Saturday 22 October 2011

Violet Blouse

I finished my Violet blouse a week ago but haven't been able to take a good picture as it has been so dark. Despite the sunshine outside today, my photo is still dark. I've tried every room in the house, and nearly fell down the stairs when I lost balance carrying the dressform, but still no happiness. So I'm afraid my pictures are dull and don't really show it to its potential. I think it must be the time of year as the front of my house gets the sun streaming in during the summer.
Anyway, I am so delighted with this! I've already worn it and had compliments. My mum said it looked old fashioned in a good way, I think she meant it looked vintage. I've been wearing it with a little cardigan of a similar colour and I love it.
What I particularly love are the buttons as they are from the 1940s. I think they go perfectly with the fabric and add to the vintage charm I was going for. I altered the sleeves, giving them a few small gathers to create an even more feminine look and I used more buttons than recommended as mine were slightly smaller. The pattern was a dream to use as it is so well drafted. Many people may think a blouse like this would be tricky for a beginner but the excellent instructions and the way all the pieces go together perfectly make this easy. I learnt new techniques too such as button holes and how to make a collar and this is my first sleeve attempt. I was so delighted with the results that I jumped straight into my next project the same day. I will reveal all when it is done...

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Just a little update

My Violet blouse is almost finished! It has taken me a long time as sewing progress has been slow due to work, but I'm so excited to finish it. I've only got the buttons and buttonholes left to do. I will post a photo on here when it is done.
At my sewing class I've made a good start on my Macaron dress and I'm going to work on this at home too this week and hopefully get most of the top part done by next Tuesday, well, that's the plan.
Things have been really strange and unsettling here lately. With redundancy comes pain, sadness, frustration, lack of confidence and an unknown future. At this time, this song lifts me, makes me smile, and allows me to dream about where life might take us next. Plus I love Kate Bush so much. Makes me want to wear a red dress and dance in the woods. Maybe dancing in the woods is the answer to life's troubles?!