Sewing Project

Hi Everyone 

Yesterday’s blog introduced my latest sewing project. It was just an idea but I’ve moved things on and I have my pattern drafted and the fabric cut out. I based my skirt on a garment from my wardrobe and have produced a pattern which should give me a very similar skirt.

                  

The pattern is very simple, just three pieces. I have a front/back and two separate elements of a waistband. I have a slight adaptation for the the lining of the skirt. All the pattern pieces have used the measurements from my original skirt. I’ll construct the skirt as per the original. I was going to introduce some side pockets but I don’t have enough fabric. I may have a tiny option to use the lining fabric for one pocket but it will be tight.

Here’s a look at the original skirt for reference :

                     

I’m hoping the skirt will come together over the weekend.

I’m off on another Grand Tour over the next few weeks, so I’ll be absent from the blog. I’ll be back on September 2nd (seems like months away !)

Have a great couple of weeks.

Thanks for calling in today.

New Sewing Project

Hi Everyone 

I have a new sewing project in the planning stage. This idea has been inspired by an old skirt in my wardrobe. It’s something I’ve had for several years. The design is a very simple gathered skirt, just below my knee with a slightly dropped waistline. The waistband has a shirring section at the back (elasticized threads in parallel rows). The skirt is a lovely fit (for me), probably because of the elastic section. My plan is to replicate my old skirt and possibly add side pockets. I’m also going to line the skirt.

The fabric I’m using is from a monthly fabric subscription (Sew Hayley Jane). The fabric came with thread and a zip. I probably won’t use the zip but follow the shirring idea. I have separately acquired some fine cotton lining fabric in a coordinated purple shade. The patterned fabric has quite a blue/purple background with fuchsia pink flowers.

              

My first job is to draft a pattern- hopefully, I can get that done today. I’m hoping the skirt will come together very quickly when I have my pattern. There’s only a metre of fabric and a metre of lining but I’m hopeful I can make the idea work. Watch this space.

Thanks for calling in today.

Nightdress News

Hi Everyone 

I’m very excited to be wearing my latest nightdress. I’ve mentioned this Make a couple of times - you can read all about the back story here. Making my collection of nightwear has been such a positive experience. I am totally memade when it comes to nightwear and each night, I get a tiny feeling of pleasure from wearing my garments.

All my nightwear items  are based on the pattern Butterick B5792 but all pieces are slightly different. I stuck to the pattern for the first version but after that, I came up with slightly different ideas for each version. Small differences but they all look very different.

               

When I complete my next nightwear item (probably pyjamas), I’ll put a photo collage together to show the range and identify the differences.

In addition, I have small amounts of each my chosen fabrics left, after each Make. My plan is to put all the leftover bits together to make a single nightdress. I love using up fabric in this way. This will give me a sixth garment rather than the five I’ve planned. 

More to come on this subject.

Thanks for calling in today.

A new Nuuk.

Hi Everyone 

Yesterday, I mentioned a new plan for an old knitting project. I’d ripped out a cardigan and needed a second yarn (to hold together) to knit a much loved pattern, the Nuuk by Jonna Hietala. The yarn used for my old project was quite a fine Merino wool. 

I love the Nuuk sweater design. It’s such a good garment to wear. I can use the sweater in the Summer months because it’s a short sleeved item, it’s a very loose fit and cropped. It’s also great for layering in the Winter. It’s such a great pattern and comes together quite quickly. I would go as far as to say, it’s my favourite sweater design !

The bright green colour of my (ripped out) yarn is also something which is very appealing with this project. I mentioned yesterday, needing another yarn to create a DK weight ie holding two yarns together. After much research, I’ve found something - it’s a  Malabrigo Lace in the Lettuce colour. All in all, I’m looking forward to starting this one.

            

The Lettuce shade is interesting and I’m hoping the two green colours, held together will give the sweater a depth of colour which will be appealing.

The Nuuk in my photo story is the first version I made and exactly as per the pattern (just off the needles, pre finishing). I find the bottom rib as well as the rib on the sleeves is a bit too tight. My second version (not shown) uses a larger needles for the rib which is much better (to my taste). The blue version #1 is also a little too long, again in my second version #2 , I’ve adapted the length and it’s much better for me. I’ll make these adaptations for the green version #3.

Thanks for calling in today.

Big Plans

Hi Everyone 

I’m trying to get my house in order ! It’s a big idea and an ongoing dream. I have lots of old projects either unfinished or finished but not quite right. My plan is to work through everything and decide what needs doing. Where possible, I will repurpose (for myself) if this is not possible or desirable, I will recycle. This plan involves knitting, sewing, clothing and Making projects and anything else which does not earn a space in my house. It’s a lifelong thing. I regularly come around to this task. So, as ever, at the new beginning- I’m full of good intentions and relative enthusiasm. I’m a little way into the project this time, with some success to report, so I’m quite positive.

One of my handknitted cardigans seemed to be a significant example of a project which needed to be recycled. It’s a waterfall cardigan, knitted several years ago. The yarn is a 4ply Merino in a lovely shade of green. However, the garment was a poor fit and I never felt comfortable with the style. I often found myself looking at this garment feeling a need to do something with it. I think I’ve got a plan.

               

My idea is turn the cardigan into a Nua sweater. I’ll talk more about this in a few days. I’ve ripped out the cardigan - see image on the right. This was a considerable task and took quite some time. I want to pair the yarn with another - to give a DK weight. I’m not sure exactly which yarn ? I want to spend some time researching ideas. Hopefully, I can do that later today and firm up my plan.

Thanks for calling in today.

Nightdress - update

Hi Everyone 

Just a quick post to share progress on the latest nightdress. You can read the original background story here.

                

I decided to add a frill to the hem which gives almost a full skirt effect. The final length is just below my knee. I love the style. I also wanted to go further with frills, so added a very full frill to the neckline. The gathers looked great but were very bulky - I thought this would be uncomfortable while sleeping. My solution was to take out around a third of the fabric on the front and back (the frill is made up with of two pieces) to form a much smaller frill. All is well. I’m really pleased with the final look. I’ve added bias binding to finish the sleeves, although - I need to top stitch in place.

My approach with nightwear is to use French Seams throughout. However, the frill on the hem will get an overlocked finish this time. I’ve tested out a small section with a bound seam (using bias binding) and it’s much too bulky for the position of the seam. I think, the bound edge will be uncomfortable in a nightwear item.

Hopefully, my nightdress will ready to wear in a day or so. In total, I have four pieces of handmade nightwear and would quite like five. So, I’ll have a short break from nightwear and plan the final piece in a few weeks.

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

Sock Update

Hi Everyone 

I have a quick update on my latest sock project- the Fisherman’s Wife Socks by Anna Bergman. If you are a regular reader, you will know I’ve had various issues with this sock pattern. It’s a lovely design and all the problems are down to my very tight knitting technique and nothing to do with Anna’s pattern.

              

However, I’ve managed to find a solution. My socks are lovely and I’m almost there. Read back here for the story behind my issues. The solution to my fitting problems has worked. I’ve added an extra fish to the leg of the sock to give a wider top to the sock. I’ve then, reduced the stitches of the gusset until I have the right width for the remaining part of the foot of my sock. It’s a good outcome.

I need to continue knitting for another 6 or 7 cms and then the contrast toe. However, it’s not exactly wool sock wearing weather at the moment but as the evenings begin to cool down (in a month or so) I’ll look forward to wearing my new socks.

The next thing is to find my next sock design. Watch this space.

Thanks for calling in today.

Nightdress Progress

Hi Everyone 

My second nightdress is almost there ! However, I’ve slightly changed the design, from the plan I talked about earlier this week (read about it here). The nightdress is a very simple construction so the basic garment comes together very quickly. I use the same Butterick B5792 pattern for my nightdresses  and have completed all the French Seams as well as the hem. I like to slightly change each version. I did consider adding two ruffle frills to the bottom of the nightdress but have changed my mind and added just one. I decided, I like the length (just below the knee).  I’d also planned on a plain neckline and arm finish. I’m now thinking about a frill around the neck (with plain arms).

 I’d like a different style of frill for the neckline.Perhaps, slightly wider which lies on top of the neckline rather than standing up - as per my previous nightdress makes. Check out this neckline feature here.

                   

I’d also found some embroidered flower embellishments which I thought I may add to the neckline area ? I’m not sure about that idea, now ? Perhaps, the larger ruffle will be enough ? I’ll go ahead with the ruffle and see how it looks.

It has to be said, I particularly like this version of the nightdress and am also quite keen on the fabric. I’m thinking, I’d like a blouse from the same fabric. This fabric is also particularly good value, always an advantage. I need to go and check if it’s still available. 

Hopefully, I can finish my nightdress later today. I’ll share the results here, when it happens.

Thanks for calling in today.

Needles Case Continued

Hi Everyone 

I’ve firmed up plans for my circular needle case. Check out the initial post on this project here. I have a paper mock up of the case. I’m reasonably happy with the initial size and construction and have found some interesting oil cloth fabric for the cover. 

              

My next search is for the fabric I need for the inside of the case. I do have lots of fabric in my stash but need to narrow down the colours which will compliment my cover choice. I’ll make that decision this morning and cut out all the necessary pieces. At the moment, I think ‘reds and cream’ colours will work. My mock up has four needle pockets (just to test out the idea) but I’m thinking about a minimum of twelve. I will probably need several cases to accommodate all my circular needles.

I’ve tried to keep the case simple, so I’m hoping the project will go smoothly. However, you never know ! I’ll share my progress here on the blog.

Thanks for calling in today.

Nightwear Sewing

Hi Everyone 

I introduced my latest sewing idea last week, another nightdress plan. I had fabric for two versions of the Butterick B 5792 pattern. I’ve adapted the pattern, slightly, to make a couple of different versions and I’ve finished one.

                

I started with the yellow version. I gave it frilly arm trims and a short frill around the hem. The nightdress is a mid calf length and fits great. Love it.

My next job is to make the pink/red version. Look back here to check out the fabric design. I’ve chosen to go with the plain front again (vaguely E in my photo story). I’ll make a very plain main section and add a couple of deeper frills around the bottom. I’m thinking just below the knee for my final length. I may also think about a embellishment on the neckline ? I’ll wait and see how it looks.

Thanks for calling in today.

Circular Needle Case

Hi Everyone 

This project has been sitting, waiting for construction for quite some time. I’ve half prepared the pieces and am eventually ready to complete ! The project is a circular needle case. Organising and storing my circular knitting needles is quite a challenge. I’ve had lots of bags and ideas for storing in the past. I don’t know if this new case idea will completely solve the problem, but I’m keen to give it a go.

I’ve taken inspiration from a really good tutorial from appledumplinggear (read about it here). I’ve adapted the sizes slightly and will play around with the number of pockets (which will hold an individual circular needle). I’m not certain how the final case will turn out but I’m keeping it simple. My only question is to decide how I will label each pocket. I feel the labelling is key to the case being truly useful. Most of my frustrations with storing and retrieving circular needles is to do with finding the size I need. 

                   

I have lots of fabric in my stash which will be great for my new case. In particular, I have some beautiful oilcloth which I’m looking forward to using. I think I will go for several cases rather than a huge individual case to house all my needles. I’m not entirely sure how many I have, but I’ve got quite a few - more than I’d like to have in one case. My plan is to divide sizes of needles into small, medium and large and change the size of case to accommodate each batch of needles.

I’m going to make a small size version first. I tend to use 2mm - 4mm needles most of all. I’m wondering about adding a layer of interfacing for each pocket and perhaps a padding layer for the outer case cover. I’ll just go with what feels right. When I have something to show, I’ll share here in the blog.

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend. I’ll be back on Monday with more stories about Making.

Sports Bra Project

Hi Everyone 

I have a new project plan for today. I’m making a sports bra. This is a bit of an experiment for me. I do a regular bit of running and am always looking for sports bras which are comfortable and do a good job. They need to be quite a snug fit, so there will be a bit of a challenge when it comes to making this garment. 

I have identified a pattern, the Mighty Sports Bra from Evie de la Luve. Check out her shop  here. I have some of her other lingerie patterns and they are great so I’m quite confident the sports bra will be good too. However, I have to admit, I’m slightly intimidated by getting the right fit for the sports bra.

         

I have some great fabric, it’s a very strong and quite heavy Lycra. The colour is more of a Teal colour (apologies about the photo - a very different shade !) I need to find the right elastic and the appropriate notions but am keen to start. I’m treating the first version as an experiment, so will make a single colour bra. When I get to grips with the sizing, I’ll find additional colours to make more interesting versions of the bra.

I’m not sure which version of the pattern I’ll start with ? - probably the basic racer back version (top two drawings in the photo story). This is going to be  an interesting project and I’m quite excited to start.

I’ll report on progress as I make my sports bra. The first job today, is to get all the bits and pieces I need.

Thanks for calling in today.