Char in summer

Char in summer
New dressage horse

Thursday, January 17, 2008

SWAP EVOLUTION FEBRUARY

Still not happy with actual patterns for my Swap.. but a clear concept emerging. I am actually pretty excited already. The theme will be Punky Romantic Vintage. The green overdyed denim will be raw finished with a boudoir look. The linen I have ordered from Julie will be made into a delicate blouse, the matching skirt will incorporate the linen with pieces of a pretty vintage tablecloth with red and pink flowers. The zigzag sweater knit will be a cardi-type jacket with a matching flared skirt. I am making a ruffled cami top out of white striped shirting, and a crossover shirt out of a variety of pastel striped shirts from my thrifting. I also have a dolman sleeved kimono top in sage green rib knit and a couple of feminine tanks from a variety of pink knits. I plan to make a pair of capris out of some decorating fabric.---I am proud to announce that MOST of the fabric came out of my stash!!
--When I first started out I thought I had nothing really to use! IN fact, the only stuff so far purchased "new" is the linen from Julie!--So, anything is possible with a bit of imagination!

Sunday, January 6, 2008

NEW PROJECTS/ GREAT THRIFTING/ SWAP

What a wonderful sunny Sunday today !!----Sky so blue, snow melting......In Saskatchewan, we count every warm day as a blessing because it could plunge to -35F at any time!

SWAP PROJECTS
--- . Back to subject at hand..... Denim is dyed ready to cut, but I am hesitant to work with wovens due to weight fluctuation which can be blamed on Christmas celebrating..(at least the chocolates and baking are gone now)....So I am going to concentrate on working on my knit pieces in the month of January.
My first Swap piece is using sage green tubular rib knit thrifted from VV this weekend---2.5m. fabric for $3.99. I t is the kind of knit I find very confortable in the Summer. Pattern used is Simplicity 4020 View E, a Kimono style that is very flattering. I am cutting a straight size 20 and will see how much fitting I have to do. I may have to shorten the sleeves because they are very full and the knit is heavy,
I also found some white woven for skirt panels and a striped stretch cotton shirt to add to my pieces for a wrap shirt. Some crotcheted doilies will be great for embellishments.
----I had so much fun thrifting in Regina.!

WARDROBE REFASHION
I am also working on my apron project featuring the Canada geese. The bib and ties have been lined with pieces cut from a thrifted Calvin Klein gingham shirt. --I'm still very happy with this project.
Also still working out problems with the man's flannel workshirt refashioned skirt. I made the the "skirt" part by cutting up an old pair of navy knit narrow leg pants and cutting off at knee length.
I am stuck creatively on this project right now.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

BACK TO WORK/ SWAP PROGRESS

Just a quick post before turning in for the night...Today was the first day back at work, so not much sewing done. So far resisting the tempation of Fabricland's super-duper New Years' sale! This evening I dyed some pieces of denim--some old dresses and some chunks of jeans and some textured pieces..used 2 box of Sunshine Yellow and I of Dark Green and set the washer on Hot...to my delight it has turned out the EXACT colour I was hoping for! I shall use the plainer pieces for the gored skirt and the fancier ones in different tones and textures for the intricate pieces on the top. I may even use some lace on the jacket.--I'm starting to get excited about this project now!
I am going thrifting to the Sally A in my lunch break tomorrow for more "inspiration".
Over the last 2 days I have been busy making a bibbed apron out of a cute but badly fitted cotton shirt. I am using most of the fabric ie. used the sleeves for the ties, etc. I will post a pic once it is done. I want to find a mans' shirt possibly green pinstripe-for lining the bib and the straps.
.....My DH bought me a Sony Cybershot digital camera for Christmas--I was so excitied about all the pics I can post..unfortunately my computer is having issues and I can't get the USB port to work yet...so I am having to load my pics on a disc. Hubby just installed a disc drive (I had previously told him I didn't need such a thing..but, who knew?!!) , so I have to learn how to operate it!

SWAP COMPOSITE

SWAP COMPOSITE
all pieces minus purchased shirt