The First Post

My first new year's resolution  for 2012 was to start sewing again, and to start a sewing blog.   I've been stalking many of the creative sewing bloggers for some time now and have been inspired by all who share their sewing secrets, their wonderful discoveries of new patterns, fabrics, notions and sewing shops.  

I'm a bit of a procrastinator,  It's already July and I'm only just getting my first post underway, but in my defence, it's taken ages to work out how the whole blog thing works, thinking up a blog name that's not already taken, working out how to take photos when there are no willing  photographers around, uploading photos, downloading them, posting to Flickr, the excuses go on and on. 

My second resolution for 2012  was to make a commitment not to buy any ready to wear clothes for at least 12 months!!  If I want something new, I have to make it, or just make do!  How hard could it be?   


I've converted a spare room into my sewing palace, so it's time to jump right in.  Hopefully the hours spent hunched over my sewing machine will produce lots of fabulous pieces that can be confidently worn without resulting in any embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions.   I'm sure there will be a few items that do end up in the trash bag, but let's be positive and start with a winner.  


My favourite new patterns are from Style Arc.   Whilst the patterns are a fabulous fit, the instructions are light on detail.    Here are my Wendy pants, made from a lycra/cotton bought from the half price shelf at Pitt Trading, along with a self drafted top made out of a remnant from the wonderful $1.00/metre bin from the same shop. 


The back seam on the pants needed to come in about 3 cms but other than that the fit is perfect.   I didn't bother with the detailed waistband as my days of tucking anything into a pair of stretch pants are long gone.  I replaced it with a plain waistband, but should stress it's important to use a stretch fusible interfacing as these pants are pull-ons, and have no elastic in the waist.
   

Wendy Pants and Self Drafted Top

Terri Tie Cardi, also from Style Arc was also a success.  The instructions for this one were quite adequate and the pattern fitted perfectly, no alterations needed.  The stretch zebra print was bought from The Fabric Store in Surry Hills.

Terri Tie Cardi