This next creation is taken out of BWoF 2009-01. It’s a simple top, I think, however the sleeves makes it interesting. It wasn’t very hard to do, which was good, since I’m using these simple tops to get comfortable working with jersey and knits.

I used simple white cotton jersey, interfacing and threads. That’s it. It was quick to cut and sew, once the pattern was cut it took me 2 hours.

OK, I’m starting with the creation I did today, a star t-shirt. I combined to patterns from Burda WoF 01/09 namely this top and this top; the bodice from the first and the sleeves from the second. I have made both of those tops, so today’s adventure was a quickie.

The fabric is a navy (very dark navy) jersey with white stars (further details here). It was a simple top to put together, just side seams, shoulder seams, interfacing and then the sleeves. Although I did mess up with the interfacing, putting it in the wrong direction so it got stuck to the iron in stead of the fabric. And there was an incident when I threaded the machine wrong, but nothing serious. And still I finished the t-shirt in one day and I didn’t even work very hard.

Enough talk, here’s the pictures!

Yup, I’ve been playing those TV shows all day (PR=Project Runway, ANTM=America’s Next Top Model)

That means that I’ve sewed one T-shirt (although I know on PR it would have been followed by a skirt and a jacket as well, in the time frame of one day) and then I’ve finally photographed some of my long overdue creations. Three, to be precise. At least one of them will make it onto the blog tonight.

Just the finishing touches on the pictures (such as uploading them to Photobucket and then edit, and then blog). But one new creation will come later.

aka. “what happens when you’re not paying attention”.

My top is finally done! Again. After assembling one sleeve upside down I’ve now taken it out and put it back, the right way this time. I hate ripping seams and I hate it even more in fine jerseys, when the seam is overlocked. Ah, an evening spent with my seam ripper.

I plan on wearing the top tomorrow so I will photograph it on then, in the mean time enjoy this sneak peak. Or see the stupidity that was me!

What happens when you're not paying attention

…and I’m stupid.

You won’t get a picture of my new mock wrap top today. I put it on this morning to wear it today and noticed that it was bulky in the let armpit. Turns out I’ve put in the sleeve upside down. SIGH!

I hate using the seam ripper. It’s bad enough that I’ve made mistakes that mean I must use it, now the mistake is in an overlocked seam in jersey, which is even harder. I’m so tired with myself for making these mistakes.

All I can do is go back, and do over. The sleeve in the right position this time.

My mock wrap top is finally finished. However, I’m too tired to play model today, so the pictures will have to wait until tomorrow. It’s not just setting up the picture, I also must change out of my sweats and that’s a sacrifice too hard to make at the moment.

I can give you a brain teaser to keep you busy. I did this today and I wonder if I’m alone. I noticed that one of the threads (when I was sewing with the twin needle) was nearing the end, so I began to sew slower. As if the thread would last longer… Why did I do that? Am I the only one?

I will try to post pictures tomorrow…

My top is really making a slow progress. Yesterday I decided to take some time to sew, so I finished the neckline (no casulties regarding needles). Then I was going to baste the part where the gathers go. True to form (my form, that is) I used the baste function on the sewing machine. The thread went crazy and a bit into the sewing the fabric just clogged the machine.

I realised that I had the wrong thread tension so obviously I corrected that (the problem of having an automatic sewing machine that adjust certain things on its own, but not everything). Then it got even worse! The bobbin thread was totally mucked up (so I didn’t see it and glady started pulling the threads – they snapped immediately). OK, that the machine doesn’t do it right when I don’t do what it tells me to. But when I do exactly as I tell it, then it should follow my lead. Maybe there was something else I overlooked.

Anyway, after ripping seams more than putting them together, my motivation failed me. It didn’t feel constructive anymore and I didn’t feel like going on a trouble-shooting hunt. At least I finished the neckline on my novelty vest, hopefully I can figure out my machine and get further today. Fingers crossed! (Don’t know what they’re crossed for, that I shall begin thinking?)

but all I got was this vest?

On Thursday I finally found the inspiration to get sewing. Once I find insipration to do something I want to get going, do as much as possible, until I fall over exhausted, usually with a tender neck as well. This is how far I got.

If I wear it as a novelty vest, I'm done!

I did the shoulder seams, as the instructions said, and then it was time for the finishing of the neckline. I’ve tried using a twin needle before but I couldn’t get it working. This time I figured out the threading of the machine, pressure and everything and happily got sewing. Until my twin needle broke. I didn’t even get very far. I only had one twin needle so I just couldn’t replace it at home and I wasn’t going to the next town with the great habadasher’s.

My poor crippled twin needle

I don’t like working on several projects at once, I want to finish what I’ve started, mainly due to the fact that I don’t like rethreading the machine and keeping track of bobbins, also I would have to prioritse – I make that decision when choosing a project. So today I bought two new twin needles. Should one break I have a spare (should that one break…). I also bought a stash of needles, I should get through fall now.

I like ABBA music; it’s fun, easy-going music. However, I apparantly don’t like it to the extent that I’ve seen Mamma Mia! until now. It was my Sunday evening entertainment. And perfect Sunday evening entertainment it was!

Yes, it is a light movie. Yes, it is rather corny. However, with this in mind, it is, like a said, perfect entertainment. ABBA’s music is so catchy, I find myself humming various ABBA songs all day, so of course the movie follows in that theme. Sophie’s wedding is approaching and on a whim she invites her three potential fathers. We follow the story for two days, the day before the wedding and the wedding day. Feelings to sort out, fun time to have, we are kept busy.

The plot is thin, since it’s based on songs, not the other way around as is usual for musicals. But I think that the music was nicely incorporated into the plot and the dance numbers and arrangement of the songs were great so I enjoyed this movie. And, like I said, I like ABBA music so I was enthusiastic going in.

One thing I didn’t care for was the timeline. Meryl Streep was in her late fifties when this movie was made. Her daughter was 20. To me it felt like Donna was in her early twenties when she got pregnant, making her early forties by now. Also the hippie flashbacks felt like Sophie was born in the sixties whereas present day is today, the talk of the Internet and such. It just felt a bit inconsistent.

However, that flaw aside, it was great entertainment, catchy music and just an easy-going, feel good movie. I definitely felt great!

Oh, and I loved the setting. There are two reasons I love Greece; the food and the scenery.

Thought I’d do something different today, although this post has been on my mind for a while – today seemed like a good day. My day in pictures:

The one good thing about waking up before six

Getting up early isn’t always great, but at least I can enjoy beautiful sunrises (until it’s just dark in the morning).

Nice to look at but darn jealousy of the people there

The view from my office. There’s a park right across the road and it’s nice to just sit and watch it. And be jealous of the people in the park while I’m stuck in my office.

Just the pain, no good deed for me

There was a blood drive at work today and since I’m a blood donor I thought I’d go. But my veins were in hiding today, they thought they’d found one, but not. After it began to hurt when they were looking, we called off the search. They didn’t even bother trying with my right arm. Good thing I chose charity (Children’s Cancer Foundation) as my reward today, it would have felt stupid to recieve a gift certificate or a t-shirt for just a thought. In these cases it’s not just the thought that matters.

Totally girly; stockings and makeup.

Some after work shopping. Three pairs of stockings, eyeshadow and two lip glosses. I was also browsing through clothes since I need clothes, but I didn’t find anything. Good thing because I realised that I need to do a warderobe inventory and identify my needs first.

Once I get going, I want to do everything at once

I can’t do just one thing. On my computer I’m downloading OpenOffice, talking to my Mum on MSN and checking blogs. With my other hand hand I’m setting up the sewing machine to get started on my fall collection, the wrap top. Sewing went well until my one and only twin needle broke.

My therapy; this book holds my most inner thoughts

I love writing. I have this blog, two penpals and my journal which I update daily. Sometimes more, sometimes less. But I need to write.

Well, this day 090909 in pictures. Maybe I’ll do this again sometime, but I want to do it when there’s something ’special’, not just an ordinary day in the office. I hope that anyone who might read this enjoyed it.