English summers are rubbish

So it's been an up and down sort of a summer, while America has been sweltering in heat waves we have had... Well...

Ok so it's maybe not quite that bleak.. But it's been sodding chilly.

This drove me to do a bit of what I can only describe as winter knitting... Enter the shrug!!

This beauty is an aran alpaca and polyester blend 'James C. Brett Aztec' which is quite a mouthful. I followed the free pattern 'Cashmere shrug' to be found on Ravelry (all hail free patterns!!).

I loved this pattern, it's a ridculously easy K2 P2 rib (kind on those who are pretty shoddy at fitting... Me). I whipped this up in less than a month! LESS THAN A MONTH!! Then it sat there for a week waiting to be stitched together... Oops

Even the stitching was pretty pain free. And I really love the results

It has no fastenings, covers the waist of low slung jeans, has a cute little collar, is fuzzy from the alpaca, but most importantly... It's nearly wind proof!!

It's perfect to use as a jacket in the summer, and I anticipate it will get a lot of use in the winter... For now it's my good luck charm as no sooner had I completed it...

Out came the sun

New Look 6483... What a gem!

Ok so I planned none of this make, not a jot. The pattern was gifted by my lovely mother who had already traced it for herself (guess where I get the crafting bug!). At the time I thanked her, popped it in my pattern box, and thought nothing more of it. Then I was having a rifle through Fenwicks bargain bin (often a fine off cut is to be found here) and saw this really beautiful meter of God knows what!

Ok so I didn't take a photo of the pre-cut fabric, but you get the idea... And a preview

All I know about this stuff is its very soft, very loosely woven, and has a checked layer and a black layer woven together at the selvidge. I loved it and wanted it. Then I worried about what the hell I would make out of it and how those two loose layers would sew into a garment.

Cue a (much later) rifle through my pattern box and a eureka moment when I figured what I wanted! 

The pattern is a very basic boxy shaped blouse top, all versions have an open neck seam at the back for a button fasten. I liked the look of the sleeved version, but I thought it would be lovely to have the sleeves in a contrasting black.... Back to Fenwicks bargain bin. This time I found some form of stretch/suiting/wool/stuff which had a great weight to it which would give me the contrast I was after...

And I love it!!

It isn't without its issues. The weave fabric really doesn't suit this kind of top. I had some serious stay stitching to keep it in place... That's EVERY edge! But it went together well. Unfortunately at the stress point centre back (where my back rests against chairs and suchlike) the seams have started to pull the weave apart. I really should have stabilized with something and I'm kicking myself. I expect this piece of art to only have a limited shelf life before serious repairs are needed :(

The button fastening at the back is really simple, a loop of the stretch/suiting/stuff was used and it holds really well.

The other issue I had with the little dear was with fit. When I first made it and tried it on the shoulders were halfway down my arms... Ok I exaggerate, but they were waaaay to wide for my shoulders, so off came the sleeves (very carefully of course... The weave, my god the weave) and they were taken in to fit better. 

If you're wondering, yes they are both rabbit hutches, and no that's not my Buzz Lightyear

But they still pull tight over the chest... See stretch above the armpits. It's ok, I can live with this. But I'm sure as hell sorting it out for the next version!! Other than that (oh and the rather short hem... Which I was mortified about but now kinda like) I really like this shape! I really like the fabric and sleeves... And it takes a mere morning to put together (sleeve adjusting excluding).

Cue awkward yard shots of me showing it off....

Awkward bum shot

Trying to look pleased with my top shot

And my favourite... Moody teenager shot. Ha ha... Check out that pose!! And no you don't get to see the stupid face I was pulling.

Asters and fitting issues

There has been an awful lot of making stuff recently, but no talking about it. I've been a very busy bee after deciding that I wanted some new clothes for my mini holiday, because holidays are a great excuse for new stuff. So I have quite a bit of catching up to do

After last year when I visited London to do some fabric shopping I have been holding said fabrics for something special, especially my Liberty print! I may have mentioned the new Aster blouse from Collette patterns, and how excited I got when I saw it, well I had immediately decided that this blouse was what I had been saving my Liberty for... This time, with flutter sleeves!

(Looking up avoids the dreaded double chin don't you know)

I'm afraid I took these photos on a very bright day (not entirely unheard of in Newcastle), and my poor camera couldn't cope, so the print has all but vanished. This is an oh so soft Liberty cotton lawn which was bought in Misan Textiles in London with little blue flower buds on an off white background...

... Which are a bit more obvious here. I managed to find lovely little blue buttons to match the flowers, the top two show the colour as seen without shoddy photography. I wanted to try the flutter sleeves this time as I thought the lightweight fabric would show them off beautifully, and I must admit, I expected more flutter, but they are lovely... And summery... And quite flattering.

I had some interesting issues with this version. After the wearable muslin that I made in a size 10 came out very big, I decided to make this one in the smaller 8, and still it was too big. This confuses me as the last version was only a little too big Round the neckline, and this smaller size one was even bigger. Usually I just make up my shop bought dress size and hope for the best, but this difference really reminded me how hit and miss picking your right size really is.

This one is much snugger over the bust, and I can only put this down to the fabric I used, that #1 being a heavier cotton isn't very inclined to drape. But in #2 (the Libery one) I had a decidedly gapey neckline. I decided that this simply wouldn't do so I removed the sleeves, took in the side seams, and put the sleeves back with a higher shoulder. This seems to have done the trick. But it has left me very confused which size to cut next time (I obviously still need a long sleeved version).

(Neckline still a bit gapey even after adjusting)

I do still love this pattern, but after this experience (and another top which I will share soon) I have really thought about my shape, and what pattern adjustments I really should be making.

Knit all the socks!!!

I will hold my hands up... I am a selfish sewer (that's person who sews, not the drainage system, though it's spelt the same) I sew for myself, and I rather begrudge sewing for other people. Knitting, on the other hand, I love giving as gifts! And so on Father's Day I wanted to knit my dad something. So I began my second ever pair of socks.

I used leftover yarn from my 'V is for' jumper, it's not technically sock yarn but it's lovely and silky. As an added bonus the red and blue colours were exactly the same as an old jumper that dad has worn since I can remember (much to my mums despair), so it seemed fate to use it.

The pattern for these is the 'basic ribbed sock' which is much loved and free on Ravelry. The simplicity of the pattern set off the red stripes really beautifully.

I didn't stripe the whole sock as I had much less of the red leftover from my jumper (although I've since bought even more to make a cardigan from.... Honestly I really love this yarn!), so I put two stripes at the ankle, the body of the foot in navy, and another stripe with a red toe. They look really fancy, and they're nice and balanced which soothes my obsessive tendencies.

I also followed the advice in 'Stitch'n'Bitch' for keeping the stripes nice and neat by knitting all round even accross the ribs on the colour change row, it doesn't affect the flow, but is beautiful and clean. One thing I worried about was the toe being too tight. I just gathered the remaining stitches as I've not mastered the kirchner stitch (or how to spell it I suspect), so that's my aim for my next pair.

Dad seemed to like them though, so I'm really pleased about that!nand I shall continue to knit gifts for people as long as they're happy to receive them.

Hooray for vintage patterns!!

This is a bonus two for one post. I've been crafting but I've not had time to take any decent photos up until now

Anyone for a dodgy hallway selfie?

I made a promise a couple of posts ago to concentrate on sewing a limited number of projects over the summer, well, task one complete...

I made a version of 'Style 1286' in a lovely summer cotton chambray. This is a super soft and floaty fabric of high didn't entirely behave itself when I was sewing, the result being that the waist band doesn't sit exactly right, it sort of stands out from my waist. It's only a tiny bit so I doubt anyone but me will notice... But it irks me. Other than that, I think this pattern is easy and has become a good TNT (tried'n'tested).

I also finally completed my 'V is for' jumper. This is one of the V&A Museums pattern releases that has become hugely popular on Ravelry. It was released to celebrate VE Day and has been dubbed 'Your Victory Jumper', I wanted one as soon as I saw it.

I used Heritage Solids yarn from Loveknitting. This is such a soft and silky yarn that I've promptly bought more for my next knitting project. These beautiful colours are Wine, Nave and Stone. I'm not one for bright bright colours and these match the vintage feel of the jumper beautifully. It's also my first multiple colour project, so I'm super proud of it!

Although getting the hang of three balls at one go was tricky! But I learned how to twist the yarns at the end of the row to keep things nice and neat... And..

.. Picking up just the right amount of stitches for a neckband... This part did take four attempts, but I got there in the end! And I think it's pretty!

I think my two projects go really well together, although that was unintentional. The big drawback to this jumper is that it's limited to skirts or dresses, I don't own any high waisted trousers... Hmm maybe I could give them a go too... Maybe (much) later.

I was getting stabbed by the shrub here... Surprisingly sharp!

And this is my 'argh the timer went off too soon' if you're wondering.

And so onto the next project... I've found a shirt dress pattern I like!

So I got a little distracted...

After my last posting I had decided to limit the number of projects I give myself to complete, at least over the summer. So... Yeah.... That didn't work. Colette patterns were inconsiderate enough to release a new pattern, which I decided I must have at once!!

This is Aster... And I adore it. I want one of every version, probably more than one.

All versions have the same body shape, the long sleeves come with some cute little shoulder pleats. There are floaty sleeves for lighter fabrics, short sleeves for summer, and long sleeves for winter. And even better... The pattern came with 20% off!! Woo hoo!!

So rather than focussing on my plans I decided to dive right in and make me a muslin! I like Colette patterns but because they are American sizes (which I struggle to understand) it usually takes me a few versions to get it right. And sticking with tradition... The shirt I made is huge... But a good huge.. The kind of huge that likes to hang around with skinny jeans all nice and casual... Sorry I got distracted.

This little (sorry, huge) fella is made from a beige linen look cotton which I've used several times before (in royal blue and black). I dont feel overly attached to this colour so I figured it would work as a wearable muslin. As I went though I started to experiment, the yoke lining is constructed to hide all shoulder and back seams, so I thought... Well why not use that lovely off cut of cotton that I have.

I think the green and grey really make it pop. Then the neckline requires bias binding for its collarless finish, so I thought... Wouldn't it be nice if it matched the yoke.

So I made my own!! First ever home made bias binding people, I'm feeling pretty proud, in fact I got so carried away I used it for the hem too.

One thing I'm a little disappointed with was the lack of astounding buttons. I mean, I have buttons, I have lots of buttons...

... See. But none of them quite worked. I know what you're thinking... "But what about top right". Well, they're actually turquoise and a mite too bright. I went for the White flower ones, but I have been reliably informed that they wash out the colour a bit, and I agree. So at some point I'm playing button swapsies.

I didn't take any photos of me wearing it, but I am very pleased with the finished result. But next time I think I can go down a size or two (if I'm brave then two, but I'm a bit scared of wasting the beautiful cotton lawn I have planned for it).

Pause

Missing... One sewing mojo.... If found please contact me for a reward.

I'm in a bit of a slump at the moment, I've not sewn anything for a whole month. This is rather unlike me. Even if I don't finish an item I've usually pulled out the trusty sewing machine and had a mess on with something, but the desire has never taken me recently.

What's surprised me is that I actually feel rather guilty about this... I feel like I should be working on something. After all, I have so many ideas, so many plans, so much fabric to use... So what's gone wrong.

I have a theory... I think I have too many plans, that I'm drowning in them, or to mix metaphors, I just can't see the wood for the trees.

In the hope of identifying a seperate Birch or Chestnut in these woods of mine I thought it might be an idea to set out a few summer plans, say just four things that I can work on over the summer.

Two things I want to work on are quite similar... Skirts and dresses... All the girly things.

Images from Pinterest (my primary source for inspiration)

I have made so many fancy and dressy dresses, but my daily wardrobe is rather short of skirts and dresses I can wear to work, or just generally out and about. I particularly want more skirts...

(More Pinterest)

The knee length variety are the best for everyday wear, comfy, versatile, pretty. I have a few skirt patterns, my favourite being Style 1286 which I've made before...

Project 1... At least one more of version 1. I have a beautiful chambray sidelined for this.

Project 2... A colourful skirt to counterbalance the grey chambray one. I still need to decide whether to make version 2 of the same pattern, or go for a completely different one, closer to a circle skirt.

And for dresses...

(Pinterest yet again)

I would really like to try a shirt dress, made with something like a cotton lawn, but again with a knee length skirt. I haven't found a pattern yet... But I will.

Project 3... Source shirt dress pattern and cotton lawn (I suspect this one will be the challenge)

I'm not sure whether you noticed, but I get a lot of my sewing inspiration from Pinterest, and one thing I keep noticing when I'm browsing are the beautiful vintage style blouses...

... and I have decided that I want one. 

 This may seem quite difficult as sourcing vintage patterns is trickier, but the Pinner who added the peach blouse picture has used McCalls 5929... Which gives me more to go on.

Project 4... Vintage blouse. I already have the cotton to use for this one, now it's just the pattern to find.

So these will be my only projects this summer. Here's hoping this sparks the sewing bug in me again. Thanks for listening.