2. In the absence of sewing projects to do, I decided to cast on yet another pair of socks. So far, all my socks have just been straight stocking stitch because I pretty much felt like I had enough to cope with working out how to knit socks at all. This time I decided to try out a pattern with the very smallest amount of extra complexity, and picked Hermione's Everyday Socks (Ravelry link), a very popular free pattern with just the smallest of added details of a little texture. It's going swimmingly so far, except I managed to make one stupid mistake in the ribbing that I didn't notice soon enough and now can't fix without essentially frogging all the work I've done so far, ugh. That is the worst thing about knitting.
3. My commitment to fabric fasting is hanging by the barest of threads. It's fatal to be sick and therefore stuck in bed idly wandering the internet AND moving back to a country with much better online shopping. I'm going to see if I still want the things that are in my shopping basket when I am closer to actually having moved in and able to take delivery of stuff. Maybe my interest will wane between now and then. (Ha, ha, listen to my hollow laughter at that possibility.)
4. I already did buy a couple of books, mainly second-hand. One of them was this book on Shirtmaking by David Coffin. Reviews seem mostly positive everywhere I've seen. I'm probably a bit far off "fine sewing" skills, but I felt like it was probably a useful book if I wanted to start to improve on the finish I got on my Carme blouse. The other books I bought were similar: technique books for home-sewing generally and finishing/sewing advice for tailoring. The shirtmaking book in particular though should be of immediate use to me, since I plan to move on to a proper button-down front shirt once I am back and set up again ready to sew.
5. As you might guess from that description of the things I am reading, I have VERY ambitious plans for my sewing for the second half of the year: shirts, obviously, also trousers, a dress, at least one jacket or coat, and not just like, the unlined linen version of a jacket that I've made before, etc etc. I feel like I have somewhat turned a corner in my attitude towards my sewing. For a while there I felt kind of intimidated by more complex projects. Now I feel a bit like, eh, life is too short to be intimidated by fabric and thread. What's the worst that could happen anyway? I make something so terrible it is consigned straight to the rubbish bin. Well, I mean, that would be kind of sad, but not exactly world-ending. One thing that helps is that I am determined to manage my wardrobe. If I want to keep the total number of clothes I have under control and own only things that I really want to wear, then at some point I have to either make the things I want to wear or else decide that I'm NOT going to make them, or even try to, and go out and buy them. I think it's worth at least TRYING to make some of the things I want. If it doesn't work out then, eh, it doesn't work out. At least I'll know!
The shirtmaking book is fabulous. In a world now where I find the sewing shelves at my local bookstores are dominated by designy cute books for hipster beginners, I immensely value books like Coffin's. It's so detailed and eminently useful.
ReplyDeleteThat did seem to be the general consensus. I've no interest in the cutesy vintagey beginner books either, so I'm trying to pick up the more serious sewing books a couple at a time as I see them at affordable prices. Good to get another positive review for the Coffin book!
DeleteI'm reading that book too! I just finished a simple shirt and can't wait to start reading it again (more will make sense since I've actually made a collar stand).
ReplyDeleteIt's elevated my sewing. For example, it inspired me to get a flat fell foot and learn to use it. The difference in the finish is amazing.
I think a classic button down shirt or blouse would look really good on you too especially if it has that curved hem on the bottom. I think the sharp collar, the V neck leaving the top buttons undone, and the elongated line leaving the curved hem untucked work together in a magic way on you.
Oo, that's good to know. I've been flat-felling just using my regular foot.
DeleteI love a classic button down but they tend to be really boxy on me in RTW because I have to size up so much to get them to fit at the bust. I'm hoping I can figure something out to avoid that with making my own. I've got what I hope is a non-boxy, shaped hem classic bust-darted button-down pattern as a starting point from a recent Ottobre, so watch this space I guess? :D
Could you pinch out two vertical darts under the bust? Even if they are shallow, those two darts would give more vertical lines and a hint of shaping right? I'll definitely stay tuned cause I want to sew the outfits you are coming up with.
DeleteI definitely could do some darting at the front. I have that on my list of possible fixes/improvements for when I start working on my button down blouse pattern. I feel like this may be a looooong work in progress with lots and lots of iterations because I want to try to get to a point where I have the pattern and skills for a really great fit/shape/finish and a bunch of options for a basic shirt pattern. I know some sewers are all about making a million different patterns. I really just want clothes that fit and look good!
DeleteIt's great when you find someone with a similar body shape online who is sewing because you can totally just steal their ideas -- especially if they live half the world away so you'll never run the risk of being outfit twins!
"Now I feel a bit like, eh, life is too short to be intimidated by fabric and thread. What's the worst that could happen anyway? I make something so terrible it is consigned straight to the rubbish bin."
ReplyDeleteHear, hear, sister. I am going through a tough time and when I sew, I can't be bothered with not wanting to cut into the good stuff. I don't want to waste it either, so I'll do a muslin. But after that, it's game on.
I'm sorry to hear things are rough right now. You've been channelling it into some A+++ sewing though, I have to say. Your recent coat & jacket were amazing!
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