Starting 2020 with a new dress

Happy 2020 to all sewing and fashion enthusiasts out there!

I started off the year with a thought of no longer struggling through sewing projects that don't want to be.

After many hours stitching, unpicking and working on a chiffon dress pieces that started to look different every time I picked it up, I just got so fed up and thought. Time to let go. I'm not doing this anymore. So many hours of wrestling with idea in my head, and it feels like I'm just peddling mud and not getting anywhere. 

So, then and there, I made the decision, that starting now, in January of 2020, I will not longer struggle and battle through a pattern or pieces of fabric that don't want to work. So, I put the top of the dress (that was causing my headache) aside, took the bottom skirt pieces and made a quick a-line skirt with a wide black elastic and that was that. 

The skirt (that was supposed to be a dress) came out beautifully, by the way.

And there was my first new years resolution and I plan to cut out a few more things that just don't work, even if I've invested countless amount of hours on it.

Below is a dress I made during the holiday break. It was a real easy-peasy pattern drafted from a Burdastyle 6/2019 edition, pattern #123 and the fabric I chose is a drapey dress fabric with a satin woven finish on the right side and matt finish on the wrong side. The fabric and pattern is perfect for the hot summers here as the large armhole openings makes it nice and airy. 
No need for long sleeves and I omitted making the slip dress as it was not needed for this dress. I might use it for future projects though....

Blue dress - front and back view

Below are the sketches of the front and back of the pattern to show the boatneck shape of the neckline and the drop shoulder seam lines.

Burdastyle 6/2019 #123

Additions to my sewing workspace

And so in 2012 I decided to take the plunge. It was time to finally get the long overdue and much needed overlocker. Having decided on the perfect model - it's a Bernina 610D, it's now just a question of finalising the purchase and swipe, swipe, swipe! Bernina 610D Overlocker

This will be the perfect addition to my Bernina sewing machine, which I got the previous year. It is still going strong and such a joy to operate!

Bernina Bernette

Since getting these 2 Bernina machines, I had endless hours of joy. Just look at these gorgeous things!

Sewing machine pair

I've also acquired a sewing cabinet so now I can easily close it up when all the sewing has been done and don't have the unsightly view of threads and bits lying around.

To complete my sewing ensemble, I’m bought a little second-hand machine in 2017. It is an Elna 2002 and she will act as my backup machine and travel buddy.

Elna 2002

Every couple of months or so, I get together with my sewing group friends for a few hours to catch up, debate, give advice and sew of course! Ha ha!

Each have our projects with us and so we can look see and maybe learn a thing or two. This little baby is perfect to travel with as she is so much more compact than the Bernina. She is a little “basic”, but a sturdy little machine that doesn’t fuss or bother.

Rani dress-form

Ooooh and my latest (for 2019) is an adjustable dress-form! Her name is Rani and she is standing tall and proud next to the sewing cabinet and did I mention that she is green?  
Her torso did look a little funny to me, but then I found the part that allows for the waist to elongate and she looks so much better for it.

What makes her unique compared to other similar models is that you can try on pants thanks to the little gap in the front for a pants crotch.

Rani dress-form

 And so my workspace is complete. For now…. 

I would like an improvement on the space I currently have for all my creative endeavours…maybe a studio in the future? I will add that to Santa’s list.