While I was flooded in ...

We've been experiencing some pretty severe and unseasonal rain here in the subtropics. Wednesday morning the forecast was for at least 100mm of rain and winds of up to 110km/h. I went in to work early and paid my staff and then went home to prepare. I have to cross five causeways to get out of my valley and if the weather was going to be as wild as predicted, I knew I wouldn't even be able to wade across, much less drive. Within an hour of me arriving home, the river rose more quickly than I have ever seen it and my whole east paddock, with its gently trickling stream leading into a sweet little waterhole became a raging torrent with standing waves. It was Friday before I could leave my property.

So I sewed.

First up was this Kwik Sew top, I think it's 3378 but I'm not sure. It was a wadder anyway. My first wadder, in fact. I hate the fabric (cost me 30c at the op shop) and I hate the pattern.
Next up was this top, made from some vile flesh tone nylon crap that I bought somewhere a long time ago. It's for wearing under things that are a little see through. When I tried on the white top I made last week, all I could see was my striped bra underneath, so I needed a cover up and this is it. I finished the neckline in undie elastic for speed.

This skirt was made from a leftover scrap of paisley microfibre I made a dress from last winter. It fell out of the cupboard when I was looking for the fleshtone fabric, so I decided to use it instead of putting it away again. The zip was a 30c find at an op shop and I lined it with caramel lining I found in my cupboard and have no recollection of actually buying. It was obviously for something because I bought 4metres of it!
After saying I wouldn't make the BWOF wrap top again ... I did. I bought this fabric for the colour only and when I got it home it just decided that this was the best design for it. I lengthened it by about 5cm and I think I will like it better now.


Next up I decided to make this BWOF dress. I don't remember the number but I think it was 01-2008. I was ambivalent about the dress to start with and I don't think I chose the right fabric. The fabric is a rayon jersey from Gorgeous Fabrics and has a lovely hand, but I don't think it was right for this dress. I think I will shorten it to a top.
The next thing I tackled was another pair of Burda Anita jeans. I cut these out a few weeks ago and have been putting off starting them for some reason.These are made from a reversible stretch cotton from Gorgeous Fabrics. It's brown on one side and a lovely shade of orange on the other. When it arrived, it was different to what I had expected so my original plan for it went out the window. I didn't know what to make with it, so I washed it and hung it out to dry and figured I'd work it out later. By the time it was dry, I knew what I would do. I don't know how well it shows up in these pictures, but when it dried the fabric had this wonderful snake skin like effect to it. It also has a feel of oilcloth and is absolutely perfect for jeans.I used some cotton leftover from my coffee date dress for the waistband facing and pocket lining. You probably can't see from these pictures, but I've used another variegated thread for the topstitching. This one is shades of gold and is called Autumn Harvest. I'm rather partial to these threads and I'm getting a fine collection of colourways.
I got flooded in again on Saturday and spent the weekend tracing patterns and cutting out. This week I have two dresses, a jacket, a coat and a pair of pants all ready to go. As much as I don't want it to rain anymore, I really don't mind if it does ...

Comments

Faye Lewis said…
My goodness! That storm really made you work up a storm, or rather gave you the opportunity. You produced some great pieces here.
Linda T said…
Wow! Your machine must have really been humming--you accomplished so much!
kbenco said…
I knew it! What a great use of flood days.
I also adore your fabric. I bought some of the orange and gold print from GF too - I think it is the same rayon knit?, and I had the worst trouble sewing with it - I ended up laying it over a flesh colour knit and sewing it as one. The top I made from it is really comfortable to wear though, so it was worthwhile.
I love your orange BWOF wrap top, It seems to be my favourite colour at the moment.
Gail said…
Nothing like a lil' rain. As always, I love your new clothes. Rained here all weekend too ...a welcome chance to finish my jacket.
Kristy Chan said…
thank god you're ok, and you certainly made the most of it! Another weekend of that rain and you'll have a whole new wardrobe
gwensews said…
You were fortunate the electricity stayed on during all those storms. What a sewing adventure you had--wow! I love the paisley skirt and orange top-and wonder if they coordinate? Love the jeans. I hadn't thought of using variagated thread for topstitching jeans--hummm. I may have to try that.
cidell said…
You crack me up. That's a lot of sewing. Question on the top stitching. Emilie at Jalie says they don't change thread and just use a stretch stitch for the designs, etc. Would variegated work with that you think?
That is so productive! I am totally loving the back pockets on those jeans. All you people making jeans are really acting as though it is a totally possible thing to do. I am getting seriously tempted.
Meg said…
Wow, such productivity and such great results. Ditto what Trena (above) said about making jeans.
Diana said…
Holy smokes ! You sewed a whole wardrobe during that week! But I'm sorry about the bad weather and flood and all!
Faye Lewis said…
Love all your work here. I finished my jackets - thanks for looking in!

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