Tutorial photos v Reality photos

I'm not sure which of these images to show first.
I wanted to make my own "stretch fabrics gauge" from cardboard.
One of the photos is taken when I got the thought "I should document making this".

While I was making it, I had fifteen pens, a few rulers, two cutting mats, blade, spare blades, green pouch to store blades, instructions for how to draw the gauge, red cardboard, red cardboard remnants and probably a cup of coffee strewn all over my desk (only some of which is captured in the picture).

The second photograph is taken after I realised "I didn't use a lot of the equipment that is strewn all over my desk" and tidied up the desk and put things away.

So which is the more useful image to demonstrate how I went about making this for myself?
Often when I follow a tutorial, it recommends "2B pencil, L-Square, Clear-Grided-Ruler..." - I don't have these items! Or I do and I can't find them, so I pull out what's to hand and instead of having a tidy list of 4 items, I have a mishmash of items that I'm making do with.
It can get very disheartening for a learner to see an online video or a blog tutorial with really tidy photos and neat point-by-point directions, no hiccups, no lines that don't align and all equipment spick-and-span, unbroken and exactly what is required for the job.

Have you ever seen a pencil sharpener in an online tutorial?!
(Have you ever rummaged to look for a pencil sharpener *during* a tutorial?!)
On the other hand, the tutor has to consider the most effective way to instruct the reader/viewer. And clutter wouldn't be helpful. But I think it is fascinating to see the contrast and to see how marketing and "the perfect image" can block us and be an obstacle to following our own haphazard make-do creativity.

New Colette patterns make me stop and look

Ordinarily when an email comes in from a sewing supply shop or a pattern-maker, I glance at the images and say I'll "come back later... check it out in detail again..." but this morning, an email from Colette patterns caused me to stop in my tracks.

Ok, so the model is quite cute! I'm actually starting (or I should be starting) sewing a Minoru jacket this morning so I was really interested in this other coat pattern. It's unisex. My mother wouldn't be impressed though, she thinks I should wear more feminine coats... nevertheless, this coat could be one for the brothers.
The other pattern is for a bag - looks great in the photographs but I chose to show this image cos the drawings of the three bag options are so pretty-yet-sturdy!

I think "Walden" is the name of the collection. Cooper is the bag and Albion the duffle coat. Nice to meet you!

Better blogging to come... new camera!

My images thus far on this blog have not been of great quality. Partly due to not having bought myself a new camera for about 10 years. My Sony Ericsson mobile phone had a brilliant camera but I replaced that mobile phone for a smart phone.

I purchased a 14.1mp camera t'other day. Improvements in picture quality await.
Now I just have to find a good background in the apartment in which to stand. And I need to work on my pose too ;)

FabFabYo

FabFabYo is a blogger based in Dublin who claims she is

Dangerously obsessed with fabs, that the only reason I'm learning how to sew is so that I have an excuse to buy more!

I bought 2m of "Happy Black" fabric from her but we didn't meet unfortunately as I was off to Europe for a month but my brother met her to receive the package! Really great not to have to pay postage and packaging but I don't know anything about the origin or the attributes of the fabric.

Not sure what to do make with the fabric. A skirt I think. Without panels. Maybe either NewLook 6872 or BurdaStyle 7215

The fabric is quite light. Cotton-y. I wonder if a blouse might work?!
Hopefully experience brings more ability for making these decisions!
Yasmin herself recently blogged about the inspiration she's had about the project she might make.

Past postings in a previous position

"Past postings in a previous position"?! Excuse the daft title... alliteration got the better of me.
These are the previous postings I had about 'sewing' on my History of Design Blog:

• Sewing a purse
• Sewing - absolute - Basics
• Sewing Project #1
• Sewing "cake" or "frosting"
• Sewing patterns
• Irish Sewing Blogs and suppliers

I'm looking forward to gathering (oh dear, pardon the pun) together my sewing projects here.