Tie-On Sleeves of Red and Gold WIP

I am still trying to work through my UnFinished Object pile. I pulled these sleeves out this week; they have been unfinished since 2019 and I had completely forgotten about them! What a nice surprise to find them when I was looking for interfacing for a  mundane sewing project. The fabric is lovely and vibrant (the photo doesn't really do them justice).

The sleeves have been cut out and edged and have the cotton lining with them. They just need to be hand finished, hemmed and have eyelets put in to be wearable, so that is my next project to work on.

Plodding along with UnFinished Objects

Lately, I have challenged myself to not forget the UnFinished Objects pile. Most of the UFOs are there because they involve tasks that I don't like (such as eyelets,) or because I am not excited or enthusiastic about them. So it is actually more of a challenge than it sounds. (Let's face it, many of us would rather tap into the excitement of new research and a new project than tackle the old, boring tasks.)

This week I have been working through internal sleeve treatments on this pile of sleeves. Some need to be felled, some just tacked open and flat. Nothing  too stressful, and easily done in front of the telly.

Italian-style Jerkin (Wearable Toile)

 A project that I worked on over a few months earlier in the year was making a pattern from an existing garment and making up a wearable toile. A friend wanted more of a style of loose jerkin that he likes, and I tried to puzzle it out. I lack drafting skills, so I was pleased to end up with something that he was happy to wear. I made two sleeve patterns and a pair of sleeves as well, so that removable sleeves can be added in a loose or more fitted style.

The jerkin being worn without the sleeves

I made the final toile up in a nice pale gold fabric that was originally a quilt cover. The lining is made from the lining of the quilt cover. The sleeves are made from the decorative panel that goes over the foot of the bed, and the jerkin is trimmed with commercially produced gimp braid.

Gold Tie-On Sleeves

 I've been working on that perennial project again - the Sleeve Pile.

I got this pair of gold tie-on sleeves completed last month.

I ordered a silk fabric from a vendor on Etsy and got this fabric instead. It arrived with grease stains on it. I managed to launder it but never did get the silk I ordered. Still, I think this mystery fabric is pretty.

UFOs - Sleeve Pile

One of my current challenges is to go through my UnFinished Object pile and prioritise everything,  and to start working through tasks. I still have a large pile of sleeves cut out and waiting to be sewn, so this is something I will be working on over the next several months.

Tie-on Sleeves in Plum Cotton Fabric

You may remember that an ongoing project is the creation of a suite of tie-on sleeves to complement my Italian style gowns. The other day I was bed-ridden and I was trying to work on sewing down the inside of the seams on one of the pairs.

The sleeves are cut out and zigzag stitch put along the cut edges. Then the side seam is machine sewn (or hand-sewn if I have the time and manual dexterity, which I usually don't).

Th idea with the inside seam is to press or finger-press the seam open and flat on the inside and sew it down with tiny invisible stitches so that it doesn't bunch or twist with wear.

I'll admit that I was struggling with the project, so I was pretty satisfied when I was done.

  I put the project down to admire my achievement........ and looked closer.....
Yep, those are two right sleeves!
Of course, I noticed this after the seams had been machined and then hand sewed flat. (Eyeroll.)