Goals and Plans for 2017

Goals and Plans for 2017

Again, I'm linking to Gillian of Crafting a Rainbow in the top 5 of 2016

These are in no way New Year's Resolutions.  Those are just too easy to break!

These are those goals and plans that relate to sewing.

Strangely,  though not so when I tell you more, my first goals concern weight and health.

• Many of my clothes have become too tight
• My bras were strangling me and I had to buy new ones (I do not have any plans to make bras)
• I saw a couple of RTW items that I liked but I was too big for the biggest size (regular range,  not plus sized range) or they are too short (one of the reasons I started making my own)
• I was becoming breathless far too easily
• I felt unwell
• I was sent for heart tests because of some enzyme and chest X-ray abnormalities and need to get a 24 hour monitor in January. There isn't a major problem. My heart rate is fast, probably because I am unfit. I have a minor ECG issue. I had heart surgery in 2000 to repair a congenital hole in the heart, found by chance after I'd had a couple of brief  transient ischaemic attacks which can be stroke precursors. I've been fine since.
• I have been getting no exercise since not playing golf,  that's since the end of September. I can only imagine increasing my fitness will benefit my heart!
• My knees hurt more than they did. They're having to carry more weight.
• I didn't like what I was seeing in the mirror.
• I had put on weight, but not as much I thought as would account for the way I was feeling and looking. I'm out of shape even more.

Today, I went back to Slimming World. I've been before and did well. David doesn't need to lose weight beyond the 2 or 3 pounds he's put on over Christmas but will be supportive. He doesn't see why people need to attend such things as Slimming World but I need that input. I was heavier this time than when I started last time. That time I lost 2 stones;  this time it needs to be nearer 3.

In addition, I will restart golf. I find that type of exercise more enjoyable than a gym.

Alison gave me a watch that measures steps etc and I've set some goals on that for daily activity. Even on a day to day basis, I'd become less active. Unfortunately, sewing is not a particularly active hobby. So far,  I've met my goals on daily activity,  but I did start easy!

Being slimmer will allow me to wear some clothes that I can't currently. Both those that I have that are currently too tight and those I might buy.

Blocks

I will sort out my blocks after I've got about half way with my weight loss. I have to do this. I will sew for where I am, though, as well as thinking about where I want to be. So I won't delay until I reach a weight goal - that was one of my previous u=issues with making trousers and I didn't ever finish.

Sewing Plans:

Last year,  I didn't actually complete a wearable garment for myself. That wasn't intentional. Sure, I was busy with wedding sewing for the first half of the year but found it difficult to get going afterwards. So in 2017 I will be sewing for me.  Not exclusively, as I do enjoy sewing for the family, but I'd like to get a few garments made for myself.

I have issues with RTW relating to fit (sure - quality too but I'm referring only to fit here). Some of the issues are related to my height (5’11”), some to my basic shape (pear), some to my ‘maturing’ body shape - more around the middle than I ever had and some because I'm overweight.

These are the items I find hardest to buy:

Trousers

RTW issues

• crotch length and depth too short;
• waist gaping as my waist is much smaller than my hips.
• My thighs are quite chunky,  too.
• I don't tend to have problems getting the legs long enough - and there are some specialist companies catering for tall women, should I need that.
• In addition, I don't like low rise. I prefer my waistband at my natural waist, or just below.

I intend 2017 to be the year of trousers.  I have consistently failed to get trousers to fit,  either RTW or me-made.  I attended a jeans making class; I can sew them,  but they don't fit. In class we drew up a pattern using Dennic Chunman Lo rather than say Aldrich  and it just didn't work. I wasn't the only one in this position. We tried to make changes but again the term ended before we had got far enough and I had no desire to continue.

My tutor  is going to help me get a decent trouser block. I believe she is thinking about draping though I'm not entirely sure.

Blouses/shirts

RTW issues

• Sleeve and body length. Most of my blouses and shirts have sleeves that are too short. While I'm happy to wear some styles over a skirt or trousers, I want to be able to tuck my blouses in securely.
• Being tall, I sometimes find that bust darts are too high as there isn't enough length between shoulder and bust.
• I don't like shirts with pockets as the positioning of them is usually not flattering on me.
• More recently I have found that my bust is bigger because of weight gain I assume and a couple of the shirts I have pull a bit at the front,  not an issue I had previously. I am quite wide shouldered. I am having to do FBAs on virtually all patterns and now feel that some of the. RTW that fitted me previously could do with the same!

As yet, I haven't chosen what I might like to make.

Jackets

RTW issues similar to blouses and shirts.

Last term my class was on jacket tailoring. We made up a standard size jacket - 10 or 12 (UK). It would have fitted Helen widthwise but would have been too short in body and arms.  No chance of it fitting me! I didn't actually finish it as after we made the practice jacket, the idea was to make our own fitted jacket. We all ran out of time. I have made an initial fitting toile in calico and will make a few changes to the pattern and make up another toile,  this time in boiled wool. I'll give more details at a later stage.

I have also started the Morris blazer from Grainline.

I thought this would be easy but have found it rather more difficult than anticipated. It's a blazer without darts. I chose the correct size for my upper chest and shoulders and made a full bust adjustment, following the instructions on Grainline. Their instructions leave a side dart. I don't like that but don't see how to get rid of it sensibly. I made up a toile but chose a poor fabric - too thin and too stretchy.

After Christmas, I plan to finish this blazer, too. I have had to abandon the plans I had to use striped jersey as it is too thin. I may use a plain boiled wool.

SWAP (Sewing with a Plan)

The Stitchers Guild runs a kind of contest each year. I have never entered.  It involves producing a number of garments (11 this year)by sewing or knitting which work together, by end April. There are guidelines for these garments which are detailed elsewhere so I don't need to go into detail, particularly as I’m not sure which path I’ll take. There should be a combination of ‘bottoms’, ‘tops’, dresses and ‘overlayers’ some of which can be outerwear. They can include one made previously, one bought and although the official start date is Boxing Day,  you can start early. I tried to do one of the tops early (hacking from a RTW top) but ran out of time before Christmas.

Provided I manage the jackets, above, and the trouser block,  I hope to enter the SWAP.  I would put in 2 or 3 pairs of trousers,  plus or minus jeans, the two jackets mentioned above,  some tops and a cardigan. Even though my class next term is outerwear, I don't think I'll be trying any of that for this. If I decide to do this,  I may not finish it in the time available but would continue until I had completed it. I would include a couple of blouses/shirts and try to make a pair of close fitting trousers. Obviously, leggings would be easier and so faster, but I don't wear them.

I'm not yet absolutely committed to this so haven't made any detailed plan. You'll be the first to know if I go ahead! It could work for my reunion weekend.

Helen's wedding dress

I need to reassemble it! I took it apart to try to clean it, but unsuccessfully, and Helen is quite distressed that it has remained that way (disassembled more than the dirty part). So I'll put it together and get it back to her.

Helen's red silk dress

I should get that done relatively quickly as the toile only needed minor alteration. I'm likely to find the pockets most difficult. Interestingly, the pockets are actually gusseted and are like those in outerwear. We'll be looking at those next term. I don't see them as being very appropriate in a silk dress but Helen loves them. I have some photos of the dress but Ill wait until things are back to normal here (Just escaping for a few minutes)

Level 3 Sewing Class

Next term is outerwear and I think the third term is lingerie (can't quite remember offhand). I'm carrying on with the course.

40 year reunion

For our reunion 40 years after graduating from Glasgow University,  we will have a long weekend in a spa hotel in Scotland,  in November 2017. Some of my friends from uni don't intend to go,  which is sad, so I don't know how popular it will be. I plan to make a few garments for this long weekend, a travel wardrobe, maybe. Not sure what yet. I will include an evening dress,  though. Maybe.

I hope you all had a good Christmas break - and I wish you a Happy New Year 2017

A Pair of Kimonos finished (New Look 6217) and things not made

A Pair of Kimonos from New Look 6217

My plans for Christmas sewing were scaled way down. A number of reasons for this - illness, various household appliances breaking down,  initial over commitment etc. Initially the plan was for a ‘DIY’ Christmas but to be honest, that rarely (read never) works out! I tried,  though. David did too  - he framed sewing photos for my sewing room (temporarily a dining room again) and a photo of Tammy,  Alison's previous cat for Alison; Alison made some nice spice mix for everyone,  in addition to their present and Joanne gave Alison a manicure (that is actually did it). Helen made Anthony a photo album from their honeymoon,  and Helen and Anthony framed some wedding photos for my mother. So quite a lot of DIY, really. I made kimonos for Joanne and Alison,  cushions for Joanne and an infinity scarf for my mother. More of that later. 

I didn't make:

Shirt for David

A shirt for David - not started. I love the fabric and will make this shirt next year. Possibly for his birthday. David chose the fabric so I know he likes it. I'm not sure what pattern to use as yet. I did buy one from Thread Theory but haven't looked at it yet (it's a PDF)

Cargo Shorts

My initial idea came from a fabulous pair of really well made shorts I saw in an outlet store, very reasonably priced, but the wrong size for Steven. He and Anthony wear shorts a lot. So I thought about making some for our DIY Christmas.I asked and was told by their wives, my daughters,  that this would be entirely suitable. These cargoes were going to tick the DIY box, be a useful make, extend my trouser making skills and I would have entered the PR menswear contest, which has just finished; I wouldn't have been able to get a photo of them being worn.

Helen suggested bright - yellow - and I got the fabric but clearly she had made an error of judgement! She didn't get back with sizes and when I asked,  it's clear that Anthony didn't fancy. I'm not surprised! Unfortunately after I tracked down a suitable zip! I bought fabric for Steven’s but didn't pursue; his was standard chino fabric.

I was planning to use the pattern in one of the GBSB books as I find I tend not to think about book patterns. I abandoned both. Possibly,  probably, for ever. Well,  it's easier just to buy something! I'm not going to commit to DIY for next year - unless as David suggested I start in February.

Tartan Skirt; Silk Dress

I also, once again,  abandoned a tartan pleated skirt for Helen as she's not yet sure what style she wants. She asked me to hack her favourite red silk dress and I'm doing that but it won't be ready until after Christmas as she needed to try on the toile, which I managed to make up quickly (it was already cut out) and we've made some minor changes. I plan to start on that next week.

Kimonos

Joanne asked me to make a kimono like Helen's. 

I struggled to find suitable fabric. I got some that is possibly suitable but not the same type of fabric as Helen's, which would have been better,  and a bit late - but in the course of my searches I found some ‘China silk’ which I thought would make a fabulous kimono. Black with flowers for Joanne. They also had turquoise with dragonflies  - perfect for Alison who loves turquoise and dragonflies!

I originally got the New Look pattern free with Sew magazine. I looked out the pattern - but the kimono pieces weren't there. For Helen's I had traced the pattern and I couldn't find that either. Helen doesn't have them. I decided I had no real option other than to buy a replacement pattern, fortunately at half price. Murphy's Law says that I would then find the mislaid pattern but I haven't yet!

Helen's kimono was lengthened in body and arms and that's what Joanne wanted. However, this fabric is narrow and I wasn't able to lengthen the sleeves more than about 3 cms. I tried but it didn't work. I only slightly lengthened the body as I felt the body and sleeve lengths should be in proportion.

I made Joanne's kimono first. This fabric has no silk in it! It's polyester, pure and simple, I would say. I did an accidental burn test with my iron which I felt showed this. Rory did a proper burn test and agreed. The fabric is stiffer and less drapey than I'd hoped. However, both fabrics were bought for the design so I'm not really worried. One issue with Joanne's is that the vendor gave me two pieces of fabric and it is clear they are from different batches as the striped lining is different, the stripes different widths,  though I can't see any difference on the face of the fabric. I used one piece for the back and the other for the two fronts. I don't think it's noticeable. A warning for the future.

With Joanne's kimono, because of the amount of fraying,  I decided to overlock all the edges before construction. This turned out to be a mistake.  As the fabric doesn't press well,  I found it very difficult to get the open seams to lie flat and in the end decided to overlock the two sides together.

There were no major construction issues. I did something wrong with the back neck band meaning that it was slightly narrower than the front bands and this made the top stitching more difficult,  that is to get it even. I overlocked the outside edge of the facings rather than make a hemmed edge. I did slightly lengthen sleeves and body but apart from what I've already mentioned,  I followed the directions. I used interfacing in the band but felt it wasn't really necessary. I later asked advice at class and decided to miss out for the next rendition.

I like the final kimono, even though it's not perfect. I hope Joanne likes it. Oh,  I used ordinary black Guterman thread throughout and didn't have any stitching problems.

When I bought the turquoise dragonfly fabric for Alison, I had no clear idea what I was going to make as Alison told me she didn't like kimonos so I asked her what she wanted. I sent some pattern images. She decided she also wanted a kimono as she likes Helen's too.

I considered doing a full bust adjustment for Alison's.  In the end, I decided simply to lengthen the front edges;  I felt there was enough width that no extra was required. I decided against using interfacing. This time, I didn't overlock the edges before construction. That worked relatively well,  though there was quite a bit of fraying by the time I reached my last seam! I found matching the pattern difficult as the pattern match was oblique rather than straight.

While constructing, I accidentally sewed the front bands onto the back neck band wrongly. At least I think I did!  The notches didn't match. I altered to the way I felt it should be. I don't know if I did Joanne's wrongly too - that could explain why there was a problem with the band. Then, when attaching the bands, one attached in a puckered way and ended up too short so I had to unpick. As with Joanne's, I understitched but as I mentioned, this fabric really doesn't press well. I considered topstitching too - there is topstitching on hems and in from the edge so perhaps it wouldn't have been out of place but decided against it. It's also more difficult to match the turquoise than the black!

Grey overlocking thread used here - great match

You can see the mismatched stripes.

About thread matching - I agonised (no,  you're right,  I didn't!) over the choice of colour for the overlocker. I didn't want to buy any new ones. In the end, I went with grey which is a fabulous match! Now, I believe it when people say you only need black, white,  grey threads. The grey is closer to the reverse of the fabric than the blue I used to sew the seams.

I was working on it a bit last night while watching the Strictly final. I don't usually try to sew while watching TV.  This wasn't sewing, just pinning and tacking hems.  I didn't get it fully completed last night so finished it today.

I thought I'd use a metallic machine embroidery thread for all the topstitching as I thought it would be better to have that hint of metallic with the shiny fabric than just matt thread. I ‘auditioned’ 4 threads and decided to go with the machine embroidery thread. I had no end of bother, despite having tried it out before I decided to use it. I had problems with tension, with looping, with missed stitches. I had it in,  out and in again. It was still awful (I should have taken some photos but was too stressed!). Interestingly, the hem and sleeve hems had been okay and the first front band was acceptable. In the end,  worried about the fabric getting damaged, I unpicked the lot and redid with a standard Mettler thread. Much better. I had problems unpicking the embroidery thread as it snarled in the fabric so I couldn't pull out a long strand, and wonder if it was the combination of twisted thread and this fabric that led to the sewing problems. I'd love to get advice or hear thoughts on this.

I hope Alison will like hers. When I was unpicking and saw how easily snagged this fabric is, it occurred to me that it's perhaps not the best choice for a cat owner! Thomas the cat is visiting for the first time this Christmas, so we'll see! I have quite a bit of extra fabric of both the black and the turquoise but no plans to use them again at present. Thoughts anyone? Ideas can certainly include just getting rid of it! 

I've finished but it's dark. I'll take some photos tomorrow but do I post tomorrow or wait until I can have photos with Alison and Joanne wearing them? Not sure. The post is ready now except for photos and titles.

Addendum

It's after Christmas! I'm writing this on Boxing Day. Joanne and Alison both liked their kimonos. I would say that Alison's, in particular, is a perfect fit.

Their Gran agreed to pose, wearing the infinity scarf I made her

Alison's cat, Thomas, hasn't really settled so he's being taken home tomorrow,  earlier than planned. He hasn't been crying or distressed just not sociable and has spent quite a lot of time sleeping/hiding under the bed. 

I managed to get photos of Alison and Joanne in the kimonos. Helen was away by this time - but hadn't brought her kimono with her in any case.

I'm sad to see everyone go - but also relieved as I find it more  difficult as I get older to cope with the noise, the mess and,  to be honest,  the amount of extra work. My Mum is here for an extra week,  though. 

Thoughts on contests; entering the PR One Yard Wonder Contest because it fits in with my plans

I said I wasn't going to enter any contests  unless it suited me.

I'd like to have entered the menswear one as I have fabric to make David a shirt and fabric to make my sons-in-law cargo shorts. However, these are all casualties of running out of time. They both preferred what they got instead!

There was another I was going to enter - make the fabric your own. We've been experimenting with fabric printing. However, again we ran out of time and weren't far enough forward. It wasn't just the printing, it was also the fact that I'd need to make something using our created fabric. Wasn't going to happen - not enough time.

Infinity Scarf

Then last week I started to make my mother a scarf using a small remnant of fabric which she gave me when she could no longer see to sew. I realised that this piece of fabric would fit the fabric criteria. Unfortunately,  I didn't take a good enough photo at the early stages (it's not going to work) as at first I thought the fabric was too long. However, what I had was a short length of full width fabric, rather than a long length of narrow fabric - width is not specified but length is. I realised this too late. I took a better photo with measuring tape of the finished item and it will either do or not. Doesn't matter.

From this remnant, I made my mother an infinity scarf with a twist.  It's quite short as I only had the width of fabric. I lost a bit of fabric trying to even it off,  so the scarf isn't particularly wide,  either. She liked this fabric, which will go with other things she has (I don't know if  she still has the original garment), so I decided a short infinity scarf would be a good idea. I didn't have any other ideas.

This was a very simple make. Folded fabric in half long ways, after evening it up,  stitched at approx 1 cm and overlocked. Turned through, started stitching the two ends together,  right side to right side, but I didn't line up the seam on each end - I twisted the fabric once so that the seams were at opposite sides.

I had kept the selvages but only then realised that one selvedge was wider than the other,  so I had to take a bigger seam there. I left a little gap to turn through and slip stitched the gap. Et voila! One short twisted infinity scarf. I have bought a scarf clip to go with it and hope my mother will like it.

I hope I might get to post a photo of my mother wearing it.

Addendum  - I've escaped for a few minutes. My mother likes the scarf. She doesn't have the original treatment any more but told me that this fabric had been bought to trim a matching hat.

Cushions

Next up, when tidying my fabric, I came across the rest of the fabric left over from when I made my daughter large elephant cushions.

I found I had two pieces left over.  I decided to use this to make her another cushion. The choice was one largish cushion or two smaller long cushions which I preferred.

The cushions are long and narrow. I measured the fabric and photographed before I started this time! I measured the size required and trimmed and trued the fabric and overlocked the edges to prevent fraying. The fabric,  an upholstery fabric, is relatively thick and has a flocked raised design. It frays a fair bit.

Originally, I was going to insert a lapped zip at the short end,  simply because I had suitable zips. However, when I mentioned this to Dan, she suggested a concealed zipper on the longer side was more appropriate  - she said that many commercial cushions are now made using invisible zips.  I thought the fabric might be too thick but she thought it would be fine.

So while on the way elsewhere, I went to the new branch of Hobbycraft which has opened locally and bought a couple of zips. They were more expensive than I might have bought elsewhere but were good quality and were there! So no further trip required.

The zips went in fine. That's not quite true - I had a few issues but these were related to me not them! After having to totally unpick one side because the pattern didn't line up after being sewn, even though it had when I pinned it,  I decided it was better to take the time to pin and hand baste. This worked much better. There is still a bit of shift despite initially machine sewing in place in the middle of the tape.

I think the cushions look quite good  - and hope that Joanne is still interested! She'll certainly like the cushion inserts as she loves cats. The cushion inserts are from Ikea.

Addendum - Joanne loves the cushions and says she'll send me a photo of the whole family of cushions - these two and the two elephant floor cushions (this fabric one side; tapestry elephant other side)

Less than a yard of fabric, even before trimming

Cute cushion insert!

Under construction

Other December Update (written December 16th)

I have some nice pieces of Christmas fabric (bought,  I confess 2 years ago) and had a vague notion of making some Christmas crafts but I've abandoned that thought. The fabric will still be there next year…  Maybe you have to start these things in January!

I've finished Joanne’s kimono and have traced out the pattern for Alison's which I'll make over the weekend. I've decided I can't really make up Helen's silk dress as there are some decisions to be made - I've made up the pattern and will have a toile for her to try. I feel that's best.

This coming weekend (weekend before Christmas weekend) I need to practice making gluten free pastry and a new filling for salmon en croute. I'll update this post after Christmas and enter the items in the PR contest

Addendum - it's Christmas Day evening and I'm bushed, and escaping for a few minutes. I finished the kimonos and will post about them separately in the next couple of days once I get photos, too. Ditto for the scarf and cushions.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Misses and reflections from 2016; a year of unintended selfless sewing

Do I,  don't I?

I feel every garment I've sewn has taught me something.  I can't help feeling that listing my less than successful makes will make everything more negative than it should be. A few of my less than successful items have never reached my blog,  I don't have photos - and I prefer them to stay anonymous! They have gone from my thoughts! Though hopefully they have still taught me something

So I think I'll combine this post with reflections. Interestingly, this was a year of unintended selfless sewing!  All my successes are for other people and the misses are all mine! I don't have a single successful garment for me from this year! Single reason - fit. 

So:

Once more, I will link with Gillian of Crafting a Rainbow

MISSES 


I'm only going to include 2

Cashmerette's Concord tee - blog post here (this is the 3rd of 3 posts) 

Puckered neckline and shoulder too far forward almost visible here

 Reflections on the Concord

I may try this again,  making the anti-forward shoulder adjustment which would also hopefully improve the sleeve and neckline fit.  With a better suited fabric (I think the fabric was a little too heavy although it did have the required stretch) and proper neckline trimming, I hope it might work after the adjustment. This version certainly didn't.  I gave away the finished tee as there were too many issues needing fixed, most of which needed to be fixed at cutting out stage. I couldn't even wear it around the house as it was actually uncomfortable.

This tee shirt reminded me of golf. One of the bad shots I have is a slice which is an uncontrolled  banana shaped shot to the right, if right handed as I am. There are a variety of reasons for this shot. One so called solution is a special ‘offset’ club head which pushes the ball left. I tried one and it simply didn't work for me. The trouble is, a slice is occasional and has a variety of causes so one solution doesn't fit all.

I'm not sure that everyone requires the same amount of forward shoulder adjustment, if indeed they require any. I have seen some doing a further forward shoulder adjustment on this tee.  In that case,  why arbitrarily decide on an amount?

I need to decide when it's relevant to try to continue and when it's best to give up,  taking into account the amount of work that has already gone into it and how much more is required. This tee has both good and bad reviews. I have had feedback saying it's worth it to continue - and feedback saying it's not. I'll decide next year!

Simplicity 1458 - blog post here (again this is the 3rd of 3 posts)

Above two before further alteration

Above two pinned for closer fit

I came up with a 'finished' dress but didn't like it at all - there were ongoing fit issues - too loose and unfitted. I haven't felt the desire as yet to move on with this, though I have since been fitted into it and have sorted the pattern. Maybe next year. On the other hand, I have unfinished dresses which will suit me better. If I had loads of time, I could consider both.

Reflections on Simplicity 1458

I entered a contest with this dress which was ridiculous when it fits so badly and doesn't suit me. What was I thinking of?  It was sewn okay but there was no way I would wear this in public - yet I put it out there. My only excuse is that I was in a post wedding slump and needed the impetus of a deadline to sew something. That's the only excuse I have. I've pulled back from contests.  I will sew only if it suits me to.

A few UFOs

These aren't technically misses since they're not finished. Included are Grainline’s Morris blazer, which I saw as a quick make for a casual jacket and McCall's  blazer, via my class. With both,  there are ongoing fit issues but I've run out of time for them before Christmas. This term,  my classes have been covering tailoring and I hoped to have a finished jacket by now. I've had to put it aside, though, as Christmas sewing takes precedence. They are both getting there. Both have required rather a lot of adjustments.

Reflections on this year's sewing

Is finished better than perfect? I'm really not sure. I can't wear things where I know things have gone wrong,  the fit is poor etc,  so at least if something is not finished, I still have the option to improve it. I know that I see problems in things I've done more than others are likely to and I'm trying to ease up on myself. That doesn't mean,  though,  that I intend to accept a standard much less than I could achieve with a little bit of effort.

I started my blog to chart my progress and I have seen progress. That's very pleasing.

I don't create a lot of garments. I don't need too many - I already have a full wardrobe and my clothes last a LONG time.  So I prefer to focus on making things  that fit well, and are sewn well. At least as best I can do. I'm more than happy to learn new techniques - new to me,  that is.  I've learned that cheap fabric leads to disappointment and poor results. And a badly fitting item looks bad even in good fabric. 

Not everything in my wardrobe fits well, though, and there are gaps. I intend to focus on those gaps and improve fit where I can. That comes down to trousers to a large extent! And jackets and blouses to a lesser extent.

I like sewing for my daughters but I have to understand that sometimes this is really for me and not for them! That's okay.

This year, I have expanded my range, my skills and my confidence. There is nothing I won't try now, though I will continue to seek help and support through my classes. I really value the direct contact with tutors.

I will carry on making toiles!  Maybe, hopefully, not so many. 

I will do another post, possibly after Christmas,  with my goals and plans for 2017.