Style 2514 Jacket

Eventually I found the pattern I used for the green tweed jacket.

It was Style 2514 View A, although I played it safe and did it all one fabric. The pattern was dated 1994, but the shorter versions look classic enough that they could look OK now.

I'm going to switch out the silver buttons for some fabric covered ones as the various tests I did showed that looked better and made the jacket more flexible, then I'll share it with you.

Tweed Skirt - finished

The skirt has been finished for a few days, but I'd not had chance to photograph it.
I had to sew it with 1/4" seams rather than 5/8" and that extra 1.5" makes all the difference!

 I used some of the lining left over form the matching jacket, and an invisible zipper from the stash.

This evening I had a good tidy up in the sewing room and I can now see the floor and get in and out of the door as well as being able to access the fabric stash. I've had a good sort through and picked some likely fabrics for the swap, plus a couple of spares in case of disasters striking!
I have put the swap fabrics in a box, as I have some other projects to do first.

For a long time the matching jacket had no buttons, then eventually I added some metal antique silver coloured ones. They are OK but don't work with the copper tones on the boots, so I will either swap them for copper coloured buttons or covers some button blanks in self fabric.

SWAP 2014 plans

My SWAP plan doesn't seem to have a title yet. Something that plays on the green and orange tones found in copper perhaps?

It is based on a green/black/cream tweed jacket I made in sewing class ages ago, but never quite got into wearing and some green suede boots with rust/copper coloured detailing which I recently had altered so they fit nicely. I really wanted to incorporate these items into my everyday wardrobe. So the colours come from those items - the dark bottle green, black, cream and rust/copper.

I also wanted to include some items I have cut out but never sewn up - a cream knit top and a dark green corduroy skirt. I also wanted to and use a Vogue pattern I have had for a long time but never made up - Vogue 2989

I will try and sketch something out, but for the moment it is looking something like this:-

First 3 pack
Top - Orange turtle neck
Bottom - Green/black/cream tweed skirt – sewn before start date
Layer - Green/black/cream tweed jacket – previously sewn

Wildcard - Green/black/cream tweed waistcoat (already cut out, though needs lining cutting out)

Second 3 pack
Top - Cream knit top (already cut out)
Bottom - Green jumbo cord skirt (already cut out)
Layer - Vogue 2989 Jacket – probably cream sweater knit (from stash)

Third 3 pack
Dress - Vogue 2989 Dress – black or charcoal knit (from stash)
Top - Vogue 2989 Top – cream or orange knit (from stash)
Bottom - Vogue 2989 Skirt – plain black or charcoal knit (from stash)

Wildcard - Vogue 2989 Trousers – plain black stretch fabric (may need to buy, depending on stash)

Vogue 2989 is looking good to me

This is a great pattern and maybe it has some items I could use for SWAP.
It would be quite interesting to make all the items from a wardrobe pattern. Anyway we shall see.
Off to have a look at some reviews.
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The reviews seem generally positive though only the skirt, dress and jacket have been made on PR.
I get the feeling they are all very close fitting though, so I need to be sensible about the sizing, and do some flat pattern measurements. It would be nice to actaully find the pattern as well, so I can read the guide sheet.

Tweed skirt nearly there

The tweed skirt just needs hemming (wool + lining) and the back split sorting out and then I could wear it.

 It went together quite well, and having the extra Ikea lamp just makes sewing on dark winter evenings so much better!

Tweed skirt in progress

The black/green/cream tweed skirt is in progress. I have decided to line it with dark green lining, and add a centre back invisible zip. I'm using a favourite pattern  - Simplicity 9825.

Closest to view C I have omitted the centre front seam, added 2 inches to the length and added a lining.
Off to insert the invisible zipper into the skirt and see how I can get a really neat finish for the lining round the zipper :-)

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!

Animal print Buff style scarf

Again a home sewn copy of a purchased item, this is an attempt to copy a Buff, which is a sort of tubular scarf which can be worn in many different ways.

It is simply a tube of a size which fits snugly over your head and can be worn as a neck scarf, beany hat, hairband and various other ways. Very handy for travelling.

Leopard print shoe bag

Latest quick make is this leopard print shoe bag.

The shoe bag is similar to the previous drawstring bag, except it is squarer and the drawstrings just go across the top (so it can't be carried rucksack style). It also has a line of stitching up the middle to separate the shoes from each other. This stitching doesn't go across the casing for the drawstring though.
I copied an M&S shoe bag my sweetheart had got with some shoes he bought as I thought it was a great idea and a bit nicer than plastic bags when travelling.
My walking shoes are in the bag in the photo and I think it'll be very practical as well as a whole lot more fun in leopard print!

Purchased mini wardrobe

Perhaps cheating a bit but I decided to augment my work wardrobe with a 4 part set of black jacket, trousers, skirt and dress plus two blouses, a bag and some nice wooden hangers.

I can't find the two blouses - one is white with embellished detailing, the other is a t shirt blouse style in ivory with an animal print.
I also bought some tights which suck you in, and have boots/shoes which I can wear to complete the outfits.

I shall then mix in my loud necklaces, bright blouses, boots, interesting scarves and etc to create more of a Ruthie style.

Elastic strapped ballet flats

I need to wear an insert inside my shoes, and found the lack of a strap across the instep in ballet flats made them unwearable.
Then I saw some RTW ones with an elastic strap across, and decided today to do something similar to mine to make them more wearable.

Here they are with beige elastic added to the shoe. I must admit it was quite fiddly to stitch on and doesn't look great if you look too closely, but with some brute force and a zipper foot I now have 3 wearable pairs of shoes which is fabulous.
I may also dye some plain white cotton socks with Dylon's Pebble Beige to wear with them, as this works quite well as a 'close to nude' colour for me.

I have two black pairs and a red pair which will get black elastic and be worn with black socks, but not today as i have some other projects to complete first.
These look quite good with pants which come down over the foot which is how I plan to wear them.
The animal print ones in particularly look good with my tan wool pants, and since both of these have previously been hard to style this is great!

Drawstring leopard print bag

Another quick, but useful project. I copied one of sweetheart's drawstring sportsbags to make a different version for myself. The fabric is cut from an unused shower curtain bought from a discount store. It's 100% polyester and frays rather, but is great for these sorts of bags. I am planning a shoe bags and a smaller drawstring bag as well.

I really like how this came out. It is worth keeping an eye out for reduced shower curtains. The plain plastic ones I use as drop cloths when painting walls or as a table cover for other projects. And ones with an interesting print are good for laundry bags, shoe bags etc.