Quick Fix!

Amidst all my complicated sewing projects (cutting wool flannel, sewing gussets, endless tweaking on my first self drafted pattern) and the slow paced ones (sew alongs that I intend to sew along and not rush ahead) I decided I need a quick fix. Something nice and easy that I can do in an eye blink.

And between you and me, how awesome will these look with these:

Have a lovely Christmas and in case I don't post before the year is over have a great time entering 2012!!

PS: In case you wondered, Thursdays Knitting is on holidays until January! 

And there was a muslin...again

But this time the muslin is right. I seem to have finally cracked my kimono sleeved bodice fitting nightmare and this version (not my second or third) seems to be right. I obviously will not find out for sure until I sew it up in the fashion fabric. Wool behaves different from calico but I hope it will be a good fit. Excuse my figure in the photos. I have foam curlers in my hair but thought a touch of lipstick would make the photo more presentable.
The bodice was not the issue as it fits right. I was a bit unhappy with the sleeves at the shoulders but they lay flatter on this version. I think on the first photo I was slouching and that's why you see bunching up.

The back had the biggest issues and I'm happy that changes done have sorted that extra fabric at the back.

The pattern pieces after all the changing look horrendous but if final goal of fit is achieved it doesn't really matter. And finally I can abandon the world of muslins for a bit and start cutting into my yummy wool flannel. Wish me luck!!

Knitting Thursdays continues...

...with some more lovely scans, this time we have Vogue Knitting book Number 53. Guessing from late 1958.

 I absolutely love this one!

Have a fabulous rest of Thursday! I'm not doing much tonight (I even missed my knitting pub night) as I feel very tired.

Happy Merry Sew Alongs!

I said it before and I'll say it again. I love sew alongs and some of my favourite finished garments were made within sew alongs (expect one that I aim to complete next Spring). You might have noticed the addition of two badges on the right hand side of my blog. If you are reading me on a RSS feeder don't fret. You can see them below.

The first sew along is by the talented Sherry from Pattern Scissors Cloth and it's for a gorgeous bias cut slip with a lace bodice. I have the majority of supplies for this and can't wait to start it. It will be my first time working on the bias and also doing some sort of nightwear (my lounge trousers and underbust corset are not the same). I'm using a coral satiny fabric on unknown content my mum gave me (apparently some leftovers of cushion covers) and some of the black lace I purchased in Budapest.

I have to say I have been quite good restricting myself from buying new fabric. My fabric cabinet is full and my normal household outgoings have increased. Our car broke down and we had to buy a new one. If I could I would walk or cycle to work but it's more than 10 miles away and I drive a lot with work.

Anyway, back to the sew alongs! The next one, starting in January, is for the Sewaholic Minoru. This is the first pattern from talented Tasia that really appealled to me and I look forward to do this. I only read good things about Sewaholic patterns and sew alongs. I also have most of the supplies for this, including the fabric.

I'm still working on my Winter Wool dress muslin but it's not going so well. I'm having serious doubts over whether the kimono long sleeve bodice will work with the wool flannel. I'm aiming for clean lines in the bodice with a sleek and fitted figure. Can't kimono sleeves do that? I'm enlisting some expert help for this fitting but if it doesn't work I will either A) change the bodice to a normal set sleeved one or B) choose a totally different vintage pattern. I have a few other options that would be awesome.

So who's doing any of the sew alongs?

200 followers giveaway winners

Thank you very much to all that entered my 200 followers giveaway! It was great reading about your favourite patterns (knitting and sewing) and I found a few new to me on the process.

Winners were randomly generated via "picking up the paper' by F.

So for Craft...

The winner is...

Congratulations Stephanie!

For Knitting...

The winner is...

Congratulations Ashley!

For Sewing...

The winner is...

Congratulations Tina!

Send me your addresses to suzysewingblog[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]uk Aiming to post these this week!! Have a great week all!

Knitting Progress and Scans

I have a confession to make. I haven't done any work on my winter wool dress muslin. However I have a good reason. I came down with some type of bug and been unable to do anything else other than lie in sofa all day watching mindless and carefree TV. The positive side of this is that I have managed to do a lot of knitting. The cardigan I'm working on has a simple stockinette stitch which is very good when you feel crap and can't concentrate. I had finished the back piece some days ago and in a unseen record for me I finished one sleeve in two days. Wow! Even I'm impressed with myself. As I'm writing this I'm starting to feel tired so will probably have another day in sofa knitting and watching TV.

Continuing our journey back with Vogue Knitting Book the number is 54 and the year is assumed 1959. Why assumed? Because from now on, these knitting books are not dated. I think they were released twice a year so looking at issue 55, which is 1959 too and issue 56 which is 1960 guessing this is for the early part of 1959. Things ought to start getting more exciting as we move on; don't forget, we are going back in time.

Time for a Giveaway!

Firstly let me say thank you to each of you who made suggestions about fitting my winter wool dress. I have done some work on the muslin and transferred to pattern and will cut new pieces as soon as I stock up on calico. It was hard work, I'm telling you! Very tempted to convert the bodice into a regular bodice piece with set in sleeves. We'll see how muslin two goes first.

It's time for a giveaway as I reached 200 followers! As good a reason as anything else, don't you think? I don't necessarily write a blog to accumulate masses of followers but truly feel humble and happy that so many people have (or had at some point) interest in what I write.

I have three prizes for you divided by craft. First, one for the general crafters amongst you. A copy of Making magazine (special vintage issue from January 2011), a copy of Mollie Makes issue 5 and a copy of Cloth magazine issue 5 Autumn 2010. Also included 4 little plastic Christmas holly.

Next lot for the knitter or the wannabe knitter amongst you. A copy of Inside Crochet February 2011 (I think), a copy of Knitting Magazine March 2011, a set of straight knitting needles 5mm and a set of circular knitting needles 10mm. Also on the lot two assorted balls of yarn. 

Finally for the sewists amongst you I have Vogue 8615 Sizes 8 to 14 and 2,30mtrs of a content unknown mustard yellow fabric. I feel in love with the colour of this fabric and it was quite cheap so I went mad and bought about 5mtrs. I used some on my Sencha but have lots left. If you are on the small size it might be enough for the pattern but you don't have to use it for that.

To enter giveaway leave a comment on this post stating which lot you would like to win plus a line or two on your favourite commercial pattern or project and why.

This giveaway is open worldwide and entries will be accepted till next Sunday 11th December 2011 at 8pm GMT time. Winners announced the next day.

Good luck!

Knitting Blog Love

Untangling Knots is probably my favourite knitting blog. The gorgeous girl behind the blog is Andi who is amazingly talented and has awesome style. One of the amazing features in the blog is the mini series. It guides you through different techniques to cast on or how to do buttonholes with fantastic photos. Andi also has patterns available for sale and some are free, like the one below. A simple but gorgeous knitted belt which will look smashing with a 50s full circe dress.

And what about this gorgeous cardigan. Available on Ravelry here.

The blog is full of information very well written and with gorgeous photos so I highly recommend it if you're into knitting or crocheting. And if you're not you might want to check it anyway, as Andi also does some sewing, refashioning and other craftiness.

On a total different note, I'll also leave you with some more scans. Not very exciting this time I'm afraid. Vogue Knitting Book no. 55 from 1959.