Slightly Distracted

Hi Everyone 

Despite my very long list of jobs yesterday, I found myself rather distracted by a new sewing pattern. I’ve had the digital version of the pattern for about a month but it’s been sitting on my iPad - just waiting ! I did manage to work until around 11am and completed a few items on the ‘to do’ list but it was a struggle. Then, I came across my waiting pattern and new, I needed to ‘start’ something. My initial plan was to download the pattern and make it up, ready for using some time soon. However, I noticed a recent fabric purchase had been washed and was ready for sewing and that was that ! 

The pattern is called the LB Pullover by Paper Theory. There are two options for the pullover neckline, a turtleneck and a regular crew neck. I’ve chosen the turtle neck version. This pattern is very simple Make, only four pattern pieces for the whole pullover. I also used my overlocker to sew the entire thing, so a very quick sew. I’m yet to hem the sleeevs and the bottom but I’m almost finished.

                     

The fabric is a bold red and white stripe cotton jersey. It’s a lovely strong but lightweight fabric for my pullover. I like the fit of the pullover, it’s quite a loose fit but I’ve shortened the body slightly and graded to shoulder/top of the pullover down, one size. I often find loose fit patterns are much too broad on the shoulder area to fit my body shape but this pattern works very well. I also tend to have problems with sleeve length, again the sleeves will be perfect with a 2 cm hem.

I’m really pleased with my new pullover. I’m already planning to make more of these tops. I’ve seen lovely examples made in linen and other woven fabrics. As an extra bonus,  I bought this striped fabric from a local fabric shop, it was stacked in the sale section at £2 per meter, amazingly good value !

Thanks for calling in today.

The Making Queue

Hi Everyone 

I have (an exciting) new dress project to share today. This dress pattern from Merchant&Mills has been on my Making list for some time. I love all things ‘Merchant&Mills’ and could make all their patterns but this one, in particular, has always stood out for me. The pattern is another Christmas gift. Initially, I wasn’t quite sure about which fabric I wanted ? I had thought about a navy linen or a cord and then a standard denim. However, after a visit to our local fabric shop, I saw this lovely stretch fabric which looks just like denim. It’s quite a heavy weight and is a lovely deep denim colour. I’ve decided to use a white crisp cotton for the collar and cuffs.

                   

The dress pattern has a traditional rugby shirt feel but has a fitted bodice and side pockets. I think, it’s a relatively easy Make and am looking forward to wearing the finished article, soon. The only slight issue will be the front placket detail, always a bit tricky to get a neat finish especially using a contrast fabric.This project will need to join the Making queue, it’s currently number 3 in the list. I need to wash my fabric today and when it’s dry, I’ve a feeling it may jump the queue ! However, it’s also back to work day today so plans for sewing all day are not an option.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back tomorrow with another Making story.

Knitting Udate

Hi Everyone 

This is a quick update of my current little knitting projects. I’ve spent most evenings knitting for short bursts (over the Christmas break) and feel I’ve been working away as usual, however, I’ve not much to show for my efforts ! I concentrated on the Tiny Tassels shawlette project (my Advent Knit) until the 24/12/18, knitting my 7 or 8 grams of yarn each day. Read back in December for more details on this project. I enjoyed the project very much and will certainly repeat the idea for next Advent, perhaps with a new pattern. I still need to complete the actual tiny tassels part of the project (the long edges of the shawl have lots of these Tassels sewn into the edge) and will probably manage that this weekend. I hope so, I’m keen to wear my little shawl. The colours are lovely together and it will be a useful little accessory.

My next project is the Red Robin Socks, the final Helen Stewart Socks from this years Handmade Sock Society. This project started at the beginning of December but Christmas gift knitting got in the way, a little. I’ve made reasonable progress and have one sock done. The second sock is ready for the heel flap (about half way). The socks are lovely. I can’t wait to finish them. I’m hoping I can complete the project by next weekend.

                      

Next is a new project. I’ve already talked about the Jess Cardigan by Kim Hargreaves on the blog but it’s now time to get the project underway. I’m using a different yarn from the pattern suggestion, it’s a lighter weight and the gauge is very different. I spent a little time yesterday playing around with swatches and I have a plan. I’ve done the Maths and I think, I will be OK. The cardigan is knitted flat and my plan is to begin and complete the front left side. It’s a potentially quick knit - famous last words ! However, I’m committed to my plan. If the gauge and the Maths are wrong, it’s no problem - I’ll start again.

That’s about it for my knitting summary to date. There will be more knitting news, next week, after I’ve reorganised all my knitting stash, yet again ! I’m hoping to find a few unfinished projects (not too many) hiding in the storage bins. As it’s the beginning of the year, I’d like to clean up my plans.

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

New Sewing Plan

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing a couple of Christmas gifts today. A new book : Breaking The Pattern, this gift came with a year long subscription to Love Sewing Magazine. So, lots of exciting sewing opportunities each month combined with this beautiful book of patterns. Breaking The Pattern is written by Named patterns and is a Collection of ten patterns (each has several different applications). I love their work generally but this book is such a great collection of ideas. I’m genuinely finding it difficult to choose which pattern to start with. I want to make all the things in the book.

My other gift for today is a 3m length of fabric from Sea Salt. The fabric is called Anemones Night, it’s lovely shades of blues with grey. The fabric is very pretty and will work well with the dress pattern I’ve finally chosen , the Solina Dress. I want the dress to be a everyday sort of dress and will make a few modifications (to turn it into something less formal).

                

I’ll make the wrist ties smaller and shorten the dress (to mid calf) and keep a simple skirt shape. The original dress design has quite a long slit at the centre front. I like this idea but for my first version, I’m going for a simple finish. The dress in the book is made with a medium polyester crepe and my fabric is a much lighter cotton/viscose. I’m thinking, at this point, I will line it with a fine cotton. I’m not sure when I will start the dress, I have a couple of other Makes on my list which will take priority. I’ll share any developments as they happen.

Breaking News, my skirt, from yesterday, is almost there. I’ve added the Bar Tacks and have decided on the length. I just need to machine the final hem and it’s ready to wear.

Thanks for calling in today.

Happy New Sewing

Hi Everyone 

Happy New Year to everyone. Hope you all had a good week or so, since my last post. I’ve had a lovely Christmas break and am inspired and invigorated, I think ! I seem to have spent lots of time eating (plus making meals) and sitting around with family and friends as well a little bit of Making. Breaking news - I also received lots of lovely Christmas gifts (mostly Making things) and will be sharing each one over the next few weeks.

One very exciting bit of news, I managed to make my red corduroy skirt (almost). The skirt is the same one from my Harrogate posts - day 5. You can read all about it here. I still need to finish the hem, this will be machine stitched with a double needles so it’s a very quick job. I’m also going to add a couple of Bar Tacks to each of the skirt pleats, again quite a quick job. My only stumbling point is - what length do I want to make it ? I need to try on the skirt with a few different pairs of shoes. I’ll probably wear my skirt with flat boots but I’d also occasionally like to wear heels. I think, I’m going for a  mid shin length ?

                  

I started by drafting a pattern and only needed to make one change, a single adjustment at the side width of the skirt, so that worked out very well. The skirt pattern has only four pieces. A front, back, waistband and pockets. I’ve developed four, 6 cm. pleats on the front and back of the skirt and added side seam pockets. The waist band is made from a light weight jersey fabric, turned over with a piece of 1inch elastic. The waist band is attached to the corduroy with my overlocker. The idea is to turn over the waistband to give a snug fit. I love the result. It’s a very comfortable fit and the corduroy gives the skirt ‘volume’. I feel very ‘fancy’ in my new skirt, sort of dressed up but not ! I’ll take some photos of the skirt in action, when I’ve  completed the extra details.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back tomorrow with another Making story.