Hi dears,
since the release of the Burda Vintage issue I wanted to make some of the gorgeous designs presented there.
The big ball gowns are a bit too much for me to tackle at the moment, but I made a start with the Jumper "Mary".
The fabric I chose is a cotton flanell. A little too stiff, but I only found out after I tried it on... it doesn´t have much of a drape, but still, I like the outcome.
I cut and sew a straight size 36, which is a size 8 in the States, and made no alterations...
The result is a little big in the shoulders, but otherwise, I have no complaints.
Worn with the belt, I really felt like a Lady, even though I chose skinny jeans and boots to go with it instead of a pencil skirt and heels. Seeing the pics now, I think there is a little country vibe about it, what do you think?
Worn without the belt it resembles pj´s a little too much (what with the flanell and the checks... ;-)), but I wouldn´t wear it without belt anyways.
Since I´m back in Berlin I try to spend my time as useful as possible, meaning in front of the cutting table, sewing machine or English-Test-book for the TOEFL... I really want to live in Australia, at least for a year, so I have to convince the immigration bureau that I can support myself and also make myself understood of course.
The second thing is the thought of taking courses in pattern making, CAD, HTML and other stuff to educate myself with things around the business of creating a brand... but that´s stuff for another time.
One thing´s for sure:
Change is in the air.
Until then,
happy sewing
Milan
Dear Sewing-lovers,
didn´t I post that the urge to sew has left me, just, say, two or three days ago?
Oh, what can I say, I coulnd´t resist to buy the Perfect Pattern Parcel #6, which just burst with fantastic patterns, so I rediscovered the sewing passion and made my first Bronte Top by Jennifer Lauren Vintage.
There have been a lot of pics and posts of gorgeous makes of this pattern, and, as usual, I´m behind the hype, but still, I have to blow into the same horn as all the other sewists before me:
The pattern has the potential to become a classic, it´s easy to sew, with the options of long or short sleeves and contrast binding (or not) just the way you like it.
I made mine in a size 8, which fitted straight out of the pdf ;-)
It came together within three easy hours, and that´s cutting and asembling the paper pattern and cutting the fabric included!
Jennifer suggests a medium to more heavy weight jersey for this shirt, but I went with a lightweight cotton jersey, which is very strechy. Turned out it was a good choice as the sleeves sit a teensy bit more snug than I like it under the armpits.
Apart from that, I´m really happy with the outcome of the pattern.
Because you don´t need much fabric it is perfect as a stashbuster, too.
There are some more Brontes to come from me, that´s for sure...(my stash is bursting with stuff, oh my god...).
Right, that´s my first make after my two month long trip in Australia and Japan.
The next countdown (to Burning Man Festival next September) will start soon.
Until then,
happy sewing and don´t forget to let me know what you think or ask whatever you like.
Cheers,
Milan
Hi sewing-folks,
it´s been a while since my last post (as usual), and this time I have a really good excuse:
I spent two months on a trip to Australia and Japan!
I cannot start telling you how beautiful and overwhelming it all was, you guys should definitely go there, if you´re looking for your next holiday destination!
Unfortunately I couldn´t take my sewing-machine, so there are no new makes coming from me right now, BUT I went fabric shopping during my last three days in Tokyo, and I bought a shitload of gorgeous stuff to be made into (hopefully) gorgeous clothes...
I also fell in love with the traditional garment of the Japanese women: the kimono.
After getting a little into the subject, I soon found out that it is almost a science to learn how to put on a kimono and which and how many pieces a kimono consists of. Not to mention the meaning a particular design can imply and what is considered siutable for a woman my age and social position.
I ended up buying a vintage kimono from a thrift shop (with the friendly assistance of a native speaking gentleman and a skillfull shop-assistant), but without all the undergarments, collars, ribbons, socks and shoes that normally accompany such an outfit. The kimono alone weighs over one kilogram and I couldn´t risk to have overweight in my backpack (as airlines have hefty prices for a few kilos overweight)...
Apart from that I bought lovely linens, a few Kokka-design cottons, a lovely brokade (to be made into either a box-pleated skirt or an egg-shaped 50ies inspired jacket) and some baby-jersey for a friend.
Being home again means having all my supplies and machines back into reach, but I´m strangely uninspired at the moment. Despite all the lovely fabrics I bought, I don´t feel the spark of joy I normally get when I find the right pattern for a fabric I love. Maybe I sill lack the right patterns?
Hm. For now, I blame it on the jet-lag. I still wake up at 5am and can´t go back to sleep.
I hope it will change soon. In the meantime, I will rumage through my closet and (fall-)clean it to make room for the winter wardrobe (which I sadly have to fetch from it´s storage in the cellar now) and hope inspiration will strike me soon.
I purchased a few patterns also during my stay, two at StyleArc.com, a Melbourne-based pattern company which you shouldn´t miss out on, and of course, PerfectPatternParcel#6 (which is no longer available).
Will soon present you with some makes from those, hopefully for sure.
Until then,
happy sewing
and let me know if you have questions or suggestions
Milan
