Sewing for a baby

No, not mine 😉. A colleague of mine is due to have their first baby soon (so exciting!). To celebrate, I've done a bit of unselfish sewing. They kept the gender of their baby a mystery so gender neutral was required. I knew I wanted to create something but I wasn't sure what so internet searches commenced (Pinterest here). I had popped down to my local Spotties recently and spied a bunch of lovely fleeces. Great colours and prints and so easy to care for. I put that in the mix and came up with a floor blanket. I fell in love with a poplin with a great mix of greens and aqua with just a touch of pink,. So using that as the backing fabric, I chose a mint green minky. And to up the ante a little, I also found some nice muslin to make a wrap. Luckily I found some striped bias that complemented the backing fabric for the blanket to bind the wrap edges.

I wasn't sure how sewing minky and poplin together would go so a bit of Internet research on that came up with a few pointers:

• Use fabric spray adhesive to baste the fabrics together
• Secure the edges to be sewn with pins spaced 1" apart
• Use a slightly longer straight stitch
• Top stitching will provide a nice finish

I used to poplin width to set the size of the rug at 1.2m square. I used the triangle method and checked with my quilting square. The minky was wider than this. So I used the poplin as the template for the minky.

Using spray adhesive made a huge difference. The minky slipped around like crazy! And I've never used so many pins! I used a longer stitch (3 on my pfaff) for both the seams and the top stitching, which I put 1/4" in from the edge.

The wrap was pretty straightforward. Again, I used the width of the fabric to determine its size. I then used a glass to create curved corners. I wrapped the edges with the bias, pinned both sides together and sewed. I took care with the pinning, especially around the curves, and it turned out beautifully. The trick with bias on the curves is to keep the fold, on the fabric edge, as taut as you can, whilst easing any excess at the stitching line.

I managed to finish both the rug and wrap in time to present at her baby shower. They were very happily accepted. 😍

Mother's Day make

For some reason, this year I have felt a burning need to create for Mother's Day. I usually organise a family day and I'm happy with that. This year, yes, I'm still organising (afternoon tea sandwiched between sport and dinner) but I felt the need for more. But it also needed to be useful. What do you make a 70-something mother who has pretty much everything she needs. I spent most of the time leading up to that day thinking NOT making. I don't remember where I was but I do remember the sensation. Ping! Heat packs! So this week was spent researching tutorials and finding fabric.

I found two great tutes (aspoonfulofsugar.com - winter warmers and practicallyfunctional.com - DIY pocket hand warmers) and the some really cute flannelette.

One big heat pack 28cm x 15cm and two hand warmers 7cm x 7cm. 1cm seams. I added ribbon tags (as per aspoonfulofsugar) to all of them. A nifty touch that makes them unique but also allows you to pull the packs out of the microwave without touching them.

I made up a nice label "to Mum with love" on one side and how to use instructions on the other. All bound together with matching ribbon. I can't wait to give them to mum and see her reaction.

A Betty Blouse

I've enjoyed reading the Simply Sewing magazine since I first discovered it a few years ago. On occasion, Simply Sewing offers free PDFs download patterns. Last year, it offered the Betty Blouse (sorry, it's no longer free but still available). It's a simple two piece blouse (bodice with a short all-in-one sleeve). The publication photo piqued my interest - really cute fabric - and when I looked closer, I got even more interested. Check out those fab pin tucks. I was hooked.

I printed out the pattern almost straight away and then it languished in a folder whilst I did other things (including some sewing 😉). Last week I rediscovered a piece of a pretty Japanese lawn in my stash (too cute for the remnant bin). I thought it would be a good wearable muslin. This was just the push I needed to get moving. I cut out and glued the pattern together really in one evening and cut it out within an hour (pre-washing everything before it goes into the stash helps with impromptu project decisions).

I was careful with the tucks. For the first time, I used a frixion pen. I marked the stitching lines and pinned them carefully and well as pressing lightly to keep the folds crisp. The lightweight fabric lent itself to enclosed seams. I decided to use flat felled seams on the shoulders and sides. There was a little bit of fiddling of the seams at the sleeves with the curve.

I had enough fabric left over to make my own bias. I find it quite therapeutic. The focus required to measure, position, cut and join is almost meditative. I made far too much for my needs right now but that's ok. Bias stash!

I'm really happy with the end result. Here's the final product on Dolly.

Toasted Sweater 2

No, I haven't done an earlier version of the Toasted Sweater by Sew House Seven. They have two Toasted sweater patterns and I've just made number 2. I've signed up to #SewMyStyle, a great initiative by Alex from Bluebird Fabrics. Here's her post describing her thinking about the project. In a nutshell, she's encouraging people to participate in the slow sewing movement by sewing one project a month. Toasted 2 is the first pattern. It's a really nice sweater/jumper designed by Sew House 7. Here's the link to the pattern page.

I went looking for fabric for this project without a clear idea of what I wanted. I reviewed the fabric requirements and had a french terry in mind, but it's the middle of summer here, not a good time to be looking for this kind of fabric. But I found something else instead. This great fabric, quite light, stretchy and with a fantastic animal print embossed on it. Check it out. The fabric is black on black. I washed out the photo so you can see the pattern.

This pattern made up easily. I paid attention to the neckline instructions and also the mitred corners of the hi-lo hem, and you can tell. I was contemplating using my overlocker but decided to follow the pattern instructions and used my sewing machine. Ball point needle was a must. I used a narrow zigzag for the seams and a double needle for the hems. There were a few skipped stitches - it's slippery fabric. But I took it slowly and it turned out ok. Next time I'll try reinforcing the hems before I sew fabric like this. And there will be a next time - I bought enough fabric to make the leggings that are scheduled in March.

Here's the finished product. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Can't wait for February and the Named Saunio cardigan.

2016 In Review

So I havent been around much this year on the blog. A role change at work which meant any writing energy was expended elsewhere. But I've been sewing up a storm (stress relief...)

I've completed the following this year:

• "Muslin" Gabriola (Sewaholic)
• Sorbetto #3 (Colette)
• Cream sleeveless (McCalls 6711)
• Khaki stripe T (Kirsten Denmark)
• Grey Ponte dress (Sew Simple Brigitte dress)
• Owl night shirt (Kwik Sew 3553)
• Denim pants (V2948 - drafted into 2 piece legs rather than 4)
• Test piece to size Alabama Chanin T
• Sassy New Look (Frankenpattern of NL6407 and Sassy Librarian Blouse by Christine Haynes for Craftsy)
• Blue Ombré T (Melly Sews Blanc T)
• York in bows (Colette Seamwork 3026)
• Ivy Blouse (St Tropez Scoop Neck Blouse)
• Pussy Bow Blouse (Simply Sew)
• Unlined floral jacket (Burda 
• Scuba knit skirt (tutorial from Makery.uk.com)
• Black/green vintage floral CDC York #2
• R's wrap (Purl Soho tutorial- rolled hem tassel wrap)
• Self-drafted night dress

Hopeless effort on blogging about makes. But I've taken photos of them all. Here's collages.

New Years Blanc Tee

I needed to get some elastic. Nothing special just 1" wide stuff that's good for waistbands. So I popped down to my local Spotties and got some and of course got sucked in to purchasing some fabric. I couldn't help myself - post Christmas sales, lots of fabric, lots and lots of fabric. I had been thinking about what I would wear tonight for New Years. We're not doing anything big, a few friends at our house. But I like to make an effort. I hadn't made my mind up until I saw all the metallic knits. Shiny! Immediate inspiration struck - a blanc tee. A TNT with a difference. I whipped it up in the afternoon. 2 hours from cut to complete. And I love it. Happy New Year!

A new friend

Guess what I got for Christmas? A dress form! Woo hoo! I have had my eye on mannequins for years. And when Stitch56 had an extra special special I took the plunge and bought a Lady Valet. Sigh! I told my family that this would be my present from everyone. They were fine with this, making it a (relatively) guilt-free purchase.

I had lots of help setting her up. Everyone wanted to get in on it. And whilst we were setting her up, we had lots of fun coming up with an appropriate name. I would like to introduce you to Doris.

So here Doris is wound out to my measurements with some padding and a plain tshirt. I am currently researching how to pad and cover her properly. A recent make is covering her up.  I have been asked that she not be left unclothed. Apparently various family members have been freaked out. You'll be seeing a lot more of her here.

Sleepwear!

Does anyone else struggle to find sleepwear that suits? Remembering that in the southern hemisphere we are in summer, currently I can find PJs that are shorts and Tshirts, granny nighties (lightweight cotton, gathered at the neck on a facing or yoke) or Tshirt nighties. None of these appeal - for all kinds of reasons. So I started to think about making my own. So what do I want from PJs? Comfort, decency (don't need to scare the kids 😉), cool (as in not too warm), some shape. Hmmmmm... nothing in the shops fit the bill. So I started a Pinterest board - sewing: pyjama inspiration. But nothing jumped out at me saying "I'm the one!" So I thought about what in each pattern I liked. Words that describe my likes: feminine, some shape, "not granny", decent, cotton (!).

I used an old nightie as the basis for pattern. Baby doll cut (a slight a-line), ruched bodice, and a bit longer than anything I've seen. I measured everything and then created pattern pieces. Back and back facing (identical), front (ruched) and front facing, and skirt front and back. I started off with identical front and back pieces but that changed 😉.

I scored some extra special fabrics at Spotties, Isa Form Fishes. I love it. My sister is living in Scandinavia right now so it has extra meaning. And as an extra special I have heaps left over - enough for a present for her?!?

Construction involved: gathering the front (EPIC FAIL - I need to work on my gathering method), join front and back at side seams, join front and back facings at side seems, pin front straps, join front/back to facing at top seam reinforcing at straps, fit elastic across back wedged between back and facing, sew skirt sides ( I ended up adding a 2" wedge to the skirt), sew bodice and skirt together with a generous seam, encase elastic in the seam and stitch, fit the straps, hem. That reads as quite straightforward but it wasn't. I haven't done much "rubbing off" patterns from finished garments so there was lots of tweaking.

I under measured everything. I extended the front bodice and added the wedge in the skirt so I could get it round my rib cage. I got the length right 😉. I used bra elastic for straps and a narrow hem.

Here's the finished version. It's very comfortable and wearable. The fussing around was worth it. I've taken enough notes that I can replicate it. I think I will.

Sassy New Look Blouse and Ginghamalong!

The perfect storm! A ginghamalong challenge from Karen at Did You Make That? and a gingham fabric sale at The Drapery (it's still here). Woo hoo!

So the only question was, what to sew. I've been thinking about combining a couple of my favourite styles for a while - New Look 6407 and Christine Haynes' Sassy Librarian Blouse that's offered on Craftsy. I love elements of both shirts. NL6407 has extended waist darts and a curved hem. I really love the Sassy's collar and boat neck.

The sticking point was having the head space to draft up the pattern. The ginghamalong was the perfect prod I needed! I overlaid the sassy neckline onto the NL6407 pattern. I ended up redrafting the front, back, collar and facings. I learnt too that I prefer a full neckline facing. NL6407 doesn't have a back neck facing but my Sassy New Look blouse does!

I used Christine's instructions for a fuss free collar. I also flat felled side and sleeve seams.

Check it out! I'm so happy with the end result. It looks great with capri pants.

Details:
Frankenpattern: New Look 6407/Christine Haynes Ssassy Librarian Blouse
Fabric: Japanese  1.8m 100% cotton yarn-died big gingham in green
Thread: Gutermann poly cotton
Buttons: six 1.5cm reproduction shell buttons

A swishy skirt

I haven't been able to commit to sewing anything regularly for quite a while. Busy life! But when I saw the January MAGAM I was determined to be involved. Some annual leave and a public holiday meant that I should have enough time. And I did! I chose the first new pattern I've sewn for a while - Sewaholic's Gabriola. I have had this pattern in my stash for a while. I love the shape - fitted over the hips and then flared to the ground. I was sure it would flatter my figure even though I'm not a pear shape that Sewaholic is usually designed for. I did the usual research, discovering some beautiful versions on the web. I also found a very useful tutorial by Caroline Amanda at Sewaholic to grade between sizes from waist to hips. Check out my Pinterest board here.

I hummed and hahed during fabric selection but landed on this lighter weight cotton sateen by Lisette that was at my local Spotlight. I had been coveting it for a while. Isn't it lovely!

I cut it out using 4 metres, leaving me enough for a leftover Sorbetto (yet to be finished). I cut a size 12 waist and graded to an 8 at the hips. I made up the pattern according to the excellent instructions. I finished all seams using a simple triple zigzag (usually reserved for stretch fabrics but I find it sits much flatter than a normal single zigzag stitch). And yes, this skirt is a fabric and thread hog, but it was worth it!

In recent makes I have found I needed further fitting mods over my hips, so I basted the side seams and fitted carefully before finishing the waistband (and yes, I've learned from previous experience. Unpicking a waistband is no fun!). I ended up taking in another about 1cm on each side seam. I wanted a close fit over my hips. I used hooks on the waistband rather than a button but I still might change this.

Please excuse the end-of-work-day wrinkly fabric photos. And yes, these are in the bathroom (!) It's the only full length mirror I could find that got the full length of the skirt in the shots.

I raised the hem a little (I'm a slightly short legged 5'6") which meant that I could make the hem a little deeper. This is something I like to do when I want more weight at the hem. I hand stitched the (never ending) hem this week, sewing by newly installed halogen down lights in our living room (lovely!).

The end result is great. I wore it to work on casual clothes Friday with a black silk tshirt and denim jacket. I think it will look better with a lighter top - maybe off white. But that's in my sewing queue ☺️  I received lots of compliments. And I must say that there is a feeling of decadence walking along with a long skirt swishing at your ankles.  Whee!

A new Sorbetto

I found a nice remnant of cotton sateen in my LFS and snapped it up. Spur of the moment thing :). Cotton with 4% elastine. Black and white in what I'm calling "bamboo check". But what to do with 0.8m.

I had envisaged a top - sleeveless I think - there's less than a metre. The obvious choice was a Sorbetto from Colette Patterns. I made my first Sorbetto two years ago and whilst the top itself was successful, it was too big for me.

This time I cut a size 10. I left extra at the side seams just in case, but I was confident, given the little bit of stretch, that this would be the right size. At the moment I'm sewing in 1/2 to 1 hour bursts. Too many other things going on to be able to take more time. I managed to get this cut out and made up over three nights. Including the neck and arm binding. I can feel the increased confidence and speed in doing some things like edge and seam binding, that were challenging only a couple of years ago.

I thought I'd have a go at changing the pattern up a bit. I tried inverting the pleat, stitching down about 1" from the neckline and letting the ironed in box pleat hang free. I think the concept has merit but perhaps not in cotton sateen, which is a heavier fabric than recommended. I wore it today and I spent half of the day brushing down and rearranging the pleat to make sure it hung properly. I'm going to unpick the neck binding and redo the pleat the original way. But I will keep this change in mind for another time.

UPDATE: I made the change to the pleat and I'm so much happier with it. It's on high rotation over summer. The cut of the neckline and armscye are just right. I can wear it to work or casually with jeans or shorts.

Matching a new skirt

In a moment of weakness I bought a new skirt. It's delightful. I love it. It's well made, with good quality fabric. But as soon as I got it home and the initial euphoria wore off, I realised I had nothing in my wardrobe that matches it (I still love it though 😉). I contemplated making a plain white or off-white top. But this didn't get me excited at all. I wanted something SPECIAL. I spent a few days daydreaming about fabrics and what would go with the skirt (I love these kinds of daydreams!)

And then there was a lightbulb above my head! I remembered a piece of fabric in my stash - poplin-weight rayon. Nothing special but a perfect match for the emerald green leaves in my new skirt. Not a close match - a perfect match! Ironically, I had got this fabric out only a little while ago but didn't have enough for what I had in mind. There was 1.5m. Enough for a simple shirt, which given the busy skirt fabric, was what I needed. But I was still stuck on which pattern to use. And then another lightbulb moment! I remembered a pattern that I'd bought a while ago for a three panel skirt (not used yet) but that also has a sleeveless shirt pattern, with a back yoke and gathers along the front shoulder seams and a V neck (McCalls 6711). There was enough! I cut out a size 14 - no pattern mods but given the relaxed fit I wasn't worried.

Given the fab colour match with the fabrics you'd think finding a matching thread would be easy. Wrong! My thread stash grew exponentially a few years ago thanks to my Granny. Nothing there. No match either at my fave LFS or at Spottie. Argh! I decided near enough was good enough and got started (with some new thread 😉).

The shirt made up easily. I think I could have done better in the gathering at the shoulders. There's a bit of gathering stitching visible. The drape of the fabric is not a light as recommended by the pattern so the finished product is a bit "blousey". But this shirt will be worn tucked in with the skirt so that's ok.

The grand unveiling was at a family dinner where both my mum and SIL complemented my outfit. Win! This combo has become a work staple and worn at least once every two weeks.

Long time...

Hello? Anybody there? I wouldn't be offended if there isn't. It's been so long since I've posted. Crazy work has taken all my writing mojo lately. After spending all day writing, the last thing I want to do in the evenings or weekends is more writing. But I have been sewing. Promise!

During the Christmas break I took stock of everything I've made in the past few months, reviewed my notes and started some blog entries. Next job is photos. Hopefully I'll work through the backlog over the next few weeks. Standby!

(Isn't this Vimrod fantastic!)

Kirsten T #3

In case your're wondering, I haven't got the numbers wrong, this is #3. I like this one so much I got photos of this one before #2. 

In very quick succession, after my second Kirsten T, I made #3. This time, I decided to change things up a bit. One of my favourite RTW tops (and the last one I've bought) has a front made of poly chiffon and the back is a fine poly knit (from Jacqui E - a mid-range Australian clothes range for women - lots of corporate wear). I really like the drape of the front and the knit makes it so comfortable. So I thought I'd give something similar a go. The September MAGAM theme 'snoop sewing' was all the incentive I needed.

I decided to go with similar fabrics to the RTW - a polyester chiffon for the front and a lightweight poly knit for the back. To assist in fit and improve the hang of the top, I cut the chiffon on the bias. I was a bit worried about the this. Cutting chiffon out is always a challenge - slippery and fine. Add cutting on the bias and I was sure the whole thing would skew. So I cut it out on the floor (no weight dragging anywhere) and used a mix of weights and pins. One arm was a little off but on the whole the front and back matched up well.

I used the same neck finish as previous Kirten T makes, using a strip of the knit fabric. I treated the chiffon front and knit back slightly differently. I stretched the neck over the chiffon only very slightly - enough to keep the neckline sitting flat. I stretched it out more over the knit. I varied up the topstitching too - plain straight stitch on the chiffon and a triple stitch over the knit. The front is sitting beautifully. A little bit of puckering on the back. I think this could have been remedied with some stabilising. Next time!

I wasn't sure how to best finish the hems. Should I use different finishes for the chiffon and the knit? I  decided to focus on the best finish for the chiffon. I chose a narrow double-folded hem. Rather than try to wrangle a double folded narrow hem with the knit (impossible!) I chose to fold that over just once. And then a triple straight stitch to finish the whole lot. It worked.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out. Please forgive the crappy photos. Black is so hard to photograph.

Spring - summer planning

Spring is certainly in the air here. I'm beginning to think about warmer weather clothes and seeing some gaping holes in my wardrobe. I worked my way through Colletes wardrobe architect series earlier this year in preparation for my winter wardrobe. I stayed pretty on task, although as usual I didn't get all my makes done. And I'm ok with that. So I reviewed my colours and I don't want to change them. Nor my silhouettes. The one thing that I do want to do though is include some thinking around the difficulty of makes. My head just can't cope with difficult makes all the time.

After focusing on dresses in the last while, I'm going to work on separates. So here we go.

1. Skinny 7/8 pants (Burda 7062 from black bengaline suiting)
2. Casual skirt (Molly Makes Sewing jeans skirt from aqua cotton sateen)
3. Fitted sleeveless top (McCalls 8405 from black/white cotton sateen)
4. Jacket (Burda 8810 from bright cotton sateen)
5. Fitted collared shirt (Butterick 6026 from mid weight blue cotton print)
6. Maxi skirt (Sewaholic Gabriola from not sure yet 😉)

I'm not sure if I'll get it all done but I'm ok with that. 

Molly Makes Sewing make #1

KI saw the Molly Makes Sewing magazine when it first came out earlier this year. By the time I realised I really, really wanted a copy, it had disappeared from the shelves. And then of course I started to see all the makes published in the blogosphere. And I felt that I was really missing out 😔.  Lucky for me (and you) Molly Makes sells back issues from their website. Interestingly the cost including postage is only marginally more expensive than buying it from a newsagent. I still prefer to buy from my local newsagent though. Nothing beats personal service. I've never seen a magazine before where I would make every project included. Every. Single. One. So what to do first? The jeans-style skirt? Skater dress? Quilt print dress? Biker jacket? Cute mini knickers? Oh boy!

I've made a sewing plan for spring/summer - based again on the awesome Wardrobe Architect series by Collette Patterns. And summer PJs are on the list. So PJ shorts it was! The great thing about Lauren's (from Guthrie and Ghani) pattern is that it's a fabric miser too so it was easy to do some stash busting. The main fabric is a cute poly cotton print left over from lining my By Hand London Blazer. And I used some plain aqua poplin for the contrast.

This was the first "combination" waistband I've done - an elastic back connected to ties that go around to the front. A great idea - very comfortable to wear. I like the waistband finish at the front too. Interfacing strengthens the button holes for the ties. Buttonholes could be better 😉. 

More sewing machine discovery too. I was sure that my pfaff didn't have an off-centre straight stitch. But I was wrong. I found it by accident, having a play with my stitch selector and scrap fabric. Made top stitching the cuffs a breeze.

Kirsten Tshirt

When I went for my first visit to Catwalk Fabrics and bought the fabric for My Oslo, I also fell victim to the attraction of a khaki linen knit. I've not worked with too many knits and never with linen but once I had picked this up, I wasn't going to put it down 😊. It sat in my stash for only a little while before I figured out what I wanted to do with it. It's almost exactly the same shade as a tshirt I have which is nearing the end of its life. I contemplated copying a pattern from it but also rifled through my patterns. I remembered that I had downloaded Maria Denmark's Kirsten tshirt. So now I had a plan just no time to make it.

And then last weekend, a window of opportunity opened. A quiet afternoon with uninterrupted access to my sewing machine. Yippee!  I chose the large size and glued the paper together to make the pattern and then decided to overlay my old tshirt over the pattern to check the sizing. I was surprised to see they are almost identical. I'm glad I didn't copy the pattern myself! I decided on using fabric as the neckline ribbing.

Whilst I was waiting for the pattern pieces to dry, I thought I might read the pattern (novel, I know). I'm really glad I did because I learned that Maria uses different seam allowances depending their function (no allowance for the neckline, 1cm for seams and 2cm for hems). No seam allowance at all! Not something I'd done before but I went with the flow. I cut it out using my shears and pattern weights. I was worried about damaging the fabric with pins. It took about 15 minutes - three pattern pieces only.

I tried something else new too. A new stitch. I'm still getting to know my "new" sewing machine. And I've barely used the stretch stitches. I stitched all the seams with a triple straight stitch. I'm impressed. It works. I also used a twin needle to finish the sleeve and bottom hems. I was worried about this stitch, especially since the linen is so fine (skipped stitches? No!). I love the dual feed - go Pfaff!

This also fits the August MAGAM theme of basics and it's not the only one I made. Stay tuned...

Pattern weights

Hi there. Been busy doing lots of different things (work, family, friends and sewing) so no time for blogging. I've finished my #4 dress from the 2015 OAL (don't worry a blog post is brewing). I made the lining from bemburg rayon and it became very clear to me that pinning and cutting straight off the pattern was not an option. As time was of the essence (it was the OAL after all) I used pantry items as pattern weights. But it got me thinking. There are so many DIY options (check out this great post summarising 11 different ways from sew-so-easy).

I was at my local hardware shop a little while ago and found a pack of washers of about 1" diameter. My plan was to group 4 or 5 of them together wrap them in fabric scraps but I had yet to get around to getting any fabric organised. And then I saw the stacked pennies crocheted together. Why not do the same with the washers? I had a bit of 8ply cotton yarn lying around. I used the same approach as the Zen of Making's pocket change to pattern weights - magic circle to start, crochet two increases so the crochet matches the washer diameter, two rounds with no increases to make the sides and then decrease over the top. That bit was a little challenging. Holding the washers together whilst decreasing required some concentration. But the end result is pretty good. I'm looking forward to trying them out.

Do you use pattern weights? Are they DIY?

OAL2015

Are you in this year? Andi from Untangling Knots and Lauren from Lladybird have announced another Oufit Along. I'm definitely in! I participated last year (although I took forever to get my photos posted). It's a great way to get yourself organised and sew and knit along with people from all over the world, and try out a new knitting or sewing pattern. I love checking out what everyone else is making. Check out the Ravelry group set up (www.ravelry.com/discuss/untangling-knots/3202861/). Everyone has made such great combinations of fabrics, yarns and patterns. The great thing about this OAL is that, although there is a recommended dress pattern and a knitting pattern recently released by Andi, you can make up any combination that you like. Andi has created a new pattern Vianne, which I think is lovely and I can't wait to try. Lauren has challenged us with McCalls 6887, which I like but I don't love and I don't think I have the headspace right now for a completely new frock. So I'm going back for another go (my fourth!) with Simplicity 2648. I'm going to raise the neckline a little, use the sleeve cap and this time, I'm going to line it (it's an unlined pattern). So same, same, but different.

So here's my combo. Simplicity 2648 from some stashed Lisette cotton sateen and Vianne with some fantastic cobalt blue colonial wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills. The cobalt blue yarn and the blue of the lines in the fabric pattern are a good match. Colonial is the yarn that I first tried from Bendies. Lot's of fantastic memories here, including the first jumper I knitted for my now husband.

This will also be my June MAGAM. Hopefully it fits the theme 😊

MIA

Geez! I've just realised that it's been over a month since I last posted. It seems like only yesterday but also a lifetime ago. This last month has been the perfect storm where work, family, extended family and health have all collided. I've managed to muddle my way through the craziness but the one casualty has been my "me time" and especially sewing. Before this I had embarked on a more technical detailed project (Simplicity 1421) which I had committed to for April MAGAM. So far I've sewn three seams. That's it. And honestly, I'm not keen to take on this project when the rest of my life is so hectic.

In the meantime I do have some progress to share. I have had to travel a bit lately and had planned for quiet evenings which I mostly got. To tide me over, I started knitting a cowl. Not just any cowl. Seamstress Erin's roses and leaves double knitting cowl. I thought twice about starting this. Would it be too much? I'm not the best concentrator when I'm travelling for work. And I wanted a relaxing project. I decided that it would fit the bill and I'm really happy to say that it has. This pattern is a fab balance between repetitive knitting that is good stress relief and an interesting pattern repeat to stop boredom setting in. The pattern is repeated three times in each round. Just right. Enough to get comfortable but not too much that I lost interest. So I'm now just over one third of the way through. And I'm pretty darned happy with it. Ravelry notes are here.