SWAP 2014 at Stitchers Guild

The SWAP (Sewing With A Plan) rules are up at Stitchers Guild and are really flexible this year.
I have been having a think about what I would do, and my first thoughts are around a fairly classic skirts suits for work type approach.

I have a lovely tweed jacket I made in sewing class some time back. I don't wear it much because I just made the jacket which is a green/black/cream tweed and didn't make anything to wear with it. So my thoughts are as follows:-

green/black/cream tweed jacket (already made)
green/black/cream tweed skirt
cream tie necked blouse
green/black/cream tweed waistcoat (vest)
1L + 1B +  1T, 1W

then spin off into a co-ordinating plain green
green twill jacket
green twill skirt
cream knit top
1L + 1B +  1T

then some more classic black pieces
black wool jacket
black wool skirt
cream frill front jacket
1L + 1B +  1T

and then a wildcard of either some wide legged black trousers or a simple black ponte dress.

I'm pretty sure I have the tweed and the green twill and the cream, but not sure what I have in the black fabric department.
This would all be great and could be mostly mixed and matched with each other, and worn with either flat black leather tall boots or green suede kitten heeled boots.
If the colours got a bit boring, one of the cream tops could be replaced with something in a copper/burnt orange type shade.

I do however have a navy boiled wool jacket already cut out but not yet sewn up, and a spin off wardrobe of navy items which could come from this.

How much actually gets sewn will depend on the new job, which seems to involve travel at least one day a week, and may have some seriously busy periods. I'm also away for a week towards the end of SWAP and will also be looking to buy a house.

I had better get the sewing room cleaned up ready hadn't I!

SWAP 2014 Official Rules
No purchase necessary anywhere; this contest is open to anyone with a needle and thread, regardless of budget or availability of items.  Just jump in and join the fun.

We'll be following Blue Mooney's "Algebra SWAP" formula:

3 "3 packs" + 2 "wild cards" = 11 garments.

Each three pack will be:

2 tops + 1 bottom
or
1 top + 1 bottom + 1 outer layer
or
1 dress + 1 top + 1 bottom

The "wild card" options can be just about anything you like, but they must be "garments" not accessories (hats, bags, blankets, etc.)

A "top" will be any shirt or blouse worn on the upper half; a "bottom" will be any garment worn on the lower half, and it shouldn't be obscene to wear either without another layer.
A "dress" will be any garment that covers both upper and lower halves, and again, it shouldn't be obscene to wear it without an additional layer.
An "outer layer" will any jacket or sweater that is intended to be a second layer, over a top or a dress. If it can also be worn alone, that is fine.
A "bib" garment will considered a bottom, unless it can be worn alone without a top under or over it.

One garment may be previously sewn; another may be purchased. 
If you have an item you're working on now, you may include it, OR you may stitch up one item from scratch before the official sewing date of December 26.

There's no requirement that every garment match or every top match every bottom.  However, all the individual pieces must form a cohesive collection -they should all look like they belong together in the closet.

"Sewing" is a blanket term; you may sew, knit, crochet, weave...whatever works.  If you can make 11 garments with a 3D printer, that's fine.

Sewing will begin December 26th, and all garments must be finished by April 30th, 2014.  Muslins, pattern fitting and cutting may be started whenever you are ready.

You'll need to take a minimum of six photos, maximum 12 will be accepted. Please keep a copy of all images you upload on your hard drive in case SG's server fails or something is accidentally deleted.

The photos may be on you, on a dress form or any other way which shows them well.

You should show how you plan to combine tops and bottoms, and together should show everything. You’ll probably need to photograph some bottoms more than once.

Composites will be allowed, but only if they show details of the same outfit, e.g. a back view, a close up or the “before” photo if you are recycling. You may not show two different outfits on the same photo; such photos won’t be posted!

A single photo showing all the items together will be allowed but not required.

Amazing sewing goodies

My lovely sewing friend J was getting rid of a 'big pile' of sewing magazines, mostly Burda and asked me if I would like them. I greedily said 'yes please' and she was able to visit today bringing them with her - wow - what an amazing richness to work through!

After she'd gone home I went out to the local discount fabric store and bought myself some more fabric and notions.

Serger cones in peach and chocolate, plus 2 metres of pink and white striped stretch shirting.
And a rummage through the remnant bin produced these wonderful knit fabrics.

Top left - 2.5m gold lurex
Top centre - 0.8m snakeskin print
Top right - 1.2 m mint polka dots
Bottom left - 1.5m pink leopard print
Bottom centre - 2.5m of black/grey/cream stripe
Bottom right - 2m of plain white jersey

The polkadots will be nightwear, the snakeskin a little knit top for work. The stripe will hopefully be a cool dress with the stripes in different directions.
The white, gold and leopard will probably all be tops, though they could all be dresses, I just think they'd get more wear as tops.
As ever they will get washed before going in the stash to avoid future shrinkage problems.
The lurex is a little sheer, so may need to line with skintone jersey or use a pattern with lots of layers/ruching.

New work shoes

I am thinking of getting these Clark's shoes (Hallo Star) to wear for work. I'll have to walk quite a distance from where I can park the car, and need supportive shoes which will take an insert due to knee issues. I will see if I can find them in the local store tomorrow.

And to ease you in to the photographs from the trip, here is Cape Town from Table Mountain.

You can see Robben Island in the sea!

The cable cars take people up and down.

And here's me enjoying the view. I loved it :-)

Back from my travels

In case you wondered why the blog has been so quiet, its because I have been travelling for 4 weeks, but am now back. The trip took us from Cape Town along the Garden Route to Port Elizabeth, then a few days in Istanbul before coming back home. Wow what an amazing experience it has been.

I may post a few of our 6000+ photos, particularly of wild life. Not a lot sewing related happened, though I did use my little travel sewing kit twice, and would definitely take it again.

I start a new job next Monday and have a week in between to do some alterations to my suits, visit family and see friends, get a haircut, do the laundry and etc. A big change after 13 years at the previous firm, but it was a career opportunity which came at just the right time. I am very excited about all the great things coming up, but you may not see much sewing!