Friday, March 08, 2013

1036


I'm sewing for myself again and for the first time I think I've struck on a winner.

A few years ago, for my last significant birthday, the lovely Tamara was so sweet and made me a lovely nighty as a gift.  It's a fantastic pattern, very simple, but so flattering and comfortable.  Last week she was kind enough to trace the pattern for me and yesterday I sewed up a longer version into a lovely summer maxi dress.  I kid you not when I say I received five compliments on it today, all loving the fabric and amazed at how clever I am!  I'm not great at accepting compliments and greeted them all with surprise followed quickly by "it's not hard, if it was I couldn't do it".

When I got home, the praise I'd received so inspired me that I went out and splurged on the most delicious soft and sheer silk to make a top for a birthday we're helping celebrate next weekend.  My thinking was that I could afford the fabric over buying something new to wear.  Well, by the time I bought silk lining as well, $65 later.....  Now that did include special fine machine needles and silk thread, but still.

I'll try and get a decent picture of the dress but the top, I'll be extra careful with this one, take my time, practice a new skill and hope that I do justice to this lovely muted, watercolour like fabric.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Victoria!
Gosh your girls are growing up! both so gorgeous, and your photos so beautiful :)
I had a quick look at your french seam tutorial and wanted to share a few ideas of mine, especially for silk.
sew your first seam (wrong sides facing) open pieces out and press seam towards back of garment. this will give you a line along the seam to easily fold and turn and enclose the first seam, otherwise you can end up with a wonky seam that varies in width. I also pin a silk seam as its prone to dragging down (and then roping) I also wouldn't use pinking shears, just the sharpest scissors you have.
Can't wait to see your top!
L xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hi Victoria!
Gosh your girls are growing up! both so gorgeous, and your photos so beautiful :)
I had a quick look at your french seam tutorial and wanted to share a few ideas of mine, especially for silk.
sew your first seam (wrong sides facing) open pieces out and press seam towards back of garment. this will give you a line along the seam to easily fold and turn and enclose the first seam, otherwise you can end up with a wonky seam that varies in width. I also pin a silk seam as its prone to dragging down (and then roping) I also wouldn't use pinking shears, just the sharpest scissors you have.
Can't wait to see your top!
L xoxo