It's Thursday. It's sunny. I am on leave.
I am printing off a new pattern and going away for a full weekend's sewing to a gorgeous place in North Yorkshire. I am leaving any troubles behind me to stitch, cut, press and turn to my heart's content. Around me will be 12 or so other friends feeling exactly the same way.
I cannot wait.
And so I thought for the first time in years I'd try and make something for me, that I really want, that I never have time to make otherwise. No little purses, tiny brooches, half made soft toys sitting in corners waiting for a snatched half hour here and ten minutes there. No, this weekend I will be attempting to make this blouse. From scratch. Just for me.
For as long as I can remember, probably about 15 or so years, I have had some vintage silk given to me by my mother. I never knew what to do with it, until a couple of years ago I thought, what it really needs is a lovely blouse pattern, something stylish but contemporary, yet with a vintage twist to honour the fabric.
Incredibly I found just the pattern this morning, in the first place I looked. Burda Style. Even more incredibly this pattern is absolutely free to download, so you can help yourself to it too.
This is the fabric I'm working with.
I am terrified it will go wrong, and I will be left with no blouse, and no more beautiful vintage silk...