Gratitude
For all of the awesome that has ever come my way.
I’m going with stick the sewing-related awesomeness today.
Thank you dashingmarmot for this awesome dupion silk (and the patterns you sent, one of which I sewed up here).
I took these pics a few weeks ago but haven’t had time to post them because life intervened. I’ve worn this Kiel (any Dutch speakers here?) since to Mozart’s Requiem (it’s a mashup of every exciting blockbuster you can remember the music from, plus zombies) at the Arts Centre.
Thank you calicostretch for the surprise parcel of patterns and fabric (I machine-washed both the silks and the jersey - still awesome) I’m loving the welt pocket instructions in the Vogue 1679, I’ll be using those shortly on a coat. 
There was also a Kandinsky card but that’s on the refrigerator now.
Thank you KC for hosting an awe-tastic birthday-choose your prize giveaway and randomly picking me as the winner for this beauty.
Tron suit here I come.
Pattern: Knipmode September 2007, #7 Kiel
Fabric: Burgundy silk dupion from dashing marmot + Ochre/ gold raw silk (Jim Thompson). Faced with burgundy habutai silk. All fabrics machine washed and line dried prior to sewing.
Modifications: I shortened the pattern at waist level and omitted the front tab.
Whoa! I love the top you made. It looks great on you. The Vogue pattern is really cute. I think it would look great on you. Have a great weekend!
Waouhhhhh, it’s “Sublime”, and goes to you magnificently.
I adore the association of both colors,
The model also pleases me, beautiful work;)
Very pretty top! And looks like you’ve been extra lucky in the giveaway department!
That is so beautiful! You have a real knack for finding fascinating patterns that work so well on you- totally perfect.
Lovely top with the duppion!
Gorgeous top and it looks wonderful on you. Do you have any idea where I could purchase the pattern? I tried a google search but your site is the only one that was actually about that pattern.
The sleeves are what I’m lusting after.
It’s a pattern from a pattern magazine called Knipmode. I’ve mentioned Knipmode and how to get it earlier here. The sleeve is just a regular sleeve which has been cut horizontally at mid-upper arm and slashed and spread. The Excess ease from the spreading has been pleated/ folded back in only at the top to create a funnel shape. You can do it yourself with any pre-existing sleeve pattern. Let me know if you need more info. The body is a folk-style tunic similar to Wiksten’s Tova pattern – pdf version here (but was published years earlier).
Thank you, you explained the sleeve quite well! I can pull that off.
Would you mind if I pinned a picture of you in this top to my sewing board on pinterest?
Don’t mind at all Rhea, thanks for asking.
I love the top, very sophisticated.
And I can’t wait till you make the leather dress. That’s just the best looking dress ever!
Ya, that book isn’t a pattern-making book though. It’s more of a tips and tricks manual (i.e. no drafting or patterns included) just reference pictures and how tos for actual leather working (for garment making).
I would wear the hell out of this top! It’s a great colour and the fabric is so luscious.
Wow! How awesome! You really transformed that fabric. I love the top and love the colors you used. Sorry about being off the radar lately- still dealing with the family health issues so haven’t had a chance to post or comment too much. Still enjoy seeing all the lovely work you have been doing!
Thank you, it’s all thanks to you and your awesome parcel! And please don’t worry about it hopefully things are getting a bit easier on all fronts now..
Lovely lovely top – and in colours that work so beautifully too, of course. Glad the fabrics all machine washed successfully and would love to lookee how you go with the welt pockets for your coat …
Thanks. Only just got the coat traced but will definitely update it here when it’s done XD
Great use of colour, really pretty.
This top looks really striking on you – great design and great colour!
I love that you machine wash & dry everything! I have some dupioni that I might just have to wash and dry to see what happens! The coat is awesome. Inspiring and impressive, as always! Such great work!
Thanks Mimi, I fold the raw edges of the fabric in and put it in a net bag first. Then I do a normal wash (cold) on slow rotation (400-600 rpm depending on the fabric, this prevents fibre compression in natural fabrics) then shake out and line dry it. The weight of the water in the fabric helps straighten it out on the line. If the fabric is easily wrinkled and thick, you might want to do a gentle low iron before it dries completely to eliminate the deeper wrinkles.
Totally off topic – I have been emailling with James, the designer of ‘Sue’. I teach design (landscape) and am using his website in a current studio with students. Your spirited explanation of what he was trying to achieve was very helpful – and more than that – sensitive to the risk anyone takes in sharing an idea. People questioning his approach were insightful – people patronising him were unhelpful – and people using the word ‘whatever’ … no more needs to be said. In my view, you contributed a ‘good voice’ in support of his experimentation. Thank you.
Wow, what an incredible prize win!! That fabric is LUSCIOUS!! Love it on you – it’s a perfect colour, and you’ve chosen a perfect style to make with it. Stunning! Beautiful work!
Lovely, extremely lovely! Silk dupion, it takes me to exotic places. This is spot on perfect. I love the neckline too with your pearl, they work so nicely together.
I’m curious about the leather sewing book, I’m sure it’s insightful for sewing on heavy leathery textiles, good reference!
Thanks! Wrt the leather book I’ll probably review it at some point; I’ve got a massive backlog of cool books to review at the moment XP
Yé, your are very beautiful one this pretty blouse!!! Good Gaming!!!