Wednesday, May 29, 2013

What I'm Sewing

I don't generally post pictures of things that I'm in the middle of sewing. Mostly because, in my rush to finish something, I forget to take photos. The project I'm working on at the moment, a suit, is pretty labour intensive and slow. Since most of the detail is inside, I thought I'd take some pictures of the inner workings before they get covered up by the lining.


I'm using McCall's 8813 for the jacket. I bought the pattern without the envelope, so the only picture is the black and white one on the instruction sheet. I can't find any info about when the pattern dates from, but the next pattern number up (McCall's 8814) is from 1952, so it's probably from around then.



I don't love the straight skirt in the McCall's pattern. It seems like an unflattering shape and length, and I don't like the seam down the front. I'm thinking of using a pencil skirt pattern like the one above that I recently op shopped.


The white thread is just basting holding the buttonholes closed

This is the jacket so far. I'm using a dark green wool that I got from trademe. Because good wool fabric is almost impossible to buy here (in a country where there are more sheep than people), I ended up buying a secondhand roll that had 16 metres on it. This was way cheaper than buying one of the nasty wool blend (20% wool, 80% polyester, 100% likely to start pilling if you so much as look at it) fabrics that you can get new.


I couldn't find any in my huge stash that went with the wool, so I made some covered buttons using this old kit that I op shopped. They required lots of bashing with the hammer because the fabric is so thick. I have to say, bashing things with a hammer is quite therapeutic. 
  

The colour came out funny, but they are the same green as the jacket. 



This is the inside. The front and hip pieces are interfaced with hair canvas. Hair canvas feels gross, but it's traditional in tailoring, and the pattern says to use it. It helps things hold their shape. Cotton tape is used along the armholes and the front seams and bias tape along the waistline to strengthen them.

 I still have quite a bit to go on the jacket before I start on the skirt. It's a lot of work, but I'm actually enjoying all the handsewing.

24 comments:

  1. Your jacket looks amazing. I finished sewaholic minoru a couple of weeks ago with some green wool I opshoped. The minoru is a lot less involved then your jacket though. I have been having a hard time finding hair canvas in Australia and most of the online US shops have almost blacklisted Australian postal addresses after they increased their postage prices recently. I'm wondering where you got yours?

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    1. Thanks. That sounds nice. The minoru looks like a really great pattern. I got the hair canvas from the A Fashionable Stitch shop (http://shop.afashionablestitch.com/). I bought it about a year ago, and it doesn't look like they have it any more. My local Spotlight has actually started selling it, though. If you have a Spotlight near you, it might be worth checking there. I've seen it on Etsy occasionally as well.

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  2. WOW! Looks like a high degree of difficulty! i LOVE THE BUTTON KIT *nO SKILL REQUIRED* !Looks like my kind of thing!!

    Looking forward to seeing the finished result!!!

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    1. Ha, the button kit actually had me puzzled for a bit so either they lied about "no skill required' or I'm just terrible at following instructions.

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  3. How exciting! I'm so glad you showed us the work in progress then we can really appreciate the artistry when the suit's on you.
    Helga sent me a kit of those buttons, they are great fun, aren't they? xxx

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    1. Covered buttons are fun. I love the way they look too.

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  4. Such a complicated project, my friend, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  5. This is going to be wonderful, can't wait to see it done :)) Looks hard, but I think you can do it for sure :)) xx

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  6. Oh sweet that is just amazing.....I love seeing all the wonderful working that will be hidden. Wow thats a big job and I love that you have stayed true to the vintage tailoring. The green is heavenly.
    So looking forward to the finished outfit.
    love V

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    1. Thanks! Yes, for once, I'm following all the instructions because it to turn out like the picture.

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  7. I look forward to seeing the end result, it's looking wonderful so far x

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  8. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    LiLLy

    giallodinylon.blogspot.it

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  9. I often have the desire to make a suit but I think I lack the skill. This looks so involved and super interesting. I can't wait to see the finished item. Xx

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    1. I think you could make a suit. It's not necessarily that you need to be skilled, it's just quite a long process. There's lots of handsewing, but nothing overly complicated, except the bound buttonholes.

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  10. I knew sewing was difficult this proves it! Can't wait to see the fruits of your labor!

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  11. OK, wow- this is going to be gorgeous!!!

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  12. Your jacket looks wonderful, way too complicated for me but I do like seeing the work in progress. And a fabric-covered button is a thing of beauty and delight! Can't wait to see the finished suit. You ARE clever! xxxx

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  13. Wow! That looks like a lot of work. I still haven't dared venturing into tailoring. I also really like the cut of the jacket. It looks super interesting and I'm excited to see the final jacket.

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  14. You got skills girl! Can't wait to see how it turns out!

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