Sewing Potpourri
26 November 2007, 16:36(Potpourri in its 2nd definition, that is.)
I’ve been rather busy, though I’ve got nothing to show for it here! I finished the two changing mats I was commissioned for new mums, I finished one present (but I’m still working on the second!), and I bought the October issue of KnipMode magazine (which comes with an additional supplementary magazine like February’s did. Or was that March?) as well as my first Marfy pattern – 1210, a lovely blouse.
I also had a grand day of dress-perving yesterday with Erin from A Dress A Day and Cassie from the V&A Museum. We were there to drool over the massive collection of Dior and Balenciaga originals in their Golden Age Of Couture exhibition. Oh my. We had SUCH a great time, picking out the incredible seaming and hand sewing techniques and tiny little details that probably swept over non-sewing enthusiasts, and the exhibit was so big we lost ourselves in there for over two hours! It was an exhibition of true joy, and I even picked up some gorgeous steel grey/silver satin over-the-elbow gloves from the gift shop for £15!
The exhibition is on until January, but if you’re in London this Friday night (30 Nov), the V&A are holding a special Crafting Couture event with special draping demonstrations, embroidery experts, couture films, and lots and lots of pretty dresses, so you could book to see the exhibit at the same time. I may just have to clear my schedule to get down there!
And last but not least, one of my webcam-obsessed colleagues just directed me towards this live webcam situated in a fabric shop in Budapest (whose street address I’ve noted down for the next time I’m there!). You can watch the ladies in yellow pinnies laying bolts on the table and err, measuring and cutting fabric. It’s a fascinating way to wile away your day, and it’s still more interesting than watching Big Brother!
PS: Damn! I meant to link to this uber space-age, self-threading sewing machine prototype, too!
Tags: shopping
OOOH, fun links! The exhibition sounds wonderful – I wish I lived there so I could check it out.
— stacy Nov 26, 07:08 PM #
You should put the “Golden Age of Couture” exhibit book on your Christmas list (Amazon US only has a few inflated marketplace copies, but Amazon UK will ship to the US fine). I thumbed through it at the museum book store and it looks like they’ve got everything from the exhibit inside, but looooooads more detailed text. It’d certainly be a good read for closeting yourself away on Christmas evening with (Claire Shaeffer’s “Couture Sewing Techniques” is now on my list after I thumbed through that in the gift shop, too!).
— melissa Nov 26, 07:18 PM #
Oh! I’m terribly jealous. I read Erin’s description on her website and went to visit the online exhibit. It was wonderful! Did you download the couture dress pattern? It looks very pretty!
— deirdre Nov 26, 10:33 PM #
I had a great time at the exhibition too – thank you so much for a lovely afternoon…
And it was so inspiring going round the exhibition with such enthusiastic and talented people as yourself and Erin! You have made me resolve to improve my sewing skills and start finishing some of my many sewing projects.
— Cassie Nov 29, 07:35 PM #
I’ve seen the exhibition 3 times, yes, it’s that great. Can you tell me where you bought Knipmode? Thanks
— Susan Dec 3, 01:33 PM #
Susan – That exhibition is TO DIE FOR! Did you go to the late night event on Friday? It was jampacked!
And I buy my KnipModes from http://www.naaipatronen.nl/ – they usually stock the past few months and are really cheap and speedy shipping to the UK.
— melissa Dec 3, 01:49 PM #