Day 21- My fourth Friday in London

My day at work started with the unpicker. I had to unpick a few seams from the dress I was going to alter smaller. I finished that dress and after that I drew kids patterns for the rest of the day. 

This is my fourth weekend here, it still seems unreal that I'm really in London. I don't have any special plans for the weekend yet, but I'll make up something tomorrow.

finished dress front

and back

drawing/copying patterns

in the bus way home

I also went shopping just a little after work :D found these heels..

Day 20- Happy Thursday

Can't believe it's already Thursday! Today I've been super happy without a reason. And we shouldn't need to seek a reason for happiness :). In the morning I thought I was going to be late, but managed to get to work at 10 o'clock. I had some problems with the bus again.. 

At work I repaired some sample dresses; changed labels for them, repaired zippers, sewed some snap buttons and hooks & eyes. Then I made a few bra straps for dresses and started to make one dress smaller and also alter some patterns. 

a little finnish flag on our window ledge

 Making the bra straps: 

About to make this dress smaller:

the slip for this dress is obviously too long

cutting the hem of the slip

the back needs some hooks 

shortened slip

with the hoooks

dress is ready! ;)

altering patterns

Day 19- Details

Hello! This Wednesday was actually very nice (if I forget the most annoying traffic ever in the morning). When I woke up today I could hear it's raining, but I feel like it's refreshing when it rains sometimes. Overall it has been surprisingly sunny and warm weather.

The title says ''details'' because today I noticed that I payed attention to details more than usually. Especially I saw my lucky number 48 many times today (on the way work there's a wine shop called ''48''..), then I really focused on details at work, I looked at the ads in the underground very carefully and just staring at little things around the city. 

Today at work I worked on these cute (and some of them were angry :D) wolves. They are brooches and very suitable for a Christmas present. Minna has been selling them for many years I think. 

See here: Walter wolf brooch. I finished the brooches and packed them ready for delivery. 

a whole family of wolves

they all look different

 After the wolves and my lunch break, I cut this top ans started to sew it right away. I almost finished it today, only the trimming needs one stitch to be done. Here is some pictures of the process:

sleeves for the lace top

the second lace top that I'm finishing

attaching label

It was only half past five and very dark outside

so many lace trimmings..

I have to say that It has been one of the best decisions in my life this far to come to London by myself. I've learned so much about working with the bridal wear and I've learned a lot about myself. And I'm SUPER excited that my friends are coming to London in the end of the month. :)

I feel like I could stay in London for a year at least <3

Day 18- Just working

I noticed something on the way work today, it really made me think. When I walk to work from the Oval-tube station, I walk trough the Kennington park. There's a church in the middle of the park, and there was a recycling container looking box next to the walking path. The container said: ''Get a life, bin the knife''. I've heard that there happens a lot of assaults in Brixton, mainly stabbings. 

The container was meant for the criminal to really get rid of their knives. I still don't think that many of stabbers go and throw their knives away and become ''better citizens''. But the sad truth is that there happens too many of those kind of crimes against innocent people...

Here's an example for you in case you are interested: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/nov/18/teenager-jailed-stabbing-bicycle-brixton

And about my workday, I finished editing the dress where the lace was stretched in the front and the back. So that is now done and I can say that I learned to work better with the lace and also my patience was put to test :D The main thing is that I ended up being happy with the outcome.

front of the dress

back

copying patterns from the old lining

view from the workshop

the dress is done!

 I also made some alteration to the top which I finished earlier. It was actually too tight on the bust and the sleeves were too long for the real design. So I continued working on the patterns and the I'll make new top for a sample and the another one for a customer to wear on her wedding.

making adjustments for the top

altering pattern

cutting new top from changed patterns

Day 17- New week, new start

This Monday started very nicely, there was no traffic at all in the morning, so it makes my journey to work a bit easier. At work I did some detail alterations first, then started to repair on of the samples. The zipper was too long on the side seam and the lace fabric had stretched in the front and back parts. I adjusted the dress from the waistline to hide the stretched fabric. 

Today I also continued unpicking another dress and changed lace trimming to the top I made last Friday ('cause the trimming was white, It should have been ivory color..). I can barely see the difference between white, ivory etc. ''white'' fabrics xD..

some flowers

too long zipper

the stretched fabric

unpicking the waistline

almost ready..

walking home.. 8pm

Day 16- Feeling sick

I don't have much to say about this Sunday, because I've been feeling sick for the whole day. Don't want to make it worse, so I'm taking it easy for now. I will go to work in the morning, feeling better all the time :)

Today I just went to the nearest pharmacy (or tried), but unfortunately it was closed, but managed to find another place to get some medicine. 

Here's few pictures about the weather, it was very foggy:

my home street