All the fixin’s…

…well, a couple!

Last time my daughter visited [Christmas], she dumped a bag of mending on me, and you know how I feel about that!  It has sat there, smirking at me, and despite numerous girdings og my loins, [not lions, they bite] I finally got to work.  A bit.  Just a bit.

Job number 1- mend the split crotch seam in her skiing trouser thingies.  Big padded jobs.   [Big jobs, snigger, Viz moment]  It was all a bit plasticky inside, waterproof tape and very very narrow seam allowances.  Hey ho, I just stitched it, then codged the lining back together from the outside.  The outside of the inside that is.  No re threading, she’s not fussed about the mend showing so the white lining is stitched in grey.  Maybe they’ll hold up, maybe not.

Job number 2- I removed the broken zip in a little dress, and found a replacement.  The dress is pink and black stripes, the original zip is sort of uber pale pink/beige.  I’ll be using a black zip.  When I can be bothered.  Not today, what do you think I am, saintly or something?

Job number 3- finally stitch down the tiny modesty panel in the tunic I mad months ago.  Another garment suitable for work, hurrah! [And why did two minute’s sewing wait for several months?  I dunno]

Job number 4- making a couple of improvements to my Burda ‘Belle Epoque’ dress [the grey and pink one].  It’s beautiful, but a fraction too tight making all movement a risk of splitting the seams!  I also wanted to make that kick pleat insertion both longer and wider.  Much careful unpicking of this fiendishly fraying fabric ensued.  I restitched the side seams leaving as little seam allowance as I dared, and removed the old, very securely stitched kick pleat.  The new one is several inches wider, and about three inches longer.  I should now be able to walk!  I’m not dainty enough for a true hobble skirt..

Job number 5-Getting my grey-and-poppy dress to a wearable state.  I appreciated all the suggestions here and on Pattern Review, and opted to aim most of my attention at those sleeves.  I took in both side seams a clear inch [ie removing 4″ from the underarm girth.  I made a matching reduction on the sleeves, taking 2″ off each.  I cut the sleeve hem off, overlocked it, and turned up a 4″ hem, top stitching it in place, then folding it back to the outside, instant cuff.

I also decided that the front neckline opening was going to annoy me, folded it under and just stitched it down, making a V neck.  It isn’t great inside, I couldn’t be bothered to do a complete remake, but it will suffice.  With extra skin showing, and a slightly closer fit round the bust, I think I can wear this, rather than it wear me.  What do you think?