I sewed this Abby cardigan back during the fabulous sewing weekend away but wanted to photograph it when I made a dress out of the gorgeous "Carolyn" fabric. It is hard to see in the photos but it really has some lovely teal colours in it that can be picked up with the cardi. Originally I wanted to sew a jacket to match like Carolyn's but hey - I had this lovely teal fabric and I do like a long cardi on me.
I can't capture the beauty of this fabric in pictures. I tried both indoor and outdoor but the colours don't show as they should. They don't come out very vibrant.
Not much in the way of new to me techniques to talk of here. Both dress and Cardi are tried and true - but I really love the look of these ones and received unsolicitations from some colleagues. Not on any one item but an overall - you look lovely today (makes you think - what do I normally look like?).
As I said - not much in the way of techniques. Am I getting lazy? I used to love to finish my posts with what I have learnt. It occurs to me that "Scary September" marks the beginning of my 3rd year of sewing. I started sewing in October 2011 and had thought I had learnt a lot - but now I feel that I am floating in the shallow end of the beginners pool - hence Scary September.
Carolyn also wrote a thought provoking post recently starting with:
In thinking about my skill I think I am becoming proficient in some of the entry level skills but really need to stretch myself. I will still sew my TNT's (especially the dress) and some will be simple but I want to incorporate some more advanced beginner techniques in making my TNT dresses.
In thinking about challenging myself and stepping out of the comfort zone, Scary September will start my year of challenges. I have made a list skills and where I think they rate on the skill level board. I am also going to rate myself 1 being - done it but only just to 3 being comfortable doing the skill. This way I know what I still need to practice.
Please - all you talented, experienced sewists out there, have I missed a vital skill? Have I imagined one harder than it is and placed it in the incorrect category - or will some be harder than I thought and need to be re-categorized ? Is there some basic beginner skill I have missed that I really should learn before moving on. There is something to be said for diving in to fearless sewing - but that is more likely to spook me. I like steps. Looking at the list - I have a long way to go.
Please note - this list is for me to "tick off" as I learn a new skill and for that purpose only. I am not that stuck on what skill LEVEL I am at - rather what skills I still need to learn and how I should progress. Also to help me to stop avoiding things - like zips and buttons. I have more sewing phobias than you can poke a stick at. To progress past my lovely knit TNTs I need to push.
I have also gone nowhere near expert / couture in my skill list. I think that takes a life time of sewing and I only started sewing at age 49. Wouldn't even know what skills are there anyway! I don't aspire to be an expert - just to fill my wardrobe with great clothes that don't look like Harriet Homemaker has done them.
As I started this blog to track my progress, once I have the list finalised I will put it on a separate page so I can tick off as I learn.
What have I learnt today?
That I still have a lot to learn.
I can't capture the beauty of this fabric in pictures. I tried both indoor and outdoor but the colours don't show as they should. They don't come out very vibrant.
Not much in the way of new to me techniques to talk of here. Both dress and Cardi are tried and true - but I really love the look of these ones and received unsolicitations from some colleagues. Not on any one item but an overall - you look lovely today (makes you think - what do I normally look like?).
As I said - not much in the way of techniques. Am I getting lazy? I used to love to finish my posts with what I have learnt. It occurs to me that "Scary September" marks the beginning of my 3rd year of sewing. I started sewing in October 2011 and had thought I had learnt a lot - but now I feel that I am floating in the shallow end of the beginners pool - hence Scary September.
Carolyn also wrote a thought provoking post recently starting with:
“Do you ever think the good results you achieve are more luck than skill? Do you ever question whether you've actually got the goods or that you’re skating on a wing and a prayer?”
In thinking about my skill I think I am becoming proficient in some of the entry level skills but really need to stretch myself. I will still sew my TNT's (especially the dress) and some will be simple but I want to incorporate some more advanced beginner techniques in making my TNT dresses.
In thinking about challenging myself and stepping out of the comfort zone, Scary September will start my year of challenges. I have made a list skills and where I think they rate on the skill level board. I am also going to rate myself 1 being - done it but only just to 3 being comfortable doing the skill. This way I know what I still need to practice.
Please - all you talented, experienced sewists out there, have I missed a vital skill? Have I imagined one harder than it is and placed it in the incorrect category - or will some be harder than I thought and need to be re-categorized ? Is there some basic beginner skill I have missed that I really should learn before moving on. There is something to be said for diving in to fearless sewing - but that is more likely to spook me. I like steps. Looking at the list - I have a long way to go.
Please note - this list is for me to "tick off" as I learn a new skill and for that purpose only. I am not that stuck on what skill LEVEL I am at - rather what skills I still need to learn and how I should progress. Also to help me to stop avoiding things - like zips and buttons. I have more sewing phobias than you can poke a stick at. To progress past my lovely knit TNTs I need to push.
I have also gone nowhere near expert / couture in my skill list. I think that takes a life time of sewing and I only started sewing at age 49. Wouldn't even know what skills are there anyway! I don't aspire to be an expert - just to fill my wardrobe with great clothes that don't look like Harriet Homemaker has done them.
As I started this blog to track my progress, once I have the list finalised I will put it on a separate page so I can tick off as I learn.
Level
|
Skill
|
Rating
1 - 3
|
Beginner
|
Sew straight and curved seams (funny how long it took me to master this!!)
|
3
|
Beginner
|
Elastic waist pants and skirts
|
2
|
Beginner
|
Set flat sleeve
|
3
|
Beginner
|
Sew blind hem
|
2
|
Beginner
|
Sew narrow hem
|
1
|
Beginner
|
Sew simple shift dress
|
3
|
Beginner
|
Sewing lapped zips
|
2
|
Advanced Beginner
|
Sew bindings for neck and armholes
including attaching knit bands and internal bias for wovens
|
1
|
Advanced Beginner
|
Set sleeve in armhole
|
2
|
Advanced Beginner
|
Buttons and automatic button holes
|
|
Advanced Beginner
|
invisible zip
|
|
Advanced Beginner
|
Simple collar
|
1
|
Advanced Beginner
|
using stud embellishments
|
|
Advanced Beginner
|
In seam pockets
|
|
Advanced Beginner
|
Patch pockets
|
|
Advanced Beginner
|
Modify patterns for fit
|
1
|
Advanced Beginner
|
Do a full bust adjustment
|
2
|
Intermediate
|
Lining with zipper
|
|
Intermediate
|
Collars with collar stand
|
|
Intermediate
|
Lining with facings
|
|
Intermediate
|
Felled seams
|
|
Intermediate
|
Modify patterns for design
|
|
Intermediate
|
Sew cuffs and plackards
|
|
Intermediate
|
Sew looped buttonholes
|
|
Intermediate
|
Flap pocket
|
|
Advanced
|
Sew with all types of fabrics
|
|
Advanced
|
Lined jacket
|
|
Advanced
|
Piping
|
|
Advanced
|
Jeans
|
|
Advanced
|
Welted pockets
|
|
Advanced
|
Bound pockets
|
|
Advanced
|
Sew most items without instructions
|
|
Advanced
|
Comfortable making any pattern
|
|
Advanced
|
Feel comfortable using fabrics not
recommended on the pattern envelope
|
|
Advanced
|
Have a broad knowledge of
interfacings, underlinings, interlinings and linings
|
|
Advanced
|
Can do Hong Kong finishes and French
seams
|
|
Advanced
|
Sew Bound buttonholes
|
What have I learnt today?
That I still have a lot to learn.
