My #2019MakeNine Picks : : And Cyber Space Can Be a Scary Place
Hi ya…today I’m documenting my #2019makenine sewing goals. But first…
Notice of a blog publishing/delivery change and why.
Last year there was a wee bit of drama chez A Colourful Canvas. My blog was scraped in its entirety. What does that mean and what does that look like? Well..imagine my blog just as you see it now, but at a different web address with a different blog name and…wot…a different name under my photo. It was all a bit creepy weird in the usual ways. It felt like theft. It felt all kinds of wrong. Adding to my frustration was seeing this bogus website rank super high in search engines, effectively eclipsing my own little blog.
This kind of trolling happens. A lot. I suspect the goal is to hi-jack sites that have some kind of e-commerce…either sites that sell a product or a service or otherwise receive revenue from ads or click-throughs.
It wasn’t without some serious effort that we got the offending website taken down. But. We did. And moving forward, we’ve added security features to my site that are supposed to make content scraping difficult. Additionally…as recommended…I’ve changed my RSS to publish only a portion of my posts. If you regularly read A Colourful Canvas via email or a feed reader such as Bloglovin’, you will now receive a short teaser with a click-link that brings you to the full post here on my blog. I apologize to those that find this inconvenient, but my experience really motivated me to do more to protect my content.
Okey dokey. Let’s switch gears and talk sewing plans for 2019. Because my #2018 Make Nine, review here, was such a success, I’ve been looking forward to participating in the challenge again this year. I’m not usually much of a planner, but this gentle challenge really helps me focus on sewing with the goodies I’ve collected over the past few years. Yep…my choices are once again drawn from my pattern and fabric stash.
I was immediately attracted to the bright pink and purple tints in the cotton above, bought a few years ago from a local fabric store that was closing out. The print is raccoons and rabbits and bears. As much as I like the print and colourway, it doesn’t really go with anything in my wardrobe. My solution? Make a dress. Dresses don’t need to go with other separates, amirite? I’ve chosen the Perth Dress pattern by Carolyn and Cassie. I’ve only made this dress once; and sadly wore it but a few times. I blame the fabric…tencel denim and you can see it here. I never ever liked the feel of the tencel. Everybody seems to love tencel….but me, not so much. It’s too soft and drapey, but kind of sticky in a way. I’m looking forward to making a lovely fresh Perth Dress.
I’m always all about the navy and white colourway. And gingham…why hello. I bought this high quality fabric from Thread Theory over a year ago with the thought that I’d make G a shirt. But no. I’m a gonna make me a shirt instead. I’ve chosen the Grainline Archer. The fabric is cotton with a flannel-like hand…so…if not now, it’ll be in the queue for autumn.
I’m continuing the making of the under things in 2019. This year’s goal…a well fitting wireless bra. I bought Pin-Up Girls Ingrid Bra back in the fall, but just haven’t got to making it yet. And does that fabric look familiar? I used it for my #2018makenine wired bra and underwear set. This bit of fabric is actually this Rowan Tee which I can’t wait to tear apart and make more underthings. That top in that fabric…was just way too form fitting for my liking.
Hello again blue and white striped coating that didn’t get sewn last year. I’ve picked another pattern for this fabric with high hopes. It’s a French pattern company, I Am Patterns, and the pattern Libellule Coat can be made as a dress, top or coat. It has all the elements I’m looking for.
Pretty pink and white Laura Ashley fabric. This is a huge piece of fabric I found at my local thrift store. It has a handwritten, taped on price tag of 3 pounds. So, some lovely person bought this in the UK, brought it home, probably kept it in their stash for years…and then donated it to goodwill just for me. I’ve picked the Lou Box Dress 1 by Sew DIY for this fabric…but…this would also be really lovely as a Charlie Caftan.
Ooooh…up next is a twofer. Difficult to see, but this a print; a dark blue, white dotty and black patterned print. It has a slight stretch with good recovery. Feels like cotton, probably with lycra. I may be taking a chance here….not quite sure if the fabrication will be suitable for my chosen patterns. For the pants; Megan Nielsen’s Flint Pants; for the jacket; a vintage Vogue Badgley Mischka Pattern #V1099.
So. My 2018 purse goal turned out to be a dud. But. Good news is that I realized that I really want to make a backpack. I have a couple of patterns in my stash and my first choice is the London Backpack by LBG Studio. My fabric is a woven with beautiful patterns on both front and back. My plan is to integrate both sides of the fabric into my make. The risk, however, is ending up with a backpack that is a little too busy.
Between us: What I really want is a backpack that looks rather like a rucksack…maybe leather or suede…definitely a solid, neutral fabric…one that would go with lots of outerwear. I don’t have any of these fabrics in my stash but if all goes well with my first make…well, lemme just say I’ve been shopping around.
Onto the Burnside Bibs. I’ve had this Sew House Seven pattern for sooooo long. And. I’ve had this navy cotton twill for almost as long. Will the twill be too structured for the overalls? Not at all sure on this one. My heart says linen but my head says make the pattern in the twill before splurging on a quality linen. And. Truth is…I’m not totally confident on how this silhouette will look on me, so best to start with fabric from my stash.
Last up in the grid is the Lisbon Cardigan by Itch to Stitch. The fabric is a printed knit that I bought online. This is one of those online purchases….deep discount…that maybe wasn’t the deal I thought it was. It just does not feel right for any pattern I choose. It’s weird. I love the colours. The fabric is top-notch quality. But. Every time I try and match it to a pattern, I get stuck. I figure I can at least do a muslin for the Lisbon cardigan. Do any of you dear readers have a pattern suggestion?
All righty peeps. That’s it for today. In addition to my sans-serif font, I have made the text darker. Does this help?
PS You may not have caught my last post in full. It was a full review on my #2018 Make Nine and you can read it here.
20 Comments
They all look great and I can’t wait to see them all done up. Especially the Lisbon Cardigan. I love the colors and I think a cardigan in that print would be very cute. I hope it turns out well for you.
Thanks Sue! Thanks for the affirmation re: my pattern choice for the knit fabric! I think I’ll enough to make a tank top as well!
I love that blue Perth dress. What a shame you don’t like the material and don’t wear it. It looks so good. Can’t you put a underdress underneath it? To stop it from clinging?
What I noticed when I went through all your lovely fabrics, is the near absent of solids. Remember you yourself said you should steer away a little from patterns? Hmm.. I know this love. I want to steer away from antique (looking) jewellery, pretty jewellery and focus on more modern. And I always pick out the ones I want to avoid. First love doesn’t die easily.
Greetje
PS I have copied the beginning of your post and sent it to my IT back-up lady.
I know. The look of the Perth dress was all thumbs up! But…hard to describe…the fabric felt weird to me and it wasn’t just how it clung. Even when my hands touched the outside, it felt unpleasant. I’ve not heard a single person have the same experience with tencel, so I guess it’s just me.
And about all these prints we see here…
If I wasn’t feeling…hmmmm…a measure of guilt about my stash, I’d just go out and buy a bunch of classy solid fabrics and sew a whole new chic wardrobe. Of course, now that I say that out loud, I realize I’d need a fair bit of money to actually do that, LOL. The reality is my stash of fabrics is highly print based, 🙂 and I do love them…but…I’m kind of excited about the next sewing chapter after these makes are done. Yep…my stash will be down to such a small number of fabrics that I can start to dream about a cohesive classic wardrobe.
We’ll see how that goes, hahahaha.
If your IT lady has any questions, we’ll be happy to try and help.
Some lovely choices! You’re going to have tons of fun sewing them up. I’m especially looking forward to your experience with Ingrid since I’m currently a huge Ingrid factory myself! (Just made my 5th with 4 more cut out to go.) And the backpack is intriguing too. Love the print for the Lisbon and hope that sews up as cute as I think it will. Well, get sewing there, woman!
WOW! That’s 9, NINE, Ingrids! You GO GIRL!
Your success with the pattern has really inspired me. You know…similar shape and all. I’ve got the fabric, and the bits needed. I’ve measured myself with the new system and it seems to jive with my Shelley bras so….here I go. The hardest part with making a new pattern is the fit and I’m hoping that I’ll get it right the first time…well, at least wearable.
I’ve got the lining pieces for the backpack cut out. Instructions look good. I’ll keep you posted. Keep in mind that I am looking for a backpack that functions more like a handbag than a full-on water bottle in the mesh side pockets kind of thing.
Even though I haven’t been commenting in the last while, I just wanted to say that I love your blog – great writing, photography and best of all, your beautiful creations. I’m so sorry you underwent the theft of your blog. A pox on all who do that. And so glad to hear that you got the other site shut down.
You make very beautiful clothes and bags and I look forward to your creations for 2019. If there’s too much pattern in your fabric, you could always overdye it.
Hey Barbara! Always nice to hear from you! VERRRRRY interesting suggestion of doing an over dye on the fabric. I might end up with more ‘texture’ than pattern…so definitely food for thought, thank you!
They all look very interesting. You have inspired me to get my act together and get sewing. Thanks for giving me the push I needed.
Aw…so happy to have inspired you. I do find that taking the time to think through some of the things that I want to make inspiring to my own self. Basically, I’ve not done any sewing in January. I really tried to slow down, get a bit of a plan, and make fewer things, but items that I’m hopeful will be worn/used.
Nightmare scenario re tour blog but super proud of you getting it solved! loving this list … no surprise there … and great that you’ve got both fabric and patterns all lined up. I’m fascinated by the wireless bra – wires drive me insane these days – so I’m popping that in my inbox!!! x
Sarah! SO SORRY…I missed replying to your comment. I did read it right away, thank you!!!
I quite like having nine things in the queue….complete with fabric and patterns ready to go. Nine feels like a good number for me. It still allows me time and energy for a new pattern that comes out.
They say well fitting underwired bras should be completely comfortable…BUT…I’m like you….these days I’ve found myself not totally loving my wired bras. I have made my first Ingrid non-wired bra and although I have to tweak the fit a little bit for a second one, I gotta tell you I quite like it. I can wear it all day and it’s super comfortable.
A great selection Sue, I look forward to seeing them all in all their glory. I really want to make the burnside bibs too, buuuuut not sure it’s me either. Mind you I thought the York would be awful and I love it. Hope all is fine and dandy with you. Suzy xx (sewing in spain)
Hey Suzy! So nice of you to stop by…I know IG is your home base. 😉
Okay…I will be our guinea pig with respect to the Burnside bibs. Will they end up too juvenile? Who knows? I have intentionally chosen a more tailored fabric and I am going to make the view that is more fitted.
On a slightly different note, I’m pleased to say I just finished my first of my make nine…the wireless bra from Bra Makers Supply.
Love your fabrics and pattern choices. I really enjoy trolling through the patterns and fabric stash to put the like minded together. For the Lisbon cardigan fabric wonder if it wouldn’t once again make a good dress. If you generally favour print fabrics as a cardigan it will be print over print. It wouldn’t echo French chic but what about something similar to your self-drafted t-shirt dress.
It was only when I started feeling overwhelmed by my stash that I seriously began to match patterns to my fabric. And boy…has it helped me whittle the stack down. Funny really…it’s such a logical thing to do…but there I was collecting pretty fabrics with no clear idea of what to do with them, LOL.
Thanks also for the suggestion that my t-shirt dress might be a good option for the printed leaf knit fabric. I had considered the Ebony Dress, but nixed that because I am trying to use patterns that I already own. I’m now thinking that I could alter my Tee dress to have a little more ‘swing’ to it and that might be really cute.
I really like your fabric choices, even though I don’t wear prints except for stripes and polka dots. The leaf pattern is especially pretty. I’m so sorry to hear your blog was “swiped”. There seems to be more and more of that kind of thing happening – a couple of my friends had this happen, and one of them had their IG account taken over by someone who proceeded to post sex videos on it!
Hey Shelley! I adore stripes and polka dots too. In looking back at my fabric choices, although I love them, I can understand why they’ve been longest in my stash. I’m not sure they’re really representing the style direction that I want to be going in. I have let some fabrics go to goodwill and this could be the last nine of my stash to be sewn up.
The idea of having an IG account taken over and then to have sex videos posted is horrifying. I’m sorry your friend had to experience it.
I had the same hesitations over the Burnside Bibs, being just five feet tall. But, I made them and absolutley love them. I will be making more soon. I’ve also made the V1099. I love this jacket and still wear it a lot, every summer. It’s a great little throw on for a warm night. You’ve got some great choices here. I can’t wait to see your interpretations.
Hi Bunny!
I love hearing your enthusiasm for the Burnside Bibs. I’d say we have a similar shape, as well as height, so I’m feeling very encouraged. I am waffling on my fabric choice though. I think I may switch out the twill for a linen or linen blend. There’s little point in sewing something that I don’t feel 100% enthusiastic about and I’m pretty sure a linen type fabric will get me there.
Very cool to hear that you’ve made the V1099 jacket too! I think it’s so cute…I love the pants with it, but as I’ve had good success with Megan Nielsen Patterns, I’m excited to sew up the Flint pants.
‘k, I’ve been busy with art stuff, not so much sewing other than a few bras (yeah, one thing off my list). I’ve got me some sewing to do! 🙂