Purl and Seam

Fan-shaped bobbles – made by Ma!

April 5, 2016

The weather continues in its unpredictable vein, with 4 seasons in one day being the norm. The school holidays are flying by and the house selling/purchasing saga continues.

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So when we were gifted a warmish and sunny day last week, we hit the park for fun and photos.

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This is another great workhorse of a sweater from Ma. The pattern is an old Wendy/Peter Pan pattern number 747. The yarn is a mystery acrylic blend, which is perfect for mudlarks as it can be thrown in the washing machine and tumble dried if necessary.

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Slightly oversized but not sloppy this is a great shape for layering for warmth, with plenty of room for climbing and playing.

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Cute fan shaped bobbles make the boxy shape more feminine.

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You can never tell with Miss Button if something you make for her will be worn to rags, or languish at the back of the wardrobe hardly worn. This is one of the former. It’s her current go to sweater for playing out and park days and just generally keeping cosy.

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Longfellow Blue

March 28, 2016

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I do hope you’ve all had a lovely Easter.

Finished makes have been thin on the ground around these parts recently, but I’m finally pleased to share with you Longfellow by Michelle Wang for Brooklyn Tweed, which I finished for Hubby back in January.

Spring in the North of England is a contrary beast to say the least. Today we’ve had sunshine, rain and wind. So a lightweight cardigan like this is a great garment for a chap to have to keep the chill at bay whilst still maintaining his vaguely hipster credentials (I have my tongue firmly in my cheek at this point!).

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If you’ve a good memory, because this took an absolute age to finish, this is knitted in Garnstudio Drops Alpaca. It’s a fine 4ply with a halo and a bit splitty, but it creates a lightweight yet warm fabric which keeps himself cosy.

The pattern itself is spot on in terms of measurements. I’ll be honest and admit that I found the instructions for the armholes more than a little confusing, so defaulted to a simple k1, k2tog decrease (k2tbl at the end of the row) which worked perfectly fine. Knitted pockets are still new to me and these were a doddle.

Whilst simple 4ply cardigan patterns are hardly as rare as unicorns, I think the proportions of this one are just right. It fits great at the armhole and shoulders, and I’m particularly fond of the depth of the v-neck, which is perfect for wearing buttoned over a shirt. Which is just how Hubby likes to wear it.

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All in all this cardi is a great success and I’d happily knit him another one, even with the miles of stocking stitch needed to cover those rugby player’s shoulders. Next time, though, I’d use a different yarn because I’m not happy with how this one is wearing. You’ll clearly see on the above picture that it pobbles and bobbles quite easily. What you can’t see is that despite the most careful of hand washing and flat drying the fabric is flattening quite quickly.

Also the buttonholes don’t hold up to being buttoned, and I can assure you that this isn’t a tight fit. There’s enough ease just not enough support in the buttonhole.

The yarn was very inexpensive as I bought it on sale so I’m not completely gutted by this…I just won’t use the leftovers to knit Button her Fleur Bleue.

Oh dear…that just means a visit to the yarn shop!

A little getaway

March 21, 2016

“I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden Daffodils;
Beside the Lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”

William Wordsworth, 1804

Living just over an hour from Windermere in the South Lakes, you’d think we’d spend more time there. But life gets in the way and we haven’t had a break here for too many years. We rectified this over the weekend, when we escaped for two childfree nights to celebrate The Husband’s birthday.

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With daffodils fluttering and dancing on every verge we arrived at The Hideaway Hotel in time for tea and cakes and spent a blissful two days and nights relaxing with hot stone massages, gentle walks, excellent food and comfy beds.

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Links:

The Hideaway Hotel

Hooked Fish Restaurant

Wild & Co. Restaurant

This post was sponsored by Nana, Grandma and Grandad, without whose fabulous sleepover services this trip wouldn’t have been possible.

Thanks, you guys! We love you.

Mothering Sunday

March 6, 2016

It’s Mothering Sunday here in the UK, and I’m sitting here replete from a posh pub lunch with the family.

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Today, of all days, it’s easy to remember just how blessed I am.

My children are fit and healthy. They attend an amazing school with fantastic teachers and wonderful friends.

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We are surrounded by family and friends and have time to spend with them.

Our home is warm and welcoming. We have good food and plenty of it.

They have a Daddy who loves them, is present in their lives, and works hard to provide for them.

We have books and toys and games and pens and paper. We can walk in the park, ride our bikes and dance.

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So today, as I’m surrounded by the people I love most in the world, I’m counting my blessings.

But I’m sparing a thought for those not as fortunate as I am.

And raising a glass to mothers everywhere, and wishing them the best of times this Mothering Sunday.

How to sew

February 22, 2016

Sewing for others has made something very, very clear. When I sew for myself I’m really, slapdash. When I sew for others I do things by the book.

And guess what?

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The stuff I make for others always turns out better. Like….miles better! Even if I’m time constrained. Or it’s a ridiculously tricky fabric. Or, as is usually the case, a combination of the two! Who knew?

I know I’ve touched on this before but I’ve never really instigated a plan. Or maybe its more a set of guidelines.

Rules to Sew By!

Ooooh, that has a good ring to it! There’ll be a book offer on the table by the weeks end!

Not.

But seriously. I’ve been sewing for the best part of 40 years and still I’m focused on cranking out stuff to wear rather than upskilling to make them more beautiful. And it’s not like I’m making 20 garments a month. I’ve got no excuse.

So here are my new Rules to Sew By!

Rule 1 – Measure twice…..

I’m about to make an admission that will have seamstresses up and down the land beating a path to my door bearing pitchforks and burning torches.

Whisper it!

I don’t have an up to date set of my measurements.

Quelle horreur!!!!!

I know…it’s sewing sacrilege. It would explain why I have such issues with fit. And why, because stuff doesn’t fit as I want, I’m loathe to start sewing something for myself.

I need to fix that problem post haste and get my measurements down on paper. Regular updates wouldn’t go amiss, either.

Rule 2 – It’s all about the fit!

With my new found measurements in hand I’ll be all set to get the fit perfect first time, right?

Right?

Yeah. No!

I’ve always ~~wanted to poke~~ admired those folk who say such things as “I made my usual 1″ SBA, 1/2″ sway back and 1/4″ forward shoulder adjustments and I was done”.

It struck me that if I kept ordered notes on each pattern brand of the adjustments I make for each brand, then I too could be one of those ~~smug~~ clever folk who know just where to start to give them a fighting chance of a toile fitting with fewer adjustments.

Because, as ~~you~~ we all know, all the patterns are cut from the same blocks.

*hits desk with forehead repeatedly*

Rule 3 – It’s all about the fitting!

No….it’s not Rule 2 again. Not only do I have to figure out what adjustments I need to make, but how to make them, dare I say it…..properly!

You know…actually do a FBA before you even make a toile because you’re haven’t been a B cup since you were 13!

And its time to learn to do a dartless FBA too. Just sayin’

And when you roll the shoulder forward, you need to adjust the sleeve too! No, really…you do!

Rule 4 – Make a damn toile!

For every new pattern.

No excuses.

No exceptions.

Rule 5 – Follow the damned instructions!

I know that I know how to sew, but I’ve also been doing it long enough to fall into some appalling habits. So actually, I suppose, I’ve gone all the way round to the beginning and really shouldn’t be let loose with scissors and thread!

So it’s back to basics.

Using the instructions and (when they’re out of storage) the rather fabulous range of sewing texts I own.

Rule 6 – Fit as you sew

Just because the toile looked ok, doesn’t mean the fashion fabric is going to behave in the same way. It’s better to fit as you sew than just stick your fingers in your ears, sing la-la-la-la-la and hope it works out at the end.

And then wonder why it doesn’t.

Rule 7 – Stop buying all the things

Why yes…that fabric is beautiful, but purple and green poppies aren’t really your thing.

Oooooh, look at that fabulous new indie pattern that every single sewing blogger and her dog is making….but don’t you already have something similar in your pattern stash?

Amazon called…can you please leave some sewing books for everyone else!

I’m not saying don’t buy stuff…just not All. The. Things.

Rule 8 – Make what you wear

This follows neatly on from Rule 7. Because whilst all the cool kids are making party dresses out of purple and green poppy silk dupion, what you wear in real life is jeans, tops and Ugg boots.

So why aren’t you making jeans and cute tops?

It’s probably pushing it to make your own Ugg boots. Unless someone out there has come up with a kit. In which case I’ll be all over it!

Until then…if you sew what you wear you’ll wear what you sew.

I should make that into a poster!

Rule 9 – Rome wasn’t built in a day

Primark may be able to make a bajillion t-shirts a day but thats why they are crap. Not even getting starting on the conditions and pay of workers in fast fashion sweat shops.

I don’t need to make a bajillion t-shirts. In a day or otherwise. I need to make a few really well fitted ones that work with my life and my style.

And if it takes me two weeks to fit the pattern, then so be it.

And it it takes me four versions to really nail the fit…….I think you know the answer.

Rule 10 – It’s meant to be fun!

I know I’ve discussed before how when I create I focus on the product, not the process. This isn’t necessarily a good thing. For starters, being focused on the finished garment doesn’t give me much headspace for creativity. And my life is probably the poorer for that. Felicia discusses this topic far more eloquently than I do. If you’re all about the product I highly recommend you check out this post. Even if you’re all about the process, go read anyway. She’s fabulous!

So there we go. My new guidelines for sewing.

Except they’re not new, really. They’re what I should have been doing all along. They just got lost in the rush to get stuff made.

Does any of this ring a bell with you? Or are you one of the smart ones who remembers to do things right?

Seven

February 11, 2016

What? WHAT?????

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How could my baby have turned seven yesterday? The years are flying by too quickly, sweet boy.

But the years are kind to us too. You had the roughest of starts and the hardest of times. Yet today we’re at a place none of us thought we’d see. You have overcome so very, very much, wee man, and we couldn’t be prouder of you.

Today you are a bundle of energy, fun and hilarity. You have perfect comic timing and the manners of an Edwardian gentleman. I know of no other 7 year old boys who hold the car door for their mummy and refuse to let her carry shopping bags.

But most of all….you are you.

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And we love you.

To the moon and stars and back with jelly and sprinkles on top!

Happy birthday, my darling boy.

Style 1035 – a simple blouse

January 29, 2016

It felt good to be back in the sewing saddle this week. Although the shameful layer of dust on the overlocker was testament to how long it’s been since I’ve ridden this particular pony!

I made this simple blouse for my friend Liz in payment for her sewing up of the Longfellow cardigan. We often trade skills and it works out really well.

The pattern I used is OOP Style 1035, which comes from Liz’s stash.

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Whilst the styling on the pattern is quite dated, the pieces in this are really good, solid basics.

Liz decided on the little jacket, but the fabric she chose was a fantastic charity shop find that made the end result more of a blouse. It was a pale green cotton voile scarf that, if memory serves, cost her less than £2. As she’s petite and slender there was no issue in cutting a short sleeved version of this for her from the fabric available.

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I’ll admit that it was a bugger to handle. Shifty, fraying, downright pesky. And I’m fairly sure there’s not a straight seam to be had! Although I can confirm that the hem is even, although it doesn’t look it in these photos.

Seams were simply overlocked. French seams would have been preferable but we were pushed for time. Sleeve and bodice hems were hand stitched – primarily because they’d look prettier, but also because it was so much easier than trying to get this fabric to behave and sew a straight and neat hem!

The upside of this is that it drapes beautifully (and hides a multitude of sins doing so) and is lightweight and airy.

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The buttons are from Liz’s stash. Liz’s stash is impressive. Her sewing room is a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of haberdashery, yarn and patterns…both knitting and sewing.

All in all not a bad start to the sewing year.

More socks

January 19, 2016

There is still little in the way of sewing going on here, due in part to accountancy exams, in part to refreshing the house yet again to go back on sale this weekend, in part to being busy with small folks and their activities, and in part to just wanting to sit on the sofa at the end of the day with my husband, a stiff gin, a box set and the needles.

Nothing to complain about, just the sewing machine is gathering dust. Next week will be a different story as I’m on a deadline to make a blouse for my friend Liz before she heads off to Australia on the 29th.

However the benefit of sitting and knitting is that the husband’s hand knit sock tally has increased by 3 pairs. Obviously I’ve used my usual pattern by Regia, but it’s lovely to see how the same sock looks completely different when you change the yarn.

First up it’s Manos del Uruguay Alegria in Tannat (A6729). This yarn is a joy to knit with. If I could only ever choose one yarn to knit with for the rest of my life I’m pretty sure I’d knit with this. It’s just gorgeous.

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Next is Sirdar Heart & Sole in “Find Your Sea Legs”. This yarn is more utilitarian but, funnily enough, hubby prefers this slightly. I think it holds it’s shape a little more than the softer Manos.

And, of course, there’s the awesome stripes to consider too! Just the most perfect stripes, no?

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You’ll notice that these socks are a little longer than I normally make. That decision was driven by the stripes. I really wanted to finish a full stripe repeat before turning the heel. And I must add that if you’re a beginner sock knitter this yarn makes it super easy to match the stripes. Bonus!

Last up are the Happy Camper socks, again Sirdar Heart and Sole. I’ll be honest that I wouldn’t have chosen this colour if it had been down to me. But it wasn’t. So I knit them. They turned out better than I’d anticipated and the mister is happy, which is what matters when it comes to socks!

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As you can imagine, by the time I’d finished with these I was finished with socks for the time being. So I’m ~~relieved~~ pleased to say that the Longfellow cardigan is done, in the wardrobe and will probably be worn out before I get the chance to photograph it (I’m only joking…I just need a weekend day that isn’t dark and grey), and I’ve done the front and almost all of the back of Lemongrass.

So, that’s me for now. Please bear with me if I’m a bit “missing in action”. I’m hoping by Easter things will be a bit slower, but, knowing how life goes, probably not.

And whilst I’m not doing much sewing, I’ve been doing quite a bit of plotting. Shall I put my thoughts down here, or would that bore you senseless. Do let me know!

Eight

January 14, 2016

“And though she be but little, she is fierce.”

William Shakespeare ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream‘

Never a truer word spoken.

Our little girl turned 8 this week. Each day I see more of the woman she will become and it takes my breath away. I am overwhelmed with joy that this astonishing girl is my daughter.

I am blessed.

Happy birthday, my darling girl.

The Hexie Quilt – finally finished

January 8, 2016

Happy New Year to one and all. I do hope your Christmas was lovely. We had a very, very quiet and quite slothful time for which we are all feeling the benefit.

I’ve a couple of things still unshared but I thought I’d start the year with a bang and show you the finished hexie quilt.

This shows half of the quilt as it’s draped over the garden gate. I had to grab some quick pictures in-between downpours because the quilt was destined to become Ma & Pa SIL’s Christmas gift.

The long-arm quilting was done by The Quilt Cabin at Hebden Bridge and she’s done a marvellous job of it, as you can see here.

Sadly, Elaine has had her shop devastated by the Christmas floods in Hebden Bridge, as have many, many other stores. She’s currently only trading online whilst the cleanup continues. I do hope she and her fellow shopkeepers are open for business again soon. We’ll definitely be supporting them!

This was my first experience of having a quilt professionally quilted, and whilst it wasn’t cheap, it was money well spent. So much so that when the shop is open again I’m getting Elaine to redo my Double Wedding Ring quilt which needs re-backing.

The backing for this quilt is a plain cream cotton…a slightly tea stained colour that complements the multiple colours of the front perfectly and highlights the quilting stitches even more. Taking advice from Elaine, we colour matched the quilting thread to the backing. I think it was a great choice.

Whilst this isn’t the most glamorous shot ever it gives you a better view of the whole of the quilt (albeit draped over an overgrown hedge and blowing in the wind, 3 minutes before the rain returned!). It’s what I would class as a good sized sofa quilt…perfect for wrapping round shoulders on a chilly evening, or a small child who’s feeling a little under the weather, or draping over a grandpa having an afternoon nap. I’m also pretty sure it will be used by one child or the other for dragging a sibling up and down Nana’s hallway whilst shrieking like banshees!

I’d be lying if I said that we didn’t contemplate keeping this quilt. It took an age to sew all those 1″ hexies and the finished result is better than I’d ever hoped for. It’s deliciously cosy and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it’s turned out. Not bad for a first attempt at English Paper Piecing!

But…it’s gone to a very good home.

And I can always start another one for us to keep………..