Cropped Marlo

 Hello everyone I hope you are all well. We have had a different time this past week and a half as one of my older dogs is not well.  So many trips to the vets and on two occasions last week he sort of said that's it because of her age. However she is still with us and hobbling around the house but not I must add unhappy.  She is still herself very bright eyed and loving all the attention, he thinks it is a disk in her back but she is at an age where they would not entertain operating and we wouldn't put her through that ordeal either.  She is on steroids and pain killers but has not really shown any sign of being in pain just unable to walk as she did.   So being carried down the steps to do her business,  and escorted on the garden but she can get around just slowly and with a wobble.  My hsband has bought her a harness that support if she needs further help but obviously she can't go for a walk and for a dog that is the thing isn't it?  We are back next week unless she gets worse but at the moment she seems much better so we will see ehat happens.

So it has been a bit up and down, I am sure many of you who are pet owners can understand as dogs do become family members.  

Changing the subject entirely onto sewing now, a while ago I saw this woodland sweatshirt fabric and really loved it.  It is furbacked and I know more suited to children's wear but I love it all the same so I put it on my wish list.  Now I have done this a number of times and by the time I get around to purchasing any they are usually no longer in stock so I thought I would treat myself to a piece.  My husband is not a fan of it but I am, so there!  Any way I decided to make another Marlo sweater by True Bias and last time I made the long line version so this time I opted for the cropped cardigan.  

The pattern still states 2 metres, and as this fabric is not cheap I chanced it and bought a metre.  It is wide so I made this work, but there were a few things I needed to do to eak out the fabric.

I had to keep the fabric design all in the correct direction but I did manage to cut the bottom band in three pieces (it should be one on the fold)   I placed the small piece center back and it is barely noticable.  Also the front bands were just running short of what they should be on one side, so I tapered them slightly where they meet at the back neck.  Again this is not really noticable when worn, none of these things would have been an issue if the fabric was plain but mine had a directional print.  

Here it is...

Now I am wearing a print skirt here so I won't be doing that but it is very warm, I only had mismatch buttons of this size and they don't bother me as they are both white with four holes.  It is oversized enough to get other garments underneath so that is a good thing and very quick to make up. I know I will be making this cardigan many times in the future as they are just so handy.  My husband said but who wears cardigans these days? Er lots of us! 

If you have made this pattern let me know how you got on, I think it is a very good pattern if you are a beginner as  it comes with a nice little booklet with clear instructions.  They are not cheap though so make the most of it!

I also made McCalls 7802  in Tropical Tiles viscose challis from Minerva.

This was really one of those fabrics that came alive once made up, I particularly love the big sleeves and midrif panels.  A few details sometimes can make all the difference.

Today I have been working on a bag, amongst other things and I dont think I shared the last one so I will pop that one below too.

I have a skirt in this fabric which is a favourite of mine.

There are of course quite a few other things tht I have been up to making and what not, I will put them in the next post before this turns into too long a ramble.  Take care, where ever you are.