{quilt} while you're ahead

*101** the skirt edition

Last week I decided to tidy up my desktop of all the bookmarks clutter accumulated during the last few years and stumbled upon this video:

 

... I think it was around the time I bought a serger and fancied myself as being able to use it!

Ha.

Nope.

Anyway, the starts must have been aligned in the right way because I decided to watch the video there and then and then even act on it.  I cleared my table, grabbed this really cute striped jersey fabric and followed the instructions.

Which are great.  The instructions are simple and I learned a lot (how to use the zigzag on jersey and how to attach the elastic straight onto the waistband).  I didn't even use the serger but my trusty Bernina and the result was this:

... which looks ok, feels great (so very soft) BUT it's so badly made is hilarious.  The fabric was very very thin so I had to double it.. and as a consequence even cutting it was a nightmare.  Not to mention sewing through 4 layers of slippery jersey material.  I'll wear it, don't you worry.... let's just hope nobody looks to closely.

I loved the whole pattern and I decided that what I needed was the right fabric and because the project only needs one yard I took myself to the fabric shop without feeling guilty.

And I made this:

(yeah, Lilli was a great help...)

£6.00, it cost me.  How fab is that???

This time I used a much thicker jersey (not sweatshirt weight though) and I'm so very pleased.  They might look the same, but trust me, they're not.  Straight seams and hems do make a big difference.

I was amazed at how quickly these can be  made.  And they're so comfortable.  And they're highly addictive... And I already have a red/white strip piece of fabric  ready to replace the dodgy one...  And I'm on the look out for 'winter' colours.

And you must try it.

Go on, do it, what are you waiting for?

 

 

 

 (my desktop is still a total mess)

*96** Esme tunic

What on earth has taking me so long?

The whole world has been raving about the Esme tunic pattern, why wasn't I listening?  After all the two Esme tops I sewed last spring have been on rotation ever since.

Doh.

Anyway, it's done.

Drum roll please.....

slightly creased but it's linen (linen mix?), right?

Navy.  Love navy, especially with my new burgundy tights...

.. I know... not for the faint hearted... and maybe a little too short - note to self add a couple of inches due to age restrictions, one must adhere to conventions a little when ones is approaching middle age.  Apparently.  Or not.  Hence the tights (I also like to see my kids roll their eyes... it's fun!)

It's a really easy pattern and if you're not interrupted by visits to the emergency department and making coffee for the glaziers (see yesterday's post) you can sew it up in an afternoon, easily.  I did the small size and like I said I'd probably like to add a little to the length next time.  And try it in a slightly heavier fabric for Autumn.  

(I can't for the life of me remembering where the fabric is from... )

 

Now what? Do I dare sewing the Owyn pants?  Have you tried them? Thumbs up? Down?)

*79** sous sous

So my knitting goal is to knit myself a new jumper/cardigan whatever each year.  Which sounds easy... and it would be if it was my only knitting endeavour, the problem is I get distracted by shawls and hats and quilting and a spot of crochet so it's really hard to get to one big finished item per winter.

It's August and I've just finished last winter's project: the glorious and clever "Sous Sous" (pattern designed for Loop London by Nora Gaughan.  You can download it from their website or Ravelry.

I really wanted to finish it and take it away for those chilly Canadian evenings... but life got too crazy and with 20 min of knitting still do do I had to admit defeat and get on with packing something else.  On Saturday though, during a rare lifting of the jet-lag cloud (still lingering at the horizon I have to say) I sat down and finished the bloody thing.

And I sewed it up too.  

A real miracle.

I was really worried it wouldn't fit... but it does and while it's not perfect, I like it enough that I know it'll get worn a lot.  

It's warm, very warm and light.  However I used Rowan felted tweed DK instead of the much more expensive recommended yearn and it doesn't have the same level of drape.  And that is my main bugbear.

I love how tight the sleeves are and that it covers my bottom,  I am however totally annoyed at myself for the different in gauge between the back (nicely tight) and the front (loosey goosey)... What was I thinking????  What was I doing????

I'm hoping that once I get to wear it (bit hot right now) it'll soften and mellow.

Deluded?  Moi?

All in all?  very pleased though.  It wasn't an easy knit... count this, do this whilst keeping count of that and increasing here whilst counting there...

But I did it.

And it's perfect enough for me!

*31** rose cardigan

A finished project hurray!!

Those of you who follow my Instagram feed would have already seen it, but here it is:

I should show you more pictures but my resident photographer are either back in school or still in bed.

I know, you can't get the staff these days...

It's a crochet kit from 'Wool and the gang'.   Have you ever ordered from them?  The parcels are a treat... the cotton used for this cardigan is really really soft and the perfect shade of powdery pink and there are tons of colours to choose from.  Almost too many... it was agonising.

The instructions are clear and easy.  It's just one giant piece seamed down the two sides.  Clever.

It was a pleasure to crochet and if the weather would cooperate it would be lovely to wear it too!

 

(No 1 is going camping this weekend with school and the forecast is COLD, poor boy)

 

My only criticism is that the sleeves are very wide.  I like mine tighter... but it's a small thing and it would be easily fixable if I felt so inclined.  Instead I'm thinking of crocheting another one in wool, shorter and with tighter sleeve.  What do you think?

 

Right, better wake up No 3... we have places to go and people to see...

*5** Esme top

Esme no 1.

Lotta Jansdotter is a genius.

The second pattern I tried from her book "Everyday Style" is the ubiquitous Esme top.

Success.

Slightly awks pose but I had to use the self timer and it's intimidating.  Also had to cut my face off... scary stuff.

I made a size small (I'm a boring UK 10) and fits really well without mods.  The fabric... who knows... some cheap stuff I picked up at the local crazy fabric shop so it was meant to be moslin but I like and I think it's wearable!

Checks at 45? bring it on!

(the old hands on the waist manoeuvre...)

It comes together without a hitch... very simple and I'm wearing it today and it's super comfortable.

Love it.

So much so I'm half way through making a second one, in a Liberty fabric from the stash.

And then I'll probably make a tunic, I think I have the perfect material for that too.

Prepare yourself to get 'Esmed'.

*1**2015 postcards from Dorset

I've come to the conclusion that the days after Christmas, before it all begins again are my favourite and the most precious of all.  No expectations, no demands, nothing.  Just time to be together and relax.

We just got back from a few days in sunny/grey/wet/super-windy/beautiful Dorset.

Family time.

We had a fantabulous time.  We hang out, we walked, we laughed, we played, we got soaked, we climbed, we slept late, we chased waves.

2016... we're ready for you.

115/2015 - Olwyn Pants -

... or pjs... on this occasion.

Yes, I had to scratch the itch...

 

... so I grabbed 'the book', my gorgeous pattern tracing paper (which makes great wrapping paper too btw) and a piece of Anna Maria Horner flannel which had been in my stash for like ever.  Its selvedge says 2009.  Oh my.  I was still in my thirties then... 

Sigh.

Moving on swiftly...

The book comes with complete patterns you need to trace and are stored at the back of the book.  The instructions seem pretty clear.  I'm no expert but these came together really quickly and without a hitch.  My only criticism is that I couldn't find anywhere any indication of fabric qty required for each project.  As it turned out I was a little short for the pants, but they're only pjs and it's ok.

Next time I'd like to make a linen pair to wear with tunics in the summer.  I might raise the waist a little and even go down a size... (a muslin might be necessary!).  I'm a size UK 10/12 and sewed up the Small size.

Tried and tested and passed with a big thumb up!

Can you believe I'd never had flannel pjs before now?

114/2015

I don't know why but it's when I'm at my busiest that I get the urge to do even more.  It doesn't make sense I know... but things rarely do, I find.

This gorgeous (and by no means exhaustive) list of books has been calling me for weeks...

This one, grazie Francesca!... it has a few perfect little summer dresses... must go fabric buying.

... I need some Nani Iro in my life.  that top has been SHOUTING at me...

This book is AMAZING.  If you, like me, like Lotta's style... then this book is a must.  A collection of simple, stylish pieces, easily mix and matcheable (is that even a word?) with clear instructions and patterns.  I've already made one item... you might have seen it on instagram and can't wait to sew more.

I just need more fabric.

That little pjs set is just adorable (or adorbs as apparently is what you're supposed to say... more than two syllables words must be shortened) and I can't make up my mind what to sew from the FEN patterns... dress? long sleeve? short sleeves? top? v-neck? round neck?

You know what...

I'll go fabric shopping first!




 

99-2015

Back home.

It's a whirlwind round here lately... back to school, parents over from Italy, huge party for the 30th anniversary of Mr M's business...

It was a great night.

I wore a sparkly dress and bright blue shoes! (loosely 80s themed, arcade games, 80s music and a Delorian parked outside the venue... you know.. the Back to the Future car... complete with smoke and fake ice... AWESOME!

(note to self "don't keep your new high heels on for 6hrs straight the first time you wear them, you'll regret it, no matter how gorgeous the shoes are")

ok bad picture... but it was cold and I was keen to get inside... (I wonder how would it be to use it for the school run... mmmmmhhhh)

So many friends came, the music was great, the drinks flowed and the boys came too...  it was totally totally fab... and you what also happened? my sister curled my hair!!!

Folks... for the first time in my life I HAD VAGUELY CURLY HAIR!!!

You might not understand... but my hair is STRAIGHT.  I even tried a perm back in the 80s (actually round the time of THE movie) but didn't work... I had a ball of fuzzy hair for months that smelled of acid every time I had a  shower.  Nasty.

Anyway, my wonderful sister (with wonderful naturally curly hair) curled mine and I have the photo to prove it:

Curles people, curles... 

Ok... maybe waves, but still...

Sigh.

(I also have an awesome looking posse of boys - one of them is missing from this photo - if I may say so.  I'm lucky.  Very lucky).

 

38-2015 { white caps cowl }

I bought the kit just over a year ago in New York at Purl Soho and although I cast on straight away...  I've only  finished the cowl last night.

That sounds typical... right?

In my defence when I got to 2/3 of the way I realised I didn't have enough yarn... yup, they sold me the kit with a cone missing.

Annoying.

So I had to 'make do' - as much as I wanted to pop over to New York and sort it out... I re-jigged the pattern a bit and finished it the best I could.

It kind of worked even if it's not as 'long' as it should have been...

... and it would look much better with a white top too.

Doh me.

I'll try taking a better photo next time.  It's a promise.