Well, it all started a few weeks back when Susan and I visited the State Library and caught up with a bunch of book artists. We all had lunch together, but just before we sat down we visited the magnificent book and gift shop. And I bought a book of Japanese clothes patterns.
A friend had given me some money for my birthday last year and told me to spend it on something special; it took me a while but I knew this was it! I was excited because I had looked at these patterns online before; but the instructions were all in Japanese which really scared me. Here it was with English instructions, and the exact price of my birthday money, so it was clearly meant to be!
This is the piece I finished today. It has quite a funny story in that it will be the very first item in my wardrobe that is about Mother-Daughter wear. I made my first one of these, a few weeks ago full of excitement and thrill; only to discover that it was too big for me. It looked beautiful and draped well and I didn't want to go thru all the fuss of re-sizing it, so I gave it to my mum. Who is tall and elegant and looked just great in it.
But I really wanted one for me - so I bought the same fabric, same colour and now I have my own; and this time it fits. It still needs a little bit of hand stitching to tidy a few things up.
The other piece I was finishing today was this skirt - scrimped out of some fabric I had bought to make a Japanese apron to wear in the studio - but I really have enough aprons, so I thought why not a skirt. I am still hemming it by hand and finishing the waistband.
In between I made this soft and flowy top, and I enjoy the way it lets the air move around - important in summer here.
And of course my own first piece (after the failed tunic) was this cute top from Jennifer's rusted fabric.
I am no seamstress and have to make mistakes, unpick them, sew again, trim down seams etc etc; I am not a natural, but I have enjoyed the challenge and the time to think my way through the adjustments I need. And then laughing at myself when I have failed to consider one other thing and the waistband is now way too big for example.
I feel as if I have been just a tad obsessed for the last fortnight and now need to just stop - go cold turkey for a bit - and get on with other things...
But isn't obsession fun for a while?!?!?
A friend had given me some money for my birthday last year and told me to spend it on something special; it took me a while but I knew this was it! I was excited because I had looked at these patterns online before; but the instructions were all in Japanese which really scared me. Here it was with English instructions, and the exact price of my birthday money, so it was clearly meant to be!
This is the piece I finished today. It has quite a funny story in that it will be the very first item in my wardrobe that is about Mother-Daughter wear. I made my first one of these, a few weeks ago full of excitement and thrill; only to discover that it was too big for me. It looked beautiful and draped well and I didn't want to go thru all the fuss of re-sizing it, so I gave it to my mum. Who is tall and elegant and looked just great in it.
But I really wanted one for me - so I bought the same fabric, same colour and now I have my own; and this time it fits. It still needs a little bit of hand stitching to tidy a few things up.
The other piece I was finishing today was this skirt - scrimped out of some fabric I had bought to make a Japanese apron to wear in the studio - but I really have enough aprons, so I thought why not a skirt. I am still hemming it by hand and finishing the waistband.
In between I made this soft and flowy top, and I enjoy the way it lets the air move around - important in summer here.
And of course my own first piece (after the failed tunic) was this cute top from Jennifer's rusted fabric.
I am no seamstress and have to make mistakes, unpick them, sew again, trim down seams etc etc; I am not a natural, but I have enjoyed the challenge and the time to think my way through the adjustments I need. And then laughing at myself when I have failed to consider one other thing and the waistband is now way too big for example.
I feel as if I have been just a tad obsessed for the last fortnight and now need to just stop - go cold turkey for a bit - and get on with other things...
But isn't obsession fun for a while?!?!?
Fiona, I left a comment on your last post about the pencil work which does not seem to have registered. Suffice to say I was bowled over by the sensitivity and beauty of using a pencil for such fine work and my first observation when reading this post was that all the fabrics remind me of graphite too! That lovely top looks like smudges of graphite powder on the fabric. They are all lovely but that top that you and your Mum now have together is so stylish. Simply classic. PS I'm not sure this is the END of the obsession.......
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Lesley - the comment and reply on the previous post have made it thru! How wonderful that all the fabrics here have a pencil and graphite sensibility as well, must be a phase I'm going thru very happily. Mum and i are promising to wear them together one day and pretend it's uniform of sorts. It is timeless and makes me happy. I must leave it alone for a while...but I know I'll be back. Go well.
DeleteIt is so rewarding to "make things" isn't it Fi. These are gorgeous. x g
ReplyDeleteThanks G - a real sense of satisfaction I must say! Perhaps that's the obsession positive feedback-loop kicking in...go well.
Deletelovely to make what you want to wear with your own hands (ok, and a little machine). i love the mature mother-daughter martch-up.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful thing to do Velma - and I wish I was better at it and that it came easier; but I really enjoy it. And the mother-daughter thing cracks us up! Luckily it is a gorgeous top. Go well.
DeleteHas it got a simple pants pattern? If so, I want this book! You have such a nice taste in fabric -- where do you buy it?
ReplyDeleteThe eternal quet for a simple pants pattern! It has some awful pants and some shorts and my next task is to see if I can extend the shorts into a nice pair of 3/4 pants. Thanks for liking the fabric too - except for Jennifer's rust fabric I get the rest from Spotlight...Japanese cotton voile for the b&w, linen for the mother/daughter and heavy cotton for the skirt...
DeleteHey, there is nothing wrong with an obsession with making clothes. I think I started in high school...and now a bit over 30 years later...!
ReplyDeleteSandy in the UK
I think making clothes is a very fine thing Sandy - I just got a bit carried away with every waking moment itching to be down there at the machine or cutting and pinning and...I started resenting other things I needed to do because they took me away from sewing...so I probably just need to re-set and fit sewing into my life in balance! It must have brought yogurt joy over the years. Go well.
DeleteI wondered if that gorgeous exhibition opening top was a Japanese pattern and did not get a chance to check with you. Your wore it beautifully and great stitching.....I am just coming to the bubble now but will wait till I am boiling to throw myself in to the pot and get back to the sore neck over the beloved sewing machine.... well done you have inspired me to get back in again.
ReplyDeleteOh I look forward to seeing what happens when you get back on the horse C! You amaze me with what you can make and how you do it - I am still with my L plates on big time. Glad you liked the little top - it is a fun thing.
DeleteAs a non-sewer, Fiona, I am always impressed by the wonderful clothes a sewer can make. Yours are so elegant, so beautifully wearable, I can just imagine you in each one.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol. I often look at clothes and think - that can't be toooo hard; but of course there is a lot that can go into simplicity! As I am learning...I enjoy making something that is simply mine and knowing that I pulled it together; always happier when it work out and looks OK! Go well.
Deletegawhhhh! these are gorgeous! --- and I can't believe what I'm about to tell you -- sitting on my beside table is the 'stylish dress book' by yoshiko tsukiori (can you believe that serendipity?) --- I have swooned over the pics/patterns inside - but I'm rather intimidated by the process so I've been delaying giving it a go --- your goodies are sooooooooo GOOD! I'm feeling so very inspired now!
ReplyDeleteThat is waaaaayyyyy too spooky Ronnie! You know, I think there might be some of the same patterns in there?
DeleteMy only tips are trace the pattern pieces onto tissue paper from the newsagent (or tracing paper from spare cupboards), Look at the bit where it says where NOT to add the 1cm seam allowance - the hem it might be 3cm; the neckline none, the centre fold none. I added it everywhere the first time, no wonder it was big! Grab some remnant fabric or calico and just go have a go! They are surprisingly simple and the instructions make sense once you begin... enjoy! I am already dreaming of some calico trousers, just to see. Go well.