Round Denim Bag

Dear People,

A number of factors have being conspiring against my being able to sew in recent months. That is why my blog has sort of shuffled down to half speed. I still have lots of patterns and lots of plans and I am still on track with my year of stash busting. I hope to get up to full speed soon.

By the way whittling down the stash has been quite satisfying. Rather than being a burden it is something of a relief to put a black line through the list on the side of one of my tubs whenever I use a piece, to re-assess what I've got and to move closer towards using some of the really yummy fabrics I bought during my sojourn in Europe and before that in Sydney. Packing and storing my things and moving twice when a third of my belongings was stash makes the idea of reducing the stash very attractive indeed.

However my resolve was tested by an invitation from The Fabric Store for a 'Fabriholics Anonymous' sale. Hmmm .. but I resisted by remembering the 100% silk velvet bought before just waiting to be made up, silk boucle from Paris, pure wool from I-don't-remember-where, Liberty and so on. It's time to stop hoarding the good stuff till later. Of course there will still be the practical things and muslins but lovely material deserves to see the light of day and lovely things deserve to be worn.

Yesterday I had the day off and I managed to make up this denim bag, made to order for my daughter. It is made from the offcuts of the denim jacket blogged about in my previous post.

The variegated stripe effect is from creases in the denim that took up more dye. I love accidental design details!

I did not use a pattern, just traced the outline of the biggest lid in the kitchen for the body and lining, and made long 3 1/2" strips for the gusset and strap. Ribbon loop and button closure. I am going to drop it off at DD's on my way to work.

Happy sewing,

Val.

B5616 Denim Jacket

Hello Readers,

When in between seasons, especially Sydney's current extra mild autumn, thoughts do not turn to coats and boots and scarves but to in between jackets. You know, a little unlined something to grab on the way out the door just incase a bit of cool air hits.

 So I made this from stash denim and B5616.

Yes, that is the Opera House. I went to the ballet with a camera shy friend who insisted if I was going to have a shot in front of the Opera House I also needed one in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

After we saw the three one act modern ballets, one of which was curious, one of which was ho-hum and one of which was brilliant (and sipped champagne during intermission) we went to the James Squire pub in the Rocks for dinner. All in all a lovely day out. It reminds me why I love Sydney.

B5616

People, I was not organized enough to sign up to SoZo's  http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com.au/  increasingly popular Me-Made-May, but this is my Me-Made-Saturday in May. 

I also made the fully lined polished cotton dress, reviewed on PR  here. It's been too hot to wear a fully lined dress until now!

The jacket is made from B5616, a recent pattern purchase. Other reviewers on PR found it a little boxy but it was just what I wanted and I love the fact that it fitted me right out of the packet. Bonus!

The denim was originally dark brown and I dyed it using Dylon machine dye in Black Velvet. Here is a link. I was a bit apprehensive about using dye in my machine but it was easy and the result a very pleasing antique blue with dark undertones that's just perfect, even if it was not black or the black/brown that I expected. The instructions said to do a full wash with an empty machine afterwards but as I was reluctant to waste power and water I threw a load of faded denims in to pick up any residue and clear the machine. It was fine. 

I put jean buttons down the front and co-ordinating snaps on the sleeves, did some carefully chosen topstitching and then had a hell of a time with the buttonholes. I'll do the nitty-gritty when I write the Pattern Review.

I like this pattern. I'll be using it again.

Happy Sunday wherever you are,

Val.