Month: July 2007

craft, crochet, WIP, work in progress

Larger Than Life bag progress continues

I have finally joined the squares together, so now have two sides for the Larger Than Life bag.  The sides and bottom gusset are in progress.  I was a bit naughty and rather than blocking properly I just steam ironed the sides – gulp!  Very lazy, but I figured that once the entire bag is constructed it will all fit together nicely.  Here are photos of each side:

Larger than Life Bag Side 1

Larger than Life Bag Side 2

My aim for the next few weeks is to finish off incomplete projects before starting something new.  Well, it’s good to have an aim . . . I wonder if this one is realistic?  That means that I have to finish these:

* Larger Than Life bag

* pram rug

* embroidered dress for Stella

* embroidered dress for Clare

* blouse for me

* and I suspect that there are a few other incomplete sewing projects somewhere hiding in the cupboards.

By the way, my sister-in-law really liked her slouch bag!

by thornberry
bags, craft, sewing

Slouch bags

I’ve finished making a bag for my sister-in-law – and while I was at it, I made one the same for myself.

Slouch bags

The fabric is from Ikea, once again, and the pattern is the Large Slouch by Nicole Mallalieu Design.  I really love her patterns – she includes all the pattern pieces, which I like because then I can easily move them around on the fabric for optimum placement, has great combinations of diagrams plus comprehensive instructions, and terrific variations.  Yes, she is a friend, but I am not biased because of that, honestly!

Slouch bags - closeup of handle rings

I varied these bags with the addition of O-rings, and used two types of internal pockets.

Slouch bag - inside pocket

It’s hard to see in this photo, but one internal pocket is zippered, and the other side has more patch-type pockets.  I also included swivel hooks inside to attach keys (it makes them much easier to find in the depths of a large bag)!  I fused a thin layer of wadding to the entire exterior of the bag, as well as the handle, and quilted the handle.

Slouch bag - action shot

Here’s my bag in action!  It’s very roomy.  The shoulder strap was made long enough to wear across the body, to keep it hands free, and it’s wide enough (and quilted) to be extra comfortable.

I haven’t given Jeanette her bag yet – I hope that she likes it!

by thornberry
bags, craft, sewing

Megan’s Bag

Happy 40th Birthday Megan!  Although you haven’t yet received your present, I know that you’re unlikely to be reading blogs today – so I am free to post it for everyone else!  My apologies for the quality of the photography (due to the photographer – me – more than the camera).

Megan's bag 2

And the other side:

Megan's bag 1

The fabric is from Ikea, the pattern is Simplicity 4668, view B, and I fused a thin layer of wadding to the body of the bag.  The handles have been lengthened and also have wadding, there is topstiching throughout, pockets added to the inside and the bag closes with a magnetic snap.

Megan's bag inside

It’s really difficult to take effective photos of the inside of bags!  Tips welcomed!

I’ve almost finished the other birthday bag, so stay tuned for that one!  Today I’m off to the Breastfeeding Support Service again with Stella, so I may well get a little more crochet done while she’s asleep.  Hopefully this will be the last trip there – things are improving, but since she’s 7 1/2 weeks old, we’d certainly hope so!

by thornberry
books, children's clothing, craft, craft magazines, crochet, embroidery, miscellaneous, musings, planned projects, sewing

What I’ve been reading

While many of you have been reading Harry Potter, I’ve been browsing these books and magazines over the past week or so.

I wonder how many of the projects within them are likely to come to fruition?  “Designer Smocking” has the most adorable children’s clothing – but I’ve never done any smocking!  I figure that since I can embroider (although I don’t do it often) I should be able to smock.  We’ll see!  I still have two unfinished embroidery projects from “Inspirations” sitting upstairs waiting to be completed – one started while Clare was still a baby – if I don’t get a move on soon Stella won’t fit into it either!

“The A-Z of Crochet” is an excellent crochet resource.  I am certain that it is going to be well used over the years.

And I love “Threads” and “Australian Stitches”!  I subscribe to both, and find that they often have excellent advice, tips and hints that assist in the quality of my sewn projects.

I’m enjoying browsing through these, although I’d love to be reading Harry Potter . . . but that would require extended periods of time and concentration . . . not likely to be found in this household at the moment . . .

by thornberry
craft, crochet

Zig-zag scarf

The scarf is finished!

I really enjoyed crocheting this one.  The pattern can be found here – it is for a matching hat, mittens and scarf set – I just did the scarf.  It’s in Cleckheaton Vintage Hues again, and matches my beanie.  I crocheted a flower brooch to hold it closed – it’s from the same pattern as the one on the beanie.  Little Miss Meshell, I expect to see a similar scarf on your blog soon!

It’s not a very long scarf, and is fairly thick, probably due to the yarn substitution and because it’s all done in single crochet.  Nice and warm!  The fringing is done with rows of chain.  I rather like the effect!

I suppose that this is really a practice for making a ripple blanket!  Although I wouldn’t make a blanket so thick – I’ll probably use a pattern with treble stitches, and maybe a bit more wavy than zig-zaggy.  Time to start browsing ripple blanket patterns – although first I have to finish off the pram rug and the larger than life bag.

Why is it that it’s so easy to start new projects, and so hard to do the finishing touches to existing ones?

by thornberry
craft, crochet, WIP, work in progress

Squares, brooches and WIP

Luckily, my hubby’s camera is still working.  These are the squares that I crocheted when waiting for Stella.  Now the squares are waiting for blocking.  I’d better get them done before Friday when we need the spare bed for my parents!

The maroon/burgundy row of crochet has really toned down the colours, making the squares look much less garish.  They also needed to be a bit larger, which has now been achieved!  I don’t have enough yarn in the same colour left to do another row, so it’s only going to be a pram sized rug.  Thanks to Mum for giving me the yarn from her stash!

I have posted these before, but now they’ve got button centres and brooch backs.

My latest work in progress is this zig-zag scarf.  It just needs the fringing completed, and I’m going to do a flower brooch in the same yarn to pin it into place (it’s not a very long scarf).  I’ll post it soon – I get a lot of crochet done in the evenings in front of the telly while Stella is having her “unsettled” time!

My next post will be Megan’s 40th Birthday Bag – but I can’t post it yet in case she reads my blog before I give it to her!

by thornberry
bags, crochet, miscellaneous, planned projects, sewing, WIP, work in progress

Aaaaaargh!

I was planning on showing you a photo of my crocheted squares with the last colour of yarn finally crocheted around them, all laid out awaiting blocking.

I was also planning on showing you a photo of my completed flower brooches.

I was also planning on showing you a photo of my current work in progress, yet another crocheted scarf, in Clekheaton’s Vintage Hues (to match the beanie), working in a zig-zag pattern.

However, the bloody burglars that broke in yesterday stole my digital camera, along with some cash and the spare set of house and car keys.

So this morning we’ve had all the locks changed in the house (they broke in through the back sliding door, the same place as last time) and spent lots of time talking to our insurers.  We’ve also got to get the car keys changed – which we have discovered is a very expensive proposition.

We’re highly unimpressed.  The house was only empty for about an hour, and doors were locked.  Pity we hadn’t turned on the alarm . . . I’d never been robbed before this year, and now that is twice since Easter.

Now that I’ve ranted a little, I’m planning on sewing a bag this weekend for my sister-in-law’s birthday.  I’ve got the pattern, the fabric, the notions – now to find the time!  Let’s see how far I get.  I also need to research what would be a good digital camera to buy so that you’ll be able to see the final result!

by thornberry
baby, children's clothing, embroidery, kids clothing, sewing

Embroidered sacque

This was made about five years ago, while I was pregnant with Clare.  But I thought that I’d share it anyway!

It is embroidered onto sweatshirt interlock (fleecy lined on the inside), with ribbing around the bottom for easy nappy change access.  The zip doesn’t quite match, unfortunately.  The yoke is lined with floral lawn and piped with satin piping.

The back yoke also has a little embroidery.

I was quite impressed with my own efforts!  The pattern comes from an old issue of Inspirations magazine (for those of you who don’t know it, it has exquisite embroidery projects – I subscribe and generally just read and admire, but every now and again I make something).

This is Clare wearing it – and Stella will fit into it very soon.  I’ll be keeping this as an heirloom.

by thornberry
craft, craft magazines, fabric stash, op-shopping, planned projects, sewing

A little op-shop success

We went out for brunch on Saturday, and luckily for me the cafe is right near two op-shops!  I had a little bit of success, which is unusual for me.

Two lovely old sheets, nice and soft and colour coordinated – these will be become some pyjamas for me, and possibly some dresses for the girls.  Two matching embroidered pillowcases – I will use these for the embroidery, and plan on making matching outfits for the girls with embroidered bodices.  I also found another pink embroidered pillowcase, which I will once again cut up and use for the embroidery.  And Clare liked the two little wooden toys!  All up (including a couple of novels) it cost me $12, so I’m pretty happy with that. 

If only I’d read Ric Rac’s tutorial about knitting needle bracelets before I went op-shopping – I know that I passed some knitting needles by!  Now I’ll need to go back (and with a new baby, that is no easy task).  Luckily for me though I have an uncle who loves to frequent op-shops – I think that I’ll suggest a new mission for him!

At the newsagent I picked up these two magazines.

I had been looking for “Adorn” for ages, and was amazed to finally spot it.  I’ve only browsed so far, and it seems to have some good projects, as does “Crochet Today”.  But with both of these I’ll see how much I actually do from them before I purchase the next issue.  My craft and sewing magazine stash is getting a little large now!

by thornberry
bags, craft, refashioning, sewing

Sue’s bag

This bag is a very belated birthday present for my friend Sue.  It is made from a set of three coordinating tea towels – the check was used as the outer, the cream waffle as the lining, and the pink embroidered tea towel became an applique, inside pocket and quilted straps.

I didn’t use a pattern, just folded each tea towel in half, sewed side and bottom seams, and boxed the corners.  Each strap is the length of the tea towel, and I guesstimated what would be a good width.  I quite like the appliqued embroidery as well. 

The interior pocket is divided into three (pen pocket, phone pocket, and miscellaneous pocket) and is quite sturdy.  The straps have a layer of pellon inside.  It was pretty quick to make, once I had done the mental work of figuring out to do and had a window of opportunity arise!

by thornberry
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