williamsews

I’ve cut out a shirt, but not for me unfortunately, I like the fabric pattern and weave. It was difficult to find the match, so I just left it random, I think it’ll be OK. I am now looking forward to working on this. It has an interesting texture. Chilly today. Regards.  Will.

Please visit my site:  william-sews.com I have had to take a break from sewing for a few days, which is frustrating because I have two new lengths of fabric waiting for me. I see that the Strelizia/Birds of Paradise are flowering; I think it’s strange that such a tropical-looking plant would flower in winter but they do brighten up the garden on dull, wintry days. The other rather showy (garish) things are Rainbow Lorikeets; they have become quite friendly over the years as long as I provide fruit and seed. I wouldn’t say ‘Sing A Rainbow’ because it’s more of a screech, especially when I’m late for their lunch. Back to sewing later in the week, can’t wait. Regards,  Will.

 called into the big fabric shop in the city to find out what was happening to my machine which is in for repair and I almost made it out without buying any fabric…but this was near the door and I felt I had no choice, so I bought two shirt lengths. The vehicle print is for me.  Am I too old to be wearing such patterns? Yes. Do I care? No. They are my favourite, pure cotton, I shall wash the fabric if it ever stops raining.  I’ll be making the ‘rustic’ one first for someone else. I didn’t want to start the dressing gown yet, so this is a nice distraction. Back to beading today with better needles…It’s such a full life. Regards,  Will.

Please visit my site at;  william-sews.com I posted an article a while ago about my attempts at bead weaving; I used to do it years ago and it was fun way back then, but didn’t work out the last time I tried it – I now realise that I was using the wrong beads, I was using large beads that varied in size and the wristband I was attempting to make was a mess…BUT I have found seed beads and they are working out well. I’m going to make a chevron pattern with several colours. I bought Collapsible Eye needles because I thought they would be easy to thread but they bend very easily and are difficult to run through the beads. I shall persevere with them until I can buy proper beading needles. I bought a lot of beads from a local charity shop before the lock down, so I have tonnes in great colours. This was my first attempt with larger beads…not therapeutic at all. I made a lot of bracelets and hat bands years ago, it can be a pleasant winter pastime. Back to the beads,  Regards, ...

My Blog;  william-sews.com I’m going to make a dressing gown or robe and will use a 1947 vintage pattern. I won’t be starting it for a while because I have to buy the fabric and that means a trip to the city. Anyway; I have made quite a few garments using old patterns from the 1930s to the 1960s but not for a few years and I had forgotten how unhelpful they are, very plain with no seamlines and no real markings. I’m going to make the gown on the left, with buttons.  It’s interesting to see the price pre-decimal; 2/3 – Two shillings and threepence, unfortunately the old patterns only have one size in the packet and this is possibly slightly too small for me – I’ll check the pieces, should be easy to take it up a size. Three dots means ‘Cut on fold’ Not much in the way of instructions No marked seamlines or instructions The pattern piece identified by a punched letter. This will have a 5/8″ seam allowance but I’ll just use my usual 1cm seam instead. In the mean...

I work slowly nowadays because life gets in the way, but I have finally finished the purple shirt. I like it and am reasonably happy with the result…I love the colour. Now I have something to wear tomorrow. I’m always pleased when the collar works out OK. It was great to make a shirt with no top-stitching after the denim one with so much top-stitching. I put the plackets the wrong way around years ago and of course, once the fabric is cut it’s not an easy problem to fix. I also pause and think before I fit the sleeves and sew the buttonholes – although I’ve never sewn them on the wrong side (yet). I was in a ‘pocket rut’ so sewed a curved style this time. I used to be more adventurous with pocket finishes in the past. I’d like to sew something else, perhaps a dressing gown, I need a winter one. I don’t like to risk another visit to the city at this time, I had to take my new machine for repairs (that was essential travel). I have a few vintage patterns, they’re smaller than my size but...

It’s actually mottled purple, a nice colour, I haven’t had a purple shirt for quite a while. It looks rather like Batik but it’s ordinary cotton. There will be nothing out of the ordinary with this shirt. It’s cut out and ready to sew. I was lucky to find the right colour thread locally; because of the dreaded virus, I don’t want to travel into the city unless it’s really necessary, which will be when I pick up my machine after the repairs. To mask or not to mask . That is the question. A lot of sewists are making fabric masks, fortunately, I bought a lot of good quality professional masks a while ago to use while working on DIY projects – anyway, I’d find it very difficult to waste my off-cuts, I use pieces down to 1 1/2 “x 3” in quilting and the masks will be useless once (if) the pandemic is over. Nothing much is happening here as far as the virus goes but we’re not taking any chances. Time to seize the day. Regards,  Will.