Quietly, in stolen moments, I have been beavering away at my next Alabama Stitch project. Having decided to have a go at the corset , I gamely hacked up a ginormous promotional t-shirt that’s been hanging around the bottom of my wardrobe for months. Snip snip, stitch stitch – all fun.
Until I tried it on that is. Now although corset is a suggestive moniker for an item of clothing, but I was a little taken aback when I saw the acreage of flesh on display. Quite frankly, I looked like I was auditioning to make a film - one of those films.
I showed hubby, who smiled broadly (in a not entirely innocent way). It was only as I looked closely in Flickr, wondering why the makers before me weren't displaying quite such an impressive amount of boobage, that I noticed my error. I'd reversed two of the front panels. Phew. Some unpicking required, but my modesty will remain intact.
Shockingly, this is not my first scrape with the 'arty film' industry. When I was 20, I moved to Edinburgh at quite short notice and was scrabbling around in a strange city looking for a place to rent. After answering an ad for a girl to share a flat, I was shown around by a nice guy, who shared his very clean and bright flat with 2 other girls. He was friendly enough when we chatted, telling me he ran his own business as a freelance cameraman. The location was convenient and it seemed a good option to me, although the flat did have some odd quirks, like bedroom doors with louvers and glass panels. I couldn't really understand why my friend Paul, who had come with me, was giving off such negative vibes. It was only when we were back safely on the pavement outside when Paul told me he had seen the landlord's business card - black, with the company name in neon pink 'Flesh and Fantasy'. I could have had a whole different career...
Oh! That was a lucky escape!!
Posted by: Sharon | 14 January 2009 at 22:51
That is funny - although maybe not quite so funny at the time. The corset pattern looks lovely and now I'm very excited because I ordered that book just this morning!
Posted by: Gina | 14 January 2009 at 23:00
Bit like an old friend of mine and his sister who thought the hotel room they were being shown in Tokyo seemed very cheap - until they realised there were mirrors on the ceilings and that it was a Love Hotel!!
Posted by: bluemountainsmary | 15 January 2009 at 00:59
I wonder what you would have chosen for an on-screen name...
Posted by: Megan | 15 January 2009 at 02:48
That reminds me of my wedding dress - the corset top on the link, that is, not the 'arty film' industry...
Posted by: UK lass in US | 15 January 2009 at 04:13
great story!
Posted by: janet clare | 15 January 2009 at 07:30
We don't get to see the corset then?! Great story about Edinburgh - I guess those Scots have to do stuff to keep warm up in the frozen north? ;-) x
Posted by: Kitty | 15 January 2009 at 07:47
The corset is lovely. The story is scary!
I mean, what if you'd cut straight into the expensive material?
Oh, you though I meant the *flat* story ...
Posted by: dottycookie | 15 January 2009 at 09:26
Thanks Ali, you have given me huge laughs today.
Posted by: Rebecca | 15 January 2009 at 11:52
Oh Ali, that is very funny. I can only imagine the look of glee on your husband's face!
Posted by: Louise | 15 January 2009 at 12:18
I'm so naive I'm sure I would have taken the flat--yikes! Looking forward to seeing the new, more modest corset. K x
Posted by: kristina | 15 January 2009 at 12:49
Wahahaha! Oh my, Ali - you go ahead and fix that corset of yours, m'kay? :) Thanks for the laughs!
Posted by: meg | 15 January 2009 at 12:52
What a close shave with the rental!
Posted by: Thimbleina | 15 January 2009 at 14:21
Ha ha! That made me smile.
Posted by: Julia | 15 January 2009 at 14:38
ha! Fantastic story. Thank goodness you had a chaperone to take charge!x
Posted by: Anna | 15 January 2009 at 18:21
Oh that flat story is so funny! Thank goodness you'd taken Paul along for a second opinion!!!!
Lucy x
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | 15 January 2009 at 18:54
Imagine explaining that to the kids...
Posted by: claire | 15 January 2009 at 22:29
I must have an important part of my brain missing because it would never, ever, in a million years occur to me to make a corset for fun out of a recycled T-shirt.
In fact it hurts me to think about it. The neurons just won't join up.
Posted by: Alice C | 15 January 2009 at 23:53
Great stories, both of them! It's funny how sometimes our brains have a hard time catching up with what's in front of our eyes.
frances
Posted by: frances | 16 January 2009 at 00:12
brilliant!
one for the grandchildren... (when they get older that is...)
You ARE zooming through that book... I was thinking of starting something smaller like a book cover... gee weez
Posted by: monica | 16 January 2009 at 18:10
Oh you are a funny girl. I love a post that puts a smile on my face while I sip my tea.
Posted by: Tamara | 16 January 2009 at 23:39
I apologise on behalf of Edinburgh.
Posted by: Isabelle | 17 January 2009 at 00:36
I bought the book as a treat to me. What a beautiful thing it is. Even without out the patterns, the pictures the writing, the binding of the book. thanks for the tip Ali. Will be refreshing to not be stooped over a sewing machine. love the story.
Posted by: joanna | 17 January 2009 at 10:28
phew! glad you escaped.
and really happy that the corset was fixable.
Posted by: erin | 17 January 2009 at 13:43
I love that corset pattern and the stitch book will be added to my wishlist right away! I'm trying my hand at a tag (all new to me) which is: What' on your bedside? so if you fancy it, details are over at mine! With love Sal x
Posted by: Sal | 17 January 2009 at 18:43
such a brilliantly funny story, what would we do without our friends!
Posted by: two hippos | 17 January 2009 at 22:15
I love the stitch book - you inspired me to buy it! I haven't attempted anything yet....must make sure I get the right bits round the right way by the sounds of it.
I bet your hubby is suddenly enjoying the results of all your craftiness ;-)
Very close shave with the flat! Ha ha ha!!!!
xxx
Posted by: Lesley | 20 January 2009 at 11:20