When last we left our heroine, she was getting ready to cut the now-dyed fabric into bits and pieces. Yesterday morning looked like this:
And after about two hours of laying out, cutting, maneuvering, etc., I had umpteen pattern pieces of the main fabric laying about the studio. I unvented something in the process – underneath the fabric is the back side of my blocking board. It has a soft nap, rather like felt, and absolutely eliminated the problem of the fabric moving about on my otherwise slick folding table. Also, the nap is fine enough that the shears had no problem gliding along, and I could have put pins into everything if I’d so desired. It made cutting pieces out a breeze. Plus, the fabric behaved like a champ. I even took a moment to try and orient the pattern at key points (where the front closure will be, for example) and hopefully that all works out in the end. After I finished the cutting, I dashed out for a run, had lunch and then went to work until nearly bedtime.
Cut to this morning when I swallowed my coffee and headed back to the studio. Lining and interfacing are now also cut and I started stay-stitching and assembling the vest. Here’s as far as I’ve gotten:
Interfacing attached to the fronts and I’ve pinned the fronts and side-fronts together. The pattern calls for ease-stitching at the bust but the fabric is so lovely and compliant, I’m going to skip it. This isn’t shirting so I’m not worried at all.
Amazing, this. I’m so much more confident than I was with my shirt. Whether it’s because I could check shoulder slopes and waist points, or have a better understanding of how this whole process works (thank you Vogue Sewing!), I’m just not worried about anything. It’ll be what it is, and I suspect I’ll like it a lot. Because it’s mine. :-)
Now, the down side is that we’re going away for the weekend. Today. Shortly after lunch. No sewing, no assembling, no nothing. I’m hoping to be able to make some further inroads on this when we come home on Saturday afternoon/evening, but that feels unlikely. And, Sunday is a memorial service for a dear friend, so that might be off the table as well. But! There’s hope that it’ll be done in time for the tapestry workshop next weekend and then Sara can provide a review.
Regardless, I’m very happy so far. And I’m learning. Perfect.
FANTASTIC! You must be so happy! I’m happy for you! And that cutting board backside is a great idea; I wish mine were like that. In other news, I’m slogging. Slowly, but at least there’s movement.
Oddly enough, it doesn’t get a ton of use otherwise, and seeing it folded up with the nap showing sparked the idea. I’m really glad it worked out because I had Big Worries about cutting the silk.
I’m resisting the urge to just “sew a little bit” until Chris gets home because I’ll likely rush and then make a mistake. So, I’ll get to it when I get to it.
Oh crap … I better go turn off the iron!