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.