Praise for Piping

I have been a little absent from the blogosphere this past week, and even though I only started my blog less than a month ago, I have genuinely missed it - that's right, I have well and truly been bitten by the blogging bug - I don't think there is a vaccination against it yet, so it looks like I might have to stick with the condition for a while...

Despite the lack of activity online, I have been super busy in my sewing room, (yippee!!) and I have realised that I'm starting to sew in blog-mode, thinking about what I can do to challenge myself and make things I will be proud to share with you all. I have been stepping out of my comfort zone and am constantly seeking new techniques to try out - I still have sew much to learn (pun totally intended and I'm not even sorry) and will be updating again in the next couple of days with news and pictures of what I have been stitching - you know, to prove I haven't just been skiving!

To give a little hint in the meantime though, I wanted to share a new discovery; I LOVE piping! Now just to be clear, I have not expanded my horizons as far as venturing into plumbing, or indeed baking, but I mean piping cord. I have used it to border lots of cushions before (in fact, thanks to my mum's soft furnishing talents, I never knew there was any other way to finish a cushion) but I've never used the technique in clothing, though have always admired it and all the beautiful effects it can have - adding focus, contrast, a pop of colour or even a smart, crisp finish - however it is used, I think it adds a timeless touch of elegance and professionalism to a garment. 

Here are some of the pretty piping garments that have inspired me. Clockwise from bottom left: Stella McCartney Spring 2010 Collection for GapKids (accessed from momfinds.com) - White and Blue Pinstripe Linen Sailor Wiggle Dress (accessed from coletterie.com/folksy.com) - Retro Butterick B4790 1950's dress pattern - Havren Contrast Piped Dress (accessed from tomoliandwill.com) - Red Olive 1950's Style Swing Dress (accessed from retrovixens.com) - Milly Pop piped dress (accessed from wishwantwear.com)

You will be able to see my efforts in my next post, but I have fallen so in love with piping that I thought it deserved a post all to itself! I was amazed at just how simple this beautiful technique was to get to grips with - largely thanks to great online tutorials, such as this one and a little bit of practice! I will definitely be using this technique again very soon!