Cute stuff and red cords
6 April 2009, 13:34I had quite the busy weekend! On Saturday, my neighbour Veda came over with her new book, Cute Stuff, and we had a sewing lesson all afternoon. She recently turned 11 and asked for sewing stuff for her birthday (getting that same awesome Chinese-themed sewing tin, too!) so I said I’d let her rifle through my scraps and we’d make something.
So she chose the pocket tissue holder from the book, and we went through the instructions, step-by-step and I taught her how to press and pin, knot the thread and tie off, and how to turn corners. It was loads of fun, and in the end we embellished little faces onto our holders like they do in the book so it looks like the holder is eating the tissues (they come out its mouth!).
The book is really well written and illustrated, and (as you’d expect from the title) full of really cute projects. I don’t think Veda will have any problems doing most of these on her own soon. I should offload way more of my scraps onto her, come to think of it!
As for myself, after the intellectually- and technically-stimulating green silk dress, I needed something brainless and easy, so I made BWOF 08/06 #109 in red corduroy (again!). Seriously, I’ve made this pattern so many times I could sew it with my eyes shut now, but these just fit me so well that my wardrobe is constantly crying out for more… I made a pair of these red cords over a year ago, but the corduroy I’d bought blind off the internet was way too thin for trousers and wore out after only a couple months’ wearing. Boo!
This time, I’ve got really soft and thick corduroy from my first trip to Goldhawk Road (and these trousers mark the end of the first fabric bought on that trip! I’ve used it all! Hooray!).
So even though I finished these before my birthday party, we only got around to doing the photoshoot yesterday (Sunday). Which happened to be directly after I gave in and let my neighbour Emma cut my hair short, after 9+ months’ of conspiring between her and James, and 10+ years of having it long. I’m not quite sure I’m over the trauma of losing the length yet, but I figured it’s all coming out in a month or so anyway, so why not….
(You can tell me – is it too “Velma from Scooby Doo” with the glasses & all?)
It’s difficult to see here, but I added a simple asymmetrical swoop to the back pockets, and lined the front (and 5th coin) pockets with some scraps of Asian-style quilting cotton from years ago.
But we also did another photoshoot on Sunday afternoon, which you’ll get to see later this week, when I’ll also hopefully have delivery of my last big birthday present! Ooh, the suspense!
Tags: bwof, corduroy, kids, trousers
No Velma! I like the haircut, it’s adorable and rather chic. You know me, I love glasses. Just don’t get the stupid Hollywood / Jay-Z affliction.
— cidell Apr 6, 02:10 PM #
I love your hair! I did the same my first year of college (chopped off length I had had for 10+ years) I dreamt about styling it until it all grew back, but the change is nice and it’s a sexy ‘do on you!
— Lauren Apr 6, 02:20 PM #
Hmm, sort of Velma (hope that’s OK!). But, but, I like Velma, she’s the funny one who always gets the right answer, and deliberately doesn’t show up Fred. Mind, it probably helps that I have short hair and glasses myself :P. Tres Chic anyway.
I’m sorry but I love your trousers and the fact that you can make them up when you like. I have one pair of jeans I’m happy with, and I can wear those, or start trying to make some (very beginner sew-er here), in fact (sorry, stalkery), I posted to you on pattern review about jeans already… Forgot to say (there) that the pics on the Knipmode jeans look very very good, interesting enough to be different, but very flattering, not just different for the sake of it.
I was also on the bus on Saturday and saw a lady with red trousers and a black and white fitted jacket get on. I think she may have been over 40, but she looked excellent and made me think of you.
Love the cute things book too…
— anon in ire Apr 6, 02:25 PM #
I don’t know Velma, but I like it. Shockingly different, it must be hard for you :-). But cute all the same. Especially with those gorgeous pants (and the pocket linings, yumm!). Good idea to experiment with sort of disposable hair, you have enough time to get used to it, but not too much if you hate it (luckily it sounds like not).
And good for you too for recruiting! I was 11 too when they let me at a sewing machine, and look what happened..
— Marie-Christine Apr 6, 03:29 PM #
I think the hair is cute!!! It is very different and takes some getting used to, but when i cut my hair short I always end up really liking it. Love the pants!
— The Slapdash Sewist Apr 6, 03:50 PM #
The Velma haircut looks great, as do all your projects. I haven’t been able to reply to your message re the London trip for some reason, but I will keep trying!
— allisonC Apr 6, 04:19 PM #
I love cords and your red cords are cute. But here’s the real deal—your new hair cut is wonderful. I know how attached one can get to long hair, just because, but this new cut is so much more flattering. We can see your cute face and lovely eyes. When you smile your whole face lights up. Your face likes the shorter, shiny, healthy hair. By the way, I went through the same process, so I know.
— patsijean Apr 6, 04:37 PM #
The pants fit really well, and the haircut is very flattering.
— Lisette Apr 6, 05:28 PM #
I LOVE your new hair – it looks so carefree and really sets off the shape of your face. You look like a new woman! and the cords are cute too….
— luckylibbet Apr 6, 05:31 PM #
Another one here who loves the new haircut. Very fresh and chic!
— Christina Apr 6, 05:51 PM #
I love the new do! It’s very chic.
It must be weird getting used to, but I think it’s a great idea to have fun with it if you have to loose it altogether eventually. It makes the change more of a choice than a side effect. Good for you!
PS. Love the red cords!
— Grace Apr 6, 05:56 PM #
Great haircut, I like it. It takes a bit of time to get used to it being so much shorter I guess.
Love the little red sewing machine of previous posts too.
— Sigrid Apr 6, 07:56 PM #
I love your hair, though I am biased as it’s very similar to my cut. Mine is a little less round and no bangs.
Seriously, for a brief moment I was wondering why you had a picture of me on your site… except I don’t have cute red cords.
— Sharon Apr 6, 10:53 PM #
I love the hair. And the pants. But, epecially the hair.
— dawn Apr 7, 01:31 AM #
I love both your cords and your hair. I gotta make myself a pair of red jeans too, adore ‘em
— Johanna Lu Apr 7, 07:56 AM #
Cute jeans… but even cuter hair cut – it looks fantastic and really brings your face to life! You’re very lucky to have a friend and neighbour who not only knows just what will suit you, but must also be a very talented hairdresser.
— Cassie Apr 7, 09:07 AM #
I like the haircut a lot. I had long hair up to my 20s and then I cut it all off at once and I was torn between feeling light and feeling like a big part of me had suddenly gone missing.
It looks great, though – as do the very cool red pants.
— Karen Apr 7, 09:52 PM #
I like the haircut – very cute! And my husband says Velma is sexy :). The red cords are nice too.
— Kathleen Apr 11, 01:27 PM #
I can understand why you made these pants so many times: they fit so well! Love them in red corduroy!
PS- Love the new haircut too!
— Tany Apr 19, 12:42 PM #