Special Sewing Projects

Today I received some lovely mail, from Stephanie. She promised to send me a plastic ring I wasn't able to find anywhere here, so I knew the mail was on the way. But look what she packed for me with the ring, so nicely wrapped:



One of her vintage patterns she has been showing recently, from her mother's stash. I'll never manage a big blanket, but there is a pattern for a cushion as well. It is also nice just to have old stuff, isn't it? There was a spare ring for another bag, I think I'm going to make one using recycled fabrics like jeans and shirts together. More vintage stuff: a wooden spool with brown thread, and several buttons still on the cardboard. I have started a wintage button collection just now!

The reason I needed the ring was that last month I bought her West Linn Bag pattern and used for it the charm pack she sent me earlier. I couldn't finish the bag without the ring, and while I kept looking for one here, she promised to send me one just in case. I don't think you can try this with your usual suppliers! Anyway, a couple of hours after the mail arrived, I can already show you the finished bag. It was very fun to make. This is the front, notice the lovely chocolate colour giant rick rack she also sent me with the fabrics!

I used unbleached linen for the solid, and a marimekko brown and white print for the lining. The back

And this is what it looks like on my shoulder. The big orange button came from my big sister P earlier this summer.

I want to show you something very different I have also sewn, a couple of years ago already. It is a fly fishing west for Mr. K, fulfilling his tiniest wishes.

There are 19 pockets in all, tailored to the size of his fly boxes, spectacles and phone. Ten zippers, some pockets with Velcro type fastening. I don't remember how many D-rings, flaps and loops there are, but they are there for a purpose. The clothespin hanging from a D-ring in the neck is for the net; he can easily snatch it loose when he needs it. The curved pockets were for reels and other bigger items. Under them is a large pocket with openings on both sides.

Watertight inside pockets are for phone and fishing permits, and other items not so important for the active fishing. Much thought was given to human engineering when we placed the pockets for easy access. There is a little tip to hang the pliers he uses to take the fly from the fish's mouth when he releases them.

I no longer remember the purpose of all the pockets, but luckily he does. The snap lock is there to hold the west closed when it is too warm to keep it zippered up.

This was the second fly fishing west I have designed; the first one was for DS1, who started fishing when he was only about ten years old and way too small for the vests available.

This is what the flyfisherman is waiting for, tiny circles on the water from the insects above and the fish below the water surface.

And the flyfisherman's wife watches the sun set behind the calm lake, hearing only the water running down the rapid. Peaceful relaxation.

EDIT: The garment my husband is wearing is generally known as a fly fishing vest. I seem to have trouble making a difference between V and W, as well in writing as when speaking English. Both letters are pronounced the same in Finnish, but we only have the W in old writing or Swedish names.