Thoughts about Life !

Hi Everyone 

It’s over a week since my last post and I can’t quite believe where the time has gone ? I somehow, missed posting anything last week. Today, I thought it would be a good idea to simply have a quick chat and reflect on life at the moment. 

I’ve been Making as usual (everyday) but in a more relaxed way. Life has taken on a regular routine and is filled with general living things. I feel, as if I don’t have my Making space prior to lockdown on the 23/3/20 - seven or eight weeks ago. Each part of my day is quite busy. I’m not sure how that can be ? All the things I do are important in their own way eg planning meals, keeping in touch with family, exercise walks, shopping menu and lists etc. All these things need doing but are not especially exciting.

 We (two grown up boys, my husband and me) are living in the same house and together (very grateful that that is the case) and are doing Ok, considering we are all completely at home. In some respects, things are very organised and gradually little jobs (around the house) are being done. I think, it’s true to say, life has taken on a different focus. We have lots of lovely moments but things seem are a bit short term with lots of uncertainty. I’m not sure I’m totally happy with my personal focus, I like a list of things to achieve each day and my lists are very uninspiring at the moment. Perhaps, it’s time to make some plans ? By plans, I mean little personal goals - I think ?

Getting back to Making for a moment (my happy place), I’ve spent lots of time trying to conquer a knitting pattern. This pattern is from the 52 Weeks of socks from Laine, you can read all about the book here. The pattern is called Heartichoke. It’s a wonderful pattern, I talked about this knit on the blog a few weeks ago - read about it here. However, for some reason, the lace detail on the leg has given me lots of grief. It’s not difficult but it’s the sort of pattern which needs attention and I have made so many mistakes (repeatedly) that I almost gave up. I must have restarted the lace section six times, at least. I knitted several rows of the 20 row pattern each time. I couldn’t read my knitting accurately enough so each time it all came out (just the lace bit !) Very frustrating. However, I persevered and I’m so pleased I did. Having done so, it’s a joy to pick up the needles and knit a few rows. I realised I needed peace, the radio is fine but no conversation and no TV screens.

              

I love this pattern and am enjoying the knit, immensely. The yarn is from the wonderful Ginger Twist Studios, read about it here.

I’m not sure when these socks will be finished, it doesn’t matter at the moment. I’m simply enjoying the process.

I do have other projects underway. There’s a sweater and a few sewing projects. I’ll share my sweater knit and the sewing projects in a few days.

Thanks for calling in today.

Keep safe.

Sewing Project Update

Hi Everyone 

I’m finished ! As planned, I’d hoped to complete my latest sewing project by the end of the week. This is the beautiful dress from Big Clothes and Little Clothes by Asuka Hamada and featured in my last blog (check out the post here).

                 

I love everything about the patterns in the book (check out the link above). I’m already planning the next project.

Getting back to my dress project - the simple lines and attention to the cut is perfect. The fabric is also an added advantage to this project. I was slightly anxious that the dress would not work because the design demands a fine, flowing material. However, all is well with the fabric and the dress hangs beautifully. I feel very good in the dress and will wear it with pride.

I’ll be back next week with my next project early next week. In the meantime, I’ll be working on a little bag for knitting projects and will hopefully share that next week too.

Thanks for calling in today.

Keep safe.

Sewing Project News

Hi Everyone 

I’m back with an update of my latest sewing project. This is a dress from one of my recent birthday gifts, a Japanese pattern book ( check it out here). I love this book. Everything about the book is beautiful. The fact that it’s written in Japanese doesn’t make any difference. The photos are lovely and the instruction drawings are perfect. I was slightly anxious before tracing the pattern but no need. I can highly recommend the book. 

I have some lovely check fabric from Seasalt and have managed to squeeze the pattern into three separate 1m lengths. I have quite a bit left from one of the pieces and am considering making a small shawl. All kinds of hand embroidery ideas have appeared in my head - for finishing the edges of the shawl. However, I’m not sure about the final length of my dress - I may need to add an extra bit to lengthen. I’ve already decided to use this as a design feature and top stitch to highlight the feature, if required. This would have an impact on my shawl idea ! 

Back to progress, all I’ve managed to do, is make the pattern, cut out and complete the neckline for the front and back. Today, I’m planning to add the pockets and sleeves. There’s not too much more to do !  This, like all the other patterns in the book are very simple but beautiful shapes. I’m very keen to have neat and precise finishing details so will be taking my time and thinking through each stage, very carefully. I’m enjoying taking everything very slowly. It feels luxurious and very calming. I like to get lost in my sewing - this project is perfect for this moment.

Here’s  a quick look at the fabric and the neckline detail as well as the finished dress sample from the book. As you can see, each of the patterns has a small and large application of the design. Such a wonderful idea.

                   

Hopefully, I will have the finished item for my next post later this week. I’m aiming to publish Thursday or Friday.

Thanks for calling in today.

Keep safe.

More update chat

Hi Everyone 

I’m back with a little bit of exciting news, a new sewing project. I’m a big fan of the Sewing Bee and have been inspired by the Tea Dress Challenge from episode one of the current (newly started) series. As soon as I saw one of the dress patterns, I knew I had to make it. The pattern is Butterick B6130.

My only problem seems to be - which fabric to use ? I love the fabric used in the TV show and would like something similar. Needless to say, I’ve wasted many hours looking online for the perfect fabric. I haven’t found my dream fabric but there’s something quite close in my sights. 

                 

The fabric in my photo story is the possible ‘ones and is a cotton from Seasalt. I think, I’d prefer a more muted range of colours but in this abstract type print. I’ll keep looking, for now.

In the meantime, I do have lots and lots of fabric in my stash, obviously! One of the issues I have, is that the dress pattern asks for 3m plus of fabric and I don’t have much in that length. However, I’ve been looking at the pattern, in detail, and have an idea to incorporate the lovely bodice bit with a much reduced skirt part. I’ve just completed the Merchant&Mills Factory Dress and this garment has a lovely skirt section with pockets - I love the fit and look of the dress. So, I’m thinking,  I could create a new version of the Butterick B6130 using the Factory Dress inspired skirt element. I will have lots of fabric choices for this version. When I find the perfect fabric (or decide on the Seasalt fabric) I can make the Butterick dress as per the pattern. That’s my plan. My job later today is to delve into my stash and see what I can find.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back next Monday with another Making Chat post. 

Keep safe.

Making Chat

Hi Everyone 

It’s been two weeks since my last post and I’ve decided to blog a couple of times each week rather than everyday, for the moment. 

We have been trying to enjoy a sort of holiday at home. Generally, the weather has been good. Lots of sunshine, virtually no rain but a little cold at times. We live in the NE of England, quite close to the coast and often suffer from an easterly wind - this probably explains the colder breeze. Our UK lockdown is still very firmly in place but considering all things, life in our little world is OK, at the moment. We have also celebrated an eighteen birthday - managed an extended family singalong of Happy Birthday via What’s App with my Dad playing the piano. Made lots of gifts and cards etc. The birthday boy also managed an all night party, online ! 

My Making life is proving to be a bit of a challenge. There seems lots more living stuff to do (cooking,washing etc) with our family at home all day. I’m still making stuff but am taking my time and being selective about how I choose my projects. Mostly, I’ve been knitting things. I started a pair of socks, the Heartichoke socks some time ago and am still battling on. This pattern is lovely but much more demanding than my usual sock pattern. It’s not a pattern for knitting (the first time) while watching TV ! I have ripped out a few sections, several times. I’m also knitting the Kate Davies, Land O’Cakes cardigan. Everything is going well on both projects but it’s all quite slow. I have, again, not paid enough attention to the latest section of the cardigan (the colourwork yolk) and currently, need to redo a few rows. All that said, I’m enjoying both projects and look forward to working on them everyday. I tend to knit each evening, so that part of my creative time is protected.

As I’ve mentioned, I’ve been making birthday cards and other such things in paper as well as baking but my sewing has suffered, a little. Over the last two weeks, I’ve completed the Merchant&Mills Factory Dress, almost. Just a tiny bit of handing sewing on the sleeve cuff (5 mins. job) and I’m hoping I can wear my dress tomorrow. Quite excited about that. 

I’ve also started an appliqué machine embroidery project and come to a bit of a halt. I have the front and back of my bag almost done. I’m adding a side pocket, also done but that’s as far as its got ! Today, seems to be the day to put more time into it. We will see how things go ?

Our garden is also getting a bit of attention, I’m regarding the garden as part of my Making life. There is lots of ongoing maintenance required but I’m also looking at possible changes and improvements. The idea is to spend a little time each day on a bite size task with lots of looking and reviewing in between. 

So, not too much to report. I’ve not worked on any jewellery production over the past month and am wondering what to do about that ? I’ll keep thinking but at some point, work with start again. For the moment, I’m concentrating on my knitting and sewing. I do need to find another sewing project soon. I like the idea of a few tops to wear with jeans or shorts, depending on the weather. I’d also like to make another dress.

That’s about all for my catch up, I’ll leave you with a few images of the machine embroidery project. 

              

I’ll be back on Wednesday with an update chat. Thanks for calling in today.

Keep safe.