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Friday 29 February 2008

Vogue 2973 Jacket Update

I was going to write a post midweek called "Zipping Along", but that never happened because 1) it's a bit of a corny title and 2) suddenly I wasn't zipping along at all.

It started off well. I popped to a local market stall on the offchance that they would have the metal zippers I needed for this jacket. I had resigned myself to a trip further afield which meant everything would be on hold till the weekend (I'll do a post on this one day but Sham Shui Po in HK is a sewing and craft paradise with entire shops devoted to zips or beads etc...). Anyway not only did the local stall have the zips I needed but the stallholder shortened them for me in about 30 seconds. I figured it would have taken me at least 30 minutes to find some pliers and because she could get 2 short zips out of one long one it was cheaper too - only a few HK dollars, but I'd have happily paid more! Fantastic service!

So I could crack on with the jacket during the week and made good progress until it came to the topstitching on the front. For some reason I just could not get it the way I wanted it and it was driving me crazy. On the 3rd attempt and 2nd evening I finally got there and then I was indeed zipping along.

Now I have a jacket, collar, sleeves and lining/facing and they just need to be assembled together. Ironically I have found that my sleeve zippers are too long so I still need to shorten them. I really did have to spend some time looking for pliers after all and got distracted in the process which turned into a tidying session. It turns out the pliers are stored on the husband's flying fifteen boat at the moment so I think I may just take the sleeves to my trusty market stall tomorrow morning and ask her to fix them.

Anyway, enough of all this waffle, lets see some pictures.

Front view


Side view


Sleeves with those pesky zips to adjust

Sunday 24 February 2008

Weekend sewing

So I made a bit of progress on the Vogue denim jacket - basically I have pretty much got as far as I can for now until I purchase the zips that I need for the front and sleeves.  I've attached the back pieces together, sewn the upper sleeves and the collar.  I decided to use white Guterman topstitching thread to highlight the seaming and like the effect.  My denim is quite heavyweight so it's a bit tricky topstitching some areas on my little domestic machine, but I'm just taking it slowly.  It's a bit of a drag having to constantly change the top thread, but I think it will be worth the effort.  Here's a picture of the back pieces.

I also purchased some fabric for the BWOF 0208 jacket pictured in the previous post.  It's a jacquardy, brocady fabric.  You can see I don't really know what it is, but I love it, as soon as I saw it I knew it was what I wanted for the jacket.  Isn't it great when that happens?.  It is very difficult to photograph though, it's an olive base colour with some rust and gold patterns on it.  I also purchased the lining I need for both jackets so all in all a pretty restrained shopping trip.
I did however buy a few Butterick patterns in their online sale.  I got these ones;



Tuesday 19 February 2008

Next projects - Vogue Montana jacket and BWOF 02/2008

I almost bought this pattern in the latest Vogue patterns $6.99 sale.  I'm glad that I didn't because when I had a bit of a tidy up I discovered that I already had it!  So I figured I must really like it and I had better make it before I try and buy it again.  I have some black denim in my stash for it so it will be easy to match zippers.  I may add some contrasting topstitching to highlight the interesting seamlines - I'll experiment and see.  I don't bother tracing off these patterns so I'm about to start cutting it - there are 24 pieces for the jacket - yikes!  This may not be a quick project!


So to keep my interest up I'll also have a couple of other things on the go from the latest BWOF issue - Feb 08.  I want to make jacket 115 below, but I don't have the right fabric so I feel a little shopping trip coming on this weekend, which may of course end up changing all my plans!
I still want to make the sleeveless tie neck top and have this cut in a remnant of silk.  However this is on hold because 1) my machine won't sew the silk - I think I just need a smaller needle and 2) I'm completely foxed by the instructions at the moment, maybe they'll sink in after percolating on them for a bit.

I'm also thinking about a jersey top for a quick sewing fix.  Toya's fabulous New Look top reminded me that I also have this pattern lurking in my cupboard, maybe time to make it up.
Well enough waffle, I have 24 jacket pieces to cut out before my enthusiasm disappears!

Monday 18 February 2008

BWOF 2008/01 - 120 Top Finished


I have finished the Pattern Review BWOF January sewalong project. These photos show the collar being worn up, down and also a close up of the front fastening and trim detail.  You can see my full review here. This is the first time that I have participated in a sewalong and I found it really motivating so will definitely be continuing to do the monthly BWOF projects. Next I shall have to think about entering a contest.....

Wednesday 13 February 2008

BWOF 2008/01 - 120 Top ; Progress in pictures


Here is the top so far. It is largely still only pinned together but you can see the general idea. You can see the problem with the slightly transparent fabric, but the dressform is dark, on me it's less noticeable. This is one of the stranger garments I've made and the instructions are quite confusing. The front and back have collar pieces attached and then there are 2 additional single layer collars which sit on top of that. Here is a close up photo to try and show that. It's not very clear how to finish the collars on the inside so I am just going to do my own thing - still experimenting with that. I am pleased with the trim I found, not too lacy and makes a big difference to the overall look of the shirt - it was starting to remind me either of a doctors coat or chef whites before!

Tuesday 12 February 2008

BWOF 2008/01 - 120 Top Update & BWOF 2008/02

Well I am back from Oz and it's still freezing here and will be until the weekend, I want to get straight back on the plane for warmer climates, but the next best thing is to get in the sewing room (with a heater on full blast).

I adjusted the top pattern to add about 1 inch FBA and have cut the fabric and started putting it together, this part is happening quite fast but I am not feeling love for this top right now. It's hard to see how the whole thing will look until the collar is completed so I am going to persevere and should get it finished at the weekend. The main problem I have I think is that the fabric is slightly transparent which means that when the top is wrapped over you can see all the underwrap - tie, wrinkles and all. I also need to add more shaping on the side seams to make it fit me better which is an easy adjustment. I'm planning on picking up some lace trim this week so I can finish the collar and then I'll post some pictures. I have found that I am much more objective and see things I might otherwise have missed when looking at photos compared to the mirror.

I picked up the February BWOF as soon as I got back - priorities! - and really love this issue. It seems to be more spring oriented than I can remember February issues being in the past which at the rate I sew is a good thing. There are lots of things I like;

103A twist front dress - intrigued, but a little unsure of this design, definitely one to do in a muslin first
107 chiffon v neck dress - in reality probably too plunging for me, but I love the design, maybe for hot summer holiday....
113 sundress with flounce - love this for a printed summer dress, would lengthen it for me
115 zip front jacket with ruffled collar - love this design would want it more fitted than the photo appears to be though
116 waistcoat blouse - jacket shaping that I can wear into the summer
119 sleeveless tie neck top - don't know if this will suit me or not, but it's quick & easy so it's traced and will try this next
121 3/4 length pants - great summery basic, like the wide leg
123A jersey blouson top - again not sure if this will suit me, but quick to find out

Will I make all of these - it's extremely unlikely, but I hope a few of these pieces will make it into my summer wardrobe. Top 119 will the be first one that I test out.