Sewing for Summer

I received this fabric in the post while I was away on holiday so it was waiting for me when I got back.  I have to say I couldn't wait to get on with it but I did wash it first, I think I have learnt my lesson after a couple of favourites seem to have shrunk a little and it is entirely my fault for jumping straight in and not pre washing before cutting. I think the trick is in future is to just put it straight in the wash the minute it arrives!   So that is what I did, I chose a McCalls pattern this time and it is a fairly easy make but I do have to say the fabric is really slinky.   I will share more on that later as this is for a Minerva post, there is also a large piece left so I will be making another long sleeved t-shirt as well.  For now here is a peak of the dress...

It is so good to be feeling more my usual self, as I mentioned we have been away for the week on holiday but unfortunately we have been ill.  I started before we went away and my husband has had a bad cold, we came home early on Thursday in need of a good sleep in our own bed.   I don't think we ever really sleep the same on holiday and on this occasion the bed was just too soft for us, I tend to get back ache on a soft mattress, so couple that with being ill and we had just had enough.  Never mind we have a week away booked in the summer to Wales, lets hope we fair better then.  It also snowed while we were there, I don't really think April offers much in the way of spring weather any more.

This was a view from our bedroom window while we were away, not looking very spring like at all!

A view from the car as we were travelling home.  We stayed in Allendale Northumberland, we have been before and it is a lovely little town.

Last night I made some underwear using leftover bits of jersey, they came out really well and I am going to make some more as there are other random bits of jersey knocking about that will do the trick.  It is cotton jersey so just right and I didn't use any elastic just the stretchy facings I made to go around the legs and top.  I could do with ordering some stretchy lace in various colours to finish them off nicely though.  For this pair I had some regular lace in mint so I have just used that.

I suppose I really should just make a pattern for these but I end up just getting a pair out of the drawer and cutting around those, it seems to work for me. 

Etsy Shop

Slow Living Make it Mindful

Well I have missed a day of this challenge due to being ill this past few days, it began with awful cramps on Wednesday evening then a terrible night as it kicked in.  I believe it is food poisoning due to some mushrooms I ate, my husband did say there was an odd smell but I thought it was the lamb I was cooking for him!   Anyway here I am finally up but on the sofa with a blanket I have managed a banana and a little porridge this afternoon but my stomach does not seem impressed.

So I had to do something before I go mad with boredom so laying here typing this is about all I can manage right now.  I have decided to re-share a project I made at Christmas for today as I obviously haven't been able to create anything new, also I feel the theme of slow living demands a project that took time to create and this one fits the bill.  It is this little jacket and penguin I made as a Christmas gift, the penguin was unpicked about three times and the jacket came together over a week.  It was an enjoyable process and some things don't need to be rushed.  Sorry for repeating myself for those of you that have seen this before but maybe a few readers haven't and I did so want to complete the whole challenge.

I think the reason my little penguin took so long was that it was supposed amigurumi, it was coming out too small for my liking but maybe it was supposed to be like that.  Anyway in the end I just went ahead and made it my way, so it turned out a better size but perhaps not with the tight stitch it should have had.

Hopefully I will be able to have a go at some more of these little toys, so if anyone has any tips on making them it would be appreciated.  I think some of the online patterns don't always explain things properly especially if crochet is not your area of expertise.

I'm hoping to have a bit more energy tomorrow, or rather hoping, two nights without sleep and no food has left me washed out.  Let me know if you have posted anything to this challenge, I haven't seen anything so far from people I follow but then I didn't look at it at all yesterday so maybe I have missed some of your makes.

It is half term here ,so for any of you that are with me in that I hope you have a restful break.

My Happy Space

So today the theme for world craft week is the space where we create, I don't have a separate room for my sewing but I do use one corner of our sun room.  This tends to be the best place for me as I can be keeping an eye on whatever I am cooking (it is next to the kitchen), I can let the dogs out easily without too much interruption and I still feel somewhat sociable. My son's will sometimes come and have a quick chat while I am making as they pop in the kitchen for a snack, it works for me and the lighting is pretty good.

You may recognise this image as I also use it on my banner at the top, it does now have the upcycled sewing box in the image on the right.

I don't have a great deal of storage for fabric, just a box under the desk and some drawers in a bureau in the dining room.  This does mean that I do not really hoard fabric but I do save all the little bits from projects and they all fit nicely in a shopping bag that is also stored under the desk.

Most of my cutting is done at the dining table while I occasionally use the floor, that is not ideal though as the dogs want to be involved.  I have in fact trained the older two to stay on the sofa if I am cutting but the youngest just wants to be next to me all the time, he is getting better and will sit still now after a few prompts.

I have toyed with the idea of going up into the loft as it feels a bit of wasted space up there but then I would be tucked away from everyone.  I am not sure I would prefer that, although some of you may think that sounds like heaven.  How about you? Do you dream of a quiet nook to sew in or do you prefer to work in the middle of the house with life going on around you?

There was a skirt alteration to do this evening after work so I was actually relieved that todays theme for the challenge was an image of our craft spaces.  When I am making I like to take my time and ponder if it is something new, that is quite difficult if you only have an hour to get something made, photographed and published.  Tomorrow is my half day at work so that will free up a chunk of time for making.



Etsy shop