Greetings, one and all. You may remember reading about our recent vacation in Wales and England in my last post, and maybe you also remember the fabrics I brought home.
Two lovely bits came from Butterfly Fabric in Cardiff and the third from Brecon, where I was visiting family. One afternoon hubby and I walked into town and stopped in for a coffee, wandered around the touristy-shops, antique shops, real estate agents (well, yes of course, I always want to move there!) and ended up in an open market. Surrounded by the expected sights, sounds and smells (fish…..) of the market, we were surprised to stumble upon a woman set up at a long table piled with luscious cuts of fabrics! There were many beauties to choose from, but this Japanese cotton really captured my attention. Brightly colored, and highlighted with gold, this print was destined to become a kimono.
Now there was only one teeny little problem with that plan. Kimonos require rather a lot of wide fabric. This was just 2 meters of 44″ width cotton (and it would surely shrink) and there was a 12-inch pattern repeat. Yikes. I might have been able to squeeze the pieces on, but not with any hope of matching. The sleeves and/or body would be shorter than desired. I considered adding a contrast border at the cuffs and hem, but the border would need to be fairly wide, disrupting the print too much. Also, I had been “wearing” the fabric around the house now and then to get a feel for it, and decided it really wasn’t the correct pattern/fabric match after all.
What I needed now was not an actual kimono pattern, but one for a top with kimono sleeves!
My internet search turned up several options, and the Wendy Ward Fulwood Dress/Top pattern was perfect, as it had no back seam. I made no pattern adjustments, other than to add 1 inch to the length. (Well, in the interest of full disclosure, after trying on the basted version I thought perhaps side slits would be – ahem – a nice modification.) I sewed it up using the black thread already in the machine, but then happened upon a golden beige spool while looking for my misplaced hem gauge. Serendipity! It was too late to re-sew the seams, and although it wasn’t topstitching thread specifically, it would be just perfect to topstitch the facings, cuffs and hem. And I’m so pleased with how it turned out.
This is a casual top, but with the elegant print and gold details, it will be easy to dress up. Oh yes! A pair of gold lame cigarette trousers! Or maybe not – maybe just accessorize with a goldendoodle pup.
Being one’s own photographer is not terribly effective.
Now I would like to step away from my normal chatter for just a bit, if you don’t mind. It’s been my habit to apologize with every make, for the time and trouble it took for me to do something so simple. This lovely top, though, was quickly and easily put together. So when it was completed except for the hem, I simply hung it up and admired it for two days. Why? There was no logical explanation not to finish it in one short session. As I pondered my actions, it occurred to me that I was really enjoying the process, and this last bit, hemming, is just another piece of it. Each decision, each step, each moment of angst or accomplishment along the way deserved to be savored. Is this part of what the slow sewing movement is about? Beyond the environmental and social aspects, perhaps it also is necessary for one’s own peace of mind. Just let each project be, to come to fruition in its own time, to sit back and enjoy the process with no apologies. Or maybe I’m just finally growing up.
And finally, Lynn, this is for you!
Griff at 8 weeks.
Griff at 12 weeks. I think we may be in for big trouble with this little one…..
Happy sewing, and whatever method works for you, stitch on everyone!
Eek! He’s adorable, I love him. Look at that gorgeous little face 😍
Sorry, did you say something about a top too?
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Haha! I did say something about a top. The most beautiful top in all creation. So pretty and sparkly and….oh who cares. When there’s a puppy in the mix, nothing else matters! At all. I’m quite over the moon with him (the cats are not nearly so enamored). Will probably be peppering the blog with his growing up photos. 😉
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That is beautiful fabric, and what a love surprise in the open market! I like the top and think I must find the pattern, too. I haven’t sewn clothes in forever, but that top would be so wonderfully versatile, and so would the dress version. The dog? Quite a cutie, but I’m thinking those big old paws tell a future story. I love the natural poodle look (and is the other half golden retriever? A lovely combo, if so!), and am so happy to see him completely furry!
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Thanks Susan! It’s a great pattern, with loads of variations. I think it will be very easy to dress up or down most any of them. His other half is indeed a golden retriever, and he does like to fetch and carry sticks around. His 12-wk photo was a few days after his first visit to the groomer. He will definitely be a curly fellow with no silly shaving. He’s a true love bug.
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That fabric is beautiful and I love the choice of pattern to use it in. And that Griff is really a cutie. I’ll bet he keeps you very busy.
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Thank you Robyn! I struggled with the pattern selection, suddenly this one just felt right. Mr. Griffith (because he has been naughty this morning) keeps me busy indeed! But he’s so cute and so good and so much darned much fun!
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Lovely top! It deserves to be admired. I love that print. Griff is adorable, of course he is going to be a handful someday – a cute handful!
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Thank you Linda! I thought the print was so pretty, but worried I’d never find the pattern for it. So happy now! Oh Griff…..he is already a handful, but only a small part of the time. Usually he is total perfection. Seriously. Mind, he’s only 3 months old, so I know the “terrible twos” are upon us. 😉
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Griff looks to be eating and growing very well! That top is such a great application of the right pattern and the right fabric. They work perfectly together!
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He certainly is a good little eater and seems to be bigger each day. Thank you, I’m so glad you agree with the fabric/pattern. It was a trial as I figured it all out. Then…so simple!
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Yay for slow sewing and cute pets who may be just a little bit mischievous! So glad you enjoyed making this lovely blouse; wear it often and well!
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Mischievous? Not my boy! Muahaha. He knows he gets a “good boy biscuit” if he drops his leash (after munching and tugging on it). Sometimes the little turkey will pick it up and put it down without my even asking, then look up me as if he is due his reward.
I’ve worn the blouse already, and I do love it, thank you!
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That is a lovely top and Griff is adorable. More Griff please.
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Thank you! Sometimes the simple things are just so good, aren’t they? And yes, ma’am, there will surely be more of Griff. 😀
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Your top turned out great! It’s funny isn’t it? The sewing process. I know I’ve hung garments in my closet that once off the machine, I was like “Meh…I put in too much time to toss it out.” And then I don’t wear it for ages. Weeks or months later I grab it, love it, and marvel that MY label is in the neckline! Sometimes we just have to get past ourselves. 🙂
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You know, that’s so true. Getting over ourselves is sometimes the biggest hurdle. But I’m wearing and enjoying my pretty little blouse! And I love the idea of labels. One day…. 😉
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Lovely fabric and pattern – yeah for slow sewing & enjoyment!
(Blame this a childhood sans woofers… 😸 Cat Power!😸)
😉
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Slow sewing rules! It really has been a game changer I think, this little top. My cats will love your Cat Power statement….they’ll be wanting t-shirts now. 😉
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Only in winter I’ll bet! Great talking with you – I owe you some pattern suggestions… remind me if necessary. Hope your snow bird friends are safely on their way. FL/GA is nasty today.
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Just sent an email re patterns. Snow birds are leaving Monday, so hopefully things will have settled down by then!
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Answered your email Thurs. night. Do hope the areas where snow birds are travailing will have settled down by Monday. Varying problems should have at least surfaced by then, so they can detour round. Enjoy your 50’s today (sunny & low 70’s here). If you go to Joann’s, see if they have any corduroy, if you like that fabric. It’s very “in” this season and might make a nice something-er-other. If you can find anything decent!
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Super top Jennifer. And your little dog is just the sweetest.
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Thank you Kate! I’m really enjoying it (now covered up by jackets of course, in our now chilly autumn weather). And as for Griff, we do think he’s pretty wonderful.
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