My Siblings
And I, have a long history of
“swapping/sharing/using” each other's things..
My first car? (Mine not my Ex'es) was
my sister Geraldine's car before it was mine. But Geraldine brought
it from our sister Margaret.. (who bought it new)-We've done the same
with furniture, and hand bags, and so many things over the years...
What a Print! |
So Sunday, —her last full day here,
on her almost annual trip, (from Japan) Geraldine brought out a
beautiful piece of fabric for me. It had been a gift to her. I
think it was intended to be a Sarong. But it had been sewn into a
wrap skirt...and un worn. Both as a sarong, and later as a wrap
skirt. She been following all my sewing posts, and decided I should
do something with it.
A simple kaftan |
First off, I undid the hems and elastic
that formed the waist band.. Next I will give it a wash and press as I continue to mull over the best use
of this hand batik print fabric. It is from Noor Arfa —the print
is a few years old. I am thinking about using it to make a modified
kaftan—something like this—Not a overly full kaftan, just not too
much shaping to the dress either..(I might tuck in a dart)—but
mostly I just want to show of the beautiful print.
I want to pick up (or first, sort
through my scraps!) and find a bit of navy to make shoulder and a cap
sleeve—and give the sleeve and shoulders a bit of shaping, without
cutting the print. Small cap sleeves will be cut in place, (not cut
separately and sewn in.) I'll add underarm gussets to improve the
shape and fit—These will be done in the navy, too.. I might add a
whole stripe down the side in navy, too. The navy scraps (on shoulders) are bit light, but give you a idea of my thinking (PS Geraldine--I love this idea--and if you like it too, want the fabric back--(after I have finished construction)-Speak up now! or I will make it in my size
The sketch is sort of the idea (and so
is the print pinned to the maniquin) ). Most of the rest of the fabric is the golden
color you see at the edges..but there is a blue band at top and hem all the way round.
Note the notch in hem (visible on right side) |
Visits from my DIL (and oldest
granddaughter, Beatrice) and my sister are the 2 main reasons there
hasn't been much Saturday sewing. Last week, in the heat, I got a
little sewing down each day—So Saturday past I got most of the
yellow/grey/white vest finished. There are still some small details
left to do—pressing and a few inches of hand sewing (the lining)
still to do. This vest is closer to the original pattern--but--Changes include a center front zipper (vs buttons) inset pockets, and small rounded notches in the hem. This the first time I have used these specific details--making it a unique version of this tried and true vest pattern.
I have a full week to finish up the grey skirt (already
cut) and maybe make a yellow one too—and so finish up the last of the
sewing for the season. I really have gotten a lot done—3 dresses, 4 skirts, and 3 toppers (vests and a small jacket) a real boost to my
wardrobe (and I got a lot thrown out too!, to make room for all these
additions.) Plus 2 dresses for the girls--a bonus!
I'll keep myself busy in August doing
some hand embroidery—Pretty pillow cases, and an embroidered patch
for a jumper style dress for the fall. Some will be iron on transfer
designs, one is one of my own.
As always, my plans for future sewing
have grown and grown—I think I could spent every weekend of the
fall (13 weekends!) and not get all the sewing I plan to do done!
For me, there will be some winter
skirts, (purple and plum and grey) with a co-ordinate vest, and some
denim pieces—a whole wardrobe almost! A matching skirt and top
(will it be a vest or will it be a jacket?) in a denim print. A
denim shirt dress, a casual denim skirt (with a fly front, and patch
pockets,) and a “dressier” denim skirt. Finally at least 1 (more
likely 2!) denim jumpers I already have 3 denim vests, and a
sleeved vest, too, as well as 2 denim jackets (store bought), to
round out the collection. A complete "line" of denim clothing!
That's 13 pieces on my to do list—a
full seasons worth of sewing–and it presumes I will finish each
piece in a week! Which is possible, but not always how things work.
Meanwhile, I am keeping a eye out for
some emerald green pin stripe corduroy—my granddaughter, Ms C has
fallen in love with “the Corduroy Bear” --who she calls Eddy
Teddy. She also loves her OshKosh coveralls--which she is rapidly out growing. . I think she will
really love a pair of bright green corduroy coveralls—so she can
match Eddy Teddy. Her sister might get a dress—since she prefers
dresses to pants. And both will like it if I make some matching doll
clothes... See what I mean? Endless plans on project to sew....Where
will I find the time?