Things Here Lately

 

Auckland is currently in a one week lockdown, so that means we're back to online classes for Miss B and Mr J, and work zoom meetings for me. 

I figured that meant it's a good time to have a little round up of what has been keeping me busy in my spare time over the past month.

• Hearts and more hearts, I've made 28 blocks in total now,  so I'm over half way.  I'm trying to add some new colours to the background and have some more similarly toned heart halves rather than being totally contrasting. 

• I sewed another Cuff Top - this time in a bright cobalt Frida Kahlo inspired printed viscose.  I used the round neckline hack from The Assembly Line tutorials and hacks page.  While lowering the neckline,  it seems to have made it a little wider on my shoulders, so not sure how it's going to feel when being worn all day.  I adore the colour of this fabric though.

• Books - I have been reading a few books lately - Maralinga by Judy Nunn was one I enjoyed a lot. Set in Australia in the 1950's it is about the atomic tests conducted by the British in the outback.  She researches and writes very well, often about controversial aspects of Australian history.

• Miss B has been semi vegetarian now for over a year, and I suspect when she eventually moves out of home, she will turn totally vegetarian.  I try to serve meat free meals a couple of times a week and one night made a beautiful chickpea curry for the main and a chocolate mousse using the liquid from the can of chickpeas.  Called aquafaba this stuff whipped up like egg whites - quite amazing.  General verdict was that the mousse tasted ok, it had a slightly grainy texture, but that could have been from overheating the chocolate and it was very rich.  Mousse recipe can be found here.

Fingers crossed that the community cases are contained and we are back to normal life soon.

Stay safe, stay home, scan the codes when out, wear a mask.  Kia Kaha

The Assembly Line Cuff Shirt

 

I have had this pattern for a little while now and finally made it up over the weekend. Called  'The Cuff Top" it is from Swedish company , The Assembly Line, who specialise in modern minimalistic designs.

This pattern has to be one of the most popular shirt patterns out there.  Its described by The Assembly Line as:

Easy and satisfying to make yet elegant, the Cuff Top is our most loved pattern and almost addictive to make. It has a straight fit and cap sleeves with wide elastic cuffs. The smaller size range comes with a boat neck and the larger size range has a keyhole opening with button at back.

It is a very easy make, probably the most difficult part was attaching and stretching the elastic for those lovely cuffs. My measurements were at the upper end of the XS sizing so I decided I'd make the S size. I think that I probably could have gotten away with making the XS size, it is quite a boxy fit.  I love the sleeves, but feel as thought here is a little excess fabric across the bust and under the arms.  I was also undecided as to whether the high boat neck would annoy me, but after wearing it for a full day at work including with a lanyard of keys and ID cards, I have decided it doesn't.  I have to admit I do find a boxy style of shirt quite difficult to wear with the garments in my wardrobe.  I am tempted to try making it again in the smaller size, perhaps in a slightly drapier fabric too.