Snapshots from a Lifelong Journey

Lately I lost a bit of motivation for this sewing blog.  It feels as if there is really not that much one can say about making comfy winter clothes, but be assured, my daughter and I are still thoroughly enjoying the output, even if I do not write volumes about it! Here are the most …

Grey Areas

Not much happened on the PR Pattern Stash Contest Front, I am afraid.  I finished two items and the third has been on the sewing table for two weeks...mostly because disaster struck. The geyser of our home burst.  It used to be built in behind an oak closet in the spare room. The closet and …

A Morning Journey to a Place of Vision

Picture credit: DIDA Clothiers on Facebook To see more of their beautiful creations follow them on Facebook and visit their website at  http://www.didaclothiers.co.za/   It is a Tuesday morning and the appointment is for 10h00. At 9h20 I send Doris Ikeri an apologetic text.   ‘Might not make it! GPS says I’m 9km away, but something …

Sewing Space and Sudoku Progress

(*Procrastination alert*) Just look how the Daughter's winter casual wardrobe is coming along!  I only have 5 items left to sew.  I have grown tired of the black and grey palette. Although I have all the fabric I originally planned for the remaining items, I decided it is time to rather go shopping again.  We …

Art Nouveau Ladies and Vintage Sugar and Lace

  Sewing is progressing slowly in this house: occasionally stuff happens, it just does not get photographed.  Some fabric for The Daughter's Sudoko Grid for her winter school wardrobe got "re-deployed" elsewhere.  In the process I started ANOTHER Sudoku grid for a "Performance Wardrobe" for her Jazz gigs.  More about that later. This jacket/coat is …

Swimming under the Rainbow

...and some Jazz Photo Fun. Before I forget:  Happy 2017 to all concerned! I have not sewn anything for almost a month! The dress in the last post has been standing unfinished on the dressform since I last blogged. We went to "Our Mountain Home", and though I seriously contemplated taking Herr Pfaff along, we were …

The Great Brute-ish Sewing Bee: Difficult Fabrics Week(s)

The creation of The Dress resulted in quite a few by-products...for which I vainly try to line up The Daughter for glamorous photo shoots, so I am going to do the unforgivable blog-thing and just post cellphone pictures, so I can get it out of my system and move on! The Vogue 8729 pattern did …

Psssst…top secret sneak peek…

  It fits. She likes it. That is all that matters! I am celebrating by editing the pictures with cheesy firework graphics. Finally, I feel I am winning! I am not even to BEGIN to write how many times I have re-done and adjusted an altered stuff in the last week...at least we solved the …

Vogue 8729: Bodice with Shadow-sweetheart Neckline Modification

Making steady progress, let me just say we can call this one: "It Is All About The BASTE." I have never basted so much and so carefully on any project EVER! And let me also just say: yesterday we went shoe-shopping. (Unsuccessfully so far.). In the shops it felt like every second dress had a …

Not the Six Napoleon Dress

Back on track. And let me state categorically that I will now refuse to be side-tracked until this dress is finished *spits on palm of right hand and offers to shake hands with whoever dares to come near* ! Because I will not be allowed to publish a picture of The Dress in all its glory …