tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45602399953535122532024-02-20T23:54:53.900+00:00Crafty Wee OneProcrastination is the enemyHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-65448318834171851892012-11-11T22:05:00.000+00:002012-11-11T22:05:10.387+00:00I'm still here!Hiya,<br />
I am just letting you know, I am still here.<br />
I have had a hectic few months and had to put the coat and sewing machine to one side.<br />
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However....it is nearly done. I spent the last couple of months adding more beading and hand embroidery detail to the back, and today I got rid of the sticky-out bits on the padded lining and sewed the whole thing together. <br />
I now have just a few finishing touches that I am determined to get done this fortnight:<br />
<ol>
<li> reinforcing the collar with some hand-stitching (quick job).</li>
<li>adding fur trims to the wrists too (bit labour intensive).</li>
<li>thinning out all the furry hems on the inside (quick job).</li>
<li>sewing the lining and outer layer together down the central seam (quick job).</li>
<li>adding a hook and eye closure on the inside with 2 decorative buttons on the outiside (quick job).</li>
<li>Sewing up the bottom hem which is currently open to allow my adjustments (quick job).</li>
</ol>
I will add some more piccies but my camera is charging as its batteries only last about 5 mins. So, you see, the only major things I have to do is adding the fur trim to the wrists. As a stroke of good luck, I had to cut back the main fur trim, and the piece left over just so happens to be the perfect fit for the wrist, so technically, one cuff is made, and i can use this to cut the second.<br />
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Speak very soon with lots of photos xxHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-68367908898391413272012-04-06T13:34:00.001+01:002012-04-06T13:34:43.389+01:00Ninja Busy...<h2>
Okay,</h2>
So I admit it's been a while since my last post. I have however been making my coat...slooooowwwly and behind the veil of the blog. I have now completed the lining after buying a walking foot and I'll be honest, it was a mission.<br />
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<ol>
<li>I chose a teal which I personally feels is a good colour combo with any browns. I wanted colour but not so much it would own the coat rather than the coat owning the colour. Is that street lingo? I'm not cool enough to know.</li>
<li>Obviously I used the same pattern as the outer layer which I had adjusted to suit my shortass frame.</li>
<li>Put the darts into the lining only as I could sense the trying to put them into the wadding would result in a great deal of tears and yelling.</li>
<li>My new machine has a better overlocking stitch, so even though I don't yet possess an overlocker I managed to control the fraying before it went mental. Why is it that some fabrics fray if you look at them?</li>
<li>After sewing together in the easy standard way of this pattern I used a the lining as a pattern to cut out the mahoosive wadding. Obviously I have 2 layers of the teal lining too as it would be anoying to get wadding coming through the outer fabric of my coat.</li>
<li>As you can see, cutting huge lengths of fabric is really the only benefit of laminate flooring (laminate will be this generation's Artex). I tacked the wadding between the lining pieces VERY thoroughly as I didn't want any movement at all.</li>
<li>Now this is the devil bit. It was a wee bit of a nightmare to drag the wadded lining back and forth through the machine to get the swirly-whirly effect I was after. And it was exercise. This is why this lining has taken so long really, as I have to keep stopping and starting so I didn't get mad and impatient with it.</li>
<li>Ah, the pelt of some weird animal...I do love my swirls, though it does look very poofy at this stage.</li>
</ol>
I didn't want to look like a 1920s Dappy from N-Dubz (if you are from another country and don't know who this is, be thankful. Ignorance in this case truly is bliss) NAd as you can see the coat lining does stick out a bit like something created by Issey Miyake. And whilst I find his designs inspiring and innovative, I live in Ramsbottom, where it would look even more quirky than I am comfortable with (and I like a lot of quirk).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65njpldRSuhEbp-kn-1cfeJrHguvV-bNor8VbB6XaHsxi-Zi0sqmiGz_6AonzULn_WnTuAPqPhKmlGSngSo8cHev7fOdtQlplL0inM72KILbXLuMnnn2xUnzu-vmtE9nC76VRSvO4asg/s1600/Coat+Lining+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65njpldRSuhEbp-kn-1cfeJrHguvV-bNor8VbB6XaHsxi-Zi0sqmiGz_6AonzULn_WnTuAPqPhKmlGSngSo8cHev7fOdtQlplL0inM72KILbXLuMnnn2xUnzu-vmtE9nC76VRSvO4asg/s320/Coat+Lining+10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8hH95Nf32YaoEIR87tMYitCem3MGFiYrD7RUEhJPN-ZTosv7FN_Ob04uwErhHK9WIcfE-GiQLtVeAyo34lWlsE10RN6kWCBJzPSJyiUOf1MYxKuyu626OKB5MAx7WMs9cnctVHrpeD0/s1600/Coat+Lining+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8hH95Nf32YaoEIR87tMYitCem3MGFiYrD7RUEhJPN-ZTosv7FN_Ob04uwErhHK9WIcfE-GiQLtVeAyo34lWlsE10RN6kWCBJzPSJyiUOf1MYxKuyu626OKB5MAx7WMs9cnctVHrpeD0/s320/Coat+Lining+11.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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After much consideration, googling and questioning of costumier friends, I decided my best bet for relaxing the wadding was the following course of actions:<br />
<ul>
<li>Washing on a cool setting with fabric conditioner and white wine vinegar</li>
<li>Ironing it (I did thorough test samples, which I always advise) which flattens the wadding and makes it bend easier</li>
<li>Sitting on it, rolling in it etc.</li>
</ul>
Already I'm seeing some improvements and I'm sure that once I have weighed it down at the back as instructed in the pattern and tamed by the outer fabric, it will be reet.<br />
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Next time, the embellishment on the back....Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-9163031930643232332012-01-13T20:19:00.000+00:002012-01-13T20:19:22.419+00:00Distraction....Hiya,<br />
just thought I'd keep you in the know seeing as you've bothered to follow my blog. The coat is still a priority but I need a 'walking foot' for my machine and have to wait till payday till I can buy it (it's nearly sodding £40...£40!?) so the quilted lining will have to wait for the next couple of weeks.<br />
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However, I am still completely obsessed with sewing so got distracted on one of the many vintage pattern sites that are in my favourites. I'd seen this pattern a few months ago, and it was still there last week, so I bought it. Unlike the walking foot doodaa, it was only a fiver and that's value for the outfit combos you can get!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQZ6ihJpp_qN7fLikxmQor0DwW2rh9mbI8JLW_9pjC6Clkdx5qOBW4-cEZVOZ6FPY2j_1cAXbnidiDL-c87ChT4pDuz_yyzIY-as9z6akIqARUXw5DVY3F3BznJiLWt1ZJUxbawuMHUo/s1600/1970s+suit+set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQZ6ihJpp_qN7fLikxmQor0DwW2rh9mbI8JLW_9pjC6Clkdx5qOBW4-cEZVOZ6FPY2j_1cAXbnidiDL-c87ChT4pDuz_yyzIY-as9z6akIqARUXw5DVY3F3BznJiLWt1ZJUxbawuMHUo/s320/1970s+suit+set.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>Really, I have to admit I can totally see myself in the plaid jacket, shorts, and green tights. The model even has short blonde curly hair. It's clearly meant to be! I thought I could also make up a jacket and skirt for work and hell, may as well make up the trousers while I'm at it!<br />
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I'm going to be realistic and actually plan out my sewing for the next year. Coccoon coat first, followed by a couple of retro 60s dresses before summer hits, then in summer I'm going to make up this beaut.<br />
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I'm so excited (such a geek)<br />
xxHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-84127743194394243802012-01-04T21:33:00.000+00:002012-01-04T21:33:15.450+00:00Step 7: Where's the vac?Collar drafted, toile tested, fur cut and sewn. Now to just ensure the trim fits right...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDArwRBIehPdt3QDcPWpI5WqUGJ24DCBfNstNwhpPBS8DjI-ShcPWs1cKbW5GmY5z4-0peXzHQHl_PUBm379Dzu-wg4ghiLQe1UBH6g1Cg1_dlbHVAArox01iZ65dpOr9WeovNccwv7E/s1600/Finished+Collar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDArwRBIehPdt3QDcPWpI5WqUGJ24DCBfNstNwhpPBS8DjI-ShcPWs1cKbW5GmY5z4-0peXzHQHl_PUBm379Dzu-wg4ghiLQe1UBH6g1Cg1_dlbHVAArox01iZ65dpOr9WeovNccwv7E/s320/Finished+Collar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
1. Don't wear fleecy black leggings when working with fur, or cats.<br />
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2. This is the amount of fur crap produced from just 1 seam. Hmm.<br />
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3. Vac your legs and all other surfaces regularly. This stuff is like sand or glitter, gets in places you can't imagine.<br />
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4. Worth it, look at the lovely finished trimmed seam. I did reinforce the seam with an extra row of stitches on the bottom curve, as this takes a lot of the weight.<br />
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5, 6, & 7. Here I pinned the trim to the coat to ensure a good fit. Very happy so far :)<br />
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See you soon, when I tackle the padded lining (I think I will invest in a walking foot for this one)<br />
HelenHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-90989666049295678742012-01-04T21:24:00.000+00:002012-01-04T21:24:29.241+00:00Step 6: Fur, fur, everywhere...Fur is great isn't it? So soft, and warm and luxurious. It's good that I think that, considering it now covers most of my flat.<br />
So...after drafting my collar/trim, it was time for the real shabang. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQT03rNpTuKAt1pDIT7w2Y0WtdxSI3OT28EEFtrPmaNOUrHPsOlWXKxUQYQ-Rdc0z0XwWSdSszLXfBAFxK69aLa34RZOnmRPBBtpH8JF0XBFrsrEYmgyeLUqFsKRDD-U196-zlA4wtmHg/s1600/Sewing+collar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_x7qxa3="142" height="232" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQT03rNpTuKAt1pDIT7w2Y0WtdxSI3OT28EEFtrPmaNOUrHPsOlWXKxUQYQ-Rdc0z0XwWSdSszLXfBAFxK69aLa34RZOnmRPBBtpH8JF0XBFrsrEYmgyeLUqFsKRDD-U196-zlA4wtmHg/s320/Sewing+collar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
1. I didn't think I'd get the right colour of fur, but luckily the shop lighting was wrong, not the colour, so I opted for this long-haired, dark grey & cream, minky faux fur from Abhakans in Manchester. Becuase I had to pay by the kilo and use a nap layout I did have to buy rather a lot, but I have plans for a faux fur pill-box hat and maybe some wrist warmers?<br />
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2. I put a single notch at the top/neck side of the pattern, and double notches at the bottom just so I wouldn't get myself confused. I really took my time cutting out the pattern keeping the blade of the scissors as close to the backing as possible so I didn't cut through the actual pile.<br />
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3. When pinning the seams together it is vital to put the pins in at 90 degrees to the edge and alternating directions. This avoids the fur moving and sliding around (the fur I was using is especially smooth and silky so this would have happened very easily had I not put the pins in properly).<br />
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4. I selected a straight stitch double the length I'd normally use, and really a walking foot would have helped, but I don't have one...yet.<br />
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5. After sewing all the seams I turned the fabric around so the right side was facing me, and then used a knitting needle to carefully pull the pile out of the seam. This allows for as smooth a finish as possible. <br />
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6. Although it took me a long time, I pulled out all the pile as close to the stitching as possible so as to hide the seams.<br />
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7. I then turned the fabric so the wrong side was facing me, and I could clearly see the long pile left in the sewn seam. This needs to be trimmed so the seam lies flat.<br />
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8. This picture shows a seam on the wrong side of the fabric, with half of the seam trimmed as close to the backing as possible. Again this is a time-consuming job, but is worth it, as you could cut the stitching or backing if not careful.<br />
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Next time...Will Sancho propose, or run away?.....Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-43998654869482541522012-01-04T19:53:00.000+00:002012-01-04T19:54:28.520+00:00Step 5: Draft to craftRight so after putting it off fur (haha) quite a while, I finally started drafting and making my fur collar and trim. <br />
I had to start by drafting as I have never made a coat collar before and obviously wanted the fur around the entire edge of the coat. <br />
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The numbers on the descriptions refer to the pictures, starting at top left to top right, then onto the bottom left picture to bottom right.<br />
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1. I looked around the net for someone's knowledge, experience, and possibly a free ready made pattern. Sadly I didn't have much joy. I did find a blog where the woman was drafting a simple coat collar and although the style was completely different, her method seemed the best option. So, I pinned lots of squares of paper onto the edge of the coat.<br />
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2 & 3 I then taped extra pieces inbetween, where triangular gaps formed on the curves. <br />
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4. I then trimmed down the edges so that the trim was wider at the top and bottom and slimmed into the waist.<br />
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5. Et Voila, a paper pattern for the trim.<br />
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6. I cut a toile out of muslin, and pinned to the coat to ensure the pattern was ok. However, I noticed a massive amount of spare material left at the bottom. I cut this down on the toile then laid it on the pattern and adjusted the paper pattern.<br />
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7 & 8. I am happy at this point that the collar stands up to a dramatic but not over-the-top or impractical height. Just snuggy enough in the winter ;)<br />
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See you soon for the next exciting episode (it is for me anyway, I'm a proud geek).<br />
HelenHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-15090492345388487752011-12-17T17:50:00.000+00:002011-12-17T17:50:55.954+00:00A Christmas DeviationFestive Salutations my crafty Friends!!<br />
I love Christmas...little disappointed we aren't having the kind of snow we had last year, after we've moved to pretty Ramsbottom, but there's still hope.<br />
Anyway, I decided to make my own wreath out of random bits I had lying around:<br />
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I was going to add more little bits but it would never have made it onto the front door, as I've also given myself the task of printing my own wrapping paper and making my own cards. I used an embroidery hoop and scraps of fabric as well as ribbons, buttons, and feathers. Anyway, I'm pretty happy with it, and I can always add/adjust it next year if I want to (although Mr Kayaking Bear is staying put).<br />
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Have a lovely Crimbo my deers,<br />
Helen xxxHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-41948681851155070772011-12-08T19:55:00.000+00:002011-12-08T20:05:58.960+00:00Step 4 - Have I got it right...dun-dun-DUUUUNN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div>So now the bit I've been equally longing for and loathing....cutting the real fabric and making up the coat outer layer according to my redrafted pattern. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As I have said previously, I chose a cappucino coloured mohair knit jersey, so obviously had to use a nap layout. I decided to do things the long way around and cut each side out separately, rather than cut on doubled-up fabric.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0pDcp0UIYDhfXINkoqFn498stjBY7zsHIfTH6RUfk_xB0NvD2GXEGVsyJneKeWWDGnsSYHfWtaxV8rszsvNTOfY0XpfVOHz28W9V3G4t2OORzi6I_7SYKLT4c9kq20T0XE2aOH_LZm4/s1600/Coat+outer+layer+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0pDcp0UIYDhfXINkoqFn498stjBY7zsHIfTH6RUfk_xB0NvD2GXEGVsyJneKeWWDGnsSYHfWtaxV8rszsvNTOfY0XpfVOHz28W9V3G4t2OORzi6I_7SYKLT4c9kq20T0XE2aOH_LZm4/s320/Coat+outer+layer+5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I'll hold my hands up and admit that I accidentally forgot to snip a couple of notches whilst cutting out even after bothering to mark all of them on my paper. Oops. Anyway, It's alreet cos I snipped the sleeve notches and they are the ones that matter the most in this pattern.<br />
Then for careful marking, tacking and stitching of the shoulder darts:<br />
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<img border="0" height="200" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaj8aWmdiuvrU_aSA-ljN9ly64R7ivQrePyOtlUmNjN2Smij01tuzFjDbj3jW7JXPh9NzfVcri-rwVSGFw2HK2NOBHlsZhOUsgMphA6KQVKmV3DsxVib_oMII4PWgQkuRWDjLanMaeZ0/s200/Coat+outer+layer+3.jpg" width="150" /><br />
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And finally, ta-daaaaa... I'm pretty chuffed with this. It is actually a very easy pattern to follow, even if it does look unusual to start with. And as others who have used this Folkwear pattern will comment, the basic coat makes up very quickly:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjCbgygrsZLYz9lnc_PbGMb_Y3a9aasRNoYNgEiVjigEarBUHEhXU424LsvpRF9xwAoAWis-9cPWTNXXfq0LOXfg3InQz3Y42m6M30luJ3p5FXXKl8QXW2DEsxUHCKqgJrBAVVxXhtJw/s1600/Coat+outer+layer+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjCbgygrsZLYz9lnc_PbGMb_Y3a9aasRNoYNgEiVjigEarBUHEhXU424LsvpRF9xwAoAWis-9cPWTNXXfq0LOXfg3InQz3Y42m6M30luJ3p5FXXKl8QXW2DEsxUHCKqgJrBAVVxXhtJw/s200/Coat+outer+layer+1.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q0sy5JLDwkjfJcLIWje5uZHkIB5W0tGvBiSlHsvSdz6V08i7fgLJaJU8oWhnraBbSwmbVXtdkRgWlxdx1_LA8cj0DQ7bNCKJfKZnAZUwLDMFTCAFVdZFzJCU2e0YZOZHBR4U19UdrGg/s1600/Coat+outer+layer+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q0sy5JLDwkjfJcLIWje5uZHkIB5W0tGvBiSlHsvSdz6V08i7fgLJaJU8oWhnraBbSwmbVXtdkRgWlxdx1_LA8cj0DQ7bNCKJfKZnAZUwLDMFTCAFVdZFzJCU2e0YZOZHBR4U19UdrGg/s320/Coat+outer+layer+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm getting the faux fur, and lining materials this weekend (as well as any other little fancy bits for embellishing the back), so will try and keep you posted soon enough,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaj8aWmdiuvrU_aSA-ljN9ly64R7ivQrePyOtlUmNjN2Smij01tuzFjDbj3jW7JXPh9NzfVcri-rwVSGFw2HK2NOBHlsZhOUsgMphA6KQVKmV3DsxVib_oMII4PWgQkuRWDjLanMaeZ0/s1600/Coat+outer+layer+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>loving stitches xx</div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-13772004339915217332011-12-08T19:43:00.000+00:002011-12-08T19:43:26.363+00:00Step 3 - The RedraftRight, so after fiddling about with muslin, pins and shears, I was finally happy with my toile. I only adjusted half as I thought it was pointless fiddling about getting the other half exactly the same. I then carefully undid the stitching down the back middle seam to separate out the altered half of the toile and transfer it to paper. I used a combination of the original pattern (for accuracy) and the muslin toile to mark out the new pattern pieces. I had a dart on the muslin toile, but this nicely laid itself out flat on the paper, so less hassle there.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVRySE3vdVJz2WuhZnSAANR347nMbJjfupD5JRbue9IA3xIWtjrx6MNJSe_gbLBkv0Jx-4-PVKpVYP2mBCwy61dM60yh3MoRlpr9jqwYICu4F0AqTX6eTPt6-0AQlO4t_41KATzc-na8/s1600/Coat+outer+layer+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVRySE3vdVJz2WuhZnSAANR347nMbJjfupD5JRbue9IA3xIWtjrx6MNJSe_gbLBkv0Jx-4-PVKpVYP2mBCwy61dM60yh3MoRlpr9jqwYICu4F0AqTX6eTPt6-0AQlO4t_41KATzc-na8/s320/Coat+outer+layer+9.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iKjfZWwe4FaSVa_Mv6gvDqJNjsKtoAwefonhbptN8XBDfVtI7BLio5uoG0auaAq_18L27yfTXzpK6MEvCZVLvreW_AMrVSjllwBxMK-BLoJ2fMGmxarJAWCJ6iDDwHddDpVdWULUfwQ/s1600/Coat+outer+layer+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iKjfZWwe4FaSVa_Mv6gvDqJNjsKtoAwefonhbptN8XBDfVtI7BLio5uoG0auaAq_18L27yfTXzpK6MEvCZVLvreW_AMrVSjllwBxMK-BLoJ2fMGmxarJAWCJ6iDDwHddDpVdWULUfwQ/s320/Coat+outer+layer+8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Then all marked out, it gets cut, et voila:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Xj8HxLW-6HAQBIJLIAORoWquW6jeH0LMMFCdjCDHtxAjI_uQiOlDqZzCfz7G6avKyYqL3QmEdQW-jMqHkQyuEceOmyx_IGR00wugN79EVnYOkibV8xW74s9lKb3kfCSrjaTpX7EGK90/s1600/Coat+outer+layer+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Xj8HxLW-6HAQBIJLIAORoWquW6jeH0LMMFCdjCDHtxAjI_uQiOlDqZzCfz7G6avKyYqL3QmEdQW-jMqHkQyuEceOmyx_IGR00wugN79EVnYOkibV8xW74s9lKb3kfCSrjaTpX7EGK90/s320/Coat+outer+layer+6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Woohoo, now comes the exciting bit, cutting out the real fabric and sewing up the outer layer of my coat....eeek!<br />
See you soon fellow crafters<br />
xxHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-17273265487150028602011-11-28T21:33:00.000+00:002011-12-08T19:43:46.351+00:00Step 2: I hate muslin<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Reasons:</div><ol><li>it's got wobbly edges.</li>
<li>it won't just sit still while you cut it, especially if you lack a proper cutting table and are crawling around on some crappy laminate floor.</li>
<li>even without obvious signs it throws little bits of cotton up in the air, and my poor eyes and nose wouldn't stop itching.</li>
</ol><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anyway, I've managed to prepare a toile of the Poiret coat. The assembly was unusual but very easy. It's one of those patterns where you look at the pieces and think...'what the hell?' but then with one line of sewing it magically works. Even with some initial shortening just to fit it on the muslin, the coat in its unaltered state drowns my teeny frame:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI_CWT3zGSC1ZiocpNPEtJlLVC_S3qDvhzl4e6h_E8yxnO9jU3Isc4r68bnqH2g2EGGU29SHYVAXNf4tKaNL0NDCVUtgflSYldgCRyiLpGKxGr9cqku8CRx7wqqFYINJsbPnc3DwV9BQ/s1600/Coat+toile+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI_CWT3zGSC1ZiocpNPEtJlLVC_S3qDvhzl4e6h_E8yxnO9jU3Isc4r68bnqH2g2EGGU29SHYVAXNf4tKaNL0NDCVUtgflSYldgCRyiLpGKxGr9cqku8CRx7wqqFYINJsbPnc3DwV9BQ/s400/Coat+toile+before.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, this would be perfect for some leggy model, but it's a little overkill for a shortarse. So I put it onto Betty and started to adjust one half of the muslin. My idea being, if I can get one half perfect I can then draft a new pattern on paper from that half.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0sGwvPw4g4g0GflpmDw-6l4wZjF35XNGYTXIhg0xEQx1zJZwZ1bZrxz90BdlGeg0jYER-mVbEQfh-FCnIrVCIQi_laX7Pudd5XRvb011fJiJLmZXvmLp5XcDmnkUUkfcRcQdx03XTrI/s1600/Coat+toile+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0sGwvPw4g4g0GflpmDw-6l4wZjF35XNGYTXIhg0xEQx1zJZwZ1bZrxz90BdlGeg0jYER-mVbEQfh-FCnIrVCIQi_laX7Pudd5XRvb011fJiJLmZXvmLp5XcDmnkUUkfcRcQdx03XTrI/s400/Coat+toile+after.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So you can see, that I have adjusted the right-hand side of the coat and ended up adding a very long dart just between the armpit and bust. This was necessary to get the coccon shape and draping I wanted from the front to underneath the bum. Many thanks to Richie for holding the sleeves out and posing in the background (x).</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So when everyone is striking at school on Wednesday I intend to take in my toile, undo it and mark it out on thin paper ready to cut my fabric. My next big challenge then is the collar and finding the right faux fur that won't aggrevate my eczema, but will feel snuggy and lush.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Cheers ears xx</div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-6528230217024294232011-11-20T21:22:00.000+00:002011-11-20T21:26:27.237+00:00Step 1: Turn Around....<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Okay, so as always, I love to give myself a challenge, and really work myself to the bone. And therefore, I've decided to do a mix of machine and hand embroidery to decorate the back of my coat. I've actually been inspired by projects the students are doing at my school. My year 9 group are currently making photo frames inspired by Gustav Klimt's patterns, whilst my colleague is looking at Karen Kamenetzky with her GCSE students. Without knowing it, these inspired me and that's when I doodled my orginal design (whilst in a meeting, but it's okay, because apparently doodling can help you retain information).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here's a couple of examples of my inspiration:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRbOncZeStyvj1k3wzylyi4M0LtIGlA2-JVy8EzzT-wSg_rXwEv3Sa00tIUz9PLdK-UP37vaBrQtSujGz8EbJgm8pI8RfVdrnTbEw85GYawLednHE7qCZFNqWpWhZO7CuI785KTMW5EU/s1600/Klimt+Hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRbOncZeStyvj1k3wzylyi4M0LtIGlA2-JVy8EzzT-wSg_rXwEv3Sa00tIUz9PLdK-UP37vaBrQtSujGz8EbJgm8pI8RfVdrnTbEw85GYawLednHE7qCZFNqWpWhZO7CuI785KTMW5EU/s320/Klimt+Hope.jpg" width="316" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd959WVYZh3p4TBC0vbr51lZEK1m7363oaV7WVJA54bi4HZiXR81u8u0udQQa2ZlZtfIJ4yDSBS8ZYx12nN2Js1E-cUwNHl-L-lwKKhuwgah06BXQmaA55hOuTj2hDgK_1RGqSacR7wkM/s1600/kamenetsky1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd959WVYZh3p4TBC0vbr51lZEK1m7363oaV7WVJA54bi4HZiXR81u8u0udQQa2ZlZtfIJ4yDSBS8ZYx12nN2Js1E-cUwNHl-L-lwKKhuwgah06BXQmaA55hOuTj2hDgK_1RGqSacR7wkM/s320/kamenetsky1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I decided to be good and prepare properly, rather than trying to wing it, because I trust my gut instinct, and my gut tells me that if I take my time this coat could be the best thing I have made to date.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Nnqo9H7VWV8jFbReQxL0_EJNvQVeYgWuS1BW_nFb8lLJ7urKIPzO1dAYJuKclB9EHeKYn0dslOd8OcH9qUrNFk_Trcqg4qo63gOjyrZYBn8GIQXE8EnlV-SlbxCVSFitYZp6xpbM2fI/s1600/ps3+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rHEm_qDWtvO_OsVVq9lcSWeECwt16VuGlm9qVhji99evvCIEyk6rNQEsV76Bi1nZqxR4u-_VsGhWpeR8kr6Ras2BCWEYSeYFRoj7uGiVPlq8HhYVkLMt80MTkETTAgcBZQwL2kpL694/s1600/ps3+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rHEm_qDWtvO_OsVVq9lcSWeECwt16VuGlm9qVhji99evvCIEyk6rNQEsV76Bi1nZqxR4u-_VsGhWpeR8kr6Ras2BCWEYSeYFRoj7uGiVPlq8HhYVkLMt80MTkETTAgcBZQwL2kpL694/s400/ps3+011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So only a small sample, but it's something I can see myself just keep adding to; a perfect example of the more the better methinks.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Next to do:</div><ol><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">pick up Betty the mannequin from my parents'</div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Get some musling for a toile</div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Get some wadding and silk for the luxury lining</div></li>
</ol><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If only I didn't have to work full-time, sigh...</div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-10527320171786179682011-10-28T17:30:00.000+01:002011-10-28T17:30:03.186+01:00And the Coat Begins...Okay, so I've finally made some decisions about my cocoon coat. I'm not going with either the Decades of Style Parisienne, or the Ageless Sunburst which I'd narrowed it down to. Typically, I've decided to go for a third, previously unknown option, the Folkwear Poiret Cocoon coat:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukvcgS0TmvFWofnPeKX_oivfjqX69nr9eXrTXTkJwmcD9VLysdMJv0PKnU1kejjx22wR4SjjxYBW3utMuNNUn_SqfR0YTsshkc0YpBfGiwLCsQbJbpdOjhiySENkxPogsEHWyt08Fldg/s1600/Poiret+Coat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukvcgS0TmvFWofnPeKX_oivfjqX69nr9eXrTXTkJwmcD9VLysdMJv0PKnU1kejjx22wR4SjjxYBW3utMuNNUn_SqfR0YTsshkc0YpBfGiwLCsQbJbpdOjhiySENkxPogsEHWyt08Fldg/s320/Poiret+Coat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I intended to make it out of velvet, possibly dark green or claret. So, clearly now I've been to Abhakans with my mum to look at fabrics, I've now chosen against velvet and against green or red. I'm fab at decisions, I just don't know what I'm getting until I see it, and throw all previous plans into the bin (should know by now that for me, gut instinct wins out every time). I've selected a long mohair style jersey in a cappucino colour, so here's an illustration of my planned changes and embellishments:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2S3Z0M_F1BeEI5mDCSv17lVnIyMNDY9wbHNf33SIWaUhPMcvKrD7WHud9N-HTLZ-K5EWpkG3DEu-b5ALOq2BrOFzXxqnzNDNrfs0DfhbC-77_PRLowZSmaFMYPb6Zy6aRDUTrpwXeN4/s1600/Poiret+Coat+changes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2S3Z0M_F1BeEI5mDCSv17lVnIyMNDY9wbHNf33SIWaUhPMcvKrD7WHud9N-HTLZ-K5EWpkG3DEu-b5ALOq2BrOFzXxqnzNDNrfs0DfhbC-77_PRLowZSmaFMYPb6Zy6aRDUTrpwXeN4/s320/Poiret+Coat+changes.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>I'm only petite, so the full-length would drown me, therefore via some alterations and a mock-up in muslin, I will shorten the coat to just below my derriere. I want a large fake fur collar and thought it would look effective to continue the fur trim around the whole edge of the coat, narrowing the trim where the fastenings will be. The embellishment on the back will be done with teal colours using free-machine embroidery, and is based on patterns seen in Klimt's paintings. I have to say a big thanks you to Mummio and Daddio for my new machine which allows me to do free embroidery, and Richie for suggesting teal for the decoration. <br />
I intend to add some warmth (it's cowd up 'ere) using some quilt batting and will line it with some matching teal lining. I need to find out where I last got this (approx 15 years ago, arrrgh!!). Think it's probably Nortex Mill in Bolton.<br />
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I'll keep you posted... (have a feeling this will be a big project, but worth it)Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-61256358903775265442011-10-17T17:23:00.000+01:002011-10-17T17:24:30.819+01:00Long time, no see...Hello there, wow it's been a while!<br />
Sorree I've been away for so long, but autumn term back was a nightmare, and now it's started to settle again (prob not for long), I can start living again (prob not for long).<br />
I have done a few bits and bobs, such as sewing some curtains for a friend of mine, and below are some photos of the process.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUvS-KSHg8wQAKOQQJ3mMiENwP0w2akPwj_phrK4Xfu7mnAExI-SjxqfIPtn7MjbdOQgpgCLHPvPXGB4k3nTA2K-T326hpGDTOnw8qafPtVKLqGxNdeoyK1vmOboTcZHF5BzeJVUJWeU/s1600/curtains1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUvS-KSHg8wQAKOQQJ3mMiENwP0w2akPwj_phrK4Xfu7mnAExI-SjxqfIPtn7MjbdOQgpgCLHPvPXGB4k3nTA2K-T326hpGDTOnw8qafPtVKLqGxNdeoyK1vmOboTcZHF5BzeJVUJWeU/s320/curtains1.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6Ng0CtsspR2x2gXIRjp4NzX74EEHmi6b9kSasUH41mz9ZceL5nYJXTxREUyMp4qBSB8H7KR3j9pBtODCqw7lfVBDspCaB9wr1kG9XsBBbc7QZ5-R0-vD3PFSZ_oJNnPDLd1jI9AXTfk/s1600/curtains2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6Ng0CtsspR2x2gXIRjp4NzX74EEHmi6b9kSasUH41mz9ZceL5nYJXTxREUyMp4qBSB8H7KR3j9pBtODCqw7lfVBDspCaB9wr1kG9XsBBbc7QZ5-R0-vD3PFSZ_oJNnPDLd1jI9AXTfk/s320/curtains2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Here you can see my lovely new marking pencils, what a godsend they were for measuring out such massive lengths of material.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xRJ9tsL46h_3x2YWSPSKdHhx4CmMf1C8i4pj-GRXNO7-86fbEfvn-XPiWCwTBv6qrM4b3fb6_NgqANcNX7YTa5l5CRbWtsalBc5rIqga7flJPrCCV4CynNPY3DQQIYUdykBBfR2V8wA/s1600/curtains4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xRJ9tsL46h_3x2YWSPSKdHhx4CmMf1C8i4pj-GRXNO7-86fbEfvn-XPiWCwTBv6qrM4b3fb6_NgqANcNX7YTa5l5CRbWtsalBc5rIqga7flJPrCCV4CynNPY3DQQIYUdykBBfR2V8wA/s320/curtains4.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dHVRTvqjHrt_lPrChY6eWMgkdVEuYQUet8Hzc931BEu6hAAwPayxO_DQF6rCbMZANt4jxQUmElntH0G1yyH9i_jjgmWPLyFJ9JlXVjur_95Gd5xaoqmafvqbVngpLsCi8eSzX7E7byA/s1600/curtains3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dHVRTvqjHrt_lPrChY6eWMgkdVEuYQUet8Hzc931BEu6hAAwPayxO_DQF6rCbMZANt4jxQUmElntH0G1yyH9i_jjgmWPLyFJ9JlXVjur_95Gd5xaoqmafvqbVngpLsCi8eSzX7E7byA/s320/curtains3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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I cut the lining with the main fabric for ease, and have to say that apart from the fraying, this was a good fabric to work with. It stayed in place nicely when folded, so ironing was much faster.<br />
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I will get a picture of the finished curtains on here as soon as possible as the one I took on my phone is crappy quality.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-71888188526372759052011-08-16T14:32:00.000+01:002011-08-24T20:10:35.144+01:00Make Do & Mend... <br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfyG-7cCUSXh2hy9wBpHdBT1xP-kQwy-ylESisLCfn0_CyK7YWw-3Wke3tETccwTLIv2IuK0L5y9ieVDxKESLORYIPDvZ8yfenM88o2O-7dbOgK5w5Brrx2GGynzTLwM1nBehKITb074/s1600/Blue+Check+shirt+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfyG-7cCUSXh2hy9wBpHdBT1xP-kQwy-ylESisLCfn0_CyK7YWw-3Wke3tETccwTLIv2IuK0L5y9ieVDxKESLORYIPDvZ8yfenM88o2O-7dbOgK5w5Brrx2GGynzTLwM1nBehKITb074/s320/Blue+Check+shirt+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Never worn because of the </div>tie waist which made the <br />
bottom flare out too much.</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u>Item #2: Blue check tie shirt</u></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Next up is a shirt that needs even more doing to it to make it a valuable part of my wardrobe. You see, I'm working my way from the easiest to the most difficult. I'm sticking to my plan, without getting distracted....oooh, Escape to the Country's on TV...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a shirt bought for me, and I loved the fabric, but the tie waist and pin tucks just flared out the bottom hem, and as a pear shape I need volume on the bust, not the hips! It is a great addition, or could be, to my work wardrobe, but it needs some minor adjustments.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TFFkxPfduuzGhmeMH_WawQhbFP_Jz4DYMha7xwW1LbxOtQVqbWy_VfLIRjzuFbr8P9B6Ee9G8VNtX9qbd3Hbyq_6ILKf5bswSxviPLBldV9AIR1WLIE7P1rhX8RIZDkAVhNGrMMuckc/s1600/Blue+Check+shirt+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TFFkxPfduuzGhmeMH_WawQhbFP_Jz4DYMha7xwW1LbxOtQVqbWy_VfLIRjzuFbr8P9B6Ee9G8VNtX9qbd3Hbyq_6ILKf5bswSxviPLBldV9AIR1WLIE7P1rhX8RIZDkAVhNGrMMuckc/s200/Blue+Check+shirt+6.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pin tucks which helped to<br />
flare out the bottom hem.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimx24YkQXSNN85nHKxVMpAj4kCgOsFadk_ZMCqGTVecn65JgXKrC6xKrsiWbC4hS9OBrYrwgbXwylOuljK2avzj7KtIhkOUTqhrAPLZK-VpNo8PlN5yf17lvRwPAwsPodgNUJmLwFfztw/s1600/Blue+Check+shirt++2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimx24YkQXSNN85nHKxVMpAj4kCgOsFadk_ZMCqGTVecn65JgXKrC6xKrsiWbC4hS9OBrYrwgbXwylOuljK2avzj7KtIhkOUTqhrAPLZK-VpNo8PlN5yf17lvRwPAwsPodgNUJmLwFfztw/s200/Blue+Check+shirt++2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The buttons had metal bits on which<br />
I think looked too harsh and cheap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So, I intend to remove the ties, replace the buttons, and make the pin tucks into full on darts for more structure and shape, which is essential for wee ones like me. Here goes...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcun8D3PxgWyXDDP9lBvDBeg3M1_PUROi0wRN9RlOpKh0Bq3uythh95NdOHV9xSBHPujI8nyO_IrlGIbWE71WAHyKYNi-C_pl7mPNfq8gD7uWftTGD-92OTs9nvRL9JApkZY9Z2SOMy0/s1600/Blue+Check+shirt+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcun8D3PxgWyXDDP9lBvDBeg3M1_PUROi0wRN9RlOpKh0Bq3uythh95NdOHV9xSBHPujI8nyO_IrlGIbWE71WAHyKYNi-C_pl7mPNfq8gD7uWftTGD-92OTs9nvRL9JApkZY9Z2SOMy0/s200/Blue+Check+shirt+9.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnjT1jF9rjqKJXj2N_Yp99TFHetkZ9drj7KtIqj272c1SEX-7tzm3kPSaYFHPlvDs02RbemR8fYEdxqzOqwaoD-HF_bSWJVRG6EcsYR03W1hFkj4IV0tYGnP6ogtiS6RsCifyB6reUZE/s1600/Blue+Check+shirt+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnjT1jF9rjqKJXj2N_Yp99TFHetkZ9drj7KtIqj272c1SEX-7tzm3kPSaYFHPlvDs02RbemR8fYEdxqzOqwaoD-HF_bSWJVRG6EcsYR03W1hFkj4IV0tYGnP6ogtiS6RsCifyB6reUZE/s200/Blue+Check+shirt+5.JPG" width="150" /></a><u><strong>Step one: Remove ties.</strong></u> Here I used my quick unpick to remove 3 lines of stitching on the bodice where the ties where positioned. It was really easy and obviously the existing stitching lines and creases remained, allowing me to secure the hole with just one line of very small stitches.<span id="goog_538614004"></span><span id="goog_538614005"></span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ew-HVvfopT0tDA79o6YOUo7auOfbE5vb3mDUTpRROq204vxCWBxIFs-tX_lSn7CpJPkdB8aVAHW8dQ3JMHluiMgRHmvVCi80VlN2BQiziVrq5wzOZxXRtK9gzwLJKpwwHVX8nlecPyI/s1600/Blue+Check+shirt++3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ew-HVvfopT0tDA79o6YOUo7auOfbE5vb3mDUTpRROq204vxCWBxIFs-tX_lSn7CpJPkdB8aVAHW8dQ3JMHluiMgRHmvVCi80VlN2BQiziVrq5wzOZxXRtK9gzwLJKpwwHVX8nlecPyI/s200/Blue+Check+shirt++3.JPG" width="150" /></a><u><strong>Step 2: Replace the buttons.</strong></u> An easy job, and I've chosen very simple pale blue buttons which have a much softer and more feminine appeal to them.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAMsSX9OiyrEygkDtyo8xOopI3CoFJiqlOdo3RUAYLLVNTpTOOtEQdvO_a6cRtF4_SdS99jWipq_-k_EeH4Y8qwZFJMWudgIuQFsr9hp19znle33mVFvFw2Gt0wqV3ZtTOnIKDaLFhE0/s1600/Blue+Check+shirt+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAMsSX9OiyrEygkDtyo8xOopI3CoFJiqlOdo3RUAYLLVNTpTOOtEQdvO_a6cRtF4_SdS99jWipq_-k_EeH4Y8qwZFJMWudgIuQFsr9hp19znle33mVFvFw2Gt0wqV3ZtTOnIKDaLFhE0/s200/Blue+Check+shirt+10.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgNnNers8eEnGOgXFg1hJALxeEN1CWYX4abr6p-3f-FfCzj7qUjLT_pSRZJIwVQ00d9CmgUWHfmcUWz011zr2BJrwNwcjUA6nZe1ygSdBhUcjEH8ejWjBy5kSTSJkmzHTyBcwuO1PCD0/s1600/Blue+Check+shirt+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgNnNers8eEnGOgXFg1hJALxeEN1CWYX4abr6p-3f-FfCzj7qUjLT_pSRZJIwVQ00d9CmgUWHfmcUWz011zr2BJrwNwcjUA6nZe1ygSdBhUcjEH8ejWjBy5kSTSJkmzHTyBcwuO1PCD0/s200/Blue+Check+shirt+7.JPG" width="150" /></a><strong><u>Step 3: Pin Tucks into Darts.</u></strong> This took a little more time as I had to ensure they were all the same length, but once I got into the rhythm of it, I tacked all 4 quite quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>And finally: here's the shirt on....much better:</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOeOPTjXDGuuxkc3auiZOO6zLmyZKV4oBV9aGWPSeRAXyr8wTbY90CoRUms-TZZM8E7JOrMpEjmt3DxsAp6NlqlsZavNzwT5HqWYhktI3XvHqtIQ0YYilhLAN3fKYZ9puTizAN9lEzcM/s1600/Blue+Check+shirt++final+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOeOPTjXDGuuxkc3auiZOO6zLmyZKV4oBV9aGWPSeRAXyr8wTbY90CoRUms-TZZM8E7JOrMpEjmt3DxsAp6NlqlsZavNzwT5HqWYhktI3XvHqtIQ0YYilhLAN3fKYZ9puTizAN9lEzcM/s320/Blue+Check+shirt++final+2.JPG" width="188" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarv1bryRhkjk-dZIhrPRHquGB1-_qnGALlg6OaHOgb5h4zOU9WR7ZvDg9Qwyvfa4wA8t0j-0uX1BQq33338oJgKs_O7DU5nfj57tMIvFfjGQgcuh42bLrqlJgv4xtuGbPCRZt1zaBk-M/s1600/Blue+Check+shirt++final+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarv1bryRhkjk-dZIhrPRHquGB1-_qnGALlg6OaHOgb5h4zOU9WR7ZvDg9Qwyvfa4wA8t0j-0uX1BQq33338oJgKs_O7DU5nfj57tMIvFfjGQgcuh42bLrqlJgv4xtuGbPCRZt1zaBk-M/s320/Blue+Check+shirt++final+1.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Yippeeee!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-22761567614936403212011-08-15T18:57:00.000+01:002011-08-15T18:57:43.361+01:00I heart Manchester<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MqBpjvGJ498AI0jrSrfItH5IF4AqUD_v5CSZZoBcm3P-jw2l_ceZ9D0VEgnaSSKUaIhs6cgtQPOJd_N-_ScK9aHSl1a7Yhpjc1HBIe65AmGzLpu6c66oW_TFiirErrxatAn_2IpoNDw/s1600/I_love_mcr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MqBpjvGJ498AI0jrSrfItH5IF4AqUD_v5CSZZoBcm3P-jw2l_ceZ9D0VEgnaSSKUaIhs6cgtQPOJd_N-_ScK9aHSl1a7Yhpjc1HBIe65AmGzLpu6c66oW_TFiirErrxatAn_2IpoNDw/s1600/I_love_mcr.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Just showing my support for my wonderful home City. When Manchester was bombed everyone got straight up and carried on, so selfish thugs won't stop us. It is a truly great city, full of the best individual shops, cheap but fab nights out, and most importantly....amazing people. This has been proven by the way we have come together against an ignorant and self-indulgent minority. The broad variety of those charged prove this has little to do with money or background or race, and to suggest this would be patronising to people with little money, or of a different ethnicity, or from a deprived or difficult background. We will never be beaten.<br />
Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-87917577927050912912011-08-15T18:40:00.000+01:002011-08-15T18:40:29.779+01:00Finally....Make Do & Mend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDDTRBlcGU8mCR0OegpOwa4p2PVKcRg4DGkMZgD1jiFzSsVpmE9SSbY-wG21rO0o8VVV8nlOfwA-EioU33kEoNepNkA54XEi3PVCvyI6w6MMRV9gu5-Q0NYOhMLgl5eZh95kPn4NYvkI/s1600/Recycle+MM%2526M+bag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDDTRBlcGU8mCR0OegpOwa4p2PVKcRg4DGkMZgD1jiFzSsVpmE9SSbY-wG21rO0o8VVV8nlOfwA-EioU33kEoNepNkA54XEi3PVCvyI6w6MMRV9gu5-Q0NYOhMLgl5eZh95kPn4NYvkI/s200/Recycle+MM%2526M+bag.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>This is my bag full of clothes I need to mend, adjust, restyle, etc etc. Well, now it's the summer hols, and I have done the holiday and the move, it is time to tackle the BAG. As a side note, it was completely unintentional to put all of these items in a 'use me, re-use me' bag.<br />
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And so it begins.<br />
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I have decided not to try and do everything in the bag, but focus on the small jobs first, which will motivate me to tackle the bigger jobs, and also to prioritise (rather than get idly distracted by anything and everything as per usual) the items I actually need the most during the winter. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoMKb9p_Dkk7Z-IRXhUGIerwhutO3cg73ULyD9DCICNMAK_NyxAOj7DA-vngbBGHQxPQUh7ZdkYuPQo4xG3YK_Va2ir_aFtkL7_cCn_dyYmb_ydXDZdy11I5Mc0jyPeqp4USAxdB8-Dk/s1600/Red+Polka+blouse+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoMKb9p_Dkk7Z-IRXhUGIerwhutO3cg73ULyD9DCICNMAK_NyxAOj7DA-vngbBGHQxPQUh7ZdkYuPQo4xG3YK_Va2ir_aFtkL7_cCn_dyYmb_ydXDZdy11I5Mc0jyPeqp4USAxdB8-Dk/s200/Red+Polka+blouse+4.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><strong><u>Item 1: Red Polka Dot Blouse</u></strong><br />
<strong><u>Problem: missing buttons</u></strong><br />
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This is a lovely top that looks very pretty, French and chic when worn and I tend to wear it as part of my work wardrobe. However, big name brands being what they are, the covered buttons were sewn on appallingly, and so after 4 wears and 2 washes, I was down 2 buttons. They only provide 1 spare. Hmmm.<br />
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Several months later, I have finally got some replacements. They aren't covered, but to be honest the fabric has such a large polka print that the buttons just ended up looking plain white. I chose simple red classics would maintain the chic, classic style.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqwGHex4nT87BhVwLVqv4jG5JyfnHL4VH-RiRfiaRU2S4WejFklSjzSXtZipdVJnBBzAZN2pfM8AdLp7SXbv-mxUgoUyMB94B6hQV0AanAjKgXtz1owHR_BnX-ljSQETFE3rRJNfstVY/s1600/Red+Polka+blouse+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqwGHex4nT87BhVwLVqv4jG5JyfnHL4VH-RiRfiaRU2S4WejFklSjzSXtZipdVJnBBzAZN2pfM8AdLp7SXbv-mxUgoUyMB94B6hQV0AanAjKgXtz1owHR_BnX-ljSQETFE3rRJNfstVY/s320/Red+Polka+blouse+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoddy workmanship</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/AVvXsEix-VR4eeaKRJHNCmYcfGx5Z4sFHjL6Yt7kDydme6hBUy9eX8KoewSYDcPrUTPW1S0hXzfc1lPbGc5-MRJ2stvFvm8qheFFK8-cGjlhT2bOKa-lFGm8wt_0FZ1dZXa3-KkRpskNHlq6cjg/s1600/Red+Polka+blouse+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-VR4eeaKRJHNCmYcfGx5Z4sFHjL6Yt7kDydme6hBUy9eX8KoewSYDcPrUTPW1S0hXzfc1lPbGc5-MRJ2stvFvm8qheFFK8-cGjlhT2bOKa-lFGm8wt_0FZ1dZXa3-KkRpskNHlq6cjg/s320/Red+Polka+blouse+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much better</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And so here's one of my favourite tops I can wear again. Yippee!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA4Z77h-HQP48FVxTyk1hCJQyNLeg5DrR59-o34FKsxAqQuROBxy7n4BbXswShqS80S1TZtTVHTHpPkk__Mzb_3RHpCVNAmRFFsGr-e5-PHCMBfuusa8pWSREdblLi_yX4-J8wGnNYto/s1600/Red+Polka+Front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA4Z77h-HQP48FVxTyk1hCJQyNLeg5DrR59-o34FKsxAqQuROBxy7n4BbXswShqS80S1TZtTVHTHpPkk__Mzb_3RHpCVNAmRFFsGr-e5-PHCMBfuusa8pWSREdblLi_yX4-J8wGnNYto/s320/Red+Polka+Front.JPG" width="217" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NUfvK4at9CBsZ7cSKZVlMPsyYASdK5r8O4PZ3vHRasBKF0YisVOt-37fmP40deJqx8KkEm_eTByW4nIikYrFHYIlS9SgSWfSy8ZeCB8FuibcdJVU2Qe2ravAXygz9KwORYgMJT33tyo/s1600/Red+Polka+Back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NUfvK4at9CBsZ7cSKZVlMPsyYASdK5r8O4PZ3vHRasBKF0YisVOt-37fmP40deJqx8KkEm_eTByW4nIikYrFHYIlS9SgSWfSy8ZeCB8FuibcdJVU2Qe2ravAXygz9KwORYgMJT33tyo/s320/Red+Polka+Back.JPG" width="224" /></a>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-71630554903509889572011-08-13T14:02:00.000+01:002011-08-13T14:02:05.075+01:00Vintage hairSo, everyone thought I was mental when I told them I was getting a perm....well here's the results!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsa8xoQZClu-POA8g3qhZ-WQNmvYqaNCFwo5dgKXk82bDqA81OQvLgMiGBLPBDEgq0vbUkdF8D-IAT9hnwZWbaIhiAgJ4e7dVcGJcyJcX0RdoT2gCjykOaSHCqqh0HusfyXQyhk7fv8c/s1600/vintage+hair+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsa8xoQZClu-POA8g3qhZ-WQNmvYqaNCFwo5dgKXk82bDqA81OQvLgMiGBLPBDEgq0vbUkdF8D-IAT9hnwZWbaIhiAgJ4e7dVcGJcyJcX0RdoT2gCjykOaSHCqqh0HusfyXQyhk7fv8c/s320/vintage+hair+1.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>I wanted a soft wavy perm that looked natural and I could wear as I used to have my straight hair, in a graduated bob. I had a violin teacher when I was in primary school, and she was tall, slender with a blonde wavy bob; I always thought she looked so elegant in a classical slightly 1920s way. Just gutted I couldn't have this done before my Holiday, but nevermind.<br />
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Chuffed to bits with waking up wavy - straight hair bores me now, perm's are the future!Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-89186622161974049752011-07-23T22:07:00.000+01:002011-07-23T22:07:56.110+01:00Off for a break, see you soon <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/AVvXsEh5wSzrTd9vb6lir3BJLVUzhcjsOyFgVKmuYEnTZPc96iXsGEmAX9z0l8vgLS115wijrxRjQw0fcTxnEslqeRkZZN8eNlf9gD6ZTtZ_eM2IpS06WisPRxAi7m0n_K7-K8kDN4Eq2jbb6qM/s1600/Amelia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wSzrTd9vb6lir3BJLVUzhcjsOyFgVKmuYEnTZPc96iXsGEmAX9z0l8vgLS115wijrxRjQw0fcTxnEslqeRkZZN8eNlf9gD6ZTtZ_eM2IpS06WisPRxAi7m0n_K7-K8kDN4Eq2jbb6qM/s1600/Amelia.jpg" t$="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Right, so I know I haven't been the best, most regular blogger recently (blame end of term syndrome), and I'm about to make it worse by buggering off to Italy, then moving flat (not to Italy).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBo0bZkkGi-PuTAocHoasCCugwsGPsrLxd3Wt16WBNebCWwlZ_81k0vERRS4QPUStdjkzAQB5tHoBgRGfkF0h0fEXLc43fpfAM1H_gRxaHwr_qaHnVVQYTEHCyeVkaC04sk6F-tu_-U6Y/s1600/Ramsbottom+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBo0bZkkGi-PuTAocHoasCCugwsGPsrLxd3Wt16WBNebCWwlZ_81k0vERRS4QPUStdjkzAQB5tHoBgRGfkF0h0fEXLc43fpfAM1H_gRxaHwr_qaHnVVQYTEHCyeVkaC04sk6F-tu_-U6Y/s320/Ramsbottom+sign.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Steam Railway Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Bigtime apologies. However, once I'm settled in Rammy and have got t'internet sorted, I'll be back!<br />
See yer later, crafty alligatorsHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-66817747054441078342011-07-23T21:55:00.000+01:002011-07-23T21:55:38.630+01:00Vintage Stylee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Considered which pattern to use for a pair of high-waisted 1930s style trousers for quite a while, before happening on this pattern. It's not vintage but the trousers have that feel to them and it's easy so I bought some lightweight navy viscose, and set out on creating something other than a dress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Hf1G0qDVC2tg39AGgBQIy2DQKeJ0pb6x7wG531rJx77iCeCiMDc4xjCxbSKiFDMqItz3Y0lKFKo47Gk52Dm-3MLPPUbMedE4n0radn2S8act-sfAZwa8-Q5KmKXf5-ZQJ-mgtjAGOZk/s1600/High+pants+pattern+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Hf1G0qDVC2tg39AGgBQIy2DQKeJ0pb6x7wG531rJx77iCeCiMDc4xjCxbSKiFDMqItz3Y0lKFKo47Gk52Dm-3MLPPUbMedE4n0radn2S8act-sfAZwa8-Q5KmKXf5-ZQJ-mgtjAGOZk/s320/High+pants+pattern+2.JPG" t$="true" width="202" /></a></div><br />
Here are the finished trousers which I think look a lot better than the illustration shows. I paired them with a genuinely vintage lace blouse that a friend gave me. I had a lot of repair to do on the blouse as the lace back was torn in several places. I replaced the back, added tiny seed beads to the bib and created a ribbon tie waist to make it more cropped.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJlFX1hPkkcJQhRTF_uMEQ_3n8auBejMaJrjAjTPo2-f5M1lyuOzC9bfpmGH9E2bJXzwlPlyJF_i1MhgTl-6fcZcMHajsa-WPVjOfgpCPPPbIIHhlbnSCdU9307VuxsTErMOibKxiUKo/s1600/High+pants+and+lace+top1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJlFX1hPkkcJQhRTF_uMEQ_3n8auBejMaJrjAjTPo2-f5M1lyuOzC9bfpmGH9E2bJXzwlPlyJF_i1MhgTl-6fcZcMHajsa-WPVjOfgpCPPPbIIHhlbnSCdU9307VuxsTErMOibKxiUKo/s320/High+pants+and+lace+top1.JPG" t$="true" width="114" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilc40YA1oBJ_RqFg6FGZkPj79yEJYkDymdK4Vnw4Xu61P62xv3L5HVS8MNV1znGfRr_BRS_S2hIArV3VFUPk3_By_6mNHLTT0koUlDBHScfrvEHdB-uXV3VNaesalw2Y22q-CqVVam7go/s1600/High+pants+and+lace+top2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilc40YA1oBJ_RqFg6FGZkPj79yEJYkDymdK4Vnw4Xu61P62xv3L5HVS8MNV1znGfRr_BRS_S2hIArV3VFUPk3_By_6mNHLTT0koUlDBHScfrvEHdB-uXV3VNaesalw2Y22q-CqVVam7go/s320/High+pants+and+lace+top2.JPG" t$="true" width="152" /></a></div><br />
Now I'm all ready for my holiday in Italy! Woohoo!Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-25943604296454878432011-07-23T21:46:00.000+01:002011-07-23T21:46:41.507+01:00IT'S FINISHED!!!!!!!!After many, many, many traumas with the zip and seam tape, I have finally finished the swing dress. I should have known it was going too well...<br />
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Anyway, all's well that ends well, and here's the finished article:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoRBo0IqBZDE3S8SctS6OEVmKt5Jvuk-F7OR8PZVTnwppL6sky3aQ8GPLzdevvYtNBTGaOzfNVTzwaPR72MWZgb6YQDvdasVmQLRsDaKa5qApb0jxk-pCI1B7n29w98Bv-VxshuWISsM/s1600/Swing+Dress1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoRBo0IqBZDE3S8SctS6OEVmKt5Jvuk-F7OR8PZVTnwppL6sky3aQ8GPLzdevvYtNBTGaOzfNVTzwaPR72MWZgb6YQDvdasVmQLRsDaKa5qApb0jxk-pCI1B7n29w98Bv-VxshuWISsM/s320/Swing+Dress1.JPG" t$="true" width="124" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I did all French seams and even figured out how to continue the French seam neatly into a zip, a la...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwcv_uvqqsSLFTV8pgHfxpVFZuFBkIQ5MgfxNTZZQ0bZ5ko1EH2aD0BcTuYU385E4JzlJHy95B3lC9NErsPTtwIQ_XMzHliCyex6alqhEdUgP5Fjv_17dfG4uRdl6H4a8CDOEcFd2tLk/s1600/French+zip+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwcv_uvqqsSLFTV8pgHfxpVFZuFBkIQ5MgfxNTZZQ0bZ5ko1EH2aD0BcTuYU385E4JzlJHy95B3lC9NErsPTtwIQ_XMzHliCyex6alqhEdUgP5Fjv_17dfG4uRdl6H4a8CDOEcFd2tLk/s320/French+zip+2.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
All I need now is curly hair, which will sadly have to wait till after my holiday.<br />
What I learned from making this dress: I hate crepe de chine; I love French seams; hand-sewing a lining is very much worth the time and effort.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-19425007822648159022011-06-26T19:44:00.000+01:002011-06-26T19:44:28.100+01:00Approaching the light at the end of the tunnel...Nearly there with my summer swing dress. Broke the back of it as finished the lined bodice today. Some parts were quite fiddly and I adjusted the detail at the centre back of the neck to make it lie better.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBFymVou9kcW8TlbwygFwkmCEIGFLTo1cAkZt-TBdKlgbIflXfIJnTW6p4cjlcelcCQhIVAPjoRLxXWUhxqIWmt0GyWHv_H3zGWq_-gZVbd4WHq0f4j_It0Y-r5PC7VcI-XRDOx2Hzqg/s1600/DSCI0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBFymVou9kcW8TlbwygFwkmCEIGFLTo1cAkZt-TBdKlgbIflXfIJnTW6p4cjlcelcCQhIVAPjoRLxXWUhxqIWmt0GyWHv_H3zGWq_-gZVbd4WHq0f4j_It0Y-r5PC7VcI-XRDOx2Hzqg/s320/DSCI0003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The left side isn't sewn yet as the zip will be put in there, but tried it on and it fits really well. I didn't zigzag every raw edge as I said I would because it would have taken forever. On the bodice, the lining helps the edges, and on the skirt I've done French seams:<br />
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Aaah, the French really know how to do some things, don't they??<br />
Incidentally, after a random web browse discovered my colouring has warm undertones so I should be wearing more yellow.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-82332750539665509422011-06-13T19:28:00.000+01:002011-06-13T19:28:27.350+01:00Scchhhwiiiing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp0tcxiTpzYTD9e-uT0OWfIOJN2VIPeSLnARbhHXLLxqXvCSRNK_R9xi2r6UyZqu22NHMSbZlvm7pqXD_jbxcOI8C-75rG_YuE9ssX1gH3Tpfrj10yfJVpgBDBmBtg91rEwQWtVxlarw/s1600/Vintage+to+make+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp0tcxiTpzYTD9e-uT0OWfIOJN2VIPeSLnARbhHXLLxqXvCSRNK_R9xi2r6UyZqu22NHMSbZlvm7pqXD_jbxcOI8C-75rG_YuE9ssX1gH3Tpfrj10yfJVpgBDBmBtg91rEwQWtVxlarw/s320/Vintage+to+make+3.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Only just gotten round to this one, which I've been looking forward to and dreading in equal measures. The dress will look great but I was not excited about having to cut such a slinky fabric. I'm definately going to take my time with this one! <br />
Anyway, started to cut it and only have a few pieces left to cut and mark. I'm using a little stitch in green to do the markings as chalk won't show too well and I don't want to mark the fabric permanently.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4rGTGDv4LjNW5Os6hJSgq4ousTk3ECOiEkYAq_nu3tTMrlM2dZtLLId8sRudgxY-R5FGkHbKA5D7xjhVXVVX3oJOrx4FCLkSWm97uZow0TnlhImBTA9gHaWm6fg8YCVuu_BORLbRAh0/s1600/Swing+dress+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4rGTGDv4LjNW5Os6hJSgq4ousTk3ECOiEkYAq_nu3tTMrlM2dZtLLId8sRudgxY-R5FGkHbKA5D7xjhVXVVX3oJOrx4FCLkSWm97uZow0TnlhImBTA9gHaWm6fg8YCVuu_BORLbRAh0/s320/Swing+dress+1.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm going to zigzag stitch over the raw edges as don't have an overlocker and I want this one to be a keeper.<br />
I'll keep you posted on my progress!!Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-58628656495985418002011-06-13T19:22:00.000+01:002011-06-13T19:22:26.622+01:00Wardrobe clearout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6ZV-Hb5lYb6I22IfUDhqZUGyo54jwIp3SEWmQo-Pw-tBxo__atZCv5BHwaqnPVQKDesWa7kEXkiFOy4y6E6mFOuMunl5YrsXsnN_rXvbRZp9g93H88FzE-2p3d7LFY0QzsOYtGv9kFo/s1600/Wardrobe+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6ZV-Hb5lYb6I22IfUDhqZUGyo54jwIp3SEWmQo-Pw-tBxo__atZCv5BHwaqnPVQKDesWa7kEXkiFOy4y6E6mFOuMunl5YrsXsnN_rXvbRZp9g93H88FzE-2p3d7LFY0QzsOYtGv9kFo/s320/Wardrobe+2.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I now know what clothes I have!!<br />
This will make my boyfriend laugh as he thinks I have too many clothes, but every woman who sees my wardrobe is surprised at how small my collection is. This is probably because I've rented for the last few years and the thought of lugging around ridiculous amounts of clothes is too much. Plus I regularly change/adjust my style. Anyway, had a good ole sort through and now have a new pile of 'to mend/adjust', as well as a list of items I need to buy or make to complete outfits so I do actually wear everything I have.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rdWFthyphenhyphenkRoJ0JrXJImvrpWtc6QD1hDzVV9vvKu5aDVb5GDVD909XnB2rjxaYHh4Zo1JAiyYzDAgsbx0NLuANvXGZ1xMUgtiUVqeg7w6-bzuwdKkBimVHH1ICCgHqr3mwNCWt1dV12vc/s1600/Wardrobe+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rdWFthyphenhyphenkRoJ0JrXJImvrpWtc6QD1hDzVV9vvKu5aDVb5GDVD909XnB2rjxaYHh4Zo1JAiyYzDAgsbx0NLuANvXGZ1xMUgtiUVqeg7w6-bzuwdKkBimVHH1ICCgHqr3mwNCWt1dV12vc/s320/Wardrobe+1.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I have inadvertently got a very co-ordinated work wardrobe (bottom right) which consists of cream, blue, red, grey and black. This was purely coincidence as everything else is very random.<br />
So off to the shop for black dye to reinvigorate some black clothes, a couple of belts, some tights, and leggings (but not yet, as I've just had an expensive weekend)Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-31168199274434447842011-06-05T01:14:00.000+01:002011-06-05T01:14:30.196+01:00Random fancy bird flew inSo, the majority of artwork that I make is exemplar stuff so my students know exactly how high my expectations are of them. I have just started a 'Fancy Birds' project with year 8 (12/13 years old), and decided that papier mache is the best option. Obviously, my main motive revolves around ways to decorate my classroom (hey, they'll always learn stuff, that's the beauty of art). I have never had my own dedicated room before and it's also going to be refurbished over summer, so I want lots of great artwork to put up on return in September. Out of 3 classes, 1 have been promised clay IF they behave well enough, and the other 2 will do papier mache (all my year 8 classes are very naughty). So, here's the example bird, which I had much fun making...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69z0o7Jyfg-JPo_giZLGUBaFxAoI68d2lEqXTJNHJ-oGHypHSOKN7GBOBPjyHRESyFjU83if1rMt9KPMDFB-PhXSck1d9Yy0K1xp_sV6h7W468sdt40MGzhxrAD2zp9f2t_OaZZh9fEk/s1600/Papier+mache+bird+28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69z0o7Jyfg-JPo_giZLGUBaFxAoI68d2lEqXTJNHJ-oGHypHSOKN7GBOBPjyHRESyFjU83if1rMt9KPMDFB-PhXSck1d9Yy0K1xp_sV6h7W468sdt40MGzhxrAD2zp9f2t_OaZZh9fEk/s320/Papier+mache+bird+28.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>PVA is great isn't it. makes papier mache, and also makes it waterproof. Anyway, got to go as just caught the biggest most freaky looking spider and it doesn't look British. One of the many reasons I like living here is the lack of poisonous spiders, so tomorrow i am vaccing this entire flat....yukHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4560239995353512253.post-49269848371737277282011-06-02T21:51:00.000+01:002011-06-02T21:54:20.116+01:00Wonky Eyes Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KujV0l7iNhwPTZnT0qtf_XkgBDaBODEpPJPtK_4WHz-PeS28eQv_giQujixgjsMgW8AXORLTXsV2lFjKBnKFMhENV6Q_GlwENfTfi2MMWuYsOGy1Y4ZTRMn1hI7IdXcA8F1tfLvUQGQ/s1600/Vintage+to+make+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KujV0l7iNhwPTZnT0qtf_XkgBDaBODEpPJPtK_4WHz-PeS28eQv_giQujixgjsMgW8AXORLTXsV2lFjKBnKFMhENV6Q_GlwENfTfi2MMWuYsOGy1Y4ZTRMn1hI7IdXcA8F1tfLvUQGQ/s320/Vintage+to+make+1.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div>So I finally finished the ruffled sundress I thought would take me one day. It actually took 3 days. I'll be honest, some of this was faffing, and some was due to me and my man doing some house/flat rental research in Ramsbottom (to those not familiar with the northwest of England, this is the home of the Annual International Black Pudding Throwing contest). However, going to the old train station and seeing a steam train made up for me taking so long with the dress, and inspired me to create more vintage clothes, as they hold an event celebrating WWII and everyone gets dolled up in 1940s gear.<br />
Anyway, enough of the wittering, here's the dress:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0ecdQS3iVVBHBI_tqiS545I9TnLdSiYlwnT_LjRO3lJQ0NF9ml6Z2RZIY60wjf7p3PtTu3zcH-K4TW_kjPuxFWtgwEad3ZkvNroZWVo84cUqT2R6fM1cjcMjxPCRt59cUznEG8hx228/s1600/Orange+ruffle+dress+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0ecdQS3iVVBHBI_tqiS545I9TnLdSiYlwnT_LjRO3lJQ0NF9ml6Z2RZIY60wjf7p3PtTu3zcH-K4TW_kjPuxFWtgwEad3ZkvNroZWVo84cUqT2R6fM1cjcMjxPCRt59cUznEG8hx228/s320/Orange+ruffle+dress+1.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6efplbGVyJOxSx1r03HFdkaEFPl1Fxa3EGTwRyq7P6zbNo1GHlBVtO_mmkf90gZ7kkcrcu9k3bROTWy8H2df3jA72cHuC2IkLZ8OJ9vdw15_ncYwjrur6o1Hsi4XPkIDaAzBFRIVUrlI/s1600/Orange+ruffle+dress+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6efplbGVyJOxSx1r03HFdkaEFPl1Fxa3EGTwRyq7P6zbNo1GHlBVtO_mmkf90gZ7kkcrcu9k3bROTWy8H2df3jA72cHuC2IkLZ8OJ9vdw15_ncYwjrur6o1Hsi4XPkIDaAzBFRIVUrlI/s320/Orange+ruffle+dress+2.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div>I don't know why my eyes look wonky, I can only blame the Photographer, my darling Rich, who kept taking photos without warning, and was trying to make me laugh.<br />
It went pretty well, despite my hatred for all things related to hemming (this is because I am short and have had to take up practically every pair of trousers I have ever owned). I did not slipstitch the bottom hem, as, frankly, I just couldn't be bothered.<br />
I do like the pattern and think I would definately make another dress and maybe even a top - the ruffles make me look like I actually have curves, haha.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00892747103946040085noreply@blogger.com4