tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23300200436291445222024-03-13T20:18:40.972+00:00anne's blogI started my blog to chart my sewing progress. I started sewing after I retired and I'm continuing to learn and improve. Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.comBlogger274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-54575747334469209342024-01-31T12:42:00.001+00:002024-01-31T12:42:38.616+00:00How Do You Read Blogs?It's a while since I've posted a blog, lots of reasons. I'm thinking of starting again. However, I used to read the blogs I followed via Bloglovin' which apparently no longer exists! Yet, I still appear to get updates from it - so I'm confused!<div>So please tell me which blog reading apps you use. I use an Android mobile but also have a Windows PC.</div><div>Thank you in advance</div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-29256432404449702722020-03-04T21:09:00.001+00:002020-03-04T21:09:59.874+00:00Gifts for my new granddaughter<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gifts for my new granddaughter<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I last posted, I've been continuing with embroidery. I
made a number of things for my then grandchild-to-be. My granddaughter Laleona
was born 7 weeks ago to my youngest daughter; her first child. It looked like
it was going to be an elective caesarean section and the date was pencilled in
but then the staff decided she could have a natural birth. This nearly didn't happen
and she had to be induced. She spent extra time in hospital because of possible
infection. Anyway all's well that ends well. Laleona was 3.45kg<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(about 7lb 10oz) at 38 weeks. I spent a few
days in London from the day Laleona was born but didn’t pass on my makes at
that time (they weren't finished - after all a baby wasn't going to need a playmat!). The baby had a bit of a rocky start over the first couple of weeks and was readmitted to hospital but is doing well now. Helen's husband had 4 weeks
paternity leave so I didn’t want to intrude - they needed to find their way as
a new family and I wanted to allow the two new parents to settle into their new
norm . I planned to return at the end of A’s paternity leave but my embroidery
retreat timing meant that I couldn’t go until a few days later by which time
Helen was becoming more confident. This time I saw Laleona’s eyes open which was
lovely. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA-LfLiR-ULbOr0aIgrjMmq9nXMVzYCm8eVAe0E92FeJuFAYkkn9ekoTFHU6ctj7VNRfSwn_Hg3B1LCgAThN-8Xb5fSqo7jp3tgOp2K5qguEguTke7NUAFoWDDoqOl5eoYnmCKDRkgbE/s1600/Day+1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA-LfLiR-ULbOr0aIgrjMmq9nXMVzYCm8eVAe0E92FeJuFAYkkn9ekoTFHU6ctj7VNRfSwn_Hg3B1LCgAThN-8Xb5fSqo7jp3tgOp2K5qguEguTke7NUAFoWDDoqOl5eoYnmCKDRkgbE/s320/Day+1-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laleona's birth day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thought it reasonable to share some of the items (I didn't
take photos of all of them) now that they have been passed on. I don’t have
decent photos though - I thought I’d get some in use by the baby but that
hasn’t worked out so far! She hasn’t started tolerating a bath until very
recently - and still doesn’t enjoy it. I hope to get better photos next time I
visit in mid March.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IzrIIGfQt8wSAsTkj84DzsJQOZk2hrpNyorVKeIxXSJOAzn3F6lXDNcSjGKBHXdEBb95VC5byBamnTicaPxt7kMgvXR4WWwdG3P-V8KpIogwRS7Vnyfm2NPMdQf8DwCMZumIhPipwpQ/s1600/Day+3-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IzrIIGfQt8wSAsTkj84DzsJQOZk2hrpNyorVKeIxXSJOAzn3F6lXDNcSjGKBHXdEBb95VC5byBamnTicaPxt7kMgvXR4WWwdG3P-V8KpIogwRS7Vnyfm2NPMdQf8DwCMZumIhPipwpQ/s320/Day+3-11.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made a few bits and pieces before the baby was born. We
didn't know whether she was a boy or girl until she was born so nothing gender
specific. In any case, my daughter isn't keen that everything should be pink
now. Once I knew it was a girl, I slipped in a pinkish bib<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ak0UEChrgyDv7ZAA2IDuiuc1KgDNaNc65zU7Q2veDipv9z5DNvs7RW7grfiUSd7BklTq_Ci6SwvuRp_vFZ5r89gmNVIP31Pnjosrx0kwmiVtWpvRL1GGrPSpSDr47LzkaZhi6hHh3S8/s1600/20191030_120106+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1359" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ak0UEChrgyDv7ZAA2IDuiuc1KgDNaNc65zU7Q2veDipv9z5DNvs7RW7grfiUSd7BklTq_Ci6SwvuRp_vFZ5r89gmNVIP31Pnjosrx0kwmiVtWpvRL1GGrPSpSDr47LzkaZhi6hHh3S8/s320/20191030_120106+%25282%2529.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The theme given to me was jungle/safari. The parents-to-be didn’t want to know the sex of the baby (because of A’s family history they were fully expecting a boy) so a little girl was a delightful surprise for them. Laleona means 'the lioness'. I
stitched a couple of nice lions, as part of the jungle theme, onto things - but they were definitely male
lions. I had to search rather far and wide for a lioness pattern once I knew the sex and the name.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made more bibs (no point in showing them - just dribble
bibs made on my sewing machine) and embroidered a couple of hooded towels. These I posted to Helen as they could be of some use. I
had intended to make the hooded towels from scratch but found it difficult to
source the towelling so when I saw plain hooded towels in Asda I bought them. I
had never embroidered onto towelling before but followed decent instructions. The hardest bit was keeping the bits I didn’t want
embroidered out of the way while keeping the design straight. They look rather
nice but the disadvantage of using a purchased towel is that the back of the
embroidery is visible inside, rather than being covered by a layer of towelling
as they would have been if made from scratch. As the design is an applique
design of a little lioness rather than a stitched out design, I hope it won’t be too
scratchy against her head. There are two and both were finished (this photo is just after construction) but I can't find a photo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qUWuDlgPGtsavoI0FyupYIifiSlWLYOMAo5JCMtIJq_RWR4fdMapHZtuTZZgyU7qFwlD4asL5eIoYLy1kUQG2mMW51oceSlGBYVC7DbUISeHGYMyxgq2sDiHDEnae2re9qMqgA2yA-0/s1600/20200120_202850+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1600" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qUWuDlgPGtsavoI0FyupYIifiSlWLYOMAo5JCMtIJq_RWR4fdMapHZtuTZZgyU7qFwlD4asL5eIoYLy1kUQG2mMW51oceSlGBYVC7DbUISeHGYMyxgq2sDiHDEnae2re9qMqgA2yA-0/s320/20200120_202850+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yHxUoa2suPtgB3gEvJ9evJAz3q0-jTf1bUQ5NV491LsZOsXM31gkfjVW74wBZb6QZ28x5P3yTQqjw7rSklS_4Yr6TDUzb803traq1szBrH48rJNGYC7yDIznyDjqkgtvw0eCiHjnxYU/s1600/IMG-20200303-WA0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yHxUoa2suPtgB3gEvJ9evJAz3q0-jTf1bUQ5NV491LsZOsXM31gkfjVW74wBZb6QZ28x5P3yTQqjw7rSklS_4Yr6TDUzb803traq1szBrH48rJNGYC7yDIznyDjqkgtvw0eCiHjnxYU/s320/IMG-20200303-WA0011.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Laleona in the other towel after her bath - a WhatsApp photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
My main project was a jungle theme quilt which became a play
mat and a couple of play cubes. I hope they will come into their own when
Laleona is a little older! I have other things planned but not quite yet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbX3WO6Mb9tkZy9lO26NOP9r_HXx1CrVr_wWHLsqE48aoL88AXYjokF7mnc0JCuiaTdnMPgKFA0va7GlBJ6HR3gvsJVXwjmvHBp_xkpS83eXqg_zGePF__6-SChW-UXa7XHpzZXtsM0ZY/s1600/Play+mat+and+Play+cube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbX3WO6Mb9tkZy9lO26NOP9r_HXx1CrVr_wWHLsqE48aoL88AXYjokF7mnc0JCuiaTdnMPgKFA0va7GlBJ6HR3gvsJVXwjmvHBp_xkpS83eXqg_zGePF__6-SChW-UXa7XHpzZXtsM0ZY/s320/Play+mat+and+Play+cube.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The play mat and first play cube photographed just before I packed them into car; the second cube was added en route after I made it at the embroidery retreat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4o6MwPUoLCwInE5vvI_JnUo3r5KrsU5xd-k-8BLNcO7_GCH4aEnvyHYNshDPEqLXmi5DawuZWOrti6ZRMjCg8gvHGnmLp7byXuUCNyVmmpePPk38QcdNKeXM1C7vimy_UmnUpZ9EF9o/s1600/20200204_150721+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1346" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4o6MwPUoLCwInE5vvI_JnUo3r5KrsU5xd-k-8BLNcO7_GCH4aEnvyHYNshDPEqLXmi5DawuZWOrti6ZRMjCg8gvHGnmLp7byXuUCNyVmmpePPk38QcdNKeXM1C7vimy_UmnUpZ9EF9o/s320/20200204_150721+%25282%2529.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UMwUBFZpDQBPoDXuBA3Olqrd79MCcEDyYEw_lpwS6dT9uKc7f6qzY6r6BiHQqlsb_ssscSGkVlRyGR2lyYwPQcC1MuzD9U6Vc4SroKpRR2QlF8GNm_WCvlNLENQHZ3wB32gsuDLaFrY/s1600/20200204_152908+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UMwUBFZpDQBPoDXuBA3Olqrd79MCcEDyYEw_lpwS6dT9uKc7f6qzY6r6BiHQqlsb_ssscSGkVlRyGR2lyYwPQcC1MuzD9U6Vc4SroKpRR2QlF8GNm_WCvlNLENQHZ3wB32gsuDLaFrY/s320/20200204_152908+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing the backing fabric</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I had originally planned to make a cot quilt but on learning that
such things are not ‘allowed’ - and I didn’t want to make one for show rather
than being used - Helen and I decided that a play mat was appropriate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made up blocks which I sewed together with strips of
fabric between and around. I mainly used Designs by JuJu safari animals - all
but two blocks (the tree frog and the palm tree), where I used designs from
Lynnie Pinnie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the designs were
applique. The designs were placed onto a 7” block, which I made up to my own requirements
in my software, with fabric, batting and stabiliser and I also used my software
to stipple around the animal. The tree is not an applique design - the design
was embroidered onto fabric backed with crinkle fabric so it rustles when
touched. I cut the stabiliser out of the seam allowances but otherwise left in
it place - it’s polymesh which is light and flexible. For the joining squares,
I had just enough tree fabric left from an earlier project but decided it was
what I wanted to use for the backing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- I
was fortunate that the local quilting shop where I bought it had just enough
left for my needs. I decided that as the mat was going on the floor an extra
layer of padding was in order. I wanted to add a teether and a couple of
joining rings so decided to add the backing fabric (and extra batting) right
sides together and bag out, with the ribbons and teether<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in place. I didn’t think I could make it work
as I imagined with a binding. I was happy with the result - I then quilted the layers together by
stitching in the ditch between some but not all of the blocks and between the
blocks and the edge border. I didn't edgestitch as I didn't like the look. Yes. I was happy with the finished result. I do
have a photo of Laleona lying on the mat - sent via Whatsapp so I’m not sure
how it will come out. There are a few others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8lTeR28UVog0O4t1bO_BEG-zbGx5ePeZtjG-joWBHC1wnF3NXGqDZP_NMCZDWKc-WrK08YVhyphenhyphenFld6M-UxdXwmt0OwiU3HKVOUZ6q3IbxCsEXAzi2NvW2JARjJuY9RsgrKmfLWjhGWf0/s1600/IMG-20200223-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8lTeR28UVog0O4t1bO_BEG-zbGx5ePeZtjG-joWBHC1wnF3NXGqDZP_NMCZDWKc-WrK08YVhyphenhyphenFld6M-UxdXwmt0OwiU3HKVOUZ6q3IbxCsEXAzi2NvW2JARjJuY9RsgrKmfLWjhGWf0/s320/IMG-20200223-WA0001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I bought the teethers, crinkle fabric etc from Tactile Treasures.
I also got some mirror - originally I was going to have the mirror as a
separate detachable item (might still do) but in the first instance decided to
sew up a play cube with the mirror in one face. I used play cube instructions
and embroidery fires from In The Hoop.online and the 6” cube and ribbons from
Tactile Treasures. I initially had problems stitching the mirror - my machine
did not like it at all.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWDhSn6-JvVuGnNHrUFhTqLd-JLw2Xbhw628L2rEn_M4lg_tFW-6kwm_UFZ0OYnBuSS7kvSUDvjQ_ajySy4pvW5dzCJdrnXJe9jfsMnioyfe_3hD0DOQjnI_nit-E6M9Egk3S0VcL7qQ/s1600/20200126_150748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWDhSn6-JvVuGnNHrUFhTqLd-JLw2Xbhw628L2rEn_M4lg_tFW-6kwm_UFZ0OYnBuSS7kvSUDvjQ_ajySy4pvW5dzCJdrnXJe9jfsMnioyfe_3hD0DOQjnI_nit-E6M9Egk3S0VcL7qQ/s320/20200126_150748.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I found out that I was stitching with a sticky
protective backing and a front film covering in place! No wonder my machine
rebelled! I had only bought a small piece so decided to order more - and was
delighted to receive a bit extra ‘for practice’ from Dawn, who had been very
helpful with her responses and suggestions. The designs were all reverse
applique, which I hadn’t tried before - but they went well. I used the animal
files except for the mirror where I used the circle. I was pleased with the
result.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JGhfKJy0Xa_uSSH4XtAtAoLsOpZGbA_7vBlFA2JLZ_k124NVM38QvN3I94KRIfDa966SfoJ4ZQ8Tw129cVsBWjBpTz7zJlpsw9N5oFSB-RMyGYdAH-XkM79aijR_0OctWlWGDyruugU/s1600/20200204_150831+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JGhfKJy0Xa_uSSH4XtAtAoLsOpZGbA_7vBlFA2JLZ_k124NVM38QvN3I94KRIfDa966SfoJ4ZQ8Tw129cVsBWjBpTz7zJlpsw9N5oFSB-RMyGYdAH-XkM79aijR_0OctWlWGDyruugU/s320/20200204_150831+%25282%2529.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So much so, that when I was on an embroidery retreat at the
beginning of February, I decided to make the 5” play cube, too. Again, I used
the same files and instructions, this time deciding on the numbers 1, 2 and 3
and three shapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to stitch
up each block relatively quickly with the practice I was getting. I had taken
fabrics for this project to the retreat, but changed my mind when I got there
and bought a set of coordinating fat quarters instead - I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>think these worked well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The inside of the reverse applique was a
cream on cream design. This time, with pressure of time, I forgot to add
ribbons, teethers etc so it is just a plain block. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7LuacfQuo2WfBGUE1EcFlH-zHTqkQZI4wf-0Mzy8E7JPEHAugQgZr8KgTi5AOYaFN_O336hvGJYPR2nim_-5pYJ7ShKzJxtaUMFb92uRjVVBV5N1wzOwTOO0IhOFzSeWBRP_0Su0htA/s1600/20200210_204321+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="1600" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7LuacfQuo2WfBGUE1EcFlH-zHTqkQZI4wf-0Mzy8E7JPEHAugQgZr8KgTi5AOYaFN_O336hvGJYPR2nim_-5pYJ7ShKzJxtaUMFb92uRjVVBV5N1wzOwTOO0IhOFzSeWBRP_0Su0htA/s320/20200210_204321+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7f-PynI6PHMU0wqzGaorlDFnKLAM3-7765Lih3QT4IPn_JDJ8e4DbDbktqcJcYlghYwBzo9Tx1WHlwbNmsrlSIbb5g41apqmTNdMxCvbb19ROQPUj0_tqNs6DUY3_IqLkamLHHDHAlw/s1600/20200210_204256+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7f-PynI6PHMU0wqzGaorlDFnKLAM3-7765Lih3QT4IPn_JDJ8e4DbDbktqcJcYlghYwBzo9Tx1WHlwbNmsrlSIbb5g41apqmTNdMxCvbb19ROQPUj0_tqNs6DUY3_IqLkamLHHDHAlw/s320/20200210_204256+%25282%2529.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went back to sewing bee last week, so there might yet be
some dressmaking coming up!! I feel my sewjo returning, slowly but surely. So far I’ve just been finishing some items,
repairing some others, making some alterations etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> While I was clearing my room, I found an unfinished child's waterproof jacket in pink, from a previous class to teach stitching waterproof fabrics. I believe it's for age two. I plan to finish it, with Rory's help - and I have quite a while in which to do it before Laleona needs it! </span><br />
<br />
I'm still enjoying machine embroidery though - no
fitting issues and it can be done in small chunks of time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-16398511491489441522020-03-02T17:15:00.000+00:002020-03-02T17:15:10.578+00:00Embroidery retreat weekendIn early February, I spent an enjoyable weekend at a
machine embroidery retreat in a Holiday Inn near Rotherham. It started
lunchtime Friday and was due to go on to 4.30 pm Sunday. It was run by a group of 3 ladies, who have set up UK Machine Embroidery Group, two of whom I'd met before at a much smaller event. There were 50+ ladies plus
the organisers and tutors. Fab. Full board. Loads of machine embroidery advice.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANPdmz8wqhvJ7ya20tHjvNlxCsgUpYCHUNBms7E5D5MKYEKFem4wfHmqouvvygZzITmnRnJOMe1dIeOambhx5BaSVip0MDPhuVAgWQtTjJVqydgudfZ3C1VuvJkFg9a9SvSeiHLbbL20/s1600/20200118_185911+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1491" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANPdmz8wqhvJ7ya20tHjvNlxCsgUpYCHUNBms7E5D5MKYEKFem4wfHmqouvvygZzITmnRnJOMe1dIeOambhx5BaSVip0MDPhuVAgWQtTjJVqydgudfZ3C1VuvJkFg9a9SvSeiHLbbL20/s320/20200118_185911+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First issue was packing the car. What a lot of stuff!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My youngest daughter had a baby in January
and had it not been for this event, I would have travelled to her at the end of her husband's 4 week paternity leave - so I
decided to go from the retreat south to her instead of north to home. This meant I had a lot of
extra stuff in the car. Originally I had planned to car share - just as well
that plan had changed!! I had been worried about travelling by car as the
weather could have been snowy, icy but it was okay at that point (not so later
in the weekend with the full scale Storm Ciara which caused massive flooding in
the area)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ladies were all pleasant and we had lovely chats. Those
who knew more helped those who knew less. People were coming from quite far
afield - Northern Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man as well as a pretty robust
local contingent. The retreat sold out within 2 hours of being mentioned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brother, Woodseats Sewing Machines and Rags to Stitches were
there the whole weekend. I had contacted Jayne at Rags to Stitches in advance
about fabric choices for the main project for the weekend and she laid out some
suggestions which I picked up that afternoon. I changed my mind about fabric
choices for my personal project, a play cube, and bought some additional fat
quarters for that. Tim of Woodseats also brought the items I had requested the
day before. He, his daughter and his new son in law (they were just married the
week before) all spent the bulk of the weekend there. It's very much a family
business. Tim was there to sort machine issues, upgrade software if necessary
etc and so much more. He offers a fabulous service and he gained a few new
fans. He also loaned machines to those who needed them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As people were arriving at different times, the first
afternoon was free to do our own projects, ask advice etc - and get machines
and laptops PAT tested if necessary. What with chatting, I didn't quite get my
project completed but managed it later in the weekend. I considered several
ideas for my personal project but needed to keep it doable in an afternoon. I
decided on a 5" play cube. So I needed to make 6 panels,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>stitch them together except for the last
one,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>insert cube and hand stitch last
block closed. Using the new coordinating fat quarters I bought, together with
three additional tone on tone fabric I'd brought, I managed to stitch 4 blocks
of the 6 blocks<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on Friday and 2 on
Saturday. I will be posting about this separately.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6m4V-S61btVca3BuPVsfFt58tLxxcMIkvZgFrF2dLg18Ea7eSXsrSijF30r6HpOufauofoq9Y9mCXEfNNfjNBV0RmSBF_VQYFjaziTYLx2ewWwghxfZq2iw3BiqcRDDuhqJx2wgB9JA/s1600/20200210_204256+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6m4V-S61btVca3BuPVsfFt58tLxxcMIkvZgFrF2dLg18Ea7eSXsrSijF30r6HpOufauofoq9Y9mCXEfNNfjNBV0RmSBF_VQYFjaziTYLx2ewWwghxfZq2iw3BiqcRDDuhqJx2wgB9JA/s320/20200210_204256+%25282%2529.jpg" width="284" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tricia Hudson offered classes at various levels for PED, the
Brother software. I discovered I had entered at too basic a level and could do
more than I thought. Nevertheless, there are always things you pick up. We made
a key ring with our name on it. There was a more advanced class but no spaces
on it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the Brother tutors offered classes on the Scan n Cut
machine and that was very helpful as I haven't used one although I have one. As
it is older, I thought it might need updated but apparently not as that machine
is still current (update - I did manage to update the software to the latest
version when I returned home). We were able to complete a little project of a
raw edge appliqué elephant. Cute. I haven't made it up yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tricia then did an extra class looking at the
linkage between the PED software, the Scan n Cut machine and the embroidery
machine - this was invaluable. I feel more confident to use this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Melanie, the main Brother rep, was stitching and
demonstrating as well as addressing questions. I think she was responsible for
a run on the faux leather Jayne was selling! She was stitching some of the inbuilt
large quilting designs onto various fabrics including the most gorgeous
mustard-yellow faux leather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mustard or
yellow is not usually appealing to me but this was lovely. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were given a USB stick with various projects to tackle as
we pleased and fit in around the organised events. ITH purse, free standing
lace and a few others as well as the materials to make these. The only
materials we needed to provide were for our own projects and for the edge to
edge quilting project planned for Sunday. I didn't get that finished as two of
my groups were fitted in on the Sunday. Never mind, I can complete it at home.
I did the Sweet Pea design using the supplied felt and lining material. I
didn't have soluble stabilizer with me and ended up using what I had but this
wasn’t soluble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn't work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an easy design which I did because I
had some time to spare but it would be better in different colours of felt or
even the vinyl I bought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The red bled
too much into the white even dry. So I didn't add the popper. I don’t like it
well enough to redo with nicer materials even though it is a very quick
project. The appliqued hearts are raw edge and that doesn’t really appeal to
me.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0EF40WCsXUQ5wqKQfJ2XuCkbJ0dVuRUG4Fvf6l4eZgaE02BD2Ha5qm_S9ynvm2eQ8RrEJH10YlO8y8YpRTpMJRpWbtQr5FsRpjP_ayPV2ycnc0PDMd2hLnYKHN0i-gdWKZjvbPzsUmA/s1600/20200302_145637+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0EF40WCsXUQ5wqKQfJ2XuCkbJ0dVuRUG4Fvf6l4eZgaE02BD2Ha5qm_S9ynvm2eQ8RrEJH10YlO8y8YpRTpMJRpWbtQr5FsRpjP_ayPV2ycnc0PDMd2hLnYKHN0i-gdWKZjvbPzsUmA/s320/20200302_145637+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a gorgeous free standing lace butterfly which I
decided to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took over an hour of
stitching (one colour only) but it was certainly worth it. While that was
stitching,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to my car and got my
sewing machine to stitch together the cube blocks. Some people have machines
that are combined embroidery and sewing but mine isn't. I was glad I put my
machine in - I had thought one was going to be available but that wasn't the
case. I was hurrying a bit and forgot to add ribbons or teethers etc but no
matter. I hand stitched the last block closed on Sunday evening while sitting
chatting. When the butterfly came off the machine, all the jump stitches needed
trimmed as the machine had this feature turned off for this design and then the
stabilizer dissolved away. It’s nice - but I’m not sure what I’ll do with
it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zhWOUqeyefo0FgnytdZlGZO1Cr4ZB3iDBHMzlEL32TrwNjOlEkbAVP0ZcyMb4KxE2maQgoICyYxcEI8pWvic9W_Fc5hriFPGY6LofCrx709_kDjrTm82TxpMKnZpp4S-_GBXJyH1oxg/s1600/20200302_150218+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1600" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zhWOUqeyefo0FgnytdZlGZO1Cr4ZB3iDBHMzlEL32TrwNjOlEkbAVP0ZcyMb4KxE2maQgoICyYxcEI8pWvic9W_Fc5hriFPGY6LofCrx709_kDjrTm82TxpMKnZpp4S-_GBXJyH1oxg/s320/20200302_150218+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all started the edge to edge table mats from Amelie Scott on
Sunday but this was a much shortened day for me as I had two workshops. I felt I
started off on the wrong foot as I wasn't there at the start for the
explanation as I was at a workshop. Others gave me the necessary advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to stitch 4 sprays of blossom onto
fabric that we had marked out (marking out was trickier than it sounds!). Two
designs right side up and 2 designs the other way. I followed one of the other
participant’s method and floated the fabric,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>using a basting box to secure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn't have the right colours of thread but was able to borrow. Then I thought
I'd need to finish the four as I might not have the right colours at home
(different brand). Festina lente! The first two designs went fine. The 3rd
design was fine too until I realised I hadn't turned it around by 180 degrees.
I decided to continue anyway (the alternative was just too time consuming and who said they had to be that way anyway) and do the same with the 4th too. I was really hurrying
by now and made a mistake in the colours with the 4th (that is it's not the
colours I wanted - clearly they could be anything you wanted) and I don't think
the placement is as good. With numbers 3 and 4, I had problems stitching the
basting box and was getting a bit agitated as people were starting to pack up
and leave (this about 3pm) although I had thought we had until 4.30; the weather was atrocious and I can only assume that some people wanted to leave early. I finished stitching the 4
designs but couldn't go any further. Hopefully I'll be able to follow the
printed instructions we were given. I bought new fabric at the retreat for this
but wish I had used what I already had. Some commented that the method was very
fabric hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then, I’ve
completed the edge to edge quilting and have 4 separate mats . I’ve cut the
fabric for binding them but won’t do that until later this week. I need to remove the markings, which could be a bit tricky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU08JKcng7opkLaUYEsuQBxh9_knsV1SFjxiiD6Cg6SaT684mkge0URSsFQyI6Y0nURKX8sgnSgu_eFifzLK-F5MiP4LYXfPtwQb2XYNFWnqCFjQqqdBSZ8Kyo8EtB0lwxJ3fPRAkzXaY/s1600/20200302_145305+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU08JKcng7opkLaUYEsuQBxh9_knsV1SFjxiiD6Cg6SaT684mkge0URSsFQyI6Y0nURKX8sgnSgu_eFifzLK-F5MiP4LYXfPtwQb2XYNFWnqCFjQqqdBSZ8Kyo8EtB0lwxJ3fPRAkzXaY/s320/20200302_145305+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've met several new friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Storm Ciara created havoc that weekend and a fairly large
group of us spent an extra night at the hotel. The next day I was able to drive
to London to visit my new granddaughter and deliver the pieces I had made for
her and the extra bits and pieces requested (that’s why my car was so full -
not just embroidery and sewing machines but also baby gifts, 2 heaters, a toaster…). I’ll
say more about the visit later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m delighted that the retreat is being repeated in
September - bigger and hopefully better too. I’ve signed up. I’ve decided not
to sign up to the quilting block of the month even though I do love the quilt
design - I’m just not a quilter and it’s a huge undertaking and expensive when
the cost of the patterns and the fabric is taken into account. I might change
my mind later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed making the play
mat but have not enjoyed making the table mats.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-61698907788943388182019-10-21T19:13:00.000+01:002019-10-21T19:13:39.588+01:00Update and Continuing with Machine Embroidery Course<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I haven’t been sewing
anything recently. I’ve managed a few alterations and repairs and a little bit
of machine embroidery - though I’ve fallen behind with the course I’m doing. My
mother was ill, on palliative care for a few weeks now and died in mid
September; her illness was much more prolonged and she was ready to welcome
death. I’m not sad that she has died - I am glad for her sake. Yes, of course I
miss her - more than I thought even. I’m glad that I was able to spend quite a
bit of time with her over these last few weeks and I was with her when she
died. We've had the funeral where I wore navy (trousers and jacket) as my black
‘funeral clothes’ don’t fit and I have never got around to actually making or
buying any. I don’t think you need to wear black but my mother was 91 and those
attending the funeral somewhat traditional. My mother ‘would have been pleased’
with the way the funeral went.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We’ve cleared her
flat - she has lived for about a year in rented sheltered accommodation. This
should have meant that there was a lot less stuff to go through - after all
we’ve moved her three times in the last 3 and a half years but there was still
so much. We already have a lot of her possessions here. There just wasn’t room
where she was. I’ve had to bring the paperwork home with me as I couldn’t deal
with it there and we had a very limited time in any case to move out. Those of
you who have been through this will know how difficult this process is. It
brings back memories apparently forgotten. There are lots of photographs from
the past of course. My mother was very attached to a few pieces - paintings and
ornaments and I really don’t know what to do with the ones that others don’t
take. I have chosen two little ornaments that were around literally all my life
and will remind me so much of her. Such a lot went to charity shops as did her
furniture as sadly no-one wanted that and we couldn’t take it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My mother was very
supportive of my sewing. Quite surprised of course as I had shown no
inclination whatsoever in that direction when I was younger. At school I took
science which precluded domestic science. She loved the stripey bag I made
earlier in the summer and I gave her that - and had instructions to make her
one in navy for Christmas. I was looking forward to doing that as it was nice
to think she would have something she wanted. She was too frail to manage the
weight of a leather bag, so the fabric one would have been perfect. She was
always a bit difficult to buy for as there was nothing she needed, she said. I
never really understood that until the last few years when my children ask what
I’d like ….</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had a bit of a
break just before the funeral and David and I went to a 40s weekend at
Tanfield Railway. This was actually one of his photography course outings. Last
year, I broke my foot just before we were due to go to the Pickering 40s
weekend so David went alone and suggested we go this year in costume.
That’s not going to happen as there just isn’t time. Next year we will go to
Pickering and possibly make it a family event. Yes, and dress up.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Tanfield event
however, was different and didn’t involve the public in dressing up, it seemed.
There were a number of retail areas selling 40s memorabilia. There was a set of
embroidered back brushes that I remember my Mum having, though I don't recall
her ever using them. They must have been discarded during one of her house
moves (she moved 3 times in the last 3 years). There are other things we
didn’t find that I felt should have been around. Nothing I can do though. She
has an expensive diamond ring and a paste equivalent - and I can’t tell the difference!!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I really don’t have
much sew-jo at all, not surprisingly. I have a lot of things to catch up with
myself that had to be put aside over the last few weeks. Once those and my
mother’s paperwork has been completed, things will gradually get back to a new
normal.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My youngest daughter
is pregnant, due January. I made a bib to fit in with her jungle/safari theme -
a bib with a cute little lion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM9_rr1sdRfeWRiHfM6J8y6NoRJpCQ2BY6qgVrRb6F5hMWMaBBBgTok8txN2-eDOlhSZJNeJepJ4H6okqE6qwERJkygmhrLbSF53XmRDCE30uhrz8J2WHa0CI9nOPdevmeAgm6gRIyOs/s1600/20190919_180852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM9_rr1sdRfeWRiHfM6J8y6NoRJpCQ2BY6qgVrRb6F5hMWMaBBBgTok8txN2-eDOlhSZJNeJepJ4H6okqE6qwERJkygmhrLbSF53XmRDCE30uhrz8J2WHa0CI9nOPdevmeAgm6gRIyOs/s320/20190919_180852.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is from Kreative Kiwi; next is a monkey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
She doesn't want to know whether it’s a boy or a
girl. I have a few embroidery makes planned. These will be things like bibs,
playmats etc. Nothing gender specific. An interesting (to me at least!) tale
here. I wasn’t keen on my oldest daughter being swamped with ‘girl toys’ and
encouraged Duplo and other more gender neutral items. She went to a childminder
who looked after another little boy and who had teenage sons still at home. She
also had two older daughters - still at home but no longer playing with toys.
The childminder agreed to look after a little girl after school and got out
some ‘girl toys’ - and my daughter absolutely loved them!! <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The embroidery course
is practice for making what was going to be a baby quilt - except baby quilts
aren’t ‘allowed’ so I think this will be a playmat. I haven’t started yet,
though.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Since I wrote that
last bit, I have caught up a bit with my embroidery course.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">On Sunday, I
completed the braided table runner. It took a long time to make. I really like
it and am pleased with it. I had actually ‘finished’ it a couple of weeks back
but was not happy with it due to the borders being roped and with excess
fabric. I looked for a work around solution but there was nothing else to do
but bite the bullet and dismantle and shorten the borders.. At least this
allowed me to insert an extra layer of thermal batting to make it more useful.
I still used my little sewing machine but this time used a walking foot which
helped. I have learned a few lessons and the next one will be better - or
different at least.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJZUgGNtbQWE_ZnJHO9JD67x1aeUmFuHG7gEp8FvKhYjkQdvsD-nPuZq04PhHlAAQ6aSw1plyVG22Oh1zNGfxhIveRERatCUmlPHuE2NOFf3kGKx8oXKyyVg9Y1e83W8h2ozNkZL3IME/s1600/PA210700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1600" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJZUgGNtbQWE_ZnJHO9JD67x1aeUmFuHG7gEp8FvKhYjkQdvsD-nPuZq04PhHlAAQ6aSw1plyVG22Oh1zNGfxhIveRERatCUmlPHuE2NOFf3kGKx8oXKyyVg9Y1e83W8h2ozNkZL3IME/s320/PA210700.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is pretty big as done in a 150 x 150 hoop<br />From Sweet Pea ith machine embroidery course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">On Saturday, I
completed the next lesson in the course which was for a baby bib with a jaguar
and a snake. I had no major problems but again noted a few things for the next
time. It took a long time to make and when you look at the cost of bibs in the
shops, it’s not really worth doing bibs at all! However, this kills two birds
with one stone - it teaches me some techniques AND I hopefully have someone to
wear it in January. Of course, it also fits in with her nursery theme.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX3USxMBVJyNXuYl36x9XBTfSKte9QPnUX7iidc-w9-MUnA21wbp_fJBiRXHukUUVnZPUHbxJre3y3NjtRatjQtk0X2A2MLlmdeKCrJPoIFjuCLUUAl6cEqQKpYayyT5ustDtVVELydg/s1600/PA210702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1262" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX3USxMBVJyNXuYl36x9XBTfSKte9QPnUX7iidc-w9-MUnA21wbp_fJBiRXHukUUVnZPUHbxJre3y3NjtRatjQtk0X2A2MLlmdeKCrJPoIFjuCLUUAl6cEqQKpYayyT5ustDtVVELydg/s320/PA210702.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a rather cute looking harmless jaguar isn't it?<br />From Sweet Pea ith machine embroidery course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I still don’t feel
like garment sewing though I have done a few more alterations. I’m only two
lessons behind with the embroidery course now (they come every two weeks) so
will get on with the next one later in the week. I’m not at all keen on the
most recent lesson (an articulated ballerina) but I suppose there will be
a fair bit to learn! Even since I wrote that last night, we’ve had another
lesson so I’m actually three behind again! I like the most recent, a table centrepiece.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I've missed being involved with social media to any great extent but hope to get that sorted soon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-28059532725132016712019-08-26T20:12:00.003+01:002019-08-26T20:12:36.395+01:00Flip and Fold Cushion<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’m really quite
excited! I finished the Flip and Fold cushion from Lesson #4 of the Sweet Pea
ITH Course, and I love it. This rather surprised me as I don’t have anything
else of this nature in my home. Why not, though? I’ve always admired quilts.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdFGsMz6zafxAIzAb9SvGpDt-OFiL5NGyncMiuUL2u1PgmYfhugHaJQ406zHQfUJfW3Rcx9CGlscE5ozDlVY34FVLLnH9iFW2Yci2M6woBFJ82CDzCABklFFTNGqJh0knUtnAh-vIwMU/s1600/P8260353+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdFGsMz6zafxAIzAb9SvGpDt-OFiL5NGyncMiuUL2u1PgmYfhugHaJQ406zHQfUJfW3Rcx9CGlscE5ozDlVY34FVLLnH9iFW2Yci2M6woBFJ82CDzCABklFFTNGqJh0knUtnAh-vIwMU/s320/P8260353+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished cushion. The borders of the cushion match the reverse side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The instructions and
pattern came in 3 sizes. I chose to make the smallest size (4 x 4 hoop - 100mm
x 100mm). I had a very straightforward reason for choosing this size. I bought
a jelly roll of fabric with colours and patterns that go together - that
someone else, not me, has chosen - for practicing. I was able to use
pieces of the jelly roll fabric for my block pieces. I had to check that first
as the centre piece for each block was wider but the 2.5 inches of the strip
was just fine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The jelly roll was
from the Moda Vive la France range. This range was recommended to me by the
quilting shop I visited. I realised that I wouldn't be able to use the strips
for the borders on the cushion, or the back. I purchased some yardage from the
same range; the colours were of course ideal but I decided against the two
fabrics I bought as one had stripes - any wobble in my sewing would be very
obvious - in fact, ditto with the other, which was a plaid.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The whole process was
very enjoyable and helpful to me working towards making a quilt. Once again
Martyn Smith proved an excellent instructor.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCbRSCpAs-Os6XsLvcDiJqTavRS3585CD1vqrdli5zpcgJx5p4gifcYpExVXYd9N7uT_crkuZIuloV6U1zu1YjiKdDmQ_98f2qfgtHKocVxvYW8_cBbQV5vmL1wW6eSvBHdtUymd5Fdg/s1600/P8260361+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCbRSCpAs-Os6XsLvcDiJqTavRS3585CD1vqrdli5zpcgJx5p4gifcYpExVXYd9N7uT_crkuZIuloV6U1zu1YjiKdDmQ_98f2qfgtHKocVxvYW8_cBbQV5vmL1wW6eSvBHdtUymd5Fdg/s320/P8260361+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of the finished cushion - matches borders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">First of all, the
stabilizer recommendation was perfect. I used no show mesh stabilizer which is
strong but not bulky or stiff in a quilt - I’ve bought some more so that I have
it in hand when I start the quilt proper. I say quilt proper, but any proper
quilters would probably throw up their hands in horror! I’m intending
what I believe is called ‘Quilt As You Go’ - very similar to what I did for
this cushion as each block is made separately then stitched together with or
without a border between it and its neighbour. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I made each of the 9
blocks as per instructions. Each block has 5 pieces of fabric, batting and
stabilizer. After the five pieces are attached and sewn down, the embroidery
machine then goes on to create the quilting pattern over the pieces. Just think
how long this would have taken by hand!! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I know that I could
have made a nicer pattern with my pieces, but I really didn’t see it at the
start. I realise that really the design you want would have to be drawn out,
coloured, in advance. I might do that for the next lesson which is for a table
runner.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I used bamboo batting
as that is what I had. I bought this a while back from the fabric sale run by
the widower of a prolific and I understand excellent quilter. I also bought some
fabrics there and used one of them for the borders and backing to the cushion.
The pattern of this fabric doesn’t perfectly fit in, but I find it pleasing.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had no problems
creating the blocks. Each block was finished quite quickly. I did find that my
scissors were not quite as good as I’d thought - trimming was trickier than it
should have been. After the blocks were created, they were trimmed all the way
around, using ruler and rotary cutter, to leave a half inch seam
allowance. The blocks were then joined together using the sewing machine. This
I found quite tricky as there were several matching points and for a couple of
the blocks, I had to redo more than once. Join 3 rows of 3 then join the rows
together, then put on the binding. The only issue is my sewing! I thought they
looked great afterwards.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I found that even at
this stage, I had a bit to redo but that didn’t take me long. The cushion was
of course supposed to be square with all blocks the same size. Thankfully,
no-one is going to be measuring my blocks - and if they try to, I won’t invite
them back to my home!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Then the backing is
attached, wrong side to wrong side, a gap left, and the whole thing pulled
through. No problems. I decided against inserting a zip and followed the
tutorial exactly. However, Martyn stuffed his cushion with loose filling and I
wanted to use a cushion insert. After letting my ‘fingers do the walking’, I
was able to buy the perfect size of feather cushion insert from a local shop.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I struggled a bit to
get the insert in and realised I should have left a bigger hole. Or zipped the
whole of one side. However, I got it in and I think that it's the right size.
This will be a decorative cushion, so I was happy just to slip stitch closed.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28yCtDMU-7XSkubLksTOu-rCfZrri9XNXiLVWk1Ozrs-IL9DzLskJsj0dIOIJlUHYW04F98WYWNRSr-RCPztkfDRwOFrHgDTZarQdW7eq3F2DMFe3algY30UihUkX_Pso-CnYlaLVAg8/s1600/P8260362+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1600" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28yCtDMU-7XSkubLksTOu-rCfZrri9XNXiLVWk1Ozrs-IL9DzLskJsj0dIOIJlUHYW04F98WYWNRSr-RCPztkfDRwOFrHgDTZarQdW7eq3F2DMFe3algY30UihUkX_Pso-CnYlaLVAg8/s320/P8260362+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukcoMQfdIEaat_p2OOIMAOIrYaY3kcSCaIISH2ZSGlqr1E6snCCV_S9UP6zzUwSiKHC4P0I4VR2W3ZgBZAeCkwBEGJF8p7TyhhmN32atDh8flyEbmbZE2yFkfh-icEOfLg7GjgRV-LKI/s1600/P8260356+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1583" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukcoMQfdIEaat_p2OOIMAOIrYaY3kcSCaIISH2ZSGlqr1E6snCCV_S9UP6zzUwSiKHC4P0I4VR2W3ZgBZAeCkwBEGJF8p7TyhhmN32atDh8flyEbmbZE2yFkfh-icEOfLg7GjgRV-LKI/s320/P8260356+%25282%2529.JPG" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes - there is glorious sun today</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I took these photos today as I wanted to post the blog I've had in draft. There are no constructional photos.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Verdict - I loved the
process and will certainly repeat this. In fact I want an almost identical twin. This will have to wait because:</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Lesson #5 is out today. I've watched the instructional video. I don't have the necessary solids which I believe would be better for the design, but hopefully will get on to it later in the week</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Lessons learned <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Flip and fold technique; okay I’m sure
there is more to learn</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">For the future - draw out pattern
wanted.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Trying new things might lead to gems
but don’t spread too thinly!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-18558578772812330312019-08-10T17:43:00.002+01:002019-08-10T17:43:36.779+01:00An ITH Machine embroidery course (online) and a bag<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’ve been busy with a
lot of non-sewing-related items and haven’t felt it appropriate to post about
them. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I'm continuing to attend a summer class on using Lightroom and hope that when the photography club re-convenes in September I will be able to participate more fully. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">There has been some sewing too, though, though more machine embroidery
than sewing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfcQZcadS-PZjxW5P-4Q23LwO2QxciIGobDfKhFJQkxpOrd7QWzgPeY6cc-ibHg3z6uUhk-AEwbSb5S2S_BU868hSFjm4aIjdStFNfz_ep7e1idD7EjTPW0C_7VZuGbEclqQKbV14sJs/s1600/scissor+case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfcQZcadS-PZjxW5P-4Q23LwO2QxciIGobDfKhFJQkxpOrd7QWzgPeY6cc-ibHg3z6uUhk-AEwbSb5S2S_BU868hSFjm4aIjdStFNfz_ep7e1idD7EjTPW0C_7VZuGbEclqQKbV14sJs/s320/scissor+case.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small scissor case. Free pattern on signing up to newsletter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My sewing includes
repairs and alterations to several garments to make them wearable. I’ve lost a
bit of weight (not enough) and my trousers in particular are all too big so
I’ve done what I can to make them fit. Hopefully they’ll get too big again! I still find it amazing that trousers appear to get longer as I slim! Even at 5'11", I'm having to take up trouser legs or risk tripping on them or getting wet legs from the wicking. Sadly, a lot of things I had in storage don’t quite yet fit again. I see that August is a time for alterations - I’m sure I have many more to do so I might
post about those on IG.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I haven’t finished
the garments I was making - I planned to use my coverstitch machine for bands. I need an
uninterrupted period to get to grips with the machine. Now is not the time. One
of the tops I had finished definitely needs altered as I don’t like the
neckband - hubby says he thinks it’s fine.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I started an In the
Hoop (ITH) embroidery course online from Sweet Pea in Australia. There will be
12 lessons at fortnightly intervals. Each lesson has the appropriate pattern to
download plus written and video instructions. I really like the videos. It’s
amazing how much useful and interesting information is given off the cuff.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’ve completed the
first three lessons and think I’m learning a lot. The first lesson was an appliqued
coaster, the second a luggage tag (there were 3 different designs but I
only did one; I will have to get around to the other two as they are all cute) and the third a purse, which I finished last week (I confess
I completed the other two just in time for the third lesson
to come out! Still, you can go at your own pce so that's fine)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">#1 Here is my
coaster:</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I could have made it
much more colourful but decided to go subtle and not change the thread colours
as I just wanted to learn the techniques. I realise I’m not very good at
putting colour schemes together.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxkeKgQ7DenAvWhBsV2rFtgIqW7a31b10X2u767MXI0OB4FtbaLKC6nhu82Qlrxloo0q2syo9sLlF9Mq9sbe1NiLdmO3Qjc7AitwJyBZTntbLzwUVuWu-XTTj1v3c4FXv-BHoKLhyphenhyphenrjE/s1600/coaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="714" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxkeKgQ7DenAvWhBsV2rFtgIqW7a31b10X2u767MXI0OB4FtbaLKC6nhu82Qlrxloo0q2syo9sLlF9Mq9sbe1NiLdmO3Qjc7AitwJyBZTntbLzwUVuWu-XTTj1v3c4FXv-BHoKLhyphenhyphenrjE/s320/coaster.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It doesn't look square because of the way the photo was taken - it is square!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The coaster is sewn
right sides together (on the embroidery machine - it’s much more accurate than
I am!) turned through a gap and the gap slip stitched closed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">#2 Here is my sun
luggage label:</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The label is done
with back and front wrong sides together and is finished with satin stitch
around the edges. I had done this before with black thread and black in the
bobbin - my bobbins are either black or white. This time I had to wind the
bobbin with the embroidery thread so each side would match.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5R9qdlrezE5pFaaqFiCn9HNwi-IYsHusEhCjk5K3cKfkWfl74llbeuJSUiBHQO0NCmR6pnZqW9E853uZDm_-e8rwEzwocmLYl1qhnHLC6jmTIqBZK6mVXztuVibPJ9Hy__ut3BTBCtk/s1600/luggage+tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5R9qdlrezE5pFaaqFiCn9HNwi-IYsHusEhCjk5K3cKfkWfl74llbeuJSUiBHQO0NCmR6pnZqW9E853uZDm_-e8rwEzwocmLYl1qhnHLC6jmTIqBZK6mVXztuVibPJ9Hy__ut3BTBCtk/s320/luggage+tag.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In addition to the
sun design there were another couple of seaside themed designs which I’d do if
I had a holiday coming up.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had lost my
embroidery supplies, needles and so on and used a different needle which I
thought would be okay - but I don’t think it worked; I’m putting the irregularities
down to that. Fortunately, I did find the correct needles for the 3rd project.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">#3 Here is my purse:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eMmdcfOno1_jhnXZ-b3EFbKiKzRCHy6E1SWZZI2AyXUZ1ph3KcbbzAOV1gBRlnCl41R8_RtZeTon9KWioXm4njeXi5Y4hL6Juj8ZEXYIhyhf_to_TzIDjIythITnLcYXuBn-ZQu7e48/s1600/magpie+purse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="801" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eMmdcfOno1_jhnXZ-b3EFbKiKzRCHy6E1SWZZI2AyXUZ1ph3KcbbzAOV1gBRlnCl41R8_RtZeTon9KWioXm4njeXi5Y4hL6Juj8ZEXYIhyhf_to_TzIDjIythITnLcYXuBn-ZQu7e48/s320/magpie+purse.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I really like it.
There were 4 sizes and I did the 150x150 one. I didn’t realise until now that
the 150x150 hoop is smaller than the 6x6 hoop - they need a different pattern
to fit properly. You live and learn! I might have wondered why there was both a
6x6 and a 150x150 design but someone else pointed this out on the useful FB
group.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The purse is fully
lined. It was done in the hoop other than the strap (on the sewing machine) and
closing the internal lining with slip stitch (by hand). I was so glad of the
helpful video as the purse had to be turned through in two stages.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I didn’t have small D
rings or clasps etc so just used what I had.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’ve really enjoyed
what I’ve done so far. One project every two weeks (with no fitting involved -
yay!) is fine for me. There are a couple of projects I’m particularly looking
forward to.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">#4 coming up!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Next week is a ‘flip
and turn’ cushion - this will be the closest I’ve ever been to real
patchwork or quilting. Looking through the materials required for the lessons,
I will need to order a few things. I’ll try local first and if that doesn’t
work, I’ll go online. I do need some pieces of quilting fabric that go
together. I’m not so good at matching or putting patterns together. I also need
some decent soluble stabiliser and some tear away stabiliser plus smaller D
rings and clip loops (sorry I forget what they’re called).</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I have found the patterns produced by Sweet Pea to be excellent and the satin covering stitches actually cover what they're supposed to. The designs are pricier than many others found on the internet but I'm prepared to pay for quality and support. I haven't completely given up ideas of digitising my own designs, as I did with the Celtic design for the pocket of David's jeans, but that's not on the cards for the time being. I did try to digitise one of my flower photos - what a disaster!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Why now?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So why now? David
gave me the embroidery machine for my birthday last year or was it the year
before hoping I’d get some fun from it. I’m beginning to now that I realise my
limitations - I started too advanced for me. I didn’t really previously see
myself as someone who used lots of handmade items, bags and so on though I love
textiles embroidery and quilting - to look at, I mean, never having attempted
it myself. I enjoyed the few items I made at Christmas past (with the possible
exception of the one that did not have an accurately rendered pattern - though
even that was fun in its way) which are on my blog if you want to look at them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Also, my youngest
daughter is expecting, due January 2020 and I’d really like to make some things
for the baby - a baby quilt, a bib etc. She’s keen for that too. She and her
husband don’t want to know the baby's gender. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">One of the lessons on
the course is for a stuffed toy and another is for a jungle themed bib.
Jungle/Africa is the theme she wants to go with so it couldn’t be more perfect.
Sure, I’ve got quite a way to go before I can try a quilt/wall hanging/floor
mat - apparently babies shouldn’t use a quilt as a piece of bedding. I’ve found
somewhere I can go for an individual lesson, participate in a quilting bee
(don’t know if that’s what they’re called) with help if needed and go to
specific workshops. This is doable! I have quite a while in which to do it,
too. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Sweet Pea website
has a free design for two sizes of scissor cases. I have been meaning to make
some cases for my scissors so this seemed ideal to give me a bit of extra
practice and be useful at the same time. I decided to start with the small
case. I think this was pretty successful. The only problem is not being able to
adjust the size for different scissors. I’ll have a go at the larger case next.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfcQZcadS-PZjxW5P-4Q23LwO2QxciIGobDfKhFJQkxpOrd7QWzgPeY6cc-ibHg3z6uUhk-AEwbSb5S2S_BU868hSFjm4aIjdStFNfz_ep7e1idD7EjTPW0C_7VZuGbEclqQKbV14sJs/s1600/scissor+case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfcQZcadS-PZjxW5P-4Q23LwO2QxciIGobDfKhFJQkxpOrd7QWzgPeY6cc-ibHg3z6uUhk-AEwbSb5S2S_BU868hSFjm4aIjdStFNfz_ep7e1idD7EjTPW0C_7VZuGbEclqQKbV14sJs/s320/scissor+case.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gemma Bag - a
cross-body bag</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I went to post about the course, I realised that I had never posted about the bag I tested - so here is the post, written a while back and just waiting for decent photos - there still aren't decent photos as I gave the bag away before I had the chance to take more. My bag has already appeared on Linda's IG and FB pages so I hadn't felt any great need to post my own. The other testers made some gorgeous bags - go have a look.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’m not normally a
bag maker though I have admired from a distance. One of the other sewers at my
Thursday sewing bee is a bag maker and makes some terrific items. She uses
beautiful fabrics but I’m not keen on unicorns, floral skulls etc, which are
very popular with others. I love handbags and have many of them, but they tend
to be on the boring side when compared to the beautiful handcrafted ones - mine
are often leather and often a plain colour.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">When I saw a call for
testers for the Gemma bag, I put my name forward, identifying myself as a
novice. Linda of Lanyos Handmade and Nice Dress Thanks I Made It wanted all levels to test the bag.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had admired her
original bag when I saw it on her social media. It was made with plain and
patterned cork. I thought it looked very classy and was one I could use. I was
pleased when I was chosen to test the bag.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjk_fzXsAtkUnLOjaO8WEa5dao0Ed3v0NItjxrABUTHdTdYRiDqTpuOaFjECMs5L_72r7SUq-ZdCgeSZf8PUiy4YSHUmjT5onnWYtKFtTtjYDP-tZEEBRmHhI2FQxMl5DK82cg4E3CqW8/s1600/Linda+montage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjk_fzXsAtkUnLOjaO8WEa5dao0Ed3v0NItjxrABUTHdTdYRiDqTpuOaFjECMs5L_72r7SUq-ZdCgeSZf8PUiy4YSHUmjT5onnWYtKFtTtjYDP-tZEEBRmHhI2FQxMl5DK82cg4E3CqW8/s320/Linda+montage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK_b6h2ANZ9mNUVMyHyuRkE4wYISLopNJUoXb9j_NHw3wiu9cHngmZnPjAg2_v9DiRXRDBCIDAbBnjW606JE1w32flu1PewKBH91RZI9XSTLk244v5t8xprjGPL7rollU-jWKP1XrgF4/s1600/montage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK_b6h2ANZ9mNUVMyHyuRkE4wYISLopNJUoXb9j_NHw3wiu9cHngmZnPjAg2_v9DiRXRDBCIDAbBnjW606JE1w32flu1PewKBH91RZI9XSTLk244v5t8xprjGPL7rollU-jWKP1XrgF4/s320/montage+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had most of the
things I needed. I found it difficult to get cork at a reasonable price and
couldn’t find a similar patterned cork, but Linda suggested that as a beginner
I’d be better with a test bag made from cotton. I identified the UK equivalent
of the recommended interfacing for the cotton lining. I had most of the
hardware though it turned out that I didn’t have the correct slider. I did have
D rings, magnetic closures etc and purchased zippers of the required length. I
have LOTS of zips now!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’m going to skip
over some of the problems I had with printing the pattern and making up the bag
since these issues have been resolved, I was using the Beta ie tester version!
Briefly, the issue was that the pattern wasn’t originally optimised for
printing on A4 and this led to some size problems. Many bag patterns simply
give sizes that need to be drawn and cut out so this was really no biggy -
except that I did draw out the lining, which eventually proved to be too big
for the outside. I was able to resolve this. Obviously, the bag will be much
easier to make when all the sizes are optimised.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My cork (one plain
sheet and one slightly patterned but not the gorgeous floral Linda used)
arrived earlier than I had anticipated but I decided to use cotton for my bag,
anyway. I used cotton that I had in my ‘collection’ (aka stash!) I didn’t want
multiple patterns so decided to go with stripes two ways on the outside and
polka dots for the lining. I didn’t like the interfacing I used for the
cotton .The original bag is cork on the outside - Linda’s later recommendation
for interfacing a cotton exterior would have been much better than what I used
but I had already made it up. Never mind - this was effectively a toile!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had no problems
following the instructions. I used quilter’s double-sided tape to place the
zippers - my first use but certainly not my last! I was rather pleased with my
letterbox zip on the inside. I have practiced these in the past (jetted pockets
etc) and know that it is important to cut right up to the corner. I originally
went for curved corners on the lining but decided to box the corners on the
outside. I have done that previously and don’t find it difficult (though you
would be forgiven for thinking otherwise considering how long I have been
putting off the boxed cushion cover for my goose box!). Sadly, I realised that
I failed to match my stripes across gusset and bag!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I found that the
slider I had wasn’t the right kind so omitted that altogether.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjdY67gC8Em-QXr9Dxl3V9-EkF6H-SavliM5UFOINqvL576SX4S6TR2qFNxW7PFfO0MZKZ-Z_vrAZTg9IWpl2yEHcNE-gcTN_FK6a-9LzDFxFNtHi5zU3J-9qwTyAytDtICXXvBe5XJ4/s1600/bag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="400" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjdY67gC8Em-QXr9Dxl3V9-EkF6H-SavliM5UFOINqvL576SX4S6TR2qFNxW7PFfO0MZKZ-Z_vrAZTg9IWpl2yEHcNE-gcTN_FK6a-9LzDFxFNtHi5zU3J-9qwTyAytDtICXXvBe5XJ4/s320/bag1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I rather like the
finished bag though the fabric makes it very casual in my view and the colours
are very summery. Great for use with a summer dress - not the wintery clothes I
was wearing when I took the photos! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuMFQJNJZ8qooNTDVkAkrhNqkQOk2DFGsUAaaGRKG1wMZ96VXJnKnGh8Y0Y98_I6QZa5s0Dj8DbKHTQLm_V1rfWR29qeIpk4fSdni_tcscYSE6WXy4rAnDvFYIxzMo7O7HB_8BWiuazU/s1600/bag+worn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuMFQJNJZ8qooNTDVkAkrhNqkQOk2DFGsUAaaGRKG1wMZ96VXJnKnGh8Y0Y98_I6QZa5s0Dj8DbKHTQLm_V1rfWR29qeIpk4fSdni_tcscYSE6WXy4rAnDvFYIxzMo7O7HB_8BWiuazU/s320/bag+worn.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Our weather has been all over the shop.
Today David and I were supposed to be on a photoshoot on Holy Island
(Lindisfarne) but it was cancelled because of inclement weather. I was glad, as
my mouth is still painful following dental surgery and gum graft last week and
I didn’t fancy getting soaked.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRT0eT3goCkEGlMTCg_w3QTxbzXxwfFRdTq173BK4RpLFH1zhScZ-Voo-gAhygdKYuAsfCW638Tdnyz-PJ8VXAF7rzbtk0phFJY7RuCm2b8DrXbplCRPuFiJLcxBQ82ahd4sZR-pdBmM/s1600/bag+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="299" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRT0eT3goCkEGlMTCg_w3QTxbzXxwfFRdTq173BK4RpLFH1zhScZ-Voo-gAhygdKYuAsfCW638Tdnyz-PJ8VXAF7rzbtk0phFJY7RuCm2b8DrXbplCRPuFiJLcxBQ82ahd4sZR-pdBmM/s320/bag+inside.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJYtD2SQ9ZujvqpxmdWztSHf1kenH75Kz2sUmGPLxYLnf-QM1Cz5mfkeVO3RmQ2G7ef6URdCOObV63Q-5GPP-6xLc7Djq7wjjeVltwY6fB4Q1EJutyWrUru_YL5JezobV775nfLNaNiw/s1600/bag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="400" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJYtD2SQ9ZujvqpxmdWztSHf1kenH75Kz2sUmGPLxYLnf-QM1Cz5mfkeVO3RmQ2G7ef6URdCOObV63Q-5GPP-6xLc7Djq7wjjeVltwY6fB4Q1EJutyWrUru_YL5JezobV775nfLNaNiw/s320/bag2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Now that I have the
finalised pattern, I might make another in the cork I have bought. I’d really
like to make a leather bag with all the pieces of leather I have but I wonder
if that’s too thick for my machines.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRb2K5PSs0Bva_qDK05kB9RXrB0ZQwPvTAyTb1xXd7i98w69eZ2zGhcOA1TmF2n5jDC0NiU0n3UJw8sUE9dMKDfwG5f5BE_5vl3X_BCejGSz02VFMiCib8X84LFTycEKaTFck6IxNHKU/s1600/bag3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="299" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRb2K5PSs0Bva_qDK05kB9RXrB0ZQwPvTAyTb1xXd7i98w69eZ2zGhcOA1TmF2n5jDC0NiU0n3UJw8sUE9dMKDfwG5f5BE_5vl3X_BCejGSz02VFMiCib8X84LFTycEKaTFck6IxNHKU/s320/bag3.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I feel, though, that
I am facing too many learning curves at the moment so bag making will take a
step backwards. I have a new camera, more complex than my previous one, have
newly purchased Lightroom and Photoshop and need to move forward with my
coverstitch machine. I’m attending a summer school on the use of flash
photography (well, they call them speedlights or speedlites) and in a couple of
weeks will be able to really tackle my photo editing software when the summer
school moves onto that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-36063434316892702762019-06-20T21:15:00.004+01:002019-06-20T21:15:59.610+01:00Quant, Dior and family in London<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">David and I had a
brief break in London this past weekend. We had originally hoped to visit
Cambridge but Alison et al were going to the Lakes to watch her father in law
do the Iron Man challenge. Joanne was able to come from Cambridge <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to London to meet up with us. In the end, Alison
and Steven called off their trip to the Lakes and Alison and the boys came down
to Helen's on Saturday evening.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH6BHWFytUrmxgUa7YBBRVBLYeELKMKrEM-RBbxEXA0kFI2422huhfe1nIYtPgkReGpQo0FMny-xmi7nIzf09v1DRVoW7QC1dNchfckrfXjC0TJU3snaXrUfbR-h4JlO4nhcDM8effjM/s1600/DSC01296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="933" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH6BHWFytUrmxgUa7YBBRVBLYeELKMKrEM-RBbxEXA0kFI2422huhfe1nIYtPgkReGpQo0FMny-xmi7nIzf09v1DRVoW7QC1dNchfckrfXjC0TJU3snaXrUfbR-h4JlO4nhcDM8effjM/s320/DSC01296.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">On Friday, I visited
the Mary Quant exhibition at the V&A. I am a little too young and lived too
far away from anywhere to have been a Mary Quant girl. Then I was a student and
couldn't afford the prices. I do remember buying a Mary Quant lipstick which I
loved and I probably have her to thank for introducing tights long enough for
my long legs - and of course I did wear mini skirts and dresses. I didn't wear
her platform shoes though as I didn't need the extra height.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43GB5FrSCHTRKKC_u2VX1utvD7U4RYO0n9rN9SDG9vtQYPcjdYwYNYp-TqgbAhUScuUaEzov1qyjoKu6cMfvbw8EKFWs-QdyE8NoYn47Hd-6LaIV6MfIR4GSvf_87VFSkUuZC3Cg32EM/s1600/DSC01224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="818" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43GB5FrSCHTRKKC_u2VX1utvD7U4RYO0n9rN9SDG9vtQYPcjdYwYNYp-TqgbAhUScuUaEzov1qyjoKu6cMfvbw8EKFWs-QdyE8NoYn47Hd-6LaIV6MfIR4GSvf_87VFSkUuZC3Cg32EM/s320/DSC01224.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I really liked some
of the designs. I was surprised by how expensive some of these clothes were -
it made sense as to why I never bought them. Interestingly, I’ve spoken to a
few people since I got back, many old enough to have worn Quant clothes, and
they all said they simply couldn’t afford them. I had thought that Mary Quant
was aimed at the masses but it clearly wasn’t.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSFd7XHE6kZS9Xb6JJl4SNv0Plfs598CUhW_hXW2cT9bTp3821QwS4lWAz_fUkI3oLbzXTHF9IIacrm86Mq0-xVHxejcF4HH0nZ0WQ2biNZ5-0hUjKesjuKyYgEjuva9pQOWTYkKF6dM/s1600/DSC01266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="772" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSFd7XHE6kZS9Xb6JJl4SNv0Plfs598CUhW_hXW2cT9bTp3821QwS4lWAz_fUkI3oLbzXTHF9IIacrm86Mq0-xVHxejcF4HH0nZ0WQ2biNZ5-0hUjKesjuKyYgEjuva9pQOWTYkKF6dM/s320/DSC01266.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcRBCKyJx1cbc-nUJ7C5amBX8btwDoOnGL5CzpHDkEofmZNn-rc3sC5Vhih_8CNveCPfpIIvpdQoqpWNsnzyHy2Hh_fWwOA_xHQZhP4ONJjbwYCNDuIDZVrARMHdwNDK0jYes6o9J0VQ/s1600/DSC01294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcRBCKyJx1cbc-nUJ7C5amBX8btwDoOnGL5CzpHDkEofmZNn-rc3sC5Vhih_8CNveCPfpIIvpdQoqpWNsnzyHy2Hh_fWwOA_xHQZhP4ONJjbwYCNDuIDZVrARMHdwNDK0jYes6o9J0VQ/s320/DSC01294.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSi0oN7v0kA0Beqh7ypQimU1vAX4T-RUOQlxoHeYRMMTnCYoRv02IjLZ5-Y1da-UGyblJW3fpzh7KPgQdHqv7A1zM8QgELJIsOle4dafuWXpOfId0GMxN8E_ptuESPITbTljNOeaobM6k/s1600/DSC01295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1390" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSi0oN7v0kA0Beqh7ypQimU1vAX4T-RUOQlxoHeYRMMTnCYoRv02IjLZ5-Y1da-UGyblJW3fpzh7KPgQdHqv7A1zM8QgELJIsOle4dafuWXpOfId0GMxN8E_ptuESPITbTljNOeaobM6k/s320/DSC01295.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had a couple of
definite favourites from the exhibition and hope my photos have come out well
enough.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwDED-6-5BAGDuWoRILBXRa-j0ODLyLEUxGzcCTssiL-yeoUtGrP4gTqpFKCx0K0xiqwpPUc2KKfPBZixCG2hoWCVMK4dE4cqGLKkfwtnBFCHifszDaNDXNgI0FIknuHDI5Rlxxgfy2I/s1600/DSC01250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="849" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwDED-6-5BAGDuWoRILBXRa-j0ODLyLEUxGzcCTssiL-yeoUtGrP4gTqpFKCx0K0xiqwpPUc2KKfPBZixCG2hoWCVMK4dE4cqGLKkfwtnBFCHifszDaNDXNgI0FIknuHDI5Rlxxgfy2I/s320/DSC01250.jpg" width="169" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Interestingly, while
watching one of the videos, the stylish older lady next to me told me that she
had been a Mary Quant model in the 60s and we had a chat about that. She looked
younger than her years, that's for sure. She hasn't yet been to the Dior
exhibition but was hoping to pick up tickets one morning in the daily release
(tickets are sold out).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEn32_zZ-WD4I-hDxAUXWpLa_9Avf5Nshza9TK2FXAnPtHFJxP0HdgpD8JNONSHwDjLo7NOdiKMYWSjJZyJYFi7NdQdnjzceGcgr6kJO5rmE1dRoJg2wDnqxk_B6yxucpGDUKCkD2Q30/s1600/DSC01230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="591" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEn32_zZ-WD4I-hDxAUXWpLa_9Avf5Nshza9TK2FXAnPtHFJxP0HdgpD8JNONSHwDjLo7NOdiKMYWSjJZyJYFi7NdQdnjzceGcgr6kJO5rmE1dRoJg2wDnqxk_B6yxucpGDUKCkD2Q30/s320/DSC01230.jpg" width="118" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Friday evening we met
Helen and Anthony who took us out to Fish! at Borough Market. I'm still recovering
from dental surgery and am not allowed to eat hard food so fish seemed ideal. I
ordered their classic fish pie which was delicious.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We were staying in
Greenwich. I hadn't been before. We visited the various markets, saw the Cutty
Sark but didn't have time to go to the astrophotography exhibition, though I’ve
seen the short-listed photographs online. We walked under the Thames through
the pedestrian tunnel to the Isle of Dogs.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPm3jbAmmDe89lC2FxjnFe2HUm54FEYrfJs1vvNetkqcUTOBYUtpNdKrLu3w4ZUj7AMgdVhzQMlLoT1Le2sgEtLbrRFqQoVlBS_6l9gbCllc4imnuXhBP1clupKtWwV0fKfoDYvKVwP8/s1600/DSC01366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPm3jbAmmDe89lC2FxjnFe2HUm54FEYrfJs1vvNetkqcUTOBYUtpNdKrLu3w4ZUj7AMgdVhzQMlLoT1Le2sgEtLbrRFqQoVlBS_6l9gbCllc4imnuXhBP1clupKtWwV0fKfoDYvKVwP8/s320/DSC01366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">On Saturday, I met up
with Helen and we went to the Christian Dior exhibition. Helen and her friend
hadn't been able to get tickets but because I'm a member with a plus guest
membership, Helen was able to accompany me and we could choose our time. The
early members' hour on Saturday was just too early for us though! Helen hadn't
been keen to go to the Quant exhibition as she saw those clothes as everyday
and she wanted to see couture clothing. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FcsQ7P61lvFLMn82BpGm2HHO8YEI4yYSQWM6eMglimI6Osb1xULaEKcgDf7Avt1hsjLWtlh_8BegGIqpOnOt9rGOyd1NeOMn2FopTb85qeVegSDM7kbHtiP-Bt8fnaWHBqQSA3t2ld8/s1600/DSC01342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="708" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FcsQ7P61lvFLMn82BpGm2HHO8YEI4yYSQWM6eMglimI6Osb1xULaEKcgDf7Avt1hsjLWtlh_8BegGIqpOnOt9rGOyd1NeOMn2FopTb85qeVegSDM7kbHtiP-Bt8fnaWHBqQSA3t2ld8/s320/DSC01342.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSD2OW1sh-t3HdgBbJT3S_Si1E3OzAvM9OvFTjnf8WIkrpHzDcz6JS-jtKa6i4qmaabtuoudKh-Z5GnJ2g4YA6OWE1HVRwTJYMe2AYh4HWUPAjLcIc713O94_9Pf9fePlSKxBH0cMGt4/s1600/DSC01349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSD2OW1sh-t3HdgBbJT3S_Si1E3OzAvM9OvFTjnf8WIkrpHzDcz6JS-jtKa6i4qmaabtuoudKh-Z5GnJ2g4YA6OWE1HVRwTJYMe2AYh4HWUPAjLcIc713O94_9Pf9fePlSKxBH0cMGt4/s320/DSC01349.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I was surprised at
how much Helen enjoyed the sparkles and feathers on some of the gowns! We both
really enjoyed the toile room and the dressed miniature models. I’m not showing
many photos since they don’t do justice to the garments and have been shown
many times before </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKePfsP9IAdjDeYLLn6bkT0p97GjiP-Mbrv7GgeOYG2HC3JdvMuT2R5wvJ9NkToSnvLXZG_npfLhf1T52vifcF5Adcmgaeaq1nEKGiXlUMfW7LxXGFObUNTxg1EgVdnl8mtFh4zOob1hc/s1600/DSC01354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKePfsP9IAdjDeYLLn6bkT0p97GjiP-Mbrv7GgeOYG2HC3JdvMuT2R5wvJ9NkToSnvLXZG_npfLhf1T52vifcF5Adcmgaeaq1nEKGiXlUMfW7LxXGFObUNTxg1EgVdnl8mtFh4zOob1hc/s320/DSC01354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Meantime David was
looking at some of the photography exhibits</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Afterwards we met
Joanne and went for lunch in Chelsea at The Phene and had a nice chat over a
light lunch. I was exhausted by the time we got there as we had walked from the
V&A so afterwards we took a taxi to Helen's flat. This took an hour
(public transport was quoting 80+ minutes) and was proportionately much cheaper
than the taxi we took from the station to our house 5 minutes away. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Anthony prepared a
lovely vegetarian chilli in part to cater for my older grandson who has become
pescatarian and my requirement for softer food. Alison and the two boys arrived
shortly after we got back; Steven took the opportunity of their cancelled
weekend to catch up on some work so didn't come through.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We had a lovely
evening. Joanne had been going to stay with Helen and travel home the next day
after brunch in Greenwich but decided to go back in the car with Alison.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">On Sunday, Helen
wanted to take her Dad out for brunch for Father's Day. She and Anthony drove
to Greenwich where we had a lovely brunch in The Royal Teas. Greenwich was very busy and lots of places were full. This place was so busy - turning away lots of people and was great even if not very salubrious looking on the outside! They were then
going on to Anthony's parents and we were going home.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytiX96VeAf2zV_72vmKl4WtdOsTMkphkyAqDjXynaU9SG7lZAY2R98pU3qsWDn-Un7p4CK7FQQ6TrJTfg9wujR-f59Zxo6HOaI61uusgyJqaUiqSsVZ8uOA-1pb_1vpM5xXKaVBPJka0/s1600/DSC01364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="680" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytiX96VeAf2zV_72vmKl4WtdOsTMkphkyAqDjXynaU9SG7lZAY2R98pU3qsWDn-Un7p4CK7FQQ6TrJTfg9wujR-f59Zxo6HOaI61uusgyJqaUiqSsVZ8uOA-1pb_1vpM5xXKaVBPJka0/s320/DSC01364.JPG" width="135" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I took the
opportunity of the train journey home to do some reading (The Secrets of Colour
by Kassia St Clair) Marianne pointed out some factual inaccuracies in the
account of the colour orange so while I’m enjoying the book, and it appears to
be well researched, perhaps I need to read it with an element of scepticism?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I also did some
catching up with blog posts - I hadn't realised just how many I had missed. I'm
still not caught up - probably never will be. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’m just about to
embark on a journey to learn how to use Lightroom and Photoshop which I’ve just
subscribed to. I’m attending a photography club with David and over the summer
there are a number of classes. Flash photography and the use of layers in
Photoshop. So you need to excuse my current photos - but perhaps my future
photos will be better!!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-4666787407931041592019-05-26T14:14:00.000+01:002019-05-26T14:14:27.143+01:00Fabric and neckline trauma but I have battled to the finish! The do it 10 times rule.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The top<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I have been
struggling putting a neckline (and armhole) finish on a simple top. There is nothing to say
about the top otherwise.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpwcw8lt2VFFa_51Bq3ZhI6xdY_sUcch3_cPc8ldsPfXzaVS71TAaJeyoXxZ1s7gu_5t6nccYp_2-1cTIJUDuliDmrKZKHMMZq8TkViBjKbENnPzD3Sq5cG2MpAnr6t8ZmKm5a7Mxr80/s1600/DSC01196ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1082" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpwcw8lt2VFFa_51Bq3ZhI6xdY_sUcch3_cPc8ldsPfXzaVS71TAaJeyoXxZ1s7gu_5t6nccYp_2-1cTIJUDuliDmrKZKHMMZq8TkViBjKbENnPzD3Sq5cG2MpAnr6t8ZmKm5a7Mxr80/s320/DSC01196ed.JPG" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did finish the top - here it is in all its imperfection! I'm wearing it to go out today though - so it's not that bad. <br />I think you can see the diagonal nature of the fabric from this view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The top is a vest
style - scoop neck, sleeveless. I've made it before without too much
difficulty. This is a pattern highly modified from the original and further
modified from its last rendition (see <a href="https://sewanneuk.blogspot.com/2019/04/pattern-issues-or-is-it-me.html">here</a>)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSngywfPfmS_jUyE08HI0z_AVywBw_1eb7FRQKn_u5gCvsg0AhQSUYou-Daro_1zlOgB6yKmlr3q8ZqpQJ1zFllE3OuIZ7fvj5bSXq7DLmGf-Uo7-qCjqJV3XhuhgPSJ65pBh13gtpCM/s1600/DSC00873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1458" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSngywfPfmS_jUyE08HI0z_AVywBw_1eb7FRQKn_u5gCvsg0AhQSUYou-Daro_1zlOgB6yKmlr3q8ZqpQJ1zFllE3OuIZ7fvj5bSXq7DLmGf-Uo7-qCjqJV3XhuhgPSJ65pBh13gtpCM/s320/DSC00873.JPG" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did the last neckline differently and successfully managed to coverstitch - but this fabric was having none of it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">This time, I think my
fabric is a lot to blame. It is quite stretchy, two ways, that is both
horizontally and vertically. I should have guessed there would be problems as I
had problems cutting it out in the first place. One of my pieces was wonky and
fortunately I had enough fabric to do it over again. My fabric did not want to
behave!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I made the situation
more difficult than it needed to be, of course, being me, by at first assuming
that the pattern on the fabric ran both horizontally and vertically. It doesn’t
- it’s vertical and diagonal. This means that the straightening I thought I had
done made things worse! I wish I had never touched this fabric!!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I love geometrics,
rather than florals or animals etc, and this fabric really met my requirements
- or so I thought. Now, I could see it far enough! I used a diagonal print once
in the past when I was just starting to sew and really didn’t enjoy the experience
- I thought it was me I seem to remember. I’ll know in the future.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Neckline trauma<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I decided to attach a
strip of fabric used as a facing around neckline and armhole. The strip was cut
on the crossgrain, the greatest amount of stretch, and one layer attached right
side to right side on the neckline. The raw edge of the fabric was then turned
under and the whole folded over into the inside and topstitched to keep the
layers together (though obviously I could have hand stitched and then nothing
would have shown). This didn’t work.as the fabric layer was somewhat too thick
and heavy and didn’t lie nicely, falling forward.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOTBn1p7hYsZu4M8lNfhDfazGmhdL_nMrjfYmlEJkyvmOAXme0QnLcHBBU37oLiYQFpP9vAajgYe_SvyaOxhJ0ot5unylDkEMEFclGRdfNhQCFtki7dEHJF4Z-KU8rNEIM4sTrUD2qC0/s1600/58443084_10157144881994264_5535982685836541952_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOTBn1p7hYsZu4M8lNfhDfazGmhdL_nMrjfYmlEJkyvmOAXme0QnLcHBBU37oLiYQFpP9vAajgYe_SvyaOxhJ0ot5unylDkEMEFclGRdfNhQCFtki7dEHJF4Z-KU8rNEIM4sTrUD2qC0/s320/58443084_10157144881994264_5535982685836541952_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the wide facing I originally attempted. Coverstitching something that wasn't right in the first place clearly wasn't going to work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I therefore removed
the band (for the first of several times!) even though I had understitched and
overlocked.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">By this time, I had a
coverstitch machine - this top decided me to move in that direction. I
therefore decided that I would attach to one side and simply fold over without
turning in the raw edge as this would reduce the bulk. I’d then coverstitch
from the right side and secure the raw edges. One layer of fabric less to
contend with. Good plan. Didn’t work. The neckline just would not lie flat - it
kept falling forward. Not the fault of the coverstitch machine.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I thought the band
was too long and that was why the neckline was falling forward. I shortened it
but this still didn’t solve the problem. In class, it was suggested to me that
the fabric was causing the issue. However, I see people attaching necklines all
the time so why couldn’t I do this?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I was really worried
about how overworked the neckline of the top was becoming. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It was suggested that I'd be better to apply a band as my fabric was so lightweight that it wanted to fall forward even without the extra fabric weight. Next step was
applying a small band, that is with the fabric attached double to the right
side and the stitched edge folded back, leaving a small folded edge showing on
the right side. First attempt was applied unevenly and looked really awful. I
redid the band but this time it was too long again (87%). And yes, I thought it
looked okay at first so went ahead with understitching and overlocking……. All
that had to come out again!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I can now remove
staystitching and overlocking fairly quickly - though of course I’d rather not!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I hate this fabric!!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Nevertheless, I
decided I was going to persevere as I need to be able to do a nice neckline.
This was now a practice piece. I understand that if you do something 10 times,
you become proficient at it. We’ll see! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I spent a long time
removing the bands from armholes and necklines - although I have focused on
the neckline, I didn’t like the way the armhole was lying. Following advice, I
trimmed the top of the shoulder by 1cm, tapering down front and back. I steamed
the edges of armholes and neckline in the hope of restoring some shape
and stay stitched. Originally the armholes had been finished with a hidden
facing strip.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Now, I had never
previously staystitched a knit. Do you? When I asked advice of one of my
groups, they were divided. One lady said I needed to staystitch while others
didn’t. I had nothing to lose, so I staystitched but I would love your view on
this.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I left the top
sitting without band of any kind, just the sleeveless back and front of the top
(oh - the hem is finished, all coverstitched in cream and looks lovely!!).</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Blackwood cardigan number 4 </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In the meantime, I used
the fabric to cut out another Blackwood cardigan. No major trauma though I
definitely prefer a slightly beefier fabric. My bands which should have been
identical weren’t and I had to sort that</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I used a slightly
modified pattern from the tester piece I made earlier in the year (see here),
by adding some waist shaping and slightly shortening the sleeves, plus adding a
little extra biceps ease.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShegyM35PfC-VHzq8Q4eitkl8Us0TEpTFCJrRkk0oZ1MN7UQBF9iElaclJ43Vp4GgkRwzZ_jcLYph9exPR44dSZ9FC8uSCz7os0_RO4Oy5LzLdJUNJ32tXaoXy1bjHk1AUxVti0dDE4E/s1600/DSC01201ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="917" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShegyM35PfC-VHzq8Q4eitkl8Us0TEpTFCJrRkk0oZ1MN7UQBF9iElaclJ43Vp4GgkRwzZ_jcLYph9exPR44dSZ9FC8uSCz7os0_RO4Oy5LzLdJUNJ32tXaoXy1bjHk1AUxVti0dDE4E/s320/DSC01201ed.JPG" width="183" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I said earlier that
if you repeat something 10 times, the methods stick, and you become proficient.
However, I was reading a blog post the other day (sorry can’t remember whose it
was) which suggests that if you repeat you become sloppy. YES! THIS! The only
issues with the cardigan were my fault entirely. I used the wrong pattern
pieces. I mislaid the instructions and decided I didn’t really need them. I
won't go on. All’s well that end well! I didn’t topstitch around the band to
hold down the seam allowances as I decided to wait until I had finished the top
to have a matching finish. In the end I decided it really wasn’t necessary at
all.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Back to the top</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I cut the top armhole
bands and neckline band to 80%. This figure came up repeatedly when discussing
bands though I know it’s not really possible to rely on a formula - but it does
give you somewhere to start from. I don’t have the ability to simply feel the
correct stretch. Not yet anyway! I was concerned to see how long they were - my
neckline must be very stretched from the starting point.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I decided to have an exposed band - very narrow on the armholes and
wider on the neckline. The reason I wanted narrower on the armholes was that
originally they had a concealed band.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In order to apply
evenly, I really need to mark the fabric.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This time, I not only
marked the pieces in quarters - I used eighths! I successfully attached the
bands - YAY! I did have a couple of hiccoughs but got there in the end. So the
bands are not a completely even width but I guess that’s not going to be the
first thing people look for!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1I2GcZK7nqRcDapuYSIZK_SZ67aUNo9OQPboRWJ4ialAvOwQEPeY5nfnNxP8_Gq-YM_23G2PXiCPoWeEB_d1OIm31u8V08G6lt3uB1N_GuqdwVV-nHW_j9MkTo1y2Ygp-WpQm7o67z1s/s1600/DSC01204ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1I2GcZK7nqRcDapuYSIZK_SZ67aUNo9OQPboRWJ4ialAvOwQEPeY5nfnNxP8_Gq-YM_23G2PXiCPoWeEB_d1OIm31u8V08G6lt3uB1N_GuqdwVV-nHW_j9MkTo1y2Ygp-WpQm7o67z1s/s320/DSC01204ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had now intended to
turn the raw edges to the inside and top stitch using my coverstitch machine
from the right side. My coverstitch machine was perfectly happy with this -
however, I am not sufficiently experienced, and my stitching was rather too
wonky. I don’t (yet) have a clear foot for the machine and I couldn’t see
exactly where the stitches were falling. I was trying to stitch so close to the
neckline that in the cream thread the problem was readily visible. I
couldn’t use the neckline band edge as a guide as my band was uneven. I didn’t
like the effect of stitching further away. After some thought, I decided I was
going to use navy zigzag as this fitted in with my zigzag headache-inducing
fabric. I used my edge stitch foot and experimented to see where I wanted it.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I was then left with
the issue of the seam allowances, which of course wanted to expose themselves.
I felt I had two choices (by now excluding the possibility of a coverstitch
finish) - namely 1) trimming close to the stitching and just leaving raw or 2)
overlocking the raw edges. I decided eventually to go with 2) thinking that I could
always trim narrower if this didn’t look right. I think it’s okay.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Finished top</b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I said earlier that
this piece had become an experimental top to give me experience in attaching a nice-looking
neckband. I haven’t done it 10 times as yet but feel a lot more confident. I have a few more times to practice and get better if not perfect.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The top isn’t
perfect. The armbands and neckline bands are uneven. I think this comes from a
combination of stretched overworked fabric and the extra I trimmed off the
armholes. I can deal with that in the future - here I was much more interested
in getting the neckband to lie flat against my chest. It does, so that is
success.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27wBO2Y_bYu7awRKG_tBmsKV6NWumDiZRz65gcHHt1ulU36_P8gvxc-Qbmr2nBRV7PrZDTAavrtmtcpRNN1eJ7mTTNU9tgQSmuvhsaOMRTSaPAoe-jipwtDz5Ea-IklXpxD5Q6U_MAfk/s1600/DSC01203ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="924" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27wBO2Y_bYu7awRKG_tBmsKV6NWumDiZRz65gcHHt1ulU36_P8gvxc-Qbmr2nBRV7PrZDTAavrtmtcpRNN1eJ7mTTNU9tgQSmuvhsaOMRTSaPAoe-jipwtDz5Ea-IklXpxD5Q6U_MAfk/s320/DSC01203ed.JPG" width="184" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">David thinks the
shoulders are too narrow - and I’m inclined to agree. I don’t think that extra
centimetre needed to come off, after all. I think the trimming was a little
uneven, too - but of course, I’ll alter the pattern and it will be even next
time. I also think the armholes don't match each other and that there is too much fabric at the front from halfway down (where I stopped trimming as it happens)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Otherwise, I’m pretty
happy with it as I feel it fits well (enough) and feels comfortable.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Coverstitch questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I would have to
assemble the top differently to use a binder on my coverstitch machine (I <i>think
</i>that one shoulder is left open?). I hadn’t realised that. I don’t have a
binder as yet, but am considering. One thing that puzzles me is that people
don’t stretch the binding fabric when applying by binder so I’m not sure how
they get it to lie flat - it always looks so great. Any comments? Top stitching
using the coverstitch machine is possible on the straight and in the round.
However, it likes an even hemline! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A new twin set</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShegyM35PfC-VHzq8Q4eitkl8Us0TEpTFCJrRkk0oZ1MN7UQBF9iElaclJ43Vp4GgkRwzZ_jcLYph9exPR44dSZ9FC8uSCz7os0_RO4Oy5LzLdJUNJ32tXaoXy1bjHk1AUxVti0dDE4E/s1600/DSC01201ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="917" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShegyM35PfC-VHzq8Q4eitkl8Us0TEpTFCJrRkk0oZ1MN7UQBF9iElaclJ43Vp4GgkRwzZ_jcLYph9exPR44dSZ9FC8uSCz7os0_RO4Oy5LzLdJUNJ32tXaoXy1bjHk1AUxVti0dDE4E/s320/DSC01201ed.JPG" width="183" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRZioMlmanb1RNbGc5q_BEQrGRkliRqNAD0InPpu-y_gp1o8Vjwbtqc_6DQvvyZnUyPR6ajMxPLeipidQIsT5leRBEQGEX5MkeGbdl_ia6TXbG4ZC7CMtfNGxOpfNS3SiLrta9U2EBXg/s1600/DSC01198.ARW" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRZioMlmanb1RNbGc5q_BEQrGRkliRqNAD0InPpu-y_gp1o8Vjwbtqc_6DQvvyZnUyPR6ajMxPLeipidQIsT5leRBEQGEX5MkeGbdl_ia6TXbG4ZC7CMtfNGxOpfNS3SiLrta9U2EBXg/s320/DSC01198.ARW" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I like the top and
cardigan together - my 4th twinset! Because the cardigan is navy and white, I
can wear with different tops, including plain navy and plain white of course. I
wear a lot of navy and feel this set will be used a lot. I think it looks
pretty good and is very ‘me’. I thought I had taken more photos than these but this is all there is.</span></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-82163851815202994672019-04-21T15:34:00.001+01:002019-04-21T15:34:14.888+01:00A promise fulfilled! Years in the making - and finally finished<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4FVexnJC-Hhc2TXUHjDFG-qBxdb_FGYxiYBnZ6W_NvzXFAYco9L5mvSNuEFzAL7GbcYkNbQ3MPBKZkJ8422t_YcovbLMDdJzJ2iooR_RcGJv2fkyXWVoIf6iFQDP3odpBdyiDrWpcJk/s1600/Helen+Tartan+Skirt+Sunday-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1411" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4FVexnJC-Hhc2TXUHjDFG-qBxdb_FGYxiYBnZ6W_NvzXFAYco9L5mvSNuEFzAL7GbcYkNbQ3MPBKZkJ8422t_YcovbLMDdJzJ2iooR_RcGJv2fkyXWVoIf6iFQDP3odpBdyiDrWpcJk/s320/Helen+Tartan+Skirt+Sunday-2.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the garden today - the blossom that became synonymous with sewing her wedding dress is in full bloom this weekend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRn00aXeLDujFP4RJXW6ZdizFnqPXJUGsOUab5sFUYSOp_xc_Peza7ns5QB54eahBC45XbfMOwRVZA3QytoEkypV30cl4Nzq2AFls0IAjz7_95phcX4I-YGFV7-DorXG9RiS_y717Lc8/s1600/Helen+Tartan+Skirt+Sunday-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRn00aXeLDujFP4RJXW6ZdizFnqPXJUGsOUab5sFUYSOp_xc_Peza7ns5QB54eahBC45XbfMOwRVZA3QytoEkypV30cl4Nzq2AFls0IAjz7_95phcX4I-YGFV7-DorXG9RiS_y717Lc8/s320/Helen+Tartan+Skirt+Sunday-6.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think she may like it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">As you may realise, if you have previously read my blog, I
had been guddling around making different toiles of pleated skirts for Helen,
using plain fabric or checked fabric (but not the real tartan) for a while (a long while!) and
Helen hadn’t really liked any of them - or at least wanted to make changes. I
had originally wanted to use a pattern but came to realise that modifying a
pattern to fit the pleat depth I wanted in the pleated skirt was much more work
than working the traditional way of setting out the size of pleats you wanted
in the fabric.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxtT6gQ14tedfSiw1zZts9Ie1KhbWB6Dd6-1xQuxf4Ldi9zvKHUAk45gKG1zQmj5f9biwXrlRCk4GwNhFzcpyjZqk0J6KS_UlQk5Ninl3vq1AApHvspec2AYiApWOZ-WiW0PEieCVZiY/s1600/Helen+Tartan+Skirt+Sunday-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxtT6gQ14tedfSiw1zZts9Ie1KhbWB6Dd6-1xQuxf4Ldi9zvKHUAk45gKG1zQmj5f9biwXrlRCk4GwNhFzcpyjZqk0J6KS_UlQk5Ninl3vq1AApHvspec2AYiApWOZ-WiW0PEieCVZiY/s320/Helen+Tartan+Skirt+Sunday-4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwLmBsTsEGeieck5VP3btYOCpIAZv-Bc4lleaK7-s9zpEvKqchupnwOMPy_UdYv-cJNlnd0loZZt_tBZx9KxcJgZRLWXG776OY7EHnVtJBmTAj2U9EJMJF27cY1viM-eQC2bIhelnUA8/s1600/Helen+Tartan+Skirt+Sunday-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwLmBsTsEGeieck5VP3btYOCpIAZv-Bc4lleaK7-s9zpEvKqchupnwOMPy_UdYv-cJNlnd0loZZt_tBZx9KxcJgZRLWXG776OY7EHnVtJBmTAj2U9EJMJF27cY1viM-eQC2bIhelnUA8/s320/Helen+Tartan+Skirt+Sunday-5.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So, last week, I bit
the bullet. I had just sent another toile which was too big in size 12. I don't have a decent photo of it on Helen. The
previous one had been in my view a bit neat in the size 12 - both big 4
patterns.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEv_cNaPaTnWUtBOKb8KCqttuNRm6MtItBSkuahdM94rQgtWt8uBrL5nDYPM3Znl_OLUmeRHVbVjZMGfSXv6hj7PwsQYFpi7nLbkVOvcZWe20u79HmA3uAtjYz3fCEyRQNwZFKkoqRq8Q/s1600/Simplicity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEv_cNaPaTnWUtBOKb8KCqttuNRm6MtItBSkuahdM94rQgtWt8uBrL5nDYPM3Znl_OLUmeRHVbVjZMGfSXv6hj7PwsQYFpi7nLbkVOvcZWe20u79HmA3uAtjYz3fCEyRQNwZFKkoqRq8Q/s320/Simplicity.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplicity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7CIahGhXkMAkYegrCxdPv5oOrlZabBmhLtBhR3nlW6x-JpoCS8UDcvo_GpuIwZG2uNe6OS0CvfY_nsW1RQDfN5y6ZcCf59aMuoBgvJJNJOXInJE0ZRUudkFBMaMJDlXo54kla9YJqlM/s1600/IMG-20190223-WA0008+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="652" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7CIahGhXkMAkYegrCxdPv5oOrlZabBmhLtBhR3nlW6x-JpoCS8UDcvo_GpuIwZG2uNe6OS0CvfY_nsW1RQDfN5y6ZcCf59aMuoBgvJJNJOXInJE0ZRUudkFBMaMJDlXo54kla9YJqlM/s320/IMG-20190223-WA0008+%25282%2529.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too small imo in the 12</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> I had been looking at modifying the pattern but eventually decided
against this. I’ve tried 5 different commercial patterns, I think … Helen told me that
she wants all of the skirts, she can’t decide. So I had to decide for her. She brought all the toiles I've ever sent her home with her this weekend. She didn't want to get rid of them for sentimental reasons but I've encouraged her to leave them and say goodbye as they performed their function.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYG9eTk3iNaTJbH9s28gRThPiAHfvOVzryxpsWHpS01r80TjuJHo29kgFH3TKJgnSMKp10rwq5nY8q43HA4pZC5ZlI3K2wqbsEIvLpr9Buuk-mYif7POhOjnPy5FMH6Jmr-KuQaV6pLmQ/s1600/20161202_195201ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="742" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYG9eTk3iNaTJbH9s28gRThPiAHfvOVzryxpsWHpS01r80TjuJHo29kgFH3TKJgnSMKp10rwq5nY8q43HA4pZC5ZlI3K2wqbsEIvLpr9Buuk-mYif7POhOjnPy5FMH6Jmr-KuQaV6pLmQ/s320/20161202_195201ed.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't like a circular skirt with tartan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu08hLo5hStEmQdxQVsydNpub7sn80U3IHwYJgXFb2HpjyyAIDIUv9HBToP9Niv2FrLLTLpmfpt9713pF06cnuRhHDjRHySSmeFq873KSVufpSLI7-SJO_VsmPgKHGnZo3NiQHmBA9H_8/s1600/IMGP7052ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="856" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu08hLo5hStEmQdxQVsydNpub7sn80U3IHwYJgXFb2HpjyyAIDIUv9HBToP9Niv2FrLLTLpmfpt9713pF06cnuRhHDjRHySSmeFq873KSVufpSLI7-SJO_VsmPgKHGnZo3NiQHmBA9H_8/s320/IMGP7052ed.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was too big, anyway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFjg1Unz2ZcNbJ-hQlKDS77RSsyJj1oN8Cw3pqZnBelDhyxJ3zDArptS6iXQ2wPbeYSPQAnx1uGMD5U1k9PfbGGpdphnzyFDeNua8YTWwSLyv3GGpsiXwlPJs-a9Fjz5NmH7KHLA5av8/s1600/7022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFjg1Unz2ZcNbJ-hQlKDS77RSsyJj1oN8Cw3pqZnBelDhyxJ3zDArptS6iXQ2wPbeYSPQAnx1uGMD5U1k9PfbGGpdphnzyFDeNua8YTWwSLyv3GGpsiXwlPJs-a9Fjz5NmH7KHLA5av8/s320/7022.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one ended up too big - and she didn't like the deep contour waistband</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Helen said she really
liked just about the first toile I made except it was too long and too big. I
had done that on my own without a pattern. A full pleated skirt. See blog post
<a href="https://sewanneuk.blogspot.com/2015/12/pleated-skirt-wearable-toile-finished.html">here</a> - from December 2015!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6myRkbc-5h_FgLca9SRlLRb3R9Wiusb0RgSn2HEm8r5j2TDqAslu0C1JPtEsJ65YD-bdiQTCQaLLbjSvwYyWysMEtlXgarJ8n8NNM-a6noFNOwohicLvM7Utwrjrgt2TZ-lvJSPwU_E/s320/CIMG5085ed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She does wear this skirt and has kept it. I offered to take in and shorten but she decided against that. She's keeping it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">So I decided to make
a short full pleated skirt by just folding the pleats how I wanted and
using the proper tartan. Normal 1.25" waistband. Although the tartan was very expensive as we got it
specially woven and we had to buy 30 metres to boot, it isn’t doing anything by
lying in storage, is it? I said to David that I wanted to make a skirt and if
it didn’t work out, so be it - we still had many metres left. I have previously blogged about the tartan's story. <a href="https://sewanneuk.blogspot.com/2016/06/developing-fabric-story-of-our-tartan.html">Here </a>is one post</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I looked at the real
tartan. I asked the mill which wove it (Lochcarron of Scotland) what pre-treatment it might require
before being cut - answer none but dry clean it later. The tartan has been
lying rolled in a bolt for many years and it was off grain as it lay but I
think that was due to the storage. I think that some better pressing and
steaming might have helped that more than I did.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rH3KIC_tZlyDuvLTbxfF35Jf2Wu6WBParF7rlN8vR7oKCGGx04qZt97Ph7-Rr6umGP2KUHVlzPSbBdk9YNyKk-jwXdfmu-3hTRoNAt67MilDxxhgjARsGct0lvJZ1wUcH4gT6QvskGk/s1600/20190413_134743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rH3KIC_tZlyDuvLTbxfF35Jf2Wu6WBParF7rlN8vR7oKCGGx04qZt97Ph7-Rr6umGP2KUHVlzPSbBdk9YNyKk-jwXdfmu-3hTRoNAt67MilDxxhgjARsGct0lvJZ1wUcH4gT6QvskGk/s320/20190413_134743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZY8rIkHfnUaNyniRp6N2B3EaBxwTm8V7iDp1FTE7fI-S1Cxs4SNxy3NUIzSxWj4pqqPhxd5Vx7n07aUQAQPLNCfU-fHtqVcxmI6pkbdjhCk1mBcy1mG-TF-wEOHQiM-1rWCcmV9bDNg/s1600/20190413_134729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZY8rIkHfnUaNyniRp6N2B3EaBxwTm8V7iDp1FTE7fI-S1Cxs4SNxy3NUIzSxWj4pqqPhxd5Vx7n07aUQAQPLNCfU-fHtqVcxmI6pkbdjhCk1mBcy1mG-TF-wEOHQiM-1rWCcmV9bDNg/s320/20190413_134729.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I took a piece of
fabric and folded it in a number of ways to see the effect and gave Helen a
choice. In a man’s kilt, the end result is such that you are looking at a
recreation of a full pattern repeat over several pleats. - but this means
that the pleats are narrow and numerous. Helen didn’t want her skirt as heavy
(and bulky) as that so our pleats are simply folded to get a pleasing effect.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR2QA_6-19yk0RYAkBFmQHPhhmnY2U3p5kKVcd-ScnCMVzr4mzMUIzNqd253YF9q6FKGUx6HBfdAKNTX3yNeDSgiJxXG6ovFkdEiq2PoRXPQT4So38g4-172PteYDRDgQqUT0YGxocPs/s1600/20190410_154121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR2QA_6-19yk0RYAkBFmQHPhhmnY2U3p5kKVcd-ScnCMVzr4mzMUIzNqd253YF9q6FKGUx6HBfdAKNTX3yNeDSgiJxXG6ovFkdEiq2PoRXPQT4So38g4-172PteYDRDgQqUT0YGxocPs/s200/20190410_154121.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZjak9lvXCDEP2uPCbmiKH7RK7SwnnxLY_M84Jx7XuKg_8WW0s2Shs6piwR09Ug4WvokBQ46l3QAiRR_fKOEcS22gtwhh3b27QS-LtHe1Yt28koI3g5j-WmQ6JCMGx2Fa1VmmRZcYH5Y/s1600/20190410_154156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZjak9lvXCDEP2uPCbmiKH7RK7SwnnxLY_M84Jx7XuKg_8WW0s2Shs6piwR09Ug4WvokBQ46l3QAiRR_fKOEcS22gtwhh3b27QS-LtHe1Yt28koI3g5j-WmQ6JCMGx2Fa1VmmRZcYH5Y/s200/20190410_154156.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7mjyZ72-hO7Tki-AZ6fWvKA94Q-ig4FDRsOEp68UJY29CJhNsnQp93eSCN-_G9DpRFPOu6hNWlCh39i-iLy5yH0XR_NWSuLd6ABBDPmz-7741dGv5OmMdBbNqfJch2R6KaTmYSViCbY/s1600/20190410_154142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7mjyZ72-hO7Tki-AZ6fWvKA94Q-ig4FDRsOEp68UJY29CJhNsnQp93eSCN-_G9DpRFPOu6hNWlCh39i-iLy5yH0XR_NWSuLd6ABBDPmz-7741dGv5OmMdBbNqfJch2R6KaTmYSViCbY/s200/20190410_154142.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The mill had also
said that they use the selvedge for the hem edge and told me how to identify
the right from the wrong side - both questions I had asked. On Instagram, I had
asked about the hemming treatment and most suggested using the selvedge. So
that’s what I did.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdbAk3PC7K6TgtZNvrBEmfJ5SDXU233hlPFSyXY_bzuqUj4ifRREhho6K-sLsRUL4HXAxlqjK_iMRH-x8M4X-ZGmo1XkLqWIkMd-TmaIEPHt2DLqmn1AzdEU8DqsoHSAXxJ4p4bzPq5Y/s1600/20190408_103234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdbAk3PC7K6TgtZNvrBEmfJ5SDXU233hlPFSyXY_bzuqUj4ifRREhho6K-sLsRUL4HXAxlqjK_iMRH-x8M4X-ZGmo1XkLqWIkMd-TmaIEPHt2DLqmn1AzdEU8DqsoHSAXxJ4p4bzPq5Y/s320/20190408_103234.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This meant of course
that the fabric was cut cross grain. The skirt is so short, that not even half
the width of the fabric was used. I needed about 3 metres in length. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I asked Helen to
resend me her measurements so I would be working to the correct size. These
measurements were 3 cms less than she had told me previously - no wonder the
last skirt was too big! So 68cms.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The first part went
very well. I worked out that I needed 17 pleats to meet Helen’s hip measurement
plus a 1 cm ease allowance ( as per Aldrich’s Metric Pattern Cutting) - total
100cms. Last time, I got into difficulty with the zip but didn’t worry too much
as that was a toile. Aldrich didn’t give me any help but there was a little
help to be had from my other tome by Helen Joseph Armstrong - sadly I misunderstood the
instructions. There were a couple of issues - firstly, they didn't specify
right or wrong side of fabric, though that may not have mattered - but more
significantly, the terminology they used literally changed from one page to the
next (and was different from Aldrich’s terminology). I tried a few different
lengths. To cut a long story short, when I came to sew the skirt in the round
(there was only one seam, left side, where the zip goes), the seam and zip were
visible rather than being hidden in the folds of the leading pleat as they
should have been.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-n-iLrFbFFFry92Xxg02TM3Bii_CVtsmFmIMBhbe3MxTqZ9JUaYq1PnReaK17M-LQtE8NKgZBDOy9IM_RFFK-C_id-xnMGqqn_wti0zFURVzfVgMJoyLuebL-MPB_ASbQmFdMlgRFZ9s/s1600/20190413_165515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-n-iLrFbFFFry92Xxg02TM3Bii_CVtsmFmIMBhbe3MxTqZ9JUaYq1PnReaK17M-LQtE8NKgZBDOy9IM_RFFK-C_id-xnMGqqn_wti0zFURVzfVgMJoyLuebL-MPB_ASbQmFdMlgRFZ9s/s320/20190413_165515.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pleats laid out for hip size. The other side is very green - very different. Sadly, this skirt is not reversible because of the zip though the next one might be made with the green dominant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Positively, I was now
able to work out for myself what was necessary. I had insufficient fabric at
one side and too much at the other. I decided to add in a piece of fabric to
the short side and this worked okay. I tried to work out if it was okay before
cutting the fabric but this proved a lot more difficult than it sounds! A lot
of calculation and experimentation. So now there are two seams. Never mind -
you can't see them.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Before I put the zip
in though, I had to reduce the waist to the correct size. I used Aldrich’s
method of snugging the pleat over after it is formed. By this method, the pleat
is pretty straight up from the hem to about 5” below the waist, at which point
it turns towards the pleat to one side, reducing the distance between them.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReBWcjyNUy0bL50X4T9Ng8ZKKX7srT9R9yvVZ9h7duqJTgRyv-uoT4fhtiK79h8NY5Sd9iOTo77WFJaX3Y-0U3MkBTIEGbmFQZOPAaLrUsxZvJ3oVtpwR4f66xVt5oPGDNtHq6h_QHDY/s1600/20190413_195405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReBWcjyNUy0bL50X4T9Ng8ZKKX7srT9R9yvVZ9h7duqJTgRyv-uoT4fhtiK79h8NY5Sd9iOTo77WFJaX3Y-0U3MkBTIEGbmFQZOPAaLrUsxZvJ3oVtpwR4f66xVt5oPGDNtHq6h_QHDY/s320/20190413_195405.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I tried a couple of
times and then was reasonably happy that I had got the size right. It was a
little too big for MIssy, Helen's body doub</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">le created for her wedding nearly 3 years ago now (waist 66 cms) as I could pinch an inch and I was
concerned it could be too big for Helen. Of course there is a difference
between a real live human and a model in any case.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Helen was here for
the Easter weekend and I had said that I’d have the skirt to a point where
she’d try on and I’d adjust if necessary, then add the waistband. I even
had the waistband prepared - cut on the straight of grain.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It was going to be a
little difficult or rather time consuming to reduce the pleats further - but
YAY! it wasn’t necessary. The skirt fitted - near enough.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I gave Helen the
choice of green or black top stitching - she chose green - and I topstitched
each pleat through all layers, except the leading pleat, which was decoratively
top stitched.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I then added the
waistband, slightly easing in the skirt. I trimmed and graded the internal seam
allowances really well. When I had made the waistband, stitching right side of
band to right side of skirt, I turned over and secured by stitching in the
ditch from the front, using the green thread.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It was looking good!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I wanted to get the
skirt finished for Helen going home todyt, so when I had problems trying to put
in a buttonhole, I decided to forego that. I have bought a new thing for my
machine which is supposed to help with this issue which I assume is due to the thickness
and unevenness at the edge of the fabric but I haven’t used it yet and
this wasn’t the time to try!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The skirt is lovely.
There are a couple of issues - the leading pleat doesn’t lie nicely so I am
going to add some poppets down the edge (I tried hooks and eyes but didn’t like
the effect). Secondly, the skirt is up a bit at the back. Helen has a very flat
stomach but has more fullness at the rear. Next time I could take that into
account. Interestingly, it was something that Lyn, my sewing tutor, brought up
when I was looking at patterns for pleated skirts - back and front were the
same.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">So despite a couple
of relatively minor setbacks this last week, I finally have the skirt that
Helen requested 10 years ago (at least). This was before I sewed and originally
we were going to get a skirt made up.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CGZeQ-ek06Iki6PtsE7RPHFHunYwnUXd04fXInFHXbNSk-Qsd1wgSQfJRwT9iGn_Badx_rndZKKt6GIXEh7f97X_CRgZLcNLFBtkcgc5WG-2qpo3rTeN23fbTxFgs9zs9n20haomEIM/s1600/Helen+Tartan+Skirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="910" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CGZeQ-ek06Iki6PtsE7RPHFHunYwnUXd04fXInFHXbNSk-Qsd1wgSQfJRwT9iGn_Badx_rndZKKt6GIXEh7f97X_CRgZLcNLFBtkcgc5WG-2qpo3rTeN23fbTxFgs9zs9n20haomEIM/s320/Helen+Tartan+Skirt.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I enjoyed the
process. There is actually very little machine sewing - a lot of careful
measuring, hand basting, pressing. I found it therapeutic. It only took a week.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Today, I sewed some poppets along the leading pleat edge to help it lie flatter and then sewed a label into the skirt. This was one of </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">the ones Helen gave me a
while back - I haven’t used them much as they are rather big but it worked fine here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-69192163352460305222019-04-07T12:41:00.001+01:002019-04-07T12:41:55.535+01:00A top, a bodysuit and a pleated skirt<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I've been trying to
get some UFOs finished and repairs and alterations done. That's been
successful. None are worth posting about, but I feel a sense of contentment, of
a job well done. They include hems being let down and sewn up to make the
trousers longer, buttons sewn on etc. I told you they were boring.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had intended to
focus on my trouser fitting (oh yes, that!) but I am actively losing weight so
I'm going to put off for a bit. I'm delighted to say that (some of) my golf
crops fit me again! (Well, they will all do by next month!) That's useful as I
was going to rush and try to make some - or at least some skorts. I have a nice
pattern. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5a1ZHoNjsnBlyZ5_ub4Z5MQW-GdWxqT6HY0LsGlgXQttSoBA34WT1FXPBG7B9NZBXuULBPvD2I10uqlXikKUuD7_b0NEkHvRwtTamspLmnRE7dB6u-vQRmpv08NRu9weH92otFJDVAA/s1600/sm_3232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5a1ZHoNjsnBlyZ5_ub4Z5MQW-GdWxqT6HY0LsGlgXQttSoBA34WT1FXPBG7B9NZBXuULBPvD2I10uqlXikKUuD7_b0NEkHvRwtTamspLmnRE7dB6u-vQRmpv08NRu9weH92otFJDVAA/s1600/sm_3232.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It was suggested to me that I should making skorts for a bit in view of my ongoing weight loss for a bit. I agree. I
did make up the top shown in this set (skorts, top and jacket - I'd like to
make them all) but find it a bit tight, especially at the hips; this older Kwik
Sew pattern 3232 clearly had less ease than a lot of the big 4 patterns. It's also a
bit short so I'll redo. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVNa78_gpAyO7U-4FSrbbWTZhE5JxlY0kQdmfzSWdI_TBnxsQh8J1F7pcueKki6uMgI-YjzniDf6xXzZ_crbYKdiaHZwK8cbbwcJdwrp-7GhirlTSO_W1OOJuu3db5a4abfUvPvI8W90/s1600/DSC00891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1098" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVNa78_gpAyO7U-4FSrbbWTZhE5JxlY0kQdmfzSWdI_TBnxsQh8J1F7pcueKki6uMgI-YjzniDf6xXzZ_crbYKdiaHZwK8cbbwcJdwrp-7GhirlTSO_W1OOJuu3db5a4abfUvPvI8W90/s320/DSC00891.JPG" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It doesn't look too bad from the front</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJStmNMnvETSDtv1Fln75fEs_2o_ru4b2VxGFkI_nK8HSQwBDxnzyINikOUJ5lfaT0kBd44iHvNDLPil23ZumJ7m9vopCV-nVK6Kze97CnAeoyTYrNdCEMqDXJMCaOO3BLh1nbE2CFZk/s1600/DSC00892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1387" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJStmNMnvETSDtv1Fln75fEs_2o_ru4b2VxGFkI_nK8HSQwBDxnzyINikOUJ5lfaT0kBd44iHvNDLPil23ZumJ7m9vopCV-nVK6Kze97CnAeoyTYrNdCEMqDXJMCaOO3BLh1nbE2CFZk/s320/DSC00892.JPG" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see how tight it is on Madame</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">On the whole though I prefer a top with sleeves and a
collar, a polo shirt, for golf, at least. I'm going on a girls’ golfing
holiday next month. I'm looking forward to it but as I've only played a few
holes so far had better get some practice in. Thankfully, my foot appears to be
standing up to the strain of rotation on it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I've cut out a
slightly modified pattern for the Nettie body from Closet Case Patterns. I
modified by giving my derrière a little more coverage (length) and cutting
further up at the front. The original design is like a short and I prefer
higher at the front and sides. The stretch in the fabric I'm using is a little
less than I'd thought and the bodysuit will likely be a lot more comfortable in
half a stone's time! I'll move on with it and hope to use my coverstitcher for
the bands.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x4aq5YmsWyiYiRY00Nd9cVRV6Cj9cTUoWC-CUvZYyE9Odc9hZGi69WjmWffp_0YfEpX2OcaVkue3J6irLvrls-yKv-f1g6T66Nzw7x-43WGx_5Fb05Pq_x3Fwq2ggRcAkzyWyy9AqwQ/s1600/DSC00893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="918" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x4aq5YmsWyiYiRY00Nd9cVRV6Cj9cTUoWC-CUvZYyE9Odc9hZGi69WjmWffp_0YfEpX2OcaVkue3J6irLvrls-yKv-f1g6T66Nzw7x-43WGx_5Fb05Pq_x3Fwq2ggRcAkzyWyy9AqwQ/s320/DSC00893.JPG" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I'm using the same fabric as for the KS top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeap-lpHeIvpoY1sbVG3yD9oNCfOtrgDOhq4RYTYhULCELemgTEnQWoCbrqFZ0i8GXYWfxY5qimoVLtliR7eAnI4ZlSwtXKHcIweF-lJM3jwuvf_U2hAgFD0y0ifMt2Yuh8VjZ9XkXE4/s1600/DSC00895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeap-lpHeIvpoY1sbVG3yD9oNCfOtrgDOhq4RYTYhULCELemgTEnQWoCbrqFZ0i8GXYWfxY5qimoVLtliR7eAnI4ZlSwtXKHcIweF-lJM3jwuvf_U2hAgFD0y0ifMt2Yuh8VjZ9XkXE4/s320/DSC00895.JPG" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, rather too tight in the rear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Easter is quite close
now and I'd hoped to have Helen's tartan skirt ready for fitting. Mmm. Not sure
about that. I cut out a toile of a different style to see if it's more
successful and easier than modifying the last pattern. Hopefully I can send it
to her early next week. I need to get the tartan out from storage though to
measure the set and see how much I need to vary the pleat placement on the
pattern. I have lots of fabric and while I don't want to waste it on an
unsuccessful skirt try, it wouldn't be disastrous, and I really need to use the
real fabric.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qI8H-mLRuHU1rMoBtTs7y83Qjb4DFkh7qAia-oW-cUDTg3TPfO2zRq1nWmI2ms30IksmIGmVQHcMYBmvNfw34Ii8kXuaFakIRqL8cKUtmnzrLk4PIk2UlQzHCVBPof2uRL1P5Ur1WnQ/s1600/DSC00889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qI8H-mLRuHU1rMoBtTs7y83Qjb4DFkh7qAia-oW-cUDTg3TPfO2zRq1nWmI2ms30IksmIGmVQHcMYBmvNfw34Ii8kXuaFakIRqL8cKUtmnzrLk4PIk2UlQzHCVBPof2uRL1P5Ur1WnQ/s320/DSC00889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The toile is from a
1991 pattern - Butterick 5712. Helen said she liked it, based on the pattern
photos. There is one with two pleats front and back and the other with more. I
decided to go with a shorter two pleat version, view B; I shortened by 4". The advantage of this pattern
is that the sizes change only at the side seams, where there are no pleats. I
found altering the size in the full pleated skirt I made her previously
extremely difficult, and it was still not the perfect size. Pleats are quite
difficult to adjust for a female waist, as I found out! Because all the
adjustment is at the side, I can more closely match Helen’s shape. Assuming she
gives me the thumbs up for the overall style, I will actually FINALLY get around
to cutting into the fashion fabric - that is the medium weight pure wool tartan
that we had to get specially woven. I can do the front and back (which are the
same!) and adjust the side seams after she gets here at Easter.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Now, I know that a
pattern isn’t needed for a kilt type skirt, like the last toile I made, but I
didn’t really like the pattern - and Helen requested all sorts of changes that
I didn’t feel up to making. This pattern is simpler. The thing I particularly
like is that there is a lot of fabric cut away behind the pleat to reduce bulk
- that was certainly an issue with the previous full pleated skirt. It’s
important when the wool I’m using, although labelled ‘medium’ is actually
pretty heavy for dressmaking. It should be pretty easy to adjust the pleat
pattern width to match what I need for my tartan. I think I know how to do
that.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I made up a toile and
realised that, in deciding to make a size larger than I thought would be
needed, to allow for later fine tuning, I’d be likely to put Helen off. It was
much too large for Missy. So I unpicked my beautifully put in invisible zip and
remade in a smaller size. According to the sizes Helen sent me, this should
work although some tweaking for actual hip shape is likely to be necessary.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The pattern specifies
a centre zip, but I have used a concealed zip in the toile. I need to think in
advance of the type of zip to use as that will affect the waistband. I narrowed
this waistband to 1” - the pattern is about 1.5” but otherwise didn’t alter length.
Lyn advised against a centre zip. So either the concealed zip used here, or a
lapped zip… The waistband is slightly different for these two types. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Many will ask why I've done as much on a toile -</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> it really helps me to see where things might go wrong and when I need
to do things and in what order. Helen might end up wearing it as she has with previous toiles. I also hope to be able to use the selvedge at
the bottom of the fabric to avoid a bulky hem, so that would mean the pattern
would have to be shortened further. Actually, on the toile, that’s the bit I’m
finding most difficult. The instructions are fine, I just don’t see how to make
up to a high standard and finish the cut fabric - they advise cutting into the
seam edges as you make up the hem. If I manage to use the selvedge, that won’t
be necessary, though. If I can’t use the selvedge, perhaps a thinner bias
facing hem would be a better idea? What do you think?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The key issue is
going to be finishing seam edges, which I haven’t done for this toile. I think
I’m going to do a simple zigzag edge. Any other thoughts? I also need to
consider a lining.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqxNfoGuI1g8hlZhOB69Rm_9MdYoWd04xzCkpslNfgE59NpkoYLPOheSnbZKJ4aAZA7NagLOzjdYG9TPaTCl5oAQS538laYYLHdu3nJRgzv6EWWL1zg9ng3qkuNE5wahNNyhGgzmf-lU/s1600/DSC00887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1189" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqxNfoGuI1g8hlZhOB69Rm_9MdYoWd04xzCkpslNfgE59NpkoYLPOheSnbZKJ4aAZA7NagLOzjdYG9TPaTCl5oAQS538laYYLHdu3nJRgzv6EWWL1zg9ng3qkuNE5wahNNyhGgzmf-lU/s320/DSC00887.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It’s ready to be
posted off to Helen. I put it on Missy but had to pull in the waist at the back
as Missy is 2” smaller than Helen around the waist. Do you like my new hem
clips? I found then very useful when pinning up the 2” hem on the skirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVpzyVt_LvYiSgQmRNpfx5vxD1HiPV4bFvdAnD9ntSivpMN4ksRS_cW50QttmcBJVydi4TG1vF5Ee9e_CfR9NI8jipvAZYeN19p8W6rEV0bM_A9s3UdYhD31kCjjIk6Z57CSwi9sId70/s1600/DSC00890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1369" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVpzyVt_LvYiSgQmRNpfx5vxD1HiPV4bFvdAnD9ntSivpMN4ksRS_cW50QttmcBJVydi4TG1vF5Ee9e_CfR9NI8jipvAZYeN19p8W6rEV0bM_A9s3UdYhD31kCjjIk6Z57CSwi9sId70/s200/DSC00890.JPG" width="170" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Not much else to say
at the moment!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-64143965802019490852019-04-01T19:19:00.002+01:002019-04-01T19:19:24.493+01:00Pattern Issues? Or is it me?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I realise that I
haven't posted any reviews of my makes on <b>Pattern Review</b> as I used to do, for months now. There
are a few reasons for this. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">When I've made
something before, I'm not sure what else there is to say</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">If I don't like the
result BUT I've altered the pattern substantially so the issues could be mine
(though they're certainly not all mine!). On the other hand, most people do
need to alter patterns to fit.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">When others review well,
and my result isn't good - am I being too negative? I don't want my blog or
reviews to be continually negative. However, I have a feeling that some people
don’t review negatively when that might be appropriate.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I've had a few
patterns with problems recently. I'll mention two</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">McCall’s M7322 view A - now modified<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVkQk66iBnqtQUsiAslMmX6qj3RU6hmofdT9x0dQJxoOB8VsYnmNYTK7N3YeyqxQ-2lx1DqpfxeFJBLd4wWnwgQqAE4qF2_DEaIpvhCeqvkngOMwnfQ7nZFHwPJ_koMC2IZ5zVEiISkI/s1600/DSC00874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1214" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVkQk66iBnqtQUsiAslMmX6qj3RU6hmofdT9x0dQJxoOB8VsYnmNYTK7N3YeyqxQ-2lx1DqpfxeFJBLd4wWnwgQqAE4qF2_DEaIpvhCeqvkngOMwnfQ7nZFHwPJ_koMC2IZ5zVEiISkI/s320/DSC00874.JPG" width="242" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The first of these
was the tank I made for my Blackwood cardigan. At first, I thought it was the
changes I made that meant it didn't work. Could be, of course. What did I
do? I ended up cutting the tank two sizes smaller than recommended by the
pattern, plus narrowed the back of the pattern (and neck) by a couple of
inches. The length is irrelevant. I used McCall’s M7322 view A - sleeveless,
scoop neck</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrEUe3mYQULo892LhxwD6rTr1AkoCmYvrG1aVG1Uo-2A67Dhm6LY5_3h7ad5PD6SqelML4HOBQFitUk6S38IiRux7hkkBymn57BYbg7htsASzRhcFeAcVTo4bu94N8VcH5g4SJJPmKF8/s1600/7322line.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrEUe3mYQULo892LhxwD6rTr1AkoCmYvrG1aVG1Uo-2A67Dhm6LY5_3h7ad5PD6SqelML4HOBQFitUk6S38IiRux7hkkBymn57BYbg7htsASzRhcFeAcVTo4bu94N8VcH5g4SJJPmKF8/s320/7322line.gif" width="299" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This past weekend
(it’s a couple of weekends ago now!) I was away for a few days playing bridge.
A friend who was there with me said she never saw me wear any garments I
made. She had without realising it! I was actually wearing a few over the
weekend and my friend was astonished - she thought they were lovely and would
never have guessed I'd made them. She asked if I'd made any trousers - but of course
that's a different story!! Nevertheless, I felt great about that. Then last
week, I was presenting our group photography session, and someone commented I
looked fabulous! That made me feel better about presenting!!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">One of the outfits I
wore while away was the above tank and cardigan. The cardigan is fine - no
problem. I like it and wouldn't make any significant changes to a future
version, unless I make the other view, the longer cardigan with pockets though
that’s a bit unlikely. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The tank/shell, however, was excessively baggy and boxy -
it would be improved a lot with waist shaping for sure but I'm not going to
criticise the pattern for that - I prefer waist shaping for my figure but
others don't for theirs. I am going to criticise what must be a HUGE
amount of ease - after all,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a
pear/triangle shape with very large hips and I can easily pinch out several
inches at the hip,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>despite this being
two sizes smaller than recommended. Now,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I've often read of criticism of excess ease when I haven't found
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've concluded that I like more
ease than others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all it's a
personal issue. This is excessive. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I've just thought - did I not review the original? I have photos but too late now!! I had a shortage of fabric length and so made the top a bit shorter than I would have liked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNEwgTojiH32aSxtdNTa73hLcfg6Ec2_S8Y90JDMyPs_qUtFhZU8umRmghvEiTuZk2cDlwYGAYFSBhlsJH7fn1WYbNBASEFNWz1NGirPkt6_UdbbZ_W2r04LNLfSIkuUNGYf16QToPhM/s1600/DSC00878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNEwgTojiH32aSxtdNTa73hLcfg6Ec2_S8Y90JDMyPs_qUtFhZU8umRmghvEiTuZk2cDlwYGAYFSBhlsJH7fn1WYbNBASEFNWz1NGirPkt6_UdbbZ_W2r04LNLfSIkuUNGYf16QToPhM/s320/DSC00878.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of now coverstitched neckline. Maybe part of my issue is that is shows up the scar from cardiac surgery 18 years ago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I find the scoop
neckline too low. Again, I know that's a personal issue but I'm tall and have a
longer distance between shoulder and bust line, so it surprises me. I measured
the drop after watching a video about recommended drops, and this drop is at
the top end (by which I mean, the deepest recommended) - perhaps I just like my
necklines higher than most. I would go for the higher neck - view E.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I wore the tank and
cardigan and at no time felt comfortable enough to take the cardigan off. Fortunately,
the hotel was less hot during the periods I was wearing it and when I was
walking outside it was fine. At one stage, though, I found that my bra
was showing because of the position I was in. Not good.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I have read quite a
bit about ‘balance’ in a pattern. I can't say I fully understand it, but
I believe it's what makes a pattern lie correctly when made up. This
doesn't and the horizontal lines of my pattern move upwards from back through
to front. You’d think this would make the front neck higher, though it doesn’t
seem to – unless of course it would be a lot lower otherwise! The upward slope
could be due to the need for a FBA. I don’t know, as the top was very loose. It
could also be due to the changes I made to the pattern.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The last issue with
the tank is certainly down to me. The neckline doesn't lie nicely, as it
falls forward/outward. I used my new coverstitch machine but did it over a full
bias binding that had raw edges turned under, so it was quite thick. I
think that I should have altered that by unfolding it as I did with the
armholes, which do lie nicely.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpDIlGaJmSXyPdWPipJufNPmZsO2f-kDjr83hqPbtCIssYhyeH1wAstyJ1ILP70or49tFz-uNyFWHXB2TGsLtVT72yPNMfTrbiSKO0SFlZ4_L5HwdqWWJjlB__bIPFvL0rzkLRXLmRX4/s1600/DSC00879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1130" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpDIlGaJmSXyPdWPipJufNPmZsO2f-kDjr83hqPbtCIssYhyeH1wAstyJ1ILP70or49tFz-uNyFWHXB2TGsLtVT72yPNMfTrbiSKO0SFlZ4_L5HwdqWWJjlB__bIPFvL0rzkLRXLmRX4/s320/DSC00879.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of armhole - not easy to see</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In conclusion, I
don't like this pattern and won't make it up again. So, should I review it on
PR? Reading this, do you feel I am missing something? Something I’ve done?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">David asked if I
could make it again with what I have found, and I explained that I didn’t have
the fabric. However, I decided to take in at the side seams around the waist
area and take out the coverstitched neckline and redo as mentioned above and
see if that makes it wearable. I won’t alter the balance of the top and won’t
change the low neck but at least it won’t be baggy and shapeless.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">So - I did the
alterations I mentioned. I significantly tapered the top in at the sides, more
at the waistline, with help from others in my sewing class to determine how
much. I serged off the excess on the inside - sadly that meant having to cut
off some of the coverstitched hem and armhole. So be it. I tried to stop short
of the hem, but it didn’t work, and I had to cut off ¾” back and front and on
both sides to ensure it lay smoothly. The top is significantly smaller than it
was and fits better.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6SiFVMSvTFW9as5zJB6a3LVwcI814XRnoQ1saahiCqdMVOdcXA7Z9b20k7e43AcDip78awgd3cQ43XPlukaAUWXMdKmKp6Ltt8AlDddUYys7och-GVeONJxs7o2o25_i-TmThWY0s4I/s1600/DSC00873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1458" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6SiFVMSvTFW9as5zJB6a3LVwcI814XRnoQ1saahiCqdMVOdcXA7Z9b20k7e43AcDip78awgd3cQ43XPlukaAUWXMdKmKp6Ltt8AlDddUYys7och-GVeONJxs7o2o25_i-TmThWY0s4I/s320/DSC00873.JPG" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYjIQ5ErM2yVR556F-b4pLmIkRE-TyoilUsNGHprJ_wQLD48Efi06gnhuT50O_RqzJgvCBffo_iFnl6K_MozRUF3m0PEOSxPQxTqw-YcDPFvFSXBv2qUO468VXEm_zrfnlz98B2nv3kw/s1600/DSC00874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1214" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYjIQ5ErM2yVR556F-b4pLmIkRE-TyoilUsNGHprJ_wQLD48Efi06gnhuT50O_RqzJgvCBffo_iFnl6K_MozRUF3m0PEOSxPQxTqw-YcDPFvFSXBv2qUO468VXEm_zrfnlz98B2nv3kw/s320/DSC00874.JPG" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I did take out the
coverstitched neckline stitching and redid it with the bias folded out and the
excess fabric trimmed away. It lies much better now but I don’t know if it has
solved the problem entirely. Sadly, I did that before the alterations at the
sides! As a result, I had to fudge the joins - no way was I going to take out again!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetTEPVpAi0QBj9h95JBWxeXNlz91ToT5gMx3rU65hRJPdmLkhl7KMqbCt9qcQdsg-lzHT-oicGpq1EpaKFuImLMZLPEWjdKrCc5v3XOdvLIn8rge9gj5C2Y23IX7fTR9rgmDFJaou5xg/s1600/DSC00876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="997" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetTEPVpAi0QBj9h95JBWxeXNlz91ToT5gMx3rU65hRJPdmLkhl7KMqbCt9qcQdsg-lzHT-oicGpq1EpaKFuImLMZLPEWjdKrCc5v3XOdvLIn8rge9gj5C2Y23IX7fTR9rgmDFJaou5xg/s320/DSC00876.JPG" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpqHiDqbKzCRBZ-RBGTgunsAwRgG8f3r1Z5B9yjnUGTq-_lhsXqynG42a6GHYFIrmiSb4sz1ZU5QDhV2LgHeJekCJWcr2zxD_vwKIesD7GC6d0jyAjdAgHj1ez70Ye8r-WhvZyiUwVmQ/s1600/DSC00877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="950" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpqHiDqbKzCRBZ-RBGTgunsAwRgG8f3r1Z5B9yjnUGTq-_lhsXqynG42a6GHYFIrmiSb4sz1ZU5QDhV2LgHeJekCJWcr2zxD_vwKIesD7GC6d0jyAjdAgHj1ez70Ye8r-WhvZyiUwVmQ/s320/DSC00877.JPG" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view - my hem edges are a bit wonky as a result of redoing.<br />
I guess I should have/could have taken off more at this point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Today, before publishing this post, I did read some reviews - all said too big, too boxy but were not otherwise too critical.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">GBSB Breton top <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The second top I’m
criticising is the Breton top from the GBSB sewing book ‘From Stitch to Style’ </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRRdXvkyAYVIpBLmtl7_ncCVTgHMB_P4gQnr7cJMVHmTRcPsJ_jGnBVf_X_-ZqBczJaSKJtNpVgP7Y1XAh1TZ4TLjVRuEa2RdSFUI_G7F8SFirT6WZBFDxyR9a8J07fnCIMpkKv7noq4/s1600/c827bc11f2b5e6dac75ddaa2ca059e67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRRdXvkyAYVIpBLmtl7_ncCVTgHMB_P4gQnr7cJMVHmTRcPsJ_jGnBVf_X_-ZqBczJaSKJtNpVgP7Y1XAh1TZ4TLjVRuEa2RdSFUI_G7F8SFirT6WZBFDxyR9a8J07fnCIMpkKv7noq4/s320/c827bc11f2b5e6dac75ddaa2ca059e67.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this look!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Part of the issue
here is that I didn't have much time and I hoped to enter this top into the
#sew50visible challenge as it was modelled by a 50 plus model (shown above) so was eligible.
I love stripes, love long sleeved Breton tops and had bought a suitable
fabric in Lucky Fashions, Dewsbury. I had never made anything from any of the
three GBSB books I have and had never read any reviews of them and had no time
to even think about a toile. Not really the best way to start!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6v_O6SgBwtzj6ie5zf9-GnoliEpOl-g9291C5p_FVGsTqlu2HzF7GZvUWTi9LAs0MwRExIKbVwe1pziDYOrcDGJNmVD3ePMRVrVXW_rX61HQEwhF5DU6z6ZA6ELWX_IWN88WKqQvjTsg/s1600/DSC00869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1238" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6v_O6SgBwtzj6ie5zf9-GnoliEpOl-g9291C5p_FVGsTqlu2HzF7GZvUWTi9LAs0MwRExIKbVwe1pziDYOrcDGJNmVD3ePMRVrVXW_rX61HQEwhF5DU6z6ZA6ELWX_IWN88WKqQvjTsg/s320/DSC00869.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't realise the top was caught up on my trouser buttons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I examined the
suggestions for size and chose appropriately, or so I believed. I lengthened
the body by 2” and the sleeve by 1”. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi618kSHJHuv4q3f1PIIgw3TDoTSoZEkDltcHwnF8QnU3AIYCTS-yAs_-TqEG7W0xtNLY43UGUCHmRXgajUji9j3z1eIIyD7SdPAKjD-LvTnhkbu2piwA310HsyjMbC_RUI2ToQpsZegR8/s1600/DSC00861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi618kSHJHuv4q3f1PIIgw3TDoTSoZEkDltcHwnF8QnU3AIYCTS-yAs_-TqEG7W0xtNLY43UGUCHmRXgajUji9j3z1eIIyD7SdPAKjD-LvTnhkbu2piwA310HsyjMbC_RUI2ToQpsZegR8/s320/DSC00861.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sleeve has been shortened by 2"; they are a bit loose for me too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I traced the pattern.
This was my first time using a magazine or book pattern. I found it a bit
tricky to find the pattern in the first place as it wasn't listed on the
sheets, then found the front and back were different colours and I nearly
confused with another top on the sheet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some of the markings weren't as well marked as I'd like. Anyway, I
traced out onto pattern paper and at the same time made the front and the back
as full-sized pieces rather than pieces to be cut on the fold as I felt that
would make keeping the stripes matching more easily. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6WjEan4RivJiFmDCDJeZRf1kmZWLgPZLucsls29Df-PWTN0c1kN7XGIG8EjsrI_qGKimaysFudzATUlQrLD1JG02YnYTi9nxlIAT8j4cFL7QD9YpVhs0x7jicqUUgt5iT1pCJbIiEQg/s1600/DSC00867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6WjEan4RivJiFmDCDJeZRf1kmZWLgPZLucsls29Df-PWTN0c1kN7XGIG8EjsrI_qGKimaysFudzATUlQrLD1JG02YnYTi9nxlIAT8j4cFL7QD9YpVhs0x7jicqUUgt5iT1pCJbIiEQg/s320/DSC00867.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sleeves are cut back by over 2" but are still a bit long for my taste</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I checked each piece
against the pattern.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I cut out without
difficulty. My fabric was much better behaved than I expected based on recent
experiences. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I then started to sew
up. I found that the pattern marks did not match. I checked my markings
and they were as given in the pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
measured the distances on the pattern, and they did not match. This was
the case with the sleeve notches which I was able to get around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also the case with the side slits -
notch to notch was at 9cm on one piece and 10cm on the other. I was able to
deal with this with Lyn's help ( I was doing this in Lyn’s Thursday sewing
class) but this was trickier as I hadn't made this kind of slit previously. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Lyn commented that
she hadn't found patterns from these books very good. I wish I'd asked her
first! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I didn't get it
finished in class, as I'd hoped. I really just had the final topstitching
around the neckline, sleeves and hem to do (the slits looked good I
thought).</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The pattern suggested
a straight topstitch and I did that around the neckline to hold down the
facings, but it looked awful. I wanted to finish in class so my new coverstitch
machine was not an option but clearly would have been better. One issue here is
that the facing is stitched at 1.25 inches but it's double that width and all
that excess gets trimmed off. Why? </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I sewed the rest of
the top together and serged the seams using the class overlocker. I followed
the pattern order of construction and the top stitching around the neckline
gets done at an early stage. I tried on the top. Hmmm. Not nice. The neckline
looked awful, even considering the need for replacement topstitching. Lyn
wondered if it had stretched, though I did stay stitch etc. The neckline was/is
rather wide for my liking. This led to the sleeve/bodice junction being further
down my arm than presumably intended and the sleeves were considerably too
long. I had lengthened them by an inch because of my long arms but they were at
least 2” too long. I turned up the bottom hem - length dictated by the side
vents. The top itself looked big, shapeless and baggy and a bit too short
despite lengthening by 2” - not at all like the rather sexy top of the model
(though the skirt really added to that view! I love the skirt).</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The end of the class
had arrived. ‘All’ I had to do was to take out the neckline topstitching, cut
off the excess sleeve and turn up the sleeve hem and then topstitch neckline,
sleeves and hem. As my coverstitch machine is new, I am not proficient with it
as yet, but even so, I could have finished this pretty quickly. I could have
made the time even though I was packing to leave for the weekend the next
morning. What stopped me? A combination of factors, the main one being I don’t
like this top, so I didn’t feel in any hurry to finish simply to enter an IG
challenge - after all, I’m critical of the pattern and it doesn’t look good.
The other factors were that I’d have to find sufficient thread to thread the
coverstitcher probably by winding several bobbins and I’d prefer to test and
practice. So, it didn’t get finished. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I did know the
finished measurements of this garment and realised there was a fair amount of
ease, so should perhaps have sized down at the early stage. I’m not sure how
much that would have affected the neckline. I presume the sleeves would have
been less long. The pattern notches were certainly incorrect. The body was too
short despite lengthening.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I don’t think I’ll
make this again and it has put me off further GBSB patterns. I saw that someone
else had made the top for the same challenge and seemed very positive about it.
So - is it me? Am I choosing the wrong style? The wrong size? Am I too fussy?
All of the above?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I will add that it’s
not nearly as bad as I first thought, and David quite likes it. I wondered
about adding a patch into each side of the neckline, stripes going the opposite
way - a kind of gusset - as my bra straps show - and investigated that in the
following class. However, I decided against it as I didn’t feel the gusset
insert would work - it would look very busy with stripes going in all
directions and anything else would require a major deconstruction of the top
and I wasn’t going there.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I ran into difficulty
coverstitching the bottom hem. The fabric was ploughing. I realised I
needed to adjust the settings and was advised to change the needle from the one
that came with the machine (Schmetz ELx705 to the stretch version of the
needle - Schmetz ELx705 SUK CF) so did that. Someone else suggested I might be
using cheap thread. I didn’t think it was but could be. I bought some better-quality
thread advised by my dealer but colour choice was limited and both he and I
thought my original thread was preferable. He didn't think my thread was the
best but not the worst either. I decided to send away for some MaxiLock which
is certainly much smoother – and that’s what I ended up using.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2G4DwU7gaSjJiloT_diskQ7PpRyse9nGYDUo4fgQdP3Qwb_6omkgYO-mP3HWMinrhVWw3urNlPeoYHiVm9HW1F5iJFrDG1AjgGvCZP3qwV6G3MbOlD_UnhpuU29_aUO4klzGbgSD018/s1600/DSC00872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1600" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2G4DwU7gaSjJiloT_diskQ7PpRyse9nGYDUo4fgQdP3Qwb_6omkgYO-mP3HWMinrhVWw3urNlPeoYHiVm9HW1F5iJFrDG1AjgGvCZP3qwV6G3MbOlD_UnhpuU29_aUO4klzGbgSD018/s320/DSC00872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I wondered about
needing to change the differential feed more to stop the ploughing of the
fabric and whether I needed to change the foot pressure - not something I have
tried as yet. Or even use some kind of temporary interfacing/wundaweb. Another
issue is that the hem was rounded, and I had difficulty guiding the fabric. I’m
not sure whether I should consider getting a hem guide. It all adds to the cost
of this expensive hobby and would it be a useful addition? </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I decided to
straighten the hem as it would be easier to follow a stripe for the coverstitching
rather than a curve at 1.25” from the hem fold, which I found very difficult.
It’s not quite as nice without the gentle curve but I felt it would be easier
to handle. It shortens the overall length in the middle by about ½”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMAsWL8sG7rpyiDJfnojCae2cVR6vhdB_6PY8RFYV6VLyyVj8k-xDSixjlpKJdnXzI0Hhokjx6cJeLc87fiDWQD8DXYTsu4QYvSnBch3NhI1EqltQbevSTbd9XIbIP-jKSJEXBWOEGFA/s1600/DSC00862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1415" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMAsWL8sG7rpyiDJfnojCae2cVR6vhdB_6PY8RFYV6VLyyVj8k-xDSixjlpKJdnXzI0Hhokjx6cJeLc87fiDWQD8DXYTsu4QYvSnBch3NhI1EqltQbevSTbd9XIbIP-jKSJEXBWOEGFA/s320/DSC00862.JPG" width="282" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My coverstitch has 3
needles and the needles can be used in any position. I read about machine
basting hems where the centre of the foot/centre needle would lie and then
coverstitching with the wide coverstitch - needles in L and R but not middle,
following the line of machine basting. I was able to use my sewing machine’s
inbuilt dual feed and achieved a basted line to follow - and of course, which
kept the hem in place.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I also cut down the
neckline facing to bring it much closer to the finished width.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I then managed to do
the wide 2 needle coverstitch around sleeves, hemline and neckline without
difficulty. I had practised first, to check tensions etc. I chose to secure
all the ends, though that is not 100% necessary. Then I had to take out the
basting stitch.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TJPF6q_RxmZcr13ckrbvCdYae026N1sD0QFrLn6Xv6-B20KEwKaSW8uoAbbeVSupc2aj4rhJOgRZ_MdUXwyz01ThK2Vvd8TpwDEittJodct3doSuvRJ66jvl4Jg1X38d1vwZzka_Q7w/s1600/DSC00870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1559" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TJPF6q_RxmZcr13ckrbvCdYae026N1sD0QFrLn6Xv6-B20KEwKaSW8uoAbbeVSupc2aj4rhJOgRZ_MdUXwyz01ThK2Vvd8TpwDEittJodct3doSuvRJ66jvl4Jg1X38d1vwZzka_Q7w/s320/DSC00870.JPG" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bra straps show, sadly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The coverstitch is
supposed to cover the cut edge of the hem but because of the way I did
this, after construction, it didn’t. I then had to trim the fabric closer to
the coverstitching.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It’s finished!! The
neckline is too wide, but I could wear a cream camisole under it. I’m not keen
on the style - I don't think Dolman sleeves are for me. I prefer a structured sleeve
and shoulder.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Another issue - when I put on for these photos (my daughter was visiting and took them) I couldn't tell what was the back and what was the front of the top!!</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Rather belatedly, I read some reviews and found all reviews saying that the top was too short - many had missed out the side slits (which required a 2 and 3/4</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">" ) hem and simply turned by 5/8". I'm very glad I lengthened by over 2" in the end. The reviews also mentioned narrowing the shoulder length to have the sleeve start at a more favourable position, which would have helped. I didn't see others mention that the markings were incorrect though some mentioned the absence of markings for bustline, waistline etc and the need to 'guess' at a size. Others did not mention too wide a neck so that may be my issue alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYm31tniAXevf9d-t_gWEbH4XxceAGeBi324YXh2bkcuaxNmhCn0bw-s3Srd5W9pKBhhKiLEHy6MwdsucRremyCUIwSM5mG73kgZNEWvViYrxfAz4j9PSZ25dO_NcThVT3Jl1Cf-pi7CI/s1600/DSC00871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1600" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYm31tniAXevf9d-t_gWEbH4XxceAGeBi324YXh2bkcuaxNmhCn0bw-s3Srd5W9pKBhhKiLEHy6MwdsucRremyCUIwSM5mG73kgZNEWvViYrxfAz4j9PSZ25dO_NcThVT3Jl1Cf-pi7CI/s320/DSC00871.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handcuffs?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">What did I
achieve/learn?</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I have two finished
garments which are wearable even if not the perfect style for me or perfectly
stitched.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I went some way along
the coverstitching learning curve. I think the coverstitch definitely does give
a more polished finish. Next garment I do, I will plan to cover stitch from the
start and will cut facings and hems etc the correct width.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I won’t make any
further Dolman sleeve tops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Outstanding queries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Should I go for a hem
guide and/or a clear foot for my coverstitch machine?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thread is very
expensive. In the overlocker, because you don’t see the seam, you can get away
with a close enough thread – grey is very useful for a lot of colours. With the
coverstitch machine, 1, 2 or 3 threads show on top. Is it okay, I wonder, to
wind some thread onto bobbins and use that? I looked at various posts and saw
that while just this was suggested, someone suggested that the thread should be
wound onto the bobbin and then rewound off that bobbin to another bobbin so it
lay in the same direction as the other. Is this necessary?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Questions</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Should I review
either of these garments on PR? I think I'm going to go ahead and review the Breton Top as I don't believe any of my changes were responsible for the problems I met.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Any thoughts on
thread?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-573004549887000732019-03-10T15:24:00.000+00:002019-03-10T15:24:56.349+00:00#sewdowndewsbury March 2019<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I visited Dewsbury to
meet up with the Yorkshire Spoolettes on Wednesday 6 March. Ali had kindly
organised another meetup - hashtag is #sewdowndewsbury on IG.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In the morning
I took a taxi from home to the station, Interestingly the taxi driver was
a textile graduate from Huddersfield who had left the business in 1994 as
the only posts available were on the death of the previous incumbent. He was
apparently a thread specialist. We had a bit of a chat about the need for
succession planning in these industries.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I started writing
this on the train coming back from #sewdowndewsbury. My return trip was easier
than my journey there. A points failure in Newcastle meant our train was stuck
in the station! A later train was able to to enter and leave by a different
route via a through platform - we were eventually transferred across to it. It
was a faster train but delayed because of the points failure as some trains
were out of place and the passenger transfer and they had to add an extra
intermediate stop to the journey, I just missed my connection to Dewsbury in
Leeds but my later connection was faster so I arrived only about 30 mins later
than I'd planned. By this time I was wishing I had taken the car - but I gather
there were problems on the A1 too. Honestly, though, it wasn’t bad and I prefer
the train to the car. I wasn't the last to arrive and many had arrived just
shortly before me. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My friend Margaret
@thecraftycreek had looked out for me in Leeds as she thought I was due to be on the same
train.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We all met in
Wetherspoons. Kent and new faces. Organised as previously by Ali
@akathimberlina. Everyone was still there drinking coffee and chatting. Ali
gathered the fabric and patterns for the swap. I took a couple of patterns with
me but no fabric as I didn’t want to be left with it or carry it all over. The
first time I was at one of these meets the amount of fabric and number of
patterns left over was mind boggling so we were all asked to be much more
cautious with one or two pieces at the most.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had two (three?)
purchases in mind - peachskin fabric, a slightly beefier striped fabric and
ribbing for it. The peachskin fabric is to replace the sandwashed silk in the
silk dresses I’ve made for Helen - or rather to see if it would work as I
didn’t like the last lot of sandwashed silk at all. The striped fabric is to
make a top for #sew50visible though if stretch fabric it would also work for
the GBSB sewalong provided I get on with it!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Margaret and I paired
up. We didn’t want to be moving around in a big group.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Our first stop was <b>Fabworks</b>.
I asked about peachskin fabric but of course that is a finish and not a type of
fabric. They didn’t have anything suitable although occasionally they do get
fabric with a peachskin finish. I found an organic cotton knit that I loved -
lilac striped. The stripe is VERY narrow and so will be difficult to match.
There was toning ribbing fabric, wide not ribbing size pieces, which I also
bought. There was probably just enough on the roll to make another top.
The organic cotton was reduced by 35% so was very affordable. Two down. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzGbjB0UyYImgWIHDCKiuv1oJq49G7Fbngg1v_P2TACcNQX7tDwHba8B2l6MjIjNJ4HLMF-sJOZbxS7K_QNCrfQQ56sC0RHpoa5CGcIGrLmriMNUW_SnFgeifYnUXZAFpHioadbT8f94/s1600/stripes+and+ribbing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzGbjB0UyYImgWIHDCKiuv1oJq49G7Fbngg1v_P2TACcNQX7tDwHba8B2l6MjIjNJ4HLMF-sJOZbxS7K_QNCrfQQ56sC0RHpoa5CGcIGrLmriMNUW_SnFgeifYnUXZAFpHioadbT8f94/s320/stripes+and+ribbing.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We then moved to
Lucky Fabrics. They did have some peachskin fabric but not in a colour that
Helen would like so I didn't buy. There was a shade I liked for me but not for
anything I wanted to make in the near future. I’m trying to think much more
carefully about purchases! I was going to walk away but bought a navy and white
striped knit with a wider stripe (easier to match and I liked it anyway) and a
floral fabric with a lovely handle in my lighter colours. Both destined for
specific makes.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZSnEPsvOreDzCgPaCaoGERB2nc9I-ut-M6BiNH19RKJ-ibqOtfnAfwnloN03U9RCZAKdZdOf_Q2s2Eh-H8wUYnCg7iLs4jUKLfbgjEZcdkOwSEj_ajtfE_x67rf9phaH_vB5yTuLWr4/s1600/navy+stripes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZSnEPsvOreDzCgPaCaoGERB2nc9I-ut-M6BiNH19RKJ-ibqOtfnAfwnloN03U9RCZAKdZdOf_Q2s2Eh-H8wUYnCg7iLs4jUKLfbgjEZcdkOwSEj_ajtfE_x67rf9phaH_vB5yTuLWr4/s320/navy+stripes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZxAZUah08gCjHRJPVkpkbpNzmW01vHeHObTc_0GuXDmVxH6Dq1AQCIBJGekigT5Bh-TKvsZS__azFktcpeqr59-KTfcCxCuwn8XnbC-NZYlTRWlXbgtPIENfxVUBwjl8DXPazbWy8R0/s1600/floral+fabric.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZxAZUah08gCjHRJPVkpkbpNzmW01vHeHObTc_0GuXDmVxH6Dq1AQCIBJGekigT5Bh-TKvsZS__azFktcpeqr59-KTfcCxCuwn8XnbC-NZYlTRWlXbgtPIENfxVUBwjl8DXPazbWy8R0/s320/floral+fabric.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We then went to The
Cloth Quarter (previously known as £1 a Yard Fabrics) but didn't buy anything.
We had a nice chat with the ladies there and learned that there is a textile
college planned for that area. It's running over timetable. Those who live closer
to Dewsbury might in the future have access to some interesting classes. The
area is pretty rundown as I believe I’ve mentioned in a previous post but there
are planned major upgrades to the shop fronts. This shop will apparently be one
of the last to be done. The planned college should certainly help.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The market seems to
be thriving. I say that because one of our local markets - in Chester le Street
- is shrinking dramatically and now Immanuel Fabrics (Burnley) who have gone
there on Fridays for years are stopping - although there is still a
market and there is still a space for them, they would have to put up their own
stalls which just isn’t possible given the volume of fabric they bring. They
will be going on that day to South Shields market instead; an additional day as
they already go there on a Saturday. I was at the Chester le Street market a
couple of weeks ago and was saddened to see just how run down it is and
completely missed seeing the fabric stall. I went to South Shields market the following
week to catch them (there is only one fabric vendor, though they have several
stalls), when I learned of their plans. Probably only a quarter of the market
space was used in South Shields - even a couple of years ago, it was full.
Locals put it down to Amazon. However, in Dewsbury, the market seemed full and
there were several fabric stalls</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In the market I
bought 4 cones of overlocker thread in a shade to match the cardigan I was
wearing and I succumbed to the geometric fabric Margaret bought having turned
my back on a pretty floral, also in my lighter colours. Interestingly, the
prices for fabric in the market were higher than I see in our area. I got a few
fabrics in a particularly good quality cotton range in South Shields for £2/m
that I saw in Fabworks today for £6/m. Our market prices tend to be £2/m
whereas in Dewsbury they were £4+/m. I’d like the extra choice though!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcb3fi8D5BWK3IW0Jc7JTuIeaxVSW2in6BZEwuQArslH-lAwFMKNCJnwcbzpJs4URt0emy9egDUXxIcNVu7mZYSQU5TXT6yEWPkYnUuHHVemrpaB9iyHxwzszFB7WWQnrdLw6TxBUq3w/s1600/geo+fabric.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1209" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcb3fi8D5BWK3IW0Jc7JTuIeaxVSW2in6BZEwuQArslH-lAwFMKNCJnwcbzpJs4URt0emy9egDUXxIcNVu7mZYSQU5TXT6yEWPkYnUuHHVemrpaB9iyHxwzszFB7WWQnrdLw6TxBUq3w/s320/geo+fabric.JPG" width="241" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We were hungry by
this time. We were due to meet up in the Creative Craft Centre with its new
cafe for a bite to eat and the pattern and fabric swap a bit later but we
decided to go a bit earlier to see if there was any ‘proper’ food rather than
just coffee and cakes. We ordered soup and sandwiches and were glad we were
early as our numbers (varying at times but up to 15, I think) overwhelmed the
tiny cafe and service was extremely slow.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I hadn’t previously
visited this centre. Previously it was around the corner from its current
position, and I passed the old shop on my way from the station to Wetherspoons
and found a dark and derelict building, not realising it had moved 18 months
ago. I hadn't been in previously because I thought it was largely a yarn
shop. They now appear to do a range of classes and groups and sell Simplicity
patterns, though not fabric. They still primarily deal in yarn though as far as
I could see.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Others arrived and we
had nice introduction to those we didn’t know and plenty of chat. No-one was
really bothered about the slow service though a couple had to leave early for
other appointments so couldn’t wait to be fed. We swapped IG details with
others who didn’t already have them. Jen taught us (the older dinosaurs!) how
to get details from someone else really quickly, not something I was aware of
before. We heard about her terrific new creative space - TeesCreative in
Middlesbrough, which sounds well worth going to. Accommodation is available for
space users - so a weekend course, as they did recently, making Ginger jeans,
becomes very possible. Middlesbrough is not that far really - easily
commutable, especially at the weekend when there is less rush hour traffic, but
a nice place to stay if there are a few of you. Up to 6 of you. They do
dressmaking, quilting, candlemaking. The space is available for hire.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">By the time we left a
few others had gone but we were far from last in going. I took one pattern from
the swap but no fabric. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSY5aIeB5HblpnFO9ogFvGJVfVPyptjtzh8LcqQ0RRquHnqX4tH378l9xc9NkGuflE9yfizduxo_nF3RYGT7phmtOE235G9tw5rmdHY7OdH0toCqSAzIi7pShZ8KPD4j10rKUCweXcJg/s1600/pattern+from+swap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1071" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSY5aIeB5HblpnFO9ogFvGJVfVPyptjtzh8LcqQ0RRquHnqX4tH378l9xc9NkGuflE9yfizduxo_nF3RYGT7phmtOE235G9tw5rmdHY7OdH0toCqSAzIi7pShZ8KPD4j10rKUCweXcJg/s320/pattern+from+swap.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My journey home was
uneventful. I walked through my door just 2 hours after leaving the Creative
Craft Centre. I did take a taxi from the station as it was raining heavily.
Another interesting taxi driver which makes the 15 minute ride fly by!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-86660290716941521702019-03-04T20:00:00.001+00:002019-03-04T20:00:26.113+00:00Cashmerette Concord V neckline alteration<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Cashmerette Concord V
neckline</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I took my Cashmerette Concord tee tunic with V neckline to class a few weeks ago as I just couldn’t wear the
top - the neckline was just so loose and baggy, due to me having used too long
a band length. I took apart, tried to redo - but it was no better. I decided
that if I could find the fabric, I would re-cut the band to the length I
measured after pinning it appropriately - a lot shorter than it was
originally. I also planned to cut the band slightly wider as I find the
neckline too low and too wide, despite having raised it. However, after lots of
searching I couldn’t find the fabric. I think I may have given the rest away
when I thought I had finished the top. I now give fabric to Chris for her
pouffe (stuffing) but at that time I was destashing scraps elsewhere so there
is no option to retrieve. The end result was that I HAD to make this band
work somehow!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxiz_cwxafzh9rHXz0EC-fo99L0rFZLjH5twCq3dlrMPqV0qxhD4QC2gqUMdZnE1IIHFvy7Pd0Nwz5M7uLHcAiQ4jErMEdz9izSHJGF9wOfxhm_-C0FqtEdVXOEjpCLjeQfDCSml27sw/s1600/DSC00769+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1600" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxiz_cwxafzh9rHXz0EC-fo99L0rFZLjH5twCq3dlrMPqV0qxhD4QC2gqUMdZnE1IIHFvy7Pd0Nwz5M7uLHcAiQ4jErMEdz9izSHJGF9wOfxhm_-C0FqtEdVXOEjpCLjeQfDCSml27sw/s320/DSC00769+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This time, I uses a zigzag stitch around the neckline - <br />first time, over the overlocking, I could only get a straight stitch to work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Each term in class,
we choose some goals. My goal this term <i>should have been</i> armhole and
neckline finishes! I’ve had so many problems with them...</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I managed to get the
original band, now shortened by around 4”, to work on the Cashmerette tee. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The most worrying
part was the point of the V, which had extended - that is, the snipping
appeared to be longer and the fabric was wider at that point. However, I stay
stitched to the new point. Then, using the length I had chosen from the
previous attempt, I stitched the two ends of the band together as per
Cashmerette’s instructions. I marked off quarters on that and on the neckline.
The band was narrower in some places where the previous overlocking had cut
some off, so I had to be careful to pin accurately - at least as well as I
could. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I panicked that I had
got it completely wrong, as my band seemed MUCH too short, until I realised
that by machine basting the two layers of the band together at the seam edges,
I had stopped it stretching. After I removed that stitching , all was well. (my
original band was hand basted, and while it could stretch more than this
machine basted one, perhaps that contributed to the band being far too long) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Then I chose to
follow a particular stripe while I was sewing, using a very narrow zigzag
stitch.I didn’t get my wish to make the band wider as that just wasn't
possible using the original band<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- but
at least it’s not too much narrower! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">As the seam at the
back, that is between the band and the body of the tee, is much narrower than
previously as the fabric had previously been trimmed and overlocked, I chose
not to overlock it this time. I then top stitched around the neckline using a
wide zigzag stitch in pale blue, as I did on sleeves and hemline. Clearly, a
coverstitch machine would have given a much nicer and more professional finish
- but I don’t have one. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It’s finished - at
least as much as I’m ever going to do on it. I still find it too low for my
liking so I may choose to wear a scarf or a big necklace with it! At least it
seems to lie better. Only time will tell, of course.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvJS2T3nvR-s6lqifgBNW7e1uyUtdZTY5tn6_6NFigKDfUm7gjoChNKEfEg06jiYpVF41h0jBO4-IQibnPW4mlQF9nU5ncRsjuSreqsm9LcfpWkWkmlD_8YcMvgqC1JCgVZJYbhqihl8/s1600/DSC00768+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvJS2T3nvR-s6lqifgBNW7e1uyUtdZTY5tn6_6NFigKDfUm7gjoChNKEfEg06jiYpVF41h0jBO4-IQibnPW4mlQF9nU5ncRsjuSreqsm9LcfpWkWkmlD_8YcMvgqC1JCgVZJYbhqihl8/s320/DSC00768+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished neckline. It is far from perfect but is hopefully now wearable</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-43410878563464450992019-03-04T18:00:00.000+00:002019-03-10T15:50:46.568+00:00Guess What Followed Me Home! <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Changes to Blackwood
Cardigan (tester version)</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I previously blogged
about my test Blackwood cardigan, which I love - and which fits so much better
than the original. I now have the modified pattern - modified after tester
feedback but I may stick to the tester version (that way I don’t have to stick
together another PDF pattern!)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KLVVHWfmHzi4HuiqYPHNMojuVj1hNJED1s1k4BWzsEs9d0nrXJypZcMahPleK-sxf_koFN7AEoTWXDGY84Lc9j64YlBqW9Si690hcgeq67XE7SxmjSMNXnPiLAxKHXOnCUUf3a9r_pQ/s1600/Twinset+on+dummy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KLVVHWfmHzi4HuiqYPHNMojuVj1hNJED1s1k4BWzsEs9d0nrXJypZcMahPleK-sxf_koFN7AEoTWXDGY84Lc9j64YlBqW9Si690hcgeq67XE7SxmjSMNXnPiLAxKHXOnCUUf3a9r_pQ/s320/Twinset+on+dummy.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished tank and Blackwood cardigan on Madame</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">However, I hadn’t
finished the inside with overlocking as it was a test garment and I didn’t
realise it would fit so well! I think I mentioned that the sleeve was a little
tighter than I would like when worn over a sleeved garment. One of my sleeve
seams came apart a bit - I’d used too large a stitch in it - I'd forgotten I
had just machine basted to see if the width was okay. At the time, I thought it
was. I took the opportunity of the small separation in the sleeve to
partly dismantle the cardigan and re-sew and overlock the raw edges - just
looks so much nicer. I also took out the large stitching in the sleeves and
re-sewed and overlocked with a slightly narrower seam allowance to give that
touch of extra space. I didn’t touch the shoulders, however. That was a step
too far.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Also, to properly
overlock the front band, I thought I would have needed to take out all my top
stitching and I decided that wasn’t necessary - so the band wasn’t going to be
neatly overlocked to the cardigan. However - see later - my topstitching on the
tank wasn’t going to match so I wondered about taking out the top stitching on
the cardigan to take the opportunity to overlock the band. I decided against
that!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I wore the
cardigan and was very conscious of the unfinished inside, which was liable to
be exposed if the bands folded back. So last night I ended up overlocking the raw edges as
best I could with the top stitching still in place. Not ideal, but a big
improvement.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEy7bAddkS2xGqSIFGW-Za4r7wElHlG0NAALK_2DM3_LZlNXDQY1pdOsUSYZbGVv_4z8z8l5iyF5bNprzeK5Rj3earwEozLw5DowqT9qpx398owYAuaXsaUWZQvNwLKO3JdhGoGRbhN0/s1600/tank+inside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEy7bAddkS2xGqSIFGW-Za4r7wElHlG0NAALK_2DM3_LZlNXDQY1pdOsUSYZbGVv_4z8z8l5iyF5bNprzeK5Rj3earwEozLw5DowqT9qpx398owYAuaXsaUWZQvNwLKO3JdhGoGRbhN0/s320/tank+inside.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inside is now overlocked rather than having unfinished edges<br />Sneak preview of tank!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Tank for Blackwood
cardigan</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had a little - not
a lot - of fabric left over. I decided I would like to make a tank for
underneath it. I looked at two possible patterns I had - Kwik Sew 3232 (bought
primarily for the skorts though I love this outfit for golf) and a Simplicity pattern (sorry, forget the number and can't lay my hand on pattern today) to see what would be better. With Lyn’s input, I chose the S
rather than the KS.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The view I chose was
sleeveless with a scoop neck. The armholes to be finished with facings and the
bottom hem to be turned over.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The amount of fabric
I had available really limited the length I could make the top in order to keep
the grain in the same direction as the cardigan and the pattern horizontal. I
found the back of the top was extremely wide - I folded out a 1” tuck on the
pattern, so taking 2” out. I realised that I wouldn't have enough fabric to
make the front if I went by the sizes on the envelope. However, I looked at the
size of the cardigan, in the same fabric, and decided to go down 2 sizes and
cut the seam allowance to ⅜” instead of ⅝”. I had enough fabric for this. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I cut out the top,
back and front only and tried on for size. I thought it was fine. I had taken
to class and the others thought it was too short, saying that I would feel
really uncomfortable. As a result, I accepted the advice and made a band for
the top to match the bottom edge of the Blackwood cardigan - extending the
length of the top by around 2.5 inches. I didn’t, unfortunately, have the
cardigan with me that day - turned out the top was now far too long for the
cardigan! I also found it heavy and bulky with the additional double band so I
decided to remove it.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">After trying to
remove the 4 thread overlocker stitch and getting a bit frustrated, I decided
just to cut off the overlocking - much faster!! Now everyone felt that the top
was the correct length for the cardigan - no band at all needed. It will just
be turned and hemmed with a twin needle. I don’t have a coverstitch machine -
David was going to buy me one but I didn’t think I’d get enough use out of it.
Was I wrong? Perhaps - I’d certainly have liked it here. I started doing a lot
of coverstitch machine research. I was tempted by Juki and BabyLock but that’s
megabucks.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Anyway, I was really
short of fabric as I had mentioned. This top should have had facings on
armholes and neckline. I redrew the facings as the ones in the pattern were not
the correct size after my alterations. I found the changes needed were going to
be ore than the changes I had made, which surprised me. Then I found I didn’t
have enough fabric to cut out facings without a lot of piecing. Of course, the
obvious solution was bias strip facing. Lyn recommended that I use self fabric
facing rather than commercial bias facing. The long band I had made for the
bottom and no longer needed came into its own.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I failed rather
spectacularly in stitching the bands and the hem. I didn’t have any more of the
thread I used to top stitch the cardigan - the number was missing and I
couldn’t trace more. I decided on dark grey topstitching for the tank, which
will match with the design. I wondered if this was telling me I should take out
the top stitching in the cardigan and redo with grey!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’m getting ready to
topstitch the bias facings on my tank but am just wondering how best to do it.
Zigzag stitch? Twin needle? I’m not sure so at the moment I’m procrastinating
by writing this! (Though I don’t know when I will post it!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Fabric tunnelling</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I previously posted
on IG photos of the most dreadful tunnelling with a twin needle on my stretch
fabric (I'm not sure how to repeat them here). I was - am - making a tank to go with my Blackwood cardigan and ‘just’
had to finish the hems and neckline.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Because of the
difficulties I was having with tunnelling using a double needle, I decided to
research how to improve it.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In summary:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I read lots of
articles and watched YouTube </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I consulted my tutors</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I asked my dealer,
who telephoned Bernina head office for advice (2 mm needle; loosen bobbin tension
a lot). Only 2.5 and 4 mm needles are available in stretch twin needles.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I tried all of the
following (all of which various people and sites had recommended even though
some are in direct opposition to the others). I tried them on their own and in
combination.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I tried a 2.5 mm and a
4 mm twin stretch needle </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I tried shorter and longer
stitches</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I tried loosening the
top tension - and increasing it</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I tried stabilizer</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I reduced the bobbin
tension</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Some said there would
always be tunnelling</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I feel there were
other things too but I’ve forgotten now!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Some were worse than
others but all had tunnelling</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The best finish was
actually with a single needle doing a fancy stitch, but I didn’t feel it looked
very professional and wasn’t carried through to the cardigan.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I don’t have samples
- or rather I do and can’t remember which was which! None was satisfactory.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I bought a second
bobbin case as I didn't want to start adjusting the one I had in case I had
problems getting it back to where it was.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Before I changed the
settings on my new bobbin case, I marked the starting point with permanent ink.
I thought I had loosened it a lot - around one and a half full turns - and didn't
see any difference. I decided to look at my original machine bobbin case to see
how it looked in comparison - and found a crack in the spring where the screw
gets loosened/tightened. I was most concerned about this - and wondered whether
this was the cause of all the buttonhole problems I’ve been having. I had found
that even on free areas where there should be no problem with the buttonhole,
the thread would start stitching all in one place and the foot would not move.
Very difficult to unpick!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A trip to my dealer
was called for. He’s relatively local but transport and parking costs are such
that I had asked for the previous items to be posted to me as that worked out
cheaper (another reason was to avoid seeing coverstitch machines!!)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had, therefore, two
reasons for visiting</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
crack in the spring of my bobbin case and<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Advice
re twin needle sewing in order to avoid tunnelling <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Look
at coverstitch machines (yes, I know that’s a third!!).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>In order:</b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I took the offending
item to my dealer who agreed the crack was a problem and could possibly be part of the reason
I've been having so many problems with buttonholes. He replaced it for me from
another case he had available as this is classified as a consumable item and not replaceable under warranty as he found
when he was trying to get a replacement under warranty - my machine has a
7 year warranty.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I didn’t take my
machine with me - the Bernina 750 QE just isn’t one you carry around unless you
really have to! At this stage, I’m not sure whether the bobbin tension is
okay for normal use as I’ve still to try that. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I assumed that there
would be a machine in the shop on which he could demonstrate the twin needle
sewing (I had taken my fabric, twin needle etc). However, as mentioned before,
he phoned head office for advice and loosened my spare bobbin case a lot more
than I had. I have yet to try that.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Coverstitch machine</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My dealers (a family
business now with two brothers) had previously recommended the Janome CoverPro
2000cpx; they said it was an easy recommendation and an easy choice. I have 3
friends who advised against Janome; 2 of them have BabyLocks, the other has a
Juki but none live near me (one in Canada and two on the south coast). They
were recommending that I get a Juki as the BabyLock, although great, is rather
pricey, to say the least. I trust their views. My dealer actually sells
all of the brands I was looking at - Juki, BabyLock, Brother and Janome but not
all are kept in stock or are available for testing.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I couldn’t trace a
Juki dealer with the coverstitch machine available for testing - apart from the
dealer my southern friends used. I phoned lots of Juki dealers whom I could
conceivably visit. Cost wasn't a key issue or certainly not for David though I
was thinking of price per use to some extent. The Janome is just over a third
of the price of a BabyLock, with the Juki sitting in between. I felt the Juki
was where I wanted to aim - if, indeed, I went for one. I was unable to visit
the Knitting and Stitching Show (end Feb/beg March) and can’t visit the Sewing
for Pleasure Show (mid March - this weekend coming, in fact)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">When I was in the
shop, I asked about the Juki and BabyLock coverstitch machines. Of course I did!! John could get
both machines in for me. Despite being a Juki dealer, he didn't tend to run
with the Juki due to few sales of it. It's a small dealership. He was
recommending the Juki over the BabyLock because of easier and faster access to accessories
and parts. He said they had sold lots of the Janome machines and had not had
any problems. He would have recommended that but felt I might not be happy with
it having heard some reports about skipped stitches from my friends.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">He took the Janome
off the shelf and demonstrated it. He used my fabric and it hemmed it
beautifully. The hem was very stretchy and I could not find fault with it. The
machine sounded nice, threading was straightforward, it had a bigger
throat space and a free arm. Most importantly, it was being recommended by a
dealer I trust and who is local. I could've seen the others elsewhere but would
not have wanted to buy from elsewhere so this isn't really fair. I most
definitely wanted to buy locally. In the UK prices are the same everywhere so
there is no advantage to going elsewhere based on price and certainly not when you consider transport and access to a local dealer.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">David has wanted to
buy me a coverstitch machine for a while and I have said no. I don’t sew that
much stretch fabric, though it is increasing tbh. I thought of the space it
would take up - of the cost per use - of the learning curve. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Update </b>- I am now the
proud owner of a coverstitch machine. I have a bit of a learning curve ahead of
me. I'm not too sure how to adjust sewing order etc to take account of using a
coverstitcher.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I bought the Janome.
I am happy with it. I have also been in virtual contact with others who love theirs too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLWSNp_2sg0TjxL-SugMzX8AB9BC5yXveiNpK_QxTbBFvPC6H8Fwx-Sr-u5b9y_i1BvBBF1vOKvHjESNxyXC7FgxrEycmCCHeWnlUXJzYo4eXFkJQynhsErzCo_9BnYcnubymJ1mpAOU/s1600/Janome+CoverPro+2000cpx.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1106" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLWSNp_2sg0TjxL-SugMzX8AB9BC5yXveiNpK_QxTbBFvPC6H8Fwx-Sr-u5b9y_i1BvBBF1vOKvHjESNxyXC7FgxrEycmCCHeWnlUXJzYo4eXFkJQynhsErzCo_9BnYcnubymJ1mpAOU/s320/Janome+CoverPro+2000cpx.JPG" width="221" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I had read only
positive comments about the Juki and the BabyLock. It seemed that the Janome
was a bit of a Marmite machine! I joined a Coverstitch FB group and watched a
number of videos, some specifically for my machine and read articles of a
slightly more technical nature on coverstitching.com (written by the main administrator of the Coverstitch group- Hilde). I discovered that many of
the people who had said they were getting slipped stitches had not threaded
their machine properly! This is of course crucial, as is using the correct
needles, adjusting tensions for the fabric used etc. Now, I’m an instruction book reader - you guessed that, I’m sure!
However, I do better having things demonstrated as I don’t always follow the
little diagrams in the manuals. I had misthreaded my machine! I had missed an
important part of the thread path of my looper. I thought I had threaded, but
it hadn't caught - and it seems that some others asking questions or commenting
on the videos (The Last Stitch) had done the same. It’s not the most obvious
thing - and I found it difficult to get the thread to catch behind the hook,
though now that I know how to do it, it should be easier (it was!). I made the previous
samples and adjustments before I discovered this so they needed to be redone.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">That pesky tank</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My first try at
hemming the tank with the coverstitcher wasn’t successful. My hem, having had the overlocking cut
off, was rather narrow in places such that some areas were a single layer of
fabric and others double, with some borderline. That is, the hem was raggy
with an uneven allowance. In coverstitching, the hem really needs to be even.
There was a bit of tunnelling with the narrow coverstitch at those single
fabric points, only (but see above - I had misthreaded the machine) - I
read about the technical reason for this and how to adjust the machine
(altering the tension in the one needle off the fabric, though I didn't need to do that). On a
properly turned hem, there would be no problem. On the positive side, I got to find out first hand how easy it is to remove the coverstitch, except at those places with the minor tunnelling.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The triple needle looked great
but I decided that wasn’t what I wanted for this tank. Oh, I used a matching thread to the cardigan, a pinky cream - I bought 4 cones of this thread in Dewsbury Market on Wednesday past. The inside of the tank and the cardigan are overlocked in dark grey.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxXHPxJ03p2Ta_kjlLpgKRVbIN0-mi3Ok7dYGhQsq7M9hzyI2ROFhHg1BDIX6mkdZVenrWCG4YFfxO7G4MU_c_GVL5GAqSZW4bpOagV8LwT2ijvtp69bBnyn3mxhTrYiVsWxHK2uFFgg/s1600/neckline+detail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxXHPxJ03p2Ta_kjlLpgKRVbIN0-mi3Ok7dYGhQsq7M9hzyI2ROFhHg1BDIX6mkdZVenrWCG4YFfxO7G4MU_c_GVL5GAqSZW4bpOagV8LwT2ijvtp69bBnyn3mxhTrYiVsWxHK2uFFgg/s320/neckline+detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narrow two needle coverstitch on neckline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRt57Bryl0nXewLgg-kYIfjkIppOy9DnP03RIDsXOofsBqmlG4atgoELf-hlSHn86tkvQMz5kOoFsVithRTQ3pW55xb-CFR6lLWpcbOn_QdK-iWdbuxTZwxGfw52z5ALNNlAeltt3tPc/s1600/bottom+hem+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRt57Bryl0nXewLgg-kYIfjkIppOy9DnP03RIDsXOofsBqmlG4atgoELf-hlSHn86tkvQMz5kOoFsVithRTQ3pW55xb-CFR6lLWpcbOn_QdK-iWdbuxTZwxGfw52z5ALNNlAeltt3tPc/s320/bottom+hem+view.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narrow two needle coverstitch on hemline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">After a lot of
thinking about how to do the hem on the tank, I decided that I wasn’t going to
add a facing or a bias strip, which I had considered as this would maintain the
length yet allow an even hem allowance. I decided to even up the hem even
though that meant shortening it further. Overall it’s probably ½” shorter.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Tonight (Saturday) I
successfully modified the hem fold and - yes - coverstitched the hem with the
narrow two needle setting. No problems. I had tested tensions etc on spare
fabric.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I unfolded the bias
strips on the armholes and coverstitched them too.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Flushed with success,
I coverstitched around the neckline, without unfolding the band. I'm not sure if this was sensible - but it worked!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3zqgnODBsL3gm-sgw_NdRLrABePFli3nPTGfCEZIE2MzntyTLPTo0yCz51FucKMVWkuchFfT87g1t15B3x91JlwyDZdpyhH7pF21fITj670Ywl_rBFuuJEyv8uwMjlIeO8TTzu9_ksg/s1600/inside+coverstitch+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3zqgnODBsL3gm-sgw_NdRLrABePFli3nPTGfCEZIE2MzntyTLPTo0yCz51FucKMVWkuchFfT87g1t15B3x91JlwyDZdpyhH7pF21fITj670Ywl_rBFuuJEyv8uwMjlIeO8TTzu9_ksg/s320/inside+coverstitch+view.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the neckline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This all went well.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I used the narrow two
needle stitching throughout though realise that I could have used the wide
needle two needle version. My machine does have three needles.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I tried on the tank
and am afraid it’s not the most attractive item I have! David said it’s too
baggy - and he’s right. I think this is partly because I’ve lost a stone in
weight since I started making it! But only partly. It’s also a bit shapeless and boxy - I
definitely need more waist shaping. Considering I started with two sizes
smaller than recommended for my sizes AND took 2” out of the back, I find
this surprising and certainly wouldn't recommend the pattern and won’t be
making it again. However, worn with the cardigan, it’s fine. I won't be wearing it on its own.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzEeenfWzmaMIV4bTsw5b7zt2jR4iIcGfDwIc5GJLy1s2Zji69VXZ3Vxt-uJJ9ciS8d93s0Iu5GOaUksfeFIaJJTKbVXifwskAbY3eDn5W6IYXK5v9a__sQVzYiXoj7M411Dataz4B30/s1600/tank2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzEeenfWzmaMIV4bTsw5b7zt2jR4iIcGfDwIc5GJLy1s2Zji69VXZ3Vxt-uJJ9ciS8d93s0Iu5GOaUksfeFIaJJTKbVXifwskAbY3eDn5W6IYXK5v9a__sQVzYiXoj7M411Dataz4B30/s320/tank2.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rather cropped and boxy for my liking#Not another loose thread in the photo - how come I don't see them in time?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstQQjY5x88ISAwJXrRT_uu01HlEW11kGyuz6ila0WdxQKo5yBVwlEXf7D9SqhURV_VRMq24udLsp1r6v0GCHj5mATQcbd3IRELfrP5iFJiZmSnrMJQU2bKCj4KDIt28x9q-KSvJPkvxI/s1600/tank+back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1222" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstQQjY5x88ISAwJXrRT_uu01HlEW11kGyuz6ila0WdxQKo5yBVwlEXf7D9SqhURV_VRMq24udLsp1r6v0GCHj5mATQcbd3IRELfrP5iFJiZmSnrMJQU2bKCj4KDIt28x9q-KSvJPkvxI/s320/tank+back.JPG" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I might have lost a stone but it sure ain't from my rear!!<br />The tank looks lopsided here but I think it's too wide at the shoulders and across the back despite my changes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">So I have another
twin set. I love them, as I’m sure you’ve realised by now! At least I love these ones. I'm putting this forward as my entry to the GBSB Sewalong - not because I think it's great but simply because it's finished, and in the correct timescale. Although I started previously, it has been finished today, in the week of the sewalong which is the important thing. It's finished and it's wearable. Another UFO off my books.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4Sbvnrp2qzKxdTtHF-laF3VrF-slEgbdswZ3rIAoEfQY0xoRiMbAC6lo_1SgrQBeYQqGLpWsJYVwclFmjlINkGuPeJUZMCRsl9VHfXLPO4fXKowhmgnezm1fG6Lc_JU5ZPnyleh8XzM/s1600/tank4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4Sbvnrp2qzKxdTtHF-laF3VrF-slEgbdswZ3rIAoEfQY0xoRiMbAC6lo_1SgrQBeYQqGLpWsJYVwclFmjlINkGuPeJUZMCRsl9VHfXLPO4fXKowhmgnezm1fG6Lc_JU5ZPnyleh8XzM/s320/tank4.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another twin set</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8rMtugPUFJ1g_dQVLJf__YPfQuWNR1O6L9rk93ELzb35v2nH7I1a4-Eyj0n2Cw_PyHc8E3sfuPIsfBcdEvDMWe_2God8vD85heHjDdA55khy6oag2Im9rNEPjDeZLvfHA3A3gx4KTdg/s1600/tank5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8rMtugPUFJ1g_dQVLJf__YPfQuWNR1O6L9rk93ELzb35v2nH7I1a4-Eyj0n2Cw_PyHc8E3sfuPIsfBcdEvDMWe_2God8vD85heHjDdA55khy6oag2Im9rNEPjDeZLvfHA3A3gx4KTdg/s320/tank5.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noting else to say!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYYSJo3JFMrxd6NLmvaP2HhOeRkpTbccFG4OUDoW6gD2ozO-0GGf52jjgLYsscimKXwU1Njd1OqETouKwan6T_8y8uwy2VHB8_imBVX7_RSGC1SGkERtmQptfjvv42BCiMHBQuY19YRc/s1600/cardigan+back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYYSJo3JFMrxd6NLmvaP2HhOeRkpTbccFG4OUDoW6gD2ozO-0GGf52jjgLYsscimKXwU1Njd1OqETouKwan6T_8y8uwy2VHB8_imBVX7_RSGC1SGkERtmQptfjvv42BCiMHBQuY19YRc/s320/cardigan+back.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back view of cardigan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I like the
coverstitch machine too. I will get around to constructing something in the
best way for optimum use of my overlocker and coverstitcher. I've pre-ordered a book on coverstitching </span><a class="a-link-normal" href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/9163961512/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #c45500; cursor: pointer; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline-offset: -2px; outline: 0px;">Master the Coverstitch Machine: The complete coverstitch sewing guide</a> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">which comes out on Monday 18 March - less now. It's written by Johanna </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Lundström, </span>who also authors the Last Stitch blog and videos. I'm hoping this will help me master the machine.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="a-row" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; width: 525.167px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="a-row" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; width: 525.167px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-71890726327669914912019-03-02T16:05:00.002+00:002019-03-02T16:05:52.267+00:00The ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan... Well not quite!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">This post follows on from my post
about the hastily - too hastily - finished shirt for the GBSB sew-a-long.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglL5hTTuw1cJKfoTIMaLI3r5Le6-HOl_mQft4aFeyIkaJax7Vm5Kd_LrPemNezKKoF2n5GlqHvQ0PqFULYx1yjBc2ef3RoIsPWJ7BavC5IKEzs2saDyZClsbuDkdhi9yYm9obTSsMEwwc/s320/7575.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made view D but had problems with shoulder line, sleeve head and collar - they looked awful.<br />I have since removed sleeve tabs to make the shirt a cross between C and D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I fully intended to wear it as an
over-shirt and everyone agreed that was most appropriate for the style. I
realised however there was no way I was going to wear it because of the major
wrinkles due to extremely poor fit around neckline and shoulders. I felt
unattractive. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">On Wednesday past I asked Rory's
advice - saying that I felt I needed to pull the front of the shirt up at the
neck edge, on both sides and I explained that the collar had been too short for
the amount of shirt to fit in it - or rather that there was too much shirt. She
thought I was correct and the shoulder angle was a culprit but wanted to see
the collar off. She thought the sleeves could perhaps be eased in and asked for
the top of the sleeve to be released.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I spent the bulk of the time in our
group unpicking the collar (stitched, trimmed and topstitched) and the
whole of both sleeves (edges overlocked but fortunately not cut down)- this was
easier for me than fiddling with a little part. While unpicking, I took the
opportunity to remove the sleeve tabs which I just don't like. I know that
sleeve tabs are useful in holding sleeves up in an attractive way, or can be,
attractive that is - and I like the look on others. I don’t like it on me.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Rory agreed that the neckline side of
the front only of the shirt needed modified - pulled up and about 1.5 cms
removed at the neck edge, tapering to nothing at the sleeve edge. She marked this.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">She said there was 4 cm of excess in
the sleeve head and suggested trimming the sleeve head down to see if that
would work. Looking at it, she felt it was preferable to adjust there rather
than at the underarm, another place she would normally adjust. She suggested
where it should be removed and marked with a Frixion pen - which I
unfortunately removed when I pressed the sleeve flat after taking out the lines
of ease stitching! Oh well! One second it was there and the next - pouf! It was
gone</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">On Thursday, in Lyn's group, I started
to reconstruct. There is no doubt in my mind that it is harder to reconstruct a
taken apart burrito yoke than it is to make it in the first place! Fortunately,
I had access to the inside via the neckline, which I stay stitched again, the
previous stitches having been cut away.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I felt like it was working with
origami! I have quite a bit of difficulty with these kind of things but
eventually worked it out and sewed the first seam on each side. That seam had
easy access. I then really smoothed the remaining section of the three and
marked just outside the previous stitching line to see where I needed to sew
and how much fabric needed to be trimmed away. Quite a bit!! The stitching was
done through the neckline - effectively I was turning this third section over
the seamline of the first seam but rather than top stitching through all layers
which would have worked, I suppose. I was turning to the inside through the
neckline so I could stitch from there. It worked,</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I stitched trimmed and pressed. The
shoulder line was looking much better.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxluuXaKTaK3OYIZJEq-kFG6JX2Ni6SLc9RXHNOBTpJB1SxrV26NE-DOcm6TpxLR06F8s85wKImctEd7kf5suQfGF9pzJPXTQUrmaeVeA6EwZTGDelRYewqNNwPCkKLN0HQWTcr46AOQ/s1600/DSC00776+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxluuXaKTaK3OYIZJEq-kFG6JX2Ni6SLc9RXHNOBTpJB1SxrV26NE-DOcm6TpxLR06F8s85wKImctEd7kf5suQfGF9pzJPXTQUrmaeVeA6EwZTGDelRYewqNNwPCkKLN0HQWTcr46AOQ/s320/DSC00776+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the right shoulder. Sleeve head looking nice. <br />Slight stretch lines where shoulder line meets collar - though not as bad as before!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZYRbolC48Eanrm3d_VxtL1tW_V0kWKNV3Nj2NhoCvvIGSOpv5uZhQsZnZd0veM3-XnAus_cjWmKfzcm-X2pqsjCrRT82NdfHjSobNZNP7OXY_sRj0iztu32rYatbakGVz6iRXjDp7og/s1600/DSC00763+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZYRbolC48Eanrm3d_VxtL1tW_V0kWKNV3Nj2NhoCvvIGSOpv5uZhQsZnZd0veM3-XnAus_cjWmKfzcm-X2pqsjCrRT82NdfHjSobNZNP7OXY_sRj0iztu32rYatbakGVz6iRXjDp7og/s200/DSC00763+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Sleeves next. Lyn helped me identify
how much to trim away. I trimmed some then had to trim more. Probably as much
as 1.5 cm from the top, tapering down to the sides of the sleeve head.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I had trimmed off all the markings
during my original sewing and trimming.. Lyn helped me recreate these and said
she wouldn't ease the whole sleeve head from notch to notch as I heard done
previously to try to get all that excess sewn in. She showed me how to identify
the top of the sleeve with notch and where to start and stop my ease stitching.
There were no markings on the armhole either. The top of the sleeve would no
longer be at the shoulder seam, but slightly off due to the changes made. My
fabric didn't ease all that well.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I found that previously when I added
lines of ease stitching I hadn't used a loose enough bobbin thread tension.
Eating was so much easier with the bobbin thread tension set at 2 (normal
being 4). </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Lyn kindly pinned in my sleeves
(beautifully) and I sewed them in place, first basting to see if they were
okay. I was extremely happy with the result. The difference was night and day
from the previous stitching. Fortunately first time I realised my sleeve
insertion was poor and I hadn't trimmed off any fabric when I overlocked so
stitching was easier than it could have been. This time I overlocked, at home,
trimming off appropriately.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">A quick look at the collar suggested
that I was perhaps going to be able to reuse it and not have that dreadful
bunching of fabric. I quickly pinned it in place and confirmed that this was
the case. Unfortunately, the collar and shirt and been trimmed rather more than
the sleeves had been.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I made the assumption that the collar
had not stretched unevenly and marked the centre. I also marked the centre of
the shirt back neckline. Using the centre marks and the end points, I pinned in
evenly. There was no excess of fabric in the shirt now - hurrah!! I didn’t have
to clip the shirt but in retrospect think I should have perhaps done so at one
point as there remains a slight tightness. I’m not sure if that was the
solution. I had very limited scope for re-stitching as the earlier seam
allowances had been trimmed.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Nevertheless, I was much happier with
the shirt. The collar isn’t perfect, I’m sure, but is satisfactory for the
purpose. The left shoulder line is nice but I'm less happy with the right
shoulder line - this is the shoulder I most often have problems with. I think that following a shoulder injury, I have a bit of a forward shoulder more on that side than the other. When I try on RTW, it's always this right shoulder that gives me problems. I clearly have to learn how to fit this shoulder rather better than I have done. This alteration was a quick fix</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KVFAlb5OEyka3LAqTM9b6kaMpCOMRf4qTU4xwu_icFAh3TcF8C0VAGg96jc2V5UddFXhhQhCdBZeT2_T0rt0Hw4zeOAifNPKKRAIC8-nvRgFgixnnbrPbCwBV3AQbjAFrmzzXOKNGDw/s1600/DSC00774+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1600" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KVFAlb5OEyka3LAqTM9b6kaMpCOMRf4qTU4xwu_icFAh3TcF8C0VAGg96jc2V5UddFXhhQhCdBZeT2_T0rt0Hw4zeOAifNPKKRAIC8-nvRgFgixnnbrPbCwBV3AQbjAFrmzzXOKNGDw/s320/DSC00774+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left shoulder line - nicer than right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I was going to edge stitch the collar
as I had done before but decided instead to slip stitch by hand (as per pattern
instructions, as it happens!!). Last night (Friday) I did this while watching
an old episode of father Brown.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I still remained set against
additional buttons and holes on the band and collar as I definitely won’t be
wearing this shirt closed. Though it sits better with a closure.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1II9Ty-dHxzh5lSHcvxeYAwHjVt2KveU1Wv3_xPBEohqHQ3Oglc2diXy_RHNmvW6O9CwR2_Jfzty1PO1bFSWCByr9iZPOcVRkkPTTM9hfGxcOtEwejSY4yneqPZODRv99j9bQZqjRFHA/s1600/DSC00782.ARW" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1II9Ty-dHxzh5lSHcvxeYAwHjVt2KveU1Wv3_xPBEohqHQ3Oglc2diXy_RHNmvW6O9CwR2_Jfzty1PO1bFSWCByr9iZPOcVRkkPTTM9hfGxcOtEwejSY4yneqPZODRv99j9bQZqjRFHA/s320/DSC00782.ARW" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not pressed or washed but you can see it's better although right shoulder still has problems</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">I need to take photos. I’m trying to
decide whether to wash first to get rid of the marks I made with chalk and the
marks to place the sleeve tabs. I might take a couple now - then at least it
might get done! It also needs a good press but I'm afraid to press in some of
the marks I made - unlike Frixion marks which disappear, others tend to become
permanent. So I will do a couple of photos pre-wash and pre-press.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QFEhu7P4uI1sPSXO8WN8w1_UStb89oCJUSfjErL5DRkPCZRXlsNCYNOiWrO0PMumRrQ7t0-BKT6D5dNFKo6zT7JNNI9QXnH9pdElmdLuwyDsjpJtUDmtk0EMi3T49jAMq4OUlpWy0jo/s1600/DSC00781.ARW" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QFEhu7P4uI1sPSXO8WN8w1_UStb89oCJUSfjErL5DRkPCZRXlsNCYNOiWrO0PMumRrQ7t0-BKT6D5dNFKo6zT7JNNI9QXnH9pdElmdLuwyDsjpJtUDmtk0EMi3T49jAMq4OUlpWy0jo/s320/DSC00781.ARW" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not pressed or washed but you can see it's better although right shoulder still has problems</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I feel that I have saved this shirt
from one that would never but never get worn to one that has quite a useful
life ahead of it. Additionally, I'm</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">sure
that most of the problems I had were user error and not the pattern's fault. I won't make this particular style </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">again but I do like shirts, so I'll chose a similar style but shorter and probably with a collar or a convertible collar so I can wear it open at the neck -I have learned that I really don't like shirts closed up to the neck.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">I've been wearing the shirt while creating this post and trying to sort out my photo issue (see later) and it's comfy so will get worn.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Next time I will spend more time making toiles and trying to sort out my shoulder issue.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">I'm having problems taking photos. My PC doesn't like my camera photos; although it can open them, there is tremendous barrel distortion. My camera software on the PC won't export in a form suitable for uploading here. I have Photoshop Elements but it won't open my Sony RAW files - perhaps a more updated version would - I have version 15. You can see some of the barrel distortion on the photos I have put here </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">(my window and curtains look </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">curved on left)</span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"> though I cropped out the worst bits</span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">. I'll have to work out what to do as these are not satisfactory.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO23us221GfucS4JWETXPCMYK5WYQpJXrdl9wtXA3-SfRsDo3yU0VouUBiwHTUSM84r_WNKysPDM4Wt99zujCjoTAmVAtvHdBu8sgOO7v4KoUFBZgkvaseZUxtmYz7Tp4sxbuHutrDljw/s1600/DSC00760+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO23us221GfucS4JWETXPCMYK5WYQpJXrdl9wtXA3-SfRsDo3yU0VouUBiwHTUSM84r_WNKysPDM4Wt99zujCjoTAmVAtvHdBu8sgOO7v4KoUFBZgkvaseZUxtmYz7Tp4sxbuHutrDljw/s320/DSC00760+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the shirt previously</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-15772277140842848412019-02-26T21:24:00.000+00:002019-02-26T21:24:05.373+00:00A hastily finished shirt for GBSB Sew-a-long<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I have too many things on the go at the moment. I want to get them
finished before I start anything else. That’s the theory. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">One of the things was a blouse cut out before Christmas, using McCall's 7575 version D (</span>I mentioned it in my blog in October!) <span style="font-size: 12pt;">and pushed aside as my sewing room turned back into a dining room. Although that transformation is temporary and short lived, it takes far longer to recreate my sewing space. So, I’m a long way from being organised even as well as I was before Christmas (and that wasn’t well!)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglL5hTTuw1cJKfoTIMaLI3r5Le6-HOl_mQft4aFeyIkaJax7Vm5Kd_LrPemNezKKoF2n5GlqHvQ0PqFULYx1yjBc2ef3RoIsPWJ7BavC5IKEzs2saDyZClsbuDkdhi9yYm9obTSsMEwwc/s1600/7575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglL5hTTuw1cJKfoTIMaLI3r5Le6-HOl_mQft4aFeyIkaJax7Vm5Kd_LrPemNezKKoF2n5GlqHvQ0PqFULYx1yjBc2ef3RoIsPWJ7BavC5IKEzs2saDyZClsbuDkdhi9yYm9obTSsMEwwc/s320/7575.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I chose view D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHO73aP22tgRRfRxrMJCNujDPOdQ-H0Cw52SMjkCBq_kWXr9iaM2n_t5F235gSmD_SiYzSHKdCbq2jL5NNlbmBh7ZE4ADvjacYdoJlj417mrcOaMtJBX7ma2tkLo5iI6iXNhcsi7-taY/s1600/7575line.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHO73aP22tgRRfRxrMJCNujDPOdQ-H0Cw52SMjkCBq_kWXr9iaM2n_t5F235gSmD_SiYzSHKdCbq2jL5NNlbmBh7ZE4ADvjacYdoJlj417mrcOaMtJBX7ma2tkLo5iI6iXNhcsi7-taY/s320/7575line.gif" width="152" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have been sewing and doing things - I even have some blog posts
written but keep coming up against blocks of various kinds. I will post
separately about the knit tank I am making to match the test Blackwood
cardigan, which I also altered. I also made a skirt toile and sent it off to
Helen. More of that elsewhere.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I watched the first episode of series 5 of The Great British Sewing Bee.
I enjoyed it. In many ways, it’s entirely unrepresentative of my sewing as I’m
slow. However, alongside GBSB, @sewisfaction is running a sew-a-long each week,
with the same theme as the episode. The theme of the first week’s GBSB was
cotton - and so too was the theme of the sew-a-long. Sew anything in cotton. It
can have been started already. It must be posted online by 3pm GMT on Tuesday (19th February).</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This gave me a push towards the shirt/blouse I was going to make before
Christmas, but I just didn’t get around to it. The pattern was already altered
and the cotton chambray fabric cut out and toiled. I usually do a calico toile
but on this occasion decided not to, as I was originally trying to finish
before Christmas and was in a hurry. The main reason I put it aside was that I
ran into a problem with interfacing. I really liked an interfacing I had, and
had used for Helen’s silk dress, and tried to order more online. My order
didn't appear. Nor did the replacement order. This was before Christmas, in the
Christmas rush, and I gave up at that stage.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I bought some interfacing of the same number from Centre Front Studio
(CFS). Here’s the strange thing - it wasn’t the same interfacing at all!! The
interfacing from CFS is clearly labelled along the selvedge - and matches the
interfacing in the sample book and interfacing I’ve seen since. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIdbAt43YVUXi6zT9Vxh5gof6CVrtdEek5EWhNMgph0We3Gdzi7ur4Fap7xeyqXieOlGhYPJtLNO6cHdbXrGjhh6k9Iw63xNExQsCCNXDtx25K-X__bx1HzFmv0gmiWTZLtXASZ39qqo/s1600/DSC00765+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIdbAt43YVUXi6zT9Vxh5gof6CVrtdEek5EWhNMgph0We3Gdzi7ur4Fap7xeyqXieOlGhYPJtLNO6cHdbXrGjhh6k9Iw63xNExQsCCNXDtx25K-X__bx1HzFmv0gmiWTZLtXASZ39qqo/s320/DSC00765+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new interfacing with the correct number on the selvedge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGZ29AaLlreV4XzJzmDd__FN4G2OqnDyrgYaya2f_rRvOUR0fN8FV2b5-evInTMc7LjUssDpx6mWvcs85zR_KVlWcpGsO95_p00HxY0M31sjpTrh_U9SBr7hyap4puiCO433DAxYUxXw/s1600/DSC00766+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGZ29AaLlreV4XzJzmDd__FN4G2OqnDyrgYaya2f_rRvOUR0fN8FV2b5-evInTMc7LjUssDpx6mWvcs85zR_KVlWcpGsO95_p00HxY0M31sjpTrh_U9SBr7hyap4puiCO433DAxYUxXw/s320/DSC00766+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rather nice original interfacing wrongly labelled (no number on edge)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC75Xe5SeHhy_dmAsvsZyrDYxxGso1ltkd7LHRkEuU8Xsu9B3Y-0PWrYvp33nTrj6Qa9RbwW57ZYGnRuafpFC-afnG9C643QwAe1DRIy1DvRRFvS9tCnubpt6FmtptJXo7riDnxnP2S8/s1600/DSC00767+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1548" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC75Xe5SeHhy_dmAsvsZyrDYxxGso1ltkd7LHRkEuU8Xsu9B3Y-0PWrYvp33nTrj6Qa9RbwW57ZYGnRuafpFC-afnG9C643QwAe1DRIy1DvRRFvS9tCnubpt6FmtptJXo7riDnxnP2S8/s320/DSC00767+%25282%2529.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packet interfacing came in</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My original
interfacing came in a branded and labelled packet but is dissimilar. Rory feels
that my packet had the wrong interfacing originally but that what I had was
much nicer and more expensive. I decided to use the new interfacing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My sewing room chaos unfortunately led to me having lost two pattern
pieces, already cut out, I think, though I can’t be sure. However, these are
for the cuff and for the sleeve tabs I can grade up as I have the pattern pieces
still for the smaller size range. You never know though - I might still find them!!
Fortunately, I have enough fabric left that I can cut out new cuffs and tabs.
The other problem I had with waiting was that my marks for the wrong side of
fabric had worn off, as had crucial placement dots.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Before the sewing bee on <b>Tuesday</b>, I had already sewn the darts in
back and front.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">On <b>Wednesday</b>, I cut out the interfacing and fused (except for the
cuffs; which had to wait.) and started construction of the burrito yokes. Dan
helped me tell which side of the blouse I had deemed ‘right side’</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thursday</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">, in class with Lyn, I continued with the blouse - I started it with her
originally, before Christmas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I think I’ve said before that I like to try to keep projects separate
between Dan/Rory and Lyn but it has become quite confusing with too many
projects - and when I have a time constraint it isn't possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I asked Lyn to advise me on a number of things including hem, bands and
collar stand. I wasn't able to actually do the collar in class as things had to
be done in the right order before the collar and I didn’t get them done within
the class period. However, I got a fair idea of how to move ahead and planned
to finish over the weekend. I managed to sew on bands to allow Lyn to
demonstrate how the collar stand should go. I was a little worried about this
as a) many of my marks faded and b) my neckline isn’t beautifully smooth. I
sewed the collar but wasn’t absolutely happy with the curved edges, which Lyn
had advised I use a template for. I did try but actually didn’t have the
correct materials there so decided to redo at home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The pattern suggests slip stitching the bands but with Lyn, I decided I
would topstitch on both sides of the band. I also decided to
topstitch/edgestitch the collar in place.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I tried on the blouse as it was and the fit seemed fine.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Friday </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">- not much time due to other commitments. I folded up the blouse hem
using the technique advised in the instructions. Previously I've used
overlocking, turn and stitch but this is done the ‘proper’ way. For the ⅝” hem,
loosely stitch at ¼”, turn hem to ⅝” and fold under the ¼” with the
stitching to guide, having pulled up the stitching to allow the hem to lie
flat. This was the bit that concerned me and why I’ve done the overlocking in the
past. Anyway, I managed. I then topstitched - I found this a bit tricky, to
follow the distinct curves, and I missed a couple of bits on the inside - a
quick slip stitch sorted them. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I finished the bottom and top of the bands. Lyn had given me a better
way to do - but I couldn’t quite remember so these are as I’ve done before. I
decided to topstitch both sides of the band - or, rather, edgestitch. I think
it looks pretty good and wondered whether I should have put top stitching
across the yoke - I still could at that stage but decided not to. I also
wondered about poppets instead of buttons, thinking that would look good. I’ll
have to think about that one. It would make the blouse a lot more casual - and
casual is what I have in mind here. Not for today</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Saturday</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Again only a little sewing. Though this blouse is labelled a three hour
blouse so I should've made a whole wardrobe of them by now!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I cut out and interfaced the pieces I didn't have - the tabs and the
cuffs. Completed the sewing of the neckband, using a template for the edges</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sleeves</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I had originally thought the sleeves were fine but when I tried on the
toile, way back before Christmas, I felt they were a little tight. I therefore
decided to sew up the sleeves with a slightly narrower hem - ½” instead of ⅝”
at the underarm seam. I’ve also lost a little weight so thought that might
help. However, these are two piece sleeves. I decided to follow the
instructions but do the under seam at ½” but the final seam at the full ⅝”
because this was the seam with the placket and button band and I didn’t feel
capable of making big changes.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I remember that when I sewed up the toile, I had a machine malfunction
and was completely unable to loosen the screw holding my needle in place. I
ended up continuing to use the stretch needle that was already in place. I
didn't realise at the time, but this did lead to a problem with fabric pulls.
I've taken the worst ones to the back. David was able to sort out the problem
with the machine at home.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I started all the steps for the sleeves and got as far as putting a
button hole in the sleeve tab - and couldn't. I'm not sure what I'm going to
do. Just sew in place? That's possible.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Update</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> - I don’t like the
sleeve tabs as the fabric rolled up for the sleeve is bulky and the wrong side
show. The fabric was too thick for any kind of French seaming. I think I will
remove the sleeve tabs altogether if I decide to do anything further to this
shirt. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sunday. </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Again, not much stitching. I was beginning to think I might not get it
finished.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Further sleeve issues – sleeve head
ease.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Before the sleeve is fully stitched together, the cuff, placket and
sleeve tab are added. No problem with this. I think my cuff looks pretty good.
I still hadn’t managed to get a button hole in the sleeve tab but managed fine
on the cuffs. I had added an extra layer of interfacing to the cuffs and I
think that helped.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now to put in place.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The amount of ease in the sleeve head is enormous!! I ended up
easing the sleeve cap all the way from notch to notches - the pattern uses much
less. Even so, I had quite a battle getting them in place. I nearly considered
using a tuck or pleats at the top but decided against that. I finished the
sleeve and finished the raw seam allowances. I don’t like the finish at all.
The sleeve head clearly has far too much fabric – it hasn’t eased in nicely at
all. There aren’t any puckers – it’s just the sheer volume of fabric.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwdO7mj2azPRDeOL_N_BPvry0falYNL-tQuSIIyPYWlUFYaZVtAuaMOKhj9HwQJjF6s7wY3frprF7z21cXL8-Eq-40IqR9JWjacek-ms2gK6ChYLnaesw4QZOw5t_QaLWy3VoojsDMgI/s1600/DSC00758+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwdO7mj2azPRDeOL_N_BPvry0falYNL-tQuSIIyPYWlUFYaZVtAuaMOKhj9HwQJjF6s7wY3frprF7z21cXL8-Eq-40IqR9JWjacek-ms2gK6ChYLnaesw4QZOw5t_QaLWy3VoojsDMgI/s320/DSC00758+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say no more!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakqrJ9ULS56ZbmE_McvXotohSGOO5YoMVkac-78qm4UrAhcCQcWKn05SJYGMc0UQjKGsWxsuWkK_zJ38DyvLmR7i1_YQcwg4oABPFsHWIqsLPH6auoxOty-9slp62rDt26T9bmXlVrbE/s1600/DSC00763+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakqrJ9ULS56ZbmE_McvXotohSGOO5YoMVkac-78qm4UrAhcCQcWKn05SJYGMc0UQjKGsWxsuWkK_zJ38DyvLmR7i1_YQcwg4oABPFsHWIqsLPH6auoxOty-9slp62rDt26T9bmXlVrbE/s320/DSC00763+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Try on<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m thinking I don’t like it. David thinks it’s rather long and feels it
would look better shorter. I agree though the length was intentional and as per
pattern; I would definitely have preferred the shorter length. I find the style
somehow too formal yet the fabric is informal. Again I found myself thinking
about poppets - I didn’t have enough left to consider using for the GBSB
challenge.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Monday</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Time to attach the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">collar</b>.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There’s something decidedly funny about the neckline. Surely not because
I decided to do the burrito yoke construction method! However, having used that
method and having attached the sleeves meant I was in no big hurry to take
apart at the shoulders. Looking at the shirt on my body at this stage, I
wanted to grab approximately ¾” of the shoulder seam on each side of my neck.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The shirt neckline circumference was much too long for the collar. So,
although the pattern suggested I’d need to clip the neckline, my problem was
quite the opposite. I had a bit of a time with this but finally managed to
install the collar stand - my pattern doesn’t have a collar, just the stand. I
don’t know why this happened - I had staystitched everything but perhaps that
wasn’t enough or perhaps I made an error in cutting? There is a clear excess of
fabric and deep wrinkles leading to the neckline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m not sure how to sort this but imagine it’s to do with shoulder
angle.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I edge stitched the collar in place (I should just have abandoned at this
stage – well, I didn’t). Time to consider buttonholes. No!! I decided against them
though not before testing out a buttonhole of the collar stand. I decided I
would leave the shirt open, like a duster jacket. When I looked at buttoning it
up, I just felt trussed up and didn’t like it at all. Too much shirt! I think
the shirt is my colour, but the style just didn’t fit in with my style recipe.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ2ESDcD0nirp56RS2HCXaBaOEFNrH_NR5H8rrJv6KxPekSW24adr4d1495sJ2xzifUSo3mCqIlnypDyYQCy13g4wTm6i-FbOPbbjzeM4U8rZDbfAHEx2YiivWssJJmLwkxeOPAF4-no/s1600/DSC00761+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1600" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ2ESDcD0nirp56RS2HCXaBaOEFNrH_NR5H8rrJv6KxPekSW24adr4d1495sJ2xzifUSo3mCqIlnypDyYQCy13g4wTm6i-FbOPbbjzeM4U8rZDbfAHEx2YiivWssJJmLwkxeOPAF4-no/s320/DSC00761+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at those dreadful wrinkles!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc7zcci_z05m_WAgTk0EcZ7GF8d7HzzABUebalewwKFbTrzdR9RH_TsmmfMWWZXoMCrlSbqgTCXsUZv_TJyUZzd1zYqxxxZ7rdWosu-hObOAT69UpT9HRKc9JSmRJd9Gs-5ZFZ24tEFk/s1600/DSC00762+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc7zcci_z05m_WAgTk0EcZ7GF8d7HzzABUebalewwKFbTrzdR9RH_TsmmfMWWZXoMCrlSbqgTCXsUZv_TJyUZzd1zYqxxxZ7rdWosu-hObOAT69UpT9HRKc9JSmRJd9Gs-5ZFZ24tEFk/s320/DSC00762+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonnpk_X9HC0PvJ5xDQsRsxMW2komIVehhwks1JQhoniesqjGCmlxa-iblmPaZ4jqth8gWZV9ZIwDAzpl0ClUt8WVpM5fkSiAe-G0XLIHEQs_PWNvscpw__EU_dZ2F7ELoQlfxa0z7ioQ/s1600/20190219_113627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonnpk_X9HC0PvJ5xDQsRsxMW2komIVehhwks1JQhoniesqjGCmlxa-iblmPaZ4jqth8gWZV9ZIwDAzpl0ClUt8WVpM5fkSiAe-G0XLIHEQs_PWNvscpw__EU_dZ2F7ELoQlfxa0z7ioQ/s320/20190219_113627.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry - taken on my phone in the dark. Taken to show sleeve rolled up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I then realised that to roll up the sleeve for use with the sleeve tabs
would show the wrong side of the fabric - no great issue since the sides are
practically identical - but there are two overlocked seams - not a nice look.
Also, a long sleeve like this one has to be rolled up a lot and I didn’t like
the bulk. I could take out the stitching attaching the sleeve tab to the
sleeve and just forget about it but decided against that at the time, anyway. I
did cut open the buttonholes on the cuffs and sew on a suitable button.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-7TgVCycLDSE2v0i_LEF4cz0czNl8IWTj4hoEvura2r1F50H5CdxNkpPiT7oW6p8NpylGf_iEpKybVorN3lAJ5tmEmmoyGXdvZDhNWQY1AT1bWk0sxsGvHjFSLsTGSNBmYFC4dkbVA8/s1600/20190219_113109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-7TgVCycLDSE2v0i_LEF4cz0czNl8IWTj4hoEvura2r1F50H5CdxNkpPiT7oW6p8NpylGf_iEpKybVorN3lAJ5tmEmmoyGXdvZDhNWQY1AT1bWk0sxsGvHjFSLsTGSNBmYFC4dkbVA8/s320/20190219_113109.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another photo taken quickly on my phone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I decided I wasn’t doing anything else to this shirt. Tuesday was now
free simply to take a photo.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘Finished’ shirt</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m unhappy with the sleeves and with the shoulder line and collar
stand. They do not lie nicely. I mentioned earlier the problems I had with the
collar and the excess ease in the sleeve head. I still want to pinch that
excess at each side of the neckline - it made the shirt lie much better but
doesn’t improve the sleeves.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JNyRecElmsElcak_3SHDA7YzTCSX_rovc5SQW2CbyvlxnN9Jx8uNR-lcSem4XfdrrelU87aaKoz1d3GVBff7IgpYEmDETSPhw1rnBvDsR5thrs-FppJo8iyB0Cx2SgR2ubYqF4G6iKs/s1600/20190219_094327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JNyRecElmsElcak_3SHDA7YzTCSX_rovc5SQW2CbyvlxnN9Jx8uNR-lcSem4XfdrrelU87aaKoz1d3GVBff7IgpYEmDETSPhw1rnBvDsR5thrs-FppJo8iyB0Cx2SgR2ubYqF4G6iKs/s320/20190219_094327.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I also think the shirt is a little large for me. I am losing weight at
present. It doesn’t seem to have affected my other clothes though I can get
comfortably into things that were tight - but nothing else drowns me. And this
was fitted on me. I think it’s a combination of style, fabric and weight loss.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenSyjOYsED63F8dYD_aCAUWXGZ1tdcVjLJvF33a1b7y1CsyErCk-U9ancNFXuaP_DYixbIM7xwGK83R53IZcmH-3KQ-nv1rzgyMyjFb8fLg3uIDZB_npjDcNArjzD_tSFzXm8RurPFAY/s1600/20190219_094234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenSyjOYsED63F8dYD_aCAUWXGZ1tdcVjLJvF33a1b7y1CsyErCk-U9ancNFXuaP_DYixbIM7xwGK83R53IZcmH-3KQ-nv1rzgyMyjFb8fLg3uIDZB_npjDcNArjzD_tSFzXm8RurPFAY/s320/20190219_094234.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how I'll wear it for the time being</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I think I constructed the shirt fairly well. I like my sleeve
construction and the cuffs. My sleeve tabs look good. My front bands are
lovely. The collar stand is nice but not the right size for the shirt - or
rather the shirt is too big for the collar stand. I thought I had managed the
burrito yoke construction okay but perhaps that was the start of my problems?
No! It doesn’t in any way account for the excess ease in the sleeve cap.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEbKj17O3WPNDyFIObaWRSNFsAPGqsrII-dFaohNhbNW6ubeR9uWooWtZD1Z-6vHhoRsKW2Vau1Z3ZVo6tlG4IhiksVWZRQYXOaDSwHQHJ-X27SPHGr4j2ZFxr0Ma6ENHMfdQ5LxWw_E/s1600/20190219_113222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEbKj17O3WPNDyFIObaWRSNFsAPGqsrII-dFaohNhbNW6ubeR9uWooWtZD1Z-6vHhoRsKW2Vau1Z3ZVo6tlG4IhiksVWZRQYXOaDSwHQHJ-X27SPHGr4j2ZFxr0Ma6ENHMfdQ5LxWw_E/s320/20190219_113222.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom of band</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I may deconstruct. Not sure yet - and it won’t be for a while. In the
meantime, I’ll wear as an over layer with a tee shirt at home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lessons learned<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">One thing I would definitely change for next time - I think that
my interfacing was too soft and that’s what led to the problems with
buttonholes. I’ve ordered a button foot leveller to see if that will help, too.
I’ve had problems with buttonholes on collars and waistbands before but thought
that was due to unevenness and bulk on one side.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I didn’t try to make buttonholes on the front bands. The bands feel
fairly firm but I used the same soft interfacing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Don’t move on to the next step if it’s clear the last step is
unsatisfactory. You’d think I would have learned that one previously!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There is no point in rushing something. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Festina lente!</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Will I make this shirt again? No. I don’t like the style on me. I won’t
put a review on Pattern Review as I suspect the issues are more user error than
the pattern. I may at a later date if it seems that the problems are contributed
to by pattern issues.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Second GBSB sew-a-long<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The theme @Sewisfaction’s second week GBSB sew-a-long was children's
wear and I decided not to participate. I only participated in the first one as
I had already started the shirt. Maybe I rushed it a bit too much trying to get
it ready. I certainly shouldn’t have ‘finished’ it when I was so unhappy with
the results.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-31774433972750753772019-02-25T17:22:00.000+00:002019-02-25T17:22:03.944+00:00The skirt that might come to fruition - with your help!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I started to
write this before Helen got back to me with photos </span>but<span style="font-family: inherit;"> decided to post without
much editing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhAQ_6oN6SU6KkKAaz2qKJnUnkn7NQW1zp-xuXB6xUytireDqPrvadQ8kXZDWTgOwQlOMtJnjrJpgHHQ3k38-SvWfKz5CwZeIck_25nrN8LyKmd0KlWyfisPKF5n7X2ENisxxUNi8ghI/s1600/Simplicity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhAQ_6oN6SU6KkKAaz2qKJnUnkn7NQW1zp-xuXB6xUytireDqPrvadQ8kXZDWTgOwQlOMtJnjrJpgHHQ3k38-SvWfKz5CwZeIck_25nrN8LyKmd0KlWyfisPKF5n7X2ENisxxUNi8ghI/s320/Simplicity.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The skirt I'm trying to make</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Helen originally
got back to me to say that she liked the pleated skirt I toiled for her. This is the latest toile in a line of toiles for various styles of tartan </span>skirts<span style="font-family: inherit;">; Helen wants a skirt made in our family tartan. She
liked the style and wanted me to go ahead with it. At that stage I hadn’t seen a
photo of her wearing it as she wanted to get Anthony to take any photos and he had a
lot of late hours at work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicC90cd08AqOnU0KRfLY4Se9IWv8VNLJ2pXlcwxH32fvnKwp1SLeeT9yhvVxYVo5I8fEoEK5uz-zXv95YeE91IoTqfaqyWR8bI0iw9edFNpmyFpvFts-MsfmWJKjUpWMukAfqN5aoaLBw/s1600/IMG-20190223-WA0008+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="652" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicC90cd08AqOnU0KRfLY4Se9IWv8VNLJ2pXlcwxH32fvnKwp1SLeeT9yhvVxYVo5I8fEoEK5uz-zXv95YeE91IoTqfaqyWR8bI0iw9edFNpmyFpvFts-MsfmWJKjUpWMukAfqN5aoaLBw/s640/IMG-20190223-WA0008+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen deliberately wore a cropped top so I could see what was going on. This waistband looks far too tight to me. <br />You can see that the front is not lying as a pleat equivalent. It's too tight at the hips.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MT-EygUmzopGPOztczmFnlwMEtLKyjQmmYa1XQW2NBAYc5eEh7_4We0_CDpXreISBPAp5FJTtz9zwCoasMXYVvmwD-0oW6HsF7dId3n201vn8ghMR46l83Q00DqrFqccKOGPaG03MRA/s1600/IMG-20190223-WA0007+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="829" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MT-EygUmzopGPOztczmFnlwMEtLKyjQmmYa1XQW2NBAYc5eEh7_4We0_CDpXreISBPAp5FJTtz9zwCoasMXYVvmwD-0oW6HsF7dId3n201vn8ghMR46l83Q00DqrFqccKOGPaG03MRA/s320/IMG-20190223-WA0007+%25282%2529.jpg" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She likes it and finds it comfy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnKpdDhfcPF_IB85GVZff6eb_EV_LGfSgNKAXbyOHrLgewWjIOTRtrcue_hWxDed2CEUYhbRJ7L-eW3jWTnUqacaVbsePvh0ts2Aix6D98qt-jRrRX0eCHmdr5m_CXaProBYDLprNbcI/s1600/IMG-20190223-WA0006+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="623" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnKpdDhfcPF_IB85GVZff6eb_EV_LGfSgNKAXbyOHrLgewWjIOTRtrcue_hWxDed2CEUYhbRJ7L-eW3jWTnUqacaVbsePvh0ts2Aix6D98qt-jRrRX0eCHmdr5m_CXaProBYDLprNbcI/s320/IMG-20190223-WA0006+%25282%2529.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back view shows horizontal creasing just under the waistband. Is that just a size issue?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She likes the
other style I suggested - but said to keep that for next year’s skirt! She says
‘we’ have wasted so much time trying to decide which style that it would be
better now to get on with it. I agreed that she had been unable to decide what
style she wanted!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCS9NQNEM41fbIS5QmP_v2yRrmHti2KrCg8-kE5VBJEk-T8AqZT-T0LrrCbOWGyz0Wzq6dc5jUzSapXg2KjK_59KSOZfxFub4GIMqyZyZKcdy27yFXibEnmUOrgZvvB7-G0snXjKa6sI/s1600/IMG-20190223-WA0002+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1208" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCS9NQNEM41fbIS5QmP_v2yRrmHti2KrCg8-kE5VBJEk-T8AqZT-T0LrrCbOWGyz0Wzq6dc5jUzSapXg2KjK_59KSOZfxFub4GIMqyZyZKcdy27yFXibEnmUOrgZvvB7-G0snXjKa6sI/s200/IMG-20190223-WA0002+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWssLaAw4RoG126Rj6yfGqcpH_bD1wsRpmXuZ1kIAOTIvT5FEljZNB3gB8xQfnomHpI8FIXOVNwIb9JxhGNEmXuMj8H9gDwTRSSo4jXtwa6WiCfUVN76pWbnhOp-K5wLJyyHR-E1wgkTc/s1600/IMG-20190223-WA0004+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1041" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWssLaAw4RoG126Rj6yfGqcpH_bD1wsRpmXuZ1kIAOTIvT5FEljZNB3gB8xQfnomHpI8FIXOVNwIb9JxhGNEmXuMj8H9gDwTRSSo4jXtwa6WiCfUVN76pWbnhOp-K5wLJyyHR-E1wgkTc/s200/IMG-20190223-WA0004+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="130" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">told </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">me
that the skirt fits well - but could not be any tighter at all. I made a 10
originally and expanded that to around a 12 really but decided next time I would make
the straight 12. Note </span>that<span style="font-family: inherit;"> this was before seeing photos, based on what she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, I did have some queries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">The toile was
in a fabric with a slight stretch. I wonder how much give the tartan has? It's a firm pure wool tartan.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’d like to
line the skirt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ll have to
think about this as with size changes being at the side seam, it might me
better to go bigger and take in if required? What do you think?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will of
course be making in a </span>mid-weight<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (really quite heavy) tartan with the pattern
matching that entails too, so it’s entirely possible that some of the overlaps
will be deeper and take up more waist space.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, is it
likely that I’ll need more waist stabilisation? Traditional kilts use horse
hair. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hmm</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then Helen sent
me the photos of the skirt. It’s too small for her imo – too small by quite a
bit. It’s certainly too small at the hips - and Helen now accepts that - but I
also think it’s too small at the waist. So I’d need to make the 14 - or even
bigger at the hips? My feeling is that a lot of young people don't really know what good fit is and accept a level of fit that I for one wouldn't.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She found that
the skirt is a great length but could not be any shorter at all. If it makes
pattern matching easier, she doesn’t mind it being slightly longer. I strongly
suspect it will be a little longer!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She initially
said would like self-fabric i.e. tartan belt loops. The toile had self fabric loops as per
pattern (actually pattern has contrasting straps) but I did buy leather kilt
fastenings. She doesn’t want these. She would prefer gold coloured rather than
silver coloured D rings. I offered antiquey brass - not sure what it is -
but she was happy with that. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Later, after
sending photos (and presumably seeing them for first time herself), she
wondered about buttonholes and decorative gilt buttons instead of the small
straps</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6YCkblwwcfuZTkb3HuOZokvYwVi2JZS480RvsgXpOTy38VvroUrwPoYuMXOyQIwiO6xrvO2ly79eAZ7lRgwj4WCYXwUl-qNEH5XPiJhEvJUv_7YjM1Tba5OIQ6bztOG9KiDP4TsfjCM/s1600/IMG-20190223-WA0017+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="651" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6YCkblwwcfuZTkb3HuOZokvYwVi2JZS480RvsgXpOTy38VvroUrwPoYuMXOyQIwiO6xrvO2ly79eAZ7lRgwj4WCYXwUl-qNEH5XPiJhEvJUv_7YjM1Tba5OIQ6bztOG9KiDP4TsfjCM/s320/IMG-20190223-WA0017+%25282%2529.jpg" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen drew the red to show where she'd like the front to come to and the yellow circles are the buttons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQlLMUhg89PfXlYW_NsL7ttaO7tRh2T88XzYDCN4KqbdL-Ubux_WRAC2oxnoHrvd_mippV7Ag8EPw1rCE_bjvKCzBtHXEzsr2bipshjGH7blJyHpqQbFTfp1x6zIybQC_U1uBxw8VyMI/s1600/IMG-20190223-WA0015+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="619" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQlLMUhg89PfXlYW_NsL7ttaO7tRh2T88XzYDCN4KqbdL-Ubux_WRAC2oxnoHrvd_mippV7Ag8EPw1rCE_bjvKCzBtHXEzsr2bipshjGH7blJyHpqQbFTfp1x6zIybQC_U1uBxw8VyMI/s200/IMG-20190223-WA0015+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buttons similar to these</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I reminded her
that with this particular style it isn’t possible to get both a good fit and a
perfect pattern match of the setts, because of the shaping necessary for her
waist. She’s okay with that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After she sent
the photos, she asked about several possible changes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She said she’d
like the overlap to come over more - I think that could be due to size i.e.
skirt being too small? She drew on the photos to try to demonstrate what she’d
like. As the edge of the overlap lies on the straight of grain, I feel my
options are limited. I certainly agree that the overlap is not far enough over. However the leading edge of the overlap is supposed to simulate a pleat as there is only one pleat on the left and two on the right. Do you think that making a bigger size would sort this or do I need to do rather more?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIJGC9vMEiPYU5sUXSQyyxOnV4hG5c90h5inEJenFOS8Rt3LPQNgzRH4tBVtP3zCCsesg7ytessulU0pfH9ljRSYG9nYjGv1p4EKtSkSXpb_fUuQM-_xtoXazL3dUCuCsShPX7tcIcI0/s1600/IMG-20190223-WA0016+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="878" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIJGC9vMEiPYU5sUXSQyyxOnV4hG5c90h5inEJenFOS8Rt3LPQNgzRH4tBVtP3zCCsesg7ytessulU0pfH9ljRSYG9nYjGv1p4EKtSkSXpb_fUuQM-_xtoXazL3dUCuCsShPX7tcIcI0/s320/IMG-20190223-WA0016+%25282%2529.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I feel that the
front portion is rather slim - it doesn’t change with size. I do wonder how
much it would be possible to change that without affecting the structure of the
skirt, remembering that the skirt is supposed to be symmetrical at the front -
that is, the edge of the overlap is substituted for the first pleat on the
right of skirt - right side has 2 pleats, while left side has 1. Currently, the
gap between the edge of the overlap and the pleat is huge, which is why Helen
has asked about extending the overlap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyQj3HB5HAzwD8uerxiXeikIIqSKUNffrs9Sxbj8LAHxAQKIEKTySHKcz5fZMyxmN0vhnwW4xGZ5CHU9hXiDOoXdLfl4i4IjsC7hUEEiTs6fXw5SCOwmtqjt8FFE1MAGMMIfn1O57zDo/s1600/IMG-20190223-WA0018+%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1600" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyQj3HB5HAzwD8uerxiXeikIIqSKUNffrs9Sxbj8LAHxAQKIEKTySHKcz5fZMyxmN0vhnwW4xGZ5CHU9hXiDOoXdLfl4i4IjsC7hUEEiTs6fXw5SCOwmtqjt8FFE1MAGMMIfn1O57zDo/s320/IMG-20190223-WA0018+%25283%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I pointed out
that the drag marks and lie were because of size. She accepted that after a
brief discussion. Originally she thought that only the waistband dictated size, as there is a fixed large </span>poppet<span style="font-family: inherit;"> there at the moment (was supposed to be a </span>buttonhole<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and button but I couldn't get it to sew). Possibly the placement was slightly off as I had to guess </span>some<span style="font-family: inherit;"> placements with my sizing altering half way through. She had to pull quite a bit at the strap to get it to fit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She wondered
about buttonholes and decorative gilt buttons instead of the small straps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I asked her
about lining and she wasn’t sure but agreed when I suggested tartan might be
itchy against the legs . She’s not too bothered, though, so if it’s too
difficult, she’s happy that I don’t do it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I told her that
with adjustments being at the side of the skirt, if she was visiting at any
stage, I could fit it on her before completion. This would give a better fit.
It’s possible that she may be coming at Easter. Given this, I will look at the
pattern in a couple of weeks and lay out the tartan to see how it will work -
the pleats at front and back will inevitably be a different depth from the
existing ones. I’m hoping I won’t need a hem as hopefully I’ll be able to use
the selvedge at the bottom. All being well, I’ll try to get the skirt without
waistband ready for her coming. If she’s not coming at Easter, that will be my
target anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After our
latest discussion and seeing the photos, a try-on and fit is absolutely
essential.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But first, do I
need to redesign the pattern? Heart sinks! Your thoughts are very welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Or do I need to forget the pattern as pleat depth will be very </span>different<span style="font-family: inherit;">, anyway?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-73026857893086262582019-01-29T11:39:00.001+00:002019-01-29T11:39:14.584+00:00Do you know? Can you answer?<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I put up blog posts via Blogger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I follow blog posts via Bloglovin’ with a few via email.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The stats on the Overview stats page on Blogger say I have 1
follower and have had that same 1 follower since the start. I know that’s not
true. Blogger has me as having over 200 followers in another section, which I
found by accident and can’t find again. I am aware that the pages are different
depending on whether I’m using my smartphone, my tablet or my desktop PC so that
could be the reason for not being able to find it again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I get the (supposedly) weekly update from Bloglovin’, the
numbers for followers rise most weeks – but it lists the ‘numbers of new
followers’ as 0, nearly all weeks. It currently lists 196 followers; Bloglovin
analytics has this same number. I do get emails telling me I have new followers
– these are from Bloglovin, even when the weekly update will read ‘no new
followers’. So where does Bloglovin’ take its total from?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bloglovin lists that I follow 25 people; Blogger a lot more
than that (over 200) with little overlap. My feed on Bloglovin’ reflects the
larger number. I know that sometimes, people don’t list Bloglovin’ as a way of
following them and I can add their blog address myself – that accounts for a
few of the 25.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m coming up to a blogiversary so was reviewing these stats
– but they don’t make any sense whatsoever to me! I had thought that if I
reached 200 followers, I might offer a giveaway – but am I already over 200? I
have no idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I assume it might depend on how people choose to follow my
blog?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know that at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter
how many followers I have (though I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy having
followers!) – but I am so frustrated in not being able to clarify!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had also discussed having a family website, so I wondered
about shifting from Blogger – but it seems like a very big task. I’d still want
to read blogs from other people, so would keep Bloglovin’ anyway – unless you
feel there is a better option?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'd really appreciate any comments, thank you</div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-80004426418746270222019-01-26T20:00:00.000+00:002019-01-26T20:00:30.421+00:00Update - new version of Blackwood Cardigan from Helen's Closet is being released next weekI tested the new version of the Blackwood cardigan earlier in the month. The pattern was now in number size ranges rather than S - M - L etc and now going to size 30. In addition, there was a choice of cup sizes B or D.<br />
<br />
I of course sewed the tester version (and was delighted with it) but there are a couple of tweaks following tester comment. So my version is not the current, new one. I sewed between an 18 D on top and 24 at the hips. I was pleased to see that in the new version there will be a little extra room in the sleeves, which is something I planned to change in a future version.<br />
<br />
I won't go into any more details as the pattern will be getting released on Monday coming, 28 January. It will be available free of charge in both B and D versions to all previous purchasers.<br />
<br />
As a tester, I received the new pattern today (but as a previous purchaser would have had it updated, in any case). I downloaded and am going to check to see the differences in comparison to my own pattern corrected for fit. As I mentioned previously, I was going to shorten sleeves - I think longer sleeves is a young uns thing as well as provide a touch extra room in the sleeve.<br />
<br />
You may have noticed that Helen undertook a size survey and received a lot of responses - she has posted the results of the survey on her website.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6YnmqFgtWWyqJ2Alkhb8It_RUExLhSlU7HxcJ0EN_07WD2eBgEsfLwhIOQy4_KLczcj9Ce2q9tmCz5mBEQ9kS_RF1VlkfiyHp-WJ3gCXsQeu5nd9J_BAneuP5jvctN8wbIAGMF81NIU/s1600/DSC00609+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1229" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6YnmqFgtWWyqJ2Alkhb8It_RUExLhSlU7HxcJ0EN_07WD2eBgEsfLwhIOQy4_KLczcj9Ce2q9tmCz5mBEQ9kS_RF1VlkfiyHp-WJ3gCXsQeu5nd9J_BAneuP5jvctN8wbIAGMF81NIU/s320/DSC00609+%25282%2529.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tester version</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I will add, for the sake of completeness, that I received the test pattern free of charge and was not required to post about it. I am not affiliated to Helen's Closet and all views are my own.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-4374240650927073812019-01-23T21:56:00.000+00:002019-01-23T21:56:24.241+00:00A long time ago....<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Those of you who have
read my blog in the past will be aware that I have been trying to make a tartan
skirt/ kilt for Helen, my youngest daughter, for yonks, using the family tartan
we had specially woven; many many many yards of it (yes, that many!) We have
two weights of the tartan - a heavy one woven many years ago (some of it made
into a kilt for David) and a medium weight one woven two or three years ago or
more specifically thinking about Helen's skirt. Yes, she requested it that long
ago! Actually, it was even longer ago as she requested this using the
heavyweight tartan before I started sewing, when we going to get it made. I
can't quite remember. It took us a long time to decide that the heavyweight
tartan was too heavy and to elect to get a medium weight cloth woven. <a href="https://sewanneuk.blogspot.com/2016/06/developing-fabric-story-of-our-tartan.html">The story of the tartan </a>is here and in earlier blog posts. <a href="https://sewanneuk.blogspot.com/2015/11/pleated-skrt.html">Here</a>, for example</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bhjj_jj4BuVYb-8x6l9I0F3QFZZf8XRyU2jKjbJFOIqyhr1y4ddIbdWpffR1vFIMwc0JTlIFhTp_E7xVl2HepnVa7n_qBmnLaGPTSIklBk-1EVnLqKMGBTgtEBCqVkE6yh9lIGDrvSc/s1600/Tartan+jpeg+v3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="1600" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bhjj_jj4BuVYb-8x6l9I0F3QFZZf8XRyU2jKjbJFOIqyhr1y4ddIbdWpffR1vFIMwc0JTlIFhTp_E7xVl2HepnVa7n_qBmnLaGPTSIklBk-1EVnLqKMGBTgtEBCqVkE6yh9lIGDrvSc/s640/Tartan+jpeg+v3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tartan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In the past, I have
had two main attempts at tartan skirt toiles, using plaid fabric but not the
real deal. It was slightly problematic as Helen wasn’t then, and still isn’t,
exactly sure of the style she wants. She is clearer than she was though. She now
wants ‘a cute pleated mini skirt’ in the family tartan.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The first toile was a
fully pleated skirt. Narrow waistband. Pleats stitched down part way. Very
classical. It was knee length and so was far too long for Helen’s taste, but it
was designed to see if she’d like the style. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXR_BEk5wSM-_Ze3fq0kGXW4L3mncmUrOjWRJhFlgGE5oMuu_-fdrHvoeSGp4o7aqmlrkvxGjlKjHZvJZTKd767TdmHsdI7gc_AHpTsx_RTOI7KaErpNfn68bXdezxXcvTifRBhMaKXc/s1600/CIMG5080ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="774" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXR_BEk5wSM-_Ze3fq0kGXW4L3mncmUrOjWRJhFlgGE5oMuu_-fdrHvoeSGp4o7aqmlrkvxGjlKjHZvJZTKd767TdmHsdI7gc_AHpTsx_RTOI7KaErpNfn68bXdezxXcvTifRBhMaKXc/s320/CIMG5080ed.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXMVbdhRKjifjWC-vSl61dhyphenhypheno_wjjF0m1hsB19oETLWMYMDZz4uVAvNjDBbl6a5UB-eKtMPxSel5e13F0tuK6nXbQYh9f8c6ugjATDrWWjwdZ-QqsEbm_lBjkdtglYqXy_CPyWppZtNc/s1600/CIMG5085ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="896" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXMVbdhRKjifjWC-vSl61dhyphenhypheno_wjjF0m1hsB19oETLWMYMDZz4uVAvNjDBbl6a5UB-eKtMPxSel5e13F0tuK6nXbQYh9f8c6ugjATDrWWjwdZ-QqsEbm_lBjkdtglYqXy_CPyWppZtNc/s320/CIMG5085ed.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas 2015!! I didn't realise it was that long ago!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I didn't use a pattern, as that was the advice I got from books and in person from those who might know. At the time, I got the impression
she didn’t like it but I think on reflection that was to do with the length; I thought I could just have made it shorter.
She told me this week that the issues were that it wasn’t a mini skirt but also
that it made her look very hippy on the side opposite the zip as it didn’t lie
flat and the pleats seem to twist around (I thought it was too big at the waist
when I saw her wear it previously but that was a while ago). She says she does
like it, and it fits well at the waist, so she’s tempted to go for a shorter
version of that. I didn't use a pattern, struggled a bit and wasn't at all
happy with the zip closure, by far the weakest part. Helen held a Burn’s Supper
in her flat at the weekend (yes, early!) and wore it then so her thoughts on
the skirt are current.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The second toile was
a shorter circular skirt - at that time, she hadn’t settled on pleats. I used a commercial pattern. This
just wasn't what she had in mind.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnu84osxIY4MiByHc5cfTOJqOVpMjjP0Fv0h2_3p9h-ep6B6U8JH4RBw_OvJYSMXKKhOQijb9ZgwVVwmuyGmvmTOP15YW0kn98ArXSTy-0anZGzZdwmLyunfqcz5KmZ5v5h3M-xhpGZI/s1600/20161202_200601ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="705" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnu84osxIY4MiByHc5cfTOJqOVpMjjP0Fv0h2_3p9h-ep6B6U8JH4RBw_OvJYSMXKKhOQijb9ZgwVVwmuyGmvmTOP15YW0kn98ArXSTy-0anZGzZdwmLyunfqcz5KmZ5v5h3M-xhpGZI/s320/20161202_200601ed.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdD99x1oSFgSM2UqOC9TiIDY8rff443bHymnLiNibC7mBS4sJ2RYxMqQNbbl_hAQbcsTbyJmKhpniaDnVIrOEmOPLPmxJ3rWkhzYCG2pymG7aSbMW98tLf7zypO2Y-cBH_xMJvOap0_M/s1600/IMGP7052ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="856" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdD99x1oSFgSM2UqOC9TiIDY8rff443bHymnLiNibC7mBS4sJ2RYxMqQNbbl_hAQbcsTbyJmKhpniaDnVIrOEmOPLPmxJ3rWkhzYCG2pymG7aSbMW98tLf7zypO2Y-cBH_xMJvOap0_M/s320/IMGP7052ed.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I have this pattern:</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaX0SucYCFpN5BkKcJUaeZgATkdBJm_NRfF7JK8JX4Q0jwHQIX5xRTycqpGmRpDZd4hyphenhyphenWUTys8rbZYiCgzQr0xWS62-lQ2dhD0acHDuX27LfsqIp2q7w3nh8EkWr1KyGM5ieXGrek5W-0/s1600/7022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaX0SucYCFpN5BkKcJUaeZgATkdBJm_NRfF7JK8JX4Q0jwHQIX5xRTycqpGmRpDZd4hyphenhyphenWUTys8rbZYiCgzQr0xWS62-lQ2dhD0acHDuX27LfsqIp2q7w3nh8EkWr1KyGM5ieXGrek5W-0/s320/7022.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This has many good elements but Helen doesn't want a yoke like this and it's probably too long. Maybe it's still doable</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Originally, she was
against the idea of a proper kilt (or maybe that was us as kilts aren’t for
girls in theory and by tradition at least) - but isn’t now. She has said too that
she’d be happy with box pleats (but not like the pattern I showed her as she
found that one frumpy). </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uQ3VJTkUiXHthLiK0dAEG23evsLHaVEJSNpm9-ITVL_tistvm78xuwT31T6qaMpafIoH1SWdTbxwxI93425WvY657XfZVgaTrrpz86ANUZGSs-syWM3qXn4tFM_vFgAj9CK2s8eBxQw/s1600/DSC00724+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1284" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uQ3VJTkUiXHthLiK0dAEG23evsLHaVEJSNpm9-ITVL_tistvm78xuwT31T6qaMpafIoH1SWdTbxwxI93425WvY657XfZVgaTrrpz86ANUZGSs-syWM3qXn4tFM_vFgAj9CK2s8eBxQw/s200/DSC00724+%25282%2529.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No to this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49zgXjofbCm-kVU__NtJnT19GRlyDj4QfdS0y-l0Z6fS59iqLB_wwZRCaEo70rzvY2fxpuIEKnqeLBffvgnyohSXmkGzrc-m_1dMOcKZh-EEd4Z9eEaTMfMubjh5pphG8FrQtQd2IeNY/s1600/Simplicity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49zgXjofbCm-kVU__NtJnT19GRlyDj4QfdS0y-l0Z6fS59iqLB_wwZRCaEo70rzvY2fxpuIEKnqeLBffvgnyohSXmkGzrc-m_1dMOcKZh-EEd4Z9eEaTMfMubjh5pphG8FrQtQd2IeNY/s320/Simplicity.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modern Simplicity pattern; I don't have this pattern and I couldn't get any of the older ones. <br />
I could buy this one but kilts are usually made directly on the fabric</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">She has recently bought a skirt from Pretty Little
Things that she likes. I've seen a photo but not the real thing. It's fully pleated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Helen tried on and liked a skirt from Jack Wills; she took photos of her trying on the size 10 (UK), a perfect fit,
but didn’t buy it. I decided to buy it but unfortunately could only get a 12 so it will be going
back after a bit of examination! It’s not on the website. I tried the 12 on
Missy, the dressmaking model adapted to Helen's size (see </span><a href="https://sewanneuk.blogspot.com/2015/11/missys-had-makeover.html" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">) and it
just slipped down below the waist onto the hip.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK3r7gWdbzdC9hFytRPmqmA_J-15HhMQp8YgidBv6pm76RLiPacqDy_yL2LroqCsOLyk7_grmK-hSKQMXrd-ix2DqsdoHuiaROP1Y75Zzjnev7c9RXHiBe8kWsp0ibjFHh7yxLsq3k8w/s1600/IMG-20190118-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK3r7gWdbzdC9hFytRPmqmA_J-15HhMQp8YgidBv6pm76RLiPacqDy_yL2LroqCsOLyk7_grmK-hSKQMXrd-ix2DqsdoHuiaROP1Y75Zzjnev7c9RXHiBe8kWsp0ibjFHh7yxLsq3k8w/s320/IMG-20190118-WA0003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We're going to have a
chat on the phone, but I think I’m clearer. I have already said to Helen that
our tartan is a heavy wool and pleats will inevitably make it bulkier - and
therefore make her look hippier. I also said that I thought the kilt-type
closure is potentially better for fitting.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I have a pattern for
a short full pleated skirt. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NTAtlTI90k7la3v-aehoWtv-KuBFq4o3Fvqjl3Hc0ebmZYpsmYlVVo68gJ8R9Zk5kUkrVAQvodpso3FYRjo2tyhqJR3RODB-nAuJ-eWgWThhvkyVFQX1-RvC79mzeh_R8byFfFqrCe4/s1600/7141t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NTAtlTI90k7la3v-aehoWtv-KuBFq4o3Fvqjl3Hc0ebmZYpsmYlVVo68gJ8R9Zk5kUkrVAQvodpso3FYRjo2tyhqJR3RODB-nAuJ-eWgWThhvkyVFQX1-RvC79mzeh_R8byFfFqrCe4/s1600/7141t.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It’s slightly long but could be shortened by the 2”
required. A bigger issue is that although it is shown in tartan, the tartan
repeat (the spacing of the checks) is not the same as ours. Therefore, I can’t
really follow the pattern, though it might give me a better idea of how to proceed.
When I made the previous full pleated version, I didn’t use a pattern and
wasn't sure how to finish off. I had one long piece sewn together at one side,
the zip side - maybe that’s why the skirt twists on wearing?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">A big issue with
pleating tartan for a woman is waist shaping. When I made the full pleated
version, I carefully increased the depth of each and every pleat towards the
top to try to achieve the reduction in width without compromising the pattern
match. This took a long time and involved lots of calculations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4BpbNoAi_JhfBM5fVLM3OvsX7Kdlwdh2sZsYgfREyxjzuhRuleDgDOU0_8X-kzQxkkdkV6HQhUbdgip99KkFFbj9WYjCdKBsdWLl-NnMeI2-GnbNl2nL-e4RBZ6iQ4PBjICFAHqm2d4/s1600/DSCF3436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4BpbNoAi_JhfBM5fVLM3OvsX7Kdlwdh2sZsYgfREyxjzuhRuleDgDOU0_8X-kzQxkkdkV6HQhUbdgip99KkFFbj9WYjCdKBsdWLl-NnMeI2-GnbNl2nL-e4RBZ6iQ4PBjICFAHqm2d4/s320/DSCF3436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiydt6jQTSrzx7ZfYyr7qjRuAb7qx3LkwFih_MIP-nyjR17q338YRWjLiXkDa2I5j-Bu9I5DVBWITwxcz4J1R3ySIq1P-0DNFe33ZEU6xzsmvn0XMip6RqLZrqVeqYIh69UYNWozGKII/s1600/DSCF3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiydt6jQTSrzx7ZfYyr7qjRuAb7qx3LkwFih_MIP-nyjR17q338YRWjLiXkDa2I5j-Bu9I5DVBWITwxcz4J1R3ySIq1P-0DNFe33ZEU6xzsmvn0XMip6RqLZrqVeqYIh69UYNWozGKII/s320/DSCF3439.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My preference is for a version of the Jack Wills kilted skirt. This has the kilt wrap at the front but there are two pleats each side of the plain wrap. The side seam is smooth for about 2” each side of the seam. No zip of course. The back then has two pleats plus a dart at each side, but the centre is smooth.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The JW skirt is
pretty good but isn’t exactly matched - so perhaps that issue is less relevant
to Helen than the overall ‘feel’ of the garment. Having the side seams free of
pleats and using the darts will help with the shaping. Having just the two
pleats allows me a far greater flexibility. The pleats can be 'any' width to
fit in so I can match the pattern to the set size. In the full pleated version,
the pleats had to match all the way around. A lot of calculation and
experimentation and careful measurement. Of course, each tartan is different,
so those calculations are worthless now.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Another issue is that
I’d like the selvedge to form the bottom of the skirt as a hem would be bulky.
This is traditional in kilts. I need to examine the tartan to see if this is
possible. I won’t be doing that, though, until I am well into the process of
pattern making and toileing.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I think I’ve decided
what I want to do, unless Helen has a strong opinion to the contrary. I don’t
think she does as she said ‘whatever is easiest’. I don’t have a pattern, so
this may not be the easiest route, but think I can manage to create one. I hope
I can manage. I asked for advice in sewing bee - and there are complexities I hadn't considered, mainly to do with shaping. The RTW skirt has a curved hem and waistband. I tried to make a kind of pattern but it was difficult, even with help and the conclusion is that I'd be better doing straight from the fabric. I'd make up a toile of
course. I have some pieces of plaid that will work for that. Just for the shape
and rough size, not the pattern matching.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Any thoughts?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-38844146878593048842019-01-20T20:03:00.000+00:002019-01-20T20:03:05.192+00:00Reflections on my sewing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Reflections on my
sewing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Earlier in the month,
I had planned to post these reflections but didn’t get around to it. I decided
that I would post them now, anyway – even though I have already thought a bit
about lessons from 2018 and plans for 2019 and posted that. I think this post is more
reflective of the real circumstances!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Matching (quality)
fabric to pattern</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">You can't make a silk
purse out of a sow’s ear. I knew this previously, but I still make mistakes
with fabric choice - or maybe it’s the right fabric but the wrong pattern? It’s
certainly sometimes the wrong style for me! Cheap fabric has a place for toiles
etc but not for a garment I am going to take many hours to make and hope to
wear for a long time.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Cheap, maybe
off-grain fabric leads to the need for extra time spent and probably a less
than optimal result. I spent a LOT of extra time on the wonky knit I recently
used for the Blackwood cardigan; note that fabric wasn’t ‘cheap’ though I did
get it in the sale.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYCsWbBwoiX5bcM9WK7g0L186lniV8bM0FwQ4Npcn3ZwoZSof4siuUU-rbLv1CPZ0Sc8sBq3ZealAG_v7jm2fEkNvufFXmRkOgvW-GaNWFH9I7yR77Mzd0xc6o7Vpdyx2yrI9eC9GoH0/s1600/20180226_195313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYCsWbBwoiX5bcM9WK7g0L186lniV8bM0FwQ4Npcn3ZwoZSof4siuUU-rbLv1CPZ0Sc8sBq3ZealAG_v7jm2fEkNvufFXmRkOgvW-GaNWFH9I7yR77Mzd0xc6o7Vpdyx2yrI9eC9GoH0/s320/20180226_195313.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonky fabric. A lot of work to salvage it. Final cardigan at the end of the post</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Style</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">There are some shapes
which will never suit me - why have I persisted so long? I’m thinking of the
vintage style dress I made a couple of years ago - I spent ages trying to fit
it. Why? I didn’t suit it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtbDSMgXfOetei8SsPtpAIWmZUMTMjt3Xw9ex6do0OTQmgtHfN_yu3Ro1BJUu57Hs08s7Ec8V3EOIfgPiAjzohAoiSPsDnW9tSdV2kp6ksFli3sFpf3gQh9CPtSIKXRGOuRwx4IXAv5g/s1600/5951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtbDSMgXfOetei8SsPtpAIWmZUMTMjt3Xw9ex6do0OTQmgtHfN_yu3Ro1BJUu57Hs08s7Ec8V3EOIfgPiAjzohAoiSPsDnW9tSdV2kp6ksFli3sFpf3gQh9CPtSIKXRGOuRwx4IXAv5g/s320/5951.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought you'd rather see the pattern envelope than my version which I did post about, though. <br />I have to remind myself that as a larger and taller individual, I'm not going to look as good as the slim models.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoePXCsHXryYQV5NBmmwzB8R-oMQO-bMbraboj6k2p9Aa_ECXdrGNJmGrn1FmVhQAXmKTT2NTUrxYgTnRKYufXFJjwC_iKnS1lqJdXNnZaJb0Zi4WpoWqvpMf-4XoVArv4BDvl2t87XY/s1600/CIMG4885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoePXCsHXryYQV5NBmmwzB8R-oMQO-bMbraboj6k2p9Aa_ECXdrGNJmGrn1FmVhQAXmKTT2NTUrxYgTnRKYufXFJjwC_iKnS1lqJdXNnZaJb0Zi4WpoWqvpMf-4XoVArv4BDvl2t87XY/s320/CIMG4885.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fabric was a lovely Liberty - but the style of the print and the colour weren't for me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN1ABXzz8H9X64OhITYU0Uv5dsT_SZZffgu2t-YCGf8XL4JiN1_xqO652-Evk8JHtt9ZS7Lw9_YotmxfkaixgebX3sxwyU1ArdcxNkv8wH1fJV9ILs1VD9BzKOJpgZbdEgVpke710DAA/s1600/6244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN1ABXzz8H9X64OhITYU0Uv5dsT_SZZffgu2t-YCGf8XL4JiN1_xqO652-Evk8JHtt9ZS7Lw9_YotmxfkaixgebX3sxwyU1ArdcxNkv8wH1fJV9ILs1VD9BzKOJpgZbdEgVpke710DAA/s320/6244.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had the fabric and made the toile - it was not a good look for me! I have given the pattern away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I’m hoping that
trousers/pants don’t fall into this category as I like wearing them and they
fit in with my lifestyle. I think wider legged trousers are easier to fit but
perhaps not ideal for my shape. I’ve long since given up on the idea of skinny
jeans or jeggings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Quality over quantity</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Other than getting
trousers to fit well, I don’t have a huge need for clothes!! I have many (not
all brilliant quality) and look after them so don’t go through them that
quickly. Except for trousers! So it’s important that I take my time, use the
best quality fabric for the job, probably natural. I don’t have the space to
store a lot more clothes. I’m just not much of a fashionista. I do like well
sewn classics that will last forever. As I replace the items I have, I hope that’s
the direction I’m steering towards. I should say, I’m willing to add RTW if I
come across something suitable (unlikely, sadly). I’m not saying I have to make
everything I wear - I would end up nude!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Procrastination</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">As I approached some
trickier bits of sewing (either genuinely trickier or that I believed would be
tricky), I found myself procrastinating. I need to avoid this - the actual
sewing was never as bad or as difficult as I thought it was going to be.
Procrastination means that I end up rushing at the end and leads to mistakes.
Actually, I realise that I procrastinate all the time! Like writing this, or
reading blog posts or...</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Practice</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Even when I think
there is no problem, I need to do more practice sewing. This would have avoided
the problem I had with the armhole binding on Helen’s silk dress. As I had
successfully done it on a previous version, I assumed it would be okay, but it
wasn’t. Different fabric = different issues, even when they are supposed to be
‘identical’. I ended up doing the practice pieces after I had made the mistake
in the first place.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Plan</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I reckon I know what
I like and what I want to make so I need to plan out how I’m going to achieve
that. I’ve stopped being seduced by the latest pattern I’ve seen. I’ve stopped
entering contests and competitions for the sake of it. However, I recognise
that as an inherently competitive individual, these do have a place! I’d like
to enter the trouser contest late in the spring, hoping that might give me the
push I need - but only if the timing is reasonable for the point I’ve reached
in the process.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Destash and organise</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I have much more
fabric and many more patterns than I could sew in my lifetime. Hence, I need to
destash. That will help with my space issues. By the way, I have a very large
house - it has a disproportionate amount of my stuff in it and a relative lack of
storage space. Anyway, when things are stored you forget about them or can’t
find them when you want them.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">On that note, I
planned to continue with the blouse I started before Christmas - but couldn’t
find the pieces (already cut out with pattern still pinned to them) anywhere.
Turned out I was looking for the wrong container and David found them tonight.
So at least I have some work to take to sewing bee next week.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My friend Chris from
sewing bee has requested any scraps etc I might create as she is making and
stuffing a pouffe. First lot is going to her next week. Sadly, I had dealt with
a large bundle just before she asked me. I did have an issue with scraps - some
big enough to make ‘something’. Chris also wants the little bits.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Get fit</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It would probably be
easier to fit me if I was back to nearer the weight I feel comfortable at. The
extra weight does appear to lead to extra fitting problems - and of course is
bad for my health. I’ve just (re)joined Slimming World on a 12 week ‘Countdown’
membership; in that time apparently, you can be expected to lose 2 stones. That
would get me well on the way. I do find the group environment helpful.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’m not yet able to
get back to the gym or golf. My foot is still rather painful. I hope I can get
to play on my golfing holiday to Spain in May! Oh, if I’ve lost weight, my
pre-existing golf clothes should fit so no great pressure to make more. I don’t
need to be high fashion.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Cooking</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I need to do more
cooking to make the meals I want for my eating plan; David has done a lot of
cooking to let me sew but that is perhaps another reason why my weight has
crept up. This of course means less time for sewing but if I am back to my
slimmer self, it will be well worth it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Today I made a lovely vegetable Scotch-type broth. We had it for lunch and 3 portions for the freezer. I also made a lovely chicken, sweet potato and squash tagine; we had it for evening meal and there are a few portions left for another time. These fitted in with my eating plan. If I batch cook, there is hopefully less cooking to do later, and more time to sew!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Actual sewing plans?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">No, not yet.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Last year I only
managed 2 of my ‘makenine’. At least only 2 were successful. 2 others were
disastrous wadders. The others were trousers, jeans and pants - and I didn’t
get past the first stage of fitting. As I will lose weight this year, I’m not
sure as yet when I’ll start being able to make well-fitting trousers and I’m
not going to put unnecessary pressure on myself. I am going to continue to
pursue this goal, though</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I have decided,
though, that I will not sew orphans. Any item I make must go with the previous
or the next item I make. I think this is referred to as ‘endless combinations’.
However, if a special event requires that I make something then that of course
is fine; I sadly don’t go to many special events, so I haven’t figured in
making items for these events. (I’d ‘like’ a dress for my birthday)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Earlier in January I
made a Blackwood cardigan and I’m planning a tank to go under it. I’ve
chosen the fabric and the pattern but still need to alter it - that has led to
this round of procrastination!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6YnmqFgtWWyqJ2Alkhb8It_RUExLhSlU7HxcJ0EN_07WD2eBgEsfLwhIOQy4_KLczcj9Ce2q9tmCz5mBEQ9kS_RF1VlkfiyHp-WJ3gCXsQeu5nd9J_BAneuP5jvctN8wbIAGMF81NIU/s1600/DSC00609+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1229" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6YnmqFgtWWyqJ2Alkhb8It_RUExLhSlU7HxcJ0EN_07WD2eBgEsfLwhIOQy4_KLczcj9Ce2q9tmCz5mBEQ9kS_RF1VlkfiyHp-WJ3gCXsQeu5nd9J_BAneuP5jvctN8wbIAGMF81NIU/s320/DSC00609+%25282%2529.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-16870956192459864332019-01-15T16:56:00.001+00:002019-01-15T16:56:21.514+00:00Tester version of extended size range Blackwood Cardigan <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I really liked the
versions of the Blackwood cardigan I made in March 2018. I intended to make
another but the fabric I bought specifically for it was distinctly off-grain.
At sewing bee, however, Rory showed me how to correct this; she thought I'd be
able to use it okay. I didn’t get around to making the cardigan after trying
the correction and the fabric was left languishing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Then, late last year,
I got the opportunity to test Helen’s new draft Blackwood cardigan, which will
come in an expanded size range and in a D cup as well as the original B cup.
She asked for testers and I responded. The testing ran from 4th to 14th
January, though I had to get mine done earlier as I was going away for a long
weekend. I believe the final pattern could be released as early as the end of this month, after all the tester input is analysed</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJykoiykshFglhJvSkVmbqZG3IVzpVGFmTFUKxUjctscXOAVLcyJ1yyU_k5Qk35hQWlkFKFLeD0lxKRD5uL51UyCA7_1pPB2RX0JrvrULub9Y3yKPyvX8ugwZA_i1h1KOF9CeEg8eY2s/s1600/DSC00609+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1229" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJykoiykshFglhJvSkVmbqZG3IVzpVGFmTFUKxUjctscXOAVLcyJ1yyU_k5Qk35hQWlkFKFLeD0lxKRD5uL51UyCA7_1pPB2RX0JrvrULub9Y3yKPyvX8ugwZA_i1h1KOF9CeEg8eY2s/s320/DSC00609+%25282%2529.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed tester version</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I bought new fabric
and prepped it but the pattern made my eyes cross so at the end of the day, I
used that original fabric, that had been off-grain but which had now been
corrected with varying degrees of success. I had cut the pieces into
appropriate Blackwood cardigan sized pieces prior to treating.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I chose my size.
Although I am ‘officially’ only a B cup by the way patterns including this one
calculate this, I can’t get along with that and nearly always have to do a full
bust adjustment. I just don't think that this particular measurement can take
your particular body shape into account. Indeed, on the previous two Blackwoods
I made, I had done a ‘cheater’ FBA and a full biceps adjustment as well as
lengthening the short cardigan by 3 inches.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7nGrh6YgOIODGkY98wysYrWBw_QOdyPFcLV2KaOSTyfRHw1yFFzZyTnkC7KUoje31ikj72lQGBgKUWuxdFXEEUL-yQJqk6A_dk41if6lnZ3o-asx7t5BNmlav0ObcVhgd0P0NJY730w/s1600/DSC00586+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1113" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7nGrh6YgOIODGkY98wysYrWBw_QOdyPFcLV2KaOSTyfRHw1yFFzZyTnkC7KUoje31ikj72lQGBgKUWuxdFXEEUL-yQJqk6A_dk41if6lnZ3o-asx7t5BNmlav0ObcVhgd0P0NJY730w/s320/DSC00586+%25282%2529.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Previous version</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc19QeBPaiEFxEg63hwXgQ47iEpNojaJvYfxu69lYKrbEwqgHwBL11zBWPTnfw7IrSHLdVvDHeUXMnTX6U2x-wNw8ehY7S6q0dchlOg2CYJdzTUJbdsh3syNhOsQa53SmGi-Cx_ByqW0/s1600/DSC00587+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="891" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc19QeBPaiEFxEg63hwXgQ47iEpNojaJvYfxu69lYKrbEwqgHwBL11zBWPTnfw7IrSHLdVvDHeUXMnTX6U2x-wNw8ehY7S6q0dchlOg2CYJdzTUJbdsh3syNhOsQa53SmGi-Cx_ByqW0/s320/DSC00587+%25282%2529.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Previous version</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHFR-SE-T5z1j5Foyt5TQ84msGKDf5EAi-J4B4A5zAA8mfGEjZpAPXBBspHgPF0GneTOb0QGcIUzQz-U3DcHXncPaB57SDVdw3Ww2V88ennZAKtvbGEdmCpUk7H1FZ3fGI_-P3fzII-A/s1600/DSC00588+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1003" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHFR-SE-T5z1j5Foyt5TQ84msGKDf5EAi-J4B4A5zAA8mfGEjZpAPXBBspHgPF0GneTOb0QGcIUzQz-U3DcHXncPaB57SDVdw3Ww2V88ennZAKtvbGEdmCpUk7H1FZ3fGI_-P3fzII-A/s320/DSC00588+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Previous version</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I felt that there
were two things I would change from the first time. The first was that
the sleeves were a bit tight when a sleeved tee was underneath. The
matching ‘twinset’ top caused a very distinct VSL<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- visible sleeve line - but that fabric is
fairly bulky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This time, I decided
to make the 18D at the shoulders; 20D at the bottom of the armscye and grading
out to a 24D at the hip. I am an ‘8’ shape - which is a bit like a pear but
with a high and full upper hip, which is much the same size as the full hip. My
hip starting as high as it does often causes problems. In RTW, skirts and
trousers are too tight at this point, even when the waist is loose and the hip
fits lower down. I also made the size 20 sleeve.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSWSIEE4XcU2mWakPXPI52Igpnqyewobyb9acMB_Hyah7_t4Pwmhv2mU5JJTrWvEx3qt__vEY8QEKFBzFe4yv0OAOKjfj0AXUHw-zQxWnO1TKD8EU4N9bOrz4dl_1fZmuKhhkN2XnBs4/s1600/DSC00574+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSWSIEE4XcU2mWakPXPI52Igpnqyewobyb9acMB_Hyah7_t4Pwmhv2mU5JJTrWvEx3qt__vEY8QEKFBzFe4yv0OAOKjfj0AXUHw-zQxWnO1TKD8EU4N9bOrz4dl_1fZmuKhhkN2XnBs4/s320/DSC00574+%25282%2529.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trimming PDF sheets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFSKXIwbzee0i88kxcmIn6am07lSY6fgSJqv4MK0zsKKPoH0wbyFbq8y5WbpWjMyUl_-NDsYYAsS4u-CN-ou6Y5k60Lfua8Q8F1gpfhA8IWGGR1U47YlA7n1N6Z_g-1XR8MycsGmeuJ0/s1600/DSC00575+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1446" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFSKXIwbzee0i88kxcmIn6am07lSY6fgSJqv4MK0zsKKPoH0wbyFbq8y5WbpWjMyUl_-NDsYYAsS4u-CN-ou6Y5k60Lfua8Q8F1gpfhA8IWGGR1U47YlA7n1N6Z_g-1XR8MycsGmeuJ0/s320/DSC00575+%25282%2529.jpg" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All taped together, thank goodness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">There was a
comprehensive size chart which helped greatly choosing a size and Helen was on
hand to help, too.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UmdR5rmKxdVVZggp245zYDllvH2-Un45_rhyQZq0SPd7pd6yCCnOKWNCnFEb0LvVvPKlt0kFfBHrhSVHNUr17Dn1XsiV3NxsjhhyZ3lql6vIg38wcxMRXqPlH_VX_6ebkvCiMLuxOOs/s1600/DSC00576+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UmdR5rmKxdVVZggp245zYDllvH2-Un45_rhyQZq0SPd7pd6yCCnOKWNCnFEb0LvVvPKlt0kFfBHrhSVHNUr17Dn1XsiV3NxsjhhyZ3lql6vIg38wcxMRXqPlH_VX_6ebkvCiMLuxOOs/s320/DSC00576+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a lot of waste! I'm seriously considering using a copy shop!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I chose to do an
unaltered short version - that is without any alteration for length. I realised
this was risky as I’m 5’ 11” and the pattern is designed for 5’ 5”. However, I
thought it was better to test without changes - and looking at the finished
measurements, I thought the pattern was long enough (and I also felt my
original was a little longer than I wanted). I did the grading as mentioned
above but did not make any design changes.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I could not use the
recommended cutting layout. Firstly,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>my fabric was in sections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Secondly,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cut a full back
pattern piece and cut everything single layer, which I prefer to do anyway, to
make sure everything was in line. This took a little longer.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsRqjc4e64B-SWdrli5MVyWxyotUd2uS0aUwR5d4jN_tUYuEgjh2pkNLQD2M3YydPDy3Ns6lhBRnZB_obVxfercDxLuMgwoaTKQ5EXt65nJ478d2zJuFqF_xlwAwIvmLdSS1-Nx_bgQ0/s1600/DSC00581+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsRqjc4e64B-SWdrli5MVyWxyotUd2uS0aUwR5d4jN_tUYuEgjh2pkNLQD2M3YydPDy3Ns6lhBRnZB_obVxfercDxLuMgwoaTKQ5EXt65nJ478d2zJuFqF_xlwAwIvmLdSS1-Nx_bgQ0/s320/DSC00581+%25282%2529.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creating a full size back piece (onluy piece I needed to do this with)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKFY4mn8Yv-K8N2bpX2q1g-87oA8eScI1t0kuZH0OgaMy_PW8g2FVGu46YxDBFsNwePYDVYsIrkdsM1gCbEvcO52auxRJ-a2SjIuhgnr3ezIvw-IcneIeoqRF-ErNzbDQunkd1SMmKLM/s1600/DSC00583+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1591" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKFY4mn8Yv-K8N2bpX2q1g-87oA8eScI1t0kuZH0OgaMy_PW8g2FVGu46YxDBFsNwePYDVYsIrkdsM1gCbEvcO52auxRJ-a2SjIuhgnr3ezIvw-IcneIeoqRF-ErNzbDQunkd1SMmKLM/s320/DSC00583+%25282%2529.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying out single layer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The instructions are
very good and I had no problem following them to construct the cardigan.
I used my sewing machine with a narrow zigzag stitch as I didn't want to
overlock until I had tested the fit. I saw this cardigan as a toile. All
marks lined up where they should and construction was very straightforward.
The only thing is that the process is pretty advanced by the time it's
possible to really test for size. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc3osdvME22wx-WhHahP_q33mkOkvudGAuKv7dRs2iAMK9eu0Aaux0Jk18dyxVNSxMOdRGXo4r6UDTJUznB9DNZxmtIBcuy4KWNu7jg74BhXiPBYMO502_az1_OUM5-SVoOoWmBv-ceM/s1600/DSC00589+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="968" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc3osdvME22wx-WhHahP_q33mkOkvudGAuKv7dRs2iAMK9eu0Aaux0Jk18dyxVNSxMOdRGXo4r6UDTJUznB9DNZxmtIBcuy4KWNu7jg74BhXiPBYMO502_az1_OUM5-SVoOoWmBv-ceM/s320/DSC00589+%25282%2529.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying for fit - before bottom band or hem bands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyz3t59NPIoek6-9GDkdBY7lU6HCVYNMZT9wjqcWbwelR5qus_dVd3Eb_91TUecarx5FBa2-5ZI-8_f004aeIZJ301l6_yNhn-h3ipb3ZMlR8lj2ffxm9e4p7s1JaTGYjyJVS0mF_oHC4/s1600/DSC00590+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1147" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyz3t59NPIoek6-9GDkdBY7lU6HCVYNMZT9wjqcWbwelR5qus_dVd3Eb_91TUecarx5FBa2-5ZI-8_f004aeIZJ301l6_yNhn-h3ipb3ZMlR8lj2ffxm9e4p7s1JaTGYjyJVS0mF_oHC4/s320/DSC00590+%25282%2529.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying for fit - before bottom band or hem bands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZlN3JhjNq4eDQTD_NPAKG6j60GHS7RbWPBjE5FyiPbviJyOgT6AIjPm_oMuIOw9riHNQBz0TKFmJMNIG1pNfZHVED2HqDdTJ-yGne_Ld_6RB5YQqGk7kZWgGN5ZlklSgxCXwOtl60Zk/s1600/DSC00591+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1158" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZlN3JhjNq4eDQTD_NPAKG6j60GHS7RbWPBjE5FyiPbviJyOgT6AIjPm_oMuIOw9riHNQBz0TKFmJMNIG1pNfZHVED2HqDdTJ-yGne_Ld_6RB5YQqGk7kZWgGN5ZlklSgxCXwOtl60Zk/s320/DSC00591+%25282%2529.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying for fit - before bottom band or hem bands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I decided that the fit appeared okay even
with the larger 24 hip and continued to completion. The last instruction is to
topstitch the band using a zigzag stitch. My fabric and foot combination
wouldn't cooperate so I used a straight stitch which should be fine as there is
no strain there. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbc1TM_KmCoEt2FgUgrlNeLt6gYTXNlQbRN0lLAOXW0cjvfcQmbeVzZWbwpCw3u0wDlZJPCWcgiqOwQMDHtmQ7Q0Hu5cVXE-xpilS3zxqxBhd1fby4RC1UUTSCWdcWpLnG9vBFRUNIwfI/s1600/DSC00592+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="890" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbc1TM_KmCoEt2FgUgrlNeLt6gYTXNlQbRN0lLAOXW0cjvfcQmbeVzZWbwpCw3u0wDlZJPCWcgiqOwQMDHtmQ7Q0Hu5cVXE-xpilS3zxqxBhd1fby4RC1UUTSCWdcWpLnG9vBFRUNIwfI/s320/DSC00592+%25282%2529.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVE_ZS-ArveI41OBFBqQ7qwXBdTQSfGBx3q-2bPMilp7MrAK8XSI1enU5CT14Pt_WObMrFyxNSr_XGi9foBx51QEBPnoPBxhwaZJLixq2QPsLf5u-z0bAMrVwR6tRmwJwYFej_IndvUA/s1600/DSC00594+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1050" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVE_ZS-ArveI41OBFBqQ7qwXBdTQSfGBx3q-2bPMilp7MrAK8XSI1enU5CT14Pt_WObMrFyxNSr_XGi9foBx51QEBPnoPBxhwaZJLixq2QPsLf5u-z0bAMrVwR6tRmwJwYFej_IndvUA/s320/DSC00594+%25282%2529.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwd95WpGzejjjuxkOkF2Dtcid3dcxsqi72HRl8cg5o05a0O_KNoEf58hYBguxVU_vgfnDp8pvcwnwQA2fC1or2MlxIMHfcLao1uxu7yuFjX0cJok6GSGB2XUB42FbjMq-bIqFvHranM9U/s1600/DSC00595+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="897" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwd95WpGzejjjuxkOkF2Dtcid3dcxsqi72HRl8cg5o05a0O_KNoEf58hYBguxVU_vgfnDp8pvcwnwQA2fC1or2MlxIMHfcLao1uxu7yuFjX0cJok6GSGB2XUB42FbjMq-bIqFvHranM9U/s320/DSC00595+%25282%2529.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I like this cardigan
a lot - and more than my previous versions, I have more cover at the front
with no need for full bust adjustment and the sleeves are looser with no need
for biceps adjustment. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I've worn this
cardigan a lot since I made it. This is a test version of the pattern and I
don't know how the pattern will change as a result of tester feedback. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The cardigan inside was unfinished. I
didn't use my overlocker as this was a toile. However, it worked out so well
that I was wishing I had finished the seam allowances. I thought about it,
wondering whether it was worth redoing the seams and finishing the seam edges.
I was all set to do it when I had second thoughts. I’ll save this for the next
version. There will be a next version.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">On wearing, I
found there were things I'd consider changing in a future version, purely for
personal preference. I’d alter the length of body (longer) and the sleeves
(shorter) and add some waist shaping. I decided to make these variations on the
pattern, with a view to making another with the fabric I bought for it in the
near future. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsN62BsLJHb_hfUbPCoN2Wf9t25rkXFeA_NaZ6kKmPs5JG3NhnazBpCM2ONOCbxSDQukZk38g_T4WPO6Jl540psowUORaCt2scjx-Qz9hXzOomNOfgXhkzRB0yWqYOpU8fyYGIA_eu7s/s1600/DSC00608+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1214" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsN62BsLJHb_hfUbPCoN2Wf9t25rkXFeA_NaZ6kKmPs5JG3NhnazBpCM2ONOCbxSDQukZk38g_T4WPO6Jl540psowUORaCt2scjx-Qz9hXzOomNOfgXhkzRB0yWqYOpU8fyYGIA_eu7s/s320/DSC00608+%25282%2529.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJykoiykshFglhJvSkVmbqZG3IVzpVGFmTFUKxUjctscXOAVLcyJ1yyU_k5Qk35hQWlkFKFLeD0lxKRD5uL51UyCA7_1pPB2RX0JrvrULub9Y3yKPyvX8ugwZA_i1h1KOF9CeEg8eY2s/s1600/DSC00609+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1229" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJykoiykshFglhJvSkVmbqZG3IVzpVGFmTFUKxUjctscXOAVLcyJ1yyU_k5Qk35hQWlkFKFLeD0lxKRD5uL51UyCA7_1pPB2RX0JrvrULub9Y3yKPyvX8ugwZA_i1h1KOF9CeEg8eY2s/s320/DSC00609+%25282%2529.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfJy6tzAUEe3U0QPEvtLgc810DB0XIhZ7uaTcqFKiKvq0Jqa-sbrWjfwWPZbcB8_xrVeR7aHVhBhr3FOAIODYG6K6MASgqNtuzKzOHisWQCeIpG4avnRU89XWlMhoeoti08VgdR6NxF4/s1600/DSC00610+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfJy6tzAUEe3U0QPEvtLgc810DB0XIhZ7uaTcqFKiKvq0Jqa-sbrWjfwWPZbcB8_xrVeR7aHVhBhr3FOAIODYG6K6MASgqNtuzKzOHisWQCeIpG4avnRU89XWlMhoeoti08VgdR6NxF4/s320/DSC00610+%25282%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3H8hT2uW660xGBomdPA2xmYlTUSAKLLt_8lzM33pijiN-xPIaTHZxkdKXau0ga0fIyKpyv4kLaUeqrTykyjDg_H3d90bj5CU0doEUC_-oBy-4qfO7gt5ngEH4aDXlhpG_VeTxPRybLIE/s1600/DSC00611+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1109" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3H8hT2uW660xGBomdPA2xmYlTUSAKLLt_8lzM33pijiN-xPIaTHZxkdKXau0ga0fIyKpyv4kLaUeqrTykyjDg_H3d90bj5CU0doEUC_-oBy-4qfO7gt5ngEH4aDXlhpG_VeTxPRybLIE/s320/DSC00611+%25282%2529.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The changes I made to
the pattern:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>I lengthened the body
by 4.7cms; some feel the current length is good for me so maybe I didn’t need
to do this or at least not by quite as much</li>
<li>I shortened the
sleeve by the same; mind you, I did find the longer length kept my hands
warmer! I do get very cold hands. On other occasions, I found them a little annoying – not my style,
really.</li>
<li>I widened the biceps
area slightly by simply drawing out the seam edge in a curve, matching both sides of the sleeve to allow a tee sleeve to fit under it without
VSL. I'm not sure this is really necessary as I've been wearing sleeved tees
under the test cardigan without problem but on my previous version, with a
matching sleeve underneath this was an issue – but that fabric is bulkier than
regular tees.</li>
<li>I marked the
waist position and added some shaping - about 1.5 cms, matching
back and front.</li>
<li>In order to have a
smooth curve, the hip is slightly narrower than previously.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">These are all for
personal preference. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">All done! Ready to continue on return
from my long weekend. Looking forward to it. I had considered entering the Pattern
Review Sewing Bee. This time around, for Round 1 (11 – 19 January) the task is to make a knit fabric cardigan (but not knit it) with a ‘living
coral’ theme (Living Coral is Pantone’s Colour of the Year). At first, I
thought, great, I can do another Blackwood cardigan. The theme needn’t be
literal - I’m not keen on the colour coral, but rather can portray memories,
feelings and experiences evoked. I considered a blue cardigan (love blue) with
some embroidered coral and fish patterns (practice machine embroidery) – then I
thought, come on, this isn’t your style! So, I won’t be doing that. In any
case, I didn’t have the correct fabric and time is limited since I’m just back
home (15 January). I’m looking forward to seeing the ideas that
are put forward in the entries; I always realise when I see these that I don’t
have a greatly imaginative designer’s mind! That’s fine, though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-70797161460270839172019-01-10T16:13:00.000+00:002019-01-13T22:17:06.820+00:00Corset Technique Class - and my first wearable corset (though not wearable by me)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I can’t really
explain it, but I’ve always fancied a corset! Really, to be honest, a well
fitting shapewear bodysuit is what I’ve hankered after. I’ve had difficulty
getting the right torso length even from Long Tall Sally (LTS). My height is
more in the torso (particularly from waist down) than in my legs. So trousers
from LTS tend to be far too long for me. Trousers in stores have legs that are
long enough but the rise is too low. Anyway, I also wondered if periodic
wearing of a corset would help my back pain.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">So when Rory said
there was going to be a corset making workshop at Centre Front Studios, I
signed up for it. It was originally going to be in October, with a guest tutor.
In the end, the guest tutor was unable to do it and Rory took the workshop,
sadly far too close to Christmas for my liking. I wouldn't have signed up for
it had I known originally. The workshop took place on Saturdays 8th and 15th
December but the second Saturday was cut short because of bad weather and Nicky
and I finished our corsets in the regular sewing bee slot on Wednesday 19th
December, the last slot before the Christmas break.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We used a Victorian
type pattern in a standard size 12 (UK) with D cup; Victorian Corset Sewing
Pattern by Laughing Moon. LM100. A toile is essential and this standard size was to teach us the techniques, not to fit - indeed it was unlikely to fit anyone straight-off. I have since read some excellent tips in the website Truly Victorian - <a href="http://trulyvictorian.com/LM100.html">here</a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_MJQy-mDRy8fUmytkywy5wJ4x5aIkunU2JTiz-U3oKXPxkhlPEu48oJIwSFKn5zuKIm6lk4bFHCsRu7S3QJR5k6KUegf9yp29bBLtvVnd369xl3nUATkzKqcgcl97fxMuMWPnEJqE8I/s1600/P100-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="839" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_MJQy-mDRy8fUmytkywy5wJ4x5aIkunU2JTiz-U3oKXPxkhlPEu48oJIwSFKn5zuKIm6lk4bFHCsRu7S3QJR5k6KUegf9yp29bBLtvVnd369xl3nUATkzKqcgcl97fxMuMWPnEJqE8I/s320/P100-2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The pattern comes in a huge range of body and
cup sizes. It also comes in two main style - Dore straight style (counter-intuitively but fitting with the style of the era better for larger busts) and
Silverado bust gore (better for smaller busts)plus there are also patterns for a chemise and open drawers
in the pack.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RV-NBgDPLbXrAwZP6jl0b_KquCwjV4WY8b_znqRmfFK2J71HXZWvz6BEvCaNj7ni6e2FnKEXVYOiR5-gJOwsHxgZFPf7_DeTGkmt6sFymw_-xFFC__wJQy0ywGYMOTpDHInJZdtMRjE/s1600/download.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RV-NBgDPLbXrAwZP6jl0b_KquCwjV4WY8b_znqRmfFK2J71HXZWvz6BEvCaNj7ni6e2FnKEXVYOiR5-gJOwsHxgZFPf7_DeTGkmt6sFymw_-xFFC__wJQy0ywGYMOTpDHInJZdtMRjE/s1600/download.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The one we did was the
Dore, the simpler of the two. In the same range there is a below bust corset
suitable for men and women (Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Under Bust Corset (1894 -
1909) LM113) and Nicky and I both ordered that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxMyEsWHo5du691MvYqRcT9-6ZP_B5e-9lI0jm7ZlrEMt803tuAmkSBBTZa4os9kvn25icaTe-zYgTuddktUr_q-TgZNXLQlZx2s_3fifSC8MBiha6lVcD5TrAzl_vdHNNBpN_Q5U3VM/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxMyEsWHo5du691MvYqRcT9-6ZP_B5e-9lI0jm7ZlrEMt803tuAmkSBBTZa4os9kvn25icaTe-zYgTuddktUr_q-TgZNXLQlZx2s_3fifSC8MBiha6lVcD5TrAzl_vdHNNBpN_Q5U3VM/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We got the supplies from Rory
who had ordered from Vena Cava Design. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijs-OVPR7c7eBckFL7GjM7hT07CpEZgzuyxgiEf2LDuHq96KadK7C4T9Yfb350_6NTmZyvp_9ZL7EJBfDu2S9hpQXnzWDmAhyphenhyphenw1r9KeeuucEiWH7guHR9h2TIsabwUEMbtcYqBLpN1D-Y/s1600/20181208_123204+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1528" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijs-OVPR7c7eBckFL7GjM7hT07CpEZgzuyxgiEf2LDuHq96KadK7C4T9Yfb350_6NTmZyvp_9ZL7EJBfDu2S9hpQXnzWDmAhyphenhyphenw1r9KeeuucEiWH7guHR9h2TIsabwUEMbtcYqBLpN1D-Y/s320/20181208_123204+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgbl9WSm2mSR_SefcntnrXz0203Xeke8oPzsg5zSCFmxNDZRvvCaaFL_rX2tZsfh2mEglTzWnnNOKC2augV6DDW8dEsBxxQ6YHKqI13DpLzZcLK7er6hSnuyLvX3p3NcRhT07LRTeISU/s1600/20181208_122021+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1562" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgbl9WSm2mSR_SefcntnrXz0203Xeke8oPzsg5zSCFmxNDZRvvCaaFL_rX2tZsfh2mEglTzWnnNOKC2augV6DDW8dEsBxxQ6YHKqI13DpLzZcLK7er6hSnuyLvX3p3NcRhT07LRTeISU/s320/20181208_122021+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Our kit included:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
8 x 7 mm Spiral wires 35 cm - I lost one of these. They needed trimmed to length</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
12 x 7 mm plastic coated steel bones 35 cm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
1 Plastic Coated Steel busk with silver clasps 30 cm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
3 m 16 mm Boning Tape</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
1 x 3 m lace with metal tips</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
1 x 5 mm eyelets and washers (40) - and a kit to insert them</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
1 x 6 Corset Hooks and Eyes</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Rory had cut out the
pattern pieces (to save time) for us using coutil. Just plain white coutil though
there are black, flesh and patterned versions also. The sample corset (not
exactly the one we were doing but rather the sample from the guest tutor) was
lovely - it used patterned black coutil.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>What is coutil?</b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Coutil
is woven cloth created specifically for making corsets. It is woven tightly to
inhibit penetration of the corset's bones and resist stretching. Coutil has a
high cotton content. Cotton has good dimensional stability, or a resistance to
stretching, which makes it a good choice for such a stressed garment. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coutil"><span style="background: white; color: #1a0dab; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Wikipedia</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Only Nicky and I
attended so there was plenty of individual time.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Our first task was to
cut out the fabric for the outside of the corset. I loved the striped fabric
and thought it was quite thick and stable (turned out not to be); I can’t
remember what Rory called the fabric. We then had to mount the fabric to the
coutil and we found that our fabric stretched. As the coutil was totally rigid,
we were able to trim the fabric to match the coutil. Fortunately, this was a
test garment as sadly, the patterns on the individual pieces would no longer
match.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggg6xveOybXbR1OaKZgBqGUm2yxJCF3OdGvrDntlo9gOPg1YDleYzcKK-vjQvS7bNHFElOw9wvjZwMPAfJzm2zER87khPYNtz7erKtZLtKd7Lg4WJSTqUdCWpUlJqiJlNTMhXqV39KueQ/s1600/20181208_155651+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1599" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggg6xveOybXbR1OaKZgBqGUm2yxJCF3OdGvrDntlo9gOPg1YDleYzcKK-vjQvS7bNHFElOw9wvjZwMPAfJzm2zER87khPYNtz7erKtZLtKd7Lg4WJSTqUdCWpUlJqiJlNTMhXqV39KueQ/s320/20181208_155651+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We then had to put in
the front corset piece, the busk. The pattern instructions suggested holding it
up to the midpoint of our breasts and sitting down to see if the metal
obstructed our sitting; apparently 95% of women or some such figure need the
30 cm/12” length. A 13” is also available. Well, despite being tall, the 12” was
fine for me (though I don’t know why I did this test as there is no way a size
12 corset was ever going to fit me!)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOwpMxxF0GTald2y6lFnNJpA7JFert8xM1gHcBsQG3yPkNpwdvHB58HmZDOTzqxFgoLIXtt8FIJ1vUjX-hQlH4BxgGRdf5NKXs8i7dWVGrNul3t02EUjekd8dH1YWFKwvvQ9faJnI9BQ/s1600/DSC_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOwpMxxF0GTald2y6lFnNJpA7JFert8xM1gHcBsQG3yPkNpwdvHB58HmZDOTzqxFgoLIXtt8FIJ1vUjX-hQlH4BxgGRdf5NKXs8i7dWVGrNul3t02EUjekd8dH1YWFKwvvQ9faJnI9BQ/s320/DSC_0073.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't take a photo of our busk; like the one far left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Putting in the piece
involved carefully marking the fabric and leaving gaps when we were sewing to
allow the metal loops through. Obviously, we had to reinforce each side of the
gap. This is a two-piece item, with rings/hoops on one side and claws (?) on the
other. We had to be sure that the two sides would match so there was a lot of
careful marking. When the two sides were slotted in place and matched, a
line of stitches held them in.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We also used
reinforcing plastic boning. Apparently, a corset can have a lot more boning in
it than we used and Rory demonstrated some places it might be used. The demo
corset had a lot more. The web site I linked earlier says the more boning, the more comfortable.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">After that, we marked
the position for the grommet holes on the back - this is where the ties
go through. This was the end of the first day. Rory showed us how to
insert the grommets and provided the kit. Both Nicky and I completed them at
home. I confess - David did mine! I made a hole of the correct size through the
fabric/coutil with a leather punch. Then it was a relatively simple insertion,
outside the house, in the cold, using the paving and a large block of wood for
solidity and a large hammer wielded by David. He did one practice which was
fine and then inserted the 18 grommets without a problem. My excuse for not
doing them is that my hands were very sore at the time - they’re somewhat
better now; I think the new mediation is helping.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My next task was to
sew the pieces together, making sure I got them in the correct order. I didn’t
have time to do this before going to the following session. Rory had instructed
us to sew the seams joining the pieces with the wrong side together, so the the
seam allowance showed on the right side. This was then pressed, trimmed, and
the channelling for the spiral steel boning added to the outside covering the
seam allowances. Rory suggested that this was easier than the alternative of
having the channels on the inside. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">While I was stitching
the pieces together, I had to ensure that I was matching the coutil rather than
the end of the fabric. Even so, there was a touch of trimming required. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Rory showed us how to
insert the spiral boning and discovered that the bones were not the correct
length. She trimmed a couple to show us how they should look.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdGWEiSeVidGb-I2KUzxJRCW7OWLaor3ml0009ApOjUZAOCZNAs56ubWNukyWSzru8VyrjjOSvxBxCmlAC_VGXQ0gjxPEyvUb7BLlAx38vxbvHSZwljEq_uDyTGQX_gV6biWlsN7hkjI/s1600/20181208_122851+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1600" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdGWEiSeVidGb-I2KUzxJRCW7OWLaor3ml0009ApOjUZAOCZNAs56ubWNukyWSzru8VyrjjOSvxBxCmlAC_VGXQ0gjxPEyvUb7BLlAx38vxbvHSZwljEq_uDyTGQX_gV6biWlsN7hkjI/s320/20181208_122851+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rory used this; David used a Dremel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She didn’t have
the end caps to put over the raw end of the bone - but as this is simply a test
garment to show techniques, that was okay. She also showed us that after that,
we would attach bias binding around the top and bottom perimeter.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This all took quite a
while and because of the weather warnings suggesting travelling would be
hazardous, Rory terminated the class at lunchtime. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">At home, I asked
David to trim my spiral wires. I had decided the best way to go about the task
was to put bias binding over the top edge, insert the bones and then put bias
binding over the bottom edge.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Rory recommended
using 7 mm bones though other widths are available. They are also available on a
roll to cut to size, then add the caps - this would be my preferred route as
the set-length bones needed trimmed, anyway and each pair of bones is a
different length.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Rory had shown us how
to insert the tie on the previous occasion - but I hadn’t quite got that right.
There is a long loop in the centre to allow self-tightening of the corset. I
corrected this , but not until later as I found it easier to work on the
binding when the pieces were separate.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMk7UuhpF8upokJ-fht155-nZCOL_gBRDBEmLKRZVr_zE_jwyqQ5eosa_sBQe0F3mUPj7iHF8KKT0Vc9wCNRlilTScjWp78EX3tIvenUe7ffKlNPEPpnWKwkIDNcVQyx7Uw_qDk_WZL0/s1600/20181215_121209+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1565" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMk7UuhpF8upokJ-fht155-nZCOL_gBRDBEmLKRZVr_zE_jwyqQ5eosa_sBQe0F3mUPj7iHF8KKT0Vc9wCNRlilTScjWp78EX3tIvenUe7ffKlNPEPpnWKwkIDNcVQyx7Uw_qDk_WZL0/s320/20181215_121209+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the demo corset, completed - bias in place and Rory demonstrating cords</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUkxqZaGIt56hGgVbxkqLo8g_QlyIwWSi0BS04RQupRaqS6fcytHTvKNFW5n4x8sRKBXQRgcDXraVoQdGC1Q1Lvh9cLSnvTX6DFBJm6FiYgApZ4K0mypGIf0jDphzrRlHBMri5me7Dxg/s1600/20181215_121231+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1562" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUkxqZaGIt56hGgVbxkqLo8g_QlyIwWSi0BS04RQupRaqS6fcytHTvKNFW5n4x8sRKBXQRgcDXraVoQdGC1Q1Lvh9cLSnvTX6DFBJm6FiYgApZ4K0mypGIf0jDphzrRlHBMri5me7Dxg/s320/20181215_121231+%25282%2529.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Again, I didn’t have
time to do much at home, so I went to the Wednesday sewing bee (already
fretting about everything I still had to do with the family descending for
Christmas on the Friday). I attached the bias binding to one end of each piece
- I only later discovered that I had done the top of one piece and the bottom
of the other! When I came to do the other side of bias binding, this was quite
tricky and I found that my bones were slightly too long. I decided to sew the
bias binding on, leaving gaps for the bone insertion. I decided that was as
much as I could do in class and there was so much to do at home, so I left
early. My last few steps were very rushed and my fronts didn’t match in length
- my bias binding was a bit different on each side. I decided this didn’t
matter - I knew what to do and this was a sample to allow us to practice the
techniques.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">One problem was that
I lost a spiral bone. It wasn’t among my things, we couldn’t find it in class
or at home, and I hadn’t inserted two bones in any slot. Mystery. Rory offered
another but I said it was fine. (As I was getting this post finalised today - David found the missing bone in the garage, where he had been cutting the others. This one was marked, but not cut. Rory doesn't read my blog, as far as I know - but if you are, Rory - for once it wasn't me that lost something!))</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Nicky had got to the
stage where her daughter was able to try it on and it looked okay - except the
cups were too big.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">At home, David
further trimmed the spirals and I somehow found time to complete the bias
binding stitching. There were also a couple of hooks and eyes in the kit Rory
gave us but I didn’t have time to sew them on.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I had what looked
clearly like a corset!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I had been thinking
of Joanne originally while I made this but after Nicky’s experience thought
that perhaps Alison was more likely. It didn’t work for Joanne and she said
she’d prefer the under bust design. Helen tried it on over a tee shirt
(she’s taller than me) and loved the shape it gave her waist, but the cups were
huge for her. I think she takes a B cup in a bra. She was able to insert a
couple of cooking apples in the cups while she was wearing it. I asked her
permission to post that pic and she agreed!! </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqCOY_uw5ZA-HPinuajEFtMGp46Ks6-pAbS5YYBqVXSQzaCOXwrA8mkJP3GLyCDnPlry4-9RRiYWOSZeQaksXonPl-lwO6FeqGoiA_PB43Wjqh6ZbeGDftGDvbywgIaj3NOJqw6AJYek/s1600/20181223_173139+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1158" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqCOY_uw5ZA-HPinuajEFtMGp46Ks6-pAbS5YYBqVXSQzaCOXwrA8mkJP3GLyCDnPlry4-9RRiYWOSZeQaksXonPl-lwO6FeqGoiA_PB43Wjqh6ZbeGDftGDvbywgIaj3NOJqw6AJYek/s320/20181223_173139+%25282%2529.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D-cup apples</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIAlVb5LQFJTIKlhtcyvFrOPkQK8u2tRBSAGmtsxCIos_dk-64w-gw8z7hn2y8qxBjyBjj6W6ZWxeAl54odqyZy0VRxaSNkvsGbTcj7G0lNzJWLXvqBdaifJcTEK_TpOcRdq-AU9GBOs/s1600/20181223_173147+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1036" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIAlVb5LQFJTIKlhtcyvFrOPkQK8u2tRBSAGmtsxCIos_dk-64w-gw8z7hn2y8qxBjyBjj6W6ZWxeAl54odqyZy0VRxaSNkvsGbTcj7G0lNzJWLXvqBdaifJcTEK_TpOcRdq-AU9GBOs/s320/20181223_173147+%25282%2529.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gap is supposed to be even , but this was just a quick try on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoojMpJ0Et8xz8JJ41hPPh71az5MEH0USkIYpdr84emPCFzIFrKbEousW5obrHJlhyecAYUG2hpYoRBq8Ham4ClkUycQMklGf48ZTZHOesluE3mG46GWvO6V7ZjKUKP-YlOOmKQ_Y8XLY/s1600/20181223_173144+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1121" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoojMpJ0Et8xz8JJ41hPPh71az5MEH0USkIYpdr84emPCFzIFrKbEousW5obrHJlhyecAYUG2hpYoRBq8Ham4ClkUycQMklGf48ZTZHOesluE3mG46GWvO6V7ZjKUKP-YlOOmKQ_Y8XLY/s320/20181223_173144+%25282%2529.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXstOZTosf8CpyAe0r7MeS6j0p4XPMoLzfqy6qzsVQ39VUjZu-z8sawcgVrJhLkPUcaF_cC0g5JuM0gwY6dKQmyWc-OafEaY5W3Svpwyl64ZRRPZ00NlH93yHuXhGhnx3nyHGwNRkzbvA/s1600/20181223_173309+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXstOZTosf8CpyAe0r7MeS6j0p4XPMoLzfqy6qzsVQ39VUjZu-z8sawcgVrJhLkPUcaF_cC0g5JuM0gwY6dKQmyWc-OafEaY5W3Svpwyl64ZRRPZ00NlH93yHuXhGhnx3nyHGwNRkzbvA/s320/20181223_173309+%25282%2529.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too much space</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Alison then tried it, also
over a tee shirt. It pretty much fitted. She has a bigger cup size, about G/H.
Alison found it difficult to fasten the waist hook but also loved the shape it
gave her waist; the laces at the back were not drawn very tight. She took it
home with her, even though it was a test garment with a bone missing. I’m
afraid all three of my girls have inherited back pain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3avZOxo4of2oKQ2wejJ7h0S-MOxQ606n3UR7TcUSmQ95QS7kKM6JuBRn-IQXu6QetG87T4XZFbGpM9Qo9p8VGg_U4Q8d0S5gulaTPW1PYyQ_hPQ8YcbAjWAODq0xEAT4yXeIA3gabDpI/s1600/20181227_091550+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1585" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3avZOxo4of2oKQ2wejJ7h0S-MOxQ606n3UR7TcUSmQ95QS7kKM6JuBRn-IQXu6QetG87T4XZFbGpM9Qo9p8VGg_U4Q8d0S5gulaTPW1PYyQ_hPQ8YcbAjWAODq0xEAT4yXeIA3gabDpI/s320/20181227_091550+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry, another out of focus; snapped quickly on my phone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3E-qlXYRyLCHI8hqgfB3VnCZIlDq2VZRw1aYLg84ixcw_rw57nq_jeE4uyKgkqABi70mdZwww58J95XaNZhpP432LP-xt4_XYSx9UbwIU1ZgGpTkncGUjrIPIPOpLP5paxA8KHY9K88/s1600/20181227_091527+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="883" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3E-qlXYRyLCHI8hqgfB3VnCZIlDq2VZRw1aYLg84ixcw_rw57nq_jeE4uyKgkqABi70mdZwww58J95XaNZhpP432LP-xt4_XYSx9UbwIU1ZgGpTkncGUjrIPIPOpLP5paxA8KHY9K88/s320/20181227_091527+%25282%2529.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good fit at bust</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_kVqg9E6E6pLMALrtBbx1yVgUhn9-y8yJ38PHburJ2ViGKnKN1G0pfP0DrPlwv5qnf0ZqfON5QIdI0SGstUIizXCriVS5eAnNrq1bEigltY2w4GiDJ5eFQ8jHTOVnhcHuVIgxstTViY/s1600/20181227_091537+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1157" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_kVqg9E6E6pLMALrtBbx1yVgUhn9-y8yJ38PHburJ2ViGKnKN1G0pfP0DrPlwv5qnf0ZqfON5QIdI0SGstUIizXCriVS5eAnNrq1bEigltY2w4GiDJ5eFQ8jHTOVnhcHuVIgxstTViY/s320/20181227_091537+%25282%2529.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spacing too wide at back, but fairly even</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I tried it too of
course <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- I say tried it but it didn’t
get around my body - there were huge gaps front and back!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I didn’t find this
difficult (especially with David helping!) or particularly time consuming and
would be prepared to have another go, actually making to fit or re-making a
decent looking one for Alison if she wishes. I think, like Joanne, I’d prefer
the under bust design for me. I’m not sure when we’ll get our patterns as Rory
hadn’t yet ordered them.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I mentioned that I
loved the test garment left by the test tutor. That had black self-patterned
coutil underneath and black upholstery fabric on top, and black channels. It
looked much more put together. The patterned coutil is at least twice the price
of the plain but you don’t need that much, and Nicky and I could share a length
and the postage.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Rory's view of photos</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">When the sewing bee
took up again after the holidays, I showed Rory the photos of the girls. Her
conclusions were</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This is the correct
size for Helen but she needs the A cup size</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Alison is good in the
D cup but needs a bigger size of corset as there is too much gap at the back.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Nicky also showed a
photo of her other daughter in the corset. She needed a smaller size as the
corset was tied up to the tightest at the back, the cup was a bit big and the B
size was suggested.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Other lingerie
thoughts - I have a much loved, beautifully fitting, bra which has already seen
its last wear and I’m going to ask advice about cloning it. Others have
suggested using a pattern. I’m open to both options, but I’ll see which is
likely to be easier. I discussed with Rory and I’ll take to a future sewing
bee to let her see it; her feeling is best to take it apart and clone if in
relatively decent order.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-39396612569355198102019-01-04T15:56:00.000+00:002019-01-04T15:56:15.192+00:00Catwalking. Through the Lens of Chris Moore - exhibition at Bowes Museum<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Between Christmas and
New Year, David and I visited the exhibition ‘Catwalking. Fashion Through
the Lens of Chris Moore’ at Bowes Museum. I missed a visit with my sewing bee
buddies because of my foot but wanted to see it before it ended on 6 January.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSV1OhmRQU8IMFfnOrghJl4GTDRSQ5hZEjdu6FAUjinpNV29OD7AR_nvLfa7Pqh-NRrQKxuDZaUqa8xdjeTKF9LVlBPvraCRkdqVnsZ5oESIq5k9IsVHKRylBCSF8sS2-3BOtjzvcAtk/s1600/download+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="387" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSV1OhmRQU8IMFfnOrghJl4GTDRSQ5hZEjdu6FAUjinpNV29OD7AR_nvLfa7Pqh-NRrQKxuDZaUqa8xdjeTKF9LVlBPvraCRkdqVnsZ5oESIq5k9IsVHKRylBCSF8sS2-3BOtjzvcAtk/s400/download+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museum poster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I thought David would
be interested in the photographs while I was more interested in the actual
garments on display. He also has photography class homework for the new term
and thought he might complete that between the grounds and photographing the
famous silver swan. His key task was to provide an element of location to his
photos. He thinks he has achieved that. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-iWROJdOszdQWQSZbOejSleLMRW_mmDPcSz7EceJOYsTsKLXSu_lIa8xOY7TOxea5tTeFL1A_VGCTVzTFmOjQ83vk_VVKBimKZg5VXFnBYbqrR5l69yxCUK1grj38dH3hS1rGF18Mj4/s1600/DSC00565+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-iWROJdOszdQWQSZbOejSleLMRW_mmDPcSz7EceJOYsTsKLXSu_lIa8xOY7TOxea5tTeFL1A_VGCTVzTFmOjQ83vk_VVKBimKZg5VXFnBYbqrR5l69yxCUK1grj38dH3hS1rGF18Mj4/s320/DSC00565+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous silver swan - not in operation here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I bought the book
‘Catwalking’ that is associated with the exhibition - it's a huge book well
worth the price tag.. It's fascinating that this 84 year old man is still
active photographing twice a year in 4 cities. The exhibition, and his book,
catalogue the changes to the catwalk, the fashion show, fashion itself and
particularly attitudes towards photographers etc over 50 years. Not to mention
the change from film to digital. Photographers were banned originally.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNpNTP3R9_agfw8fE1WSbCSOGkAgc_o8W13-m2AME1D8vacBO9x9ClZxFJGr7MiucFdF-pmH_GgJqTj6IEa6gaTPS-U3fKFW1-8WMKm3tV4Uv04vGFs_Bz4OSyJTCogjB-e8K88f96eI/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNpNTP3R9_agfw8fE1WSbCSOGkAgc_o8W13-m2AME1D8vacBO9x9ClZxFJGr7MiucFdF-pmH_GgJqTj6IEa6gaTPS-U3fKFW1-8WMKm3tV4Uv04vGFs_Bz4OSyJTCogjB-e8K88f96eI/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Book</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The exhibition was a combination of Chris Moore's photographs, displayed n the walls (over 400 of them), loaned designer garments on mannequins, video presentations, posters and there was description of each piece and photo. These were alongside the museums display of textiles. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We were allowed to
take photographs of everything except the Alexander McQueen garments as long as
we didn't use flash. They said they didn't have copyright for the McQueen
garments. It was really quite dark inside the exhibition and I'm not sure
how well my photos will come out. These are for record however and I hope that
the book will contain some of the iconic images. I focused more on the garments
and details of the garments while the photographs are more about the model
showing the garment and the experience of the catwalk. The book of course can't
recreate the actual seeing (not feeling) of the garments loaned by the
designers for the exhibition. It’s interesting, actually, that the reproduction
of the photos in the book just doesn’t come up to the quality of the real
photographs displayed on the walls</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I said we couldn't
touch. The museum has put up two pieces of embroidered fabric specifically for
touching as they want to see the effect on the fabric. I thought I had taken photos but I can't find them</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tewPv8rkAUeTKsAtdS544IE-JIRcBPvlH-yR6BjVFbdSLLdCeVLaRkBfrA1atNbEui7tPNcGFgM68QvQSqIbH40vjszw763XTVQDxBvlIkEPi_hxE0nLED8AdlgBz80LPZxvW4WhFpI/s1600/DSC00495+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1458" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tewPv8rkAUeTKsAtdS544IE-JIRcBPvlH-yR6BjVFbdSLLdCeVLaRkBfrA1atNbEui7tPNcGFgM68QvQSqIbH40vjszw763XTVQDxBvlIkEPi_hxE0nLED8AdlgBz80LPZxvW4WhFpI/s320/DSC00495+%25282%2529.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supermodel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyGsMqej2pPqJ2Ig96NTZayS5TuoceRVbiz5IXRdJwP20hlfx2F6R2JriIKzin0oy4i-hUDShCwzbv-9bXOKTySR9-aFd6wggWuUII0Dta6VGXmtqJBiyKtP4Oqc8QQ0fVLCmBO9et2E/s1600/DSC00498+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="973" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyGsMqej2pPqJ2Ig96NTZayS5TuoceRVbiz5IXRdJwP20hlfx2F6R2JriIKzin0oy4i-hUDShCwzbv-9bXOKTySR9-aFd6wggWuUII0Dta6VGXmtqJBiyKtP4Oqc8QQ0fVLCmBO9et2E/s320/DSC00498+%25282%2529.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super boobs - but they're at the side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP635XfWfN3Rvxanqm1CZdifzPBZzKCxjhyxD9UMlBb5sSKUvVwKDrzZTJgdE3s41sQfK9R8AFMEbGE3sxoEm9HwN6Yna44clHQWOLpF8XwAKiLdd4giOISZN0jggXklq2h2GsfzCd8wM/s1600/DSC00499+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="1600" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP635XfWfN3Rvxanqm1CZdifzPBZzKCxjhyxD9UMlBb5sSKUvVwKDrzZTJgdE3s41sQfK9R8AFMEbGE3sxoEm9HwN6Yna44clHQWOLpF8XwAKiLdd4giOISZN0jggXklq2h2GsfzCd8wM/s320/DSC00499+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see from this image? weird!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I found a couple of
designers that I really liked - confirmed my previous thoughts - and a couple
that I’d never heard of (Bill Blass, ‘87, New York - well I had heard of him
but that’s about all). I love Chloe by Karl Lagerfield (1973), Giorgio Armani, Chanel by Karl Lagerfield, 80s and 90s, Azzedine Alaia,
Alexander McQueen of course, Margaret Howell, I didn’t enter the
Designin’ December run by Linda of ‘Nice Dress Thanks I Made It’ - however, I
will look through the book and start planning to enter one for next December.
That might give me enough time. I have some beautiful dupion silk that I really
want to use before it reaches school age! I have images of most of the names I have mentioned - and a lot more - but they're not great.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxxx57dH2FTwG_H1SOJQ-sLYYwYYJiVDKHmJrSo8InYA7_8U3dR6FJKYVx1yLFeiQiIHDvW9gQ_HvqUrm29nsylgHc4dwnsRACFOaw7TEF1_yTu9vk8zRPlUxkxbU21EdF42-1q99CI8/s1600/DSC00490+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="949" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxxx57dH2FTwG_H1SOJQ-sLYYwYYJiVDKHmJrSo8InYA7_8U3dR6FJKYVx1yLFeiQiIHDvW9gQ_HvqUrm29nsylgHc4dwnsRACFOaw7TEF1_yTu9vk8zRPlUxkxbU21EdF42-1q99CI8/s320/DSC00490+%25282%2529.jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a class="V0MxL r-iz8lK3Qgj5FQ" data-preconnect-urls="https://www.farfetch.com/,http://t.myvisualiq.net/" href="https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwj2stTkvNTfAhWtu-0KHbjQA9IYABAAGgJkZw&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESEeD2NcjycYO4adEECWWYwfu3&sig=AOD64_0KsQ-7AfqCYdzigYIBOr7vEaEHGw&q=&ved=2ahUKEwj2j87kvNTfAhWCuHEKHTZoDbEQ0Qx6BAgFEAE&adurl=" id="vn1s0p1c0" jsl="$t t-r1glFWqNI5A;$x 0;" style="background-color: white; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;"><h3 style="display: inline-block; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Comme Des Garçons</span></h3>
</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lJfgmo8tHx_1xkQs2_S-oBxhv0iRl3QuYoMFYUmnXjENzHnmR2GCfOkAaF-7lZYRNrFpAKFHQQ1HSN4XBcJ7Q6ZpD3WkSP1-JLCBX8XEzQrphADmgUIbbYpckRadQRdz7apu1wOXADo/s1600/DSC00488+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1115" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lJfgmo8tHx_1xkQs2_S-oBxhv0iRl3QuYoMFYUmnXjENzHnmR2GCfOkAaF-7lZYRNrFpAKFHQQ1HSN4XBcJ7Q6ZpD3WkSP1-JLCBX8XEzQrphADmgUIbbYpckRadQRdz7apu1wOXADo/s320/DSC00488+%25282%2529.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of front</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcjkT4kjzCjA-M1wKk720iShPel6oKrFLX89kGFxwZqX13ayG1DvE2GhYPHp86gdsmnWgAY01d9U_BH_0rMWsnOEbRDPd0VCTG5i-OsN5wCBxJHMhpt_9n8DnFgOURl0LpHzXUK85fGE/s1600/DSC00487+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcjkT4kjzCjA-M1wKk720iShPel6oKrFLX89kGFxwZqX13ayG1DvE2GhYPHp86gdsmnWgAY01d9U_BH_0rMWsnOEbRDPd0VCTG5i-OsN5wCBxJHMhpt_9n8DnFgOURl0LpHzXUK85fGE/s320/DSC00487+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">As is always the
case, some of the fashion was horrendous, while some I would have worn. I had
the opportunity to examine the finish up close - and decided it’s not better
than mine in some cases. I have huge issues with fit - but when I saw a pair of
trousers on one of the models on the catwalk (on big screen) I couldn't believe
just how bad the fit was. It was one model only, really - but she should never
have been in those pants if they were such a bad fit. Mine are wonderful in
comparison! I know that garments are made to a particular size and not custom
made for the models - but really! I don’t know if I will be able to reproduce
the image I took.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVQed0pUX_TUB1boKSdcs9xIxszRP2eSbLasvaQgB8xGrkxVZ9MJfHDPIQ49eW__OUFbFGD_L4Xy47fBccSAsmh31s2wJTuQRCR31F8ZgM34zbc2GrnMg_M8pI2zy0d75B02nvBJ-vSc/s1600/DSC00483+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVQed0pUX_TUB1boKSdcs9xIxszRP2eSbLasvaQgB8xGrkxVZ9MJfHDPIQ49eW__OUFbFGD_L4Xy47fBccSAsmh31s2wJTuQRCR31F8ZgM34zbc2GrnMg_M8pI2zy0d75B02nvBJ-vSc/s320/DSC00483+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That back view of the trousers!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3yi-SlO9ROEtC6o68Q64MjpxSAehQuEwoarvCivab97sDg-dwr7QmCrrP5O44S1Mn9czeT0uVtjDO-U07vTTzVlHlUwSUZB9SiUaEwZDFsLEjEqwA7kib4GeqWUuJ6xDJkky9z_92iY/s1600/DSC00551+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="888" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3yi-SlO9ROEtC6o68Q64MjpxSAehQuEwoarvCivab97sDg-dwr7QmCrrP5O44S1Mn9czeT0uVtjDO-U07vTTzVlHlUwSUZB9SiUaEwZDFsLEjEqwA7kib4GeqWUuJ6xDJkky9z_92iY/s320/DSC00551+%25282%2529.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently this was Prada's 'Ugly Period' evoking 70s uphostery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAloWGksPby4pmYEY1CZCIBzSP3gHjguqd3aPt_LJvXQyxBUIqoDUYHet2ru0x8FzPQm4ahV4VGXivFm7ROQBtEipaBlH6AyDJR9MQHZV81non31bZkM2CcaixA0u_cw1SIC1IcourIqc/s1600/DSC00552+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="727" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAloWGksPby4pmYEY1CZCIBzSP3gHjguqd3aPt_LJvXQyxBUIqoDUYHet2ru0x8FzPQm4ahV4VGXivFm7ROQBtEipaBlH6AyDJR9MQHZV81non31bZkM2CcaixA0u_cw1SIC1IcourIqc/s320/DSC00552+%25282%2529.jpg" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The photo looks better than the reality!<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6xJDdcBcr2lRTBQCEy0FP33CLYMMBp48fSI4ppZ3CwfUZcgrPv9WiD6QtyyP8MpdyhcKE2cFMZ8kB4qAZMBE6k5rxQT_fcLzbK8RmGR9XZ4qsPCcvs9UvHb9Y2sXeMyeSakZYnnbl6I/s1600/DSC00531+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6xJDdcBcr2lRTBQCEy0FP33CLYMMBp48fSI4ppZ3CwfUZcgrPv9WiD6QtyyP8MpdyhcKE2cFMZ8kB4qAZMBE6k5rxQT_fcLzbK8RmGR9XZ4qsPCcvs9UvHb9Y2sXeMyeSakZYnnbl6I/s320/DSC00531+%25282%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe I should practice my embroidery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9lMLbw1JFCRpVDobzB6T-VRf5EqBpReYwESocwpDaYdbUjp1fxBIN-wLh8pXJb7ULb4Xyok46mMb0PM3O_TCX9cx0nNVDv-4p-DI5k_ugZh7H_eE03fWqgUOjDnvN8Tm9jmmEvVblew/s1600/DSC00533+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1008" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9lMLbw1JFCRpVDobzB6T-VRf5EqBpReYwESocwpDaYdbUjp1fxBIN-wLh8pXJb7ULb4Xyok46mMb0PM3O_TCX9cx0nNVDv-4p-DI5k_ugZh7H_eE03fWqgUOjDnvN8Tm9jmmEvVblew/s320/DSC00533+%25282%2529.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I have lots of images but my favourites wouldn't be yours - and you'll get a better reproduction from the web!!</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It’s clear that Chris
Moore was one of the first catwalk photographers - in fact he started before
the catwalk existed. I hadn’t heard of him. Photographers from the 60s are
better known (eg David Bailey) and the fashion models from that era (Jean
Shrimpton, Twiggy) and from the era of the ‘supermodel’ are more recognisable.
But he started it.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330020043629144522.post-88419218120197865992019-01-01T15:19:00.000+00:002019-01-01T15:20:15.756+00:00A quick look back at 2018 plans and a think about plans for 2019<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’m not going to call
these sewing resolutions (or re-<b>sew</b>-lutions) - rather aims, hopes, aspirations</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglL5hTTuw1cJKfoTIMaLI3r5Le6-HOl_mQft4aFeyIkaJax7Vm5Kd_LrPemNezKKoF2n5GlqHvQ0PqFULYx1yjBc2ef3RoIsPWJ7BavC5IKEzs2saDyZClsbuDkdhi9yYm9obTSsMEwwc/s1600/7575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglL5hTTuw1cJKfoTIMaLI3r5Le6-HOl_mQft4aFeyIkaJax7Vm5Kd_LrPemNezKKoF2n5GlqHvQ0PqFULYx1yjBc2ef3RoIsPWJ7BavC5IKEzs2saDyZClsbuDkdhi9yYm9obTSsMEwwc/s320/7575.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need to finish this UFO</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I started by
re-reading my 2018 plans post from early January last year.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Let’s see how I did (spoiler - badly!):</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>RTW Fast</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This was easy. As I
said, it’s difficult for me to buy clothing. Even more difficult to make it!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I’m not formally
continuing with a fast but I’m not likely to buy much if anything either. Sarah isn't continuing the Fast in 2019 but the FB groups will remain open</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6FUmbl1vzuhZhx4yrmnYQhDdC7CzjUxhuKvZpPe52zlBjNdf9jTmmtatzj_xMId7Ij1BLvReTvfQ_ltAeFOt5hBtF-ZyxeMCGBY9_mD64ss1AkRMsDT0mETjPE9OgL31HepsyBZGMHg/s1600/RTW-FAST-001-2.jpg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="640" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6FUmbl1vzuhZhx4yrmnYQhDdC7CzjUxhuKvZpPe52zlBjNdf9jTmmtatzj_xMId7Ij1BLvReTvfQ_ltAeFOt5hBtF-ZyxeMCGBY9_mD64ss1AkRMsDT0mETjPE9OgL31HepsyBZGMHg/s200/RTW-FAST-001-2.jpg.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>7 Step to
Style/Evolve Your Style</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I didn’t manage to
complete the steps in Evolve Your Style (EYS). I’m afraid I just wasn’t
sufficiently interested in some of the challenges.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’m aware of my
‘best’ colours when buying fabric or making things up but this is not always
possible.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I don’t post much on
the closed FB group but enjoy reading it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Patterns, Garments,
Blocks and TNTs</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I didn’t move this
forward very much. I did a little work on the blocks but I feel they need a
complete overhaul as they really don’t fit. Now, I’ve out on even more weight.
Sigh.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I had one top I
thought was a TNT and made up a couple of versions but this was not a success.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXQD5l8MVpS0aNcts1en19RQu_0QS3pdDIyW9TbUh8pn1gZ7x33p7X1VtBdAgbRWLArdt_lKy_TXaVvOAFgySghfCYBFr3vAppe4J3ClZaQ-G9IThnrOkoANXobpyEKtnEYbQfq5WhnU/s1600/Anne+top+fit+%25284+of+23%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXQD5l8MVpS0aNcts1en19RQu_0QS3pdDIyW9TbUh8pn1gZ7x33p7X1VtBdAgbRWLArdt_lKy_TXaVvOAFgySghfCYBFr3vAppe4J3ClZaQ-G9IThnrOkoANXobpyEKtnEYbQfq5WhnU/s320/Anne+top+fit+%25284+of+23%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I will try to carry
this into 2019</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Fabrics</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Partial success. I
have not managed to cut into my special fabrics - hopefully in 2019</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I have, however, been
better with fabric choices.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Now I’m going to cull
many unsuitable fabrics from my stash</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>MAGAM</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I don’t think I
managed a single post. Next year, however, there is an overall theme (mine is
capsule wardrobe with a secondary stash busting aspect) and this fits
beautifully into my plans</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>2018 Make Nine</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Pretty disastrous! No
pressure, though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I managed a kimono
for myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhM6DxoUrqDF9GW7musNpJAVxy-N7X_bdfTmURFK69fU8easkjFbLsTP4yiw_uPdxLyiWGq0xhmFG3Smy2TuXCc6z0XBGf-M9w0LXHmWs4odY47sBDpD5WqQ5_64XBjUqWttqc5zjrOx0/s1600/_IMG3644ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhM6DxoUrqDF9GW7musNpJAVxy-N7X_bdfTmURFK69fU8easkjFbLsTP4yiw_uPdxLyiWGq0xhmFG3Smy2TuXCc6z0XBGf-M9w0LXHmWs4odY47sBDpD5WqQ5_64XBjUqWttqc5zjrOx0/s320/_IMG3644ed.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The dress I tried to
make was a huge wadder. No photo. I made a few tops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Several of the items
were pants/trousers/jeans - and my attempts to create a fitting pair were not
successful. I did wear one pair, out of desperation as I needed navy trousers
for a golf match I was playing in - the worst bits were hidden under my top and
the belt I wore helped them stay up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90AG4u0VT9_hH6126rZATHEzYvL_BEu_2DCZY89hQBmGOFvL0P5Xi3hcplfayvg_Z3SeWS92ZdbNYveo-YnvxsMSV16RHkXx3uMgzoH8ZYiBBSy029dZ15a22UD-od2fFes3iNXfTylU/s1600/20180620_110041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90AG4u0VT9_hH6126rZATHEzYvL_BEu_2DCZY89hQBmGOFvL0P5Xi3hcplfayvg_Z3SeWS92ZdbNYveo-YnvxsMSV16RHkXx3uMgzoH8ZYiBBSy029dZ15a22UD-od2fFes3iNXfTylU/s200/20180620_110041.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">don't look too closely!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Making well-fitting,
nice looking trousers is a key theme for 2019.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Sewing for Others</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I completed a green
silk dress for Helen for her Christmas - see recent blog post</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzWP_n2fvDjcRbAHOC_V5ZLG4vxLGQGPym8IBmTBQjFiP7ziyQULaHRzK5J7bGoR3qPzvlRTFyaS79McHGNHMP9n_xM1B6lExMI9u8MHRF17juVgMfvrJifl5kBtrAhapX88MGPCWv8Q/s1600/DSC00460+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="949" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzWP_n2fvDjcRbAHOC_V5ZLG4vxLGQGPym8IBmTBQjFiP7ziyQULaHRzK5J7bGoR3qPzvlRTFyaS79McHGNHMP9n_xM1B6lExMI9u8MHRF17juVgMfvrJifl5kBtrAhapX88MGPCWv8Q/s320/DSC00460+%25282%2529.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
and another pair of culottes for Joanne.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I bought the fabric
for Alison’s dress but haven’t progressed. There are big issues with the
sleeves.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I haven’t done
anything for David - he says that I should concentrate on myself as he can
easily buy what he might need. He really doesn't need anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’ve sewn a number of
craft items for others and embroidered some items, including a tee shirt and a
hoodie.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiemS9N0JHaDkabeOE9iQrtkYa7ngUud97JFKFaAFaTDzMvEU-OZB7e4uYEUfkcwW9sXYvoVLfIS2lQIS-Np7fuGkXm9WjUmAYqaTTpDeXNeDQy6HHLfGEtG04foMNe23QuHf71L4oo8U/s1600/DSC00413+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiemS9N0JHaDkabeOE9iQrtkYa7ngUud97JFKFaAFaTDzMvEU-OZB7e4uYEUfkcwW9sXYvoVLfIS2lQIS-Np7fuGkXm9WjUmAYqaTTpDeXNeDQy6HHLfGEtG04foMNe23QuHf71L4oo8U/s320/DSC00413+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book pillows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYz36NHkXzQaoH5PYNfFPCyI-Jsq6DTzH8_nD-qyJ_Hu8MqRuWv4xuZQvNeecpuPE9Ode2Uw11pWXhqRL2RE5xwrpZGl3xFoZ1alA9HPMa14T3Y-Da1aJVo-dsoDz8fENcwIgWPOC6Ec/s1600/DSC00418+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1279" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYz36NHkXzQaoH5PYNfFPCyI-Jsq6DTzH8_nD-qyJ_Hu8MqRuWv4xuZQvNeecpuPE9Ode2Uw11pWXhqRL2RE5xwrpZGl3xFoZ1alA9HPMa14T3Y-Da1aJVo-dsoDz8fENcwIgWPOC6Ec/s320/DSC00418+%25282%2529.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zipped notebook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpr-um_Jz9Xi6i5aMugvxp7cgZDSdVdZdSoHWfpjA3y6GEauK-oQujIKVJeL0J5p-6SFhXol5spPS3CDNm5nKkgmnKaCDVDqPEPuZXq2Kuy7uCi_omj57sNBaVYVduYqyhyIIN9-Q_2c/s1600/IMG-20181202-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpr-um_Jz9Xi6i5aMugvxp7cgZDSdVdZdSoHWfpjA3y6GEauK-oQujIKVJeL0J5p-6SFhXol5spPS3CDNm5nKkgmnKaCDVDqPEPuZXq2Kuy7uCi_omj57sNBaVYVduYqyhyIIN9-Q_2c/s320/IMG-20181202-WA0001.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Embroidered hoodie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86tWXYauGcjjYShlBMlYygTjno8D3WbY0jjmYo0g2wbI_9XtYyfjYjqEySn2eTjlA_JbuVeM7nQf2nY8MEgNPbTjAgptlXvKq-Bq4_lJzvF-oXv7tKC0c-Wku6LgUs3aHDDll614FYs8/s1600/IMG-20180819-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="572" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86tWXYauGcjjYShlBMlYygTjno8D3WbY0jjmYo0g2wbI_9XtYyfjYjqEySn2eTjlA_JbuVeM7nQf2nY8MEgNPbTjAgptlXvKq-Bq4_lJzvF-oXv7tKC0c-Wku6LgUs3aHDDll614FYs8/s320/IMG-20180819-WA0001.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monogrammed pocket on tee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I've also done a fair bit of refashioning, repairing etc.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Moving House</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We have decided to
postpone this.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>What are my plans for
2019?</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Organisation</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This is a big issue.
When we were thinking of moving, we realised we had so much ‘stuff’. I
also still have a lot of stuff of my mother’s including a dining room table and
6 chairs which we can’t use, plus a number of other tea chests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We have a <b>big </b>house
and use it (someone cruel might say we use it as a storage area!). With my
hobbies and David’s, there was no way we could consider significantly
downsizing, which we would have had to do to afford the area we were
considering. We need to downsize our clutter before we can downsize out home -
there is no way we would take it with us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I have started
getting rid of <b>patterns </b>that I will never sew. I am happy for anyone to have them
(I will take to class or give to Renee for her charity shop). I’m not into
selling. I still have a lot more to go. I will keep a few patterns in each
category but there is no need for multiples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Some of the patterns
were from sewing magazines; I was getting several per month, often repeats,
often the wrong size and often merely just another version of a sheath dress. Some were just not my style. Occasionally a magazine could have 3 patterns with it! There were a
couple of gems, though, that I will hang onto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I decided to cancel my magazines. I still subscribe to Threads and Sew
Today (that’s Vogue magazine in the US) - the latter mainly to keep up with
what is around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Magazines </b>create
their own problem and I need to get rid of those too. I have started to look through them to see if there are things I wish to keep. With all the books I have and the Internet, I guess there won't be much need to keep any though. Books aren't being culled just yet!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Fabric</b>! I have
already mentioned that I am just going to get rid of fabric that I don’t like,
wouldn't make up or isn’t suitable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">When I say ‘get rid
of’ - I will take these to my sewing bees and will likely find willing
recipients.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Sewing</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Trousers for me</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I need to complete
the fitting process of the basic pair to let me move on. The 'wearable toile' showed up a lot of issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Anything else is less
crucial. I’d like to use my dupion silk for a dress. A couple of cardigans
would come in handy. I’d like to make a jacket, maybe another Chanel-type or
maybe not - but this comes after the trousers. I have a blouse UFO and will
complete that and also make a shirtdress.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Blocks</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This year I will redo
my blocks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Classes</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I would like to watch more of my Craftsy classes. I enjoy then and would hate them to disappear before I had the chance to watch!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>For others</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I do enjoy sewing for others but need to balance this better with my own needs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Alison’s dress </b>- this has risen to the top of the 'for others' list. I have the fabric, have reviewed the pattern but still haven't sorted out the sleeve problem<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Joanne’s dress</b> -
chosen years ago but she asked me to put off until she was the right shape. I
even have the fabric. I also have fabric for more versions of her culottes. I'd like to look out suitable guipure lace of a different colour, say maroon, but can't find any without massive shipping costs from the US.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3Urr4eA5jHmn8y8rSRER7oGDRj9oD7DjWhqOhTqxHRVZ0e4q5r2QS3BYZ9758YC_VlImHMLdEszICQXHOOUbONp2tW17w0h6-4ilQy6kAM65v8xDD8lOHnJvny4l2ISSas2_rGdRam0/s1600/IMG-20160820-WA0000ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3Urr4eA5jHmn8y8rSRER7oGDRj9oD7DjWhqOhTqxHRVZ0e4q5r2QS3BYZ9758YC_VlImHMLdEszICQXHOOUbONp2tW17w0h6-4ilQy6kAM65v8xDD8lOHnJvny4l2ISSas2_rGdRam0/s320/IMG-20160820-WA0000ed.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Mini skirt </b>in tartan
for Helen - school style with narrow waistband and kick pleats. I have the fabric!!!! No pattern as yet. Any ideas?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Machine Embroidery</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I am enjoying this. I
have no definite plans but will continue to learn how to make decent items.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I may make some more Celtic
Owl notebook covers</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn3c8nqhcxIiTc_q1c8k0xfnCK1nr7Gzpmcmuq1B-8mTqdfhT4kov_3-XtszWDC73jlnf2t64yR-AI9c1CZgabiAxmFZ5tdUnm6VRFY0DzSuJRJDWIinYWn2iLrmxxdLQms1H1i6ybXQ/s1600/DSC00432+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1453" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn3c8nqhcxIiTc_q1c8k0xfnCK1nr7Gzpmcmuq1B-8mTqdfhT4kov_3-XtszWDC73jlnf2t64yR-AI9c1CZgabiAxmFZ5tdUnm6VRFY0DzSuJRJDWIinYWn2iLrmxxdLQms1H1i6ybXQ/s320/DSC00432+%25282%2529.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I will make my mother
a sleep mask for her birthday next week. I’m not sure how helpful it will be.
She gets botox injected into her eyes for medical reasons and at the moment she
can’t close her eyelids, even when she’s asleep.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNhCMmqh7m8iGPEqXd3akY_H0wbQMjny1Yk8XOUsP68EMroTequf59i5YltpwyFpGqhJavRS8f-GmACjbiA0OBeHS8lI-jmEnpTQNhsS3PpkOxi1GygYOxJvEWTI46QiOMjI38YRl99Q/s1600/DSC00428+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNhCMmqh7m8iGPEqXd3akY_H0wbQMjny1Yk8XOUsP68EMroTequf59i5YltpwyFpGqhJavRS8f-GmACjbiA0OBeHS8lI-jmEnpTQNhsS3PpkOxi1GygYOxJvEWTI46QiOMjI38YRl99Q/s320/DSC00428+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><b>Health</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I must lose weight
for the sake of my health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I’m less mobile now
than I was before breaking my foot – my foot is still painful, particularly
during certain movements. This has meant that I haven’t golfed since October,
haven’t gone on my rewilding walks (though they stopped anyway - I missed the
last two) and haven’t gone on photo shoots. I visited my mother less often and
postponed visits to my daughters. I’ve missed 2 group trips and haven’t felt
able to travel to London to visit the V&A etc.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">David has been
inconvenienced by this, too. He is unable to drive for medical reasons and
relies on me for taking him certain places - though he has a bus pass and can
travel on the bus to other places. Fortunately, I have been able to drive as my
car is an automatic.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In January, we’re
going to start going on our own walks, with a view to taking photographs. We
had planned to do this when we heard the rewilding walks were stopping. We can
stick to what I’m able to do as we won’t be reliant on others. I do hope the
walks start again, though, as I enjoyed meeting the others on the walks and we
found a lot of new places we didn't know.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I was using walking
shoes - like waterproof trainers. However, I now feel the need of some ankle
support during walks (some of which got a bit rough) and yesterday I bought a
pair of mid-rise walking boots - not too high, just enough to feel I have a bit
more ankle support.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Above all, I'm not going to put pressure on myself. Sewing is my hobby.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09932830885813917282noreply@blogger.com6