Busy hands | Disquiet mind

Life has been busy. And looks likely to continue being busy. So I don't have much time for bloggable projects. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up.

Seamwork's Sydney was (another discontinued pattern) a bolero style inspired, but actually front overlapping faux-wrap style, cropped woven t-shirt, with short grown-on sleeves. It's a layering piece.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

Colette's Myrtle is a discontinued dress pattern from Seamwork. This copy is actually so old I have it on factory tissue in a paper booklet. Despite that this is my first time making it up. The pattern can be made in either wovens or knits, but for a first go knits are usually safer. It's a sleeveless dress, with cowl front neckline, elasticated waist, and slightly a-line slightly gathered skirt. It has two length options, and I'm going with the shorter one. This version has an optional strap that functions almost like epaulets, but we'll get to them in a moment.

( Details )

Finished, front
Photo by chebe

Seamwork's Aurora is a knit fabric tank top with some nice details. This had been on my to-do list for a while, but I couldn't remember why it had stayed to-do. Until I started to make it up. It is designed to be made with a coverstitch machine, which I don't have. The alternative method given is a twin ballpoint needle using a stretch stitch, which is something I haven't convinced my machine to do yet. But I'd begun so I carried on. I also hindered myself by using a tissue-weight knit. All in all, the armholes, front neckline, and hem, are not great. But it is still a cute little top, perfect for the hot weather. Next time I would definitely use a heavier fabric though.

Finished Aurora, front view
Photo by chebe

( Pictures )

It's okay, my sewing machine and I are friends again. I had been using 'universal' bobbins, but it turns out they don't fit Janome. I bought some generic brand ones that mostly fit, just a millimetre or so off. The problem is less frequent now. But every so often I hear a clatter, as the bobbin thread comes out of the guides and loses all tension control. Now that I know, I can listen attentively, and tend to her when she acts up.

Have you seen Seamwork? I'm enjoying the monthly appearance of quick, casual patterns in my inbox. And while I'll never make all of them, learning about the techniques is interesting. One of the patterns with issue two was Manila, a pair of leggings. This, I thought, fits in with my sew-knits intention, and is an easy introduction to trousers. So I got out my spotted fabric, and had a go. (You'll be glad to know, dear readers, that this is the last of that spotted fabric! Newer colours and patterns await us both.)

Two legs, front and back pieces each. A covered elastic waistband, and some cute tulip cuffs. Add it all together and you get a garment with no hems! My absolute favourite kind! Very easy to make up (once your machine behaves). Fit-wise; I need to allow more width in the calves, and take out both width and height in the belly. But, regardless, very comfortable. Hope to make again.

( Couple of pictures )