williamsews

  After the disaster of the last shirt, I thought it would be a good idea to have a break from making them. I have a few bowties already to go and I do enjoy making them. The tied tie is a Christmas bowtie which I was able to wear this year because the weather was cool. I wouldn’t make a very good gentleman’s dresser as it was difficult to tie it on someone else. This was bought for Valentines Day ages ago, perhaps it’s time to make it as well I am also finally going to finish the quilt I started long ago – the piecing part is fun and intriguing but the quilting is much less fascinating. Anyway, this is halfway finished and shouldn’t take very long. It’s too late to give as a Christmas gift which is a pity. It’s 2.2m x 1.75m and only two layers, the back and the patchwork, no wadding, so it’ll be a light quilt, Summer has been cool and wet so far and the first month is almost over, I know it’ll heat up. I prefer winter. It seems to be a short time ago I mentioned the Frangipani out...

  …I’ve had a few… and this shirt is one of them. It seemed like a good idea, something different, but I lost interest and struggled to finish it – I only meant it to be a sample, made from sheeting – perhaps a mid-weight fabric would be better. It can be worn without a belt. Anyway, I have a friend who wants it, so he’s welcome. On to the next big thing. I had a problem with the safari suit pattern I’d bought, it was wrongly labelled, my money was returned but I have no pattern (that is probably what inspired me to try this one). Safari Suit patterns are hard to find… or at least hard to find in my size but I shall continue the search. We are experiencing my kind of summer weather, cool and wet. I prefer winter to summer, so this is very nice indeed. I hope everyone has the best Christmas they can. Take care,  Will.

  The new shirt is a nice, soft cream – more so than the way it looks in the photographs but that’s just my lack of photography skills. In the past I’ve liked to create interesting pockets but have been stuck with one style recently, so I made an attempt to do something different. The buttons are vintage, mock tortoiseshell with brass insets, larger than usual but they work OK. The pocket has a workable flap that serves no practical purpose. This is a shirt I made at least 40 years ago, I still wear it in winter, I shall copy the pocket design onto a new shirt. Still in reasonable shape considering its age and how often it’s been worn over the years. Pattern drafting will probably be the next on the agenda, not a lot of fun but it will be worth it, a Safari Suit pattern is on the way. That’s my lot for today, Take care,  Regards,  Will.

  Or rather, a white shirt for Christmas. This shirt is not for me. It’s a nice, crisp poly-cotton and bright white. It has elongated double-buttoned cuffs and faux stone buttons. Next, I’m going to experiment with pockets, at one time I was innovative with pockets and trims and would like to try a few things I’ve made in the past and new ideas I’ve been considering. Hoping to make it to the big fabric shop and find some treasures. I have found and bought a Safari Suit pattern and it will arrive early next month. Regards,  Will.

  Christmas arrived early for me in the form of a new sewing machine; it’s a Brother TY600C and it looks much the same as the Brother I’ve been using except that it’s a heavy-duty machine. I’ve only had a little practise so far and it runs very smoothly. A shirt has been cut out and ready to sew but other duties have been calling… frustrating—maybe later today. It has a lot of ‘Heirloom’ stitches that will never be used but it has a lockstitch and an easier up/down needle positioner than the other Brother, it’s also slightly larger and heavier, which bodes well for its heavy-duty capabilities. Now the hunt will be on, looking for heavier fabric for next winter, especially denim. Please like and visit my site;  william-sews.com That’s my lot for now. Take care,  Will.

  The newest shirt is fire engine red and more or less unadorned; no bits and pieces or contrasts, the only addition is epaulettes, I haven’t put them on a shirt since the 1970s and though it would be good to resurrect them. This image was taken with a Nikon camera, I usually use an iPad but the colour is a bit off, (See below), it came out hot pink. I like epaulettes and will use them again, I made pocket flaps but didn’t use them, perhaps they should be attached, they do go with the epaulettes. Fabric hunting tomorrow, the big, new fabric shop opened yesterday and I thought it would be better to forego the opening frenzy and leave it for a day. More fabric, what could be better than that? Take care,  Will.

  I have been searching for that impossible to find safari suit pattern and have found many great patterns on the way – too many to make but great to have and inspire me. One that’s close to the safari jacket is this one; I’ll transfer this to Ramboard rather than pinning the tissue pattern to the fabric, apart from the pinning being awkward, it can damage the vintage piece and that would be tragic. This one is great as well and will make the short list; A visit to the big fabric shop in the city is overdue. That’s it for today, Stay well, Regards,  Will.

  Finished another shirt, the fabric is cotton and pleasant to work with. The finished result is nothing like it started out, but it’s OK. It’s the smallest collar I’ve ever made. I have been searching for a Safari Suit pattern but can’t find one in my size – they have been available but have been sold, one will surely turn up eventually. They were considered infra dig by many in the 1970s – including me but I like them now. The big fabric shop in the city is moving to new premises on the 18th, can’t wait, they owe me a sewing machine, I bought a Singer which was a dud but had it too long for a refund and have a credit note, they haven’t had much in the way of machines for sale, I presume because of the pandemic. I am hoping stock will arrive for the opening. That’s all for now. Stay safe and well, Regards,  Will. Please visit my blog;  william-sews.com

  A new shirt for someone else; a mix of gold, grey and black – it’s a strong, bright gold but doesn’t show so much – I’m not a great photographer, that’s for sure. This is a closeup of the fabric, he wanted something Art Deco and this more or less works. I made it in a couple of hours today, it was an easy fabric to work with. Next, another shirt, either red or blue. The large fabric shop in the city is relocating and are having a great sale so I shall have to see what’s happening…and go to the grand opening of their new store on the 18th of this month. they owe me a machine because the Singer I bought didn’t work well and they have been waiting for new stock so that’s something to look forward to. Raining today, a good sewing day. Take care,  Regards, Will.

  …and another started; The finished one is white with green trim, it started as an experiment and worked out OK. It’s made with an old piece of fabric, a muslin/toile I suppose – but wearable. I often ignore the back unless I use trim but this one has a pleat, trim and tab. The green has been inset in the collar, pockets and cuffs. The white is very soft and loosely woven, so it’ll be pleasant to wear in summer. That’s it for today, the next shirt is for someone else, they wanted something Art Deco, I think the fabric I found fits the bill…he likes it anyway. Take care, keep well. Will.