With a muse as active as mine, the world around me is full of inspiration. Wherever I go something always catches my attention or inspires a mode of creativity. Sometimes I end up with an interesting project and other times something just makes me smile. I figured it might be fun to start a series that documents the things that bring me joy or trigger a mad need to create. Thus, begins Favorite Thing Friday.
This week it’s all about sewing! Recently, I found an interesting book called Design-It-Yourself Clothes: Patternmaking Simplified by Cal Patch. I’ve been intrigued with the idea of making my own clothes for a long time, but I never considered the concept of designing my own patterns. Until now.
Sewing my own clothes ties in quite nicely with my new love of knitting. Not only can I knit myself a cute cardigan, but I can pair it with a pretty top I created with needle and thread. Sewing is nothing new to me, so the learning curve lies in crafting accurate patterns.
I’m starting the process of patternmaking with a little reverse engineering. I picked up a few Simplicity Patterns of various skill levels to get a sense of how a pattern works and how to modify them. The fun part is I’ll get some cute new clothes as I pick apart each pattern. The first piece I made is this little floral top:
Tailored to fit just right!
Photo and handiwork by: c.b.w. 2013
There are a few little mistakes, (I’ll never tell where), but I think it turned out pretty good. I even got to use my knitting skills to make i-cords for the draw strings in the sleeves. The fabric is Indonesian hand-dyed batik and I got it for the bargain price of $6 a yard, (what a steal!). For those looking for a project, the pattern is Simplicity New Look #6891.
As my day job winds down for the summer, I’m looking forward to more sewing and knitting projects. When I’m not writing, I’ll be stitching!
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What’s your favorite thing this week?
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c.b.w. 2013
C.B. Wentworth 