Purl and Seam

Goodale – F/O 16/2011

July 18, 2011

Two posts in one day…it must be the weather.

I finally finished knitting up the cream Artesano Superwash Merino last week and on Saturday thought I’d wear it for the quilting day.

Hmmmm….that wasn’t going to work. It looks bloody awful on me. Not only is it a smidge small, it’s also too short to look good on me and the colour makes me look decidedly unwell.

The pattern itself is lovely. Clearly written and simple to knit. I would happily recommend it.

No…this is totally user error. I’m using up yarn in the stash and choosing a pattern to match what I have. This doesn’t always work for me. I’m also still weeding out shapes that don’t look good on me. This is one of them.

On Ma, however, it’s a totally different story.So, as it had stopped raining, I dragged her outside to grab a couple of snaps…hence the top doesn’t really go with this cardigan, but we can live with it for today.So, the pattern is Goodale from Cecily Glowik MacDonald.

The yarn is Artesano Superwash Merino DK from Brownberry Yarns.

The cute little buttons were in my stash too. I’ve no idea where they came from.

And it’s not a complete bust as I’ve knitted up more of my stash, Ma has a new cardi that she loves and I’ve learnt a little bit more about my personal style and what works for me.

I don’t think that’s a bad result at all!

North Country quilting…day 2

July 18, 2011

It being summer, here in Lancashire it has done nothing but rain, rain and rain some more for the past 3 days. It’s raining now as I type.

Saturday, therefore, it was raining too. A perfect day for sitting quietly with a lovely group of like-minded women and sewing a quilt.

So that’s what I did.

It was the second day of the North Country quilting course. The day where we put our layers togetherpinned it all in placeand tacked it to within an inch of its lifeAs you can see we all worked together to layer and pin each other’s quilts. The conversation turned to the women across the centuries who had gathered as we did to work on quilts together and how, had they been transported in time to our table, they would have recognised everything we were doing.

I love this connection to the past, and that there were 3 generations of my family working together on 3 quilts, leaving our mark for the future.

Once the quilts were all basted it was time to learn the specialised rocking stitch used to load the needle and create evenly spaced stitches. I can only say that it’s not as easy as it looks. Jean, our tutor, was very patient and encouraging.

But, by the end of the afternoon, having been fortified with much apple and ginger cake (from the simplest recipe ever)and strawberries supplied by HimmelbjergetI was starting to get the hang of it

My quilt is started.

July

July 6, 2011

Blimey, is it the 6th July already?

Time flies when you’re not doing anything!

Well, I have been doing stuff but not much of it has been sewing or craft related.

Except for Saturday. Ma, Niece, Himmelbjerget and me all skipped off to Patchwork Chicks for a day learning how to do North Country Quilting.

For the uninitiated NCQ is wholecloth quiltingand I’ve wanted to learn to do this, like, for For. Evah!

Saturday was the first day of a two day workshop and we spent the day learning how to design our quilt and draw the design on the cloth.

Seriously.

Drawing on the cloth.

With a pencil.

Scared me half to death!

But, by the end of day one my design was well under way

I know the pictures are a bit dark but its the only way to get the pencil to show up! Technology eh! Or could it just be my lack of skill? Who knows.

Anyway, on the 16th we’ll be back there again to learn how to do all the stitching, then its up to us.

A perfect project set up for autumn evenings on the sofa.

Another slow project.

Not one I’ll be finishing in July, but I’m thrilled to be starting it.

Also starting in July is my cushion project. One of my goals for 2011 is to finally get some cushions on the sofa, but it’s taken me ages to decide what I want them to be like. And I’ve finally decided. The first 4 will be about 18″ or 20″ with hand embroidered monograms in the centre. One for each of us. The designs come from this book that I received for my birthday (wow, my kids and husband are great)and I’ve already transferred and made a start on the first one

So far, so slow, so good.

This is where I make a pledge.

“I, PendleStitches, hereby do solemnly swear that by the end of July I shall have completed the black slim legged trousers.”*

I will. For sure.

And the cream cardigan.

And maybe a top.

But I’m not pushing it!

So watch this space.

What sewing/knitting/stitching have you got planned for July?

Note I didn’t say which year* ! LOL. Only kidding!

Burda 8/2009 121 – FO 21/2011

July 3, 2011

This skirt reminds me why I love Burda patterns and why I’m glad I’ve lost enough weight to use them again.

: Top is Phase Eight RTW – on sale at the moment

I had to make minimal alterations to this skirt…just added a little to the waist and a couple of inches to the length, and away I went.

The fabric is from my stash. I bought it from The Cloth House about 4 years ago. Hazarding a guess I’d say it’s an 11oz denim. I wish I’d bought more of it as it’s just lovely. Both to sew and to wear. After all the tricky fabrics I’ve been sewing of late, this was an absolute treat.

I love the details of this skirt:

: The first waistband I’ve ever made that actually matches up – result!

Fabulous shaped seams and fly zip

: Back pockets shaped along the yoke

: Arrowhead top-stitching at the top of the rear vent

: A flash of Tilda cotton print at the fly and also lining the pockets

Whilst this looks like a fairly complex pattern, it’s actually really quite straightforward to make. If you take your time. But I’ve already covered that topic this week!

I referred to this book for the fly zip instructions:and it’s the most professional zip I’ve ever inserted. These are just fabulous directions. I heartily recommend them.

I know both the skirt and the new top are a little snug…but I’m back on a healthy eating kick and the weight is slowly coming off again, so this was a deliberate decision to ensure that I can wear these for quite some time to come, even as I get slimmer.

So, all that’s left to say is that I’m thrilled with this outfit and really enjoyed wearing it today. It seems all that slow sewing really paid off.

Proud mama

June 30, 2011

Today this little lady had immunisations.

I wussed out. I’m not great with those kinds of needles.

Daddy manned up and took her. It was probably the wisest move. He’s less likely to beat the doctor over the head with a ballet pump.

Mainly because he doesn’t wear ballet pumps!

She was braver than I.

I doubt this little man will be quite so stoicBut whatever…I’m just one very proud mama.

June….

June 30, 2011

Today I found the perfect button for the denim skirt I’m making.

However, despite valiant efforts on my behalf the skirt isn’t finished.

I’ve only 2 rows of topstitching, 1 buttonhole and said button to attach.

That’s it.

Oh well, it’ll be a flying start to July.

But lets not talk about the trousers I was going to make, shall we?

Actually, yes, lets talk about them.

You see, for a while now I’ve been working at slowing down my sewing. Taking time to do it all properly rather than just getting a garment finished as quickly as possible. This month it’s paid off in spades. I may have only completed 50% of what I’d set out to achieve, but that 50% is far more well made than anything I’ve done before (my wedding dress included). You can judge for yourself when the skirt is finished, but I am delighted with the way it looks so far.

Don’t get me wrong. I need to add a bit more to the length if I make it again so I can turn a more substantial hem, and my top-stitching wobbles a little here and there, but only the teeniest bit. And, frankly, if you’re close enough to see it then, Mister, you’re too darned close!

Which is why the trousers are still languishing at the 2nd toile stage. I’ve a very big hunch it’s going to take me another 1 or 2 (or even possibly 3) toiles to get them fitting anything like right, but I know that this is the way forward.

You see I sew for several reasons.

: Image by Matt Banks

One…I destest clothes shopping. With a passion. I find high street sales assistants to be oftentimes lacking in basic sales skills, simple manners and to be generally disinterested in much more than their staff discount. I know there are exceptions to this and I’m always delighted to meet them and buy from them. But they’re outnumbered by the lackadasical sort. (Johnny Looloos is, of course, excepted from this. I heart JL!)

Two…I’m 5′ 8″ tall. That’s 2 inches taller than standard womens sizes. And 2 inches smaller than “tall” sizes. I am in fashion nomansland. Tops are often too short. Trousers too short in the body (they allow for longer legs…not longer torsos). The list goes on and makes me (and Mr S) miserable as I try on item after item and they look like crap.

Three…I have boobs. They are certainly more booblicious than the standard B cup! And it shows. Popping buttons. Gaping necklines. Spillage over too low necklines.

I could get away with exuberant cleavage (just) when I was ~~a lot~~ younger. At 45 (yep…I’ve had a birthday this month too!) its just feels tacky and inappropriate and not the example I want to set for my daughter.

Four…I have champagne taste in clothes on a lemonade (not even beer) budget. This is a choice I make willingly. If I went back to work I could spend what I liked on clothes, but at what cost to me and my family? Oh no, sister, I’m not doing that. No dress is worth it. Not in my book, anyway. And having looked at the expensive stuff in the shops, I’m telling you it inspires me to sew. Some of it is so badly constructed it makes me angry that people are being ripped off.

But lets face it, some of the mid-priced stuff isn’t terribly well made. Or made from reasonable quality fabric. I’m not asking for miracles, just something that doesn’t fall apart after one or two washes (yep…I’ve even had that problem with the bastion of the British high street, M&S.)

Which leads me to…

: Image by Salvatore Vuono

Five…I am becoming ever more conscious of the fact that whilst you can buy a dress for a fiver from the high street, it doesn’t necessarily follow that you should. Which is a whole other post on it’s own and I shall leave my soapbox tucked away for tonight.

Now, this post isn’t going anywhere I anticipated when I started writing it, but, strangely, is coming round full circle. Because if I take all those factors into account, it brings me back to slow sewing.

Working the muslin to get the best fit I can. Learning to fit better with each garment.

Taking the time to cut carefully and accurately, then sewing the same way.

Finishing off all threads and pressing at each step of the way.

Sewing as meditation.

And all of this results in clothes that are of a quality that I can’t afford to buy at a price that I’m willing to pay. Clothes that fit better than anything I could ever buy. Clothes that I’ll love to wear.

Surely that’s worth taking the time over?

Father’s Day

June 19, 2011

My husband is a good man.

Honest. Strong. Funny. Loyal. Generous.

Handsome and kind.

A family man.

A man who provides a warm and secure home for his family.

A man who fills that home with love and laughter.

I am blessed to have such a husband.

My children more so to have such a father.

Happy Father’s Day, my love.

(and to Pa and Pa SIL)

Procrastinate? Moi?

June 15, 2011

It’s not like me to start a project without really thinking it through.

Snort.

Ok…I couldn’t even get to the end of that sentence without laughing at myself. You know as well as I do that I’m forever jumping into stuff with my eyes closed and the cry “geronimo” ringing in the ears of any poor soul within a 1000 yard radius!

And I did it again with my Gardener’s Journal quilt.

The embroidery bit was delightful. I’ve been embroidering on and off for more years than I care to remember. I can do it sat on the sofa with a glass of wine to hand and something on the TV for me to pretend to watch, then to completely lose track of the plot, and have to rely on the beleaguered Mr S to explain that which would have been completely apparent to all and sundry except the halfwit who was stitching rather than paying attention.

But you’ll have noticed that the poor stitcheries have been languishing in the sewing box for quite some considerable time. And I have two very good reasons for this.

One…..I’ve never made a quilt before so was completely daunted by cutting out the large number of teeny tiny squares that this quilt is made up of.

Two…I’ve never made a quilt before so was completely daunted by the thought of sewing said large number of teeny tiny squares togther.

Any sensible person would have chosen a simple quilt made of simple squares (preferably quite large ones) that could be sewn together reasonably quickly to give said sensible person a sense of satisfaction and the enthusiasm to test her skills a little with the next quilt.

I’ve been accused of many things in my life but being sensible has never been one of them!

So, Ma, who whizzes through projects at the speed of light, kindly cut out all the teeny tiny squares on one wet and dreary Sunday afternoon (we get plenty of them here…it’s British Summer Time after all!)

So my first pitiful excuse was unceremoniously dumped in the waste basket.

Hmmmm…I really have no excuse now. After all it’s only straight lines, no?

So, around making trouser and skirt toiles, I’ve taken the plunge and made a start

Of course I started with one made up of triangles rather than squares. But it’s the first in the instructions and I decided to buck the trend and actually follow them.

Its a bit squiffy, but, you know what, I like it even more because of that. By the time this quilt is done I might even be able to make them all nice and even.

But I’m not holding my breath. 😉

Mini-me. Simple hooded cardigan – FO 15/2011

June 2, 2011

Despite the current complete lack of enthusiasm for picking up a needle in any shape or form I managed to sew up The Boy’s latest jacket, made from leftovers of Mr S’s Whitfield Jacket.

The pattern is 70038 Simple Hooded Cardigan from Lion Brand Yarns. I sized it up one size from the largest on the pattern as I didn’t want quite such a shrunken look. I also added a collar rather than a hood so its more like his daddy’s jacket.

I love this. He looks so like his daddy in this cardigan. Beyond adorable.

He’s very pleased with it and runs around saying “jumper, jumper”. Although its forecast 25 degrees today, as I type its still cool enough to wear your new jacket to play on the deck.

Perfect.

3 shawls – Made by Ma!

May 23, 2011

Although Ma isn’t having her knee surgery for another 10 days, she’s been busy with the needles and has produced three lovely shawls for me.

The first is the now ubiquitous Multnomah, this time in the left over yarn from the wedding shrugs which was custom dyed for me by Krafty Koala

: Multnomah

This is a mix of dk yarn (the stockinette section) and 4 ply (the feather and fan) as we didn’t have enough of either to make a complete shawl and I really didn’t want to waste it.

Next up is Maggie Magali’s Gingko Shoulderette Shawl, available as a free download on Ravelry

: Gingko Shoulderette Shawl

This is knitted in The Laal Bear’s hand dyed sock yarn in an alpaca/silk blend in the colour Pampas. It’s just so soft…like baby bunnies. I know the most talented people.

And last, but by no means least, is Vermillion by Carolina Diez, also available for free on Ravelry.

: Vermillion

This is fyberspates merino tencel sock yarn in their colourway Rusty Spoon, which is so gorgeous, and again the yarn is super soft.

Ma is great (although she won’t let me tell her that, so I’m telling you) and I’m glad it’s so cold here at the moment…I may get to wear them rather than pack them away until the winter.

I can’t wait to see what arrives home next. I think it’s a hat, but I could be wrong.

PS….I promise to take better care of these and not let them wander off unaccompanied at the cinema!

*Note I didn’t say which year ! LOL. Only kidding!

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Note I didn’t say which year* ! LOL. Only kidding!