…in more than one sense. Hard at work still sewing, even though not much has been finished yet. And meanwhile, at work, it’s hard. Very hard.
Still, my new timetable gives me a long weekend instead of a midweek break, like last year, and I’m adjusting to the change of pace. Plenty of time to sew, even if I haven’t had much energy to get on with it!
I finished one of the dresses I cut out for the summer-that-never-arrived, and have worn it a couple of times already. Separate blog post on that one though.
I’ve been TRYING not to buy more fabric, but slipped a couple of times…shoot me. [Unless you’re some American gun-nut, and actually MIGHT shoot me, that is…] Today a lovely length of red leopard print jersey arrived, for a cheer-me-up dress that won’t take long to knock out.
The pile of stuff I cut out months ago is slowly reducing. [Very slowly, I must be getting old!] I still have a shirt, tunic, T shirt and a couple of corsets to finish though. At least.
The main thing I’ve been doing is sitting doing hours of hand swing, making the cathedral window panels for the dress inspired by Lincoln Cathedral. This morning, I finished the first panel [of five…probably. No more than five anyway]. It looks GOOD!
In front of the finished panel, another 99 black squares cut to size, and about 150 little 2″ squares of the sari silk. Four panels’ worth including the one I’ve finished already. Five would make a full skirt, but I may save time and fabric and make the back ones half length IF I make a draped overskirt…time will tell.
As I mentioned before, after some pondering, I’ve decided to get my 1890s skirt shape [gored/flared, wide A line, with slim hips] by using the five rectangular panels, with godets in between. I’d decided this would work mathematically, but couldn’t be sure about its suitability, historically speaking. Of course, they didn’t really go for cathedral inspired quilted skirts…or not according to the fashion plates, but look what I found today!
Not only the right period, and the right skirt shape…but the right COLOURS! I feel vindicated. I’m not doing the evening bodice of course, I want humungous sleeves and a daytime look, more like this
I think the Truly Victorian patterns I already have will work, grafting one sleeve onto another bodice and so forth.
However, I also want a mad collar like this
So to save work, I just ordered the e-pattern from Truly Victorian for a very similar cape. I should be able to graft the collar onto a bodice with little fuss. She said.
And that’s it for now. Not idle, but not a vast amount of obvious progress. The missus is nagging for some prosaic sewing to be done, vest tops and the like. Meh. I suppose I should knock some out!
Byeeeeeee
thedementedfairy 
Your panel doesn’t just look good – it looks amazing! Instead of knitting you are hand sewing – so now we are equal!
I too am feeling the pain of the new term…wearying.
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ew to knitting, huzzah for hand sewing! Work is plain evil- trying to teach all those kids a subject they really don’t like or want. Gah
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The cathedral window panel is gorgeous. I love the black and gold dress too, I’m sure I was born in the wrong era but I would probably have been the one doing the making rather than the wearing.
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Oh but the wearing is so COOL lol
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Now you have included the panelled dress and sleeve inspiration I can picture this amazing dress. Funnily enough my crocheted skirt is (in a modest way) in the same ball park. Making lots of small colourful squares that end up as a new fabric. Lots of fun.
I am so sorry that your job gives you anguish and stress. It can’t be good for you and my hunch is you are a great teacher – just not supported effectively. I don’t believe maths has to be a hated subject. Great teaching could transform our perceptions. Oh well that’s my two pennies worth.
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Thanks! I’m really starting to ‘get it’ myself now too lol finding that panelled dress image yesterday was very reassuring- I know now that my vague idea is workable. She says.
When I’m teaching at A level, it is BRILLIANT, and I remember why I’m there at all. Unfortunately in colleges, you only get re-sit students, made to keep re-taking maths [and English] time and time again, with no genuine likelihood of getting above their grade D [or the now-numerical equivalent]. These are students who are studying voc courses, who are [fairly] employable without any need for maths beyond numeracy…and yet. Getting past their boredom and lack of motivation is nigh on impossible.
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That quilted panel is absolutely beautiful. I would never have the patience to make something like that myself, not even one panel let alone five! Very excited to see the finished item! And you know I love a good bit of animal print, so you won’t be surprised to hear that I think your jersey is amazing. It’s similar to a coat fabric that I got at the sewing bee which I’ve just made a skirt from. Respect for working with jerseys… I bloody hate it 😂😂😂
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I dodged jersey for years, but now I have the overlocker, well, that’s what they’re for innit? I’ve got to make the missus some boring boring boring vest tops first though. Bah!
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Oh my oh my – new reader here and I’m so excited. I only recently saw that cathedral quilt pattern this year and fell in love with the design. I’ve been trying to decide what I want to make with it since – I will be watching for your dress very impatiently.
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Well. some patience will be needed- it’s going to take ages! Plenty more to make along the way though, so hopefully you’ll stay entertained!
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Your panel is beautiful! And so much work! It’s going to be fabulous when finished. I love seeing your inspiration dresses too. Isn’t it nice that there are patterns available for almost anything anyone would like to make!
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With a little imagination, we can try to make anything!
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I was wondering why you weren’t posting as much midweek; I’m glad you get a long weekend, but it makes my ‘work from home Wednesdays’ a little less fun without your updates. 🙂
The panel is striking. This will be such an amazing outfit!
It’s interesting seeing the pendulum swing with regards to how math is taught here (Canada – Ontario specifically. My son is 11). My son’s school is really focusing on ‘child centered learning’; the teacher has core concepts that need to be covered, but they try and incorporate it within things the kidlets are interested in. Last year the Grade 3s (8 year olds) brought forward a proposal to put up a Lego wall in the school. Not only can they use it for math work by manipulating the bricks, but the teacher got to cover all sorts of things about calculating area, tessellated shapes, budgeting for materials, etc.
The only down side is that the expectation is that parents do all the ‘drill and kill’ work (eg memorizing times tables) at home. And don’t get me started about the math teacher who said that ‘there’s no right or wrong answer in math – it’s about the strategy’. Umm… no. Please don’t teach my child that adding 2 digit numbers left to right is ‘just as good’ as the actual correct approach. 😤
Sorry for the wall of text. I guess I have stronger feelings about grade school math than I thought… LOL
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lol actually you CAN go from left to right but… Anyway, I’ve done plenty of that sort of project based fun teaching with little kids, but by the college stage, when they are just re-sitting, the problem is usually that they are crap at focussing and regurgitating quietly for an hour and a half. They have no exam discipline because their entire education has been too much ruddy fun! Sigh.
At least A level teaching is fun…for me anyway
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Love the panel. It is an absolute work of art and looks as if it took as much effort as it has. It will make a stunning and striking dress. I LOVE the red leopard. What brilliant fabric. Really looking forward to seeing what it becomes. Xx
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Already made, worn and posted, I’m on a roll!
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