Stitching Highs and Lows

Ha ha!  That title makes me think of the A-Ha song “Hunting High and Low” and Morten Harkett’s extremely high voice!  Am I showing my age?

Dottie Doodle has recently posted her sewing highs and lows, inspired by Crafting a Rainbow, which I thought was an excellent idea, so here are mine.

Highs

One

I think my real high this year has to be making my coat. 

I’m really pleased with how it turned out, the whole process was very long and both easier and harder than I thought it would be.  It’s not perfect, but I learned some new techniques and I’m already thinking about another coat for next year (and I have a pattern in mind!)


Two

The machine embroidery and appliqué workshop I attended with Katie Essam. 

It was a fabulous day, I learned a great new craft thanks to Katie’s excellent teaching and I’ve been able to put the skills I learnt into practice making several Christmas gifts.


Three

One of the first dresses I blogged about making – my Burdastyle Danielle dress. 

I wore it often over the summer – well as often as the rubbish summer weather allowed.  It fits really well, I love the deep neckline and the gorgeous fabric.


Four

Stripes and Flowers crochet tunic. 

A total experiment, I didn’t actually know if it was going to work until it was finished.  Thankfully it did!  It also brings back great memories of the Olympics, as it was made during the Games. 


Five

Colette Meringue skirt. 

I should wear this more often, but I don’t have that many tops that go with it.  I love the vibrant red and the scalloped hem.  I definitely need another one of these!

Lows

One

Bias cut Sorbetto blouse. 

I want to love this, I really do, but I don’t.  I think I’ve only worn it once, although I’ve had it on and off quite a few times.  The fabric is lovely and soft, the colour is gorgeous, but it looks like a maternity smock.  I’m debating taking it apart and remaking it with the pleat sewn in all the way down the front.  Alternatively I do have a bit of the fabric left, I’m wondering if it’s enough to cut a new front completely.


Two

Chelsea knitted skirt.  So awful that I actually unravelled it almost the moment it was finished.  Great idea, but knitted skirts DO NOT suit my body shape.   So awful I don't even have a photo!


Three

Failed Satsuma Stripes sweater. 

This is what it SHOULD have looked like, mine was/is awful!

I made the mistake of knitting far too much of this before I tried it on, only to discover that it was absolutely enormous across the shoulders and chest.  Unfortunately as it is knitted top down in one piece altering it means starting from scratch.  It’s currently in a ball in the cupboard!


Four

Burda 7301 dress. 

I don’t hate it, but it’s just a bit “meh”.  The body is nice, but the fabric is too stiff for the wider sleeve style.  I actually intended to make it with the fabric I used for my bias cut Sorbetto blouse, and I think I really should have done. 


Five

Denim tulip skirt (Simplicity 2263). 

Another one I’d love to love but don’t.  I don’t hate it like I do the Sorbetto blouse.  The denim went all streaky when it was washed and the seam at the bottom of the zip has split.  The split I can fix, the streaky denim I can do nothing about.  Shame, because I do like the style.  Maybe another one should be made, I have a couple of suitable fabrics in my stash.


Looking back my highs and lows, it seems as though I need to consider my fabric choices more carefully, certainly in how I match them to patterns.  It's one thing I'm not that good at, I tend to see a fabric I like and decide I'll make it work with whatever pattern I choose.   Usually it's pretty successful, but as you can see, not always.

I also need to consider the style of the garment I'm intending to make.  Because I'm not that tall and quite curvy, I need to make sure whatever I wear doesn't hide my waist, or the part of my torso between my boobs and my waist.  This is my thinnest part, so if that's covered by huge amounts of loose fabric, of course it's going to make me look bigger than I am. 

I have recently purchased a couple of vintage patterns for more fitted dresses, so I'm looking forward to making those up.

Thanks for listening, and thanks very much to Crafting a Rainbow for this idea!