I'll sew you

I got your attention there, didn't I ?? But no, the skirt I have finished and am about to show you later in this post, is not worth a definition like that. It's great to mé but not something fit for, let's say, a queen. Then why this title? queen Beatrix I'ts Queens-Day in our country (and in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba). Today we celebrate our royal family, and they are celebrating with us by visiting a few towns which have organised special festivities. These trips are broadcasted on national television. Actually everywhere in the country there are outdoor queens-day activities. Thé place to be is probably Amsterdam. And not unimportant: everyone has a day off! I do watch the television but only to see what all our princesses, and especally our crown-princess Máxima, are wearing, haha.  Yeah, pretty shallow, I know. Máxima is always very fashionable and has surprised us more than once with her outfits. I mean, you gotta love this: or this: or may...

First of all I'd like to thank everyone who left a kind birthday-wish at my last post!  You are so sweet!! Now, onto the skirt I'm currently making (Burda 04/2006-103). It's coming along just fine. I hope to finish it tomorrow. It only needs to be hemmed, so....  Today it's too nice outside to stay indoors so after finishing this post I'm gonna take up the book I'm reading at the moment and spend some relaxing time outside! At this stage I only have some construction-pictures. Just to give you an idea of the ins and outs of this skirt. It's very basic and the pleat is the only real feature in it but it's the first time I'm sewing this kind of pleat so it's new and interesting to me. (By the way, the fit is great, I'll show you when it's finished of course !). First, one more (and last) time, the linedrawing: And now some pictures: This is not the kind of fabric you should use (or wear for that matter) when you're having a ...

Yes dear ladies and sirs, today is my birthday! My 44th to be precisely. I already had family and friends over yesterday to celebrate, but I still feel like a birthday-girl today. The text-messages, emails and phonecalls are still coming in.  I feel bright and cheerful and I like to share that feeling. So here goes: Everyone out there, being today's birthday-girl or boy, I hope you have a wonderful time with friends and family. Forgetting our diets for one day and enjoying all the good things life is giving us. HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!! Gr. Lilian

Today I finished the first piece of my mini-swap. Although I tried it on during the sewing-proces when the fit was just fine, today when I checked the fit it felt like a bag around my body. I didn't understand. This is a TNT for me and the 2 previous tops I made fit alright. I blamed the fabric for it's a bit sturdier than the viscose-jersey the 2 other tops are made of. But then I saw what had happened...or rather, what hadn't happened. I totally forgot to sew darts in the backpiece. Oh dear! I was glad I found out what the problem was and after adding the darts the fit is great. When I finish all four pieces I'll show you the outfits in a more polished way. Next up? Skirt - Burda 04/2006-103 In this fabric: And now, for some (much needed!!!) relaxation: Parting shot: I emptied this basket yesterday and His Royal Laziness didn't take a minute to jump in it and try it out. I know cats have flexible bones but if you could see how he'...

The four pieces of my mini-SWAP are finally getting their place in the sun. Starting with the knit top. Next I'll show you some pictures of the sewing progress. It's nearly finished. I only have to put in the sleeves so I guess another half hour and it'll be a wrap. But since there'll be no more sewing today and I just hád to blog (where did the weekdays go? why didn't I have time to blog then?) I couldn't wait for the sleeves. Anyway, it's fun to see not only the finished garment but also the steps of getting there. At least that's what I think. This is the stage where I put the pleats in place and basted them. And the facing is attached, going all the way around. From the waist down there are 3 layers of fabric. (Do you recognise the Burda? 10/2008. It is one of the better ones in my collection and it contains the pattern for this top). This fabric is quite thick. I wanted to avoid bulkiness at the frontseam, as there are two layers of fabric in ...