Saturday 30 March 2013

March in Review...

As you will see below, I did a horrible job at my stash busting resolution.  Not only have I fallen off the stash-busting wagon, at one point this month I managed to add more fabric than I managed to stash bust this year. Yikes! I will have to try harder next month.

I did quite a lot of sewing this month that is not featured on this month's review, my Lenten Sewing projects took a great deal of my allotted sewing time. It was a rewarding experience. I learned a few historical facts that I didn't know about sewing alter linens.

Well, before I get seriously off topic here is what I managed to stash bust this month.

Cardigan for Mama R,
Stretch & Sew by Ann Person No. 200


Shirtdress for Mama R,
modified version of Vintage McCall's 9424
Men's Vest for my nephew,
Simplicity 4763
A dress for moi,
modified version of Vogue 8667



Sew far this year, I managed to stash-bust a total of:

  • 31.91 metres of fabric, 
  • 10 previously unused patterns
  • 4.6 metres of trim
  • 4 zippers
  • 10 spools of thread
  • 3 sewing machine needles
  • 3 snaps,
  • 22 buttons and
  • 1.7 metres of elastic.
And this this year I've added to my stash:

  • 30.4 metres of new fabric
  • 7 Vogue patterns,
  • 1 Simplicity pattern,
  • 1 metre of trim,
  • 7 spools of thread
  • 2 sewing machine needles,
  • 6 buttons
  • 2 new sewing feet
  • 4 metres of elastic.  
Happy Sewing!  





Friday 29 March 2013

In Sewing News Today...

It has been a busy week. I've been reading I Am David for work instead of finishing Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion and returning it back to the library. And I've been sewing like mad this week for the pattern stash contest over at Pattern Review. March break certainly has flown by quickly. I can't believe it is already Friday.

Sew far, I have completed three garments. I pre-treated my fabric and was set to cut Burda Style 7304, the cute little jacket with the back peplum.  

The pattern calls for lightweight wools and cotton satin. Do they mean cotton sateen? I've never seen the phrase cotton satin before. But I digress.  

The fabric is all folded up and sitting under my cutting table. I have enough beige / taupe lining left over from the Vogue 8667 dress that will work for the jacket. I'm still torn, do I cut the silk before I make a muslin of this jacket or do I go with a skirt pattern for this fabric. I'm going to have to think about it which explains why it is sitting under my cutting table.

Right now I have two Marcy Tilton patterns on the cutting table, Vogue 8637 and Vogue 8839. I'm not sure I'll be able to finish these two this weekend, but I hope to have them all cut out though.

I have about a metre and a half of this black double knit that has been felted. It is not enough for the jacket so I going to do the main jacket pieces in this fabric and the bands and pocket in an orange double knit. The plan is to cut the skirt in the remaining orange fabric.  

And there is mending. Boy, did I let my mending pile get out of hand. But can you believe that I didn't get a chance to work on any of my own mending. No, I wasn't procrastinating. Okay, maybe a little. I was doing other folk's mending. Don't ask me how the one person who hates mending ends up doing mending for others. I don't have an answer for you.

I was asked to mend a vestment for my parish priest. That might explain why I'm doing mending for others. How can you say "no" to a priest? Especially during Lent! Catholic guilt, I tell ya. It will get you doing mending for others every time.

The scary part of this project is that it is a beautifully sewn vestment that was a gift from his Mom when he became a priest. Okay, no pressure right. To say that I am terrified about this project is an understatement.

Okay, it gets scarier. The part of this beautiful vestment that is in need of repair is at the neckline seam. It is not a tear, it is the fabric that is fraying. Oh my goodness!

I have to admit that it sat in my possession while I tried to come up with a plan. I used Fray Check along the seam and the edges of the hole that was developing. And let it sit for a couple more days while I thought about this a little more.

I did not want to remove the neck facing or disturb the embroidered piece in the front and back of the vestment. And my problem was how to get close enough to the front and back pieces to have a even curve. I used the zipper foot so that I could get my sewing needle close enough without moving over bulky pieces with my regular presser foot. Thank God it worked. I have my fingers crossed that the parish priest is pleased. Maybe I should cross my toes too.

Next mending project is for my brother. A pair of Converse sweat yoga pants. Yeah, I can't say "no" to my family either. Mama R helped me with this project, offering to remove the side zippers that were located at the pant leg hem area. Now my job is to hem them. And figure out how I'm going to work around the bulkiness from a wide braid trim down the outer side seam. I think I will have to drag my Jean-a-ma-Jig for this task.

Well, I should get this mending project taken care of and get back to work on my pattern stash busting challenge.

Happy Sewing!

Thursday 28 March 2013

Oh Baby, Baby Blue.

Stash Busting 2013:  Project #13

Fabric Used:        1.7 metres of lace knit. This fabric has been in my stash for well over a decade. 

Thread Used:       1 spool polished off. 

Pattern Used:       Stretch & Sew, No. 200, circa 1967. 


*****
Can you believe that I made this from start to finish in less than two hours? It's true.  

This is another project for Mama R, she is always looking for a cardigan style sweater whenever we are out shopping. And she always comes home empty handed. I don't know why I didn't think about sewing a cardigan sweater for her before.

The pattern I used has been in my stash for a long, long time. It is a vintage ladies raglan sleeve pattern by Ann Person. I picked up this pattern back-in-the-day when I lived in Toronto. There are only four pattern pieces and the pattern can be made in a front buttoned cardigan, pullover or square neck style. I chose to make it as a opened cardigan style.

The fabric I used has also been in my stash for a long, long time. I thought it was pretty when I bought it and that was the only reason that I picked it up. I had no idea what it would become when I made the purchase.

I'm not sure what the fabric is all I know is that it is a lace knit. And it was tricky to cut. I discovered while cutting out this project that my coffee cut makes a handy-dandy weight.

I finished the seams and edge with the serger and then used the twin needle for stretch fabrics to turn over the edges and stitch in place.

I'm pleased with how it turned out. The only problem is that Mama R is teasing that she'll need a new dress to go with it. I know she is not joking, she has a crepe satin that she would like me to turn into a dress. The crepe satin would match this perfectly.


 Happy Sewing!  

Wednesday 27 March 2013

Into Indigo...

Stash Busting 2013:  Project #12

Fabric Used:        2.75 metres of medium weight stretch cotton sateen. This fabric has been in my stash since 2010.

Buttons Used:      9 buttons, recycled from a previous garment.

Thread Used:       1 spool polished off.

Pattern Used:       Vintage McCall's 9424, circa 1968.

*****
Colours are all the colours of the rainbow and the colours between the rainbow colours between.  I never get indigo.  Year after year, I wait for indigo, but even when the fashion is navy, you never get indigo, the glow, the long slow glow of indigo in the high night sky. ~Anne Bartlette~
This dress is for Mama R and she looks great in this colour. I'm so thrilled that she agreed to the fabric.

The pattern was an uncut vintage pattern. The one thing that struck me as I unfolded the pattern pieces was the sturdy weight of the tissue pattern and the lack of cut corners. No, not those cut corners.

This pattern had a separate pattern piece for the short sleeve. Unlike modern patterns that will just have a "cut here" line on a long sleeve pattern. It was a pleasant experience handling this vintage pattern.

I did tweak the pattern to fit Mama R's taste. I added some width to the lower part of the dress and tapering up to the neckline.

I also extended the placket / front facing piece making the dress a shirt- dress. And I added front pockets as per Mama R's signature request.

This pattern is a keeper. I adore how the collar neatly falls over the shoulder yoke and that it neckline seam is finished with a back yoke. The collar has a more pronounced curve around the neckline seam that you don't typically find in modern designs. I just love how it falls perfectly into place.

Mama R is pleased with this dress and that little fact has me over the moon. The shoulders fit her perfectly, which we never find in a modern size 16 pattern. I guess they had small shoulders back then? She's wanted a nice fitting shirtdress for some time and I finally managed to grant her wish. Finally. I'm going to file this pattern under it's-a-keeper.

Happy Sewing!







Tuesday 26 March 2013

What the Fabric Store Is Going On?

Last week, I happened to walk through the doors of a couple of fabric stores, lets called them MF and FL.

They are my go-to-shops for notions and fabrics since this town has seen more than its fair share of fabric shops close its doors. As the remaining shops tend to cater to the quilting crowd, it seems to be a challenge to find quality fashion fabrics that are appealing.

What struck me about shopping at MF and FL is how distinctly different they are from each other. Now, my intend is not to tear one shop down and build up the other. I'm just making observations about fabric shopping in the city.

{Source}

Last week, I didn't find FL to be a magically shopping experience. I was quickly turned off by the large home decor display that greeted me at the front door. If I want to shop for home decor I would travel down to Ikea, they make home decor fun. But I digress...

"Seriously?" I thought to myself as I walked past the display of household knick knacks.

What the fabric store is going on? It didn't even feel like a fabric store. Fabric seemed to be an after thought the way that the store layout suggests. The most salient floor space position in the store is devoted to housewares, quilting fabric, bedding and drapery. They need to change their name to Home Decor Land and Stuff.

I was also turned off by the fact that the three FL locations in the city do not have the same discounts for the exact same fabrics. I found the fabric I used for the Vogue 8667 dress discounted at 70% off at one location where at another location the same fabric was only reduced 50% off. What is up with that? I shouldn't be surprised really. Last year a local television station did a story on a large discount North American retailer that charged different prices at different parts of the city.

MF on the other hand only has one location in the city. It is a large heavenly space dedicated to fabric. All kinds of fabric including a large selection of vintage fabrics. Sometimes it feels like I'm walking through a museum.

Labelled bolt of fabric. 
What I love about MF is the selection. MF was the only place in the city that I was able to find silk organza. I can find quality fashion fabrics and I can find fibre content details on the labels. Gasp!

What the fabric store is going on when you become thrilled with content details attached to a bolt of fabric that does not read "100% unknown content." This is becoming more and more frequent at FL. Thankfully, not so at MF.

Now don't get me wrong, MF is not a magical shopping experience for me either. They have a resident cat. I'm allergic to cats. Maybe it is a good thing that they have a cat otherwise I might spend more time and money there.

And I did have that experience with the African print cotton fabric that I picked up last year. If anything I learned from that sewing experience is never trust a sales clerk's instruction on fabric care if it is not clearly marked on the label. Their guess is a good as yours. Instead, I would recommend doing a fibre test or just walk away.  

Fabrics from MF
I long for the by-gone days of fabric store sales ladies that are knowledgeable and can give you an honest opinion. And for the fabric and retailer selection of by-gone days.

MF may seem like a museum of historically vintage fabrics in some corners of the store but by golly I'm glad we have this gem in the city.

Do you find shopping for fashion fabric to be a challenge in your area? Or do you bite the shipping cost bullet and order fabric online?

Oh, hold the presses! It is all making sense now, FL must be competing with Ikea since they have a fabulous fabric section?

I did pick up this lovely 100% cotton that would make a lovely french cuffed blouse.   Oh my goodness, fabric stores selling home decor and home decor stores selling fabric! Where to shop if I were not trying to stash bust?

Happy Sewing!



Monday 25 March 2013

Vogue 8667 My Way

Stash Busting 2013:  Project #11


Fabric used:        2.8 metres of embroidered cotton plaid and 1.8 metres of 100% polyester lining. These two fabrics have been 2013 additions to my fabric stash.   

 Zipper used:       22" invisible zipper that has been in my zipper stash for quite some time.  

Thread used:      I finished off three spools of brown thread from my stash.  

Pattern used:      Vogue 8667, circa 2010. This pattern made it to my stash back in 2011 when I viewed so many gorgeous versions of this pattern.

*****
I've made a few changes to my version of this pattern.  
  1. I used the sleeve pattern from Vogue 8821 and lengthened it to a three-quarter length sleeve.  
  2. I added about 4 inches additional length to the skirt. 
  3. Pockets! I love a dress with pockets sew I borrowed the pocket pattern piece from McCall's 6554 
Happy Sewing!  



Sunday 24 March 2013

A Little Progress and A Little Distraction

I did a wee bit of sewing this morning before heading out for a lovely afternoon at the park. This is the progress on my version of the Vogue 8667 dress.

I have to say that I do like this dress pattern, A LOT! It is coming together nicely even though I could have easily gone up a size in the skirt area. Oh well, noted for next time that I have hips. I am pleased that the placement with hem line embroidery worked out. I was more worried about that than I was about matching the plaid. The pattern is adjusted for my short petite figure and I added side seam pockets to the skirt. It is still not finished but I hope tomorrow I can wrap up this project.  

I added the lining and collar when I returned home. All I have left to do is is sew in the sleeves and hand stitch the lining around the zipper. 

Sew, what managed to drag me away from this project... the Orchid Show and Sale. It was a lovely afternoon soaking in the beautiful flowers and classical music.    





Saturday 23 March 2013

It is a Beautiful Day to be Sewing!

My sewing mojo has returned! Thankfully, it happened just in time of my seasonal spring lay-off from work. Sewing the next eleven ten days should keep me out of trouble. Hopefully...

{Source}

I finished cutting out all of the pieces, including the lining, for my Vogue 8667 dress. I was able to find a brown invisible zipper in my stash. Yippeee! And I even found in my stash some left over thread from my Vogue 1312 knit dress project a couple of months ago. This should help ease the guilt for the recent fabric shopping spree that I indulged in this week.

Mitchell Fabrics is having a huge sale this week... even their discounted fabrics are reduced further. More about that in a later post. But for now, GO! If you're in the area, you won't be disappointed.

Well, I have a dress to sew. How about you?

Happy Sewing!



Tuesday 19 March 2013

The Great Escape

I might have lost my sewing mojo but sewing is my escape. And boy, oh boy, do I need an escape. I had a horrible day at work. I don't want to get into it but all I can say is that at least I can find joy in sewing. It is that or I'll have to take up drinking. And sadly I can't afford to take up drinking, it would eat into my sewing budget. I can't have that!

Sew, as soon as I got home from work I threw on my pj's, made a bodum of coffee and went back to work cutting out Vogue 8667.

I finished cutting out the dress fabric, I just have the lining to cut out. But I'm pooped, I'll cut out the lining fabric tomorrow perhaps. Maybe the weekend? The two sewing projects for other people will have to wait because I really need to escape.

I didn't actually get any sewing done this evening but it did feel good to have a pair of scissors in my fingers and cut something.

And the thought of sewing this dress in the next couple of days is making me feel better. I have something to look forward to, just two more work days and then I have an eleven day lay-off that I plan to spend relaxing to the humming sound of my sewing machine. I just hope that my sewing mojo hurries up and gets back here in time.

Happy Sewing!




Sunday 17 March 2013

I Might Be Crazy...

I'm planning out my next sewing project. I'm not saying that my sewing mojo has returned in full force but I'm starting to think about what's next. Since I'm not motivated to sew what is in my sewing drawer, I've decided to cut out a new project.   

I was over at Pattern Review and yesterday was the start of their pattern stash contest. That had me thinking about Vogue 8667. I've had this pattern in my stash for some time. I picked this pattern up after seeing so many cute versions of this dress. I don't know why it has sat in my pattern stash for this long.

I figure it is about time to get to work on my own version of this dress. I want to make some design changes to the pattern though.  First up, I want to add about three inches to the length. The second tweak will be to add sleeves. There is a lined cap sleeve but I would like a three quarter length sleeve. The third tweak will be some side pockets.

It is my fabric choice that might make one wonder if I'm off my rocker, it's a 100% cotton plaid. Yes, I'm thinking about making a princess seamed bodice with a plaid fabric. I must be crazy. I am thinking that maybe the side front and back pieces I'll cut on the bias.

And the fabric has an embroidered border. I'm going to make the A-line skirt. This might also throw off the lines of the plaid as I try to work with the embroidered edge for my hemline.

I will have to cut the dress on the cross-grain. I'm not trying to ruin the fabric, I'm cutting it out with my fingers crossed that it will work out. I know that the plaid may very well not match but that is okay with me, it is that lovely embroidered edge that I'm trying to capture into the design. I hope to re-draft a three-quarter length sleeve so that I can again feature the pretty embroidery.

Well, I should get back to work. The layout and cutting process is taking some time.

Happy Sewing!

Thursday 14 March 2013

Sew Much to Sew...

Sew much to sew, but what to sew?

I have a few projects sitting in my sewing drawer. They make me feel a wee bit guilty every time I open the drawer.  Some of these projects have been here for some time.

McCall's 8525 is a pattern I cut out earlier this year after I made my first stash busting project of 2013. Waking up to minus twenty-two temperatures this morning you would think I would want to get this done.

I also have two projects cut out in the yellow and black polka dot fabric.

McCall's 7367 is an asymmetrical jumpsuit for a baby. I know of a few wee bundles of joy expected to arrive later this year and baby showers to attend. Sew, I really should get this one done too.

Then there is Vogue 1306, a knit top that I ordered almost a year ago. It has been cut out for some time now but I've been second guessing my fabric choice for this tee-shirt.

And hiding in the bottom of the pile is Butterick 5561 cut out in a green polyester. It has been sitting in the sewing drawer for I don't know how long. I lost count.

Never mind sewing projects that I have to get to for other people. There are two more men's shirts to make using McCall's 2447. And Mama R has been hinting for a new dress. She's a tough client, she'll say she likes whatever dress I've finished but then some of them (yeah, there has been more than one) will end up in the recyle/donate pile of clothes leaving me with a feeling of discouragement that I'll ever create something for her in a perfect pattern or fit. And there is some fabric she picked out for another pair of curtains.

Do you ever just look at projects you have waiting to get done and just can't seem motivated to start? That is how I'm feeling right now. I want to get them done but there is another part of me that has lost my sewing mojo.

I hope it returns soon. Until then, Happy Sewing.

Monday 11 March 2013

Ahead of Schedule!

I shouldn't be this happy. My shoulder is killing me and my right knee is all swollen.  No, I didn't go out and do some urban skiing this weekend, I did some serious marathon sewing. And despite feeling sore, I feel great about having all this sewing done.

I'm happy to report that my Lenten Sewing Projects are done and I'm free to get to work on Vogue 1325 pants, Vogue 8876 Marcy Tilton's dressButterick 5891 the kAtheRine Tilton top, Mama R's dress. Come to think about it I guess I'm not free to do some for-me-sewing just yet. Sew much to sew, sew little time.  

I can't believe that I finished sewing all those purificators, fifty in total. And on top of that I managed to fix the bias trim on the vestment. I'm celebrating with a cup of java and a tylenol.

To fix the vestment, I found some metallic single fold bias tape. Who knew there was such a thing as metallic bias tape? Have you sewn with this product before? It is just like sewing lame fabric, tricky.

This is not fun stuff to sew. I found it to be very delicate and fragile. I was stitching pieces together (I needed a total of seven metres) and found that it frayed when I was sewing on the diagonal. And it snags easily. Some cuts of the bias tape were sacrificed while I tried to get it done right.

I had to change the needle to a sharp in order to lessen the amount of pulling on the lame fabric. Yup, this stuff is tricky to sew.

The thread I used is a 100% polyester in a perfect metallic match. Also very delicate and fragile. I found that I had to rethread the sewing machine a few times during the sewing process. In the end, I think it turned out well despite all the challenges.

Happy Sewing!

Sunday 10 March 2013

You'll never believe it...

Check me out!

Can you believe that I walked into a fabric store yesterday looking for one item and walked out with only that said item? It's true.

I will admit that I did look around at the new spring/summer fabrics that are filling the aisles with various discounted prices. That was it, I just looked. I know, shocking!

There might be hope for me yet to pull off some stash busting numbers to be proud of despite having stumbled along the way. Who knows, stranger things have happened.

Happy Sewing!



Saturday 9 March 2013

It's Official!

Spring is officially here when all the spring pattern books are out! Yeah, yeah there is all that chatter about March 20 falling on the spring equinox but seriously, this is a sewing blog. Sew, this happy event means spring is officially here!

This morning I called my local fabric store and heard the words I've been waiting to hear for sew long.

"Yes, the Spring Butterick book is out," the cheerful and professional voice reported.

Okay, I've only been waiting a couple of weeks when kAtheRine Tilton announced that her patterns are now available through Butterick. But it felt like a long time.

I've been waiting to get my hands on Butterick 5891. I have a pile of donated blue jeans that might be up-cyled into a funky jean jacket using this pattern. But first, I need to hit the road.

Happy Sewing!


Wednesday 6 March 2013

In Sewing News Today...

My Lenten Sewing Projects are coming along slowly but surely. I took a week off from the project to work on my nephew's vest. It was an easy switch to do since I have two machines set up and in working order. One machine right now is dedicated to the purificators and set up with 100% cotton thread.

Right now, I've finished off a few more and so far I've managed to sew thirty-eight. It is a slow process. I have another thirteen to finish off and then I'll have to cut the remainder of the left over linen. And I'm not done.

After that is all taken care of, there is a vestment to repair. The metallic bias tape that was fraying has to be replaced. I never noticed that the fabric store has metallic trims. I'm more of a simple gal who is not attracted to bling. There is a whole section of the fabric store that I didn't pay attention to until now. I lucked out this weekend when Fabricland had their 50% off sale and Mama R helped out and removed the frayed bias tape. It looks I'll be kept busy for the rest of the month.


But I'm feeling guilty, as the days are getting longer and the sun is rising earlier in the morning, thoughts are turning to spring sewing. Squirrel!

I'm really would like to start on the pants but it looks like it will be pushed back further on the list of projects to get to. Mama R is waiting for a new dress. And this dress project will push its way to the top of the list after the Lenten Sewing Projects.

For Mama R's dress I'm thinking a vintage pattern, McCall's 9424. The pattern has sleeves and a neckline that Mama likes. The only design feature that it is missing are pockets, an easy fix. She has given the pattern the go-ahead.

I have a pretty spring colour in mind for this dress, an egg shell blue.

Mama R is suggesting a navy fabric from her stash but navy just not doing it for me. Navy polyester doesn't feel spring appropriate. I might have to convince Mama R on the egg shell blue though. She does have her heart set on the navy. Somehow, I think I'll be sewing a navy dress.

Well, I better stop dreaming about spring sewing and get back to work. What about you, have you started on spring sewing projects?

Happy Sewing!

Sunday 3 March 2013

My Nephews are Stylish Dudes!

Stash Busting 2013:  Project # 10

Fabric Used:    1.9 metres, 100% stretch cotton sateen and 100% polyester lining.

Interfacing Used:  0.6 metres

Pattern Used:  Simplicity 4762, circa 2004. 

Buttons Used:   No buttons were used from my stash... yup, I ran out and picked out some new ones.  

*****
I've heard that my nephew is one stylish dude when he gets all dressed up in his wool vest. Now his brother will be just as stylish. 

Front View


Both vests were made in black but in different fabric. I love the feel of the wool but I love sewing the cotton sateen fabric even more. Actually, I think it was the pressing stage that I preferred more in this second version. I didn't have to hand baste this one before pressing. Sweet, since it saved a lot of time. 

Buttons and keyhole shaped buttonholes

Speaking of time, this project did take some time to get done. And a fast approaching birthday was the kick in the pants that I needed. 

As mentioned, it is a second version of the men's vest using Simplicity 4762.  This one was a challenge when it came to fitting.  My nephew doesn't visit his Portuguese Grandparents often enough so that they can fatten him up!  His very tall and slender figure was drowning in a men's small but it's too big for a boys large. 

Back View


There were some serious adjustments to make the muslin work. I omitted the front darts completely and took in the side and centre back seams and that worked with the muslin. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. 

For this project I used one of my favourite sewing machine attachments, the walking foot. This foot came in handy when I had to sew the layers of lining, fabric and interfacing together without it shifting. I can not recommend a walking foot enough. 

The best part of sewing this project was my nephew's smile. He looks so handsome, doesn't he.  

Happy Sewing!   





Saturday 2 March 2013

Spring Shopping!

It feels odd talking about spring shopping with so much snow still out there right now. But you would never know it by the display windows around town.

I was out spring shopping, sort of... this week I was tempted to go into the stores and check out what trends are coming out for spring.  I don't need any clothes or shoes. I just wanted to check out what was new. It is exciting to see colour again, like these blue shoes. Aren't they adorable? I just love the retro vibe too.

If these were in my size, I would be sooo very tempted.  {Source}
And I came across a lot of orange which just makes me so happy. I'm quite pleased that emerald is not taking hold on the store racks. Nothing against emerald, it just seems like a fall colour and I'm craving some bright happy colours. Besides, I still have to get around to finishing last year's projects!

I have this 100% orange linen still sitting in my fabric stash from last year. And I still would like to make this dress from Pattern Magic. I can't believe that it has been almost a year since I've wanted to make this. Where has the time gone?

Maybe this year I'll find the time to tackle this project? But for now, I've got to get back to sewing something for someone else.

Happy Sewing!




Friday 1 March 2013

Guess what came in the mail!

Super happy yesterday when I discovered what came in the mail, Vogue 1378. It is a Donna Karan design from 1994.

I've made both skirts in the past but the pattern that is in my stash is no longer my size. Well, I found one that will fit me once again.  

Better yet, I still have some red plaid wool that I used to make skirt B. There is about 2 metres of this 144 cm plaid left and I only need 1.7 metres. Just when I thought I couldn't get any happier, I was proven wrong.

I'll be able to stash bust this piece of fabric and end up with a once loved skirt. I think I need to pour a glass of port to celebrate.

Can you believe this fabric is older than my original copy of this pattern? I picked up this gorgeous wool plaid fabric while living in Toronto, a long time ago. Goodness, how I miss the fabric selection in that town. But I digress...

Of course, this project will have to go on the back burner for some time while I get to some of the other projects that are waiting to be finished and those pants that I want to start.

Happy Sewing!  

Stash busting: Wool cardigan / OOP Kwik Sew 4192

Back in September, I made a simple pull-on  wool knit skirt with the intention of sewing a matching pullover top  to go with it.  The pullo...