More Sewing Than Blogging

There has been sewing, 

--- just not a whole lot of blogging about it.

A while back I discovered the "York Pinafore" by Helen's Closet. I used some upcycled, off white, light canvas curtain fabric for a test of the pattern.

--- and liked the pattern so much I went on to make three more in rapid succession. 

The style ticks a lot of boxes for me. It's comfortable, it has handy big pockets, it's not clingy, and by varying what is worn under it it can span all four seasons.

Testing Testing

A peek or two at what I'm working on now.

The weaving was done quite some time ago, years perhaps. It's denim strips woven alternately with picks of an indigo dyed cotton yarn.

With the ANWG Conference (Association of North West Weaver's Guilds) coming up in June I've decided to make something of the fabric and submit it for exhibition. No guarantee that it will be accepted of course, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

These photos are just teasers. Some experimenting, trial and error and testing of ideas is going on.

The above is a testing muslin for a bound pocket. It's not perfect but I learned a few things I can carry over to the real project.

Successful Upcycle

Really pleased with this upcycle sewing project.

It's 2 men's shirts (the black and the gingham), and one ladies blouse (the white one with embroidered trim) combined to make a totally new ladies tunic length blouse. 

I added a dash of red here and there using scrap fabric.

The concept comes from Paganoonoo's "The Cindy Blouse" pattern though I didn't use the fabulous curved front piece. With the added fussiness of the fancy collar and cuffs I figured it would be too much this time.

I really like the way this turned out so it is highly likely I'll eventually use the pattern again and make the more decorative curved addition to the front. 

Have you ever tired refashioning something old into something new?

It's rather fun!