Mojo! Mojo! Wherefore art thou..?

Yeah, yeah, I know it means ‘why’ not ‘where’ but just let it go for now eh?  I uncovered a bit of mojo yesterday, it seems that I MUST have a talking book, and a list.  Thus armed, I got all that ruddy cording done, and the bodice pieces assembled for a fitting.

In case you’re interested, at top speed and efficiency, each panel [14 or so channels] took about 15-20  minutes to insert and pin the cords in place, and another 10 minutes to stitch. More when I went wonky and had to unpick a bit!

It looks so pretty pinned!

I inserted two lengths of string in each channel, and was a bit more careful about [mostly] keeping it out of the seam allowances.  It’s difficult to do a very accurate fitting as the coutil is very stiff, I left large seam allowances, and I didn’t dare clip them until I’d checked fit.  The sum total of that lot meant bulk.  Lots of bulk.  Anyway, it looks fine, so on with the show.

The pretty sideseams…no, I don’t DO pattern matching, haven’t you noticed?

I also did a tissue fit of the Simplicity 1008 tunic, the green one on the left there.

My wife really has got a lovely figure-the pattern fitted perfectly, I only needed to remove 2″ length from the skirt.  As it’s curved, I had to even out the shape once I folded the 2″ out, but no fuss.  It needed way less fabric than the packet indicates, good job I always ignore the recommendations these days!

For the contrast front bands, I found some slightly shimmery green voile which will overlay the cotton/cupro.  Just in the nick of time, the grey cotton batiste from MyFabrics turned up, so that’s been called into play for lining.  Everything is cut out, interfacing fused, ready to sew.  that should be a fast job.

Green, grey, overlay- poetry!

The rest of the batiste is intended to team with the Froggy/Morris fabric for a throw for our bed.

This naughty ponte must have jumped into the parcel with the batiste.  I have no other explanation.  See how it stares back?  Insolent fabric!

I then switched to cutting out replacement drawers [the others are still MIA] and of course, couldn’t find the pattern until I hunted for 20 minutes.  I’d set aside an old cotton sheet, and took care to avoid a few rips and thin patches on cutting…except I didn’t, there’s a tear in one piece.  Bum!  [Literally]  Ah well, if there isn’t enough to cut a replacement, they’ll be bloody well patched, and I’m one more step closer to becoming my nan, whose drawers were always darned and patched.  How do I know?  She always stood by the fire with her skirts hoiked up to warm her bum…such a sophisticate.

Anyhew, more cutting out later, shirts for the missus, them more sewing.  And another list.

I’m back off to the markets AGAIN this morning, to meet a steampunk pal and show her the ropes.  I’ve decided to try to swap the wax fabric for something in my colours, given that the missus doesn’t like it after all.  Well, she likes it but doesn’t want it, and I don’t do orange!

There will be NO OTHER fabric acquisition.  Unless it’s an emergency of course…