Mojo, Where Art Thou?

Every year, after the SWAP contest, I can't seem to get my arse in gear (as my grandma used to say) and get sewing again. I have a multitude of ideas, a megaton of fabric, a bazillion patterns...but, I can't seem to get it all working together. Lately, I think about sewing while at work, I make plans for sewing while at home, I daydream about patterns and fabric, I scan the internet for inspiration, I design wardrobes in my head, but I cannot for the life of me sit down in front of my machine and do anything useful. This lull in my sewing life has made me cranky and snarly. I hate that I'm not sewing, so why then am I not sewing?? Ah, that is the question...

I think my major problem is the change of season. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic that the weather is warming up, that the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. However, I looked in my closet and I am not in love with my spring and summer wardrobe. Most of it is just plain yucky. I feel like I have nothing to wear, so I feel compelled to whip up a ton of quick and easy garments. But, I have learned in the past that quick and easy usually equates to cheap and nasty. So, I am determined to only tackle projects worthy of my time and energy - classic, elegant, sophisticated garments with a certain je ne sais quoi. The problem with that scenario though, is that I'm going to be naked until this fabulous new wardrobe materializes! Upon thinking about all of this, I become overwhelmed and like any procrastinator worth her salt, I give up and eat ice cream instead.

Well, no longer. I have seen the light - I have a plan, a mission, a goal. I pulled out my back issues of Burda World of Fashion and snagged all the spring/summer issues (March - July). I went through the last three years worth and compiled a list of all the patterns I love, along with model shots, line drawings, fabric suggestions and requirements. I have begun matching pattern to fabric and soon I should have a working list of projects. Wish me luck!

Book 'Em

Nancy (nanflan) of SewWest (I love that blog title - it tickles me every time I say it in my head) tagged me with a literary meme.

Here's the deal:
1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged you.

Okie, dokey, you're all gonna love this...the closest book? Chemistry, the Central Science. Yes, I am a huge dork!

The bicarbonate or carbonate salt is added until the fizzing due to the formation of carbon dioxide gas stops. Sometimes sodium bicarbonate is used as an antacid to soothe an upset stomach. In that case, the hydrogen carbonate ion reacts with stomach acid to form carbon dioxide gas.

Now, let's see...I tag Carolyn, Tany, Summerset (another science geek!), Angie and Alexandra.

SWAP Results

Here are the results of SWAP 2008. I am struck by the variety of locales represented in this list - SWAP is bringing together nations. It's like the U.N. of sewing!

First Place - Laura P. in Bucarest, Romania

Second Place - Shannon M. in LaSalle, Ontario, Canada

Third Place - Maria G. in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Fourth Place -Johanna L. in Goteberg, Sweden

Fifth Place - Heather D. in Wellington, New Zealand


I was flabbergasted that I took second place. Seeing as today is my birthday, I can't imagine a better present!!

I want to extend a congratulations to everyone that was involved with SWAP 2008 - this was a most successful year. Most of all, I want to thank Julie, of Timmel Fabrics, for sponsoring this event. Over the last few years, she has changed how I approach my sewing and I am indebted to her.

Now, if I can shake the nasty cold I have right now, I will be diving into warm weather sewing over the next few weeks. I have so many ideas...I better get crackin'.

SWAP Pics are Up!!

Julie has posted the SWAP pictures and commentaries on her website, Timmel Fabrics. Go check out all the wonderful entries if you have a few moments to spare.

This year is bigger than ever. A grand total of 37 SWAPs have been submitted. It is amazing to see all the different fabrics, patterns and styles displayed.

A big thank you to Julie for once again taking on this contest and all the planning and work that goes along with it.

SWAP Combos - Part 3

In my last two posts, I posted pictures of all the combos possible with the suiting pieces from my SWAP. Today, I want to finish up my SWAP photos with a few pictures of the dresses and the coat. I realize these aren't really combos, but I really love these pieces and I don't want to hurt their feelings by leaving them out of the fun!

Chocolate brown wool crepe dress (M7888)



















Yellow silk dupioni dress (S7990)



















Beige wool crepe coat (V5630)



















That about wraps up the SWAP 2008 photo shoot. I am really pleased with how it all turned out. Now, over the next few weeks, I will be planning out my spring and summer wardrobe - I can't wait!

SWAP Combos - Part 2

In my last post, I showed several of the combinations that could be made with my SWAP suiting separates. Today, I want to show you some more. However, I first want to say a big, fat thank-you to everyone that has stopped by and left such wonderful comments. Since I don't have any "real life" sewing compatriots, I really cherish all my cyber buddies (both old friends and new acquaintances).

Without further ado, here are all the possibilities with the multi-coloured tweed top:

Multi-coloured tweed top (S3108) + multi-coloured tweed skirt (V5521 -wardrobe pattern)



















Multi-coloured tweed top (S3108) + green herringbone skirt (B4105)



















Multi-coloured tweed top (S3108) + sand wool crepe skirt (V1050)



















Multi-coloured tweed top (S3108) + terracotta skirt (V5521 - wardrobe pattern)





















And here are all the possibilities with the terracotta wool top:

Terracotta wool top (V5521 - wardrobe pattern) + terracotta skirt (V5521 - wardrobe pattern)



















Terracotta wool top (V5521 - wardrobe pattern) + sand wool crepe skirt (V1050)



















Terracotta wool top (V5521 - wardrobe pattern) + green herringbone skirt (B4105)



















Terracotta wool top (V5521 - wardrobe pattern) + multi-coloured tweed skirt (V5521 -wardrobe pattern)




















Tomorrow: A few views of the dresses and the coat.

SWAP Combos - Part 1

Over the next few days, I want to finish up my SWAP 2008 posts with pictures of the combinations that are possible using the different garments.

Today, I will start with the all the combos based the sand wool crepe top:

Sand wool crepe top (V1050) + sand wool crepe skirt (V1050) + beige wool crepe coat (V5630)
This picture cracks me up. I guess I must be daydreaming about all the possible SWAP combos I can create with my new wardrobe!
















Sand wool crepe top (V1050) + green herringbone wool skirt (B4105)



















Sand wool crepe top (V1050) + multi-coloured tweed skirt (V5521 - wardrobe pattern)



















Sand wool crepe top (V1050) + terracotta wool skirt (V5521 - wardrobe pattern)




















Next up, all the combinations with the green herringbone top:

Green herringbone top (B4105) + green herringbone skirt (B4105)



















Green herringbone top (B4105) + sand wool crepe skirt (V1050)



















Green herringbone top (B4105) + multi-coloured tweed skirt (V5521 - wardrobe pattern)



















Green herringbone top (B4105) + terracotta skirt (V5521 - wardrobe pattern)




















Tomorrow: All the combos with the multi-coloured tweed top and the terracotta top.

Coat of Charms

Jacqueline Kennedy wore this coat to her husband's inauguration ceremony on January 20, 1961. The coat was created in wool melton by Oleg Cassini. The coat was accessorized with a sable muff (to match the collar) to ensure that Jackie was warm enough on the cold January day.

Since I loved the lines and the colour of this coat, it was a no-brainer to include a garment inspired by it. As extra incentive, I was in need of a formal coat for layering over evening wear during the cooler weather months.

So, I was hoping to find a coat pattern that had similar lines. I searched eBay and several vintage pattern sites and came up empty. Then one day as I was flipping through my vintage patterns, I came across Vogue 5630. Sometimes exactly what you want really is right beneath your nose! Although there is no copyright date on the pattern, one quick glance at the drawing of the largest woman on the envelope front suggests that this pattern was meant to be a JK coat knockoff. The major style lines are the same and she is even holding a fur muff.

I debated about using this pattern to create a line for line replica of the JK coat, but in the end decided against it. I chose to use the pattern's more subtle pockets, rather than the large patch pockets - I try not to focus attention on my hip region. Also, I went with full length sleeves, rather than the 3/4 sleeves on the JK coat. I am not likely to wear long gloves and I want to stay warm, so longer sleeves it was! In the end, I used view A for the body and view C for the sleeves.

I made my coat of sand wool crepe, purchased from Fabric Mart during their wool blow-out a while back. The entire coat is interlined in a thick cotton flannel, to provide warmth and stability. The coat is lined in a stretch polyester charmeuse in a gorgeous copper colour.

Although the coat is classic and simple, there are a few features that set it apart. The front of the coat is topstitched along the princess seams, in which in-seam pockets are included (photo to the left). The closures in front consists of four bound buttonholes and four large self fabric covered buttons (photo to the right), which are backed by smaller buttons on the inside to make them more stable. The hems and lining were completed entirely by hand to keep the front clean and stitch free.

I can honestly say that I adore this coat. It is certainly one of my favourite pieces that I made for this year's SWAP, maybe one of my favourite pieces ever. I knew I was smitten as I was sewing it and the moment it was finished and I put it on, it was love! As I have mentioned before, I prefer a garment that has a certain weight to it - it just makes the entire piece feel luxurious.

Without further ado, here are a few shots of my coat, worn over some of my other SWAP garments:



















Over the next few days, I plan on showing you a few more pictures showing several combinations that can be made using my SWAP garments. So, stay tuned...