williamsews

  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.

  Just wondering what to make next and still buying patterns. I’ve been trying a collar/cuff/front placket variation, I don’t know if it will become a shirt but it’s fun to try out different ideas. With a similar inset on the cuffs. One project I’d like to start would be this shirt; It’s the closest to a safari jacket but the search is still on for a good safari jacket pattern. Starting this would mean copying the pattern carefully onto Ram Board and making adjustments because I don’t want to damage the original pattern by pinning. That’s my day. Regards,  Will.

  I have finished the troublesome shirt and it’s not too bad. I sewed a bias strip on both sides so they look like a front yoke. (Bad photograph, taken late at night). I used multi-coloured thread and am pleased with the result. I’ll have to do more with this thread because I have a lot of it. The small reels looked enticing, so I bought some and they sew well – then I bought the cones on special. Next will be a shirt for me, I have a pattern I’d like to use but may fiddle with a few other ideas first and then draft the pattern. A safari jacket would be great but I just can’t find a pattern in my size, they’ve been around but people are beating me to them…there is obviously a resurgence in Safari Suits & Jackets. It’s raining; perfect sewing weather. Keep well, Regards,  Will.  My Site:  william-sews.com

  I made a grave mistake today; I will admit that I was impatient. The trouble started with sewing in a sleeve, the first one was fine but the second one needed three tries and on the last try I ripped the seam instead of unpicking. The result was a torn front. I was going to abandon it but it’s for someone else and they suggested patching it, so I did. I made a bias strip, used fusible stabiliser (wash away) and zigzagged the tear. I then covered it with the bias strip. I looks OK, I was going to put a matching strip on the other side but David said not to bother…so I didn’t. Interestingly asymmetrical. Just the buttons/holes to go. I’m glad it’s over and I shall never do that again. A new vintage pattern has arrived and two more on the way; will I ever make them? I hope so. Take care in this viral world. Will.

  I was shopping in a newsagent yesterday when a customer asked if they had any postcards, the young assistant didn’t know what they were. It seems that they have gone the way of telegrams, aerogrammes and so many other past and passé items. I sent postcards to my mum from every place I visited in my travelling days (along with souvenir spoons), they were fun and the photos were much better than any I could take…except I wasn’t in the shot. I sent dozens over the years, they were a great way to send a short message (Wish you were here) and were the text messages of their day. I scrabbled around and found a few that have been saved; The variety was wonderful; whimsical, artistic, funny or scenic. The cards I treasure are from the First World War, my grandfather sent them to my grandmother from France. Two of them had embroidered pockets to insert another, more private note. My sewing consists of repairs and alterations at the moment while I decide what to make next…I am sewing a few...