Wednesday, November 14, 2012

In which I strip. Well, use a (bias) strip.

Hey everyone,
I don't know if you guys know of this, or are following the news about the middle east, but the IDF killed a top Hamas commander today. We've been under rocket fire for a very long time now (I live in the south of Israel) but I feel like this is going to make it much worse. The news is talking of Israeli forces being gathered in the Gaza Strip border (which may mean war) and the Hamas are threatening with strong retaliation. I just heard on the news that at least 70 rockets have fallen in the last 4 hours, some of them very close to my home town. It feels pretty terrible waking up in the middle of the night to sirens and being afraid for the life of your friends and family all the time. It's surreal that we've lived in this situation for so long and that it's getting even worse, and we're still managing to live our lives. I've lived through quite a few wars here in Israel and I keep being overwhelmed with the idea that this is my reality.
I don't mean this to be a political statement, I don't think this is the right platform to talk of these things, I just thought of sharing my private feelings and how it feels to be just a normal citizen in an extraordinary situation like this.

Anyway, moving on to lighter and more blog appropriate things -
I've made a new shirt! I actually wore this shirt to my first day of work! It was really exciting!

bias strip shirt, bias strip sleeve, satin fabric, satin shirt, satin bias strips.

I took my own advice (and Modcloth's) and used bias binding as an embellishment. I quite like the effect! Making the bias tape wasn't as tedious as I thought it would be as the bias pieces are pretty short. A tip from me to you while making bias strips from a slippery fabric - LOAD UP ON THE STARCH! I starched the bejeezuz out of the bias strips, it was the only way to make them stable enough to actually iron them. I made the starch myself by mixing a glass of hot water and three table spoons of starch and letting is cool to room temperature.

bias strip shirt, bias strip sleeve, satin fabric, satin shirt, satin bias strips.

I made this with the remnants of the Cinderella Dress. Can you believe I had this much left?? I had enough to make another half of a shirt, which I did and will show you soon!
It's really slinky and feels great to wear, the only thing is that every little drop of water CREATES A HUGE WATER STAIN. After five minutes at work I managed to spray myself with water from the sink in the bathroom and almost cried. I hate hard to manage fabrics, I don't know why I'm so attracted to them and I never think of how problamatic they are when I do my fabric shopping, it's like I'm a child, I can't think ahead.

(How impressive is my Jesus picture? Let us all imagine this is what I looked like when I figured out how to make these sleeves: (with a bunch of white cloak clad angels singing "Ahhhhhhh" in the background))


bias strip shirt, bias strip sleeve, satin fabric, satin shirt, satin bias strips.

After thinking about it for a few minutes I  managed to figure out how to attach everything to everything without leaving raw edges. I just LOVE figuring stuff out! The bias strips are still a little stiff from the STARCH which makes the sleeve look a little wonky but other than that I LOVE the way it turned out!

bias strip shirt, bias strip sleeve, satin fabric, satin shirt, satin bias strips.

While trying this shirt on in one of my many fit-checks (do you guys to this too? I feel like a third of the time I spend sewing I'm trying on stuff) I decided the shirt looks too blank, after much thought I decided to make a little bow and attach it to the front of the neckline. As you can tell I changed me mind since then (apparently even if I do a lot of thinking I can never make up my mind) and opted to attach it on the left side... I think it's cuter this way! I managed to make the cutest little bow in the world, it perfectly proportioned (have you noticed how difficult it is to achieve the perfect proportion between the bow and the band in the middle?). see?

bias strip shirt, bias strip sleeve, satin fabric, satin shirt, satin bias strips.

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

bias strip shirt, bias strip sleeve, satin fabric, satin shirt, satin bias strips.

I created a curved hem for both the front and the back - I think it's such a flattering silhouette! Especially in the back, it gives your but a but-lift! who doesn't want that?
I finished the sleeves and the neckline and sleeves with bias strips and serged the bottom of the shirt and hemmed it without bothering too much with it.

What do you guys think? Let me know if you have any question about making the sleeves or anything about the blouse!
Also, I'd be happy to answer question about my first paragraph, but please express yourself in a respectful way, I'm sure you don't all agree with whatever is going on, but this isn't the place to express your thought if you don't, unless you really want to ask honest questions, which I'd be happy to answer.

Thanks for reading! I hope you're having a good week!

10 comments:

  1. I don't know anyone else who lives in Israel. Thank you so much for sharing. I hear so many things on the news, but it makes it much more personal when I feel like I know someone there (even if it's only through the blogosphere.) But I can't even imagine, having never lived through something like that…

    p.s. i love your top, great color

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your kind words! it's great to hear this is reaching people.. I think it's important for people to remember that there are actual people in every situation like this - even if it's just through the blogosphere as you said.

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  2. I had heard this on the radio, and it's scary to hear that you are so close to this. Stay safe!

    I love the new blouse! The details are cute and I love that color on you. :-) So are you going to share your technique for not having raw edges on the inside? I'm all ears...or eyes...or whatever. ;-)

    CGCouture

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    Replies
    1. Thank you!
      I may share it if I chose to do something similar soon or if I get enough requests :) thanks for the compliments!

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  3. Lovely blouse,

    Get yourself some Perfect Sew, it's a liquid stabilizer fantastic for slippery fabrics.
    I use it all the time.

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  4. I am glad that you have shared your feelings, it is important to be able to do so. I cant really begin to even comprehend what you and your family and friends are going through, for me I imagine it would be truly terrifying.For me the only way I could deal with this is to put my trust in God.

    You have done another wonderful job at sewing, the blouse is lovely.

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    Replies
    1. thanks for that! it is pretty stressful! the most we can do is just follow the guidelines of safety and just take care of ourselves, but it's definitely nerve wracking!
      Thanks!

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  5. I've thought about you these past few days while listening to the news. Stay safe, take care, and keep us updated. XO

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for you thoughts, it's a great feeling that I have people from across the world thinking of me! I though of you a lot while Hurricane Sandy was going on, I was so glad once you updated your blog because I took it as a sign that you're ok!

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