A weekend at Sewjourn. I cried on the drive home, but by halfway home (it's a five hour journey) I was ok. Hung out with awesome women. Women who can make clothes without a pattern, Kate and Mim were inspiring. Janet who can knit socks, so can Suse, but she was making a divine, tailored deep purple jacket for work. Jenny and Cath are blogless, but I wish I'd photographed the sock monkeys (and dog) that Cath made, and the really creative vests that Jenny made from old woolly jumpers (brilliant applique).
What did I make? Two bags complete, one almost complete, seven partially done. A wool jersey vest, a wool jersey long-sleeved top, a LS t-shirt and may have finished a lined pinafore dress if I hadn't stuffed up the invisible zip so many times. Today I wore the fringed woollen skirt I made to work.
Photo courtesy of Ally. My own pattern, just a basic tube with elastic waist (dubious advantage of having not much difference between waist and hip). Made from oppy wool fabric and lined with silk, also from the oppy.
More sewing, but not from the weekend.
Clare and Al's sewing. They're becoming really skilled. Clare is holding a bat made from Make Your Own Misfits by Fumie Kamijo and Rosie Short, the Ninja is her own design. Ally holds a felt "mascot" dog from a Japanese book. All in Japanese but she was able to follow the illustrations. Ally's blanket stitch is really good. Hmm, maybe I will employ her to sew my felt toys. The "fierce rabbit" is her own design. The one she's holding is my mother's day present but she's made others. I find these girls really creative, the older three are too (Giles and Leah are in denial but they're awesome at drawing and photography respectively).
Closeup.
I'm not surprised they are creative, I am in awe of your sewing and design abilities AND you take fantastic photos. The fringe skirt is so cool.
I thought of you all over the weekend and wished I could have come.
Posted by: Stompergirl | June 06, 2011 at 09:23 PM
The creative gene is obviously a genetic link type of thing lol. The girls have done fantastically on their creations! I love your skirt too!
I'm a "wannabe" creative person, I can do it when I try but I just lack the confidence to make a start most of the time. Reading your blog inspires me to get in there and give it a go.
Posted by: Colleen | June 07, 2011 at 09:13 AM
I'm so in awe of your beautifully finished clothes and felt creatures.
Beautiful AND finished. Thrilling combination.
Posted by: kate | June 07, 2011 at 09:58 AM
Yay for the skirt - tartan and orange so cool!
Clever girls. One of mine is making pokemon characters out of felt.
Posted by: victoria | June 07, 2011 at 12:44 PM
I didn't realise the skirt is fringed until I saw the photo. Was it always fringed or did you do that at home later? Awesome.
The whole weekend was wonderful, as per usual. Thanks for the inspiration re those drapey necked tops too. Must dig out my Ottobre.
Posted by: suse | June 07, 2011 at 03:40 PM
Impressive. As are the bookshelves behind you. Yearning for them!
Posted by: librarygirl | June 07, 2011 at 05:10 PM
Awesome skirt and long sleeved top in the post read just before. I love my sewjourn weekends too and always have a bit of a come down afterwards - but then I start looking forward to the next one and feel like making things.
Clare and Al's toys are great - I am so inspired by that picture and am resolving right now to make sure I make more time for Grace's crafty requests.
Posted by: Janet | June 08, 2011 at 08:43 PM