Things Here Lately

 

 

There have been lots of things keeping me busy lately, I'm finding I don't really have time for detailed blog posts on everything, so here's a snippet of what is happening in my life when I'm not at work.

• I'm still making blocks for the new quilt I've designed.  There is a very rough plan drafted out, (which will no doubt be added or subtracted to) I have made a few epp blocks which will be appliqued to low volume fabrics. I absolutely adore how this mandolin block turned out.  It will be the biggest block on my quilt.

• My sewjo has returned, I've made some very basic but extremely useful black rayon culottes. These were drafted off an expensive pair I had bought and literally worn out,  I'm currently wearing them at work today, and with a stretch fabric waistband, they are very comfortable. 

• Another fantail top.  I fell in love with the floral fabric when I saw it in an online shop.  It was a little pricey, so I bought just enough to be able to use them as sleeves in a solid coloured top.  

• A beautiful cookbook finally turned up for me at the library - Saffron Swirls and Cardamom Dust, so far I've made two very delicious sweet treats from it - Persian Love Cake and Chocolate Cardamom puddings.   I've put the book on my Christmas list because I liked it so much.

• I still find time to read, usually lunchbreaks at work or last thing at night before I go to sleep.  Both of these books were wonderful reads.  

• While there is not much blooming in my garden at present, dahlia tubers have been planted, and zinnia seeds sprinkled in anticipation of a hopefully extremely flowery summer garden. These beautiful crabapple blossoms were flowering during one of my neighbourhood walks.

** Apologies for the slightly blurry clothing shots, It's harder to find a resident teen at home these days willing to take photos with a real camera, so I'm usually resorting to self timer selfies on my mobile phone.

The Pretty Woman Polo Dress

 

I have long loved the iconic polka dot dress that Julia Roberts wore in the movie Pretty Woman, and when I saw that Burda magazine had made a pattern for the dress, I was quite excited.  A couple of years down the track from the magazine being published, I have finally traced the pattern and made my version.

No brown polka dots for me though, it's all floral and colour.  I learned some new to me techniques making this, with the all in one enclosed facing and shoulder seams, making a casing for the elastic waist , and a thread button loop.  I also experienced much frustration with the hem which wouldn't hang straight and now relies on me sashaying  a lot or artfully leaning against walls to look perfect.  Honestly no will probably notice really, but we maker's always notice the imperfections.

I would like to find a nice belt to wear with it too, but I think currently it fits the bill, for a cool floaty summer dress, ready to wear when I'm in Brisbane.

Pattern:  Dress 101 Burda 04/2020, size 38

Fabric:  floral rayon

**Photos taken with the self timer on my mobile, so apologies for a slight blurriness.

Something New

My design board has been moved back into my sewing room, and is slowly getting covered with an assortment of  blocks.

Another new quilt is in progress. I was inspired by a short video my sister sent me of a quilt reveal. I watched it, had an AHA moment, and raced off to find a pen and notebook.  It will be another of my scrappy many different block quilt, based slightly on Tales of Cloth's - Seedlings Quilt, fetureing low volume ,Liberty and lots of other fabrics from the stash.  I'm trying to not buy new fabric for this one.  

Apart from the log cabin blocks I have just made, it is going to incorporate some English paper pieced blocks, three of which I have made already, probably a lot of my hexis that are sitting in a tin waiting for the right project,  it may also include some of the the Liberty/low volume x/+ blocks I have been making.  I'm quite enjoying being this inspired about a quilt, especially as I seem to have lost my sewjo for garment making.  Hopefully it returns with the warmer days we have been experiencing and an upcoming trip to Brisbane to look forward too,

Also enjoying the small posies I can make from violets and cyclamen currently flowering in my garden.

Sea Urchin Pincushion

 

Now that my sister has received it, I can reveal what the  finished felt and embroidery project I started a month or so ago was.

Voila, this is the sea urchin pincushion based on the pattern from Jo Avery's book, Modern Crewel Embroidery.

I changed the colours she prescribed for bright in your face threads, based on this glorious fabric from Alison Glass.  As I have lots of cotton embroidery threads in my stash, I used these instead of wool thread and I decided to add a band of the beautiful fabric to the sides of the pincushion to tie it all together.  I especially like the texture from the seed and chain stitch panels.

This was a nice fun little project, and there were lots of others I would like to try from the book too.

Things Here Lately

 

Gosh it's been age since I last wrote on my poor neglected blog.

I'm working full time, but  still reading and creating, just not as prolifically.  Here's a brief rundown of some of what I have been up to over the past couple of months.

• I've started a new English paper piecing (epp) project using house blocks and squares.  Currently I am piecing the house blocks out of my Liberty fabric stash, and I'm thinking the squares will be assorted low volume projects from my stash. I'm enjoying having a portable project again, that I can work on in my lunchbreaks, or pick up in the evening for a quick stitching fix.

• A new little embroidery/wool applique project has also been started, I've picked threads to match one of my favourite Alison Glass fabrics.

• The sidewinder pants were the first pair of trousers I've made that weren't culottes.  They have an elastic waist, perfect for over eating and a cool twisted side seam.  They are a very different look for me, and I'm not sure I like them on me, they do look better in the photos, than looking at them in a mirror,  so it may be a matter of perception.

• I also made a new top for special occasion a couple of weeks ago. I used the Hilary Top pattern from Tessuti Fabrics, omitting the peplum and lengthening the bodice.  I made an XS but could possible have graded to a S.  Fabric is rayon in a lovely green animal print that just doesn't photograph well.

• I've finally managed to get away to a beach, it's not quite the same in winter, being unable to swim, cos I'm very much a summer swimmer only, but it was bliss to go out for meals, walk on the beach and just escape life in Auckland.

Happy weekending .