My next sewing projects

the teal one is going to be a pair of pants, the mini houndstooth one a blouse, and the gray herringbone one a blouse too
The patterns have been ready for days; I was just waiting for the fabrics :-))

Best, Inge

You’ve really taken on a lot there.

The first piece, the pants, is sewn.

Best regards, Inge

Oh Inge, you work so fast.

If only I were that determined and quick when it comes to cutting and sewing. 

Dear Petra,
You’re hoping for more decisiveness when cutting and sewing—but everything takes time. And Inge has been doing all this for so many years (decades). With that expertise behind you, it’s easier to be more focused. But I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I also enjoy the time spent being indecisive. I weigh my options and think things through, imagine this or that, then discard the idea again. Everything takes time.

Dear Inge, those pants look top-notch once again. What material are they made of? Definitely something with spandex in it, right?

You’ve planned to make blouses out of the other two fabrics—well, I do think you look better in more color. We’ll see how they look and how they suit you.

Best regards, Ina

Thanks, Ina, :-) Yes, Ina, you’re right—it’s the experience and also what I once learned. When I’m sewing something for myself, it gets cut out, then anything that needs interfacing is pressed with interfacing, and then I lay the sewing work next to my sewing machine so I can take each piece one by one and sew them together. While doing that, I also double-check that I really do have all the pieces together; only then do I switch on the sewing machine. On top of that, I sew a lot with my coverlock machine, which saves me a sewing step on the regular sewing machine, because the coverlock sews and finishes the edges in one go.
this is what the seam looks like. Another thing is that when I learned to sew during my training, our instructor stood in front of the class with a stopwatch and timed how quickly and neatly we sewed the piece. That’s just how it was in the industry, and I trained as a DOB tailor = women’s outerwear tailor. I think that explains quite a bit to you all

Best regards, Inge

So, the first blouse jacket is finished.

Best regards, Inge

My hubby took a photo of me wearing it. It really is a coat dress and not a blouse jacket, because it’s too long for that ;-) The fact that I look so tense is down to the pain when standing, because it’s really got me in its grip again today

Best wishes, Inge

Dear Inge, I admire you for your expertise and your wonderful garments.

You remind me so much of my mother, because she was (to me) practically glued to her sewing machine. She spent every free minute on it and sewed her entire wardrobe herself—sometimes even turning old clothes into something new. That included evening gowns as well as suits, jackets, and every kind of garment imaginable.

As a child back then, I didn’t find it all that exciting, because I always wore only clothes she’d sewn herself or hand-me-downs from my cousins. There just wasn’t any money for the latest fashions.

Today I see it differently, because I know how much love and work went into them. When my son was little, I sewed a lot too—including for a little girl. Now I’m getting back into it and working my way back into it bit by bit. That said, I have to admit I probably don’t have the patience for the kind of special details and intricacies you do. I simply have too many interests to focus on just one thing.

In any case, it’s great that it brings you so much joy. That’s what really makes life worth living! And now that we’re retired, we certainly have the time and leisure for it. Well, as long as we don’t have too many other hobbies. At almost 71 years old, I just feel like there’s still sooo much I want to do and experience. :)) I’m sure you know what I mean.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Warm regards
Monika

Thanks, Monika, yes, I know that all too well. I also still have a pair of socks lying around where the second one still needs to be finished, but for now the sewing machine comes first. :-) ;-)
Thanks also for your kind words, and yes, you have to set priorities. That’s why I’ve given up patchwork too, especially since I’ve sewn patchwork blankets for the whole family—everyone in my family has at least 3 of those blankets. For health reasons, I’ve focused only on embroidery with the embroidery machine, then sewing and knitting—Momika, I’ll already be 74 in the fall.

Best regards, Inge

Oh Inge, that’s no age at all. We’re still in our 70s, so in that sense, we’re still young. :)) We enjoy life anew every day and enjoy everything the day brings us. 

My husband will turn 75 in May, and luckily we’re both still very active and adventurous. And we’re grateful for that every single moment.

With our crafts, we can bring joy to ourselves, our family, and others. That’s what makes life worth living! :)) Without you, many children would have had to go without the joy you’ve brought them with your creations. 

Love, Monika

Thanks, Monika,
the blouse jacket is finished now too

Best, Inge

I forgot to upload the blouse :-)

Love, Inge

Dear Inge, the coat dress and blouse both look perfectly sewn again! That’s probably because of the vertical seams on the front—they elongate the figure. The colors aren’t really my style, but they look very elegant. Maybe the coming spring will inspire you to add more color to your tops. You can pull that off really well!

Best regards, Ina

Thanks, Ina :-)
I have more than enough colorful fabric for spring and summer, Ina.

Best regards, Inge