Sewing Story

Hi Everyone 

I’ve got another couple of nightdresses underway. I’ve had a few little ditsy print pieces of fabric waiting for nightwear Makes for a while. For some reason, I can’t bring myself to wear ready made/bought nightwear, so it’s lots of washing of the two nightwear garments in my wardrobe. 

Hopefully, I can produce another couple of garments in the next few days. 

I’m using my faithful old nightwear pattern Butterick B5792.

           

This time, I’m going for a plain front (no pleats). Check out the pleated version in my pyjamas here. I’ve identified the E version in my photo but I’ll go for a just below the knee length rather than long. I’m also adding a ruffle around the arms but a plain neckline. I will add a small ruffle on the hem, not the large one in my photo.

 I’ve started sewing already. My plan was to simply cut out the pieces but it’s such a quick Make that I decided to start sewing straight away. The front and back are attached. I’ve used French Seams, my favourite nightwear seam. So, it’s the arm/hem ruffles and the bias binding tape for finishing next. I’m almost sure to get the nightdress finished today.

I’ve started with the yellow version and will do a similar job with the pink/red fabric. I may reverse the ruffle from the arms to the neck  - not sure ? 

I’ll let you know.

There are two more pieces of fabric for nightwear in my stash and I’ll probably grow for another pair of pyjamas. Again, I’ll let you know what I decide.

Thanks for calling in today.

The Fisherman’s Wife

Hi Everyone 

I’m talking socks again today - read yesterday’s blog for the previous sock post. The Fisherman’s Wife Socks by Anna Bergman are on my needles. They have been on the needles for about a week and I’m officially on version 2. However, I’ve ripped them out several more times ! The problem seems to be sizing. All the issues are to do with the width of the instep part of the sock ie my instep measurement compared to the sock. 

My photo story shows the very first (version 1) sock on the bottom left. I like the fabric of this sock, it’s strong and tight but won’t go over my foot. The latest version, on the bottom right has gone up two needle sizes and I can get the sock on (with a bit of tugging) but it’s not how I’d like it. I’m not quite sure what I can do, other than add an extra fish (pattern dictates 8 extra stitches) which I think would be too big ? Perhaps, if I go for the smaller needles this may work ? It’s probably worth a try.

              

I love the pattern and the colours I’ve chosen. The whole sock pattern is a delight to knit - just as well !! I’ll let you know how things progress.

Thanks for calling in today.

All about socks.

Hi Everyone 

I’m back from our mini Grand Tour - lots of lovely weather and sitting around in Scotland.  Now lots of putting away and washing ! However, all is in hand !

I’ve been knitting socks. I’ve finished two pairs, one for me and one for a friend. My socks are the lovely Molly pattern by Anna Bergman (bottom pair). I’ve been knitting these socks for some time ! Lots of mistakes (fitting issues mainly) but now lovely and ready to wear. The other pair is a mismatch of lots of patterns I’ve knitted before and just in my head.

                  

I’m knitting more socks at the moment and am having similar fitting issues ! More on the that tomorrow.

Thanks for calling in today.

Ursa #2

Hi Everyone 

My Ursa #2 is finally ready to wear. I’ve not had an opportunity wear my sweater but it’s turned out well.

            

I’ve talked about this project a few times - you can read the previous posts here and here and here - these posts give all the details of the yarn and the pattern. Generally, I wanted a cotton, summer version of the sweater. I’ve made the sweater with short sleeves and as the body of the sweater is cropped and quite wide, I think I can get away with wearing my sweater over a lightweight blouse or dress when the weather is warmish. It will be interesting to see, if I can find outfits (in my wardrobe) to suit my Summer Ursa.

I find myself, continually, looking for summer sweater ideas. I like the idea of cotton or linen knitting but I’m not so sure about the way in which I’m able to finish off the garments. Sewing in the ends and adding more yarn seems to create a rather messy connection point in the final fabric. I’m especially critical of how my knitted items are finished ! 

So, I’m interested to see how the Ursa will feature in my everyday clothing choices. I hope to wear my sweater tomorrow- it’s seems the temperature will fall (very slightly !). 

Hopefully, all will work out well and its worth searching for another Summer sweater knit. I’m going to try and develop a few rules (for myself) to make cotton or linen yarn very tidy within the knit. I’m thinking of things like only adding yarn at a seam point or where a button band would be added. I’ll keep thinking about this issue and do a bit more research on the subject. Hopefully, I can get a few photos of the Ursa#2 in action.

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend.  

I’m taking a break next week for one of our mini Grand Tours. I’ll be back the following week.

Fisherman’s Wife Socks

Hi Everyone 

I’m almost ready to start my next pair of socks, the Fisherman’s Wife Socks by Anna Bergman. I introduced the idea of this project last week but it’s taken me all this time to narrow down my choice of yarn. I’ve found all the yarn from my stash - something, I’m working to do for the foreseeable future. I’ve got so much yarn that I’m  not sure (exactly) what there is ! I do know that I need to organise my stash and plan to use it or sell it on.

Here is a look at my choice :

         

I’ve not really moved too far from the yarn colours used by Anna Bergman. All my yarn is Socks Yeah by Coop Knits. There are a couple of blue shades and a cream. I’ll probably cast on the socks this evening. I’m off on a short holiday break next week, so this project is perfect for holiday knitting. I’ll be visiting an old favourite, seaside place - these socks are perfect.

I especially like using Socks Yeah yarn for colourwork sock knitting. The yarn is quite fine and I like the close knit fabric which results. Blue is such a great colour for me, I’m looking forward to these socks being ready to wear.

Thanks for calling in today.

Saltmarsh Skirt #2

Hi Everyone 

I’m following up with developments from yesterday’s sewing project : the Saltmarsh Skirt. Read back yesterday here for more details on the idea.

Sadly, I didn’t make much progress yesterday- life got in the way ! However, I did start !

             

There is, of course, a story to tell. I thought, I’d followed the pattern details to the letter but ....... having started to construct the skirt, it seems I’d missed something in the pattern stage.

 I started the Make with the waistband, as suggested by the pattern. I’d chosen to make button holes in the waistband to accommodate a drawstring tie. There was an option to add a couple of eyelets but I thought the fabric drawstring tie needed buttonholes. The fabric is quite lightweight and I think metal eyelets would be too heavy. So, I developed buttonholes - I made the tie before developing the buttonholes to determine the right size. At this stage, all was well. The buttonholes worked well, without any problems.

The next stage was to finish the waistband ie sew it together.  I thought, I’d make up the skirt (including waist darts) first, so I could be exact about the waistband width. The drawstring will pull in the waist to fit but I wanted the two pieces ie the band and the top of the skirt to be the same. At this point, it became obvious that something was not quite right ! I’d not looked carefully enough at the pattern pieces and had missed a small section of both the front and back skirt pieces (including the dart notches). 

What to do ? I had a coffee first. I had enough fabric to add a section to the top of the front and back skirt, the missing part. I cut out the extra bits and have overlocked them and top stitched them to the skirt pieces. Everything is now back on schedule. I quite like the effect of the extra pieces, almost a deliberate panel to shape the waist area !

I’ll get some more photos later today which may help explain my issue in more detail. I have another busy day, so not sure how much more will happen today. Fingers crossed, I can complete another stage.

Thanks for calling in today.

The Saltmarsh Skirt

Hi Everyone 

I’ve managed to trace the pattern and cut out the fabric for my new sewing project, The Saltmarsh Skirt by Merchant&Mills. There are only five pattern pieces to the design. There’s a front, back, waistband, pockets and a drawstring (to be threaded through the waistband). The construction should be very straightforward - famous last words.

          

I’m using a Seasalt fabric, 100% cotton Ephemeral Light Squid. This fabric is a gorgeous petrol blue colour with a greenish plaid detail. The simple skirt design has a drawstring waist and side pockets, no zips or buttons involved. The skirt is also quite long. I’m not totally convinced long skirts are good for me ? I have a short torso and long skirts and dresses tend to make me look rather squat !  However, I do like the idea of a light, flowing skirts for Summer days. I’m happy to give the long version a ‘go’ !

I’m hoping to make good progress with my skirt today - I’ll share developments tomorrow.

Thanks for calling in today.

Florence #3

Hi Everyone 

Florence #3 is finished and ready to wear.

                

This Florence is a dress version of the wonderful Merchant&Mills pattern and made using a Vintage Blue Linen Rami. Check out a previous post which introduced the Make here . I’ve already made two blouse versions and the dress was pretty much the same Make. The only difference between the blouse and the dress is the length of the frill. You can check out my previous Florence Makes here and here.

My dress version was inspired by a Merchant&Mills Instagram post - check it out here. Initially, I had the plan to follow the advice of extending the frill by 61cm. However, I didn’t have enough fabric ! I’m not that tall, so thought I’d go for 55cm (all that I had). Having completed the dress, the 61cm would have been much too long. As I wear the dress, it’s about the same as the look on the Instagram photo. 

Generally, the Make was very straightforward. This pattern follows a very simple construction and everything works beautifully. I decided early on, to make a double front bodice. I felt the dress would hang better is the bodice was a little more structured. I think, this was a good idea - it works well. Unfortunately, I managed to add the frill the wrong way around ie back to front. Not sure how I did that ? This meant that the back was considerably shorter than the front, the bodice has a pronounced dip at the front. There is also more fabric to the back section too, so the gathering did not work at all. The only solution- it had to be undone ! I’d also overlocked the gathered frill seam ! It took me forever to undo. I needed to be very careful with the unpicking because there was so little fabric to work with.

However, all is well and the dress is amazing. I must also mention the lovely, very stylish buttons. Look closely at the top right photo. I had bought these buttons for another project but they are perfect for this dress.

So, I think that’s it for the Florence pattern, for a while. I’m not sure what I’m making next. I need to give it some thought.

Thanks for calling in today.

Knitting News

Hi Everyone 

I’ve chosen my next sock knitting project, it will be the Fisherman’s Wife Socks by Anna Bergman.

         

This pattern is another pair of socks from the wonderful #tantulltussocks book. If you are a regular reader of the blog you will know that I’ve just finished another design from this book ie the Molly Socks (you can see the finished socks here). I’m working my way through this book, there are 28 designs in the book - so plenty more to go ! You can check out the book here.

The Fisherman’s Wife Design is a very different type of sock (from Molly) but I was drawn to the design because of the fish. I love the fish and will enjoy wearing these socks. I’m not totally sure about exact colours at the moment. I like the version in the book but would prefer to go for a slightly different combination of colours. The socks need to be blue, of course, but I’m thinking about a lighter blue for the main colour. I’d also like another blue for the contrast- then there’s the little stripes, across the fish ? 

My priority job for the day will be finding The perfect yarn for my socks - I’ll use stash yarn and Im not sure what I’ve got ! I’ll share my choices next week.

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend.

Florence #3

Hi Everyone 

Florence #3 is underway. I’ve cut out all the fabric pieces for my third Florence by Merchant&Mills and started to construct the bodice. This time I’m making a dress version. The dress is exactly the same as the blouse other than the length of the frill. I need to extend the frill by 61 cm. A lovely dress version inspired this Make - check it out here on the Merchant&Mills Instagram feed.

          

My fabric choice is a Vintage Blue Linen Rami. I’m not quite sure exactly how much fabric I had at the beginning- it was in three separate pieces and probably around 3m. However, the Florence does have a very wide gathered frill section and I just managed to cut this section (which will form the skirt) from two of the pieces. I had considered making a fully lined bodice (lined with the same fabric) but could only manage to line the front. All is well and I’m happy with progress.

Hopefully, I’ll manage to spend some more time today on the dress. I have everything I need, including some beautiful buttons (bought for another project). I’ll share my progress tomorrow.

Thanks for calling in today.

Florence #2

Hi Everyone 

Florence #2 is done and ready to wear. This second version of the blouse is lovely. It’s very different from the first (check out Florence #1 here) one. Generally, the fabric is thicker and has more structure - equally as good. For version #2, I've used two fabrics, but in the same colour palette, which  gives a completely different feel to the garment. I’m pleased with how both versions of the blouse have turned out. They feel great to wear. There’s something rather vintage about them and I feel dressed up, a little ! Florence is definitely a Summer thing but I’m hoping I can layer for cooler days and perhaps find a knit design which will work for the Winter.

           

I did have a plan to make some buttons from polymer clay but found four perfect red buttons in my box. So, the red buttons are in place. All in all, Florence has been a joy to make. There are no negatives to report. Everything went well from start to finish. 

I mentioned an issue with this Make ie not having enough a few weeks ago - check out the original post here. After lots of online searching, I found a similar fabric design from the same range and have used the additional fabric to add more interest to the top. I’ve used one fabric print for the sleeves, part of the front frill and the neck binding and the other, original print for the rest. I like how the two fabrics work together and give a different look to the top.

My next Florence (the last for now) will be a dress version. I’m hoping, I can get this Make underway later today. I’ll keep you posted.

Thanks for calling in today.

Molly Socks

Hi Everyone 

I’ve finally finished the lovely Molly Socks by Anna Bergman. These socks seem to have taken forever ! However, they are very pretty and fit well - any problems I’ve had have been, immediately forgotten ! The colours work beautifully together and I especially like, the sewn down picot cuff.

  

I do need to block my socks. I think, the colour work design will benefit from blocking. Any uneven strands should settle out after blocking, to give an even surface to my socks. I’m also hoping the fabric will soften slightly.

In the early stages of this knit, I wondered if knitting colour work socks were for me, definitely the results but possibly not the process ? However, I’ve really enjoyed knitting the second sock and am already looking for another colour work design. My colour work skills have improved, enormously.

I have the wonderful #tantulltussocks book by Anna Bergman. You can find the book  here. This book has many colour work designs and I’m starting to think about my next one. I had planned to work through the designs in the book (from the beginning). Now, I’m not so sure. I need to look again !

Thanks for calling in today.

Florence

Hi Everyone 

I’ve finished and already worn my latest, very new Make, the Florence blouse by Merchant&Mills. The fabric is from Seasalt and the buttons from Textile Garden. The fabric is beautiful to work with and has produced a lovely blouse. Read the background story for this project here.

            

I didn’t make any big changes to the pattern, just a straightforward Make. The only very slight challenge was the neckband facing. It’s not really an issue but I managed to misunderstand where the neckband finished and the button stand folded. For some reason, I decided I needed not to fold over a 1cm hem on the neckband. As I folded over the button stand, my error was obvious, the diagram instructions were exactly right and I was wrong ! A very quick unpick (3 mins worth) fixed the problem and that was that. Everything else in the Make was exactly as per the instructions. The fit of the top is particularly good and I love it. The top is a lightweight garment and because of the gathered frill, it’s great for warm weather. I have also tried layering the top and this works well too. The whole thing was a delight to make and wear.

I’ve already started my next Florence. This time, I’m using the fabric I had chosen for the original Make, check it out here. I’ve tried a slightly longer version of the top this time. The frill will be extended to accommodate this feature. I’m using a couple of very similar fabrics (same colour shades and small flower designs) for the new top and the fabric is a more structured cotton, than the first top. I’m hoping the garment will look very different. I’ll share the finished top in a few days. 

There will also be a third Florence. The third Make will be a dress version. I will lengthen the frill to just on or just below the knee. This dress will be in a Navy Linen Rami fabric. Again, it’s a lightweight fabric. I may line the bodice section with the same fabric this time ? I’m not sure at this point. All very exciting. When I find a pattern that works for me - I just need to keep making more !

Thanks for calling in today.

Molly Socks Update

Hi Everyone 

I have another Molly Sock update. If you search the blog for Molly Sock, you can check out all the previous posts. It seems, I’ve been knitting these socks forever ! It's fair to say, have found the pattern a little challenging. The individual elements are not challenging at all but put it all together and it’s been a bit of a marathon for me.

 My first Molly sock has been knitted several times (and ripped out) and I do feel, I’ve knitted quite a few pairs. The initial issues were to do with tention. I’m a very tight knitter and the first sock was much too tight and therefore much too ‘small’. I tried several different ways of loosening my colourwork knitting and have eventually settled on knitting my socks, inside out. This technique seems to work well for me.

                 

My socks have had a few weeks of sitting in their bag (every now and again) - just waiting but I’ve moved on the project at a pace, over this week. I’m probably a few days away from finishing. I’ve also started to enjoy knitting the pattern design rather than being a little intimidated by it. The socks are very pretty, I’m very pleased with the colours and know I’ll be really excited to wear my socks.

I’ll be sharing my finished socks in a few days (probably).

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend. I’ll be back on Monday.

More Sewing plans

Hi Everyone 

Last Friday, I introduced a new sewing project (you can read about it here). It’s the Florence blouse by Merchant&Mills. Unfortunately, after quite some time trying to fit my pattern to the fabric, it was very clear - I didn’t have enough fabric. I spent lots more time trying to find more of the same fabric and failed. The original fabric had been a remnant, sale piece so I knew I couldn’t go back to the seller for more. Eventually, I came across a similar fabric while searching online shops and thought the two different prints could work well together. Ironically, the original fabric (on the left) is available from the same seller ! I didn’t see the print until after I’d ordered the new stuff.

              

The fabrics are, in fact, part of the same range and therefore using the same colour shades/tones. They are known as Flo’s Little Flowers from Lewis & Irene fabrics. There are quite a number of prints in the range, all little flowers and beautiful colours.

My plan is to use the new fabric print (on the right) for the bottom frill and neck binding portions and my original fabric (on the left) for the remaining part of the blouse. This new arrangement is rather an improvement- for me. I had thought the whole project would need to be shelved but I’m particularly pleased with how things have turned out.

I’m rather behind with my sewing this week and I’m not quite sure when I’ll start this blouse ? I need to complete the first Florence blouse before I embark on this one. However, I’m very keen to work on the project. Hopefully, this will inspire me to get going. I’ll share developments as I work.

Thanks for calling in today.

Making Buttons

Hi Everyone 

I’ve been making buttons over the last week or so. 

                   

I’m using a great system called Efcolor. This technique involves using a small, simple metal stove, fired with tea lights and using a coloured resin powder. I’ve used some coconut shell buttons as my base (there are lots of other options) and have been playing with colours. My practice buttons are varied in quality and I’m finding ways of developing interesting surface patterns with the coloured powders. I’m also finding ways of making different finishes. The finish seems to be determined by the temperature generated by the little stove. For a high shine/smooth finish the tea lights need to be fresh and generating maximum heat. The slightly lower temperatures of a multi used set (3 per set) of tea lights seems to give less of a shine to the melted resin powders and more of a Matt finish. Both ends of the smooth/non smooth spectrum can work - it’s all about experimenting and deciding which finish is desired.

I’m hoping to use a few buttons to embellish some of my Wet Felting projects - you can read about the recent flower project here. I’ve more experiments planned and will share my results here on the blog, over the next few weeks.

Thanks for calling in today.

Sewing Update

Hi Everyone 

As promised yesterday, I’m giving the back story to the progress of my Florence top. In short, I didn’t have enough fabric to make Florence as planned (the original fabric is posted here). For some reason, I can’t see the fabric being made into any other garment. So, the hunt was on to find more. This fabric is a pretty little flower print in a cotton - called Flo’s Little Flowers D#FLO7. Somehow, after quite a search, I’ve managed to source more fabric- so all is well ! The additional fabric should be arriving this week.

                 

Back to the first Florence, I’ve cut out the fabric pieces and am ready to sew. There are only five different parts to the top. The top is not a huge project and I’m hoping I can start sewing this evening. There’s no rush here, I want to enjoy the Make and have a lovely garment at the end. I have buttons and thread for this top and everything is in place.
I’ll make a second Florence with the other fabric and then a dress version with some navy linen look fabric (from my stash). Hopefully, I can iron out any issues, as I go.

I’ll report on any issues with this project, as I go - and will get some finished images to share here.

Thanks for calling in today.

Molly Top

Hi Everyone 

I’m almost there with my Molly Top (pattern by Workshop). If you called in on Friday, you will know - I did have other plans for my weekend sewing  - that’s another story which I will share tomorrow. 

               

My Gemma Top needed some finishing, around the collar and top edge of the sleeves so that seemed a good way to spend my sewing time. I also needed to develop the button holes and sew on the buttons. A well finished inside of the top is very important to me, so I wanted to make sure it was right. This means all the seams are sealed in some way (French Seams or overlocked) and no raw edges. I’m very happy with how things have turned out. The seams are all good and the button holes have worked well. 

I love the shape of the top. The button colour has worked well and I’m already thinking about the next Gemma. All I need to do is to give the top a good press. The fronts (left and right) and the collar section could be top stitched but I rather like the clean folded look. I think, a good press will be fine. Hopefully, I can wear my top tomorrow.

Thanks for calling in today.