Sew, I've Been Thinking ...

I haven't done a lot of sewing this weekend, but I have cut a lot of things out. In fact, this weekend my focus has been on cutting out things from leftover SWAP fabric. I've had a pile of leftover fabric sitting on the bed in my sewing room because I didn't want to put it away while my memory of how the fabric handled was still clear. I cut a cropped jacket out of leftover red fabric, I cut black trim from an old dress to finish a SWAP garment, I cut another totally unplanned knit jacket because I wanted to get rid of the fabric and I cut three summer tops out of leftover knits. The one thing that was from new fabric was a pair of jeans and a pair of shorts for Grant's SWAP. It's a good thing that neither of us are particularly tall because I managed to get a both of these garments from 2m of denim. This is all that's left. Another task I completed today was to finish a cardigan I've been knitting. On top of an enormous fabric stash I also have an em...

I made another of the Style high waisted skirts. It's in abstract puffs woven, leftover from my dress. I'm not sure if this will be part of my SWAP or just an addition to my wardrobe. I actually made this last weekend, but hadn't hemmed it as I've been feeling pretty poorly all week. Friday afternoon gave me a lease of life and I hemmed it today after work. There's not much to say that I didn't say last time, although having worn the red one to work again this week, I may lengthen the facing next time for comfort and neatness as the facing ends at my natural waist and creates a fold when I sit. RuthieK says she has this pattern and to you, Ruthie, and anyone else who has this pattern, I would highly recommend it. I am hippy, the only thing I inherited from my Italian ancestors was round hips, so normally I would stay away from something that emphasised the difference between my waist and my hips, but this skirt is suprisingly flattering and it makes me feel...

Yesterday kbenco wrote a wonderful post entitled Boring Sewing and Why I Do It . It's a great post, so go and have a look. The ironic thing for me was that I read it at a time when I was having a cup of tea, reading blogs and avoiding going to my sewing room to do some boring sewing of my own. Sitting on my table, next to the machines threaded with the appropriate colours, was a pair of jeans for Grant's SWAP that I have been avoiding all week. The colour is boring and I have made this same pattern 5 times in recent weeks. Just like the shirt I made him last weekend. I have made that same pattern 8 times in the past two months. I can do both of them in my sleep. As kbenco said so eloquently, these are things you do for your loved ones and it's part and parcel of a successful relationship. I believe that when we use our skills to make things for others, we are expressing our love for them. I was sick this week and because my bloke is someone who doesn't know how to handl...

Sewing has been a little unsatisfactory this weekend. I finished the last of Grant's long sleeve shirts. This one was made with a fabric called Basketry in Milan from Gorgeous Fabrics. This is a lovely heavy weight cotton that is perfect for winter in the subtropics. Sewing it in summer, however, has been hideous. It's hot sitting on my lap to start with then the heavens opened and we had 200mm of rain in one day. This made the fabric limp as soggy lettuce, making it stretch and warp as I sewed it. I had the dehumidifier pumping right beside me, but I couldn't get the humidity down below 80%. I finally hemmed it on Sunday afternoon and put the buttons on last night. He'll enjoy wearing it in winter as it's the most wonderfully soft and cosy fabric. I sewed up KS 3658 this morning and I am very happy. I've made this as a dress before and I debated as to whether to make a dress or top with this fabric. I kind of wish I'd made the dress, but I love ...

I made this top last night. It is Kwik Sew 3338 with the self drafted cowl neck variation that was detailed in Australian Stitches last year. I make this pattern a lot, both as a regular round neck t and also with this cowl addition. It's saved me from having to buy another pattern. I've matched the side seams as best I can, but it's hard to get it exact with a shaped side seam. The fabric is from Gorgeous Fabrics, the You Look Marvelous print and was a dream to work with. I have enough for a sleeveless top, too. I forgot to mention yesterday's fabric which is the Lady in Red Matte jersey, also from Gorgeous Fabrics. Although it's a matte, it has a slight sheen, which is beautiful. It has a lovely weight, sews perfectly and would work really well as a dress. I'm thinking of getting more for a red wrap dress. I've got one more SWAP top to make, then it's back to the dresses. I've saved the hardest stuff till last!

I knocked this top out this afternoon when I came home from work and was finished in time for dinner at 7pm. It's Vogue 1020 and I've made this pattern as a dress twice before, but decided to give it a whirl as a top. I twin needled the neckline over clear elastic and the sleeves and bottom hem are twin needled. Like most people who make this pattern, I have left out the zipper. This will get a lot of wear come winter.