I'm actually feeling a bit more chipper and less cranky than I thought I would when I sat down to write this post, and I'll tell you why in a minute. 'Tis the season when everyone starts counting down their top whatevers of the year, and sewing projects, skills, goals and the like is no different. We've been getting ready to head to suburban Washington, D.C. for Christmas so I've had less time than usual for catching up ... Read more »
Sewing
Completed: cake and vinegar dress
Hello everyone! Well let me just say a big humble thank you to everyone who enjoyed my back roll with a scarf tutorial. I'm so glad it's proved to be easy for others, and it's been fun seeing it crop up on so many heads. I forgot to mention another time it's a useful hairstyle: hiding when you try out a new setting pattern and you don't love the result. (I don't think you need to ask me to know how I found that one ... Read more »
Pressing gratitude!
I can't thank you all enough for the loads of helpful comments on my pressing dilemma, with the fabric that just wouldn't crease! Of course I've now read several discussions about gabardine being hard to press. In the end I was able to get it to work with a combination of your suggestions. I think the big winner, however, was Rebekah of St. Gemma's Art & Needlework, who recommended a spray bottle with 2 parts water ... Read more »
Help, sewists! I can’t press my fabric
My dear sewing friends, I have an issue and I need help! By the way, the yoke is gathered, even though it looks like a big pucker in this photo. As if I didn't have enough problems with the bodice already. Seriously, the place where the collar and yoke joins is beyond the laws of physics—or at least my sewing skills. And the collar is bizarrely short at the back of the neck and I worry it won't roll properly. But all ... Read more »
Trying to find inspiration for fall & winter
My American readers, are you voting today, or did you early vote? Yes? Good. Moving right along... Cold weather is setting in. And I've found myself absolutely floundering style-wise this fall! Being inspired by knitting projects but not sure how they'll fit into my wardrobe. Being inspired by certain vintage fashions but feeling very ho-hum when wearing them myself. Being inspired by other vintage fashions but not if ... Read more »
Finished: Wearing History Smooth Sailing corduroy trousers
Friends, I finally sewed my very first pair of trousers! Now, I've been talking about wanting to sew trousers for over a year. They are definitely a staple in my vintage wardrobe. Last summer I bought the pattern for the 1930s Smooth Sailing trousers and blouse from Wearing History but just could never work myself up to sew them. As you know, this last weekend I went on a blogger adventure, and bought several lovely ... Read more »