tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63995727857322411862012-01-25T19:12:28.233+01:00Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.comBlogger841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-71193527772050168312011-09-22T23:08:00.004+02:002011-09-23T16:16:36.145+02:00

Courses are liberating! Sewing-courses in particular seem to be very good for my creativity-levels! Draping class 1 finished. We draped a basic blouse, with a short sleeve and a collar. I was increadibly lucky, the original teacher dropped out a couple of weeks before the course was meant to start, it was therefor delayed a week which meant I didn't miss out on the first class after all! The

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-87792197119259077752011-09-22T00:28:00.007+02:002011-09-22T10:23:09.030+02:00

Oh Berlin, such a nice suprise! Such a friendly city, so polished but still a bit rough around the edges, right where it should be! Loads of history, but at the same time a very contemporary place. Did I mention friendly (I'm still a bit stunned about it, the 14 of us cycled around the city for two days and no one was irritated about it, no car drivers tried to run us down, no pedestrians

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-78371985606600922812011-08-24T17:41:00.002+02:002011-08-24T17:48:57.894+02:00

I'm thrilled, excited, bubbly in the tummy! I've signed up for a draping class at the same school (Folkuniversitet) where I took my pattern construction class about ten years ago! Here is the draping class I've signed up for. Sorry, but the information on the website is all in Swedish, even though the class will be taught in English. It runs for the first time this autumn, from what I can see,

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-40030024062170052962011-08-21T22:45:00.011+02:002011-08-22T16:17:37.214+02:00

I always seem to lack shorts, and I tend not to buy any since I feel uncomfortable (self conscious) in most of them. But even in Scandinavia, shorts are a big must for summer! Ie: problem. A couple of years ago I found a pair that I really like though, a sample pair from Swedish brand Whyred, high waisted, rather tight, with short legs. I love them! Such a rare feeling for me to relate to

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-61062257461753357122011-08-20T21:17:00.001+02:002011-08-20T21:21:57.670+02:00

Well. I needed a new yoga-top since the one I made earlier this summer pulls my neck too much (it's a halter-neck), not good since I'm an OL (office-lady) during the days which results in a tense neck and back. No extra neck tension needed!    So here's bikram-yoga-top version 2. It's loosely based on a top by Shakti Activewear, a brand popular among Bikram-yogis, so I've seen the top

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-73945729631128735662011-08-15T18:16:00.009+02:002011-08-15T19:50:11.277+02:00

Well, I still haven't managed to photograph my new shorts (baby blue denim), and what I'm making now is very closely linked to a sport I had promised not to mention in this post. Add the fact that I screwed up when I partitioned the hard drive on my new computer (well, not really, but I greatly underestimated the size needed in the Windows-partition), so no photoshop yet (=I'm still handicapped).

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-84397461021685057962011-06-21T23:56:00.005+02:002011-06-22T09:45:35.258+02:00

Announcement: I've taken up Bikram Yoga. I used to do Ashanga Yoga, off and on since 2001, but I needed some variety. Another type of Hatha Yoga seems adventureous enough, don't you think?   Bikram Yoga is also called Hot Yoga, as in yoga in a very hot and humid room. I really like it!    I quickly discovered though that you can NOT (at least I can not) practise Bikram yoga in capri yoga

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-51541356225384278872011-06-19T14:25:00.008+02:002011-07-14T22:49:14.075+02:00

Whoopee, I'm back blogging! Loooong time no see, I'm sorry I just disappeared but I got fed up with my old computer that 1. has a hard drive that is so stuffed that I need to delete something every time I want to add anything and 2. gets overheated and shuts down on a regular basis. Annoying! Well. I'm glad I've got proof I don't over consume computers, and I've finally decided to switch to

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-57856020764467633722010-09-14T23:53:00.005+02:002010-09-15T17:56:27.663+02:00

Today is my birthday. Happy birthday to me (I have to say that, I've found that birthdays are increasingly not very pleasant as I get older, so I'd better make them as nice as possible!). As if they had known, there was mail from both Gwyn Hug (who makes the "How Much Fabric" reference cards) and Spoonflower (I think my favourite design your own fabric-site, so far anyway). I helped translate a

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-19413826439732326952010-09-06T14:08:00.001+02:002010-09-21T17:59:50.154+02:00

Now, this dress was a nightmare to sew! There are only three pattern-pieces, and it looks simple enough, but I actually had to wear it to be able to figure out how to sew the draped cowl-collar. Loads of pinning, not easy when you're wearing a half finished, interestingly constructed garment in a material with loads of drape. I then took it off, put it on my (almost finished) dressform and was

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-79066416229031877602010-09-05T21:16:00.001+02:002010-09-05T21:21:42.734+02:00

This was a bit of an experiment. But I like the result, as simple as it is. After making 5 pieces of clothing from my new aquisition "drape drape 2" (that I love), out of which 2 were easy, one was reasonable, one was a bit of a challenge and one almost impossible to figure out the construction of, I needed something uncomplicated! I wanted to try to make as simple as possible a pattern for a

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-3561914614827064832010-09-05T13:11:00.002+02:002010-09-05T13:22:23.356+02:00

First, a word of warning: if you decide to make this skirt, do check the size very carefully. It's very fitted, which it should be, but if your hips are 92cm's (like mine) and you decide to make it a size right in between M (88 cm hips) and M/L  (92cm hips) because that size has worked well for you with other patterns from the same book, then think again. Make a M/L. I actually really like that

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-7900436089570225452010-09-05T02:19:00.004+02:002010-09-05T12:23:29.903+02:00

I can't decide on my feelings about this dress. I really like the drapes on the skirt-bit, but it feels a bit like a pajama with the very wide top-part. That might very well have to do with my choice of material though, which was quite unvoluntary as I had failed to see that it requires a 165 cm's wide fabric. The one I bought for it (a viscose jersey with thin stripes in two shades of red) was

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-23353445093917159522010-09-05T00:28:00.007+02:002010-09-05T12:30:22.653+02:00

This has to be one of my favourite t-shirts! It's SO comfortable, SO easy to sew, and SO not your standard t-shirt! It's the first project I made from my recent purchase, Japanese pattern-book  "drape drape 2". Other reasons why it's fabulous: there is only one pattern piece, only three seams and you can fold it perfectly flat to store it, despite the drape on one side when worn. I made one to

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-37897881759869417042010-08-17T23:09:00.003+02:002010-08-24T10:37:01.388+02:00

I'm not sewing anything at the moment. Or, well, I'm sewing a lot, but no clothes, I'm working on transforming my paper tape dressform that I made last christmas to a pinnable, more correct version. It seems to work, but it's a heckload of work and it keeps me quite busy. But when I found the second volume of Drape Drape on the internet last week, I just couldn't stop myself. Even though the

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-61526511296441433072010-07-31T22:19:00.002+02:002010-08-10T15:04:46.781+02:00

Still at my parents place. Eager to sew something, I've finally relaxed from work, become creative (it happens, inevitably, after a week or so of holidays) and after a stressful and challenging project like the Burdastyle coat things feel more do-able than they usually do. But since I'm not at home I won't start anything big (most of my fabric is in Stockholm). A perfect time to do research and

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-81242453610818896772010-07-31T14:34:00.040+02:002010-08-01T21:53:21.283+02:00

I'm spending a few days at my parent's place and you never know what pops up in their drawers and closets when you have a look around! A few years ago (or, come to think of it, not a few but rather many now), right after I had left university I was unemployed for a few months (I graduated right in the middle of a recession, and there were no job-opportunities at all around). This was

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-44454671709052445322010-07-30T12:17:00.001+02:002010-07-30T12:47:39.651+02:00

Though I normally mainly (only) want to sew for me, and constantly make plans about what to make next (for me), I love sewing for my niece. Maybe for my nieces when my younger niece Ella is a bit older (she's a 9 month baby now, though a very clever baby). I think so. But now mainly for my older niece Julia. I got this quite thin, bright pink, gingham cotton in Stockholm and intended to make a

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-34532802666502002532010-07-30T00:54:00.002+02:002010-07-30T01:48:55.178+02:00

Back again! Did some travelling again (might post more about that in another post, I went to Provence, I love love love Provence!), and spent a few days intensely sewing a coat for the Burdastyle book when I came home. Now I'm finally on proper vacation, it's a bliss! Sewing for Burdastyle was actually complicated and became very stressful due to - what should I call it - the human factor? My

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-33938934892210333842010-07-07T16:06:00.001+02:002010-07-07T16:07:26.279+02:00

Well it was to me, at least. I'm usually no big fan of etiher rings or decorated nails. But this, very pretty! Clean, simple but sophisticated. Too bad I keep my nails short and get all nervous and fiddly if I wear rings, otherwise I would have given it a shot, come fall! I borrowed the image from Lady Melbourne, and it's her hands too. Had to keep it in case I wake up with long nails one day

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-39156129654916378922010-07-05T13:21:00.003+02:002010-07-05T13:42:47.807+02:00

Finally, a post long overdue; just before my long absence I was awarded with the Beautiful Blogger Award by Carolyn at Handmade by Carolyn (which btw is one of my favourite blogs). Thank you so much! I will do my best to deserve it better in the future than in the last month! With the award follows that I'm asked to perform an A and a B: A. Tell ten things about me: 1. I love fruit.

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-61070168530241005272010-07-04T19:46:00.000+02:002010-07-04T19:46:22.954+02:00

Oh, I liked them so much in the magazine... and they looked so easy to sew (got to love that), but no... not for me! The Pantalon Anudado, pattern no. 20 in issue no 291. Major fail when I tried to make them a couple of weeks ago. See how nice they look in the magazine: Cool, not too diapery, not too much fabric around the crotch. A nice and not too extreme take on the harem-pants, perfect for

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-34317623527411778662010-07-02T19:03:00.003+02:002010-07-02T20:42:25.792+02:00

I have this thing for convertible clothing at the moment (maybe it isn't me, maybe it's fashion? A year late?). I've had my eye on the Donna Karan Cosy ever since immi posted a version of it over at Burdastyle. Such a great piece of clothing!    However, I've hesitated to make one, probably because I'm a fabric-hoarder and find it really hard to cut into my nice fabrics to experiment... and

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-35892097613293049312010-06-30T11:32:00.003+02:002010-06-30T14:15:35.200+02:00

Ehum, I'm a follower... I just had to join in the blogosphere chorus: I'm going to be in a book, whoopeee! It's quite exciting, and I'm quite nervous about pulling it all off (I will, but I want it to be perfect) I will be making a version of a coat designed by Burdastyle, but it will be hard to tell it's based on the same coat pattern as the original, I'm changing it quite a lot. I also have to

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-34328381869541624922010-06-28T00:34:00.006+02:002010-06-28T17:09:17.708+02:00

Sorry about the long absence, I kind of lost all sewing mojo, I've basically just kept draping fabrics all over myself trying to figure out what to make. Major uncapability in the decision-making-department. I think that's usually a sign that you need a break, so when Midsummer (which is the summer-opposite, or equivalent if you like, of Christmas for us Scandinavians, one of our biggest public

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-56180847149542068342010-05-19T15:56:00.015+02:002010-05-20T10:43:51.156+02:00

I don't make quilts. In fact, I have this idea (that I really, really don't like) that quilting is for old ladies with cats (I garden, cook, watch documentaries on the telly and I love cats, who am I kidding, I'm not old but I am an old lady, only very unvoluntarily without a cat, due to lack of space). Since I bought patterns from Vogue recently (that I have planned to show you all when I find

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-87027771736790000192010-05-17T14:28:00.016+02:002010-05-19T13:46:53.939+02:00

No, I haven't died, nor disappeared or abandoned the blogosphere. I have been busy doing spring-tasks:   ♣ Gone skiing in Åre the last weekend of april/first of may (surreal), it felt like a must to say goodbye to winter and greet spring welcome properly (and I just had to ski once more before summer). ♣ Gotten back full access of my much missed balcony (or terrace as some call it). Brought

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-89789616564494852272010-04-21T23:40:00.013+02:002010-04-22T16:59:48.057+02:00

Finally! Long awaited (it has rested in a pile on my table for weeks..), I've finished (and already worn) my Calvin Klein dress. It's a Calvin Klein Vogue American Designers 2051 to be more precise. I'd guess it's a 1980's, or possibly 1990's pattern based on the style of the dress, the pattern envelope and the fact that it came with a lot of patterns that range from the 1960's to the

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-19497339507108370692010-04-18T22:09:00.007+02:002011-02-10T10:23:33.656+01:00

I've been busy! Loads of sewing done, and more on its way (but not quite done yet). The first project is my first project from drape drape (Hisako Sato). No 12, loose drape tank top. Selected largely because of its simplicity (I felt like making something faaast!). Here's the back of it, modelled on my not yet finished balcony, the rail is not in the right position, not yet attached, and we're

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-68352873867273054952010-04-16T12:00:00.008+02:002010-04-16T13:02:53.717+02:00

Living in the north of Europe, we have our share of cold weather but are usually totally spared natural disasters. Until now (though, fortunately so far it's just a majour disturbance, no lives lost as far as I know). A volcano in Iceland has erupted, as you all probably know, and the smoke makes it too dangerous to fly, so since yesterday ALL flights in about half of Europe are cancelled. And

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-19452017515766296912010-04-13T14:00:00.001+02:002010-04-15T00:19:42.288+02:00

Not that I find it necessary to mention my new banner, really, BUT I knicked the spring-green picture (spring is finally here, I'm so happy!) from Wallcoo.net, where you can download free wallpaper-images. Credit should be given when credit is due. I did edit it into a banner myself, but still. It's a nice picture and I got it for free :-). Talking about spring, this morning I had a walk

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-2384120136841676832010-04-11T23:08:00.006+02:002011-02-10T10:22:53.747+01:00

Finally I've finished something! In fact a few things, I've made no less than two dresses for Julia, a pair of pants for Julia and a pair of pants for Ella. Why so much for Julia? Well, she's still more aware than Ella, she's actually waiting for me to make her something, she chose the materials and it was her 4th birthday last monday. I didn't finish in time for her birthday, so instead of

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-17057826009217969052010-03-25T18:57:00.004+01:002010-03-26T18:56:20.285+01:00

I'm finally back after a fabulous week of skiing in the alps, in Chamonix to be more precise. I actually came back on sunday, but it's been a busy week, and it will be for the rest of the week too. Not much sewing done lately in other words, but I did find some inspiration online! Face Hunter proved to be my cup of tea, look at this...: That collar is fabulous! I especially like it the way

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-77007601342649465082010-03-11T15:05:00.008+01:002010-03-11T15:34:03.962+01:00

Sometimes life is funny. Or more interesting maybe... On saturday, like I mentioned before, I was invited to a night of champagne, a chat and no dancing (that actually turned out to be "and some dancing", which was perfectly to my taste). Here's my grandmother's fox in the company of three nice people, one of them my friend Ylva (sorry about the bad quality, once again I blame my iPhone, but

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-90798628222662657252010-03-09T00:03:00.000+01:002010-03-09T00:03:36.338+01:00

I forgot to say, at the awsome happening-treat-for-free Marina and the Diamonds-concert I was lucky enough to find out about and attend on friday, she was wearing a very cool dress that I just have to share with you, fellow craft-godesses. It's kind of like a fusion of a godess- and a warrior-dress, which come to think of it is very suitable since she's part greek part welsh. I also wanted to

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-54671085727883202972010-03-05T23:50:00.009+01:002010-04-16T20:51:11.488+02:00

I had this intention of making a new dress for saturday, when I shall visit a gent's dinner (after dinner) to sip champagne in style. The men (or should I say gents?) are to wear tuxedo's (as opposed to their "normal" attire, smokings), but I have decided to ignore the normal female tuxedo dress-code, long dress, and wear something less formal, but still very dressy. Partly because of a lack of

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-76879838581414845432010-02-24T10:08:00.008+01:002010-02-24T11:10:07.077+01:00

No, I haven't become a stay-at-home-mom-seamstress (nothing wrong with them, in fact I envy them all a little, but it's very far away from my life at the moment), and no this will not turn into a blog for kids clothes. Only very temporarily! I spent the weekend in Bergen with my brother, sister in law (well, not in law technically, but kind of anyway) and two nieces. It was a bless! I met my

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-90121107701053278452010-02-18T01:46:00.011+01:002010-02-18T11:50:05.163+01:00

I shall speak once and then be quiet forever. Or, no I actually can't promise you that. I think I will be inspired by this man for a long time ahead... but I shall do one post only with my favourite collection of Alexander McQueen's runway shows. Not sure I will be able to keep my fingers from it, I might add more goodies later... Because this is art. Because it's pattern construction at its

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-55336979166360245402010-02-16T15:36:00.002+01:002010-02-17T14:41:50.109+01:00

Finally, five minutes (more actually!) to post about my Vionnet-blouse-test-toile, AND it's daylight, AND the builders have removed the plastic sheats that have covered my window since november, relief (we are refurbishing the facades and balconies)! No flash needed, finally... I'm spending the day at home, a suspected Norovirus kept me up for a couple hours during the night but I'm really

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-53391684987301093762010-02-13T01:12:00.108+01:002010-02-15T16:33:08.900+01:00

I am increadibly honored. I was given the Kreativ-blogger award by no less than four lovely, creative ladies: Zoe  Yoshimi Whipstitch Sewing  Boo Dogg and Me  and to make me even more proud lovely Kosmika gave me the Sunshine Award: Girls, you're spoiling me, I might get big-headed ;-). Thank you all so very much! For the Sunshine Award  I must do this: ~ Put the logo somewhere on my

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-45899310613208678262010-02-12T10:55:00.013+01:002010-02-17T16:33:49.065+01:00

 This morning I was chocked to read very sad news in the paper; Alexander McQueen, the master of construction and one of the most ever loved enfant terribles is dead. He took his own life in London yesterday. Apparently he had been depressed and suffered several personal losses recently, one among them that his mother died last week. The fashion world will sure be a more dull place without him.

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-24289409907619360852010-02-07T22:46:00.006+01:002010-02-08T14:50:55.994+01:00

So, two of my friends now owe me big time! I just spent 12 hours making two dresses for the dancers at their club, and all I got in return was free entrance to the club for me, my three friends had to pay (which might have to do with the fact that we got there waaaay too late since we had been busy sipping champagne in the compnay of five gentlemen in smoking, overlooked by a few centuries of

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-34048072017128972062010-02-03T20:39:00.005+01:002010-02-04T00:53:09.047+01:00

Oh no, I haven't disappeared, but I am in the middle of an insanely busy week where I have to balance work, turning my sewing-hut of an appartment into a guestroom suitable for me + two guests (and organising the drawers while I'm at it) and sewing a little costume-number inspired by this babe: More difficult than I had imagined, as it turns out. The material is a super nice

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-73398522190539927462010-01-24T16:48:00.018+01:002010-01-27T14:19:49.383+01:00

After a long wait... it's arrived! My christmas-parcel from Yesasia. I ordered it on the 26th of December, it arrived on the 21:st of January. It contained: Drape-drape (a gift from my younger brother) and Vionnet (a gift from me, myself & I). I love them both. First up; Vionnet. 29 reproduced patterns, mainly dresses but also a couple of jackets, a coat and a simple

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-29413967950083116592010-01-17T22:55:00.002+01:002010-01-18T00:26:06.861+01:00

I've been testing my new overlock-machine for nearly a week now, and after sewing a bunch of scraps I began to itch to make something real. So here it is, my first serged t-shirt. A proper trial and error-project! I based it loosely on a short sleeved cardigan that I like a lot, but since I didn't use a pattern and really wasn't as careful as I usually am it was a pleasant surprise that it

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-52114564460955896412010-01-15T13:30:00.016+01:002010-01-15T13:58:15.661+01:00

...who was inspired by the Lanvin dress with a twist on the shoulder. I think. This one (I LOVE it): I made a dress for christmas that was much inspired by it (but not as elaborate, one step at a time...). Roberto Rodriguez made a top that looks like it's related to both my dress and to the Lanvin dress for his fall 09-line. I found it when reading Project Rungay (I love

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-27342730952643113572010-01-11T00:21:00.009+01:002010-01-11T17:49:16.606+01:00

Well, I've finally gotten my new baby-toy, the Baby Lock Evolve overlock-machine that I made a decision before christmas to buy when I came home from the holidays. I had asked the shop to have it ready for me on the 4th (this monday) but when I went there to pick it up, they had forgotten to order it. They ordered it for me (in a panic) to be shipped from Norway immediately and it was supposed

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-58554513812958419252010-01-04T11:42:00.006+01:002010-01-19T14:50:14.299+01:00

I FINALLY have a dress-form! Yippiee! If you had followed my account on Burdastyle you would have seen a long search for a dress form that might work for me, through two different store-bought ones that didn't fit so I returned them both. The smallest "normal" one was still too big around the chest and too long in the back, and the petite one that I could actually adjust to my measurements

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-72574608856090814282010-01-04T00:37:00.005+01:002010-01-04T00:47:46.353+01:00

As much as I'd love to give my 3,5 year old niece toy-cars and toboggans for christmas, that wouldn't get me far in terms of popularity, so I resist and walk the girly path (and I love that too!). And she's already got a toboggan. Plus, I give her books whenever I find good ones..! And all she wanted for christmas was princess-clothes.  This skirt was actually a commission (in return I got to

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-56856391687911706912009-12-21T00:36:00.002+01:002009-12-21T16:51:53.819+01:00

It's finally finished! I'm happy with it, but I think there are other styles that are more flattering on me. I need to accentuate my waist, and since I'm quite straight-lined, a straight-lined dress is probably not the best option... Well. I like it the best from the front and from behind, so that's what you'll see (hehe). I love to be able to edit my life :-). I like the

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-7624382182226612882009-12-20T14:21:00.004+01:002009-12-21T18:07:53.663+01:00

Dear Santa, this is what I want for christmas: 1. Drape Drape. Japanese book about draping, with paper patterns included. Apparently not the easiest book to use if you don't read Japanese, and although I do I must say I don't read enough to be able to read books (maybe very simple childrens books, if I have a dictionary at hand...), but it still looks interesting enough. And I like to give the

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-20340974399689448952009-12-15T12:00:00.004+01:002009-12-15T14:30:51.334+01:00

I'm thinking of inventing a new word: femininist. I'm a convinced feminist, but the word feminism has been associated to too many values that are hard for me (and for loads of other people) to accept. Prejudices. Such as that feminists hate men and are ugly and unsexy, which may be true for some, but no more so than among any other group of women. Or men for that sake. There

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-68703664833524494742009-12-13T21:28:00.045+01:002009-12-15T09:44:49.607+01:00

 So, a report on my Lanvin-"knock-off"-project. Though it's really not a knock-off, but rather a dress inpired by. I'm now on my second toile for the top with a twisted-shoulder, and on the second one for the skirt-part (I will combine them both into a dress). I've made more test-versions for other projects, but right now I still feel like I'm drowning in toiles and toile-fabric! I started off

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-31448216993845069482009-12-10T00:39:00.004+01:002009-12-10T17:07:23.339+01:00

I have one vice: flowers (ok, I may forget one or two...). I simply cannot help buying flowers. And when there's a spring bulb clearance-sale at my favourite garden shop I can't stop myself. Impossible. I loose track of time there too, browsing through the boxes trying to choose just the right ones... and I usually leave with a ridiculous amount of bulbs. This week was the big

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-79637880273600764462009-12-06T22:41:00.003+01:002009-12-08T11:53:57.318+01:00

I'm in love with this dress. It's a Lanvin ready to wear from fall 09. I worked until 3am this morning on trying to make a pattern with a twist on the shoulder... a more simple twist than Lanvin's, but still, oh how I would love a dress with a twisted shoulder! And I love the simple lines of the rest of it too (what ever did Alber Elbaz do to hide all darts? They must be

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-68128677822908386032009-12-04T15:52:00.004+01:002009-12-04T23:31:14.847+01:00

I won this 1940's pattern on e-bay today! It's probably much better for me than the last one I wrote about (and made a toile for), it's much more grown up and reminds me of the blouse I made using McCall 6520, that I really like. Gathers below the shoulder-yoke, darts around the waist, and shoulder pads. I think they are all details that work for my body-type. At the same time this pattern is

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-66322783529685529682009-12-04T00:07:00.002+01:002009-12-04T00:21:34.326+01:00

is a big NO! I will not make a dress from this pattern, it's not me at all. I think I will use the sleeves somehow, but since I look almost annoyingly girlish to begin with (you would never be able to guess my age) it's just too much. I need more adult-looing clothes. Anyway, this was an interesting experience. I've learned that: - I DO need a dress form (it's haaard to pin

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-45019545867169146502009-12-02T14:28:00.008+01:002009-12-03T13:08:31.719+01:00

...I'm feeling bubbly... and cosy! A little like this: There's hope in that picture, isn't it? And I've decided to make Wallis Simpson my styleguide for a while. She  may be best known for having said "you can never be too rich or too thin". I'm not sure I agree with that one, but she also said ”I'm not a beautiful woman. I'm nothing to look at, so the only thing I can do is

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-41192985243851027552009-11-29T17:09:00.005+01:002009-11-30T15:43:38.933+01:00

I thought I'd sew something quick and easy. This looks quite simple, doesn't it? Well... it was easy enough, but there are eight darts around the waist, and the necktie took some figuring out (although this was one of the apparently rare vintage patterns with good, illustrated instructions). So it took me a week (sewing jersey has spoilt me!). These are all the pattern-pieces laid out on the

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-55159068412798852002009-11-29T02:12:00.000+01:002009-11-29T02:12:51.394+01:00

... I shall: - Sleep until I wake up - Photograph my first vintage sewing-creation, a blouse from 1946. - Begin to make a wearable toile for the dress I intend to make for christmas, based on Butterick 7127. I was inspired to finally take it up by the picture below (from 1936), the sleeves reminded me of it... (I love their shape!). - Attend this year's first Mulled

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-42684339657664008022009-11-25T12:08:00.002+01:002009-11-25T18:17:36.514+01:00

This is what I would like to look like... in an ideal world where you could ride your bicycle to work in any kind of clothes (I do love my little red 1951-bicycle!). Maybe it would work for me as a jacket rather than a coat... I think my Marian Martin-pattern might work to create somethin similar, or at least as inspiration. I would omit the fur on the sleeves, but the

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-83842460426673760432009-11-22T00:23:00.001+01:002009-11-22T00:24:39.785+01:00

I've had this camisole/dress lying around for nearly a year... it's by the Swedish brand Whyred. I love their designs, the founder of the company used to be a tailor and they always use detailing that make the clothes very special in a discreet way, but when I bought this one at a clearance sale I knew I would have to change it to want to wear it. It was a good length to wear as a dress in

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-71735606492993407662009-11-19T00:11:00.001+01:002009-11-19T00:11:51.540+01:00

I, Karin, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of  4  months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-53555140643158059272009-11-18T22:59:00.003+01:002009-11-19T10:12:03.628+01:00

So, I've finally made something! I got my invitation to join the wardrobe refashion-project today, so I had to celebrate it with something quick and easy! This is the simplest thing possible to make, but I think I'll get good use out of it. I've just got to wash it first, the jersey (that I got from my stash) bleeds black dye (as I discovered the hard way when I woke up the morning after the

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-39965397862301403512009-11-12T23:46:00.005+01:002009-11-13T14:07:34.644+01:00

I finally had the time to go to the post-office and pick up a letter containing a vintage pattern (although strictly speaking, post-offices don't exist in Sweden anymore. They are now hidden away as service-centres, usually located in supermarkets...), and as a bonus another letter with a pattern in it waited for me when I got home! This, Simplicity 1741, is the pattern that I actually had to

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-84769635270318833162009-11-12T10:27:00.005+01:002009-11-13T18:39:31.592+01:00

I ordered some books (I feel a bit guilty since I had decided to try to shop less for a while, but maybe it's ok to shop if I shop wisely?), all sewing-books as it happens... three for me and one for my nieces. I have two nieces (thank you brother!). One is just a month old and the other 3,5 years, and I miss them terribly since they live in Bergen (Norway), so we only meet about twice a year...

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-28579284987955474752009-11-11T22:44:00.003+01:002009-11-12T18:20:03.288+01:00

I just had to show you what I did last weekend... I spent it on Landsort, an island by the sea, in the company of 7 nice girls, all friends or friends of my friends. I love going to the archipelago. The air is easier to breathe there, the sound of the sea makes me like a temple of harmony. Every time I go there I want to simply shift lives and stay there. I hope some day I will!

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-87013105537815817832009-11-10T13:03:00.001+01:002009-11-10T15:35:52.975+01:00

It's funny how things you make can get their own life! My Tea-top pattern that I uploaded on Burdastyle (and in this blog) is now apparently beginning to appear in lists of free sewing-patterns on the internet. I just found it here. There's a picture of Lizzie225 wearing her version of it (the notion says it's me, but nope) and a link to Burdastyle.  I wonder where else it

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-1870704397601112712009-11-09T14:27:00.019+01:002009-11-09T18:14:31.965+01:00

So I decided to begin with the pattern-magic project, not a vintage pattern. And I chose this twisted top. It's simple enough to appeal to me I guess! Many of them (like the bow ones I posted about earlier) make me dribble when I look at them in the book, but I'm not sure I'd like to actually wear them. So: simplicity first! After working on the pattern for a while I realised that there are

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-73628932999744492682009-11-08T16:56:00.000+01:002009-11-08T16:56:33.958+01:00

This box is one of my oldest treasures. I loved it the moment I saw it, and even more when I opened it (...it's full of mother of pearl-buttons with a few sparkly rhinestone-buttons scattered like diamonds among them) and that was long ago enough to not remember if I bought it or if my mum bought it and gave it to me. I must ask her. The other day I was looking through my drawers and boxes, I

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-38858702357893365252009-11-06T21:32:00.010+01:002009-11-06T23:49:57.170+01:00

I am addicted to fast sewing projects. They get in the way of the more slow ones, for good and bad... This dress was a fast project that became a bit more slow than expected... first the sleeve openings became almost ruffled since the material (an organic cotton) is too loosely knitted for the seam (an ordinary twin-needle-seam). That was such a sad sight that I didn't even think of bringing

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-44116018905633761462009-11-06T20:06:00.008+01:002009-11-07T01:32:41.706+01:00

Friday night and coming home was almost like christmas eve (that's when we give our christmas-presents, we're a bit impatient here up north!). Two yellow envelopes and one little parcel - all with much treasured patterns - were waiting for me, bliss!   This first one is an Anne Adams mail-order-pattern, and I guess it's from the 1930's. It's an unprinted pattern, and it

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-67494260713851330462009-11-05T12:51:00.050+01:002009-11-19T10:13:08.312+01:00

This is a vintage-inspired top that I designed when I needed something to wear to go out. One of those moments when the closet suddenly seems very empty, even though you didn't get rid of any clothes. Strange... I wanted it to be adaptable to more formal settings as well as to wild parties, and since I love to dance (and it can get rather warm on the dancefloor!) I wanted it

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-7462240842252985112009-11-04T22:58:00.005+01:002009-11-05T11:21:36.091+01:00

I have a few favourite books. Books that I love, that I've kept for a long time, return to and never get bored with. Among them are two Japanese books about pattern construction, Pattern Magic vol 1 and vol 2. They are both full of projects that make me want to immediately get my roll of pattern-paper, rulers and pencil out and get busy! Do you want to make a dress with a bunch of knots in the

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-52403339743207125922009-11-03T23:44:00.009+01:002009-11-06T23:00:26.262+01:00

I love coming home when there is nothing but one yellow envelope posstamped in the USA on the doormat  (I could have written "in the postbox", but it wouldn't have been true!). Old patterns come in yellow envelopes, I've learned. This was another one of those patterns that no-one bid on, that I found irresistable. Even though I don't really wear blouses, and I'm certainly

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-49018783855058344272009-11-03T22:16:00.006+01:002009-11-05T10:43:45.758+01:00

Found on Facebook by a friend of mine... makes me wonder... (but it's kind of cute!). Now I'm off to kill me some fashion!

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-21723221434387162732009-11-02T00:09:00.013+01:002009-11-06T20:11:59.816+01:00

I need to do something to keep my mind off my bidding! 7 minutes left on one auction... Thought I'd show my favourite pattern so far. It's a 1930's dress, but I think I will shorten it and make a jacket. I love the collar, the button-details and the slim shape. I was lucky with this one, I was the only one who bid on it, which I find a bit strange since it must be early 1930's and I think it's

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-4382117189193476522009-11-01T13:02:00.006+01:002009-11-05T11:23:03.566+01:00

Sunday, and I keep myself busy copying old patterns. I SHOULD be out on the balcony, I have to empty it before tomorrow since it's going to be renovated (it's going to be a BIG improvement to my apartment, so I'm really quite excited about it!). The pattern I'm working on now is the 1930's coat/dress that I posted a picture of below. Some of the pieces are so fragile they shatter when I touch

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-75994193950607946032009-11-01T12:31:00.007+01:002009-11-05T10:44:57.975+01:00

Halloween the trick or treat way is a rather new tradition in here Sweden, although we've always celebrated Halloween. What we traditionally do is visit our ancestors graves and light grave-candles. Now, I live in Stockholm and my family is from the north of Sweden, so I don't have any graves to visit, but if I get the chance I still go to the great Woodland Cemetary designed by Gunnar Asplund

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-1288648042189368442009-10-31T23:01:00.012+01:002009-12-03T20:29:53.399+01:00

Ok, it’s not Prada. But the material is (from my material-heaven where they sell designer remnants). I based it on my cowl-neckline-top/dress-pattern but changed the sleeve-openings to cap-sleeves, instructions and the original pattern are posted and can be downloaded for free on Burdastyle (here). I call it my dance dress because the first time I wore it was to my friend’s birthday-party

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-28542737769997695422009-10-31T15:57:00.006+01:002009-11-05T11:20:25.961+01:00

I was in great need of a new dress to wear both at parties and work. Since I really like my cowl-neckline dress (the first dress I'm truly comfortable in!), I adapted the pattern to work better in winter by adding cap sleeves. Not as easy as I thought! Since the top part of the cowl-neckline pattern is tilted to the side, the cap-sleeve made the arm-opening smaller, very small actually! I

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-14540561836515850872009-10-30T11:46:00.004+01:002009-11-07T01:16:24.018+01:00

These are my first 1930's sewing patterns. I bought them just because I wanted them, no plan, but after a week in my care (and in my mind) it's beginning to become clear what I want to make from them. The dress-pattern will become a dress. Simple! I intend to make the short sleeved version in a black/deep blue viscose that I just couldn't not buy, it was a case of me holding it and not wanting

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-38732789960948852642009-10-30T10:28:00.000+01:002009-10-30T10:41:30.427+01:00

One reason I started this blog is to be able to sign up for Nikkishell's Wardrobe refashion-pledge that feels like the perfect challenge for me at the moment, it's such a great idea and and I both want to support it and be a part of it!I've felt less and less felt like buying clothes lately, and more and more wanted to sew more clothes of my own. And I have a pile of loved clothes that are nearly

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6399572785732241186.post-59366457577730968792009-10-30T10:21:00.000+01:002009-10-30T13:11:39.089+01:00

Oh bless, I found a non-registrered blogger-adress that I like... phew! It's french and means old-new.This will be my sewing-blog, about old and new sewing, some from vintage patterns, some from my own patterns, some refashioning of old clothes and some restoration of my most loved and worn ones... so here we go!

Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06491845092977999733noreply@blogger.com0