I know exactly what you mean Coffee Lady!
Now every time I stare at the clothes of complete strangers, perhaps a particularly complicated looking seam, a hidden detail, or a beautiful line, the last sentence of that message, "I could get beaten up", rattles in my mind alongside all of the diagrams and calculations I imagine it would take to achieve the shape I'm trying desperately to memorise quickly in the bus que, or on the street, or the local shop or ... anywhere at all - it's as much as I can do to resist getting my camera out to surreptitiously film the object of my 'desire'!
It troubles me somewhat. I just cant stop staring at ladies clothes and all the creative possibilities they communicate to my already overflowing mind! Even if I don't like the actual garment as a whole, it could be something like a clever pocket placement, or an elaborate stitch which might catch my eye.
Mr Marmalade knows when sewing thoughts 'overtake'. He knows the 'look' - a distant, far away gaze. He knows better than to ask what it is that might be occupying my brain so fully that I don't hear or see a thing going on around me and the only sound I am capable of making is a little 'hmm' now and then .. You've all been there I'm sure.
In short, I have become obsessed with lines, darts, tucks, and seams, but it doesn't stop there, oh no!
As a result of reading too many vintage sewing books and couture 'techniques' I have developed an intense love for hand stitching in order to achieve the perfect finish .. you see? It's a bad case.
Now, if I wasn't the type of person who needs to know EXACTLY how things work, in order for them or their purpose to make sense to me, you might call me a cheapskate ... I don't want to spend a fortune on the vintage sewing patterns which regularly have me drooling into my keyboard - have you noticed how expensive they have become since they became 'the thing' to sew?. No. Rather than wrestle with old, unprinted, sometimes incomplete, and hard to fathom sizing issues, I prefer to spend the money on finding out how to sew clothes from scratch, and inspired by those pattern drawings showing the simple and elegant lines of the 50's and 60's.
My own clothes, my own patterns.
That is what this year of blogging will be all about. And I'm going to try to inspire you lot to give it a try too!
19 comments:
Can't wait! It sounds fascinating. Good to see you back too!
Oooh, sounds exciting. I can't remember the last time I sewed a whole garment for myself - not even what it was. So I shall watch your 'doings' with great interest. x
I think the only item of clothing (if you can call it that!) that I have ever made for myself is an apron. When I was 11. It is still hanging on the back of my kitchen door, all blue gingham and cross-stitch embellishment!
Maybe you can tempt me...
Ooohh, count me in!!!!
How very exciting, so pleased you decided against disappearing into the ether!!
Let the challenge begin!!!
T xxx
I am determined to start with the sewing machine this year. To achieve this kind of level I'm pretty sure is beyond me but I'll be here, reading, trying to learn so bring it on!
It helps a little to be a woman staring at another woman's clothes. We are a bit less likely to be slapped!
I totally hear you on the hand-sewing. It's the couture details, the finishing touches, the little fussy bits at the end that enthrall me about sewing vintage. Even if no one else can see it, it thrills me to know!
Nice to see you back, I've got to get to grips with my sewing machine, cant even remember how to thread it, let alone make anything!
I can't wait! Years ago I sewed clothes...ever some elaborate costumes, but it is years since I've attempted a dart that something to inspire and even re-familiarize me with sewing clothes would be wonderful! :o)
When I say 'I TOTALLY understand' i really do. I have spent my life gazing at other woman and their darts!!
welcome back to the real/blog world and out of the blue zone, only just got back here myself!!
I quite often comment out loud 'ooo nice coat' as one walks past or 'great pockets' So far I've never been slapped, mostly smiled at with that 'oh bless her' sympathy look. there must be a proper term for those comsumed with fabric/sewing etc?
look forward to hearing about your coming year.
You have an awesome blog. I'm signing up as a follower and adding your blog to my blog list.
I'm all with you there with the draft-it-yourself approach. I've never worked with a vintage pattern before because I have so many fitting issues with regular patterns as it is, that buying awkwardly sized, hard to decipher, over-priced vintage patterns just doesn't sound like a good deal at all...am looking forward to seein what you come up with this year. glad u are back.
Hurrah Julia - I love this post and am completely with you on the chasing a nice seam/pocket/dress yoke down the road. I also salute you for going off piste with your own designs - I can't wait to see what you come up with and I'm also intrigued by the hand-stitching element you mentioned and it set off a million ideas racing round my head...I'm thinking beautiful thick grey floss top stitching details ...were you meaning things of this ilk too or were you meaning hand finishing techniques that barely show? Oh dear, I'm inspired before you've even got started.
Love the quote from the 'mean coffee lady' - you hadn't meant it like that though I don't think...it's just the way it reads. He he.
So pleased that you are back & full of direction. Go, Julia, go! x
I absolutely adore that middle dress with the orange backgound and the scalloping where the buttons are!
Do you happen to know how you hem a scallop?? Do you just face it and try your best to sew it on?? I'd imagine it would usually look really messy, though.
In 1963 I had a dress made exactly like that middle McCalls pattern - white with huge blue polka-dots! Looking forward to future blog posts.
Good to see you back!
I wish I had an understanding of the basics of garment sewing - I get so frustrated when shop bought patterns turn out not to fit me at all. I'll look forward to seeing your new sewing ventures!
Oh yes. loved your comments about staring! I'm like that with handbags. I'm sure sometimes people think i'm looking to steal them or to steal something out of them. It's just that a design or part of one takes my interest and i can't stop myself trying to work out how it was done!
you are my hero! I look forward to learning from you!
Hello! I just found my way here through sew retro and I happy to see that there are others out there who (want to) make their own patterns inspired by vintage ones. Looking forward to seeing your results, and, good luck!
Kitten
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