Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Next: BWOF 04•07•133

You can't stop me now! I've made design changes to a few pieces and now I want to change everything!!! Well, not really – but I do feel more confident about changing patterns. In the grand scheme of things, how big a deal is it if I mess up a piece of fabric? Someone, I can't remember who, said "It's only fabric" and I'm embracing that philosophy to a degree. This particular project is presented as a "long blouse" in BWOF, but I prefer it as a dress. All I have to do is lengthen the bottom and shorten and maybe square off the vents. I don't want to show-off too much thigh.

Even if the fabric is expensive , as in this project, and I don't have a wearable dress at the end of the process – c'est la vie! I bought the fabric at Metro on my last shopping trip to NYC. It's Italian wool. Kashi, Jr. said that and I could tell I was supposed to be impressed. Admittedly, my knowledge of fabric is not what it should be so I pretended to be impressed by saying "Ooohhh!" and nodding my head knowingly. I bought it because I liked it and I thought it would make a good winter dress – not because of it's pedigree. It has a very nice drape, appropriate for a dress. After my last unsuccessful project and considering all the pintucks on the front, I should be seriously considering a muslin. But, I'm like the very first victim in a slasher movie. I'm happily skipping along to my next sewing project, totally unaware of the horrible disaster that is about to happen to me.

Hmmm … maybe that muslin deserves a little more consideration.



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What do you do when you have Tangi, a four month old kitten who drives you crazy with her FRAPs (Frenetic Rapid Activity Period) and lethal claws? If you're normal, you wait for Tangi to outgrow her wild behavior. If you're a sucker for cats, like me, you get Soleil, Tangi's sister – two months younger and certain to extend the length of time I'll have to deal with FRAPs and with claws that are even more lethal. The only time I could take her picture was when she was asleep. After a week, she has reached the point where she doesn't let Tangi intimidate her and they chase each other around the house for most of the day. I'm sure Tangi will be much happier with someone of her own species to play with. Her sister has to be more fun than a middle-aged woman who is often unaccessible in her sewing room.

14 comments:

  1. I must say I really need to embrace your philosophy on using fabric. Sometime that is my only drawback is I don't want to ruin a piece of fabric. I am inclined however to do a muslin or practice garment for a really beloved piece of fabric. Thanks for that nudge of encouragement!

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  2. BTW I like that pattern and can't wait to see it made up.

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  3. Awww, Soleil is sooo cute!
    We used to call my dog's puppy running fits either "puppy wild" or "tasmanian devil" like the cartoon.

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  4. "...I'm like the very first victim in a slasher movie. I'm happily skipping along to my next sewing project, totally unaware of the horrible disaster that is about to happen to me.

    LOL! Today's post gets an A for witty writing. Make that muslin: It won't take more than one night of work, I promise.

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  5. Lindsay's undoubtably wiser, but I'm walking carefully, right behind you. Hearing the strance noises and ignoring the audience screaming "DON'T OPEN THE DOOR!!!!"
    We called our puppy's wild periods "The zoomies" as she would zoom through the house at top speed.

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  6. Ok, those noises are STRANGE, not strance. I'm off to take a typing class.

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  7. I like this pattern style.
    I'm with Lindsay :) a muslin can be "very" helpful :)

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  8. I agree, make a muslin. It is a gorgeous tunic and should make a very nice dress

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  9. Muslin, Muslin, Muslin, Muslin, Muslin. . . can you hear me chanting in your ear? I'm a strong believer in the muslin, as you know. Do it, it doesn't take long, it doesn't cost much money, and it will save you from the experience you just had, which should still be painfully fresh in your memory. BTW, it's me who says it's only fabric.

    That baby kitty makes me want to get one until I remember what it's like to have very young ones in my house. I like adult cats because they've already outgrown this destructive phase and their claws are easier to cut since they do sit still for longer periods at a time.

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  10. I'll have to remember the "it's just fabric" sentiment. Sometimes I get lost in planning and adjusting patterns to make them just so before I cut into my nice fabric. More often than not, the project then doesn't happen.
    Love the cat picture, so cute.

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  11. I remember that top! When I first saw it, I thought of it as a dress, too. If you are NOT going to muslin (and I can understand your reasonings!), I would measure extra carefully before beginning all of that tucking work.

    And can I make a suggestion? Make sure you reinforce the seams at the beginning of those slits...I would hate for any unfortunate accidents to occur and more thigh is viewed than you want! ;)

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  12. Good for you for gaining the confidence to change things up to make it your own. I can easily see this tunic/blouse as a dress.

    What a cute kitty! Yes, we can two for the same reason, they have companionship. Unfortunately, the one does think I'm a big cat, too.

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  13. Good luck with your pintucks! :)
    What a cute new bundle of frenetic energ... I mean, joy! ;)

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  14. I nominated you for a Kreativ Blogger :)

    ps I'm hearing Jomar rumors for the 8th if you are up for it :)

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