Monday, December 26, 2011

Goodbye, 2011



As the year draws to a close, I cannot help but look back at all that I failed to accomplish (Happy New Year!) and this little guy tops the sewing category list. It's a Built by Wendy Simplicity 3966 pattern and my first attempt at making a coat. I suppose the problem is that already, at this stage of the sewing process, I find the coat rather bulky and unflattering. As a result, I'm not inspired to make the lining, facings, and button holes, which would take time away from other activities, like, lying face flat on my bed, looking out the window, reading a book, etc.

What a dilemma!  

Only 2012 can tell what fate lies in store for the little guy.



Saturday, December 10, 2011

Underwear!



Wow, who would have thought that making a pair of underwear would be so satisfying. I think it's because it's a practical and utilitarian object, and that, in turn, makes me think that it has to be constructed by someone who knows their stuff and will create a sturdy product, much like a bridge or a jet engine.


Anyway, I'm no engineer but this underwear came out quite nicely. They're based on a commercial pattern that my friend shared with me from a workshop that she took.


Wendy the cat likes them, too.

Mreow!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Lazarus Top


I finally finished this top, which has gone through so many permutations, it barely resembles the pattern I originally used for it (hence my christening it Lazarus).

The pattern was 01/2011 Burda magazine's pattern #123, a long boat-neck knit top with three quarter sleeves. Initially, I wanted to make a peter pan collar for it and shorten it to waist-length, otherwise leaving the pattern as is. I am, however, afflicted with some sort of Peter Pan curse, which renders me unable to make a peter pan-collared shirt. I have denounced peter pan collars (despite loving them) many a time because of this, but I always come crawling back and delude myself thinking, "This time, I will succeed!"

Anyway, I did not succeed and was forced to angrily chop off the collar of this shirt about three times before I gave up and decided to salvage what remained of it by making a front panel out of a contrasting fabric (I used the remains of my last project out of the Japanese Stylish Dress Book called Billowy Blouse.) I also gathered the front and made contrasting sleeve cuffs.

Having no photographer on hand, the shirt is modelled by a trusty hanger and some cooperative logs and branches.



The pattern
In other news, Christmas came early for me and an I received a package filled with so many cool vintage buttons. Aren't buttons so great?

Buttonmania!