Much of my time during my holiday break was spent in the studio, first cleaning and reorganizing, then sewing...yay!
My main projects were a New Year's Eve Nettie dress for Julie- to be blogged as soon as I have pictures-, a couple of t-shirts, and the transformation of two sweaters I never wear into two cardis I certainly will!
There are many tutorials on repurposing sweaters into cardis with plenty of good advice.
I used my serger to finish the edges in the front and I actually liked the results - the "lettuce leaf" edging- so I left them alone. The sleeves were super long, so I cut off the excess and the edges received the same serging treatment. I kept the ribbing just in case I get tired of the wavy edges and I want to finish them, which, ahem, I might do right after I finish this post.
The next project involved a black sweater that my mother knitted for me years ago... The yarn she used has a wonderful fluffy body. After washing and drying the sweater, you are suppposed to brush it for a soft fur effect. Alas, it is also a bit itchy and the sleeves were way too long. I cut them and reused the ribbing to finish them.
I used a 1" ribbon trim to finish the front edges, turned it under and topstiched for a nice, clean finish.
In addition, I finally finished my Gerard coat from "Republique du Chiffon". YAY! This is my second version of the Gerard. My first version is really a wearable muslin- very wearable indeed- because I had bought this wonderful, amazing, and quite expensive Donna Karan cashmere blend at Moods, but oh so worth it, and I wanted to test the pattern before I cut into my special fabric.
The pattern was a bit challenging for me- I consider myself an advanced beginner :)- but extremely well put together. Geraldine does not hold your hand during the process- the expectation is that you know how to sew- so you may want to read up on coat making techniques before you start- and a muslin is always a good idea. The language was not a problem (ha ha), and for the sewing techniques, I went to one of my favorite sewing blogs and I followed Kelly's great advice (including using silk charmeuse for the lining). Another must is Jen's tutorial on lining a jacket.
Silk lining
I have a few (a FEW) sewing projects in mind for the near future, among others: the Chloe coat from La Maison Victor, Named's Magena Jumper, and the Chardon skirt by Deer and Doe.
What is on your sewing table for 2015?
