Yes, still sewing here. So many ideas dancing around in my head that it makes me dizzy. And some of it is actually being made these winter stay-at-home weekends.
I joined Jen‘s “Handmade Wardrobe | Spring 2012” flickr group and started off by trying to organize my many ideas by pinning at least some of them up on this new foam board above my sewing machine. Do come join the group as well, it’s still a bit quiet there!
Corresponding inspiration pictures (lots from the wonderful Downton Abbey) are still to come. This beautiful blouse for example begs for a modern interpretation I think.
Some of the things on the board have already been made. The blouse I made last weekend didn’t turn out so well, so I’ll wait to show it until I’ve made some alterations. This weekend’s top is still waiting for its buttons. If I can get it done before the light goes there’ll be pictures (EDIT: I just realized I don’t have the right buttons for it here, so no pictures till next weekend at least).
I’ve really stacked up the patterns these last few months, but I find I keep going back to the keepers, who fit me well: The Wiksten Tova and Tank, the Colette Sorbetto and a vintage top pattern I bought on Ebay. 2012 will probably see me drafting more again and changing these existing patterns, plus trying out a select few new ones. Compared to two years ago (when I first tried drafting patterns) I feel a lot more confident in my sewing abilities, know more techniques and definitely have more of an idea what I’m doing and how I want things to look.
If you’re wondering at the lack of non-sewing related topics and photos: I’ll be making some changes this year, taking my photography elsewhere and focussing this blog more on the handmade side of my life (plus home and barn and cat pics of course). I’ll let you know where to find my photos, not to worry! It’s all still in the making and nothing to show for it yet, so expect more in a couple of weeks 🙂
little home by hand 
Kristina,
Looking forward to seeing you sewing. We have a new sewing store here with lovely fabric. Anyway, I bought a pattern to make a blouse out of some of the material I bought in Hawaii. I’m excited. I’ve not sewn anything wearable since I was a kid and those shorts were terrible. It’s a real simple pattern so we’ll see how it goes. Thanks for the link to that group. I’ll have to check it out. And thanks for the inspiration
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That sounds great, I’m looking forward to seeing your Hawaii blouse 🙂 The fabric you bought is so beautiful. I’d say make a muslin first though before you cut into precious fabric, especially if you haven’t sewin clothing for a while. I find it takes practice before it becomes fun and easy :))
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I really like your way of organizing your new projects!
Right now I’m sewing a Wiksten tank top too, it’s an easy project and I love the shape of it! And about the Tova top, I’d try to add some buttons on it, if I sew a new one. My first Tova has an “strange” neck, and I don’t wear it without a foulard.
Enjoy your sewing days!!
Have a nice week!
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I’m looking forward to seeing your new tank, that’s a great easy pattern too! I always find finishing edges with bias tape takes a lot longer than you think it will, but the top can still be made in a day at the weekend. I think that’s my main requirement for patterns…can be made in 4-8 hours, so I can sew a day and wear it the next :))
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I’ve just joined the group. I need the motivation! Your projects look exciting and I love your fabric choices – I should try and set mine out like that too so I walk past them everyday and they can remind me of things that need doing. Those sewaholic patterns look great too – I might have to check them out!
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Hi Linda, glad you joined 🙂 I can really recommend keeping a journal with you all the time and just jotting down ideas as they come. I’ve been doing that for a couple of months and it has really helped me organize my ideas in every aspect of my life.
I do try not to think of my sewing projects as “need” doing though, for me that can kill the fun pretty quickly. Some of the ideas may not get made, but that’s fine too 🙂
I haven’t sewn the Sewaholic patterns yet, but I read great things about them so I’m curious to try them. The fit should also be good for me, as they are small in the bust area and wider in the waist and hip, like me. I don’t sew Colette patterns except the Sorbetto top because they don’t fit me.
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Hmm… I was thinking of joining that group too – but I’m not experienced enough of a sewer to draft my own patterns, but I do have plans for a Tulip Skirt, of course, and a Scout tee, at minimum. Maybe I will join to motivate me. I’ve never seen those Sewaholic patterns. I can’t wait to see what you make!
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You’ll love the Tulip and the Scout 🙂 I wouldn’t say I’m an experienced sewer either, but I did work my way through Cal Patch’s book “Design-It-Yourself Clothes: Patternmaking Simplified” once and it turns out that most adjustments (like button plackets, collars, pockets etc) are pretty easy to draft. Therefore I find it far easier to change an existing well-fitting pattern like the sorbetto than fitting a new pattern to look good on me. I’ve tried that a couple of times, one big failure was the Violet blouse, and it never worked very well for me. Probably because fitting is a big gap in my sewing “education”. I’m thinking of getting the “Colette Sewing Handbook” to read up on techniques, but so far I’ve managed pretty well on free tutorials online 🙂
Looking forward to seeing your next projects!
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Oh, fun! I can’t wait to see what you’re up to. And I’m feeling inspired to tackle some kind of clothing…
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lovely inspiration, i am checking out the flickr group now 🙂
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