October 2016 – thedementedfairy

October 31, 2016November 3, 2016

Pipe Smokin’ -Burda 7029 #5

Slow but steady: The lapels and the mock buttonholes are all machine stitched, and the lapel linings applied by hand. I’ve stared long and hard at the overlay trim layout, and decided that it was just too…pink. ‘Maybe I needed more of the flocked chiffon?’ I wondered, but a rummage in the scrap bags failed … Continue reading Pipe Smokin’ -Burda 7029 #5

October 30, 2016November 3, 2016

Piping Hot! Burda 7029 #4

Well it’s as good as it’s going to get, and certainly at least adequate! The lapels are looking good, the back is a bit tatty on the corners, but not enough to bother me- this is dress up not a wedding gown! The ribbon trim is on, and I’m currently playing with lace and ribbon … Continue reading Piping Hot! Burda 7029 #4

October 29, 2016November 3, 2016

Piper at the Gates of Darn and Blast! Burda 7029 #3

…but I think I’m winning. Two and a half hours of very careful unpicking, thread removal, fraycheck application, and re-basting and piping, and it all looks a lot better. Nowhere near finished, but I’m tired from all that close work. I also tidied up all the fabric scraps from recent sewing, cut out the couple … Continue reading Piper at the Gates of Darn and Blast! Burda 7029 #3

October 27, 2016October 28, 2016

Rag Bags

That was a very tiring, but really fun day- I guided another bunch of sewing enthusiasts round Birmingham Rag Market, Fancy Silk Store and Barry’s Fabric Warehouse. We stopped for lunch at Mount Fuji Japanese restaurant [om nom nom] and a few restorative cuppas at the church tea rooms, before ending up in Wetherspoon’s for … Continue reading Rag Bags

October 26, 2016November 3, 2016

Piping my eye-Burda 7029 #2

[Which means ‘crying’ btw] Also, ‘Piping? My eye!’ Why do I do it? Why? Why? Working on the belle epoque dress, Burda 7029, and I’d decided to step aside from the instructions and ‘improve’ the embellishment. The pattern as designed has overlaid mock lapels, which are single layer. You’re just supposed to turn the raw … Continue reading Piping my eye-Burda 7029 #2

October 25, 2016October 25, 2016

Hysterical Histories

A short post, but hopefully a bit of fun. I’ve just spent a couple of hours watching some brilliant little video lectures which I found on FaceBook, and followed to YouTube. THey’re from a series called ‘The Ultimate Fashion History’ and really do run the gamut of fashionable [mostly western] style through the ages. I’m … Continue reading Hysterical Histories

October 23, 2016October 23, 2016

Indian top and Edwardian coms…

The making of both has been detailed in other posts, but I finally got some pics. ‘Indian’ tunic from Simplicity 4149, in Indian cotton from eBay, bought in 2015. It was a set length, panelled piece, described as poplin, but more of a voile. Nothing much to say that wasn’t covered in the post about … Continue reading Indian top and Edwardian coms…

October 23, 2016

Late Bloomer

Part 2 of The Edwardian cycling outfit from Laughing Moon #110. I was originally planning to make the entire outfit in the African wax print, but pattern matching and fabric width defeated me. I got this rather gorgeous quality black cotton sateen as a substitute, and used it for the collar on the jacket, to … Continue reading Late Bloomer

October 22, 2016November 3, 2016

La Belle Epoque-Burda 7029 #1

The Belle Époque or La Belle Époque (French pronunciation: [bɛlepɔk]; French for “Beautiful Era”) was a period of Western European history. It is conventionally dated from the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 to the outbreak of World War I in around 1914. [Wikipedia] Well that’s one helluva time period! It covers styles as varied … Continue reading La Belle Epoque-Burda 7029 #1

October 21, 2016

All tucked up…

Butterick 6026, black cotton sateen from eBay. One for the missus. I cut this one out when I did my big cutting out weekend, and as it’s a new pattern, did a quick tissue fit first. I was glad I did, as this seems to be super close fitting, and although shirts for the missus … Continue reading All tucked up…