Severine of Inner French Girl gave me a Fashion Blog Award this week. What an honour! Severine's bulletins are such an enjoyable read; they provide fantastic inspiration as Severine analyses the runway styles and matches them with existing patterns. There are lots of other goodies and tips to be found in each bulletin and on Severine's site. As I told Severine, being featured in a bulletin which also presents Oscar de la Renta is something I totally not deserve - but feels good nonetheless! ;) Merci, Severine!
Severine and I discussed the concept of "Frenchiness" together a few weeks ago. Stylishness for Severine is epitomized by her personal vision of France - but as she explained to me, this is her view. Your inner girl can be whatever talks to you most. To me, it means, "embrace your inner beauty, and make it shine outwards"!
As you all know, I am all for creating a personal and unique stylishness with your own hands to make it you and to make it meaningful. This is all my blog is about; and this is exactly what Inner French Girl encourages us to do!
Severine and I discussed the concept of "Frenchiness" together a few weeks ago. Stylishness for Severine is epitomized by her personal vision of France - but as she explained to me, this is her view. Your inner girl can be whatever talks to you most. To me, it means, "embrace your inner beauty, and make it shine outwards"!
As you all know, I am all for creating a personal and unique stylishness with your own hands to make it you and to make it meaningful. This is all my blog is about; and this is exactly what Inner French Girl encourages us to do!
Since Severine in the bulletin mentioned that I sewed with a feline little helper, and that I sewed in Paris, I wanted to share how both truly inform my way of sewing.
Here's a picture I snapped this morning,
which illustrates my blog's name to a tee:
which illustrates my blog's name to a tee:
P'tite Mignonne insists on participating in every single step of the sewing process - from lying on the pattern and fabrics whenever I lay them on the floor to cut them out (to smooth them out, you know), to checking me out once I'm wearing the completed garment. Here, she is inspecting the outer darts and the thread tracing I did to mark the facing section on the jacket's front pieces.
This also gives you an insight into my sewing space, and makes me reflect that the way you sew is undeniably influenced by where in the world you are, in a material way as much as regards ideas. Sure, I am influenced by beautiful and fashionable shopwindows whenever I'm walking in Paris (i.e., several times a day). BUT, poky interiors are also part and parcel of Paris. Our flat is 45m² (that is 147 square feet), and that is certainly not bad for a couple in Paris (and I love it!); it is comprised of 2 rooms (besides the bathroom and the tiny kitchen where you can't even sit): a bedroom and a room for everything else, where we dine, work, relax, and where of course I sew! The table you see is our dining table. The right end carries my sewing machine and serger; I simply move the sewing machine to the middle of the table when I want to sew. The other end of the table also doubles as a desk for Seb's laptop when he's home. I need to be very tidy and organized with my projects or the whole place would be a mess and my precious fabrics would be showing traces of the previous dinner.
I don't think that is a bad thing. It encourages me to be organized and also implies I cannot have more than a couple projects on the go - meaning, no UFOs.
This also gives you an insight into my sewing space, and makes me reflect that the way you sew is undeniably influenced by where in the world you are, in a material way as much as regards ideas. Sure, I am influenced by beautiful and fashionable shopwindows whenever I'm walking in Paris (i.e., several times a day). BUT, poky interiors are also part and parcel of Paris. Our flat is 45m² (that is 147 square feet), and that is certainly not bad for a couple in Paris (and I love it!); it is comprised of 2 rooms (besides the bathroom and the tiny kitchen where you can't even sit): a bedroom and a room for everything else, where we dine, work, relax, and where of course I sew! The table you see is our dining table. The right end carries my sewing machine and serger; I simply move the sewing machine to the middle of the table when I want to sew. The other end of the table also doubles as a desk for Seb's laptop when he's home. I need to be very tidy and organized with my projects or the whole place would be a mess and my precious fabrics would be showing traces of the previous dinner.
I don't think that is a bad thing. It encourages me to be organized and also implies I cannot have more than a couple projects on the go - meaning, no UFOs.~*~
And now, a few words about the work in progress pictured above.
Some of you may recognize the pattern as Simplicity 3631. I am making the jacket but want to add a lining to accommodate for our very wintry weather (it may actually snow later today!). The pattern doesn't call for a lining, so there are neither a pattern nor instructions to add one. This means I've been reading and researching quite a bit on jacket linings! I know how to make my lining pattern now (including adding a one-inch pleat to the back), but am still unsure about how to attach it. This jacket doesn't have a real collar with a back facing, but a band collarn; so instead of fully bagging the lining, I'm thinking I should join the lining and shell together at the sides (right sides together), but leave the top edges unstitched until I apply the collar band. I would thus be joining the lining and outer shell, wrong sides together, at the same time as I add the collar band. Does this sound like it makes sense?
The jacket may not be completed before a while, though. I am taking my time with it as this is the fabric I bought with dear Tany, and I am therefore dedicating this work to her. Besides, Seb is home for the weekend, we are celebrating our seventh anniversary together, and I want to take it easy as I am plain exhausted with a nagging tendency to insomnia!
There are several finished projects I would like to share with you friends, but I need to prioritize my time right now - I'm sure you understand!
I'll be sharing a few cute and cosy projects with you real soon.
Some of you may recognize the pattern as Simplicity 3631. I am making the jacket but want to add a lining to accommodate for our very wintry weather (it may actually snow later today!). The pattern doesn't call for a lining, so there are neither a pattern nor instructions to add one. This means I've been reading and researching quite a bit on jacket linings! I know how to make my lining pattern now (including adding a one-inch pleat to the back), but am still unsure about how to attach it. This jacket doesn't have a real collar with a back facing, but a band collarn; so instead of fully bagging the lining, I'm thinking I should join the lining and shell together at the sides (right sides together), but leave the top edges unstitched until I apply the collar band. I would thus be joining the lining and outer shell, wrong sides together, at the same time as I add the collar band. Does this sound like it makes sense?
The jacket may not be completed before a while, though. I am taking my time with it as this is the fabric I bought with dear Tany, and I am therefore dedicating this work to her. Besides, Seb is home for the weekend, we are celebrating our seventh anniversary together, and I want to take it easy as I am plain exhausted with a nagging tendency to insomnia!
There are several finished projects I would like to share with you friends, but I need to prioritize my time right now - I'm sure you understand!
I'll be sharing a few cute and cosy projects with you real soon.In closing, my kitty cup has a message for you:
Hope you are all having a great weekend! 
24 comments:
I am going to add a lining to my version of this jacket also and after quickly checking the pattern instructions - the way I imagined installing the lining should work.
I am going to cut the lining pieces from the pattern and baste the jacket and lining together so that the two pieces are treated as one. Then add the first band piece so that lining and jacket both will be caught under the band facing. To hem the jacket, I will handstitch the regular hem and then handstitch the lining to the jacket (or I might even allow it to swing free - haven't decided yet!) The sleeves will definitely be handstitched down.
This is my thought for the jacket. Hopefully others have thoughts about this and will offer their advice too.
Good luck with the jacket!
Your flat sounds very similar to the flat I owned before moving here. Mind you, this place isn't much bigger. Still no separate dining area, tiny kitchen etc. We need to win some big money on the lottery Isabelle lol.
I love that kitty cup and the sweet photo of Violette.
Hello my dear friend !
I simply love your last photo ! I think the words are the way cats have about life, and that they're quite right ...
I hope your enjoying your week-end with your dear husband (I feel like Jane writing to one of her sister when I wrote something like that ...).
So, my dear Isabelle, I wish you a good and lovely sunday afternoon ...
A little kiss to little Miss Fluffy !
She looks like she is being very helpful with your stitching. My cats are always around when I'm trying to stitch as well. Loved your kitty cup too, it is just too sweet. Looking forward to seeing your update of projects when next you post. Enjoy your time with Seb and try and get some rest.
Sue
My dear friend Isabelle! I'm so honoured that you are dedicating this new sewing project to me! I don't know what to say, except that it's a big honour, really!
I'm still picturing your apartment, thank you so much for this "sneak peek" into your space! I live in a slightly bigger apartment (67m2) but yet I share the same working conditions since I use my big dinning table to cut and sew my garments (no UFO's here either!).
I think Carolyn has a good point with this jacket; there are actually several ways of attaching a lining depending on several aspects, mainly on the facings; if the jacket has front edge facings but no back neck facing I usually extend the front edge facing to the shoulder and trace a back facing that will be stitched to the front facing at the shoulders; this way there will be a continuous facing edge starting at the front hem on one side, following along the back neckline and ending at the front hem on the other side. In this case the lining pattern is cut taking off the facing width; I use 1.5cm SA for all the lining pieces and machine stitch the complete lining (with the sleeves attached), right sides together, to the facing edge, ending the stitching just 3cm before reaching the (previously hand sewn) jacket hem. The rest of the lining is handstitched to the jacket's hem (3cm above the hem bottom edge), making a little fold for wearing ease along the hem edge. The sleeve lining is also handstitched to the previously handstitched sleeve hem, following the same procedure. If you don't have a back neck facing, I would sew the lining to the jacket exactly as Carolyn stated.
I wish you luck with this exciting new sewing project and please feel free to write me back if you have any doubts at all! I’m so looking forward to seeing the finished jacket, made from that gorgeous fabric! Many hugs!
My dear Isabelle, what a cute picture of P'tite Mignonne. I don't sew a lot but when it happens, Plume acts the same ;)
As I know how your apartment is, it's easy to imagine you when you sew. One day you'll have to visit me so you'll see my nest ;)
I think of you every time I use my kitty cup, you know how much I love it!
(((hugs)))
Great post. Yes, my cats must approve of every sewing step too. Usually they've posted themselves in various parts of the studio, observing what I do. I was cutting out the trench yesterday and all three of them were sitting just off of the fabric watching me.
You've already recieved good advice on the lining! Your jacket will be really nice!
I've had to sew and live in some very small spaces and it really isn't that bad. It does force you to be organized and keep only what is important.
Dear Isabelle,
Your new project looks exciting and I really love that beautiful red. It is one of my favourite colours. There are so many shades of red but that particular shade is the best. I am sure it is going to look stunning as all your projects do. I wonder what goes on in P'tite Mignonne's mind when she is watching you sewing mmm would be interesting to know.
I wish I were as organized as you are!! :)
I do as Tany suggested and add a back facing and then you can do a bagged lining. I almost always draft my own linings from the altered pattern pieces, even if there are lining pieces because I do a number of changes and it is easier to trace the altered pattern. Don't forget to raise the underarm to clear the seam allowances.
What a sweet kitty! The kitty cup is too perfect.
Isobelle, you are so wise for someone so young! And reading your posts always cheers me. We have a very old outside cat and I can't imagine letting her sit on my projects...lol.
That jacket is being made by so many I almost feel compelled to have a go too, but am unsure of the wide sleeves. It will be interesting to see what you do as you are so petite.
Oh, and congratulations for being awarded "The Inner French Girl".
Oops, sorry Isabelle for misspelling your name. My only excuse is it is too hot and the airconditioning is not working.
Hello Isabelle,
this is such an nice post - I really love reading you. I have also a very small sewing space - sometimes it bothers me, but I agree - it helps you to focus.
I am looking forward to the jacket, the fabric has such a wonderful colour.
And congratulations to the award, you really deserve it!
Best wishes,
Katrin
Thank you for sharing all these beautiful things with us Isabelle ;-) Take care and I hope you had a GREAT weekend ;-)
Ann
Congratulations on your well-deserved award, Isabelle! This was a very fun post. And this photo with Lil' Miss Cutie, looks just like your blog banner--LOL! Look forward to seeing your finished jacket. And your flat sounds like our old flat before we bought a house. Even though we slightly more space, our house is old with few cupboard/closet, very little storage options so keeping organized it a must. Sweet kitty mug--and love his message ;o) Happy week to you ((HUGS))
Lovely post, congratulations on the Inner French Girl award. The kitten cup is lovely and the text so true.
And I do remember the times when I had only one room to live in and no room for keeping my sewing machine on the table. It works, and you certainly get organized that way (only the organized part didn't quite stay with me when I finally got my own room for sewing :-))
What a sweet picture of your cat!
y'a t'il des gens parlant francais sur ce blog ?? ;-)
Je viens dire bonjour à ma charmante copinette mais je comprends rien à ce qu'elle dit. J'ouvre une petition pour que ce blog soit billingue ;-)
Bises à toi ma belle
Big Huge for my cutie friend ;-)
How well I remember my dinky apartment days! But I didn't sew back then, nor even stitch so didn't really have projects to consider. Back in those days I wasn't the homebody that I am now, preferring to be out and about. :D How things changed once the babies started arriving, lol!
Small can be beautiful :) And you are right - it does stop you from having too much on the go. We have more space than you but we still need to be careful with it :)
Love the beautiful photo :)
Coucou,
je suis bien fière de toi pour cette award.
P'tite mimi est toujours aussi mimi. je vois qu'elle t'aide bien!!
Ta mug est toute jolie aussi.
Bisous
Hello my dear Isabelle !
I'm just stopping to give you and Petite Mignonne a hug for your last "between ladies"'s day of the week !
Congratulations on the award and thank you for sharing your sewing space and how it influences your projects. I love the photo of your sweet helper.
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