The scene:
Our first swim was meant to be Amroth in Pembrokeshire. When we got there the waves were crashing against a dug up pebbled beach. The swell was full, the sounds dramatic, the beach unhospitable.
I really hoped Heather would feel the same way as I did so when she turned around and suggested Fish and Chips I was on board.
Fast foward to full bellies and warm coffee we found ourselves reconsidering our evening swim when we got to Coppett Hall. The day had turned into a balmy evening and a quiet sea awaited.
If you don't like the weather, wait a few minute said Mark Twain (not about Wales)
The clothes:
A Waver Jacket from Papercut pattern
Trousers 101 from Merchant and Mills
A modified Coco dress from Tilly and the buttons
The shoes are made by Conker in Totnes
The Swimsuit is from Bobo chose
My hat is a handknitted purchase from Narberth Wool fair, 6 years old.
My handmade wardrobe always seems in crisis.
I make a lot of clothes as samples for classes, often with time pressure, always with teaching as my prime focus.
I chose garments with traditional construction that display interesting, transferrable techniques.
I chose patterns that will take you from A to B. We will think about F when we get to E. Do you see what I mean?
I have no desire to overcomplicate the craft of making our own clothes because it is a simple, democratic craft.
This pattern makes outerwear a really
The result is however not always a reflection of my current personal needs.
As a seasoned maker I feel I have a responsability towards the things I add to this world.
A question I ask myself when making clothes is
How can this garment become indispensable to me?
So I pace myself and leave big gaping hole in my lining to revisit my make when I have the chance.
The Waver Jacket was one of those project I couldnt bring myself to finish until it ticked a few more boxes to be my primary rain jacket.
An impromptu trip to France was the perfect opportunity to revisit my jacket a couple of days before departure.
I added pocket flaps to keep the water away from collected treasures.
I sewn chunky ribbing in the sleeve cuffs (sandwiched between the lining and the waxed cotton) to keep the draft away.
I inserted a zipper and covered it with a snap button tab to mke it more weather-proof.
I made a map sized pockect in the lining.
So following Mark Twain spirit, if you don't like it...
Sleep on it a few months, find an arbitrary reasons to absolutly need to wear it, preferably under tight deadline and remake it.