July 2010 – THORNBERRY

adult's clothing, sewing

The bathers reveal

Okay, I may as well launch straight into it – here I am in my newly sewn bathers! Just perfect for early morning Melbourne in late July….

I can assure you that these bathers must be very flattering, because they’re doing a terrific job of disguising my protruding stomach and the spare tyre around my middle. Of course, the fact that I am standing up very straight and sucking in my gut for all it’s worth could have something to do with it.

The pattern is a freebie from BurdaStyle, the Alison vintage style bathing suit. While the pattern is terrific, you may as well throw away the almost useless instructions and go straight to this excellent review and tutorial from Isabelle.

Like Isabelle, I added bands to the legs for more coverage – and to eliminate the need for painful hair removal processes. I’m nothing if not practical! I lengthened the body/side/neck band to make ties at the back of the neck rather than a purchased closure. I left out the back tie that is illustrated in the pattern – I don’t think that it needs it, these bathers feel pretty secure as is. I’m not likely to be swimming laps in these. I also added bra cups (salvaged from a old pair of bathers) inbetween the lining and the outside.

I’m thrilled with how this has turned out! It is almost all constructed on the overlocker, although the gathering and bra cup inserting was done with the regular machine. There is a tiny amount of handstitching.

I made the size large, which is a European 40-42 for these. I usually wear an Australian size 12 (or 8 or 10 or 14, depending on the item!) and didn’t really alter the pattern dimensions or shaping at all. I am substantially short-waisted, so if you are longer through the waist – and many readers would be – I would advise lengthening this pattern through the body. It used most of the 80cm fabric remnant I had purchased.

So in conclusion? I still don’t know what motivated me to make these, but I’m really glad that I did. I’m also a little amazed that I was prepared to post pictures of myself wearing them – but that will be a whole other blog post!

ETA: Yes, it was absolutely freezing when these photos were taken! Around six degrees C. They were taken very quickly.

Saturday, 31 July, 2010 by thornberry

vintage crochet

Vintage crochet Friday #73

Whoops, forgot to post a vintage crochet photo last week! This week we have an angelic looking child in white crocheted suit.

Now for my youngest child luckily not in a white crocheted suit.

And to come this weekend – the bathers reveal!

Friday, 30 July, 2010 by thornberry

miscellaneous

A model child

Today I collected Clare from school at morning tea time and with Stella in tow we headed off for Clare to take part in a photo shoot. We made our way to a suburban park for location photos and Stella ran up and down and around and up and down and around and up and down and around…when she wasn’t trying to eat the props.

Unsurprisingly Nikki seemed to be snapping as many photos as the photographer!

And what did Clare think of it? Clearly she is used to posing for blog photos, but this was a little more involved. However I’m quite certain she enjoyed herself! She was very excited to tell everyone what she’d been up to when she returned to school at lunchtime.

And Stella? She enjoyed the park, sharing her lunch with anyone who’d have some, playing ball, eating chocolate, and getting her shoes covered in mud. She was asleep in the car before we got Clare back to school.

So there’s my girls – my “model child” and my cheeky monkey. Both so gorgeous. Thanks Nikki for letting us be a part of your project – Clare really is thrilled. (I’m rather chuffed too!)

While I’m here taking up space on your blog reader, I need to spruik a giveaway! Anna from Polly Pratt is giving away a lovely handmade dress in a vibrant Kaffe Fassett print – pop over here and leave a comment to enter (before 1st August). It’s SO nice! (And so is Anna).

Thursday, 29 July, 2010 by thornberry

crochet, my creative space

My creative space…

All four projects that I showed in last week’s creative space are finished! I even surprised myself. So today I’ll show off the first one I completed – my crocheted version of Leonie’s Simple Knitted Wrap Vest.

Worked in US dc in the back loop only to get a ribbed effect, to the same dimensions as Leonie gave. The ribbed crochet gives plenty of stretch and drape – I could probably have made it a little smaller.

It’s super warm – the yarn is 12 ply Rustic from Bendigo Woollen Mills, the colour is Shadow Tweed. This took almost 3 of the big Bendi balls. I used a 7.5mm hook, with 64 dc across each row.

There are other fantastic crocheted versions of this wrap vest around the blogs – I especially like Kirsty’s Chameleon, Tania’s child-size wrap, Joyce’s wrap with a large collar, Michelle’s version in sage Wilderness and Kate’s in blue Wilderness. I plan on doing another for myself with smaller dimensions and a different stitch pattern – maybe a ripple?

I’ll update this post with the “pattern” for my 12ply version in the next few days, if anyone is interested.

For more creative spaces visit the multi-craftual Kirsty.

Thursday, 29 July, 2010 by thornberry

adult's clothing, miscellaneous, sewing, yarn stash

Still here! Been to the Craft & Quilt Fair.

I’m surprised that it’s been so long since I last posted! It’s been a busy few days. Cathy’s Exhibition opening was wonderful – her work is just gorgeous and I am saving for my favourite piece, Reef. There was lovely food and drink, terrific company, and Cathy was just glowing! A superb evening.

Then what else have I been up to? A busy Friday doing general house/kids sorts of things (and a drink with other mums after school) then my parents came to visit.

Mum, Clare and I went to the Craft and Quilt Fair at Jeff’s Shed on Saturday morning. We started off by looking through the Quilt Exhibition. It was brilliant. So many talented quilters! We were particularly interested in the Art Quilts that were on display, moreso than the traditional styles. It shows how our tastes change – I never used to have any interest in art quilts whatsoever and now I am really drawn to them. Once I’ve made enough quilts to go on beds I might start producing artwork! Our day was punctuated with plenty of stops for coffee and snacks. Clare had her face painted and bought herself a doll with some birthday money she’d saved up. She has named her doll “Julia”.

The lovely people at Dairing gave Clare some knitted tubing (just because she was looking cute, I suspect) and I bought her some felt beads from another stall to go inside it. We’re planning on a couple of necklaces – one for her and hopefully one for me! Great idea, don’t you think? Light, easy to make, easy to wear. We’ll knot between each bead.

I picked up a couple of cones of 2 ply Alpaca while I was at Dairing as well.

Mum bought some fine cotton and silk/stainless steel blend to knit a light scarf. Dairing stock many of the Japanese Habu Textiles yarns, and they’re not all that far away. I’m planning on visiting their showroom some time soon.

We stopped to hear a panel discussion from Rosemary Whittaker, Julie Wallace and Prudence Mapstone. Much interesting comment and information. Then it was off to look at more yarn. We really didn’t look at (or buy) any fabric – it was all about the yarn for us this time! Mum particularly admired the jackets and vests at Signatur Handknits and we both indulged our yarny sides at Prudence Mapstone.

These will make a soft, light, fluffy scarf each. Just to decide on the perfect pattern!

We heard a very educational talk about colour from Reece Scannell and admired many other things as we wandered around. We didn’t leave until around 4.00pm! Surprisingly, I didn’t run into many people I knew – but they must have been there somewhere! I waved at the Kelani Fabric ladies, who were absolutely swamped with customers every time I passed by, and drooled at Kellie’s latest quilt patterns, especially the Worry Dolls quilt. Clare is certain that she can see herelf and Stella in it.

So, a busy day! Then a busy Sunday doing everything that wasn’t done on Saturday, and back to work yesterday. Now we’re off the pool for Stella’s swimming lesson – the pace really doesn’t let up! I have finished off some crochet projects that I’ll show you soon, and the bathers are half done.

The front and back are sewn together and the leg bands are on. Now to do the bra inset panel, then the straps and edges. It’s coming together quite nicely but the big question is – will I be game enough to model it for you once it’s finished so you can actually see how it fits?

Tuesday, 27 July, 2010 by thornberry

crochet, my creative space, planned projects, sewing

My creative space…

There are many works in progress in my space this week.

Started a few weeks ago in Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 12 ply, colour Shadow Tweed. Not long to go now!

Shawl started a few months ago – this one is a traveller, so doesn’t get worked on as often. About half-way through.

A swimming lycra remnant and a free swimsuit pattern. Yes, it’s the middle of winter, and no, I’ve never made bathers before. I have no idea why I decided that now would be a good time to consider it.

Garish stretch velvet remnant, bought at the same time as the lycra, for similar unknown reasons. Clare adores it and it will become a top for her fairly soon.

Pop over to Kirsty to discover more creative spaces. And if you’re in Melbourne, pop over to Thornbury this evening for the opening of Cathy’s exhibition. See you there!

Thursday, 22 July, 2010 by thornberry

crochet, miscellaneous

Millefoglie scarf & hat

After much consideration and trawling of Ravelry, I decided to keep things simple and turn some of the Millefoglie yarn into a scarf and hat. This yarn is made up of five different yarns knotted together in turn, so it really didn’t lend itself to anything fancy. Also, some of the yarns are fluffy or metallic or chenille or extremely acrylic – I really didn’t want to put time into making a garment out of it when chances were extremely high that it would look pretty rotten when I finished.

The scarf pattern is the Shimmer Lace Scarf. It’s designed for fairly thick yarn, so worked well with this hybrid. I used an 8mm hook. The lacyness of the pattern made it fairly simple to crochet the fluffy yarns and gives interest to the plainer ones. I recommend it if you’re looking for an easy but interesting scarf pattern.

The hat pattern is the Scattered Mama Hat (Ravelry link). It uses a similar stitch pattern to the scarf. I used the 8mm hook again and made the child size – I figured with this yarn and hook it would fit me fine, and it does. I used a simple sc edging rather than the shell edging in the pattern. Thanks go to Little Dorrit for keeping me hooking well into the evening and getting this finished! The scarf and hat used two balls of the yarn.

Happening around Melbourne this week:

The opening of Tinniegirl’s first exhibition this Thursday night

An interview with the very clever and talented Kirsty Macafee

First look at the cover of Pip Lincolne’s new sewing book

Fun with poetry and a beret from Gypsy

Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fair from Thursday to Sunday this week – I’m going on Saturday

25% off all patchwork fabrics including battings and craft accessories at GJ’s Discount Fabrics in Brunswick for one week starting on Thursday 22nd July

Tuesday, 20 July, 2010 by thornberry

children's clothing, kids clothing, sewing

And some pj’s for Stella

It would have been smart if I’d checked through Clare’s old clothes before I cut out a pair of winter pyjamas for Stella, rather than afterwards. She really doesn’t need these, but they’ll look cute on her anyway!

The pattern is McCalls 4104 (which I’ve had for some time – it may be out of print by now) and the fabric is more of the Urban Flannel by Valori Wells. I used spots for the yoke and a contrast heart applique.

Of course, she wouldn’t try them on when I asked her to.

Little Stella has done a sterling job of keeping her undies dry at childcare today. I wonder how she’ll be at home with me tomorrow. She’s crawled into my bed in the dead of night a couple of times lately and snuggled up right under my armpit (and pushed hubby out of the bed with her feet). It’s a good thing she’s so adorable to contrast with her stubborn side – I rather like those night-time cuddles. It’s all about Mummy with her!

Thanks for the sympathetic – and empathetic – comments on my last post. I think that the planets mustn’t be aligned at the moment – it certainly doesn’t seem that I’m the only one with parental frustration!

Monday, 19 July, 2010 by thornberry

crochet, miscellaneous, musings

More beanies

Beanies are such a quick fix when you need to see some results of your endeavours. A Flapper hat in Lincraft Cosy Wool, which is 8 ply rather than the recommended 10 ply. This was given to a friend’s two-year-old.

An Olivia’s Butterfly in mystery yarn from my stash.

I made one for myself as well, this time in Patons Smoothie. What a difference a change of yarn makes!

I need hats at the moment to cover up where I am pulling my hair out – well, metaphorically speaking. My daughters are driving me nuts. They don’t eat well, refuse to even try different foods, oppose everything I ask them to do – especially Stella – and are arguing with me constantly. Stella is in the midst of toilet training, not very successfully, and more often than not refuses to go to the potty when I ask her to. Mind you, she goes at childcare and successfully kept her undies dry for an entire day there. At home? Lots of wee and poo in undies. Clare deliberately lied to me for the first time a couple of days ago, and was only upset because she was caught out (it was extremely obvious that she was lying). I worked this morning and have only seen the kids for a couple of hours yet it has been tense and oppositional for most of the time. Aaaargh! They’re now off at the park with their dad while I “rest” – which means while I iron and tidy up. See why I crochet to see the results of my endeavours? I’m not seeing them in many other places at the moment!

Okay, vent/rant over. I’d better go and do a bit.

Saturday, 17 July, 2010 by thornberry

children's clothing, kids clothing, sewing

Winter is time for flannelette pj’s

My children have been growing (finally!) lately. All I have to do to find larger clothes for Stella is drag boxes out from storage – we kept all of Clare’s clothes. I love seeing them worn again by her little sister! That means that most of my sewing is for Clare. She need some new flannelette winter pj’s.

I bought this pattern some time ago and have made the nightie in the past. Luckily I remembered that when I made it (in size 4) it was huge – so I measured Clare and the pattern carefully before making it up as pj’s. I made size 4 once again! And Clare is 7 and a half!

She was freshly out of bed when I took this so her pj’s are rather crumpled! They were such a success that she put them on as soon as I’d finished them and I hadn’t been able to get a photo earlier. The fabrics are Urban Flannel by Valori Wells. I used the spot for the yoke, pants hems and heart shaped pockets on the top.

Cold tootsies! The hem trim wasn’t on the pattern – I just cut bands and applied them like a facing, except to the outside. Clare doesn’t like elasticized wrists on long sleeves, so I left the elastic off and narrowed the hem width by a couple of inches, tapering up to the original sleeve width at the armhole.

Moral of the story – make sure that you flat measure the pattern and compare it to your child before deciding what size to make. This is perfect for Clare.

Friday, 16 July, 2010 by thornberry

Month: July 2010