Wool

When I visited Scotland last year I knew I had to buy some wool to take home with me. I ended up buying two metres of a light-weight gray and raspberry plaid. I think I bought it in Golspie; there was a nice little fabric shop there that had all kinds of yarn, wool and cashmere scarves, spinning wheels and bolts of wool. I'm sure the prices were reasonable, but everything seemed so expensive in Scotland. Even this wool, the cheapest in the shop, was 17 pounds for the two metres. Probably the most I've ever spent on material, but it was worth it.

The wool sat in my fabric bin until about two weeks ago when I got it out to start cutting. And then I got terribly, horribly sick and was bedridden for a miserable week and the fabric sat on my sewing room floor with the pattern still on top of it. Now that I'm finally feeling better I've taken it back up to accomplish my goal.

My goal was a Edwardian-style walking skirt with a high waist, hook-and-eye side closure, and moderate hemline. The skirt seams are french seams and I did the hem by hand. I had enough material left to make a matching vest and beret as well. The vest(Simplicity 4079, $1 at Hancock's) turned out fairly well, and I even had the patience to line it. I doubt I'll wear the vest and skirt together much, because I would look like a Scottish zebra, but I'm happy with the outcome.

As hard as it is to get a decent self-photo, it's actually harder to get someone else to stop what they're doing to take a picture for you.