Literary Sewing Circle project roundup

Today I'm sharing some of the projects that have been posted online for the "To Say Nothing of the Dog" round of the Literary Sewing Circle. Many people are posting only on IG these days so a blog roundup, especially with a cumbersome link tool, doesn't really do it anymore! I even forgot to link up my OWN project, as there was an extra log in step I couldn't do on mobile. Sigh! 

Anyhow, there were a few fun pieces entered into the roundup, and here they are. I'll start with mine, the Oxford Dress by Treize Cocquelicot. It was a breezy, fun project reflecting one of the place names in the book, and made with a watery kind of fabric. 

Sarah, @Sew.Focused on IG, shared the first piece of her travel wardrobe inspired by the book,  a hack of the Laurence Top by VivianShenChao. You can read her thoughts on her IG post!

Jan, @conlon.jan on IG, shared her Vogue 1510, a summer white dress inspired by the character Verity, when she is in the Victorian era. She even has a summer hat to match! You can read her thoughts about it on her IG! 

I hope that you enjoy these! Don't forget that another round of the Literary Sewing Circle will be happening this fall. Keep your eyes on this space ;) 

An Oxford Dress for the Literary Sewing Circle

It's time for me to share my project for this round of the Literary Sewing Circle! I considered many things, including patterns that I already owned and plan on making someday. But I couldn't get the Oxford Dress by Treize Cocquelicot out of my mind, after sharing it in our first inspiration post. So I went for it! 

I used some watery print rayon from my stash - I have had it for a long time so was pleased to use it. I only had 2.5 m however, so had to make the short sleeve version. I intend to make the puffed and cuffed longer sleeve another time! This view worked really well with the short sleeve, however, as the rayon challis is very soft and probably wouldn't hold the shape of the puffed sleeve anyhow. 

My alterations were very minimal. I added 1" to the skirt length, graded it from 42 at neck to 44 at waist, and added pockets. I didn't have enough fabric left for four pocket bags, so I pieced together the largest scraps I had and cut the pockets from those bits. The skirt is so full there was no need to worry about seams showing through. This is all I have left from my 2.5 m! 

I stitched the top of the pocket bags into the waist seam to anchor them and this seems to have worked well. I changed a few things in the construction as well - the bodice is lined, and you are supposed to sew the main piece to the skirt then hand stitch down the lining over that seam, for a beautiful clean finish. I just sewed it all together as one and zigzag finished the seam, pressing up to the bodice. There is a slit at the back neck so you can get this over your head, and instead of making a thread loop I sewed a little elastic loop into the opening edge. The pattern suggests this as well as a few more ideas for that area.

The only unusual things about this pattern come from the translation, mainly. The back button loop is called a "flange" but she means the button loop. Also, it's important to note that the sleeve notches are the reverse of English patterns; the front notch is a double notch, and the back one is single. I made a special note on the pattern pieces when I traced them so I would not forget this! 

Overall this was a quick and uncomplicated project. I really like the floatiness of the rayon and it's a cute basic summer dress. While I was sewing I was worrying that the bodice looked quite small but it isn't, it fit just right according to the size I cut corresponding to my measurements (which is generally 42/44 just like Burda). The pattern runs from 32-48 in European sizes so it is fairly limited, unfortunately, as it's a really lovely design. 

I enjoyed making this Oxford Dress from a print reminiscent of the river, or maybe Colonel Mering's fishpond! I hope you have all enjoyed reading and found a fun project to make as well. 

Literary Sewing Circle: Finale & Project Link-Up!

 

Today is already our final day of the Literary Sewing Circle focusing on Connie Willis' To Say Nothing of the Dog!

I hope you've had the chance to read the book, and both the first and second inspiration posts, and are getting lots of ideas for a project of your own.

The project linkup will be added to the bottom of this post: as soon as you are done your project, just pop a link to your post into the linkup and we will all be able to visit your blog/instagram etc. and explore your creation -- remember, it can be sewn, or knitted, crocheted, embroidered... any textile art that you practice.

I've read To Say Nothing of the Dog a few times now, and have also read all of Willis' novels except for a couple of the earliest ones. I can say that her Christmas themed short stories are pretty delightful as well! 

I think this novel shows her style well -- lots of silliness, dialogue, science-y references, and history. Plus so many references to other works of literature. I find this is a frequent combination in her work, but in this particular novel it combines to a high degree of satisfaction! The characters here aren't quite as dithery as in some other books. Verity actually has common sense and takes action, while Ned is the most indecisive and clueless character. I find this balance entertaining, especially when Ned suffers time lag most intensively. 

Of course, the central role of cats to the story is always a pleasure, and the spiritualist scenes are highly amusing. I've just been rereading/rewatching some Lord Peter Wimsey stories so it was fun to have those references here as well. I also find the conversation about history, between the professors, and the concept of time travel and temporal contradictions, all so interesting. I studied history in undergrad so recognized some of the bits of the professorial arguments -- perhaps it didn't need to be covered so obviously, but thinking about time and history in a story like this is kind of integral to the subject matter. Also, when reading it this time, the mention of a receent Pandemic struck home in a different way than it did years ago. 

Putting aside all the thinking and the cerebral critique of this story, as a reader I find this great escapist fiction. It's fun, amusing, clever, and satisfying, which is why I reread it. I would love to be able to visit the Victorian era - dress in those outfits, have tea at a country house, visit a jumble sale - it would be a delight. This is as close as I can get :) I hope it was an enjoyable trip for you, also.

A real Victorian penwiper!

Questions for you: 

Did you enjoy the madcap style of this story? Have you read Three Men in a Boat to compare it? Did the humour work for you? Did you have a favourite character? A favourite time period in the story? Did you think the concept of time travel worked as it was created here? Did any particular elements of the story strike you? Where/When would you go if you had access to the Net?

Please share your thoughts on the book, its themes, characters, or anything you noted about it -- either in the comments here or on our first Book Talk post, or on your own blog with a link to your longer thoughts in the comments so we can find it. I love to talk about the experience of reading so feel free to comment no matter when you're reading this post; if you've read this I'd love to hear your thoughts.

What project have you made, inspired by your reading of To Say Nothing of the Dog? Share a link to your project on this post as soon as you're done! The linkup will be live until May 31 --  you have another 2 weeks of sewing time to finish and share. 

(If the linkup does not work for you please leave a comment with your project)

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Literary Sewing Circle: Author Feature!

 

Today's the day to talk about the author of our pick for this round of the #LiterarySewingCircle! Connie Willis is a multiple award winning author of speculative fiction. She has won, among other awards, ten Hugo Awards and six Nebula Awards, including Hugos for every book in the Oxford Time Travel series. She was the 2011 recipient of the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award from the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA).

She lives in Greeley, Colorado with her family.

By Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0

Her interests in her fiction lie in exploring the unusual - from time travel to telepathy to alien visitations! There is also a strong element of humour, especially snappy dialogue and ridiculous mishaps, influenced by classic screwball comedies. 

To find out more about her influences, favourite reading and most recommended movies, you can read a recent interview with her by the LA Public Library. It focuses on her most recent book, The Road to Roswell (which features alien abductions and more) but ranges widely, and even gives a hint at another Time Travel book in the works. 

What is her connection with making and sewing? Well, for one thing her husband Courtney is an accomplished quilter, and Willis has written an account of their trip to Quilt Town, USA (aka Hamilton, Missouri) It's an entertaining story, especially her description of trying to explain the fact that it's her husband who's the quilter.  

Another aspect of her work that I find fascinating is how she uses clothing and fashion as a character building device. When our historians are going out to a new assignment, they look closely at the clothing and hairstyles and all important accessories that will make them fit in -- we notice people around us, and consider them part of our society, partly because of how they look and the small details of daily life that reveal someone who is the same as the rest of us. 

As Ned takes his first trip back to the Victorian era, he's carefully dressed in a striped blazer, flannels, and a boater. And of course appropriate facial hair. And Verity can't be sent too far out of bounds when she gets lost in translation, because of the Victorian gown she is wearing - the Net doesn't want her going too far afield, so as not to cause any disruptions to the space time continuum by appearing vastly out of place in her current garments. 

In Willis' most recent book, The Road to Roswell, the main character tries on a ghastly lime green bridesmaid dress early in the book which she has to wear for lengthy periods -- the alien in the story has a conniption when she changes into something else because it thinks her clothing is her actual self. Really interesting to think about how clothing "makes the man", so to speak. 

Although Willis doesn't speak much about making, sewing or fashion directly, I think her interest in it shows in many of her books, and enlarges our perceptions of her characters. Her vast mental library of references to other literature, to films and history, also includes the fashion of everyday life. I hope if you read more of her work after this book, you will find this as well! 

Literary Sewing Circle: More Inspiration!

 

This week our sewing inspiration is coming from some of themes and elements in our story, as well as some of the clothing described in the book. 

I'll start with the outfits that might inspire a copycat. 

Verity first appears in a body skimming green dress as she comes through the Net. Ned says, "she had on a long greenish gown that clung to her slim body as if it were wet...the whole effect was that of a Waterhouse nymph..."

It could have been that she was arriving from the Victorian era, wearing a tea gown, like this one by Laughing Moon Mercantile. 

You could update that with a modern maxi dress like this Cardigan Dress by PatternsForLess on Etsy - even more of a bodycon effect here! 

Ned himself appears in a straw boater, white flannels and blue and white striped blazer on his first trip back to the Victorian era, preparing to take a trip down the river. You could copy this look, minus the straw boater of course, with the following:

Maison Fauve Manhattan Blazer  has a similar shape and details as a classic men's rowing blazer. Make it in stripes, or not. 

And you could also copy the wider leg, pleated look of a classic men's pair of flannel trousers with the Protea Pants by Paradise Patterns. 

You could copy Tossie's signature Victorian frills in an updated way, using the TATB Marnie 

Or maybe you want a more contemporary look, copying a young Lizzie Bittner in the lab circa 2018, in her calf length white dress. You could choose the Mattea Dress by Tessuti for a casual but work ready look. 

Or you might simply be inspired by a vague reference to a time period, like WWII which opens the story. You could make a Sew Over It 1940s tea dress that you might wear to a day event, or a more workaday outfit like a uniform inspired Butterick 6282! Perhaps you'll go full workwear with a Siren Suit/Coverall, using the Phyllis pattern by Wearing History. 

SOI Tea Dress

Butterick 6282

Phyllis Air Raid Suit by Wearing History

Ned's brief stop in Blackwell's Bookshop with his sight of three gossiping ladies in fur collars, or Willis' many references to Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie, might put you onto the 30s. You could try out the Parisienne Coat by Decades of Style to mimic the bookstore ladies. Or just some general 30s looks with a Matinee Blouse also by Decades of Style, or a day frock from Eva Dress. 

Parisienne Coat

Matinee Blouse

Day Frock by Eva Dress

Or Ned's erroneous hop to 1395 Coventry Cathedral may inspire a medieval influenced dress like the Maxi Ruffle dress by SD Patterns on Etsy. It's not too costumey but has those 1400s vibes. 

Of course you also have the whole Victorian style catalogue to choose from also! From Verity's long white day dress or modest white nightgown, to the fancy dresses described by Tossie and the Chattisbourne sisters when they are discussing the fete, there are many Victorian clothing elements to pick from. 

You could probably find a pattern to suit any era in this book, somewhere like Folkwear Patterns! 

Or you might want to go more conceptual, and use some of the imagery or themes that run through the story. 

Whether Cyril or Montmorency, the title of this book places a lot of importance on dogs! You could sew up your own Bulldog plushie using this pattern by Funky Friends Factory

Or you could sew something FOR your dog, using any of these 10 free dog clothing patterns collected by Swoodson Says. 

You could also knit yourself a comfy pair of Cyril socks, like these ones by Danielle Jorge on Ravelry. 

In honour of Princess Arjumand, you could choose fabric with a cat print. You would have thousands to choose from! Maybe one like this Timeless Treasures pick, from The Quilt Store 

Or this multicolour cat print -- among the many, many options at StoryQuilts.com!

You could go simple and just make yourself a Kitty Dress by Maven Patterns. 

Or you might think about the other cat in this story, the very (don't say it) pregnant Mrs. Marmalade -- and make a Marmalade jacket by Waffle Patterns. Maybe even in a cat print! 

There are also many fancy fish who play a role in this story. Any kind of fish print fabric could be a reference back to Colonel Mering's fishpond, or you could try out this Koi Drape Front Top by SewInLove Patterns. 

If you know how to knit, you might even want to make this adorable Fishpond Dress by The Sassy Skein. So cute! 

Perhaps it's just the boat that Ned and Terence rent to go down the river that speaks to you, and you'll make the classic Mandy Boat Tee, by Tessuti. 

Or you could try this Float on Top by Forest & Thread -- since Ned and Terence do at least *try* to float on top of the river, and make it most of their trip! 

You could add a bit of flair to your inspiration by thinking French, and making the Bateau Garden Dress by WinterWear Designs. 

Maybe you'll be inspired by The Net itself, that shimmering circle in the air, by using sheers, net or sparkles in your project. You could even try some netting yourself, making this sparkly crochet mini-dress from the 90s, thanks to the Little Chick pattern by MyCosyHouseFantasy. 

And perhaps like one of our readers so far, you'll inspired by the very idea of travel. A travelling suit from the Victorian era, or something more comfy for contemporary times?  You could make the Traveller's Tee or the Two for the Road outfit from Saf-T-Pockets for secure travelling. And what would a capsule wardrobe for time travel look like?

Whatever your inspiration, I hope you're enjoying the read and are getting some fun ideas by now! Next week we'll look at some author info, and then be ready for some final book talk the week after that. 

If you have ideas for your own outfit, feel free to share and give others some extra inspo!

Literary Sewing Circle: Book Talk!

 

Today's the day for some beginning book talk! How are you doing with the book? Have you started it yet? Finished it? Finding it long or easy to get through? Do you have any reactions you'd like to share? 

Here are a few questions to ponder today and for the next while -- whether you have begun reading, or you've only read blurbs & author interviews so far and still have something to say, join in! Although there might be a few spoilers in the questions and discussion below so if you haven't got too far yet you might want to come back to this post.

I'll add some of my own thoughts and you can reply to them or add your own impressions. If you want to hear other takes on a part of the book that you are curious about, leave your own questions in the comments, too.

1. If you decided to pick up this book and read it for this round, why? Are you familiar with Connie Willis, or did the book just sound interesting on its own?

I hope that this was appealing enough to pick up despite its length, for those readers unfamiliar with Connie Willis. I always enjoy her madcap writing; she is often influenced by comedy and old movies, and that sense of manic incident is on show here. I think the combo of futuristic tech and the Victorian era is a bit irresistible, for me anyhow!

2. What do you think of the book's concept? Are you a fan of time travel stories or not?

I enjoy time travel stories, with the main characters moving through time rather than just a dual timeline. I also know that Willis always entertains me, so have read this book a few times now. The way that she's set up the concept, so that nobody except academics are interested in time travel in the 2057 era makes it doubly funny to see all these history nerds able to live the dream and access the times that they study -- without any corporate interference! 

3. Have you read Jerome K. Jerome's original Victorian "Three Men in a Boat: to Say Nothing of the Dog" which partially inspired this book? If so, how do you see the connections so far? 

When I first read this, I put it off until I'd read Three Men in a Boat first. Reading them on subsequent weekends meant that the connections were fresh in my mind, and so I did get quite a few laughs from it. I particularly love that the Three Men in a Boat have a small cameo in this one; I picture the fallout from this and am amused again. Definitely worth reading both if this kind of quirky humour appeals to you. 

4. Is there a particular character that you've enjoyed so far? Any particular themes that stand out for you?

Ned is a decent narrator, but I really enjoy the way the entire large cast works together. From the contemporary lab techs (and Lady Schrapnell!) to the Victorian circle Ned becomes acquainted with, I enjoy the interactions of the group in each setting. I also love that they are all rushing around trying to fix something without being quite sure what they are supposed to be fixing. And the Victorian jumble sales are a treat. 

5. If you were a time travelling historian, would you prefer the WWII assignments, or the Victorian ones? What would you do first in the era you chose? 

Not sure which would be more interesting but the Victorian era would be safer, generally speaking. I would most likely end up in a bookstore looking for a (now) rare volume, or at a haberdashery looking at fabric! Or at a jumble sale, of course, looking for antique penwipers ;)

6.  Is there anything specific  in the book that has sparked an idea for a project yet? Are you mulling over any ideas?

I have many ideas, thanks to the plethora of names, places, descriptions of clothing and landscapes, multiple eras of clothing options, and specific thematic threads that run through the story (more on those in the next inspiration post). I have one or two thoughts about a likely project but I'm still deciding...I have a lot of stash to choose from and a couple of pattern ideas are rising to the top. I might go very literal with some names, or more vaguely thematic. Or a mix of both! 

Has anything leapt to the top of your project list in your initial reading? Let us know if so! If not, let it percolate, and check out next week's inspo post for more ideas.