On the Home Front

I realise I have been bombarding you with my wardrobe of late. Sewing is quick and produces results in an evening or two so there is always something to blog about.

However, just recently we have been spending our weekends helping my dad move house. He is downsizing (seriously) from a five bedroom house to a two bedroom bungalow. Our house in the meantime has been filling with stuff he can not accommodate but I am too sentimental to get rid of. Sound familiar?

This dresser looked surprisingly good in our dining room filled with our dinner service. 

Then dad convinced me to have the servery that went with it which is growing on me slowly. It was was my great-grandparents' furniture from their farmhouse.

It looks a bit strange with modern scrapbook colours on the shelf and some DIY doors which I MUST paint but all in all it is looking mighty fine. Bloke and I bought the Edwardian easel 10 years ago at an Antiques shop - we don't know why, we just both liked it. I did art at Uni and those charcoal drawings are mine, I look at them now and can't believe I drew them.

Want to see it all together?

Mmmm! some wood colours going on there. What do you think? Maybe I could hunt down a table cloth and change the curtain pole to help it blend together a bit. Suggestions welcome...

Jo xxx

Me Made May #2

Me Made May week 2 with So Zo . Still selecting things I have made from my wardrobe this week and it is showing up a few gaps too. I really need a long sleeved back T-shirt and some solid colour garments.

Wednesday 6th May

Worn to - work today teaching parents English

With - Leggings, black vest and boots

From - Sew me something Kate dress pattern.

Thoughts - I like it but it is not my favourite shape for my figure, might need to make some tweeks,very comfortable though.

Make again? - Yes but not in cord, it needs something lighter.

Thursday 7th May

Worn to - More casual work today as I am working with reception children involving sitting on the floor a lot.

With - bought Moleskins jeans and long sleeve top.(needs to be black)

From - jumper pattern from ravelry made with Noro Chunky

Thoughts - I love it and wear it often. Incidently, it is the post on my blog I get the most hits on since I started blogging.

Make again? - Definitely.

Friday 8th May

Worn to - Invigilating exams in the morning and doing tutorials for teaching apprentices English and maths in the afternoon. 

With - Jersey striped dress bought two years ago

From - Cardigan pattern from Fade to Grey by Louisa Harding

Thoughts - I have worn this cardigan a lot over the last 2 years and I can always find an outfit to wear it with.

Make again? - Yes

Saturday 9th May

Worn to - Meal out with old friends

With - Bought jeans. 

From - Silky 1970's top from a vintage pattern. Coat from sew Serendipity by Kay Whitt.

Thoughts - I love this casual pub going out outfit. I have worn the top so many times and everyone comments on the fabric from Minerva.

Make again? - I already have another top cut out. The coat? mmmm not sure I would make another one for a while but if I did I would line it and make the collar smaller.

Sunday 10th May
The girls are helping me out today because I am painting with my dad so nothing to show today from me.

Worn to - Run around in grandad's garden while mum paints!

With - Leggings of course as always.

From - OK Big sis is wearing her hoodie from Ottobre and Little M is in a hand me down jersey skirt from her sister also from Ottobre.

Thoughts - I love the way I thought I would have to dip out today and then they came downstairs dressed like that without my intervention.

Make again? - yes to both. 

I am still in my pyjamas at the moment, sewing actually. 

What shall I wear today?

Thanks for looking. Jo xxxx

Kate Dress

I have finished my Kate dress from Sew me Something. I had to make a few alterations due to my fabric and size choice but all in all it was fun to make. The little details make it.

I have size 40 hips so I made UK size 14 as stated on the pattern measurements but if the truth be told it was way too big across the shoulders because it is a loose fitting dress/tunic with quite a bit of ease, which the pattern says so that was my fault.

To save my dress I added some back darts, a back neck opening so that I could still get it over my head, larger bust darts and I shortened it (a lot). I also took a seam down the front to pull the shoulders into place, it changed the neckline but no matter, I added ric rac!

I used the last of my fine needlecord that I bought in a charity shop for £3. I thought I would wear it with black leggings and a long sleeved top in the autumn. 

The pockets are really nice and big with gathered detail and a binding. There are 5 fat quarters in there so plenty of room for standing around with my hands in my pockets!

The pattern is really well marked out and the instructions booklet was fabulous. Have you made a Kate dress or 7!! Yep that is how many Gilly has made from Gilly makes - all of them stunners.

Happy sewing. Jo x

Scale

On Tuesday night at crochet class I made this flower as a test piece as I showed my group:

Then I finished this sunglasses case from last weeks class demo:

Then I realised that I didn't quite have the right scale even if I did make it in the same yarn colours:

Never mind, I just love crocheting with bits of leftovers.

Thanks for looking. Jo xxxx

Me made May

I am taking part in Me Made May hosted by So Zo. I won't post everyday because you have seen so many of my makes but I will do a little round up each week. My pledge was to endeavour to photograph any member of my family wearing any item I had lovingly handmade for them and post in May.

A pretty wholesome challenge I thought and I wanted to do it last year but it got away from me. So to begin...

Friday 1st May
Worn to - work
With - navy trousers and a purple cardigan listed below (not jeans and a pink belt!)
From - Sew Simple Peter Pan collar blouse
Thoughts - too shapeless but I love the fabric so I still wear it
Make again? - No, I sold the pattern on ebay last week!

Taken by my friend Ian Woodward from the Hooded Lens

Saturday 2nd May
Worn to - Beltane bellydance bash in Wrexham on Saturday night
With - bought lace top and yoga pants underneath
From - my imagination, the skirt is two spliced and sewn together, the headdress is a collection of stuff glued to a headband and I crocheted the top and the back of the hip scarf which you can't see.
Thoughts - My crochet top is getting a bit stretched now so I would like to make a decorated bra next.
Make again? - it is a constantly evolving costume

Sunday and Monday 3th & 4th May
Worn to - Lunch with my brother and his family at home then on Monday to Hawkstone Follies for a long walk.
With - My Crocheted jumper and handmade jeans
From - Jumper from Cafe classic Book and Burda Jeans
Thoughts - My typical Weekend fayre and a regular combo. 
Make Again - If I made the jumper again I would make it smaller but I will definitely make the jeans again.

Tuesday 5th May

Worn - to work 

With - thick tights and boots, it's gone wet and cold again here.

From - the cowl is my own crocheted design, dress from pattern Newlook 6209, cardigan from ravelry here.

Thoughts - I wear this cardigan a lot but I am trying to like the heavy crepe grey dress so am giving it another chance today.

Make again? - cowl yes, cardigan yes, dress maybe but not in a fabric that won't press. (look at that hem!)

So my first few days are going OK. It really does make you think about what you wear in this challenge. 

See you with another MMM15 post next week. Jo xxxxx

Something for the weekend!!

I sort of knew it would happen...it was only a matter of time. There was once a time when I said life was too short to make your own knickers but then I have really got back into sewing. I want to sew anything and everything because you see, I just love learning new stuff. How does the gusset fit with the seam on the inside, I wondered.

I enjoyed the post made by Lazy Daisy Jones here. Then I tried to win a giveaway in a magazine for a kit. In the end I bought a kit. It was £15 from Flo-Jo in Bristol and it has been worth every penny of joy I had making these gorgeous frillies.

You get the fabulous fabric, jersey for the gusset, ribbon for the bow, knicker elastic and a full pattern to make sizes 8 - 18. All you need is a sewing machine, a cup of tea and a sense of sewing adventure. There is even a little label to sew in or out as I chose to do.

I can see potential here for using up my 100% cotton scraps and fat quarters to make fun birthday presents for my closest friends. You know, the ones I would feel able to give a punt-on-their-size sort of friends.

Then it all went a bit crazy over the last two weeks and I had so much fun with knicker-love for my friends. 

I mean liberty knickers, who wouldn't want a pair of these?

The possibilities are endless.

I even had to order more elastic I was having such a good time.

I normally end with 'Thanks for looking' but that seems a bit strange today!!

Jo xxx

Making what you need

I have been crafting my way through my stay-at-home years. I didn't really care if I needed it, I just made stuff to keep my brain busy because I love learning. I made a great deal of stuff out of given items and materials as the pennies were a bit tight but now, the here and now, it feels a bit different.

I want to make things I need because working four days a week means my time is more precious but I have a little money to spend! typical...

Roll up my black cardigan. Some of you may think you would just go and buy a black cardigan but I am really enjoying knitting something that I know I will get a lot of wear out of. I chose the blue cardigan on the right. It has really deep rib on the bottom for a neat nip on the waist perfect for over dresses and sleeveless shell tops.

The yarn is Drops cotton light and is a delight to knit with as far as tension is concerned but does split a bit if you are not careful, tell me a cotton that doesn't...um...I quite like the sweater too... I wonder where our flask has got to...

I think we can all agree this post isn't really going anywhere is it? That's plain black for you... Suffice to say I will call in with the finished cardigan in a few months time. 

What are you working on? Is it fancy or basic?

Jo xx