With the middle of spring, my part of the world usually sees the end of the rainy season and the onset of warm - and sometimes hot - dry, sunny days. Rather than carry a heavy woolly knitting project on my lap, I find it's the best time of year for sewing, and tend to plan my projects accordingly. However, we've been blessed with unseasonably cool and wet weather lately, giving me a slight crisis in crafting.
Lately I've been motivated to use some of my stashed yarn and fabrics. The stash yarn has morphed into two colorful baby blankets, but finding uses for the fabric was more of a struggle. In part, this is due to my continuing lack of sewing confidence, which makes cutting into precious yards of cotton a daunting task. My most recent attempt at making clothes was the Shoreline Boatneck by Blank Slate Patterns. I was immediately drawn to this pattern because it's suitable for both knits and woven fabrics, and looked quite flattering in both. I have made it successfully before in both a crepe-like rayon and sweatshirt-weight knit, bought very cheaply from my local big box craft store. I figured it was time to put on my big girl pants and work with the Cotton & Steel fabric I bought from my local indie craft store.
Lately I've been motivated to use some of my stashed yarn and fabrics. The stash yarn has morphed into two colorful baby blankets, but finding uses for the fabric was more of a struggle. In part, this is due to my continuing lack of sewing confidence, which makes cutting into precious yards of cotton a daunting task. My most recent attempt at making clothes was the Shoreline Boatneck by Blank Slate Patterns. I was immediately drawn to this pattern because it's suitable for both knits and woven fabrics, and looked quite flattering in both. I have made it successfully before in both a crepe-like rayon and sweatshirt-weight knit, bought very cheaply from my local big box craft store. I figured it was time to put on my big girl pants and work with the Cotton & Steel fabric I bought from my local indie craft store.
I'm really happy with this rendition, although there are a few fit issues I'd like to resolve for next time. My first iteration in rayon was actually a bit large around the bust, so either I sized down for this top without realizing it, or I had terrible cutting issues with the crepe which worked in my favor (or perhaps a bit of both!) This is where I'm struggling with dressmaking - how do I fix the sudden tightness around the back? Although the shirt is comfortable to wear, when I move my arms forward there is some tension across the back, and I'm not sure what modification needs doing. I recently read that looking for the wrinkles tells you were the problem lies. I'd love to hear from anyone reading this who knows what I can do to help.
A year or two ago I also inherited a large stash of vintage Pendleton wool. There's a lot to work through, but I did recently use some to make my own tailor's ham and sausage! (Free pattern from blog.elewa.co.uk)
The actual sewing was whip-fast and very easy, but I hated stuffing them. I tend to leave too small of a hole for stuffing anyway, but even after cutting the stitches to widen the gap substantially, I still struggled to delivery those pesky wood shavings inside the pouch instead of all over my patio, onto my lap, and into my socks and shoes. I read a suggestion to try a rolled piece of paper as a makeshift funnel, but the shavings tended to bunch up inside and made the process even more laborious. My self-image of peacefully sewing my two bits of wool together, quickly stuffing it with shavings, and accurately closing the gap with my perfect ladder stitch, feel apart after about 30 seconds of spraying wood shavings everywhere. Thank you, sewing, for keeping me humble.
As for my next sewing project... well, I'm not sure if it's too ambitious, but I'd love to try the Making Backpack by Noodlehead. I've seen a few versions in wool and they looked ace, so it seems a good way to use a yard or so of my vintage wool. I'm a little afraid of the hardware, and I've never sewn box corners before, but I do like the appeal of making something that doesn't require me to stress about the fit. However, my real fantasy project right now, which is definitely too ambitious but also very inspiring, is the dashing Eden Coat. I do have all of that wool to use up, and last year I was looking for a raincoat but never found one to my tastes. We shall see.
As for my next sewing project... well, I'm not sure if it's too ambitious, but I'd love to try the Making Backpack by Noodlehead. I've seen a few versions in wool and they looked ace, so it seems a good way to use a yard or so of my vintage wool. I'm a little afraid of the hardware, and I've never sewn box corners before, but I do like the appeal of making something that doesn't require me to stress about the fit. However, my real fantasy project right now, which is definitely too ambitious but also very inspiring, is the dashing Eden Coat. I do have all of that wool to use up, and last year I was looking for a raincoat but never found one to my tastes. We shall see.