On @realale s diary we got into a discussion on jeans sewing

@Ouryve @Lemon Syllabub @Nevis5 were interested in this topic, so here's a sewalong.

Hiya Folks, so I can get the contest list ready to debut in January I'm asking for your ideas here.

As per last year we'll have the contest run for 2 months, so there will be 6 of them.

Pantone colour of the year is Peach Fuzz (looks like good old 80s peach to me, but hey what do I know?) not really doing it for me TBH, but if others would like it could be one of the contests. Let me have your thoughts.

This year we had
Jan & Feb - Accessories
Sew, knit, crochet or craft (e.g. leather work) an accessory, for example bag, wallet, hat, scarf, gloves etc

Mar & Apr - Pantone Colour of the Year 2023
Sew, knit, crochet or craft an item based on the Pantone Colour of the Year 2023 - Viva Magenta.
The colour can be interpreted broadly in the pink, burgundy, purple colour family, and can be a colour within a print, or just used as a small accent e.g. topstitching.

May & June - UFOs (Un Finished Object)
For this one you need to find a sewing (or other craft) project which you have started but not finished. We can help each other if you've got stuck on how to progress.

July & Aug - Dots n Spots
Sew an item which uses fabric which has dots on it, this can be a classic regular Polka dot fabric, or something a bit more abstract. You can use multiple fabrics.

Sep & Oct - Autumn Capsule Wardrobe
Sew 2 or 3 garments which work together to make an outfit

Nov & Dec - Festive Fun
Sew, knit or craft items for festive clothing, decorations or gifts

Anyone used Fabric Giant? They are in Leeds but also have a website and mailorder

https://www.fabricgiant.com/

I really like the collar detail on the Style Arc Parker Coat, but I don't love the dropped shoulder.
Is there another pattern company that does the same collar but a set in sleeve?

I decided I'd like to learn the foundation paper piecing technique.
To avoid overload I started with a really simple mountain scene from Etive & Co.
For my version I decided to have blue sky, purple mountains and green fields.


I found the video for how to assemble this really clear. I watched it all the way through first, then followed along the second time making my piece at the same time (with lots of pausing).
Beginner foundation paper piecing tutorial by Etive & Co. Simple mountain pattern.

I'm musing aloud here, feel free to chip in if the topic interests you, otherwise it'll just be a place for my thoughts to get in order.

So its October and the heating is now on for part of the day and it would be sensible to switch the wardrobe round a bit. Get the long sleeves/winter clothes boxes down from the top of wardrobe and replace them with the summer clothing. And of course have some fun sewing some new things.

I am very good at utilising the available space, but I think its time to review some of the things I don't wear and look to pass them on to local schemes or charity shops.
Generally I have things in categories, but over the summer I tried to do variations of the hanger trick and moved things about which mixed the sections up.

I popped up to the local shops earlier and donated some books to the telephone box mini library. A quick look in the local charity shops didn't induce me to buy anything, but I did feel a list of things starting to form in my mind.

It would be good to have some things in my wardrobe (maybe I already do?) to meet certain situations.

- black coat, probably for funerals, but also other smart occasions, where my current anorak style coats are not quite right. Maybe a matching brimmed hat made from the scraps.

- black dress, as above. I think I have several but nothing that quite fits right.

- something pretty for a party/ dinner / event, maybe all of dress and separates with both skirt and trousers options.

- well fitting joggers with pockets, to replace the rather tired RTW ones.

- woven shirts with buttoned patch pockets, I love the one I made, but feel the need for some more of them.

- well fitting hiking trousers with lots of zipped pockets.

Earlier today I was over at my older friends place helping pack the kitchen up before the new one gets installed.
I was wearing one of my self sewn blouses. "That's a lovely blouse" says Sylvia, "Oh thank you!" I reply "I made it myself".
"Ah" says Sylvia "that reminds me I have a blouse in a similar style I cut out about 30 years ago...."

Long story about cutting out blouse, then broken sewing machine, eventually getting sewing machine fixed, couldn't find blouse bits etc. Anyway short version is I've brought the blouse home to sew up for her before Christmas!

Happily its all there
Already cut out  - Front, back, sleeve, yokes, 2 part collar and cuffs - still with tissue pinned on
Also pattern envelope and instructions and the spare fabric, as well as matching buttons.
So it really is a kit for a blouse. All I need to provide is some matching thread, some interfacing and then 'just' sew it up!