Saturday, November 19, 2011

Hot Pattern Jacket.

NAVY HEAVY SILK/CREAM SILK for Hot Pattern KISS ME COAT
 I want to make this Hot Pattern  Coat for the 2112 SWAP Or really I just want to make it.  I have the gorgeous purple linen that I so wanted to make it from , but could not work out the colour for the piping.

After much thinking, and a little more procrastinating I decided to use this heavy navy silk that I bought  when we lived in China, so I have had it for 8 years!!!  One side is a little shiny then the other,  I will use this side.  The silk/cotton fabric will be made into piping and I will need to think about the colour for the lining?  Most likely navy?

This will be the most difficult/time consuming piece in the collection.  I have about 4.5 metres of the silk and hopefully have enough for some pants.


Snazzy aka "Prince Rotton"  "The Grey Lord"  "Cranky Puss" has given it his approval.

Silk Over Blouse



I thought this pattern would be good for wearing to the beach.  We spend a lot of time walking and swimming there and I hate getting sunburnt, especially since I wear my hair so short the back of my neck gets it.

 The blouse was made from a heavy silk ( that I cannot remember buying) it was sooooo long ago.  It has been cut out and hiding in the sewing room for about six months.  I cut it out for the 2011  SWAP. ( I just cut out lots of garments, and tried not to procrastinate too much on my choices) I was into speed sewing! I couldn't really use it as it did not have any 'new' techniques.   Now I remember, I  had the pockets cut out (they were the new tech) but decided not to attract attention to that area of my body!!!!

What I love about Burda patterns is that the model is 5' 6" and I am 5' 6".   I have long arms and you can see the finished length of my shirt is about the same as the photo on the pattern.  How good is that!

Sewing Workshop Pattern

I have been following the thread in The Sewing Workshop patterns at the Stitchers Guild and purchased 2 patterns.  I have made the Liberty Shirt and really like.  Boxy straight garments suit me and I think I will have to make a few more.

Liberty Shirt  Sewing Workshop Pattern

 I used a piece of left over thick light blue linen  and just squeeezed it out.  I cut a med....  it went together easily and I love  how neatly it is finished on the inside!  Is it Japanese inspired???

Sunday, November 13, 2011


SWAP 2012  Chinese Year of the Dragon

The new rules are out for the SWAP and because of the lack of participation last year it has all changed.   The goal this year is to develop some TNT patterns.  This means patterns that can be used again and again with different fabric etc to created new looks.  We have to make 7 garments from a possible choice of 11 or is it 12 now, four of these are to be made again.  Sounds simple enough however,  BUT IT IS alway difficult following the rules.

So thinking  should I start from the top of the list and work down or maybe select every second garment type????   Got too many ideas...by the way looks like I am retiring or unemployed on January the 16th 2012.  The sale of the business settles on this date, (hopefully)  still need to train the new people and tidy up all the loose ends.  Daughter may get her DL back (after 6 months suspension) and February may be free of work.....

I have been working on the colour scheme...Cool Blue is above and here is Red Hot.


I seem to collect heavy fabric suitable for bottoms and not much that is light weight and suitable for shirts

I like to wear bright colours:   Both cool and Warm  Reds
                                                All blues
                                                Cool greens
                                                Turquoise  Aqua
                                                Purple
The neutrals that are my favourite are charcoal, navy, cream and black.   This is a new piece of batik fabric that I hope will go with either choice.


I have been working a few story boards...


This is the blue idea... I have always loved the Hot Pattern Coat and would like to sew it from a heavy purple linen .....but I am having a hard time selecting a colour for the piping so I am tossing up whether to make it from a really heavy navy silk with cream silk piping...  I think the navy may win out.  The items circles are those that I will make twice  (Maybe???) We are allowed to start fitting/organising patterns now and think we can start sewing one garment early.

The other thoughts that I have concerning this SWAP is whether to select classical garments....
Anyway, still thinking...Need to stop thinking and start sewing!!!!