Wednesday, 14 May 2014

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday #258

It’s the kitchen table again this week. It’s becoming a habit. There’s just not enough room at my desk, when I’ve got a sewing project on the go.

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This one has been in the making for a while. It was supposed to be easy. The “breaking me in gently” project. A simple summer skirt. But no, I had to go and make it more complicated than that. I solved the first problem myself and had some expert advice from the lovely Kerry, at our sewing meet up, on the second. The lining is now cut, after a fashion. I’ll be getting the sewing machine out, while my boy is sitting his History exam this afternoon.

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This is what the nice parcel man brought me, while I was busy finicking with the cotton lawn. I fell in love with Tamara’s 1960s coat, from the series, and the pattern is in here. That alone is worth the price of the book* to me. Quite when I’ll be ready to tackle a coat is another matter entirely. Better get back to that skirt!

I’m linking up with Julia, as always on a Wednesday. If you want a proper look at the cards, that were half seen in last week’s kitchen table shot, they are here.

I’ll be back on Friday, talking UFOs.

*My copy was a bargain £8 from The Book People.

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34 comments:

  1. Annie14 May 2014 at 07:57

    You will get there Fiona...and will be the best dressed in the area by the time you've finished :-)
    Hugs,
    Annie x # 32

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  2. Anonymous14 May 2014 at 08:11

    OMG - a COAT is well outside my comfort zone. I remember my Mom telling me she made ME a coat when I was a kid, out of one of my Dad's old coats. Wish I had a photo of that. Look forward to the eventual share - I have no doubt you'll get there....
    :)


    Happy WOYWW!
    Mary Anne (2)

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  3. Neil14 May 2014 at 08:58

    Hi
    It's been a while I know, since I last managed to link up but I'm back now and just popping my head round the door to say hello!

    Thanks for sharing your creative space and I hope you have a good week too.

    Neil #10

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  4. Lunch Lady Jan14 May 2014 at 09:03

    That first picture is lovely...I like the way the patterns and fabric are laid out...I know, I'm weird! Honestly, I could live with that as a pic on my walls...there is something satisfying about it! Well done for sorting the problem out :-)
    A coat??? Blimey, you don't do things by halves, do you?
    Hugs, LLJ 22 xx

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  5. Julia Dunnit14 May 2014 at 09:43

    My experience is to go for it..I've made a couple of tailored blazers and if I'd 'learned and worked' my way up to them, I don't think I would have tackled them at all. You just have to be in the mood..well, I do! Love the choice of fabric for the skirt, am looking forward to seeing you sashay through the door in it in a couple of weeks!

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  6. Lou14 May 2014 at 10:16

    It sounds like you have really caught the sewing bug x

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  7. Sian14 May 2014 at 11:08

    Ooh, can't wait to see if you do a coat. I keep going back to a coat pattern in "Sew Serendipity" and thinking about it..

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  8. jill14 May 2014 at 11:27

    Well done Fiona for solving the first problem on your own , your so much braver then me i wouldn't know where to start when it comes to sewing.
    Happy woyww Jill #25

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  9. scrappyjacky14 May 2014 at 11:45

    Little 6 1/2 square blocks are quite complex enough for me!!

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  10. Linda14 May 2014 at 12:03

    Oh yes! That coat is lovely:) One day we'll be able to amke it:) I had the book for my birthday but have yet to make anything from it. Love your fabric for your skirt. No sewing for me for a week or two, had to pack all craft stuff away while my kitchen is being completely made over!

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  11. Robyn14 May 2014 at 12:08

    I always visit my neighbors first.
    I love selling and then impressed with your ability to figure out your own problems.
    It's the cutting the trips me out.
    Thanks for the sleep around!
    robyn40

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  12. Twiglet14 May 2014 at 12:39

    Good luck with the skirt. Yes i would love to swap ATCs and by all means post mine and Annie's together. Thanks. x Jo

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  13. Jo14 May 2014 at 12:58

    I can't wait to see the skirt finished, you'll be on to the coat in no time! x

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  14. sandra de14 May 2014 at 13:31

    Looks like you are going to nail that skirt. That book looks like a great resource.
    Sandra @52

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  15. Lindart14 May 2014 at 14:19

    You are just like me - I always have to make things more complicated than they are! But that means we are creative, and just have to add something of "ourselves" to the project. Go girl!
    Lindart #81

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  16. my cup of tea14 May 2014 at 14:43

    So brave to make your own clothes.... I am going to attempt a straight stretchy (elastic at the top) nothing fancy skirt. I will let you know how it turns out! Love that coat!
    donna #83

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  17. Sandra14 May 2014 at 15:35

    I've got my eye on that book as I love the blouse pattern. Can't wait to see your skirt and I know the coat will be made really soon :)

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  18. Carol Rigby14 May 2014 at 15:59

    I loved that series. I haven't made any clothes for years but the Sewing Bee has made consider giving it a try again. Happy WOYWW. x

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  19. sandysewin14 May 2014 at 17:20

    Oooooo, I didn't know they had a book out. The GBSB inspires me to take more care with my sewing. Hearing May's voice in my head, "Now that's exquisite understitching." lol

    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier and for the nice comments.

    Happy sewing and happy Woyww,

    Sandy #49

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  20. KraftyKaren14 May 2014 at 17:42

    Looking forward to seeing the finished skirt - very pretty fabric x

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  21. Andrea14 May 2014 at 18:01

    good luck with the skirt my sewing skills are non existent ..a great bargain buy with the book .have a good week Andrea#11

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  22. Chrysalis14 May 2014 at 19:26

    Hope your sewing - and the exams - go well. Enjoy your new book - hope it gives you lots of inspiration. Have a lovely week, Chris # 23

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  23. Helen14 May 2014 at 19:37

    Hope the sewing - and the history exam - went well!! I can't sew to save my life but loved the series, hope the coat comes out well. Helen 7

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  24. Paper rainbow14 May 2014 at 20:45

    I watched the sewing bee with fevered excitement, and I have to add I haven't dressmade for years! No wonder you are inspired!

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  25. fairy thoughts14 May 2014 at 22:51

    Hi Fiona
    I love it that so many more folks are sewing at the moment, if you can make a skirt ... you can make a coat... just follow the pattern... you can do it, there is so much more information on you tube and stuff...plus you have bloggy friends to help too
    have a great week
    janet #5

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  26. Lisa-Jane15 May 2014 at 11:13

    LOVE The Book People for their bargains! I'm looking forward to seeing your skirt finished, #65

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  27. Denise15 May 2014 at 23:22

    The book looks fascinating but I can only just manage a square at the moment,but am working on it!

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  28. fairyrocks16 May 2014 at 15:15

    I always stitched in the kitchen too. Way to keep at it. Keep smiling and creating.

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  29. shazsilverwolf16 May 2014 at 20:48

    Hi Fiona, yes we are coming to the crop again. I admit I don't think I would ever be able to tackle making a coat- I'm just not precise enough with sewing for that. Hope your delivery arrived on time, lol. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #29 xx

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  30. Bleubeard and Elizabeth18 May 2014 at 09:08

    I give you a HUGE gold star for even STARTING this project. I would have failed when I tried to cut the pattern out. I have jumped into a few projects where I picked the most difficult item in the book to make. So I can relate, but not emulate!

    Thanks so much for visiting me on Wednesday and happy very belated WOYWW from #1.

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  31. Bleubeard and Elizabeth18 May 2014 at 09:09

    I give you a HUGE gold star for even STARTING this project. I would have failed when I tried to cut the pattern out. I have jumped into a few projects where I picked the most difficult item in the book to make. So I can relate, but not emulate!

    Thanks so much for visiting me on Wednesday and happy very belated WOYWW from #1.

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  32. Anonymous18 May 2014 at 13:49

    I'm so envious of you being able to do this, sewing machines and I just don't seem made for each other. I look forward to seeing the completed projects.

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  33. glitterandglue18 May 2014 at 20:00

    Well done, Fiona. There is a verse in the Bible which says "Never despise the day of small beginnings" - so, go for it.... enjoy your skirt - who knows how long it will take to get to the coat - but that isn't the point, is it. You are going for it. Great stuff!!
    Thanks for visiting - I'm looking forward to seeing the dress finished as well!!!
    Take care.
    Sorry it's Sunday before I got around to visiting - life, you know?!
    Margaret #46

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  34. alexa18 May 2014 at 21:18

    A very pretty fabric - I'm guessing a collar? And the prospect of a coat sounds hugely ambitious but I have no doubt it will be perfect!

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