This week: Racing to the finish
For those in the US, did you have a good midweek holiday?
I chose to celebrate by running another half-marathon, my second this year (or ever). This time I was not at death’s door, the weather was perfect in the early morning out on Sauvie Island, and the course was blissfully flat and pretty.
I feel I’m racing to the finish in more ways than one this week. The two new patterns are being wrapped up for testing — I’m printing out copies for my test sewists as I write this.
Just like distance running, the home stretch is always a challenge. There are so many little things to check and recheck, you feel like you’re never going to get there. Just a little bit further…
Here are some links for you this week:
- Sarah offers some tips on handling and sewing with one of the original synthetic textiles: rayon.
- An article from a back issue of Vogue Patterns magazine by Claire Schaeffer shows some lovely ways to fashion self-fabric trims.
- Forget rick-rack as trim on clothing! Try making some vintage-kitschy rick-rack jewelry!
- Thinking of making the Nutmeg bralette sometime? Check out this beautiful 30s lace bra for inspiration!
- This DIY drying rack is not only a great place to dry laundry or vintage garments, but fabric too!
- Learn the difference between grosgrain and Petersham ribbon.
- This DIY belt made from leather and ribbon would be a lovely addition to many summer dresses.
- A round up of ideas for using up those random scraps you have leftover from projects!
- Great tips on sewing jeans and touches that help them mimic store bought styles.
- A few fun pattern schematics for quick summer garments to whip up from 1948.
- How to neaten the inside edges of a facing so the interior construction is just as neat as the outer!
Have a great weekend, folks!
{image above by Amy Selleck, links research by Casey}
Comments
Maddie Flanigan
July 6, 2012 #
Oh I’m so glad to see that Sallie’s guest post on my site made the list! She was wonderful to work with!
Congrats on your half marathon. What an accomplishment!
Sam
July 6, 2012 #
Well done on your half marathon, sounds like the conditions were pretty much perfect for you.
Love that rick rack jewelry. I know what I’m going to be buying and playing with!
Sallie
July 6, 2012 #
Congrats on your half marathon!! Thats a huge accomplishment – well done!
Thanks for including my guest post with Maddie in yet another lovely lovely roundup of links!
Emily
July 6, 2012 #
Congrats on finishing another half marathon!
SabineC
July 6, 2012 #
Thank you for the link to “how to neaten the edges of your facing”! I was – well, er… facing that exact problem yesterday, but never thought of “facing the facing with interfacing”. That’s both very clever and useful!
I actually serged the edges of the facing, but as it’s a peculiar shape, I wasn’t able to round the corners in a satisfying way, and I have my suspicions re: the serger thread irritating my daughter’s skin.
I will now unpick the facing, cut away the serged edges and do it per this link’s suggestion. This one is a keeper for sure!
Sarai
July 6, 2012 #
No, thank YOU Maddie and Sallie. :)
Thanks for the congrats, everyone. I’m signed up to do a full marathon in October, and that still seems impossible to me right now. Ack.
DWH
July 6, 2012 #
Congrats on the half marathon! I am continually impressed by people who can run that much. :)
I’m definitely also getting the ‘race to the finish’ vibe this week- I’ve got six days to finish up my new costume for San Diego Comic Con, and I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me yet- not an insurmountable amount, but I’ve got my work cut out for me. All I can say is, IT’S ON.
francesca
July 9, 2012 #
Congratulations – wow – I admire people who do marathons!
And hey – did you say new patterns????? woohoo!!!
lee lee
July 9, 2012 #
Congratulations on the marathon! I can’t run because of my knees,but I do Zumba!Next week I am taking a class to learn to be an instructor. I want to learn all I can about the low impact way of doing Zumba.Exercise is life changing.
Thankyou for the links! I like the one on making belts.
Ah, new patterns??????? Can’t wait.
The 4th here was hot-104… perfect for ice cold watermelon and cold drinks with friends.
Lindsay
July 22, 2012 #
So happy to hear about the pattern testing — when do you expect them to be released?
Sarai
July 23, 2012 #
September. :)