Serenity Sweater

 

A little while ago I won a free pattern of my choice from Love Notions Patterns.  I chose the Serenity Sweater.  It's a wrap sweater which can have a waistband instead of the gathered bottom which I chose to sew.

I made size small, based on my measurements, out of a beautiful cobalt linen slub jersey. I am still persevering with sewing knit fabrics, but am finding it a more enjoyable experience with this linen jersey. It's not perfect, but for a first attempt, I'm really pleased with it, and am looking forward to wearing this as an extra layer for yoga classes in cooler weather.

21/22 Sculpture Trail

 

Reservoirs by Richard Mathieson

Brise Soleil (after Jane Drew) by Natalie Guy

Atua Wahine  - Indigenous Clay Artists Collective

Fragile Tree, Fragile Future by Lynden Over & Christine Robb

Operation Ranch Hand by Bernie Harfleet & Turtle Sarten

Flowers of the Chaste Tree

Miss B and I visited the Auckland Botanic Gardens and wandered part of the Sculpture Trail.  We definitely didn't see all of it, it was just way too hot.  These are some of my favourite sclptures and flowers that I saw.

Mary Quant Exhibition

 

During the weekend I went to the Mary Quant Exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery.

It showcased about 100 different garments from the time she burst on to the scene in the mid 50's through her heyday of the 60's to the mid 70's. She was a real entrepreneur, with her stores, exports, makeup, sewing patterns and accessories available at the time.  There were some that I thought I'd enjoy wearing and others not so much.  My friend and I had a great time reminiscing over  the Daisy Dolls and clothes we had for them.

Skullduggery Tops

 

The Skullduggery Top is a pattern from NZ  Pattern company, The Sewing Revival. It features a short sleeve tee, long sleeve tee and a dress option.  The front is made from a knit/jersey fabric and the back 

from a woven fabric.

I describe these versions as the mullet of T-shirts - business in the front, party in the back.

Both are made from a linen slub jersey knit and a woven rayon for the back. I made size 10 with no    adjustments and absolutely love how they've turned out. They were an easy stress-free sew, and were  sewn on my normal sewing machine, as I don't have an overlocker. The mint green version features the straight hem option while the lilac version has the curved hem,

These have probably been the most enjoyable knit fabric garments I have sewn to date.  I can see many more in my wardrobe's future, especially some long sleeve versions with funky fabric and pattern combinations

New Year Thoughts and Happenings

Happy New Year!

Enjoy the beautiful dahlias currently flowering in my garden.

We're currently six days into 2022 already, and I've decided I'm not really setting myself a lot of new goals or challenges this year. I have increased my work hours and have come to the realisation that trying to achieve everything, while working and still being chief house cleaner, cook and gardener is not really a healthy option.  I need time for exercise - (walking, hiking, yoga) and the hobbies (reading, sewing, quilting) that bring me joy too.

• I would like to finish my Groovy Hearts Quilt - it needs basting, quilting and binding.

• Another project I would like to complete the flimsy of my Midnight in the Tulip Garden Medallion Quilt - I suspect it will not be as big as I had originally planned, but finished is better than sitting in a dark cupboard.

• There will definitely be some sewing of clothes - I am thinking my big challenge here will be to make some tailored trousers suitable for work.

The day after New Years Day, The Scout and I went out to Huia on the West Coast of Auckland.  I have never been out here before, it very beautiful with wonderful beaches and sea views and native bush.  We did the Huia Dam walk from the Lower Huia Reservoir up to the Upper Huia Dam. The water looks rather revolting but apparently is is something to do with the dam being dug out of soil with a clay base. There are still a lot of tracks closed in the Waitakere Ranges due to the risk of kauri dieback disease spreading. All up it was about 8km return.

Hopefully I'll still manage to do a couple of blog posts per month, but I do post a lot more regularly on Instagram now - I can be found there under justjulielou.