Where did you go?

Many weeks later, and now it is the summer holidays, the children are away, work is but a happy, middle of the night screaming memory, and we have been to Austria and back again.

There has been all sorts happening: knitting, sewing, running, cycling, drinking gin, making jam, baking bread.  I contributed to the now traditional Outfit Along run by Andi Sutterland and Lauren Lladybird, which involved making a skirt and a cardigan, and a white tee-shirt.

The tee shirt is a Grainline Lark, with a lower v-neck, and cut in a smaller size, which is terrific, the skirt is a "self-drafted" one, where I had about two metres of the cherry fabric, and just wrapped it around my body, gathered the rectangles and shoved a waistband on it with a zip and a button.  I'm calling that a first design, obv.

Not much to say about the cardigan, except it's my third version of the Myrna pattern, and this time has no keyhole.  I altered the design to suit my personality and the v is much deeper than originally written, but it closes over my tummy and doesn't look too indecent, so I'm pleased with it.  Replicating my design change on the left side was a bit challenging, mind.  I wore this outfit to travel to Austria, with my red clogs, and it was very comfy and lovely.  It got a bit sweaty in the cardigan in Vienna, as it was pretty hot, much hotter than here, but I wore it a few times, especially in the evening.  I do really like it, and I've started yet another Myrna, this time in a lovely dark purple.  

I've made some other things, and as it's the school holidays, I might even be able to blog about them.  Who can say?

Jellicle Cats have cheerful faces, Jellicle Cats have bright black eyes

In the olden days, pre-children, I sometimes had piano lessons, and my teacher was also a record producer, song writer and general muso.  He would often stay up all night working with singers, when they were all "feeling it" and things just worked.  I didn't get it then, but I do now.

I finished the Cat Lady dress.  It's a thing of beauty, and only took about 5 hours in total.  Unfortunately, 3 of those hours were between 9:30 last night and 12:30  this morning, so I'm a bit tired today, but I couldn't have stopped, even had I wanted to.  The only thing that prevented me from sewing later was that I couldn't find my invisible zip, so had to stop.  But it was mostly done in one evening.

I don't like doing facings, so it has bias binding on the neck and on the armholes, and also around the hem, making it officially beautiful inside too.  I pinked all the seams, and even ironed it as I went along - a thing I never do.  I won't show you the invisible zip.  It's enough to say that it isn't that invisible, I had a hell of a time putting the damn thing in, but guess what?  I don't care!

The next time I make an Anna dress, I might grade it a bit, so that there isn't as much fabric between my bust and my armpit - it sort of gapes there a bit.  The madness of the print distracts the eye from the slightly botched waistline; I'm not sure what happened, but my skirt pieces got out of order, or I'd written the wrong number on them, or something just went awry.  I'm generally very pleased with it, and quite pleased that my photographer has finally managed to take a picture of me where I don't look like a wally. Well, not that much.

Photobombing ratbags.  Cute though. 

Dress: By Hand London Anna

Fabric: Cocoland Coco Cat Daisies from Frumble

Miss Crayola Creepy Cat Lady Sewing Challenge.

Bring on the cats!

The Cat Lady challenge

There was a time when this looked like my most probable future.  Totally mad, surrounded by cats, muttering away to myself.  Well, I don't have any cats yet, and I've mostly replaced muttering with writing the blog, but otherwise it's not quite off the table.  So far, we've managed a hamster and four fish; very low maintenance, slightly dull pets, although the hamster has bags of personality and is a little smasher.

I still would like a cat though, and will get at least one at some point, so to prepare for this momentous occasion, I decided to participate in Miss Crayola Creepy's Cat Lady Sewing Challenge.  Part of me wanted to go full on mental with a dress with massive cats on, but then I remembered that I wouldn't wear, I have three handmade dresses I barely wear, I'm 37 and a UK size 14 and went for something a bit more subtle.

It's not finished yet, but I've only got another skirt panel to cut out, because I had to order more fabric as the Anna dress always takes more fabric than I think it should, then I've got to sew the whole thing together, and that won't take more than two evenings.  It's got to be done by Sunday.  Easy.

Look at the selvedge on this!

Truly, this will be a thing of beauty and grace, and I will look elegant and gorgeous, if just slightly mental.  It's a look I've got to get used to.

That season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness

Some more about knitting and sewing.  Brace yourselves.

So far, I have made the following things for this super exciting sew and knit along.

In the Fabulous Frocks category, I am mid way through a dark grey Coco (what else) with red pockets (to be added, along with a hem).

I accept that it doesn't look fabulous at the moment.

In the Chic Chemises for Cool Climates, I've made a Garter Yoke cardigan in Cascade 220, 2247 Peacock.  I have rather a lot of 2247 in the stash, so expect lots of different garments in the same colour.

In the Baby, It's Cold Outside category, I've made Lucy a cowl.  The yarn is some white wool that I bought at the Spring Knitting and Stitching Show earlier this year, and Lucy and I dyed it together.  We used Wilton's Blue food colouring and Sugarcraft's Grape Violet.  It's really easy dyeing yarn with food colouring, and apart from the boiling water, it's pretty safe to do with kids.  We used two Pyrex bowls and a whole load of white vinegar.  

You can find out more about the Knit and Sew Along here, at the lovely Creative Perfectionist's website.  All the knitting, sewing and 1920s fiction you could ever need.

Dress every day like you're going to get murdered in those clothes.

I decided to do another internet sewing challenge, this time an Outfit-a-long, where you make a dress and a cardigan, specifically to wear together.  I didn't want to buy yet another pattern that would live in the cupboard, never to be used again, so I used the Anna dress from By Hand London.  What a lovely clear pattern, with super instructions, and the dress is looking great. I didn't have enough fabric to make a maxi dress with a massive thigh high split, plus I'm not sure that would look very good on me.

It helps that the fabric is absolutely adorable, and carries a lot of the dodgy sewing and wonky seams.  I tried French seams on the shoulders, which was great, but I'm going to pink the seams on the skirt.  The skirt is made up of about 7 panels, so it swishes round beautifully when I twirl.  It's not quite finished, it needs a zip, a hem and a good press.

I'm just finishing off a sock for Simon, but after that I'm going to start the cardigan.  The designer is new to me, but her Miette cardigan is a favourite of sewing bloggers, possibly because they aren't knitters, possibly because they all seem to be about 7 with tiny little figures that suit cropped vintage styles.  I don't fancy the Miette, but the Myrna looks very nice, and I'm looking forward to knitting it.  Mine is going to be light blue, not a colour I often choose, but it matches my gorgeous little raccoons very well.

Are you interested in making matching things?  The fun I had during "me-made-May" (still can't say it) has highlighted a lot of gaps in the wardrobe, so I'm happily filling them with lots of lovely handmades; I'm aiming to knit a version of one of my absolute favourites in the next few months. watch this space.

I have noticed that the people who are late are often so much jollier than the people who have to wait for them.

I banged on and on about sewing a dress for the Sew Dolly Clackett event ages ago, and I've only gone and done it.

It's not the greatest of photos, but you get the general idea.  It's a Cambie dress, and it was a bit of a pain in the bum to make.  I found that either my measurements were incorrect or I can't read numbers, and the toile made the bodice way too big and the waist way too small.  Lots of swearing later, and the lining of the bodice fits well, but the shell is a bit big.  I had to make the bust darts deeper, and shorten the straps, so this picture is not a very accurate one. Still, the fabric is terrific and I love it, and I will wear it when I'm not at work.  For a first attempt at making a fitted lined pattern, this isn't that bad.  Shame about the state of the kitchen.

There are thousands of other Sew Dolly Clackett dresses on flickr; you can find them here.  You can find out about Roisin and her intended here, and you can find a Cambie sewing pattern here.  The pattern is lovely, and all errors were mine.  The instructions are very clear too, and I am going to have a go at making another one soon. 

I've had a bit of a break from blogging recently, what with one thing and another, but I've got all sorts of things to say, and now we're safely back at home, I can find the time and space to say them.  

Lucky old you.

Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress.

Coco, how I love you.  Let me count the ways.  You took three hours to turn from fabric to flattering dress.  You were tremendously easy to sew, even though you are in a stretchy knitted fabric.  You can be styled a number of different and exciting ways.  You pull on over my head in a relaxed and easy manner, yet are still more than smart enough for a day in Nursery.  Your instructions are beautifully illustrated and super easy to follow, and even a total wally can set in a sleeve and put a funnel neck on - new skills!  You also caused me to learn where the zigzag stitch was on my sewing machine, and how to lengthen it to allow for more stretch.

Awkward much?  I properly hate having my picture taken.  

Anyway, new dress!  In a day!  I love, love, love, it so much.  I'm now thinking about a similar dress in blue or red, and a top with green and white stripes, or a hacked Coco pattern with red yoke and sleeves and spotty skirt.  And, and, and.  I got my fabric from Tissu Fabrics, in case you're interested, or thinking of making your own; they are cheap and send stuff out quickly.  I'll probably be putting in an order for more this very evening.

Handmade Monday - linking up with this lady here.

March Madness - 10/31

March Madness

Last night, at around 10pm, I had a super idea.  Why not post something fascinating, witty, scintillating and generally all round great EVERY DAY in March?  I could call it "March Madness", or something equally brilliant, and then it could catch on and everyone (no one) would think I was great.  10pm is too late for finding the computer, turning it on, sitting and thinking, so I thought I'd start today, and backdate it (hem).  Anyway, BRACE YOURSELVES for lots of pictures of fabric, sewing projects and children.

First up, a finished project.  I wrote about Lucy's quilt a few weeks ago, and finally got around to finishing it this weekend.  I don't have a lot of time for sewing, as it involves a lot of preparation, and I'm starting to think about making another dress; but even after the girls were horrible on Saturday, I still used my precious sewing time on my ratbag daughter.  That is pure motherly love.

It's not a great photo, but the quilt is keeping her warm tonight.  I finished it just before I went to bed, and put it over her, and she sighed, rolled over in her sleep and smiled.  My heart lifted, and her rotten behaviour was, almost, forgotten.

A WIP.  

The instructions for this jumper has the cheerful instructions, knit in stocking stitch until the cowl neck measures 15 inches.  Boring.  But ideal cinema knitting.  We went to see the Lego Movie today; I did enjoy it.

Two WIPs to be.

I didn't watch "The Great British Sewing Bee" the first time around, we were in Cape Town over Easter, then I went back for Ouma's funeral, so I didn't learn about Tilly and the Buttons until relatively recently.  The top picture is her new pattern, and I might have a bash at her sew-along next week.  Simon is away on Tuesday; I might have a go then.

The second picture is the same pattern as my first dress, but the fabric is totally different, being quilting cotton, and very thin.  This may prove to be a bit of a mistake, so I am going to have a bash at lining it.  I have lovely turquoise bias binding to match it, and I've already made the front (unlined) and I can't wait to get some time to work on it - probably in May.  

Last picture.  A naughty girl on her scooter.  It's taken her a long time, but she has really got the hang of it now.

March Madness - 1/31

Handmade Monday

I made a dress.  A real one out of fabric, using a tissue pattern, and cutting and buggering around with it in regard to length, facings, armscyes and darts.  It's got bias binding around the armholes, and six back darts, and facings around the neckline, and red topstitching and every thing. I'm very proud of it.

It started off like this, with a lot of cheesecloth and a pair of scissors.

This turned into a toile.

The toile didn't fit at all across the back.  It fitted at the bust, at the waist, on the sides, but it didn't even meet up across the back. Even given that it would have a zip, it was utterly hopeless.  So I winged it by retracing the pattern onto newspaper, only a bit bigger, and putting in the darts and everything as I went along.  

I actually made the bulk of the dress a few weeks ago, but didn't finish it, as I didn't really understand how to do the facings and the rest of it, so put it in the cupboard until yesterday.  I then spent absolutely ages putting the facings in, ripping them out, putting them in and then screaming.  A bit of Courtney Love later, and I had a brainwave, and just put bias binding around the armholes.  It shows a bit, but I think it looks good.  

The zip didn't meet properly at the top, but I DON'T CARE, so I put a button and some bias binding at the gap at the top, and ta dah, now it fits just fine.  The button is mostly decorative, but I'll put a loop in at some point.  I have to take it off to do that, and I don't want to.

You can see that it needs a bit of surgery around the armhole to stop gaping.  But, you know, see above.  That is caused by the whole "winging it with the back of the pattern" but never mind, it fits just fine, and I love, love, love it.

The best thing for body image wibbles is making your own clothes.  This dress will fit ME, there is no question of me slimming down for it.  Clothes.  Know your place.

I've been doing a "Sew-a-long" with Rosie Wednesday, details here.  It's been a steep but utterly brilliant learning curve, and I've already cut out and made the front of a second dress.  Hurrah for Simplicity 3833, and all who sail in her.