The gentle process of lining my fair isle dress.

Hugo's just mysteriously sped off in the car, I wonder if it's a Lifeboat call......................... if it is a 'shout', (as they refer to a call-out), I hope it's not like the twelve hour stint he did last time (explanation in this post).

Well, hello! Are your nights suddenly getting longer? I noticed last Wednesday that it was getting dark earlier than usual, as I made my way home from my knitting group meeting. Fliss writes about the thought of shorter days here, in her blog Joshy and Belle. That blog post makes me feel warm, cosy and contented every time I read it.

So shall we talk about the lining of my fair isle dress?

The last time I did any cutting out of fabric from a pattern, was at school a good twenty years ago, in my sewing class. What I learnt seems to have stuck a little, and I must have absorbed something from my Mum, who is superb at making curtains and clothes. I've not made my own pattern before, so I blocked out of my mind any thoughts that I didn't have a clue what I was doing. My friend Bob was going to help me do the lining for my dress, but she couldn't make it after all. So I thought I'd go ahead and try my hand at it all by myself.

I traced round the outline of my dress, and sort of muddled through, eventually producing something that passed as a pattern for the lining.

(Hugo's just returned! It was a lifeboat shout, (swimmers in difficulty at Holy Island), but he didn't get on the boat, they already had enough people by the time he arrived, and he's quite relieved apparently, as he needs the loo, I'm sure he'll be thrilled I told you that nugget of information. There's no toilet on the lifeboat, that immediately rules me out as a volunteer, I need toilet facilities available at all times, within reason).

Anyway, back to the lining. I was going to use the fabric in the above photo, which I love, it's an old curtain from a charity shop, but there wasn't enough fabric unfortunately, so I returned to my fabric stash. I found two single bedsheets, also found in a charity shop, and thought they would do the job. As it turned out I only used one sheet.

How timely that I had some bedsheets in my fabric stash. All buying of old bedsheets in the future, will from now on be perfectly justifiable. As opposed to in the past, when it was maybe a little strange, as I hadn't a clue what I was going to use them for. Same goes for the old curtains.

But maybe that's the whole point of a stash, it's irrational existence is a big mystery until it becomes indispensible and very useful.

Things seem to be going quite well with the lining, which is slightly worrying as these things are never easy in my experience. I'm really hoping I haven't missed some glaring mistake. 

I'm trying to be meticulous. I've tacked the lining together, and have also tacked it into the dress, to see how it fits.

I've surprised myself by enjoying the whole dress-making process. The cutting of the fabric, the gentleness of it all. And it's a lot quicker than knitting. I started my lining last night, and I'm almost ready to sew it together on the machine and pop it into place.

It's given me a bit of a taste for dress making, and I think I like, especially if it was to be from a pattern already cut and measurements sorted. I can't get over how FAST it is!

Bob should be at my knitting group meeting tonight, so I'm going to take the dress and lining along for her approval. The others in the group might have some tips too.

Just before I head off to my Wednesday night knitting meeting, some of you asked what the pattern is for the cardigan I knitted above, shown a few posts back. I've had a rummage, and found the pattern.

It's fom the Rowan Magazine, number 39 (Spring/Summer 2006).

The pattern is called 'Crinkle', by Martin Storey, and it's knitted in Rowan Cotton Glace.

The main body of my cardigan is knitted in green, the trim is lilac, I don't have the ball bands anymore, so I can't give you the numbers of the colours I'm afraid, sorry about that.

Well chick-a-dees, I'm off to my knitting group now, so I'll say ta-ra and cheerio. Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[bakeandsewblog]

I'm sure it's going to work out splendidly. I look forward to the big dress reveal.
I love the cardi - wish I could knit!

[Isabelle]

Oh I'd love to see all you could achieve in the dress-making department!!
Isabelle xx

[Jacqueline]

Are you going to add dressmaking to your repertoire? Your dress is looking fab! I have signed up to a pattern cutting nightclass, so hopefully I will be able to make some nice things for myself. Hopefully anything I do make will fit, unlike any knitted garments I have made.

[Helen Tzabar]

Well done! This is a huge project and you have done it all by yourself, I am v impressed. I definitely would not attempt it myself. Anything I ever made that was supposed to be earn was a disaster. I especially remember a nylon nightie........ Better left at that.

[Erica K]

Hmm, I like yours better than the one on the model. :) I'm very proud of you for doing that lining! I can't seem to make anything without making a huge mistake...(usually measurement related) :D

I love that curtain fabric!

Yes, I've noticed the light slipping away. The summer went by so fast for me...I have to wonder where my head has been that I missed it! :(

[Helen]

I can't wait to see the dress when it's finished - it looked so gorgeous in the photos while being knitted! The lining is looking good too. I'm inspired to knit some Fair Isle again myself now.Thanks for a lovely, bright and inspiring blog.

[Siobhan]

That curtain fabric is so pretty; I hope you will think of something lovely to do with it. I thought your dress would take quite a while to get the lining sorted out but you have made a flying start! (I used to have a bed sheet like that one when I was little). I hope you won't mind me butting in and saying this though - some machines are not so good as others with thick fabric (it is definitely the machine and not the person). Also, you probably need a larger stitch for such a thick 'fabric'. If you have too small a stitch it won't be able to move through fast enough and will get jammed up and before you know it you could have sewn up and down on the spot over and over (yes I've done it!) which can be awful to undo. I don't want to sound off putting because you always do everything beautifully without any scaremongering from me. I can't wait to see it. We have seen all the different bits of it and now inside out, so now I'm really rather looking forward to the big finish!

[PosyLinda]

Hi V, it's great to see the fairisle dress coming along so well. I still love that green cardi, it looks good on you!

[Liz]

Can't wait to see the dress fully finished!!!!

We had those stripey sheets as kids!!! I can still remember how soft and snuggly they were!!! (Not that i'm saying you have my sheets!!!! lol)

[Jane]

Great fan of old sheets - such a lot of fabric at so little cost and they're often washed to a great softness. Can't wait to see the dress.

[Jenni at Baame Kniits]

Those sheets are going to make a lovely soft lining for your dress!

It's getting closer.....can't wait :-)

Love some of those Rowan patterns, very $$$$ tho :-(

[Barbara]

My sister and I spent our whole childhood sleeping between those very same sheets!
Lining makes such a wonderful difference to clothing I find ...
And thank you so much for the Rowan pattern reference, it is such a charming cardie.

[Jak]

It's good to see you are using recycled/upcycled fabrics. My dressmaking skills far outweigh my knitting skills, so I am eager to see how your lovely dress turns out. You may find this blog interesting http://flossieteacakes.blogspot.com/

[Lesley]

I buy up these candy stripe sheets any time I see them - I've got pink and white, and lemon and white, and various coloured stripes with white. I LOVE THEM! And I can't wait to see your dress once it's done Vanessa.
I've started knitting a big cashmerino scarf for the winter - another Rowan pattern. 10 years old my Rowan book is, but you know what, the patterns still look modern. I'm liking that!

[Magic Cochin]

Me too! I had sheets like that on my bed when I was little too!

Are you going to sew the lining into the dress? Or make a separate slip - so it doesn't pucker the knitting? Just being nosy ;-) Hope you don't mind. The dress is so gorgeous it will look divine with your boots.

And that flowery fabric is luuuuuvly! You could make such a sweet little blouse with it!

Celia
x

[Raquel]

I'm sure that dress is going to be absolutely stunning - clever you! Totally agree with you on the fabric stash front - mine seems to be mainly made of clothes which no longer fit but resulted in a wonderful copy of the Sea Dancer at St Abbs costume for my daughter last month! Just tried to look at your sisterhood crochet blanket pattern (may make a brave attempt given your wonderful crochet tutorials) but the link is broken - is it just a glitch or has it been removed? Congratulations on your fabulous blog! Raquel xx

[Janice Perkin]

the big project is nearly finished!!!!!!!!!!! - well done - I sympathise withyou regarding the loo - like Billy Connolly i never let one pass by!

[Puppet Lady]

I too remember having sheets like that! Dressmaking is OK (my mother was a professional dressmaker) and as you say, gives quick results. But it takes a lot of space - and you can't tuck it into a bag and pop along to your dress-making group the way you can with knitting!

Janet

[Anna]

Great job on the lining. What a task to undertake by yourself. I am glad it is going so well for you.

[Laura]

Very nice! And I love the re-purposed fabric choices - such a good idea!

[Laura]

I can't wait to see a picture of you wearing the lined dress!

[Loani]

Hello Vanessa
Was just led to your blog via BaaMeKnits.
What a beautiful thing it is. Having to tear myself away after half an hour to do some work.
Will be back.

[Louise]

Hi Vanessa
Sorry it's taken so long to send you the photo of you and our dog Frankie when we met you in the street in Berwick many weeks ago. We now have a new pup this time a dandie dinmont terrier she's a wonderful friend for Frank, she's called Sadie.
How can I send you the photo????
Best wishes Louise

[Louise]

I know email us: b_bailey2@sky.com
& I'll send it to you
Louise

[Cherry Cabban]

hi,
Do hope it fits it looks very interesting and beautifully made.
Love
Muumy