Sew far, sew good

After years of coveting Japanese sewing books, I couldn't resist buying the English version of the Stylish Dress Book. I hesitated a bit as my sewing skills are basic but came round with a little encouragement from Tracy and the serendipitous bumping into of a friend who's a whizz with the machine while I had the book in my hands in the local book shop.

Sewing friend cast a keen eye on the instructions and thought them well doable. She couldn't quite understand why I just didn't go and buy a pattern, rather than choose to trace one from the book as she could clearly see past the lovely Japanese styling. I could not. Think she noticed the tears welling in my eyes like a disappointed toddler so suggested a sewing day at her house.

Couldn't get to the counter and part with the $30 purchase price quickly enough.

Off I went to Tessuti's in Surry Hills to pick up some fabric. I resisted all the lovely rolls of Liberty they had as I wanted to have a crack at the pattern at home first on some less expensive fabric. Chose a Japanese cotton for my test dress.

I'm going to take things slowly and just trace the pattern today. So out of the cupboard came a roll of old English tracing cloth I bought from Reverse Garbage a couple of years ago, and have never had the opportunity to use. I have no idea what its original use would have been but it's lovely stuff.

Dress A is the project from the book. So, come spring, if you see someone wandering around Sydney wearing an olive green with white gold-rimmed flowers not terribly well-made sack, that'll be me.

To see what others are doing in their creative space today, go here.

If you're reading this...
Ally, your mother knows what's what. I have it on good authority (thanks Fleur) that my big bucket is indeed a jam-making pot.