The shirt sew-along

Well at long last I have nearly finished Matt's shirt. I am so glad that I did the muslin step by step with the sew-along. Now that I am doing the real thing it is going very quickly. So many other things just got in the way of sewing the shirt.

But here are a few pics.

The Muslin (above) was actually a bed sheet until about 2 days before this picture was taken. I had just decided it was getting too worn to be used when it got put to a better use! On the right are the fabric choices. The blue check for the main part of the shirt and the green for the inside yoke, inside cuff, inside pocket flap and inside front facing (when I get to that!)

Below is the half complete shirt. I am pleased with it so far as is the recipient! I have drafted a pattern for  new collar and collar stand based on one of his favourite shirts.

My Jewelry Box

When I am not sewing, I like to do some beading. Over the years I have made a number of pieces of jewelry. Mainly necklaces and bracelets. But I didn't have anywhere to store them, they were stashed away in drawers or in my closet. so they were being forgotten about and not being worn.

Then I had an idea, a flash of inspiration you could say and my very resourceful hubby was able to make the idea a reality. Basically I had the idea of having a storage space behind a long mirror which would hang on the bedroom wall.

We found the perfect mirror at Ikea, it had a box type frame with the mirror right at the front. Hubby then attached a piece of wood to the wall the same size as the framed mirror, attached the mirror frame to the wood with hinges on one long side and a magnetic closure on the other side. I then took small and medium size cup hooks and screwed those into the wood.  So below is a picture of it closed. It looks just like any mirror on a wall.

But then when you press the mirror on the right hand side (where the magnetic closure is) it opens to display all my bead work!

And a closer view:

Me Made March

Days 9 to 13

How time flies when you are having fun. It is becoming more of a challenge and it has certainly shown me the gaps in my wardrobe. let's just hope I learn from the gaps and sew accordingly the rest of the year!!

Day 9 was the purple dress again, this time worn with a black cardigan.

Day 10 was my second Pendrell blouse. I don't like the frills on me. When I make another (and I am planning several) it won't be this version. i wore it with black pants and my favourite jacket from H&M

Day 11 was Friday and casual day, so it was the denim skirt again, this time with a white t-shirt and sweater.

Day 12. Saturday, came home from a long run and had no plans for anything other than slouching around the house all day (and doing exciting things like housework!!), so this hand knitted jacket was perfect. I knitted it about 15 years ago from a Kaffe Fasset book of patterns.

And then we had Sunday. Day 13. As mentioned several times, the gap in my wardrobe is casual wear, and not doing anything exciting meant I had no reason to dress up. But it did force me to finish an UFO. An apron from Vogue 8643 (an original 1952 design). Perfect for baking biscotti. I started the apron last year, and then ended up making two for friends, and after that I was sick of sewing aprons!! I do have some more cute material and plan to make another one as well.

Me Made March - The Halfway Point

Day 14.  Monday. I wore the Pendrell blouse with a grey suit, you can just see it under the jacket. I love my Pendrell blouse. I have already pre-ordered the New Sewaholic Pattern, the Crescent Skirt, I am looking forward to sewing that up.

Tuesday, Day 15. The Black and White Skirt. This time paired with black blouse (Jacob) and black jacket. I added a vintage brooch which belonged to one of my Grandmothers. As you will notice, my usual photographer was not around this morning. He had an early morning meeting!

Day 16. Okay, now we are halfway through. Yeah! And as next week will be Spring, I fully intend to wear items I have made for the Spring Palette Challenge. I don’t care that the weather forecast says it’s going to be colder than it has been this week. It will be Spring!! So anyway, day 16 was the beige top. Worn with brown trousers and a cosy brown cardigan.

Day 17 and it was time for my favourite dress, the black and white pinafore dress. Worn with a white blouse and my favourite red cardigan (both Jacob)

Day 18 (Friday). I wore a new item of clothing. Light brown cropped trousers, made for the Spring Palette Challenge. Worn with a black and white striped top (Old Navy) and black cardigan (Joe Fresh).