Eden Raincoat

 Hurrah! I finished the Eden Coat by Tilly and the Buttons which I started making at the start of January. I won't give you a blow by blow account here but suffice to say it is a thing of beauty. Enjoy the pictures from our back garden.

This coat malarky is an investment in time and money but I thought in lockdown, what else should I spend my time doing? The pattern is only available as a digital download and I couldn't face sticking together a mahoosive amount of A4 paper, not when we need the paper and ink supplies for home-schooling so I tried something new. I emailed the A0 copysheets to a pattern printer called sew pattern printing that I saw on facebook. I had them sent through the door. I highly recommend this(£2 an A0 sheet)as a way to print out large or complex patterns.

The waterproof fabric is from flamingo fabrics this one is called Gustav Klimt. I cut a size 5 from the size chart. If I am honest, I had already over reached myself budget wise with the pattern and outer fabric so I simply used up a piece of Ponte Roma for the hood and body lining and a piece of skirt lining for the sleeves to make them slippy, both which I already had. The only mod I made was to lengthen the sleeves and add a piece of ponte roma to the end of the sleeve lining. In the words of the late great Victoria wood: I like something to wipe my nose on!

This is the full features version with storm flaps, zip and poppers and pleated pockets but you could try a simpler version to gain confidence.

It is a triumph and one of the best things I have ever made. A 'home and dry' start to my 2021 crafting resolutions. 

Thanks for dropping by. Stay Safe, and dry wherever you are. Jo x

Making Resolutions

Best Wishes for the New Year!

I like to make new years resolutions - not the kind where you decide to run anywhere or eat less chocolate - the kind that inspire me to make things and often challenge myself. In 2020 I decided on:

Knitting  a sweater in 4ply yarn to use some mystery wool I bought at Wonderwool in 2019

I made the Loki Sweater from Knitting from the North by Hilary Grant. I wear this top a lot especially now that we live in a warm house. I have bought an oatmeal long sleeved T-Shirt which I wear underneath it since taking this photo last February. 

A knitting friend of mine made the same one but she had enough wool for the sleeves on hers! I was supply teaching one day and a familiar little girl in the class said, "My mum has that jumper too!" not what you expect to hear when you knit a sweater of such complexity.

A bonus second knit in 4ply was this sweater from Pom Pom magazine called Waterlands. I used up the last of the red and white from my previous make and it was also a joy to knit.

Next up: To sew a pattern from my pattern box that is unopened. I tend to use the same patterns and alter them.

Looking back I didn't make as many as I thought I had but a dress for Meg and a top for me both came from a new Ottobre magazine. The vest top is a new favourite pattern from NewLook 6035 and finally the Emma Pinafore from Simply sewing. 

I would like to have a go at more new patterns in 2021 as it still seems that I make the same things in different guises: Linden Sweatshirts, Scout T tops and Carolyn PJ's.

Finally...to crochet more of my acrylic stash for gifting.

All of my acrylic yarn has gone except for a little drawstring bag Heidi has for crocheting with. The recipient of the baby blanket loved it because it was not like any other she had seen. :)

For 2021 I would like to:

1) Learn to use the ruffler foot for my sewing machine

2)Make a dent in my fabric scraps especially the thin strips

3)To sew a raincoat

Has it made you think of something you would like to finish or start?

Happy New Year. Jo xxxx