Making Buttons

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing the results of a little project today - buttons made from yarn. These are lovely items and I’m hoping I can use a version of them for a new cardigan (currently under construction). The button design and construction is known as Wheelhouse Buttons. 

                 

I’ve used some bright primary colours for my sample experiments and love the results.

If you are interested in making some of these buttons, Kate Davies’s has a great and very detailed tutorial on her website. You can find the link here.

Kate also shares examples of how she has used the buttons on her own knitted designs.

I’ve also seen a lovely little wheelhouse button brooch which I’m keen to make up. I can’t seem to find the original image but I’ll give it a go from memory and develop my brooch, sometime this week. The brooch is made from three (quite small) Wheelhouse buttons linked together in a row with a brooch pin on the back. I quite like the idea of using green, yellow and blue yarn for my buttons. I’ll share the results in a few days.

Thanks for calling in today.

New Bag Results

Hi Everyone 

Last week, I shared the first stages of making my new bag, you can check out the details here. I’ve spent some time finishing the sewing part of the bag and just need to add the leather handles. I have the handles ready, so my project is close to the end. The handles will fixed with little silver screws and will be completed in a few minutes. The reason my bag has not been finished,  is to do with my indecision regarding the length of the handles. 

                              

For some reason, I couldn’t decide on how I wanted to wear my bag. It’s definitely a handbag rather than a project or shopping bag so I’ve made my decision and I’m going for short handles. I have been undecided for a few days and like the possibility of a longer shoulder strap but in the end I’m decided and the handles will be short. I’ll attach the handles later today and share the final finished bag tomorrow.

This bag has been made from leftover red cord fabric (from a skirt I made a few weeks ago) and lined with fabric from a Christmas toiletries gift from one of my boys. The fabric was originally used to wrap my toiletries and is a very brightly coloured cotton. It’s perfect for my bag lining and adds a lovely vibrant feel to the inside of the bag.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back tomorrow with more Making stories.

Knitting Update

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing my knitting progress today. I’ve been knitting as usual over the last few weeks but don’t really have much to show for it. Other than the projects mentioned today, there’s also an unfinished item - the Tiny Tassels shawl. I’m still working on the tassels ! I had hoped, I would have finished by now ! There’s also a sweater, the Bright Sweater (look back on the blog for more on the Bright here). I do love this sweater design. I’m not sure why I’m  taking so much time on this knit ? For some reason, it’s caused challenges all the way along. I will resurrect the project soon and I’m planning to complete my sweater in the next month or so.

However, I’ve finished a pair of socks, the Red Robin Socks by Helen Stewart and am ready to start my next sock. I’m making another pair of Fragments socks, another Helen Stewart pattern. I’ve made several pairs of Fragment socks and am very fond of the design. This time, I’m using a very pretty Regina Design Line, colour 03655.

                   

My other knitting project of the moment is Jess by Kim Hargreaves. I needed to substantially adapt the pattern and am experimenting with the stitch numbers as well as the needle size. I’ve used a different type of yarn and I’m not entirely sure I’ve got it right. My plan is to complete the back of the cardigan and check if I’ve made a good job of the numbers. I’ll reassess the situation and plan my next move after that.

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

The Making of a Bra

Hi Everyone 

Very exciting news to share today ! I’ve long had aspirations for a handmade wardrobe, including lingerie. Just to say, I’m a long way from this dream , However, I’ve started and am building momentum. 

Today, I’d like to share another lovely Christmas gift -  a series of lingerie patterns, including a bra kit. I’ve been so excited about this and have started the first part of this project. I’m calling the project my Lingerie Collection (for future reference).

For some reason, the idea of making bras is quite daunting to me ! I’m not sure why I think this should be a difficult job ? Having started, it’s not that difficult, so far. The materials (fabrics and elastics) and the notions are initially, a little tricky to work with. Small pieces of fabric are needed, precision is crucial and the fabrics are quite fine and slippy too. However, having said all that, it’s quite a satisfying process. I have a lovely pattern and lots of online pattern support from the designer. The designer is someone called Evie LaLuve . Im taking things slowly and I’m really enjoying the process. 

                 

I’ve chosen one of four styles for my first bra. There are a seven pattern pieces in total, which all need to be lined and I’m doing OK, so far. I’ve constructed all the fabric pieces and my next job, is to add elastic to the bottom of my bra. I’m hoping the bra fits well but the main point of this first Make is to get the size right, so that’s my goal. I’m assuming, I will need to adjust the pattern to give a good fit. Wish me luck.

I’ll report on my progress over the next few weeks.

Thanks for calling in today.

Making a bag

Hi Everyone 

If you called in last week, you will have seen my recently completed red cord skirt. I had a reasonable sized piece of red cord left and immediately knew I needed to make a bag. My bag will be a hack from the wonderful Merchant & Mills Jack Tar Bag Pattern. I don’t have enough cord to make both the outer and lining pieces of the bag, I need an alternative lining and have just the thing !

                       

My lining is a scarf/fabric wrap from one of my special Christmas gifts (from one of my boys). The fabric was used to wrap a lovely collection of toiletries from Lush and will be a bright and colourful lining for my bag. I’ll think about my gift each time I use the bag. I’m going to change the height of the Jar Tar Design Bag and add leather (short) handles rather than the fabric style. I will leave out the shoulder strap so the final bag will be a very simple handbag with a few internal pocket compartments and a magnet snap.

So far, I’ve cut out the pieces for the bag and will add a fused interfacing to my lining fabric - later today. The bag should be a very quick make and I’m hoping it will be a well used everyday bag. 

Thanks for calling in today.