handmade in Lancashire
I have finally finished the Alabama Chanin School of Making (ACSoM) cardigan.
It’s been a total labour of love. I started it in July 2019 and finished it in March of this year. I’ve been waiting to photograph it because, after all that work, it was a wardrobe orphan. But I’ve now got a Cashmerette Springfield top that works perfectly*, so here we go.
READ MORE
The next of Dave’s Christmas gift garments is a Patterns for Pirates men’s Henley T-shirt. This is actually a selfish sew because I love how good he looks in a Henley. Also, I’ve never sewn one so it seemed a good opportunity to learn a couple of new skills. Knit necklines are a mystery to me, and the placket neckline would, hopefully, be a fun challange.
Patterns for Pirates (P4P) is a new to me pattern company. I had heard of them but never tried them. Men’s patterns are thin on the ground. Men’s patterns to fit these shoulders even more so. I had planned on making Thread Theory’s Strathcona Henley, but it only fits up to a 44″ chest.
So, I did a quick Google search, and found P4P. This was the only men’s Henley I could find that was drafted for larger sizes, but which also had agreeable style proportions. I felt that $9 seemed a reasonable price to pay to explore this new brand.
Grab a beverage. This is a long one!
READ MORE
Dave has been dropping not so subtle hints about me making another pair of McCalls 2586 for a shamefully long time. So, for Christmas, I bought him 3 lengths of fabric to make him garments of his choice. I had a good idea what he’d want, but wanted get the fit exactly how he wanted it.
Although I’d made them previously I want to check the fit before sewing. I know I would fit a pattern from 12 years ago!
READ MORE
My love affair with the Helen’s Closet Elliot Sweater continues.
My blue and black striped sweaters are in almost constant rotation as the weather is so much cooler here. So when I saw this beautiful printed ponte di roma on the Patterns and Plains website, it was a given that it would be another Elliot Sweater.
READ MORE
I’ve had the Blouse-Back Tee from Hot Patterns in my stash for sooooooo long and never got around to making it. When I made the Blackwood Cardigans for Beth and myself, I had some of the lovely jersey left over. It seemed a good idea to use that up to trial this pattern.
I’ve spoken recently about trying new styles, and this definitely falls into that category. I have never in my life worn a cocoon style but the financial investment here was so low, again it felt like nothing to lose.
READ MORE
My love for the Helen’s Closet Blackwood cardigan is being extended to her Elliot Sweater pattern too.
READ MOREBefore I start talking about Confetti and V9008, I just wanted to have a bit of a ramble about style and sewing and shopping. If that’s of no interest, then please just scroll down to the pictures and the reviews. I won’t be offended.
Sometimes I find it really useful to park thoughts and ideas here. Mainly for me, but also because you never know who might be having the same stuff rattling around in their noggin.
My sewing is so hit and miss at the moment. The difference between the Crystal Cove and Ogden Camis in recent posts only serves to highlight that.
I’ve been pondering on this topic this week. I think there are a couple of factors at play. Grab a cuppa, I have thoughts!
The Helen’s Closet Blackwood cardigan is a staple in my wardrobe, and paired with a new Ogden Cami, I’ve got the perfect outfit for coffee dates with friends….although we’re back in local lockdown next week which isn’t encouraging.
READ MORE
2020 is the year that just keeps on giving!
Not long after my last post I slipped on a wet floor and took a nasty fall. I broke a big toe and have done something quite unpleasant to my knee. I was in bed for several days, followed by time on crutches. It’s only this week that I’ve been able to get an actual shoe onto my foot. The toe is still buddy taped and the knee is still strapped, and I may need surgery.
But today…..I can wear a shoe and take blog photos. And the sun is shining. So let’s go for it!
READ MOREIt’s been a minute since my last post. Just as we thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse…..it did.
Dave had a cardiac event (high blood pressure causing heart attack symptoms) a few weeks ago. I’m recovering from a bout of labyrinthitis. Thankfully we’re both on the mend, though I’ll admit its been tough recently.
