Norty me!

It didn't last. My good intentions. It's now about 3 months since I was here and loads of stuff has gone out of the door without being photo's and documented. I will try harder.

Oh, the guilt!

I have a pile of stuff here to be finished by Thursday. Four or five things for customers and two or three things for me because I am going on a weekend away and have to have some new things. Well, you do, don't you. Its a country weekend retreat to a friend 'country seat'. Sounds posh - probably is - hope I don't show myself up! We will dress up at least one night. So, here I am with nothing to wear. By Sunday night I was panicking, so I googled 'cocktail dresses' and came up with a site with some lovely dresses AND they had a sale on. Two came today. I am incredulous at the quality of these dresses at, wait for it £15 an £35, and with a 10% discount for a first order. So, I'm thinking "why would anyone have anything made when you can buy stuff so cheaply". My husband put me right when I tried them on. First of all he had to pin me into the bias cut velvet creation to reduce to shoulders. We decided that the chiffon belt would look better under the bust, and those side seams really did need smoothing out. The second dress was easier, just deciding to wear it without the belt, so the belt loops have to come out. No doubt these dresses are in the sale because they don't have instant wearability - definately needed some extra work, and most people would just give up with out thinking to have them altered. I still feel guilty though, most people at the weekend will be wearing something I have made - even the men would have had their trousers shortened by me - and I will be wearing ready to wear - well - almost ready to wear.

So far, so good. Keeping to my good intentions.

This is today's work. Well I got it to this stage today. It's Butterick 5282 made up in a poly jersey - not as shiny as it looks in this photo. It isn't yet finished as I have to get a coral coloured invisible zip, so the back is still open. Then I have to do the hem. I will do the hem on a Janome Coverpro that I bought a couple of months ago, although I haven't had the time to get fully skilled with it. Wish me luck. The pattern states that there is no allowance for above waist alterations but I managed to do some by raising the shoulder seam. I cut 1cm off the underlining but 2cm off the drape. Seems to have worked out okay. Its been a bit of a headache really, as the fabric rolled dreadfully meaning that just lining up the seams for stitching took ages. I had estimated 8/10 hours for this dress, but I think it is going to be more like 15/20. The customer wanted a dress that she could just throw in the washing machine (I hope she is a little more careful than just throwing it in!). That's why I went for the poly. There is a slip through buckle on the front, fabric covered. I sent off some fabric to Harlequin - fabulous service! I send it last Tuesday and it was back by Friday morning. I really like this pattern. In fact, I have told my daughter that it will be the basis of her wedding dress. Top the same but with a bias cut skirt and puddle train. She said "yea sure mum. just need to find the right man".

A good customer called round yesterday with a pair of trousers she had bought at a local boutique. Nothing really that special - just a pair of tailored trousers. They were far too big and she asked me if I could alter them for her. She is a size 8 and she had bought a size 8. When I measured them, they were a size 12. Why do manufacturers do this? Well, I know really. Anyone who is a size 12 and gets into an 8 is likely to be as pleased as punch and buy them. Problem is it works the other way for her. The shop doesn't stock a 6 or 4, so she has to go without.

I explained to her that she would lose the side pockets if I altered them, or if we did it from the back seam (not appropriate in this case anyway) the horizontal pockets on the bum would be chevrons instead of straight. The trousers were £80. I told her I could make her a pair for less than that and off she went to get some fabric. I am going to do a pattern from January 2010's Burda, style 120. These start at a 10, but at least I can cut them own and manipulate the pockets to the right place.

One thing that has had be tearing my hair out today is a dress I am making for myself. Style 140 from the May 2010 Burda. I have a poly crepe which is lovely but I had a lot of problems with puckering of the seams. I sorted that, but the puckering at the zip is causing me problems. I have now decided that it is about the quality of the zip. I bought it locally and it isn't branded. I will try to get an Opti and YKK zip this week and hopefully that will sort things out. Will upload a pic when I finally finish it. Buying zips is always a problem for me - I'm quite fussy about them matching, even if they are concealed. I notice they have what I want on the Jaycotts site but I will phone them tomorrow to make sure they have them in stock and can send them straight away.

First of all, I must go and tidy that sewing room!

It's been a busy week and I've been thinking that I really should take more pictures of things that I sew before they disappear out of the door. Then I though, perhaps a blog would be a good idea to record it all.

I have a small customer base of ladies (usually) who just love nice things to wear. Since I (and they) live miles from a decent shopping centre, in fact miles from any shop, delivery of the latest Burda magazine causes a bit of a flutter. Most fabric buying is done via the web and I have a bulging drawer full of sample swatches. The nearest fabric shop (of any value) is 25 miles away - and you think you're deprived! Tomorrow I will start photographing and providing a documentary on the construction of absolutely everything I make

But first of all I have to tidy that sewing room!