In 2014 we took a trip to Bali, of course while there I went fabric shopping I have posted my previous makes from my fabric haul but the most recent make in 2021 I haven’t . In my collection I had a wonderful rich blue wool coat fabric.
This pattern is just an oversized shirt . It is really a comfortable piece to wear and very warm. I am happy with how it came together.
Happy Sewing ,
Sue 😊
The Wiksten pattern is an easy shape to make and lends itself to self expression easily. I bought the pattern a few years ago and made this linen shift using it.
This goes together quickly and makes a good addition to the wardrobe.
Happy Sewing,
Sue 😊
Hi there,
A couple of years ago my daughter contacted me and asked me to make her a sturdy tote bag reversible with pockets to use. She sent me a link to the type she was after the bag in the website was enormous so I set about making one . Dimensions are : 80cm x 55cm finished depth 24cm pockets size 48cm x 33 cm. I found the fabric in Spotlight in the furnishing fabric section.
After completion , it turned out my daughter wanted a smaller version. I kept this one and remade it again in a smaller size for her . It comes in handy for moving large collections of items. It is sturdy and practical. Useful at Xmas .
Happy Sewing,
Sue 😊
Hi ,
I bought some silk velvet in a gorgeous green from The Fabric Store a few years ago. I wanted to make a jacket with it . The pattern I used is a vintage vogue one , that I can’t find as I can’t climb the stairs to my workroom. Sorry .
After I had completed it I tried it on and realised it wasn’t a good style for me so I proceeded to change it .
I have worn this and it feels glorious on . Sewing it though is not for the fainthearted. Silk velvet is hard to cut and to sew ,I had an industrial velvet foot that helped. It is very unforgiving fabric so be very careful.
Happy Sewing,
Sue 😊
Hi there,
This garment was started about 5 years ago , really a lifetime when I loved my life. I had originally cut a skirt and bomber jacket from this gorgeous blue black sequin fabric. I don’t recall where I bought the sequins but the silk taffeta came from a remnant place that used to be in Melbourne. So stash busting a UFO finishing as well.
When I brought it downstairs last year (when I could still go up the stairs, )I realised that I could no longer use the skirt and I wanted bigger sleeves than I originally planned. I used the skirt panels for the sleeves and the original sleeves I made into a hood. I self drafted all the changes and I have lined it in silk satin and silk taffeta.
I have so far only worn this jacket once to a 60th birthday and don’t have a good picture of it . But it was easy and comfortable I wore it with jeans. I love a dress up or dress down garment.
Happy Sewing,
Sue 😊
What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable?
A cure for ALS would be having it all for me .
I don’t have hope that I will be alive to see it . In the absence of that then for me it is managing to get through each day.
Trying to stay positive to be engaged and remain motivated to still live. Even with the absence of the life I had. The challenges are ever present some I work around others are let go because it’s too difficult.
Creativity depends on function and that depends on whatever has been done earlier. Fatigue is a constant and needs managing to get anywhere with what I want to do. My inability to climb stairs means all my life upstairs (my work room my winter clothes)is out of reach only available through someone else. That’s frustrating and depressing. Having to wait and then dealing with the inability of them to find what I need is another level of frustration. It really is death by a thousand cuts.
Waiting on NDIS approval for my bathroom remodel means it is not a safe place for me to be. It is a also slow and unsteady process that requires recovery time after.
A new challenge , ( finding myself on the floor as my knee collapsed) poses questions how to manage it. Discovering that I need help ( I can’t get up on my own ) and the fear of what that means is truly terrifying. Isolation is ever present and will only get worse. Alone in my fear and at home means I am scared of my limitations. What do I lose now ?
Lately I have been thinking about all my friends and family the people I care about , and how very little contact I have with them these days. When I was able to get out and about there was lots of opportunities for catching up. Now it’s better for me to get a call or for them to pop in but very few do either. It’s almost like to them I am just gone. My only company besides my husband and son, are all the healthcare professionals that get paid to work with me. It’s a pretty unsatisfying life.
I miss my friends, I last saw some of them one month ago, no calls or check ins. I feel like I am Just forgotten. I will see some in a few weeks but it will be close to 6 weeks between social contact with them.
Having it all would be getting my old life back and not living this bland colourless existence that will only get worse.
Having it all would be not losing the use of my hands , the inevitably of ALS . How much more time do I have before I lose my sense of self. What am I without my hands ?
Questions to ponder on this horrible journey.
Take care
Sue 😕
Hi ,
I don’t know about you but I tend to repeat patterns or shapes that work for me , particularly with remnants. I love remnants , I find them interesting, leftover fabrics that lend themselves to possibilities.When you are left with enough fabric to make a simple top I always go for it.
The two boxy tops above are made from remnants the shape works well for me and I wear them under a jacket often . I self drafted these and I had a little less than a metre of fabric to work with . Both are silk one quite coarse weave the other a satin. The black and silver fabric came from Spotlight years ago , I edged the neck and armholes with fold over elastic it worked well.
The satin one I picked up the fabric in Bali years ago and is leftover from a dress I made . I just folded over the neck and armholes. They are very comfortable and great layering pieces.
Happy Sewing,
Sue 🙂
I bought some felled wool, from The Selvedge Society on Instagram in winter last year . I didn’t get around to using it then but thought it may work as a jacket or cape . The immediate issue was I only had 150cm x 110cm of fabric to use. It is a gorgeous double sided Green and Grey combination. I used it all a zero waste pattern.
The CF is cut up to a point 50cm from the back hem. At the front up 28cm from side edge a cut 38cm long is made those edges are then folded in and overlapped slightly and stitched together.At this point I realised this back piece would slip when wearing so I stitched it to the back at the top and bottom of the seam .
I made to wear in the wheelchair or on the scooter as it covers me well and is warm and comfortable. It works well and has a cape look when sitting .
Happy Sewing,
Sue 😊
Hi there,
You know when you are a creative there are some things that speak to you and fill you with possibilities a pattern a fabric a colour a print they are all windows to the creative process. I have many patterns but this one I have made twice now and will again it just works for me.
I have made this jacket first in a reversible jacquard that is a little formal .
This is a lovely jacket to wear very comfortable and a little formal on the pink side and more casual on the red . I used the selvage on this for the centre front . I think it works well.
I saw this fabric at Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne it is from a tablecloth I loved the colours and the fringing so bought a big enough one to make my jacket using both the selvage and the fringes.
After wearing the jacket I found the cotton to be a little coarse and hard on my body so I have now lined it in some lime green cotton voile .
This makes it much more comfortable and easy to wear . I love it .
Hope you are able to create when the mood strikes.
Happy Sewing 🧵
Sue 😊
I have had a love of long tunic tops with slim pants for most of my life but the circumstances I live with now means they don’t really work in the wheelchair. So adjustment’s need to be made.
I made this a while ago because I love embroidered mesh and wanted the fabric to be the focus .
Recently I cut it off so I can use it now.
I will now be able to wear it , I am finding separates are better for me to wear these days. I will try to get a picture in it when I wear it next .
I hope you are able to find time for creativity.
Happy Sewing
Sue 😊
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