First sewing project of 2024...
what are you playing with?
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Today I am working on (playing with) a jacket project. Three years ago I bought three yards of cranberry red silk velvet. My plan was to make a robe. Turns out that's only half enough fabric to make the robe I wanted, so I've settled on a jacket, after much mulling, deciding, and undeciding.
Sewing something a person would actually want to wear takes precision, patience, and faith in one's ability. It took me decades to learn patience. I used to have plenty of faith in myself, but I didn't have a lot of sewing skill. I've gained a lot of sewing skill in the past few years by watching tutorials and then practicing.
I had to learn how to properly sew silk velvet, and I hope I have. We'll see soon. I will practice on scraps once I cut out the jacket itself. First I have to cut out the lining, which I'm making from a silk sari. Before sewing the lining, I had to cut out all the pattern pieces, press them, and cut the fabric as well as the interfacing.
My plan is to baste the lining using long stitches, then try it on and make any necessary adjustments before sewing and finishing the lining seams.
Only then will I cut the velvet.
I'm lining it for three reasons. One is it will look prettier, the second is a lining will help extend the life of the jacket, and finally: it's easier. Let me explain. If a garment is fully lined, you can do a simpler finish on the seams, reducing bulk. If this turns out as planned, I'll be very happy.
Four years ago, my sewing involved restoration projects. I had watched The Repair Shop on public television, and decided I too could restore antique treasures like teddy bears. First I restored my own seventy-five year old bunny rabbit (my first toy). Then I restored my much younger panda bear. When my sister asked me to restore her teddy bear, I was eager to help.
My Peanut Rabbit was faded, dirty, and stiff. She was stuffed with a mixture of excelsior, wood wool, and kapok. After I took her apart, vacuumed her gently, washed and rinsed her multiple times by hand in warm water with gentle soap, I re-stuffed her with organic wool stuffing. While she was empty, I repaired her ears and feet, but I didn't replace anything, not even the [replacement] button eyes my mom had sewn on her when I was little. I remember when Mom washed her on a scrub board and hung her out to dry. Peanut was hard and stiff all over after that. Once she was re-sewn, I brushed her gently.
When restoring vintage stuffed animals, it's important not to make them look like brand new stuffies. Instead, the aim is to make sure they're clean and repaired, but all the places where love wore off their fur remain. My sister didn't want her bear's eye replaced, because we didn't have the original. So the bear is clean and soft, the torn places repaired, but it still has only one eye.
Do you still have a favorite childhood toy? Are you working on a sewing or crafting project? Have you see The Repair Shop? Any or all comments are not only welcome, they bring me joy. Please tell me something…
Sandra, what a gift you have for restoring stuffed animals! The before and after pictures say it all. If you ever wanted to do this for a side-line, just create a website! I believe you would have customers ready and waiting with their much-loved treasures.
I have a Winnie the Pooh that is resting on his tummy with one back legged bent up-wards and his head resting on his front paws with a small black and yellow honeybee on his nose. I mention him because his very expressive eyes are created with felt. The felt eyes are made of 3 colors. The lowest layer is a circle of white, then there is a slightly smaller circle of brown and the pupil is a small circle of black. Depending on how these circles of felt are stacked, they can create/emote feelings. My Pooh Bear is definitely happy. As this felt is stitched in place, it might be a temporary fix when replacement eyes are not available.
Love how you are being so thoughtful in making the silk velvet jacket.
I know I've already stated I have no talent for sewing and was the bane of my Home Ec teacher's existence, briefly, many years ago. (Just the fact I can refer to Home Ec ages me, of course.)
Love the restoration of Peanut Rabbit and Teddy. You have, plainly, developed the patience to compliment your talent. As for store-bought velvet clothing, you are absolutely correct. By contrast, your jacket, I don't doubt, will be beautiful! You'll apply that patience, work at your own pace, and we will be delighted to see the results. I just may have to check out some of those tutorials ....