williamsews

Whilst making the current denim shirt, I’ve had the thought that small Lemoyne Stars may look interesting on the yoke. I know patchwork on shirts is…well…1980s, but the stars could be a bit different. I made these a while ago to practise the stars in different sizes, I thought if the square background was the same fabric as the shirt, they would really stand out. I no longer have these, they were just a tryout so I gave them away. I am enjoying sewing with the current mid-weight denim and will buy more and see how the smaller stars work. I’ve been a bit slow finishing the current shirt – I fell off a ladder (common with men of a certain age it seems) and I’ve had to have scans and x-rays, etc. I don’t believe any damage has been done but it’s best to make sure. Back to the pleasant sewing grind tomorrow. I shall buy more denim when I pick up the repaired sewing machine. Meanwhile, all the best, Will.

Please visit my site;  william-sews.com Sewing that is; I braved the perils of a trip to the city and left my new machine for repair and I hope they will fix the original problems as well, I was just lazy not taking it in earlier. I’m now using a couple of older machines, an Elina for the seams and a Brother for top-stitching. The Elina 40 is a nice machine. Each machine has something that others don’t have, it would be great to have them all in one machine. The Brother SL500 is also a pleasant machine to use and it’s doing a good job of top-stitching. I have been using this one for buttonholes because the newer Singer wasn’t working properly. The top-stitching is red; I thought it would be subtle, but it was a difficult choice because I have acquired a lot of threads over the years. I’m looking forward to finishing this shirt, it’ll be ready for the cold weather if it ever comes, autumn has been more like summer this year. Keep well, Regards,  Will.

I’m having issues with my new machine; It was bought for me six months ago and it has had a few problems from the outset. I don’t like returning items and therefore I coped with it’s little idiosyncrasies; it didn’t sew buttonholes well, so I used one of my other machines, it didn’t backstitch well either but it straight sewed beautifully until I noticed it skipping stitches which I can’t live with. This is happening too often,  No good at all, so back it goes. If they offer a refund then I’ll take it and use the machines I have. Returning the machine means I have a legitimate excuse to visit the fabric shop… and I can cash in the $10 voucher they sent for my birthday. Waiting in the wings. On a brighter note, I took a photograph of some of my bird friends this morning, sitting in a tree outside the door, waiting for seed and fruit. They are Rainbow Lorikeets; one of the many varieties who visit the garden for a swim and a feed. I shall set up another machine ready for t...

Please visit my site:  william-sews.com I’m in rut with my sewing; a pleasant rut because I love making shirts, but in the past I’ve sewn other items. I used to sew women’s clothing using vintage patterns – The variety was fun. I had a lot of patterns from the 1940s to the 1960s, the structure of clothing was so much better than modern patterns. I also tried upholstery, I had a pile of tapestry samples and decided to make enough patchwork fabric for two settees. This is one of them; (I should have placed the right side cushion better…careless)! I upholstered the pair over two decades ago and they have survived dogs, parties and steam cleaning but they will be retired soon because their style is outdated, even though they are showing no sign of wear. I’ve also covered a few chairs over the years, like this wing chair. I discovered the easy way to upholster is to take the piece apart; unscrew the arms and back, which is easy, then the individual pieces are much easier...

Please visit my site;  william-sews.com I have finished the wearable sample and I’m happy with the pattern, so now I can make it in denim. The fabric is very dense; probably sheeting, it was very wide and a high thread count, another charity shop find. It’s big enough to wear as an overshirt or with knitwear underneath. I took photographs with two different cameras; a Nikon and an iPad, the above was with the Nikon and a true representation of the colour, the iPad photos are paler. It has a chevron, self-colour front and back yoke. I was going to add pocket flaps but decided it would be too busy. The back yoke mirrors the front. I need to find a new project; I love making shirts but need a change, nevertheless I’ll make the denim shirt while I’m spending so much time at home. Keep well,  Regards,  Will.

Please visit my site;  william-sews.com I’ve been slowly making progress on the winter shirt sample, just cuffs and buttonholes to go. I’ve just become so slow these days, but still, it’ll soon be finished and then onto the real denim shirt.  This sample fits alright, I may add a cm to the sleeves but happy with everything else. The pockets on this pattern are closer to the centre than I usually place them but they seem OK. Now, about the bunnies; each Easter I make Origami bunnies and leave them on tables at the local shopping centre, they delight children and it’s a bit of fun. I’ve made the bunnies but can’t leave them. Now I have two boxes of colourful bunnies. These creatures are the only Origami I’ve learned so far, but I’d like to make other things, especially roses. I’m braving the outside world to shop shortly. Who would have thought it would be so perilous? When I arrive back home from the shops, I shall finish this shirt. Keep safe, keep well. Regar...

Which I always have anyway as I am retired, but I’m achieving very little. Being isolated hasn’t made me more productive. We usually spend time shopping and window shopping, visiting the city and beaches, and especially, charity shops to find treasures. So, here I am staying at home and I have only started a shirt whereas I could have made several in this time–I suppose it’s all mindset. The shirt I am making is a wearable sample of a western shirt, larger than my usual shirts to wear it as an over-shirt or just a shirt. This is the front yoke and the back is similar–I have stitched the yoke in place since I photographed this. It’s a nice blue. The sleeve plackets are ready to for stitching; I always press them into shape before I sew, it makes them easier to handle when pulled through. Collar, cuffs, front placket and pockets ready to go.  I hope today will be a sewing day. I want to make the shirt in this fabric as a test run before I make it in denim. That’s it for to...