What’s on the sewing table

Buying new fabrics always puts me in a frenzy and I want to make everything NOW. I have been trying to calm myself down and keep from starting new projects. Currently I have three on the sewing table now and can’t take on any more. So self, slow your roll.

Here’s what I am working on.

Colette Sencha Blouse

I am not digging the neckline so much. I felt it was too high for me. So I am thinking that I will take off a few inches, make it more of a boat neck. I’m not too fond of the darts either. I’m considering shortening those. Or maybe I will just follow a few of Kat’s awesome alterations because her Sencha is gorgeous.

Colette Negroni

Cotton is the suggested gift material for second wedding anniversaries. Ours is next month so I am going to give the Negroni a go. I know, I know…I promised myself to stay clear of patterns above my skill level but since I am giving myself so much time to complete it I figured, why not? Besides, I will come up with a backup gift. That one will be kept a surprise.

Today I start on the muslin, following the sew along instructions from Male Pattern Boldness. I am going to try hard to treat the muslin as if it’s the final product (something I never do), doing all the steps and taking my time.

Thanksgiving Day Napkins

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s the one holiday that everyone in my family went out of their way to spend together. As an expat the holiday has more sentimental meanings. I love hosting the event: setting the table, baking the turkey and pies and enjoying the company of friends. Last year I was well cranky over not finding the perfect napkins for the table. This year I get to make them. The napkins will be a set of 12, double-sided with a ric rac trim. Adorable.

Anyone else bitten too much they can chew at the moment?

Birthday fabric finds!

My mister asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I instantly replied with, “Fabric, please.” Although I have quite the stash growing I still wanted to branch out and get something other than cotton or cotton blends. With Dibs along I knew fabric shopping would be twice the fun. And it was. I took her to my favourite fabric shop in Holloway, Rolls and Rems, not too far from my place. They have the most unbelievable remnants bin I have seen. It’s pretty big.

Rolls and Rems, Remnants Bin

I’m glad someone told me about this place because I would have never found it on my own. The best part, it’s a 15 minute bus ride away. I have yet to buy anything that isn’t a remnant. But maybe one day I’ll purchase something outside the bin. They have pretty and affordable options.

Oh, so pretty

And affordable notions and haberdashery.

Buttons

A bit of haberdashery

After spending quite a bit of time stalking the bin and walking about the store we finally made our purchases. It was quite the successful venture!

A happy Dibs with her fabric finds

Two very satisfied customers

I walked away with 24 yards, or 22 meters, of beautiful fabrics for £32! Not bad. Not bad at all.

When I picked this sheer pink polka dot fabric I was channeling Marie, from A Sewing Odyssey. I loved the look of her Sorbetto top. So feminine, so sweet. I want those things! Hope I can accomplish that with my polka dot choice.

Sheer pink polka dot fabric

This black taffeta has such great details. It will make a lovely dress and skirt. Yes, I got that much of it. I am hoping to make Gertie’s Full Gathered Skirt with it. Do you think it’ll work? Or will I need something with less details?

Black taffeta

This cotton lawn will make a sweet skirt or blouse. Once I get my order of patterns I’ll decide which one I will make.

Cotton lawn

Dibs kept laughing at me when I pointed out which fabrics would make great napkins. I can’t help it. I love napkins. It’s the hostess in me. I love throwing dinner parties and setting a gorgeous tables. Every year, around Thanksgiving, I go crazy looking for vibrant, sophisticated napkins and always come out empty. They are either overpriced or dull, dull, dull. Why did I take up sewing? To make napkins. Yes. True story.

Floral cotton

I see a great springy dress or skirt in this green floral linen.

Green floral linen

This is my ace. I knew I was in for a challenge when Dibs walked away from this one. She explained it was due to how costly and/or time consuming pre-shrinking wool could be. I love a challenge so I snapped it up as soon I saw a woman put it down. When I become an amazing sewist I will make a jacket with this one. So this one will be put in the back of my stash cabinet. See you eventually, my pretty.

Pink, navy and black checkered wool

These pretty squares I bought from eBay. They are part of my birthday gift from G as well. They are 62 4″x4″ vintage Liberty squares. When I saw them I instantly thought: patch skirt! Sadly I will need a billion more to make one. Wish I had done the math before bidding and winning them. So dear reader, what shall I make with these little treasures?

Liberty Vintage fabric squares, 4"x4"

Wipe ‘Yo Face!

The need to learn to sew came from my failure to find amazing napkins. Yes, napkins. Last November was my first Thanksgiving abroad and I offered to host the event. Ever heard of the saying, “Hostess with the Mostest?” Yeah, that’s me. Nothing gets me more pumped than preparing a menu, cocktails and ‘Blasts From the Past’ playlists to take the guests back in the day. Officially a grownup now (not sure when this happened) I decided that our table could not be set without proper cloth napkins. Paper napkins were not allowed. I searched and searched and never found anything that screamed ‘bringing the fun to the dinner table and leaving your dignity intact.’ Get me? Everything was either plain or gaudy and a bit…um…cheap looking. Unfortunately, with no sewing machine (yet!) and time running out I ended up buying craptastic* cream ones.

But this year I am prepared. I am totally giving my guests pretty, soft and fun napkins to wipe their delicate faces and fingers with.

Purple Hawaiian

Sunkist

I made these for my bestie (Hi Lindsay!) and experimented with two fabrics and mitered corners. Whoa.

Purple Haze

I’m looking forward to getting a bit more flamboyant by adding trims: pom poms, ruffles, ric rac…So many choices. I think that’s why I love working with fabric and trims: all the possible combinations. And the sizes: picnic/lunch napkins, dinner napkins, cocktail napkins!

I do love me some napkins. I will have to conqueror the table runner next.

*They looked good from far but upon investigation…yeah…it was another story.