Sewing week was different this year. I spent most of my time actually in the sewing room sewing and hanging out with my sewing friends. This is the first year I didn't have to work, and the lure of the computer was substantially reduced as there was no pressing need to turn it on. I had a lot of fun and got a lot done, but already it is becoming a blur, a happy blur, but a blur nonetheless:
I began sewing week after a long absence from sewing and plagued by a bit of confusion over not only what I wanted to sew but what I wanted to wear. Having spent the summer in my gardening clothes and not having spent much time visiting my closet since February, I felt disconnected and uncertain. Although I had plans, I was plagued by indecision.
Following our introductory show-and-tell and personal makeovers, I was even more confused, probably amplified by the fact that I still had not settled into California time and was not sleeping well. My plans went completely awry and I was not sure what I was sewing.
Rather than cut anything out on Monday, I started revising my plans and made an emergency run to Britex for a new lining for the eyelet and a complimentary fabric for the floral. Back at the hotel, all the new fabrics had to go in the wash and only later did I realize that I purchased new fabrics without the requisite threads and a second trip to Britex was required.
Monday was plan revision and panic day, along with a little tipple of wardrobe-refashion.
Tuesday was devoted to the blue eyelet skirt, about which more will come later and buying antique buttons from "the button ladies".
Wednesday I made the black/lilac floral skirt shown to the left. As you might recall (see below) I had originally planned on making this a short narrow skirt, but that idea did not seem to go over well on Monday and I threw that plan out the window. Not really sure what I wanted, and with encouragement to wear longer skirts
(and here I am trying to get out of longer skirts
)
I decided to use Vogue 2969 using the floral print for the body of the skirt and black for the contrast inset and overlay.
As the pattern is designed for knits or wovens cut on the bias, I hoped it would work out with my black fabric and I went to Britex hoping to find a black contrast that looked good with the background of the black print. That sounds a lot easier than it actually was, but in the end success was mine.
You can see the finished skirt in the photo above. I still have mixed feelings about this skirt. It is the only project from sewing week about which I am at all ambivalent, and I still wonder if I should have just stuck to my original plan. But it is a nice, wearable skirt and I shall just have to see how I feel about it over time.
The skirt was easy to make and I had no problems with the pattern. The instructions were clear and everything went together well. I like the basic shape of the skirt and will probably make it again in a different fabric. Bias polyester crepe de chine was not easy to work with and in the end I grew frustrated and just serged off the hem. I had thought of doing the band finish as show on the pattern, but decided that was just too fussy with the print. If the skirt becomes a wardrobe basic, I will eventually finish it off with a narrow hem.
Wednesday night I cut out the orange cotton skirt.
Thursday we had Christine Johnson talking about sewing with knits accompanied by patterns and swatches of her wonderful fabrics. I have used some of her patterns in the past and love them, and of course her fabrics are fabulous. It was a great day, but a little slow on sewing progress. Of course, once again I sewed well into the night.
Thursday and Friday were also devoted to the orange cotton skirt, which was almost finished by the time we had to vacate the sewing room at 4 PM on Friday. All that remains is the hem. It would have been finished had I arranged my schedule differently, but I was working on some misinformation: namely that we would be able to sew until 6 PM. When I returned to the room following a lunch and shopping break at 3 PM, Sandra had just learned that we had to close down by 4 and the remaining hour was spent packing everything up.
Saturday was fabric shopping day followed by dinner at Sandra's. It was a fabulous day, and yes, I did buy fabric.
Here is a picture of me at Stone Mountain and Daughter, shopping up a storm. The pile of fabric behind my right shoulder is also mine, waiting to be cut:
Ooh, my former LFS, Stone Mtn and Daughter. I am so jealous of your trip. Maybe next year, I will get it together and sign up for a sewing week before they are book up.
Posted by: Grace | September 23, 2007 at 09:02 PM
Oh Mardel, I think your skirt is so pretty! I love looking at the picture of you at Stone Mountain and Daughter. It brings back such happy memories.
Posted by: Diane | September 22, 2007 at 09:24 PM
I think it looks great. Wear it Thursday if you can, as I'd really love to see it "live".
Posted by: Gina | September 22, 2007 at 07:18 PM
I think the skirt is great. You can always shorten it later, but it's very flattering, and that top is really a keeper! I like your necklace too, very unusual, but very you! Sounds like a great week, and you look very pleased at the cutting table. :)
Posted by: Liana | September 22, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Wow Mardel, what a great trip! ...sure looks like you were having a great time...love, love, love the skirt!
Pam...from ~Off The Cuff Style~
Posted by: Pam Erny | September 21, 2007 at 04:52 PM
I love the outfit in the style pic of the two plain fabrics, but with the print, not so much.
Posted by: Judith in Umbria | September 21, 2007 at 04:38 AM
Mardel it sounds like you had a wonderful trip! Sewing, shopping for fabric, sewing, talking with friends about sewing, shopping for Fabric, getting a lecture from a sewing expert, sewing and finally shopping for more fabric! My kinda vacation. Can't wait to see a picture of the orange skirt!
Posted by: Carolyn | September 20, 2007 at 06:14 PM