November 2015 – thedementedfairy

November 24, 2015December 10, 2015

SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#9: Buttonholes

I ummed. I aahed. Those who commented said green welts, I concurred. But wondered about handsewing… I got matching thread out, waxed it, settled down- then got distracted again. Lovely Jillhad said ‘I also like the wool bound buttonholes – in the BBC archive “What we Wore” Ann Ladbury gives a demo on bound buttonholes.’ … Continue reading SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#9: Buttonholes

November 23, 2015December 10, 2015

SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#8. Green Jacket- Bounding On

My fingers are raw from all the hand-stitching to make the insides nice and contained- all seam allowances are caught down to the underlining. The bones are all in, [also sewn into the seam allowances by hand] and the alterations/tweaks are all done. The front and back stays are in, and all basted into place … Continue reading SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#8. Green Jacket- Bounding On

November 17, 2015December 10, 2015

SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#7: that ruddy jacket, more tweaks

Aaargh. A day strapped int my corset so that I can keep trying this jacket on after each tweak…it had better be worth it. I think [and several have commented] that there is a limit to how much I can fix, so it’s a good job I’m not a perfectionist! [1] I have added a … Continue reading SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#7: that ruddy jacket, more tweaks

November 17, 2015December 10, 2015

SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#6: Green jacket sleeve trouble

Sleeves on, sleeves off.. One of my FB advisors, who is also making this jacket, said that she had made the back princess seam line up with the sleeve seam, and maybe this was something to look at? Here it is on mine, not lined up as you see. I followed the instructions and made … Continue reading SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#6: Green jacket sleeve trouble

November 16, 2015December 10, 2015

SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#5: Green jacket after tweaks

The tedious part of any project is the fitting, as far as I’m concerned. Oh for the days when I could just buy a pattern, bang it together, and wear it. Partly because I was pretty much straight up-and-down in figure, and because I really didn’t know [or give] a damn about fitting, I was … Continue reading SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#5: Green jacket after tweaks

November 12, 2015December 10, 2015

SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#4 Green jacket: does my back look fat in this?

I think I’ve redeemed things. I made a new chemise- I found I had just enough silk left to make a short version of the Laughing Moon chemise, with modifications to the back to reduce the back bulge problem. How I did this: I marked the seamlines on the back yoke and main piece, then … Continue reading SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#4 Green jacket: does my back look fat in this?

November 12, 2015December 10, 2015

SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#3, green skirt completed

Yay! I did some stupid things in finishing this ‘simple’ job, but it’s done. I’d already joined all vertical seams, and marked waist and hemlines with basting stitches. I did some careful measuring and trimming, finished the raw hem edge with a length of convenient green bemberg bias leftover from my Vogue Donna Karan jacket, … Continue reading SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#3, green skirt completed

November 11, 2015December 10, 2015

SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#2, green jacket

A very productive day, after a rather dispiriting one yesterday. Yes, the skirt went well [and has progressed a little more today, trimmed, pressed and ready for finishing.] Unfortunately, the toile for the jacket threw up a new challenge: galloping back flab! Ew! My eyes! My eyes! Before the back fat, try to concentrate for … Continue reading SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#2, green jacket

November 10, 2015December 10, 2015

SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#1, green skirt

And they’re off! Well I am anyway. I’d already got this skirt and the jacket toile cut out when I decided to join into the SWAP, so they will count as my ‘two things started/completed before the start date’. First things first, The skirt: The pattern: a surplus-to-requirements McCall’s 4020 which I bought on Etsy … Continue reading SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 1-#1, green skirt

November 10, 2015December 10, 2015

Drawers…

Ma’s out, pa’s out, let’s talk rude: Pee! Poo! Belly! Bum! Drawers! This was one of my mum’s favourite ‘naughty’ rhymes when she was a kid. I know, right? Anyway, I finished my victorian open drawers tonight. They are from the Laughing Moon pattern, and were very easy and straightforward. 1 piece for each leg, … Continue reading Drawers…