Dressmaking

[Sue]

This year I was going to treat myself to an evening class at Oldham college on drafting patterns for dressmaking. Unfortunately not enough if us enrolled and the class was cancelled. I then spent a couple of hours trawling the Internet for similar classes. I found a lady who lives not two miles from me who does private tuition in all things sewing. Today I had an enjoyable one to one session on drafting my own pattern. Watch this space as they say... To be continued.

[LizG]

I look forward to the updates Sue.

I've enrolled in a fabric study class this year.The idea is to learn about colour matching fabrics and at the end of the year I should have a design for a quilt. We make about 6 other projects during the year too.

[Stanley]

I thought you were pretty good at dressmaking already Sue but onward and Upward!

[LizG]

It never hurts to listen to someone else's ideas.

[Sue]

This is to make my jan patterns Stanley. Ie, something that fits properly without loads of modifications , and something based on my own ideas.

[Stanley]

Understood....

[Sue]

Well it's finished. Here is the original pattern my dress was based on


This is my version , pattern drafted with the help of my sewing teacher


And a coat made from a conventional pattern but altered in design. All seams are bound with satin bias tape in, apparently not lilac but silver grey!

[LizG]

Wow, it looks gorgeous. What a beautiful job. Congratulations.

[Stanley]

That's a lovely outfit Sue. Talent and craftswomanship!
Re Lilac and Silver Grey.... When I had my lens implants I was surprised to find that the bowl of my lavatory which I was sure was cream turned out to be white! Perhaps your eyes see colour slightly differently?

[Sue]

Thanks for your comments. It took ages to make the dress. I made three toiles before I started the final piece. Even then I had to send for more material as I made a mess of the V insert. There are 4 thicknesses of material to line up and sew through, at the same time keeping the point in line with the seam.

I must admit when I bought the thread to sew it I looked at grey but bought a grey- lilac colour. As for seeing different colours I think you would depending on the dark level the light rays would fall on different parts of the retina

[Stanley]

It was clouding of the lens that was altering mine Sue. When I got the implants I told my snapper friends that it was the difference between Kodachrome and Ektachrome and they knew exactly what I meant.

[Sue]

I remember my friend was similar, and her watercolour paintings became brighter too

[Marilyn]

Lovely! Wear it with pride.
Lovely Butterick pattern too...

I had a panic when I hadn't sewn for a while and thought I could not see to thread the machine needle...but panic was all it was...I had forgotten it was so small. I don't wear glasses ( don't need them) but within a few minutes I was back into the swing of things and I could pass my thread through the eye in one stab. I was much relieved it was just lack of practice. Phew! ( not ready for the rot to set in just yet...)

[Sue]

Maz I take my glasses off to sew, and then can never find them
I also take my right shoe off , to use the foot control and have a tape measure round my neck. It's a bit of a give away as to what I am doing.

[Sue]

PS. I love old patterns

[Stanley]

Maz, if needing glasses is 'the rot setting in', I started early when I was seven years old....

[LizG]

I gave in and bought a machine with a needle threader. I'd never be able to sew otherwise.

[Stanley]

As long as it does the job! I can thread needles again despite the distorted vision in my right eye. At one point I hadn't a hope in hell! Have you had an eye test lately?

[LizG]

I get my eyes tested annually. I can't see anything now without my specs, except the tv from a good distance. I've had to give up hand appliqué now, neither my eyes or hands can cope any more. I'm still hanging in there with my patchwork as well as machine appliqué though.

[Stanley]

It's amazing how you can compensate Liz. I made my most accurate engine when my eyes were at their worst. I just had to take more care.....

[Sue]

Today the matching bag for my dress arrived, made by a company that do buttons and bags from your own fabric. Looks good.

[Wendyf]

When is the wedding Sue?

[Sue]

August 20 th but off to France soon till the beginning of September, just coming back for a few days for the wedding.

[Wendyf]

Looking forward to seeing photos of this outfit! Have you designed a matching hat?

[Sue]

No hat! Dress and coat further up this topic. Both fit like a glove...at the moment.