE!
I went to Aldi who had them on special this week 
for $10.
And it works BRILLIANTLY!!
If you’re only using a small ruler, you just flip one of the little levers down to hold onto that.
So – locals – they were at the Clifford Garden store, right down the back.
I bought an overlocker (serger for those Norte Americanos who might be reading!) in (mumble mumble does a quick count back on fingers) 2004. And have hardly used it all. Not least because I kept meaning to go in for classes, and then the dealer closed…
Then the other week we happened on this book for ONE DOLLAR. I can’t pass up just about ANY book for that price (it’s a sickness, and it’s hereditary – I come from a long line of bibliophiles) and this one – well, I think I might have even paid *gasp* full retail price for! (ooh, grammar. Never mind…)
Okay, it’s from 1992; but the basic info is all good, even if the illustrations look terribly dated now (Aww. come on – you KNOW we all wanted to look so glamorous with those big bows on our butts! I can remember coveting exactly that dress on my best friend’s sister…)
Anyway, with the help of the clear and well labelled diagrams, today I managed to:
Mr Beloved reminds me that we went to a Stitches and Craft show in 2005 where the rather enthusiastic speaker was extolling the virutes of the serger – and made an unfortunate series of hand gestures which triggered this cartoon:
So now I know – it has a name – Die (Der? Das? Just what gender IS a serger, anyway?) Uberlocker.
I’m off to play with some more samples.
As Sue mentioned, there was SUCH A DEAL on Simplicity patterns over at Pattern Review (25% off!, May 5 to May 12)
So I finally after drooling over this design for EVAH (well, not really , just since it was released on the Simplicity site) ordered 2981. No reviews yet on Pattern Review, though, so I’ll be flying solo! I was still hesitant about it since the long sleeved version needs – wait for it – 7 and a half yards of 45″ wide or 5 and three quarter yards of 60″ wide!
But then Sue said “Buy something cheap and we’ll stamp it!” DUH! Of course! That’s brilliant! I mean, what’s the point of having those dyes and fabric paints if I can’t use them to dress up some plain fabric, right?! Clever Sue.
And then, cos I was REALLY ANNOYED when I went into *chain sewing store* that the patterns I wanted were $Au 25 EACH, I ordered Vogue 8120 which looked utterly FABULOUS made up when we saw it recently at the Stitches and Craft Show but is just – blah! – in the illustration:
This doesn’t show you the way the funnel neck hides the fat pad at the base of the neck (yeah, you know what I mean, anyone over about a size – hmmm – 14?)
I may have ordered another one. Or two. Perhaps.
And now I am anxiously eagerly awaiting the arrival of the March Burda World Of Fashion magazine, and Burda Plus (surely THIS must be the month it gets here?) and the latest Ottobre woman mag – and then I will be on a “NO MORE PATTERNS til I have sewn up this lot” regime! (Well, except for the monthly Burda WOF, but I do send most of those on to Mum -right, Mum?!)
And now – to bed. I have an appointment with the exercise physiologist at 9 am for a “Heart Rate Monitored Walk” complete with multiple blood tests for lactic acid production. After which I am meant to know exactly what heart rate I need to walk at to burn fat best. Wish me luck!
ARRRRRRRGH!!
I though I’d make a simple little skirt, nothing flash. I chose this pattern:
Dead simple, innit?
Bought cheap fabric which I thought would do for a knock-around sort of skirt.
BUT – first I cut it out in the wrong size. And blithely sewed it up without fitting cos well – I’m ALWAYS the biggest size, aren’t I.
Except I completely failed to take into account the recent weight loss. La la la, try it on to see hem length – and watch it fall straight to my ankles, since the waist is the only fitted place on the skirt. Oops.
Unpick the whole thing and start again. (And leave it for a few more days.)
Re-cut, sewed next size down. (Leave it for another few days.)
Decided to use invisible zip.
Put it in back to front.
Unpick.
Try another method of inserting invisible zip – hmm, right way this time, but not really invisible!
Mr Beloved (quite rightly) insists I have a cuppa tea.
Get out The Book (so glad I found it – safely filed under my sewing machine. D’OH!). When Ms Betzina says “Idiot Proof invisible zipper” – she means it’s even CAITY proof! (Although for a moment due to my complete directional dyslexia I thought I’d sewn it back to front again – but then I zipped it up. Ahem.)
But then – the waistband treatment on the pattern was STUPID. Using narrow (half inch wide) twill tape to finish the waistband as though you were using petersham? DOESN’T WORK. It just doesn’t. There isn’t enough width to turn the top of the waistband down.
No worries, I’ll buy petersham (it’s a ribbon, with unlocked edges so you can make it curve – see here for an illustration.) Eventually found some at Lincr*p today – in only one size, one colour, and well hidden away from any other ribbon. (Yeah, that makes sense… NOT!) And at $4.99 per metre!! When I know (thanks to the girls on Pattern Review) That I can buy the same width from the USA in a gazillion different colours , for $US 2.89 per yard… and the postage isn’t much.
But – I wanted to wear the skirt tomorrow, perhaps. So I lashed out ($2.99!) on a packet of pre-made bias binding. All was going FINE With that until… I notice I had sewn the invisible zipper in about a quarter of an inch HIGHER on one side than the other.
FLIPPIN’ HECK! I can’t believe all the hassles that have come up with one little skirt!! All stupid little mistakes that I shouldn’t be making – although, it HAS been a while since I’ve sewn clothes. Mostly because at my current size and shape it’s pretty much like sewing circus tents.
No progress photos – they’d mostly be of me TEARING MY HAIR OUT. But here’s a photo of the almost finished skirt:
Which is now TOO BIG again!
I don’t care. I’m going to hem the damn thing and take it in at the waist with a safety pin on each side for a couple of weeks.
(Actually, I might make it again next week- with the petersham waist band – and another size smaller.)
Well we did go down the hill to the Stitches and Craft Show, and I must say Sue and I were both quite restrained in our spending! It was wonderful to go with another sewing type, really changed the focus. We watched most of the fashion parades and found them really worthwhile – proving again that the illustrations on some patterns do NOT do them justice.
For example this jacket – a bit *meh* on the pattern, but STUNNING made up – a really versatile little jacket. Stephanie (Perpetual Patterns & Can Do Books) had sold out at the show, so I might have to mail order it.
There was one model in the show that was a size 14, D cup – and admittedly she was nearly 6 foot tall, but she was NOT a lightweight skinny minny – so wonderful to see a REAL size model looking great in the clothes on parade.
There were no photos allowed in the show (pity, since some of the clothes made up from commercial patterns really were scrummy) and the art garments by Ruth Osborne, Kirry Toose and Trudy Billingsley were full of interesting ideas for lesser mortals to borrow. Sue Neall (of Stitches, the Australian Sewing Guild and now Sew Inspirational) did a great job hosting and explaining the parades, and also managed a quick change for each parade – the woman never stops!
Another pattern that was definitely a “flick past” in the pattern book but absolutely stunning made up – this little crossover top , Vogue 8120. We saw this made up in knits and in several colours – it looked smashing.
As did the tunic and flat front (but elastic waisted – very nice, not your granny’s elastic waist!)pants in Vogue 8335. Again – not a stunning illustration, but wow, terrific sewn up.
I mentioned that I was reading Pattern Review before heading down – I only ended up buying one pattern – the Sewing Workshop Mimosa Top and Pant
.
(I know, a bit summery – but I’m planning on wearing long sleeves under it. And the pant looks very flattering.)
Kerryn (of the astonishing makeovers in Stitches magazine) was at the Australian Sewing Guild stand at the show, and I showed her the pattern for the top – she suggested that on my figure, extending the bottom edge to a diagonal would be more flattering that having a strong horizontal line just above my hips. I’m definitely making a muslin first one this one.
And this is the fabric I bought (from here – they don’t have fabrics on their website, but will very soon) to make the top. Now that I look at it draped on me I’m wondering if the print is a bit blocky… what do you think? It’s more rust/brown/tan than the orange-y flash photo shows, really – but I think it’s ok with my colouring?
Wait ’til you see the fabulously wearable fabric Sue bought – oh my, just swoooony!
I would have loved to go to some of the workshops that the Australian Sewing Guild was running – but there just wasn’t time. Maybe next year…
Thanks to everyone who cheered me on in my weight loss. IT REALLY HELPS! And we are soooo enjoying life without the neighbour Weasel. Oooh, he was a horrid little man. We have 10 neighbours (we own a long narrow block that runs along a lot of backyards) and only ever have real problems with 2 of the houses. Here’s hoping the next lot of renters are quiet people.
Ever been in the situation where you KNOW you’ve got a book, but just can’t find it? I’m not even sure if I’ve seen it since the move to Toowoomba, but I’m sure I wouldn’t have (deliberately!) got rid of it – arrgggh! I’ve been looking for this book for DAYS now. I don’t think I’ve lent it to anyone… if I did, please let me know, eh? It’s one of those really handy reference books, and I’m missing it!
I’m definitely headed down the hill tomorrow for the Stitches and Craft Show. I’m really looking forward to going with Sue – at last, another sewing chick! Tonight I’m digging through patterns and reading reviews (PatternReview.com – awesome value!) to see what I should spend my limited $$ on.
In all the digging around, I did re-find (is that even a word? UNEARTHED, perhaps – I swear, the Time Team would have their work cut out for them amongst all my stuff!)
[click to see bigger images]
This is Vogue 1407, and has someones name and 4/4/66 written on the front. New in Factory Folds! Of course, nowhere near my size – but it’s very close to the size I will be at my goal weight, I hope. “Narrow, sleeveless dress with a two-piece look at front has a deep V Surplice neckline. Wrapped coat swings wide, three quarter length set in sleeves.” It’s so NOW I’m almost tempted to grade it up and make it… almost! The front wrap over is actually an overlay on an otherwise plain sheath dress, but doesn’t it look good? (and why are the instructions on a 1966 pattern SO MUCH BETTER than instructions on current patterns, hmm?) Although this is one of those vintage patterns where the only markings you get are perforated dots. And this is the little blurb about the designer:”JO MATTLI (Mattly) – Swiss charm and Parisian taste combine in the designs of this member of London’s couture group. Mr Mattli has designed the clothes for many English films.”
I think I paid 20cents for this pattern at an op shop. Whereas tomorrow I’ll probably be paying $30 for this pattern – if I can get it! Or this one….or maybe this one?
And now I’d better go turn up the hem on my other pair of jeans – don’t think it would be cool to wander around a Stitches and Craft Show and watch the fashion parades with my jeans rolled – ugh!
[later ETA: But first, I have to go sort through all the art materials that were previously stashed under the kitchen table, as Mr Beloved just had to pull them all out to retrieve a mrrrrrrrooooooouuuuuuusssse! that Miss Kitty Bing brought in as part of her "catch and release" program - she's still looking for it, but it's dead and gone into the bin - ewwwwwwwww!]
It suddenly got cold! Brrr! And here am I still looking at things I was “gunnasew” for Summer…
Not much happening here – trying to work out if I can re-schedule a medical scan so I can go to the Stitches and Craft Show in Brisbane instead (scan not urgent, so no panic there. Just trying to sort out the PCOS stuff *sigh* I’ve had the pain for months now, another week won’t make any difference!).
And I’d really like to go to the fashion parades at the show – especially with the independent pattern companies, their illustrations don’t really tell you how the garment will look made up. (Mind you, neither do the big 4 – how many times have I seen a terrific garment sewn up, and been amazed that the drawing was so blah?)
Today’s post brought the Patchwork Quilt Tsushin and Quilt Japan magazines I ordered from New Zealand Quilter. Lovelovelove those mags! (Wish I remembered more of my Japanese studies, and that I hadn’t lost all my textbooks to one of the exes or moves, but never mind.)
Look at this beautiful shrug! I reckon with some trial and error with the diagram I can make something similar. Hmmmm!
Ok, I’m too bloody cold to stay here and type – I’m off to bed with a hot water bottle, my new magazines, and a notebook…
Well, now that my host server has decided to WORK again (grrrr!) I can post!
I’ve been crook, obviously. Booked in for another scan next week, and seeing my helpful GP again soon. Got to get this sorted out, arrggggh!
HOWEVER, on Saturday I had the BEST day – went to Brissy with Sue. GIRLY SHOPPING!! Oh man, I’d forgotten how much fun it is to just wander around the shops. I didn’t try on any clothes (there were no fat chick shops) but Sue did, and managed to score some good buys. I had fun just seeing what was “in” in ready-to-wear, and we both grabbed piles of ideas for our sewing – especially from the David Lawrence outlet store – over-runs, samples, and seconds, but still worth checking out.
For example – knit dresses with double faced satin ribbon on the inside of cascading edges and hems – not only helps stabilise the edge, but also means the dress looks really finished inside and out.
There were some really - interesting! samples at the Cue store – things that I’m glad someone said “Ummm, NOT for production!” – and that was also the only store with no mirrors in the dressing rooms, just one big one on the back wall of the store – which I agree with Sue was icky – you kinda wanna know if something looks REALLY dreadful before you have to come out into the glare of the whole store, you know?
We looked at shoes, yum – agreed that the slightly furry leopard print shoes would either
a) have to be petted all. the. time. or
b) be guarded carefully from our dogs….
The find of the day, however, and one we both REALLY regretted not buying (we didn’t even check the price!) was this handbag. Forgive the bad pics – I took them with my phone and I was so busy laughing that the phone shook! Is this not the absolute muppet-est handbag you’ve ever seen?
Sue and I looked at this and immediately thought of the Yip Yip aliens meeting the telephone on Sesame Street….
Isn’t it FABULOUS!! I would be unable to use it, it would become a puppet that I would have to keep playing with. But I am seriously considering driving back down to Jindalee just to get it…
I tried on lots of hats (Have I mentioned I LOVE hats?) which reinforced my determination to get sewing on some – hats hats hats!
Eventually we were shopped out and headed over to the 2QAQ meeting. LOTS of inspiration from the Reddy Art Quilters, who had brought along their journal quilts and Artist Trading Cards (ATCs); and an ATC swap which got out of hand (some people are GRABBY!) and ended up being inequitable. Grrrrr. Simple rules, you get ONE BACK for each one you put in - Linda should N OT have ended up short!
Thankfully, the wonderful organisers of 2QAQ have said the swap will NOT be a free-for-all next time, to prevent that happening again.
I was really thrilled that Sue’s ATCs were all snatched up, too. Next month I’ll have some done… my small contribution to the economy of Jindalee DFO was to buy two small rubber stamps from Smiggle – an elephant, and a skull and crossbones for Mr Beloved. So my ATCs will certainly feature those!
But right now, I’m off to watch the F1 grand prix. If the weather is warmish this week we’re planning some fabric dyeing; and on Tuesday I’m hoping to be well enough to get to quilters and am taking my Shiva sticks and supplies so we can have a bit of a play.
I was laughing myself silly the other day when Terry mentioned her excitement when she finally got her hands on the latest issue of Quilting Arts magazine – (”The new phone books are here! The new phone books are here!”) and I have to agree – this must be the best issue yet! (Terry’s article on finishing small quilts will be put to use TONIGHT – how good is that!)
Also laughing because one of the ladies at Quilters today said “Where are all these fabulous new garments, Caity? I think you’re making them in fantasy land!” (I dreamed I was….)
Well – yeah, and no – I’ve been asleep most of the last week. Not very productive! But after one of those horrible sleepless nights last night (and a good sleep in this morning, making me late for Quilters) I think I’m just about back to the right cycle. Maybe I’ll get more stuff done this week.
(and BTW – WHY can’t I buy bras like this with good “forward projection”, huh huh huh? It’s EXACTLY what I want. Hrrrmph. Bring back Maidenform’s stitched cups, say I!)
Talked with the dietician today about goal setting. One of my big problems has been that I get overwhelmed by the big end goal – I need to break it up into manageable DOABLE chunks of specific tasks.
I have too many ideas floating about, I need to pin them to the pages of my journal. For example: the new Ricky Tims Rhapsody Quilts book arrived yesterday, along with a book I’ve looked at for ages (thanks to recommendations from Jane Dunnewold, Sarah Ann, and Brenda) – it was cheap on Amazon, so I grabbed it:Notan: the Dark-Light Principle of Design. So I’m doodling ideas, already starting to design the applique for a Rhapsody style quilt – based on our cockatiels. (it makes sense in MY head, trust me!)
And there are so many other things I need/want to do:
But right now I’m off to watch Time Team.
(Which reminds me of another thing that makes me laugh – pay tv. Who has TIME?! I barely get a chance to watch the free-to-air!)
I know, BORING, second verse, same as the first… but I REALLY get frustrated by people who criticise internet and tech stuff without even bothering to find out what they’re talking about. *sigh*
Not a lot else happening here, I’m afraid. Still haven’t watched the Kemshall’s new DVD; still haven’t finished the brown skirt.
I did, however, buy new slippers today – lashed out and bought the real Grosby ones and not the chain store’s cheap knockoff – so they should last all winter. Yep, elegant whether at home or on the town, that’s your bloggist. Didn’t you NEED to know that? Uh huh.
Mr Beloved went on a hunt and destroy mission for the dust buffalo herd under the bed… only one more corner of the room to go, and I’ll tackle that one tomorrow, perhaps.
Move along, nothing to see here….
If you wanna see some REALLY stylish dresses? GO here. Swoooony blog from the Met Museum, all about frocks.
Yep, I now have a new iron. TWENTYFOURHUNDRED WATTS, baby! *makes appropriate Tim the Toolman grunting noises*
Only problem is – without water in it, it’s wayyyyyy lighter than I’m used to. I will adapt. Toowoomba water is so hard that irons just get scaled up and spit rusty spots (and I’ve tried to remember to use distilled water but – sheesh! I’m just not that dedicated.) Hopefully by keeping this one as a dry iron it will at least last its warranty period…
(For those wondering how you iron without water in the iron: spray bottle set to mist, and pressing cloths. For my birthday I lashed out on a whole metre of silk organza – half of which will now be a pressing cloth.)
No one had an iron without steam holes. NO ONE!! But at least I was able to buy one without the annoying auto shut off beep beep beep beep ARRRGHGHHH!
And – something I’ve been wanting for ages also: a 
hair iron! A wet-to-dry hair straightener – because sometimes I HATE my wavy hair. Straight hair always looks glossier and more elegant.
And – I went to Gardams. Hanging on the line right now I have some brown batiste (for lining a top) and some absolutely un-crushable brown jersey (for this dress.) Oh, and a metre and a half of the brown wool stuff for the bias skirt – I didn’t buy enough, and today I got the very last of the bolt – phew!
I can’t find brown shoes anywhere, though – dammit! Guess I’ll just have to wear black and try not to be self conscious about it.
AND I went to the physio – I’m doing really well with fixing the urinary incontinence thang. You remember all those times your mother told you to “Stand up straight and hold your tummy in!” (well, mine did, anyway) – turns out she was so, so right. You now have permission to poke me with a sharp stick if you see me slouching. But my muscles are learning what they’re meant to do, so yay me! I have new exercises to do to help strengthen my back muscles, which should also help with the hip/back pain.
Nearly time for Grand Designs: more later.
I’m 40 today.Mum and Dad sent me a lovely home made card (with a cheque that is going straight to buying fabric at Gardams!) and my friend Di from quilting gave me some beautiful green and pink fabrics for the Tuesday monster quilt.
I am so grateful for my friends and family; for the help I’m getting to improve my health; for my little dog, cat, and birds, and most of all for Mr Beloved. (Whose birthday is tomorrow but shhh – he doesn’t do birthdays.)
Ok, well it might not be a “adventure” to you, but for me it’s a big deal: I’m going to this tomorrow with my friend Sue. And we’re allowing plenty of time so we can go here.
I got peopled-out while window shopping yesterday at Grump Central – got home and collapsed into bed a 4:30 in the afternoon! Slept right through (apart from a nearly 2 hour long phone call with Maria) , and then slept again all day today – I was exhausted.
In other news – apparently cloche hats are IN IN IN this season – HOORAY! They are my favourite ever style of hat (although I will have to work out what to do with all my hair – how do I make a neat low chignon??) . I’m a hat person, and am seriously considering making a cute little cloche to go with the brown outfits. (Or not so little – on fatchicks, it’s all about proportion, after all….)
And the January Burda World Of Fashion magazine had a double page spread on hats – you know, I really REALLY want to do a millinery course sometime. [click to see larger image - it's worth it.]
Speaking of fat chicks: I had my official medical for starting the weight loss thing. I had to sign forms saying my doctor had explained to me the risks of gall bladder, cardiac, and other problems that could be unmasked by weight loss; and that I understood that my hair might temporarily shed more, that I might be hungry (!) and that this is a drastic decision and I HAVE to consume the required amount of calories and especially water; also that if for any reason I need emergency surgery while I’m on the initial (up to 13 weeks) part of the plan then the doctors HAVE TO BE TOLD so the IV fluids compensate; and that my usual medications will have to be even more closely monitored. Eeeks!
So – regular blood and urine tests, weekly visits with the dietician, sessions with the psychologist – on top of my normal rounds with my GP, the pain management specialist, and the physiotherapist. Maybe the idea is to keep me too busy to think about food??!
But it’s this entire re-programming thing, or resorting to gastric surgery – and I don’t want that. So the doctor did all the necessary checks – blood pressure (both sitting and standing, because apparently this sort of weight loss can trigger orthostatic problems – ie, you fall down when you try to stand up); a measurement of electric impedance (tells you fat/water composition, apparently) etc.
She also warned me that any initial loss would be water weight, as my body tries to regain its equilibrium. (Why did the !@*&)#s at Weight Watchers NEVER say that – instead they made you feel like a failure when you couldn’t match that intial loss each week??)
It’s genuinely scary. This is not your regular faffing about diet, this is SERIOUS. I have to do this.
Are very difficult to photograph!
It looks quite greyed out here.
The close-up is better for the real colours:
I spent last night doing this:
So later tonight I might even *gasp* cut into the fabric! (but only if the tissue-fitting goes well… otherwise it’s back on the table for more alterations…)
So, I went to Gardam’s in between doctors appointments today. You know that skirt from the January Burda? I got the DREAMIEST already patch-worked linen on a cotton voile baking (so no lining needed, yay!) – it has wool inserts and various textures – I love it! I’ll show you a pic of the finished skirt as soon as, ok? (Unless you’d like to see the material uncut?)
It’s dry-clean only – I can’t even REMEMBER the last time I bought fabric that needed dry cleaning – come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time I took anything to a dry cleaners.
I can’t believe this though – it’s BROWN!
Do I own a single pair of brown shoes? Umm, nope! Well, I guess that’s what I save up for next. And I bough a beautifully subtle poly herringbone (that looks like fine wool, but at about a third of the cost) to make that Butterick vest pattern…. I figured if I was going to go with the brown skirt, there was no point in going halfway!
This is especially amusing to me after buying fabric to make Mum and brown bag, and now Maria’s chocolate/green/teal bag… brown is CATCHING!
And Mr Beloved was only saying this morning that “Those ratty old t-shirts have GOT TO GO, Caity, they are NOT flattering.” So yay for the sewing bug making a welcome re-appearance in my life, eh? It’s partly inspired by Sue, who is doing WONDERFUL things; partly by re-reading back issues of Threads, and also looking atErins’ A Dress A Day blog, and swooooning over her use of Liberty fabric – which I can now save up for and lay-by at Gardam’s – yay!!
I’ll be off to curse at the overlocker (serger) later tonight. I know I can get it sewing a nice three thread edge once I have it set up….
BUT – look what else Gardams just got in today! Sue and Di and Faye and Jan – and any other Toowoomba Quilters – you have GOT to get down there and grab some of this, it’s too too wonderful…. from the Loralie Designs “Sew Fancy” range:
[click on the thumbnails to see much bigger images]
Sewing Machines
Scissors
and Mannequins, Oh MY!
And what am I doing with this – Yep, you know it – another Miranda bag! (possibly the most useful bag pattern ever – and the easiest to make, because of the care Joan Hawley has taken with her instructions. I know I rant about it but truly – it’s that good!)
This time I’m going to make the longer handles and only use it to cart stuff back and forth to quilters. Makes sense to have a dedicated bag that I can just grab and go, I reckon.
Also, Toowoomba girls – call up Gardam’s and tell them you want to come to this: 
I’ll be there, it should be a fun night!
[Mum, anything I should be looking out for, since now we're BOTH sewing in brown?!]
later edit: Mr Beloved commented:
It should be noted that Caity is not paid or otherwise induced to rave about Gardams.
It should also be noted that “Ewan Gardam” anagrams to “A mad, new rag”.
Pretty impressive shop, though.
…”forward projection”. I call it a bloody brilliant “sheepdog” bra: round ‘em up and get ‘em heading forwards!
Yep, after the AGONY (and sweat – ugh, is it just the physicality of trying to get bras done up, or is it the whole nerve-straining experience?) of trying on over a dozen bras…
SUCCESS!!
Three new bras – all the same style – two in “toffee” (a not totally disgusting beige, as pictured here) and one in a very pretty (but less practical) sky blue.
The Fayreform “Charlotte”. Padded straps – oh, bliss! Full coverage! Less jigglement!
Most of the other bras I tried on had an unfortunate tendency to squish my boobs towards my armpits. And while my boobs do like to lie down and sleep there at night, by day I want em paying attention and looking straight ahead, thank you very much!
Even with the embroidery, this bra doesn’t look like”I have lichen growing on my boobs” under a t-shirt (and a big thank you to DebR for that memorable phrase!)
And Mr Beloved, bless his cotton socks, went out a got me a full length mirror. (altogether now – awwwwww!) so in a little while I’ll go have another try at that pattern.
If it turns out that the bra doesn’t fix the whole issue, I have found the pattern alteration solution in a back issue of Threads - gee I love their online index! (If you’re interested, it involves measuring the bust point and drawing a line from the mid shoulder down to intersect half that measurement, on a line parallel to CF – aren’t you glad you asked?!)
Then I got to go to playgroup (quilters!) for just a little while… before rushing off to the physio. Who was super nice and HELPFUL – turns out the wee problem? Is connected to the hip problem; the hip problem’s connected to the ….spine problem, the spine problem’s connected to the fibromyalgia, (are you humming along yet?!) … now hear the word of the specialist! Dem Docs dem Docs gonna…. DANCE around….
Yeah. So in fixing each little bit of each thing hopefully we’ll get to a healthier whole. EVENTUALLY. And there’s also the small matter of using better strategies for both my brain and my bladder. We’re workin’ on it.
And now – got the new Burda WOF in my hot little hands (the January issue – with this skirt – at last!) and all the fabric for Maria’s Miranda bag washed, ironed, and ready to sew. So why am I still at the computer?!
Oh, I forgot to tell you – the electricity substation EXPLODED this morning! Which meant that the big transformer on a pole 20 metres from our place id a big FWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMP!-y surge and we lost power, half way through breakfast. But it’s fixed now, obviously.
So, I’ve traced off the appropriate size of this pattern. And as I started to tissue fit (just a precaution, since I’m not about to cut into even a cheap fabric without some checking) I got REALLY frustrated: there is no bust point marked! EEEPS! Okay, “Settle, Petal” I said to myself “It’s a princess line, I’ll pin it together and work it out…”
Annnnnnnnd…. either I need another inch and a half length over the boobs from what the fat-chick pattern sizing has come up with, or I desperately need a new bra. Or perhaps both. I mean, it’s freakin’ AMAZING for me to be cutting out (tracing off, anyway) one of the smaller sizes on a pattern (these go up to 6x which makes my 2x seem petite!) but then to find that I still need to make adjustments – ahhhh, I was only ever kidding myself that I wouldn’t have to, wasn’t I?
A large part of my frustration with how FAT I am right now is that I have NO CLOTHES to fit me – and it’s sooooooooooooo depressing sewing things that are so huge. Even when I can get a pattern that’s close to the right size with no grading (and may her choice of Deity richly bless Ms Crawford for designing for us fat chicks) I still *sigh* feel like it’s such a lot of effort to make something that I’m probably going to not wear for all that long….
BUGGER IT! A big part of this new diet plan thingummy is to overcome this sort of thinking. I AM WORTH DRESSING NICELY! And, realistically, given the endocrine/other health issues I have to deal with on top of losing the actual weight, I’ll probably be the size I am for a while yet. We’re looking at a minimum of 12 months on this program – during which time if I can get back down to even coo-ee of 80 kg, I’ll be happy.
So – tomorrow Mr Beloved will move the full length mirror back to the house *gulp*! And I’ll probably miss Quilters and go bra shopping… waaaaaah! Maybe I can do both? And still get to the physio for a 2pm appointment? Well, maybe not.
You’ve probably all heard by bra-shopping rants before – so I’ll just say this: BIG SHOULDN’T MEAN BEIGE.
“Hang on Mother, we’re almost there!”
(the original cartoon by Victor C.Anderson, published April 1, 1920, found on the wonderful Filboid Studge blog)
I shall forgo my customary Easterpest rant (formerly called the Australian Gospel Music Festival) – suffice it to say that it’s very difficult to have a quiet and contemplative Easter when there are THUD DOOF DOOF DOOF SCREAM YELL noises coming at you from all directions.
Now that we have a new council (Queensland just did the mega-merger thing that NSW did 20 odd years ago) I will be petitioning for the damn “festival” to be moved OUT of our central city park, and far, far away.
Grumph.
After much consideration I ordered three things from Hancocks of Paducah last night:
The All in One Quilter’s Reference Tool (C&T Publishing) – my friend Sue showed me this at Quilters a few weeks back and since then I’ve been thinking “Dang, if only I had that I wouldn’t have to be sitting here puzzling out how wide to cut this @*#$&)* strip/triangle/block…” It was only $13.95 US – and the cheapest I could buy it online even in Australian was $33. Worth the share of the postage, yes?
Second thing: I’ve been a fan of Suzanne Marshall’s beautiful applique for as long as I’ve been quilting. I deeply regret selling her “Take Away Applique” book – not because I wanted to make her patterns, but because the gallery of her quilts was so gorgeous – and she included both the positive and negative judging comments for each quilt. Ah well, I needed the money at the time…
Anyway, I ordered her new book Adventure and Applique. $20.98 from Hancocks – $21.56 is what I would have paid as a member on the AQS site – except they won’t accept orders that go to post office boxes (so you can imagine what THEIR shipping costs!) To buy the book in Australia (even if I could get it) the cheapest price is $33 + postage (fishpond.com.au) – but it would be AT LEAST twice that if I bought it from a quilt shop.
And they wonder why I shop online?!
Last,but possibly most deliciously – some Hoffmann fabric. 4 yards (fingers crossed, it’s not confirmed yet!) of this lusciousness from the 2008 Hoffmann challenge. I’m thinking it needs a 
truly groovy shirt pattern – just got to find one that I love. Maybe one of the Sewing Workshop oriental-inspired shirts? (I would have to grade up the pattern to get it to fit me currently, I hate doing that…)
Any pattern recommendations,please? I’m also considering using it to make this top (size 2x only needs 2 yards…) – it’s not like this is an actual stripe that needs to be matched, after all, it’s more of an overall texture.
Right – off to watch the prancing; then later on the Malaysian Grand Prix – even though my beloved McLarens have been penalised AGAIN (we suspect it’s mostly for Not Being Ferraris…) – I know Lewis will still drive his cute little butt off!
later edit: Bloody prancing had this SUCKY “look how far they’ve come” show on – I have NO interest in seeing that, I want to see DANCING, dammit!
At least I got to talk to my parents tonight (Mum loves her new bag, hooray!) and had a surprise phone call from Robert who was sitting at the Qantas lounge waiting to fly to Tokyo, lucky thing!
Still no quilty news here… OH wait, my fabric arrived from Emerald City Fabric and Craft – yay! The paisleys were larger than I had expected but it’s gorgeous – and the background was chocolate rather than black, so I’m going with one of the greens/turquoises from the print for the other fabrics in M’s Miranda bag.
Yummy?
Speaking of chocolate, I just made another batch of my infamous gluten free choc fudge brownies – just as well Mr Beloved reminded me, I was busy cutting fabric for the backing squares for tomorrow’s strip party. I think it’s going to be a hoot – although there will always be someone who can’t cope with the Rules of Engagement!
If that happens we’ll just hand them a chocolate brownie and smile, yes?!
I didn’t buy the pecans I usually have in the brownies -so they have been christened “Eunuch brownies….”
I realised as I was packing my machine etc tonight that I have one needle left in the packet – and one in the machine. Oops! Sure hope I can find a packet of 90 sharps first thing tomorrow morning…
I’ve been a bit distracted by pain today and by my visit to my doctor. Came away with two new referrals – one to the physiotherapist (for the “Trouble with Dribbles”, as Mr Beloved joked – arrgh! Once a trekkie, always a trekkie …) and one to the gastroenterologist.
Again. *sigh*
Because I am losing iron even though I take the supplements every.single. day. ARRRRRGH! In the last 4 blood tests, my ferritin levels have dropped from 39 to 15 to 13 to 8… normal range is 30-150. Guess who probably has to have iron injections? Problem is, we have to find out WHY it’s disappearing. Or if I’m not absorbing it, to start with. If it’s not one thing…
Look for pics tomorrow – I have spare batteries in my camera and I’m not afraid to use them…
… I managed to get to Gardams to put some money on my fabric… but then I saw that they had Vogue patterns at “Buy one, get 2 free.”
Well, what’s a gal to do?
I had to have this one – I hated it at first glance, but was compelled to keep going back to it every time I flicked through the pattern book. It’s grown on me…
I’m not grading it up – it’s one that will be made when I lose enough inches to get into the size available. Koos van den Akker has some far-out designs. [please click to see the bigger image - as intriguing as those harlequin diamonds look on the top , in reality they're only stripes. Still fabulous - but is ANYTHING as fabulous as harlequin diamonds?]
As Mark Lipinski once pointed out – when you buy [quiltingfabric] you’re not just buying the tangible material – you’re buying the DREAM of that quilt, your hopes and desires. So these patterns are me in my new shape -being artily outrageous in my clothes instead of hiding in fat-chick dowdiness.
Check this one out – I dare you to mess with THIS chick! I was going to make the shorter version of the top with the sedate bias skirt, but then I thought – well, honey, if you’re gonna do it, go BIG!
(In this I am much inspired by an incredibly fabulous woman at Toowoomba Quilters, who wears the most intriguing clothes – while juggling a husband, two small kids, a business, and being the club’s librarian! I have to go lie down just THINKING about her busy life.)
But it’s not all pie-in-the-sky: This pattern I will be making NOW. (Well, soonish.) In fact, once I lose weight I will have to buy the pattern in a smaller size. (Yeah, baby, that’s right – a SMALLER SIZE!!)
Just ignore that dowdy picture – that woman was NOT fitted for those jeans – ugh! I’ve had a read through this pattern and it includes instructions on altering the jeans for those with a sway back (and I can’t tell you how WONDERFUL it will be not to have that gap where the wind whistles down me troosers!).
I plan to make these in fabulous outrageous fabrics… stuff the boring denim, I’ll be in “Glorious Technicolour, Breathtaking Cinemascope and Stereophonic Soooooooooooooound!”*
Yep, if it wasn’t for fear of getting sued, I reckon that could be my new motto. “Glorious Technicolour, Breathtaking Cinemascope and Stereophonic Soooooooooooooound!”
* from “Silk Stockings” ( a musical remake of “Ninotchka”) – with Fred Astaire and Janie Paige hamming it up with that song – you’ve got to see it! Oh, and see Ninotchka, too, if you ever get a chance – Garbo is, as always, DIVINE.)
BUGGER ! How did it get so late? I’m off to BED!
I’ve been ASLEEP.
*sigh*
Remember I told you about the horrible chair at quilter’s? Well, that set me up for several days of worse than usual pain, which buggered my sleep patterns, which made the pain worse – and round and round and round we go, where it stops nobody knows!
At least I got out of the house and had blood drawn on Thursday. Back to the doctors next week to see the results.
I have managed some sewing – more Mirandas – and since Mum doesn’t have internet access at the moment (she’s in Adelaide, with Dad, visiting my brother & his family, and going to all sorts of exciting things like the Adelaide Festival and Womadelaide) I’ll show you her Miranda bag, too. (She knows she’s getting it, she just hasn’t seen it yet!).
This is the inside of Mum’s Miranda bag. I added a hooky thingummy (What ARE they called?) for keys/phone – as soon as I can find some more I’ll be adding them to my bag, too! I actually finished Mum’s bag and book a while back, but there was no point posting it to her yet because they’re away. I adore this fabric – it’s long gone from the shops now, though. (Chez Moi for Moda, “Fresh Air”. Too too yummy!)
Then I did two Mirandas using the same fabrics in part of them – I think they came up well.
This one’s for J, in Oregon, a late birthday pressie. Might have to wait until after next pension day to mail it though! and that’s another little (A6) blank book covered to match.
Here’s the inside: more of that yummy suns/moons fabric (which I’ve had in the stash for ages) and some clouds for the pockets. The stripes are another stash find – I’m using up fabrics that I’ve held on to FOREVER Because they were “too good” to use up. Nope, off they go – into the world where they will (hopefully!) be enjoyed!
And finally, here’s A’s Miranda. Same sun/moon and blue fabric for the top half, but with a wild orangey swirl for the bottom. Because I’m pretty sure A works in a big visual diary, I decided to cover an A5 brag book – room for 80 photos – instead.
and Here’s the inside of A’s Miranda – hand dyed fabrics, because A is a hand dyeing GODDESS. This one’s going in the post whenever I get out of the house next – probably Monday. (I can afford to post within Australia this week…I think… eeeks!)
And now – I need to write up my tutorial for Quilters on Tuesday. Just a quick demo on Flying Geese – and some paper pieced variations. (I’ll pop it up on the Toowoomba Quilters blog after Tuesday, too.) I know there are other quick ways to do flying geese, but honestly – paper piecing is so quick and accurate – and no bias triangles to deal with (because they’re stabilised by the paper, you can ignore fabric grain if you want to) .
I’ve made this pattern of offset little geese just 1 inch wide… no way would I even ATTEMPT that without foundation paper piecing!
And there’s V8s on later – wooo hoooooo!
YES! We’re having some lovely rain again today. There is NOTHING as good as hearing rain on a tin roof.
Well, it’s Tuesday, so it must be quilters day, yes?
Yes!
I had a lovely time at what Mr Beloved cheekily refers to as “playgroup” – that’s more accurate than he knows! Honestly, I go to quilters for the company and the opinions and the chatter. Any actual hand sewing I get done is a bonus. Today I only managed to applique down one 5 inch circle, but ooooh, I had fun!
(I decided to take a different project today, even though I’d packed “Tuesdays and TV” ready to go. Having just finished Mum’s late Christmas/early Birthday pressie, I thought I’d better get a wriggle on with Dad’s.)
I don’t think Dad reads the blog (I know Mum does, HI MUM!) so I can show you the fabric I was appliquéing. I could only buy 1.5 metres when I first found this print; foolishly, I thought it might be enough. Then my quilt plans changed and I decided to get all complicated and I desperately need more. (Which I HOPE, fingers crossed, I might have found on eBay… Emerald City Fabric and Crafts have been very good to me so far…)
AND – happiness! I’ve been looking for green paisley fabric to make best friend M a Miranda bag – isn’t this just PERFECT?
The black background will really work well with free motion quilted plain black fabric – I can see more King Tut thread in my future – maybe #936 “Pharaoh’s Treasure ( “Red, med green, dark green, gold”) or my favourite (three 500 metre reels used so far this year) #910 “Bulrushes” (”brown, light sage, tan, dark sage” – this is the one I initially bought because I though the green and ochres were perfect colours for quilting Australian bush scenes.)
Dang! Somehow it has gone after midnight. I’m for bed and more of that lovely rain on the roof.
OH! Meant to say I got Baby Pfaff (the 2034) back from the repairer today. Dale at Downs Sewing Machine Repairs -he’s worth every cent - that baby is purrrrrrrrrrrrrring! Makes the Goddess Pfaffalina’s trip to see him just that more urgent… I’d forgotten how smooth those machines SHOULD sound!
When did you last have your machine serviced, hmmm?
So what have I been doing?
Well, I’ve made another Miranda bag – here’s a sneak peek. (dontcha hate that you never see those stray threads until photography? Arrgh!)
Got to post two on Monday, and I was hoping to get a third done but – it’s too HOT.
And today was the first race of the V8 Supercars season – wooohooooo! Because it’s a 500km total race, the second 250kms will be run tomorrow. Can’t wait!
Tuesday I overdid things and it’s taken me until Saturday arvo to really get back on top Was going to go to the movies (and possibly see the delicious Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd) but all three of us were way too tired – so we had tea and chatter at Vicki’s instead. Chriss and Vicki are both newish Toowoomba quilters, and lots of fun. But coming on top of spending 10- 3ish at Quilters, I probably should have slept in between, not gone racing round on errands…
Wednesday I went to the doctors – still haven’t gone and got the bloodwork done, oops – and I’m coming round to the idea of at least finding out more about this new medically managed weight loss program. Problem could be the $$- it’s not cheap.
Today is the hottest day of Summer so far (35 inside the house – although the Bureau claim 31. Nope! Yesterday wasn’t far behind at 34/ 30…)
We have Western facing windows in the bedroom, bathroom and sewing room- which means on hot days, those rooms get hotter and hotter – it’s just not bearable to go into them from about 11am until around 9pm. I’m hoping we’ll be able to get some sort of blinds/awnings to help with that….
It’s finally cooled down enough to go to the sewing room – I’m off to cut some sheet acrylic.
Off to Quilters tomorrow – hopefully this week I will get some actual sewing done! Ive dragged out Elspeth, my poor little Scottish Featherweight (Singer 221) who has been sadly neglected since the Sisters Pfaff arrived in 2004. Little Pfaff (the 2034) has been in hospital and I can’t afford to get her home until Wednesday – oh noes! She was well overdue for a service. The Goddess Pfaffalina (2144 with the 2170 upgrade) is due for her grease and oil change next…
It’s so long since I’ve sewn on Elspeth that I have no idea where the quarter inch foot has gone. I gave her a warm up this evening to get the lube flowing again, and downloaded a threading diagram (yes, it’s been THAT long!)
(this isn’t Elspeth – just a generic pic from somewhere. But Elspeth looks like this.)
She was made in Clydebank in 1951 (you can tell by the serial number, which starts with EH – hence ElspetH) and sews very sweetly. One of the things I love about old straight stitch machines is that they only do one thing – sew forwards and backwards in a straight line – but they do it so very well. I’m quite looking forward to playing on her tomorrow!
I was hoping to get a lesson plan and printouts done this week to have a demonstration at Quilters (foundation pieced flying geese, with variations) but I slept instead. I was wiped all weekend and slept for another few hours this arvo. Sheesh! at least I have a quilt top section that shows one of the variations – just got to dig it up from the sewing room to take.
I did manage to get my hospital admission (day procedure) sorted out though – just waiting on pre-admission to call me back for the medical history on Friday. One more thing OFF the procrastination list! Oh, and bought more interfacing for another couple of Miranda bags – long overdue gifties.
Right – tomorrow is a long hard day. There’s an anniversary to deal with, quilters, and then movies with the girls – I better get my beauty sleep!
TA DA! I made this bag last night (and a teensy bit this morning.) It’s the Miranda Day Bag pattern from Joan Hawley’s Lazy Girl Designs. ( I bought my pattern from Punch With Judy, but there are a lot of places you can get it.)
The fabric is a Hoffmann ( I think!) that I’ve been hoarding for years. So the bag is part of my new policy about fabric generally and my stash in particular – I have so many “holy” fabrics that are so nice I don’t want to cut into them. But I am being strong and making them into things that I will enjoy. That way at least I get to see them, rather than bury them and forget how much I liked them.
I am so IN LOVE with this pattern! Joan has really gone all out – it’s more like a book than a pattern. There are step-by-step photos for EVERY Step. The instructions are clear and well written, and in a font that’s easy to read. Even a beginner would have no problems with this pattern – just cut and stitch in the order listed and you’ll have a fabulous bag too!
I’m a slow sewist, (I refuse to write sew-er, because even with the hyphen it looks like I’m talking about municipal drainage) but I got this done in about 5 hours. (I have taken longer on this same pattern when I’ve done much more intensive quilting for the outside, but really you don’t need to go overboard.)
So I spend time making sure the threads are knotted and buried, and press the seams over a tailors ham, etc. You could probably do it faster, but it’s not a huge project – it would certainly be something you could sew in a day.
I ran out of the interfacing I had wanted to use, and so used a fusible pellon wadding as the interfacing in this bag – it makes it a bit squishier but is still firm enough so the bag stands up ok. (Nothing worse than a floppy bag when you’re trying to find something…)
And how good is this – it fits in BOOKS! and magazines. And a whole heap of other things that you might need to take along to your quilters meeting. Yeah baby! Notice that the orange binding on the top of the bag is actually a “Faux” binding – it’s the lining, but attached and stitched in a very clever way. When Joan says “Lazy Girl” she’s not kidding – this is a real time saver, and makes such a neat transition between the inside and outside of the bag.
Here’s a shot of the inside so you can see those groovy pockets better. (That’s my coin purse – a little vinyl ladybug. I have a bit of a thang for ladybugs.) And that rectangle at the bottom is what makes the bag so stable. You can buy specially cut inserts to use but I managed to scrounge some scrap Perspex (ahem, that’s a brand name – of course I mean “Sheet acrylic”) that I cut to size.
I’ve used the short handles option – knowing that if I make long handles I would be tempted to sling the bag over my shoulder and carry way too much stuff. I think it looks awesome with commercial handles (rather than fabric) but I didn’t have the $$ to buy any – or the patience to wait.
Joan keeps adding updates on her blog about her own and other people’s groovy Mirandas, and things that make it even better. (Feet! That’s what I should do, like Tracy has done on her Miranda – bag feet! They stop fabric bags from wearing out so quickly.)
Ah well, there’s always the next bag – I’ve promised one for my best friend M (who gave me the sheet acrylic). Her favourite colour is green and she adores paisley – so let me know if you see any fabric that would be just right.
I was going to make up Lazy Girl Designs “Chloe” bag next – but do you think I can find the pattern in my sewing room? ARRRRRGH! I reckon I have enough of the “Fresh Air” charm squares left after making my journal cover to just about do a Chloe in patchwork.
Although now I think of it, darling Annie (she has a SHOP! Wooohoooooo!) sent me a groovy tool especially designed to help make woven strips from bias, (meshwork! Ahhh, that’s what it’s called!) since it looked so gorgeous when Joan made a Chloe up with this technique, and I’ve been inspired by some of the gorgeous woven bias handbags that Luana showed on her blog from the Tokyo International Quilt Festival…
This post brought to you by the word GROOVY, the colour orange, and the letter Yogh….
