{quilt} while you're ahead

*113** the 'lounge' quilt

This must be a record.

A quilt in less than a week?  

Without further ado I give you .... 'the lounge quilt' (to replace the old lounge quilt which is now the 'back of the car quilt', not a demotion, more like a career change...)

Graciously modelled by Mr M in situ in the lounge.  (The thing above his head? a lampshade, not a hat)

He was running late, I only had one shot.

It's very soft and already creased and worn looking, which is how I like my quilts to be.

There isn't much to say about it: only two colours and let me tell you it was very hard to be that restrained!

Am I pleased? 100%.  I love it.

I think I deserve first dib with it tonight, right?

 

*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?)

*87** indigo table runner

Life is tres busy around here...

Yesterday I labelled clothes for two hours and ironed 18 school shirts.  The irony of unpacking totally wrinkled 'non-iron' shirt  didn't escape me.  I'm hoping they'll emerge smoother from the washing machine in the coming weeks.

School starts tomorrow and for first time in four years they'll all be in the same place.  Bless the lord.

Same holidays, same timings, same Christmas service...

My attention is being turned to the silly numbers of half-finished projects AND to the long list of projects I've been intending to attempt for months... I'm being realistic and I know there's no way I can finish them all BEFORE starting new ones, BUT I have a ticked off a few this summer.  Two table runners, a shawl and a hat are ready for the drumroll.

It must be the September air.  The smell of new pencils and the feel of new paper... (I miss going to school.  I really do)...  September is one of my favourite months, still warm but with a hint of chill in the air, shorter days, golden afternoons... (October is a bit more of a drag, November is awful and December is always bonkers...)

Anyway, first drumroll is for this experimental indigo table runner.  

It's made with scraps that got thrown in the dye vat at the last minute and it was a case of randomly sewing pieces together and go from there.

Once again the crosshatch quilt shows its face... I can't get tired of it.  Yes, it's bold... but I wanted to get an utilitarian feel here and hopefully this does it.

We don't use a table cloth and the table runners on our table protects from heat and spillages when hot plates and pots and pans are placed on it. They get washed and dried regularly and have to withstand a lot of use.  I like it like that.

It'll go in the shop when I can find the big camera and take decent shots... who knows where it is (although I suspect fowl play here).

(I also need to soak this a little more to get rid of the soluble pen marks!)

 

*60**

... oops I did it again...

Little pouch.

Just because sometimes, among the chaos it feels good to make something.

 

And now, if you'll excuse me... that hamster wheel doesn't spin by itself you know

 

... so to speak.

*55** string bag

Not a bag for string.

Not a bag made out of string either.

 

The pitfalls of the English language...

I wanted a simple string bag for socks and underwear so they don't spread all over the suitcase when we move around on holiday.

left over swishy fabric from a top I made and wear all the time (for a change).

grosgrain ribbon from the 'one-day-I-might-need-this' box.  (What? you don't have one?... shame on you!)

 

I need to make another one for laundry.  

And one for each pair of shoes.

 And ....

 

This could get silly.

 

*50** laptop case

After enough hints I got a new laptop for my birthday.  Not very subtle hints.  And it took a long time... but it worked.

(Some people call it nagging... I prefer calling it hinting...)

And then I made my present a present...

I used this pattern from Sewplicity (click on the link), but omitted the front pocket and the handles.  I really wanted a simple protective sleeve for when I carry the baby in my bag.

The fabric is a giant handkerchief bought either in New York at the MOMA store or in London in the Muji store.  I can't remember.  The original plan was to make a cushion out of it... but hey... plans schmlans...

The dense(wish) crosshatch quilting give it a lovely tactile feel.  I went by eye, no marking and I like it that way.

The zipper was a bit of a mare... but aren't they always?

But I tamed the beast.

I showed it who's boss.

Eventually.

So there.

Have laptop case.  Will travel.

*16** denim wallhanger

I've been working on this piece for years.  On and off of course.  Not all the time... that would be ridiculous.

I love it.  I really do, but I simply can't decide on a layout.... I seem to like them all. 

Once again I took it out of its box and played about with the squares.

I kind of like this one, but I think it might be too rad for a soon to be 15yr old boy who still doesn't know it'll go on his wall.   (His room by the way it's devoid of any personalised items... if you don't count the mounds of laundry... it is as if he's just moved in yesterday... zero interest.  He probably won't even noticed it on the wall)

so I'll probably stick with this more traditional one and call it a day.  I'll need to figure out a way to change it... and that will probably take me another couple of months.  And quilt it.  It'll be most likely a subtle 'in the ditch' affair....  Don't hold your breath.

Still, it feels good to have reached a solution.  Another WIP down and all that...

 

Have a good weekend, folks.  (Mine is stupid busy... so wish me luck).

*15**2016 nine patch table runner

It's my sister in law's birthday tomorrow and I really hope she's not snooping around here because I made her a present and I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise...

A simple nine patch of bright fabrics.

Sometimes simple is just the biscuit.

 

 

And wrapped in vintage wallpaper, just because.

 

Have a good Tuesday, y'all!
 

*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'.