Thursday, January 20, 2011

Secret talent #32....

Jigsaws. I've always been really good at them. Got a puzzle with pieces that have to fit together? I'm your girl. And lately, I've been brushing up on those skills.... BIG TIME........ and wishing I had a wide-format printer (or that my favourite printers were a few suburbs closer).

I've been patternmaking and devising class notes for my Draped Top workshop in March.
Using the Japanese Drape Drape and Pattern Magic books as inspiration, I'm working on notes to show class participants how to adapt their own favourite t-shirt to add twists and drapes.
It's lots of fun, experimenting with different drape placements and styles -and with three or four overlocker (serger) seams, they're a piece of cake to whip up. Instant gratification galore! These are yesterday's photos. After a trip to GJ's bargain back-room today (to re-fuel with knit fabrics), I refined these styles and I think I have a few patterns I can grade to multi-size and make available to those of you who can't make it to class.
(Feedback required here..... Do I make cheap, simple patterns with basic instructions, or do I put in my usual umpty-five thousand hours into developing the pattern as a sewing class? Are we more interested in the pattern or the instructions here, folks...?)
Secret talent #33.... cracking the code on tricksy patternmaking techniques.

Secret talent #34.... posing like a git on the stairs.

Secret talent #35.... hairdressing (it's a bit like sculpture with scissors).

Yes, I cut away most of the 20-odd-years-of-colour and found out that I look remarkably like an elderly pixie.

Still not sure where this hair thing is going.... I'll wait and see.
Secret talent #36 - the ability to sustain a state of indecision indefinitely.
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Apparently, it's no secret that I'm quite a dab hand at bag-making. Did you know that I'm giving away one of my Laptop Bag samples? Yep.... head on over here to enter the giveaway (but go via here or here first!).
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32 comments:

  1. My.FlorentineJanuary 20, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    I'm extremely indecisive too!
    And those draped Tshirts look awesome :D I'd definately be interested in some of those patterns.

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  2. meriJanuary 20, 2011 at 11:30 PM

    Those Tshirt are so pretty! I always love draped things... and they are not easy to find!
    And your new look is great Nikki!
    I just love white hair in a young girl!You'll find white hair is much easier "to deal with" stronger and healthier :)
    You've made the right option, I think. Go ahead!

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  3. Melisssa GrantJanuary 20, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    I'm in L.O.V.E. with your draped designs! I'm wondering if it will be an "easy to modify pattern"... say for short people. Yep I'm a shortie! Regardless, I can't wait to make one in every style and colour. I also want to thank you for making me giggle today. Such a fun post to read.
    Melissa x

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  4. NikkiJanuary 20, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    Melissa - don't worry - I'm a shortie too. Patterns are drafted in shortie-size and graded up from there.

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  5. Melanie Gray AugustinJanuary 21, 2011 at 12:44 AM

    Love the hair and love that shirts! I'd love a pattern... but need to get over my fear of sewing stretchy stuff first...

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  6. A Peppermint PenguinJanuary 21, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    I'd say stick with the pattern only until you've had your class and then think about adding instruction depending on which bits people found the most challenging to do.

    And you look about as elderly as Tinkerbell!

    Cheers,
    AJ

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  7. KatherineJanuary 21, 2011 at 3:27 AM

    Love your list of secret talents! ;o) lol
    Great draped designs for knits. You have such a flair for spicy things up. I'm voting for patterns as I can't make it to one of your classes (although I'd very much love to). Are you sure you couldn't bring your lovely pixie self to Canada???? Pretty please?

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  8. Verte AdélieJanuary 21, 2011 at 4:09 AM

    Beautiful tee-shirts, especially the last one, in all its simplicity. You make me dreamy with your "3 or 4 overlocker seams" (one day I'll have a serger, one day I will).

    Aaand, from what can be seen on the pictures, short hair + gray hair seems to be a perfect combo on you, you look lovely! Actually my first reaction was even to find that you looked younger on those pictures (not that you generally look old on pictures, mind you! :)).

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  9. OotyJanuary 21, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    Oh WOW (I mean BIG WOW) those tops looks beautiful!!! (and so do you, love the hair!!!!)
    Israel is way too far for me to join to one of your classes but I am sure this is going to be amazing one!!

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  10. soozJanuary 21, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    I want the patterns more than the instructions (will happily test sew in the large haul of op shop jersey I got over Christmas!)

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  11. rachandcarlJanuary 21, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    i am loving those t's. i have a bunch of jersey i want to use and these would be great. i think the basic patterns would be the way to ge hereh ( quicker for you to write too!!)

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  12. Jenny from OhjohJanuary 21, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Hi Nikki

    Love the bling hair in your new spunky do. They sparkle so nicely!
    I too, am terrified of stretch fabric and I know that it makes no sense as everyone tells me it is so quick and easy.
    Love your shirts - a few tips in your pattern re working with stretch would be awesome!!!
    Ta
    Jenny

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  13. thornberryJanuary 21, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    Wow you HAVE been prolific with those patterns! Shall hopefully call by this morning some time and take some off your hands for test-sewing? Maybe I need a GJs trip too (just in case I don't have enough in stash ...)

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  14. thornberryJanuary 21, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. JodieJanuary 21, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    A damn sexy looking elderly pixie I might add.

    I'd say start with simple and send them out to some newbie testers and wait for feedback.

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  16. Gay McDonellJanuary 21, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Great lookin' git - I love it! So many talents - go girl!

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  17. LeonieJanuary 21, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    My you are a talented girl! Love the draped tops and love the hair. Grey power! Woohoo!

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  18. ChristyJanuary 21, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    aw!! you look adorable! Love the new do!

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  19. CassJanuary 21, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    I love your hair, oh and the tshirts too but I hate sewing in tshirt fabric so I'd be too scared to try then

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  20. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Can certainly identify with Secret Talent # 36! T-shirt class sounds great.....off to look up your class lists

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  21. MaryJanuary 21, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Simple is good for lazy people like me who sort of know what they are doing but just someone to boot them up the bum and point them in the right direction. The tops you've done so far look fab and pixie yes, eldery no not at all.

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  22. KathyBJanuary 21, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Would love a pattern and instructions, Nikki, looking forward to when they are done.

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  23. FerJanuary 21, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    Loving those t-shirts! I'm in favour of the cheap, simple pattern but I suppose it's because I've been making clothes most of my life and don't need a lot in the way of directions these days. :)

    Loving the new 'do' too! The touches of grey give you a nice air of distinction! ♥

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  24. LeonieJanuary 21, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Love the short and natural hair, it's surprising what's hiding under years of habit isn't it??
    The T's look very stylish and comfortable, great work there!

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  25. LieslJanuary 21, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    I love those tops Nikki - I can't wait to attend the workshop!!

    Love your new hair-do too. You have done something I have been contemplating (though I clearly have more #36).

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  26. Kyles72January 21, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    Hi there...I would be happy with the patterns more so than the instructions!! Love your work xx

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  27. UnknownJanuary 22, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    Love your new do !

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  28. JillJanuary 23, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    Love it!!

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  29. TaniaJanuary 24, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    What rot. You do excellent SPRITELY pixie (even posing on stairs).

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  30. MeredithJanuary 28, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Okay, not only do I want these patterns, I need them. I recently bought my first piece of knit (new sewer here - self teaching) and I have no idea what to use it on. These shirts would make an excellent start into knit, I think. PLEASE! I'm desperately in love with the fabric and need something to do with it.

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  31. IncoknitoJanuary 28, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    You look lovely!! Can not wait for patterns!!

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  32. KirrilyJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    I'd be pretty keen on some quick/simple/basic instructions for those tees! Especially if it meant I could make all the tshirts I have here that are 20 sizes too big for me into something wearable?!

    Cute hair! Glad I'm not the only one who does their own hair dressing!

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I LOVE to read your comments and they brighten my day. I can't respond unless your profile has an email address attached, though... And some days I simply don't have time to respond.... but I respond in a telepathic sort of way to each and every comment.
xxx Nikki