weekend, no sewing?

I had a very busy weekend, so no sewing got done. But some sowing was planned. And planting. An amazing weekend down at the Spring Garden Show in Malvern, where I bought more than I should, and less than I wanted, I will take photos soon, and put any half good ones up.

And what news today? Fluffy sheep has opened a shop! She already has delicious fabrics in- but I am currently banned from buying- next time I am in need I will head over there, to look. And she will have Aurifil thread. I am keen to try this. I just need the right project.
Meantime- please go look , Cindy couldn't be more helpful, and deserves some custom!
She is based in Eire, but do not panic! there is a dinky little tab at the top Right hand corner, you can buy in Euros, or stirling or dollars. So she is trying to accommodate all of us as well as she can!
Neat idea!

Swans ahoy

So today was busy again. I did the last three purple bodices, yes, one member of the troupe has dropped out so we are down to fifteens. So I now have a set of purple bodices ready to fit. Then a few more hours on each of those to finish.
And I started a swan.

Has anyopne out there sewn with the ruffled fabric out there at present?

It is not fun. I am going to have to cut and sew each one individually, as it is not easy to see which piece is which, once unpinned from pattern. The fringey bits try to get in the wrong place, so they have to be directed constantly, which slows the overlocking down . A lot.

We decided to extend the fabric beyond the bodice finish line, and will cut it to be feathery later, this means I have to overlock the bottom edge of the lining first, then overlock the other three side with the ruffle fabric, and then sew the pieces together. This bodice comes down to a point, so needs boning down the centre, so a casing for that has to be included. After fitting I will finish the top edge with bias, which will tidy it up.

One down, fourteen more to go!

12 in one day? Too many.

Symmetrical, this is how to do it!

This... is how NOT to do it

Ok, I have had a day of it. Sewing bodices,that is. Started first thing this morning, and have cut out and sewn, six bodices, size A. Four bodices size A plus a little bit, and two bodices size B. These are sewn in batches. Have to be really, with having so many to do. So the first six went a dream, before lunch. Now ready for fitting. Next four, after lunch, fine, ready and waiting. Then the two bigger ones. I stitch, side fronts to front. Side back to centre back, twice. Then side backs to side fronts.


 Ok, so how and why did I sew a centre back onto a side front? and then sew the side backs together. Producing the most lopsided bodice ever. Oh well, Mr Seam Ripper had been feeling all left out and neglected... No longer.

Yes, in this photo, that is the centre front at the extreme Right.

There can only be one guilty party, and that is me. Maybe it is time to stop for the night!

More on Wednesday, perhaps.

Delft look

The latest challenge from Leila is Y-seams. these are a little tricky, but beautifully explained, by Leila and also by Faith, and they do work, especially if you follow the instructions. And do not confuse yourself by thinking you sewed the wrong seam, 'cos you needed to turn the piece round to get it the right way up... Yes, it was fine, I didn't have to get the stitch ripper out, though it took a minute to realise what I was doing (err, yes well, shrug).

I looked at the design, and just thought, blue and white would look fantastic. So, here she is.

I am now tempted to make the identical block, but reverse the fabrics? And then I would have to make a few more, and set them on the diagonal, and a quilt feels like it is coming. Just don't hold your breath, as I have so much else on, first.

Six red waistcoats await fitting, the blue one at the back was the sample I was copying. They need buttons and may need darts to pull them in.

On to bodices now! Hurrah.

And the tree peony has flowered, at last. Just the one flower, but who knows, next year?

It has only taken 5 or 6 years to get around to it. Worth waiting for? I am not sure. Maybe a few more flowers next year will help.





















And a plant I thought I had killed is also flowering.

I had not intended to kill it, but thought it was gone. Then up it came again.

Do not ask me what it is called, I really do not know.It was given to me by a colleague, purple, arum lily shape, elegant. Nameless. Anyone who recognises and can name this creature, please enlighten me.

Potty?

I had gone out to get stretch interfacing, of the iron on variety.

So lets go back a step. On Wednesday, DD2 came in,
'Mum, I need you to perform a miracle. Or a reality check. One or the other. Please?'

She had bought this gorgeous T-shirting, pale grey with a tiny white polka dot. And now she wants a dress. Sweetheart neckline, puff tops to the sleeves, and then a straight sleeve below that. High waist, and inverted pleats for the skirt, stitched and then left to flow. By Friday?

Well, I tried. I did not succeed, but we gave it a go. Having assembled it, I realised, as I had suspected, the sweetheart neckline needed interfacing. Interfacing I have. Not, however the knit stuff. So, reluctantly, we have had to delay the project. When it is realistically wearable, I will get photos.

So whats with that photo?

Whilst out and failing to buy knit interfacing, I spotted that fabric. I cannot think of any suitable use for it, but could you have left it behind? Well, yes, I suspect you could, but it was so cheerful, I really had to get it, 'cos sometime it will come in! Honest! And it was less than £5.00 a metre, and it is fun, and, if not got at the time, you can guarantee you would never see it again.

Last week I did get to the equilateral triangle block, and was pleased with how it went together.

This week it is Y seams. I shall get to it, but I am on waistcoat number 5, and will have one more to do, first.

And May's hive 2 block is delayed as I am not yet in possession of the right colour to start. I have been promised it will be available next week, from Simply Solids, and if all else fails our lovely Queen Bee has offered to send some, but she cannot supply all materials, and that feels like a slippery slope, so I plan to make a purchase of the coal, and black fabrics  ( black for June block) as soon as they are both in stock. Panic in case they are not in in time....


I hate to say it- but that purple teapot fabric may end up fugly... Not yet though, as at present I am trying to mentally turn it into a tea cosy, or oven gloves, or,... any suggestions?

Parcels and Presents

Yes, I got a squidgy yesterday. And what a wonderful squidgy it was.

Debbe from pieces to love offered a pay it forward last year, and I signed up for it. Yesterday I received an offering through the post. And what a lovely parcel to receive. She has put in an amzing mini quilt, wall hanging sort of thing, which is stunning. It is simple and understated, combining fabrics which are a mix of two different prints in shades of red and black and a soft caramel colour. This is subtle squares set on corner, and bound in black. She has then gone pretty potty on the back with a delightful gingham print covered with flowers. And a cute label to go!
I suppose I had better show you!

parcel

extracted contents

and unwrap

to reveal...

Not just a quilted gift then, but look at the extras too, sweeties I may have to share them with my daughter- things taste better that way.

look at the careful layout, and all those perfect points.

pretty delft FQs

does she know about my reading habit?

and this certainly brightened my day!

Now who has been a very lucky one?

Thank you so much, Debbe. I love my parcel.

Now, I did volunteer to pay it forward myself, but only one real 'taker' , though several people who are too busy to play along. If two more would like to volunteer, I am still up for it- I promise, it is fun to get that mystery packet through the post!
If you are interested, let me know.

 

My lovely dance teacher for whom I am making costumes, gave me a cute and appropriate gift last week. 'Only a little' she said. Well, it is only little, but how well chosen!

my favourite colour is purple- closely followed by almost  all the others!

inches and metric- sanity exists

I generally had a tape measure in my bag anyway, but this is so much more sensible, it will stay done up, and not unwind itself unsuitably all over the other contents of my bag, and I am very pleased with her choice. All the better for being unexpected.

And DD2 also gave me something fantastic lately. I had to pay for it, (1p) but it is a great 'yoke' as my haunt would say.

snips with holder, on lanyard

Snips!

This goes round my neck when I start, and takes off those bitty bits of thread which drive you potty else. No more raking around for where I left the scissors- and I generally have several pairs lurking while I sew, because I put them down in all the wrong places. They are wonderfully sharp too, and safely fastened in their holder, so they do not attack me!


Goodness me, this is turning into a marathon.

However, I went to a craft and sewing exhibition on Saturday afternoon. DD2 and a friend came too, I was working in the morning, so we only had a couple of hours there. There were workshops and 'taster' sessions, had we had more time, but we had a lovely time amongst the stalls and exhibition pieces. Downham Abbey costumes, quilts of several different styles, lace all exhibited.
And of course you cannot go and buy nothing, can you?
I think I got away light. I bought some of that soluble stuff for embroidering over, that I was keen to try, and some film to produce a mouldable result too, which should be fun to try. Some spotty FQs from John Louden, and vibrant wellies which I coveted since seeing them used in the mouthy stitches group. A piece of plain white, just because it is so useful, and a metre of a print just because I love it. Not too bad, eh?

Also a ribbon technique, I must practise, producing a braided looking result, very simple but pretty.

I still have to work out what length I need to start with, to get the length I wish to end with, but I am sure this will come in useful somewhere.


If you have made it to the end of this you deserve a medal!

Catch up

I have had a busy week. It has had its high points and its low points. And the funnies - peculiar or ha-ha? a bit of both I suppose.

You know you have those times when the mechanical world rises up against you? Well, it has been a bit like that, in a way. Though not necessarily all mechanical. I suppose it started about 10 days ago, when having got over the washing machine doing a dastardly on us, the shower thought it needed some notice and attention, and wouldn't heat properly. Oh you could get water. And you could get some heat. Only if the water was down to a dribble, and fairly luke warm at that. Not nice. So, having looked at the problem, DH decided, simplest thing, replace shower. At vast expense, when we are trying to frugal. (Did you know frugal was a verb? It is now. )
Well, DD1 came home from Uni for a couple of days, so there are now four of us again in the house, so isn't this the ideal time to remove shower, and look at putting the new one in its place? Of course it is. Except that when you look at new shower, you find old shower box was bigger. So if you just replace the shower you see the rawl plugs peeping out over the top.

So, ok think again. The ideal solution is to just neatly remove the two tiles affected and put new tiles in their place. We always keep a few spare, so dig them out and.... BUT where did they get put? Or were there any left? They are a comon design so we have a few in another place, let us just get them. Different size. These ones are too small. Well, how about the similar ones from the kitchen. These are too big.

Three bears coming to mind? So, do you put in the too small tiles, and cut some and put part tiles in, or do you cut the too big ones, as at least then you only have two tiles for two tile spaces? No, easy answer, look for replacements on the internet. Except that the tiles we want are not a standard size, and are unavailable. Humph.
So spare tiles, not in kitchen, not in garage, not in bathroom, hang on, under the units in the bathroom? A whole box of spares. Saved, phew.

So the next day the tiles can go on. The day after that they can be grouted. And after that they can be drilled to allow the shower to be fitted. So some time next month, perhaps we will have the shower back in use.

And then, on Saturday (last week) we had a break in at work. Not too much stuff taken, but a lot of hassle, as 5.00 am is an unfriendly hour to be going to work, but DH did, and waited around until the premises were secured again. The alarm people had to come and repair the alarm again, and the door jambs have these entertaining strips of metal reinforcement screwed onto them now, six new bolts on the back door, and a couple of foot of brick on the yard wall add to the prison ambience of the place, but, let us not encourage a return visit.

And then the good stuff!

I have spent the last week, in my free time, making skirts. They are a copy of skirts already owned , but in a contrast fabric, which shouldn't crease. It is really curtaining, but makes a fine skirt for a costume.

 This is my start calculation, and I then draw the cutting lines onto wrong side of fabric, and cut and sew.

Broderie anglaise trim, and an elasticated waist- buttonhole elastic helps- and the skirts are ready to use.


Two each of two different lengths, and two more at yet other lengths, so I trust they will fit the children. These are nearly, but not quite, circular, and drape and hang nicely. The odd one at the end is the sample I was given to work from.

Waistcoats in red to follow.

Today I arrived home from work to find a squidgy parcel awaiting me. Squidgy can only be good! 
But I think that can wait for tomorrow, as it deserves a little care of it's own.