So...What've I Been Up To?

After a bit of a blog silence.

I made a jacket for Leah, at her request. The Jacket. First time I've ever made a lined jacket with a bit of tailoring thrown in. It turned out ...reasonable.

 
I thought it fitted really well but, looking at this photo, I don't think so. I've fixed that twisted sleeve, by the way. Fortunately it only required unpicking of the sleeve and lining at the wrist, repositioning the lining and re-sewing. Twistyness solved.

 
Pockets you can actually use. Also a nice feature of the jacket.

 
I do like this pleaty feature at the back. Fit is good across the shoulders.

 
The buttons Leah wanted were quite large and I didn't think large buttonholes would be a good feature so I put big snaps as closures with the buttons sewn on as decoration (the snaps are black in reality).

Stats: Pattern from Ottobre Design 5/2009 "Flower Vine" jacket. Changes I made: I made the jacket smaller in the waist by increasing the waist darts (and reducing the front peplum thingy accordingly). I used the snaps + buttons described above. Fabric is a lovely lightweight wool from the oppy. I've cut out a jacket shell for myself from the rest (must've been over 4 metres of fabric). The charcoal/black of the fabric is much more subtle than in the photos. Buttons from Spotlight, annoyed that I didn't have enough of the same button in my collection. Lining is that Bemsilk stuff from Spotty.

I'd like to make this jacket for myself but it doesn't go big enough. I know I could probably make the pattern bigger, but I can't be fagged. I'm using a McCalls pattern for my own jacket. In hindsight, with Leah's jacket I should have done a full bust adjustment for a smaller size. Tiny girl with full bust. I have to do this for myself. It's not hard but, you know, sometimes I just want to sew a pattern without all the alterations. Don't think it's going to happen any time soon.

So, what else? The fruit trees arrived by courier last week. Wednesday. I was able to plant them on Thursday. Very easy digging since new trees were being planted where stumps of old were removed. Some sited over animal graves and the only one I didn't dig - Hootie-rabbit's - was the one where I exhumed a bit of rabbit. Disgusting, I nearly threw up. I then chose the apple tree with the least roots for that hole...Then went to a local rural supplies place for star pickets and wire for the espaliers.

Working on a sculpture after a ghastly inspiration drought.

Spent a long weekend in Melbourne helping Linsey move and having a break from Bairnsdale. The move was executed in one go with the Tarago, Linsey's Camry and Lachie's Mum's car. From West Brunswick to Armadale. Much cheaper rent (truly), a lovely sort-of duplex place (1920's?) and closer to her Swinburne TAFE campus in Prahran. I much prefer Brunswick, I have to say. Armadale & Toorak are a bit fancy for me. Too many antique shops and bridal shops. Not interesting enough.

I got some fabric for hot weather clothes from Rathdowne Remnants & Fabrics. Clare and Ally bought some stretch knit stuff for "costumes". I bought a couple of books at Brunswick Bound and a number of CDs at Title.

And now, I'm back in Bairnsdale. Work today, work tomorrow etc etc. Weekend becomes a pleasant memory.

Comments

[Colleen]

That jacket looks great, you should be proud of yourself! I wish I could so even a little as well as you do,,,,,I am pattern challenged I'm sure of it lol.
Great to see you back in blogland, good to hear all is well.

[Stompergirl]

Well done on the jacket. All that time spent round Rathdowne Remnants, you were right in my neck of the woods! Could have had coffee!

[librarygirl]

Hello! lovely sewing Sue.
I lived in Brunswick for years, in South Yarra too and husband lived in Armadale. Loved and hated bits of all of them.
I do love High St Armadale on my twice a year specialist visits.
Next time you go wander down King's Arcade and check out Market Imports for all the Mexican decorations - lovely. Wheel and Barrow - kitchen lovelies. But yes too many bridey places.

[Colleen]

Just out of curiousity, we are looking at moving interstate possibly in a couple of years. We were looking around the Bairnsdale area, what is it like to live there? We are from Adelaide and will be heading over to Vic after Christmas to explore further but just wanted an "expert" opinion.