Did you hear about the little baby mouse who left his mousy hole for the first time? He saw a bat flying around in the big, wide world. He raced home, shouting, "Mummy, mummy, I've just seen an angel!"
It all depends on your point of view I guess.
I disappeared again, didn't I? Well, there's a good reason this time - I've had a terrible stomach flu. So bad, in fact, that I had to cancel my earring workshop at the Make Lounge last week. Big apologies to all of my students and I promise to make it up to you at the rescheduled class.
Because the class has been rescheduled, there are some places left. It will now run on the 29th of November, 6:30-9:30, so please come along if you're in town!
When I haven't been sick, I've been sewing. Rather a lot actually. I found a great trouser pattern that I love the look and feel of and now I have trousers for the first time in years.
And shirts!
I don't have to live in t-shirts anymore. I discovered that if you are larger than a D-cup you're better off using a smaller size shirt pattern and making a bust dart. This is a revelation! Shirts that fit! and I love playing with different materials in collars and sleeves.
Above is a shirt made out of two different African indigo Shibori fabrics from the African Fabric shop. I've used a Japanese bunny print in the collar. I love this shirt because I can wear it over t-shirts or on its own. I've cut the sleeves 3" shorter than the pattern to fit my surprisingly short limbs (??) and so finally I have a shirt that isn't getting in the way of my hands all the time. I'm going to make all my shirts 3/4 or bracelet length. I hate pushing up the sleeves all the time!
Here's the shirt again in a Paul Smith shirting fabric and a Japanese print for the collar. There is a great fabric shop in South London that sells mill ends of Paul Smith fabrics for just £3 a metre! I may well have purchased a few more of these amazing fabrics, but I'm not telling!
I'm particularly pleased with this shirt because it matched some Leo Stein vintage plastic buttons my daughter gave me for Christmas a few years ago.
The perfect opportunity to use them!
The pattern is the Now shirt from Sewing Workshop. I have also made the Zen shirt from the same pattern.
This was made from one of the old kimonos. Notice the "hidden" collar detail.
This is a little dressy and I haven't found the perfect opportunity to wear it yet. We'll see.
More sewing and beading next time!
Today's Inspiration: The new Fault Lines pattern by Diane Ericson. I'm waiting by the door for my copy to arrive!
Likes: Washed silk
Isn't sewing your own clothes the best! That old kimono fabric is fantastic.
Posted by: michelle | November 07, 2007 at 04:44 PM
I just discovered your blog. Your shirts are fantastic, I quite like the indigo one on the top. Signed up for a newletter at make lounge just for the inspiration. What a creative space.
Posted by: lucette | November 08, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Thank you for the reminder about the African Fabric shop. I haven't bought anything there for ages but I love those indigos. I think it might be a solution for adding "water" to an area of my flat (I've been Feng Shui-ed).
Posted by: Tricia Garrett | November 08, 2007 at 05:32 PM
Also, I should say I'm in awe of you making your own clothes. Even the simplest summer item has always turned out unwearable in my hands.
Posted by: Tricia Garrett | November 09, 2007 at 05:42 PM
Holy moly, are you TALENTED! Those shirts are amazingly beautiful, Juju!
Get well soon!
Posted by: shelley noble | November 10, 2007 at 05:09 AM
Well I am so glad you are back. I worried. Love the red collared Now shirt. Makes me wanna sew clothes too.
Posted by: Melody Johnson | November 11, 2007 at 03:24 PM
beautiful fabric mixes and lovely sewing. so glad you are on the mend. stay well juju. missed you here!
ps. keep those jokes a comin!
Posted by: susan | November 13, 2007 at 06:46 PM
Oh boy - a shirt that fits greater than a D cup. And I have short arms too! thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: mim stella | November 15, 2007 at 07:51 PM
Beautiful shirts. I love your mix of fabric. I long to be brave in my mixing. Others can do it and I think it looks cool. I do it, and I think: "That doesn't match!" I've missed you. Good to read you again!
Posted by: angeljoy | November 20, 2007 at 12:30 AM
Hi. Love your shirts, I sew too, and I can see your awesome talent in these wares and workmanship....I also checked out this website...will be getting some of those patterns for sure...thanks...c
Posted by: Cynthia | November 22, 2007 at 02:10 AM