Monday, 30 September 2013

Fall for Cotton


In just under the wire!  I blame:

1) having my machine break as I started this project, and then taking a few days to fix it myself,
2) the general exhaustion that comes from single parenting during the week while Mr. teaches in another city,
3) too much dreaming of what to make next rather than focusing on one task at a time.

I think I deserve a celebratory drink for having finished!


The pattern (Simplicity 8141) is not strictly vintage, since it's from 1996, but the silhouette is vintage-y, n'est-ce pas?  It's got that just-below-the-knee length that can be either slightly awkward or slightly retro, depending on your point of view.  I'm going to go with retro.


I'm quite satisfied with the print matching I managed on the front band.....


...and across the back seam and zip....


...but the sides are a hot mess.  But hey!  Look at that kick pleat!

The fabric is 100% cotton shwe shwe purchased at the Timba Tranding in Gaborone, Botswana in 2012.  The print kind of makes your eyes go a bit goggly, even if you haven't been drinking.  I think that's what initially drew me to the print, because frankly, when presented with 100s and 100s of shwe shwe prints, I get paralyzed by choice.  

a small selection of the shwe shwes in the shop
And just because I always like to keep it classy, here's an outtake for you Loran:





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28 comments:

  1. Anonymous30 September 2013 at 20:03

    You did a damn fine job there, and that glass of red is heartily deserved! It's a lovely skirt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Sewing Scientist2 October 2013 at 11:27

      I took these photos after a terrible day of one frustration after another, only to arrive home to a bottle of wine and a new Featherweight! (more on that soon!)

      Delete
  2. Catherine30 September 2013 at 21:04

    beautiful. I love how your shoes match the wine.

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  3. Jennifer, Workroom Social30 September 2013 at 21:28

    Lovely!

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  4. Anonymous1 October 2013 at 00:26

    Your skirt is beautiful! The African fabric is stunning! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Philippa1 October 2013 at 01:50

    Woah your pattern matching is amazing! Love the new skirt x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Sewing Scientist2 October 2013 at 11:30

      Thanks so much Philippa - I've been holding on to this fabric for almost two years, afraid to ruin it, but I figure a little side mismatch is no big deal. ;)

      Delete
  6. CarmencitaB1 October 2013 at 02:52

    Belle jupe! Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Sewing Scientist2 October 2013 at 11:25

      Merci! La prochaine fois, je pense que je vais essayer une autre couleur, parce que j'ai utilisé blue et blanche tant de fois!

      Delete
  7. mokosha1 October 2013 at 04:15

    i love your new skirt, and that last photo is epic! and, damn girl, i need me some shwe shwe, that fabric is gorgeous

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Sewing Scientist2 October 2013 at 10:43

      There is one place I know of that sells shwe shwe online, and the price is pretty good: http://stitchsa.co.za/da-gama-all

      Delete
  8. Rehanon Mackenzie1 October 2013 at 05:03

    lovely skirt. The fabric is gorgeous :)

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  9. Auset's Stitched Treasures1 October 2013 at 09:43

    I love it. I think you did a wonderful job and a glass of vino is well earned. I still have the beautiful piece of shwe shwe you sent to me. Perhaps it's time I stitched her up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Sewing Scientist2 October 2013 at 10:33

      I used my half of the fabric to make a dress, and just to warn you, it has faded a bit grey with washing. The print doesn't run, but it tends to look a little faded.

      Delete
  10. Craft Sanctuary1 October 2013 at 09:59

    That fabric is AWESOME! I love it, and I'm sure it's even better with the wine :)

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    Replies
    1. Another Sewing Scientist2 October 2013 at 11:06

      I am now officially out of shwe shwe, so I guess this calls for another trip to Botswana. ;)

      Delete
  11. Loran W1 October 2013 at 16:17

    Where do I start with the fabulousness of it all? LOVE the skirt, the matching is *epic*. The print is amazing and the red shoes are red : ) And the outtake? Woo Hoo!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Sewing Scientist2 October 2013 at 11:03

      They are much better posing shoes than walking shoes, to be honest. At least I didn't fall off the wall this time...

      Delete
  12. Cation Designs1 October 2013 at 18:10

    I'm definitely goggling at that small fraction of shwe shwes! I can't even imagine being in a whole store of that stuff. I do love the print you chose; great job matching the pattern! Just don't sidle up to people like a crab ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Sewing Scientist2 October 2013 at 10:55

      They don't really like you to take photos in the shops, otherwise you'd see the shwe shwe stacked to the ceiling!

      Delete
  13. Zoë2 October 2013 at 00:46

    Love the skirt, the print matching was done quite well and I actually like the sides :)

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    Replies
    1. Another Sewing Scientist2 October 2013 at 10:51

      I'm not sure how it happened (must have been trying to match the inner seams instead of the outer!), but without any more fabric to recut, it'll have to do.

      Delete
  14. Nyaradzo Murefu17 October 2013 at 03:07

    Hi!! wow,

    I love your blog :-)

    love teh skirt too :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another Sewing Scientist17 October 2013 at 12:37

      I can't believe I never sent you the link Nyari! Now you can see all the things I made with the fabric we bought together. I'm making something from that red Venda print now....

      Delete

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