work in progress – THORNBERRY

family, miscellaneous, WIP, work in progress

bits and pieces…

Wow, that weekend flew by quickly! We had a “home” weekend, which was needed after a busy week full of play-dates for the kids. With Stella starting school, I thought that it was important to foster her new friendships with playdates that she can’t easily have during term time (after school care two afternoons per week and other activities on another two). She is making friends with the sweetest little girls – but it also means that I am spending time getting to know new school parents. Although I am often quite social, I am actually a person who really needs her alone time to recharge and reconnect. So all this socialising and being nice to people was wearing me out! The weekend was a welcome respite. So, what did we get up to? The kids watched an inordinate number of movies on TV. They prefer DVDs to going out to the cinema, and there was a huge DVD sale on at the local supermarket. They also spent a lot of time out in the backyard on the swing set and trampoline, so it wasn’t all about screens! The Uno set also got a fair workout. My husband repaired my bike carrier (broken when I fell off almost a year ago), mowed the lawn and started repainting around our deck. We both managed to get to the gym for a decent workout. Had coffee at a local cafe. Read the newspapers. I began work on getting through the mending pile (some achieved by putting the garment in the bin). And I did other bits and pieces.

Some hooking while watching Downton Abbey last night.

Made some yo-yos for a quilt top while watching Doctor Who with the family (even little Stella who is possibly much too young to be watching it but isn’t scared as long as she is snuggled up to Daddy).

Inserted twist locks for the very first time (beautifully, if I do say so myself) while doing some secret pattern-testing.

Nothing finished, but lots in progress! And spent a little time on Ravelry finding a jacket pattern to crochet for the twin baby girls that a friend gave birth to during the week. Now to make a final decision on what to make for the SewcieTea coming up this Sunday – and getting it done! But had better dash off – the week has started again, and we’re off to swimming lessons every day this week. With some more playdates thrown in for both children. Oh, to be a primary school aged child – my girls have a pretty good time of it!

Monday, 8 April, 2013 by thornberry

adult's clothing, sewing, WIP, work in progress

McCalls 8238 begins

My pre-Sewjourn cutting out frenzy has commenced. I’ve started turning piles of metreage and patterns into piles of cut out pieces of garments and patterns. Oh, what fun! One of the items I’ve been planning on making myself is a bias cut dress for summer. Enter McCalls 8238, which has been in my stash for many, many years and was originally used for making a plain black dress. I wore that dress once – the fabric shredded everywhere that there was any strain put onto it! Not just at the seams – it must have been rotten. I remember where I was working at the time, so it was back in 2000, and I possibly bought the pattern before then. Just dashed upstairs to check the copyright date on the pattern – it was 1996. Time to give it another whirl!

Now it’s decision making time. I remember that this pattern had a very high round neck. I don’t find them comfortable or terribly flattering on me, so also pulled out McCalls 7587 (copyright 1995). I still have the dress that I made from this pattern – I wore it to the first family Christmas that I took my husband to, back in 1996. Isn’t that sweet? Although it’s also a simple round neck, I didn’t remember it as being quite as high. Here’s a comparison of the facing pieces, with McCalls 7587 on top.

The facings for the second pattern are narrower. When I lined them up around the bottom edge, it seems that the neckline is scooped lower. The shoulder seam angles aren’t much different. Here’s the back facings:

I was tossing up whether to try to combine the two patterns through the shoulder and neckline, or just to cut the original neckline of the bias dress about 5/8″ deeper all around. I think that is what I will end up doing.

Because it is a bias cut dress, the front pattern piece is whole rather than to be cut on the fold. Hooray! I’ve already made the same petite adjustments for the body length as last time, but think that I will add back on the length that I cut off when I made the shorter version of the dress last time so that I make the calf length dress this time. I’ll use the short sleeves as well. I’m making it from the fabric that you can see in the photos – it’s from June’s stash so is probably even older than the pattern, and I have no idea what the fabric composition is. It should work nicely in a bias cut. I’m looking forward to getting it all cut out and sewing it up!

Sunday, 28 October, 2012 by thornberry

adult's clothing, crochet, WIP, work in progress

nearly done

Shannon Jacket, from Everyday Crochet by Doris Chan, crocheted in Cleckheaton Vintage Hues (now discontinued) with a 6mm hook. It has progressed further since this photo – I am now working on the belt, then to seam the cuffs and weave in the ends. Nearly done – and there is still plenty of winter to go!

Sunday, 15 July, 2012 by thornberry

crochet, work in progress

the crocheter’s dilemma

It’s a bag. Well, it will be once I attach the handles and turn it the right side out. And line it. The question is – do I weave in all those ends? Even though they will be hidden by the lining? Or will they work their way out to the right side if I don’t weave them in? To weave, or not to weave? That is my question.

Friday, 13 April, 2012 by thornberry

crochet, patchwork, sewing, WIP, work in progress

loving Fridays

Friday evening again! The pizza delivery guy will be here any moment, the kids are watching “Rio”, and I’ve got a glass of wine and have exhaled. Where are those weeks going to? I thought that it was about time that I shared a little of what I’m up to craft-wise at the moment. It’s all about works in progress. Well, mostly.

When I was up in Sydney for Sew It Together last year I bought a Dresden Plate template set. Yes, that was almost a year ago. And I’ve only just got around to doing something with it. I pulled out a set of charm squares and have begun turning them into this:

I’ve got enough squares to make four dresden plates, and I’m planning on using yo-yos in the centre of each one. Then I’ll applique them onto some backing fabric and turn them into…well, something. Just a little project to learn something new with!

I’ve also been doing some softie test-sewing. It is MUCH further along than this photo suggests – just needs stuffing! I love soft toys, but as a general rule I really don’t enjoy making them. So it needs to be a really special toy or person to entice me into making a doll – and this one is both.

I’ve started a shawl in my leftover Wollmeisse Campari Orange yarn. This is meant to be my commuting project, but it’s still at such an early stage that it requires more concentration than the train/tram allows.

So in the meantime I’m still working on this Cap Sleeved Top for myself. It was much further along than in this photo, until I realised that I had somehow missed a stitch somewhere and I have now unravelled it back to not much more than this. Dammit.

This test crochet cardigan for Clare is almost done. I just need to weave in the ends, check the yardage used and the final measurements. It was fun doing a test crochet after having done quite a bit of test sewing in the past. Same same but different!

And then there is the Parfait dress that I started some months ago. It’s finally being put together, but my machine is making very clunky noises. It is in desperate need of a service, however the servicing day at my local sewing machine shop is Thursday. That is forever away! I strongly suspect that much of this dress will end up being constructed on Clare’s sewing machine.

Pizza is here! Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Friday, 24 February, 2012 by thornberry

2012 BAMCAL, crochet, work in progress, yarn stash

BAMCAL!

Back in 2008 and 2009 I crocheted two squares each month thanks to the Ravelry block-a-month crochet-a-long (BAMCAL). At the end of the year all the squares were joined together, and I now have two crocheted blankets that are in fairly constant use. I had time out from BAMCAL-ing in 2010 and 2011, but in 2012 I’ll be back with a vengeance!

I have the yarn, now I just need the January block patterns to be posted! I suppose that I should wait until January for that. The yarn is all 8 ply Classic (machine washable wool) from Bendigo Woollen Mills. I’m mixing things up a bit this time around and rather than using just one colour of yarn per square, I’m planning on using at least four different colours in each one. Lots more ends to weave in, but quite a different effect to my previous two blankets. If you look closely at this photo you might be able to make out the names of each colour.

They are Chilli, Raffia, Feijoa, Guava, Lichen, Mid Green and Mulga. This yarn is readily available from BWM, so I won’t be doing what I unfortunately do far too often and playing yarn chicken and losing. If I run out of a colour that I need, I’ll easily be able to buy another ball.

You can join the Ravelry group for the 2012 BAMCAL here. Links to the free patterns for each month’s square are posted to the group at the beginning of each month, and you can ask questions, get clarification, and show off your finished squares. It’s a great way to learn new stitches and new techniques and end up with a very handy heirloom item.

Thursday, 29 December, 2011 by thornberry

adult's clothing, sewing, WIP, work in progress

I sewed up a muslin

Can you believe it? I’ve actually muslined/toiled the bodice of a Parfait. Now that you’ve picked yourself up from the floor, you can take a look at it!

Hmmm, that photo shows my very white and doughlike middle. Luckily the dress will have a skirt attached. Anyway, based on my measurements I cut a size 8 for most of the top pieces but a size 12 width for the raised waist/midriff panel and the edge of the bust pieces.

Once I tried it on I discovered that I needed to pin out most of the extra I’d added, just gradually grading out to a 12 in the midriff panel but keeping the bust pieces as an 8. And the straps needed to be shortened. My 8 year old assistant helped me with that part.

I reckon that this will now be fine! Especially once it is made properly and lined. I’d love your feedback too though – especially if you’ve made this dress. Apparently Colette patterns are drafted for a C bust, so that was a bonus. Her sizing is very different to the standard Vogue/Simplicity/McCalls/New Look/Butterick pattern sizing, so you really do need to measure yourself and check the finished measurements before deciding what size to make. This dress is designed to be very fitted around the waist. It’s different to my usual style, but I’m trying to break out of the mould a little more and not stagnate. I really hope that this is a success – it could be a great Christmas Day dress (and yes, Christmas is less than five weeks away). That reminds me, I must make a start on the girls’ Christmas dresses too.

Tuesday, 22 November, 2011 by thornberry

medallion quilt-a-long, miscellaneous, musings, patchwork, work in progress

triangles

The finish line is in sight – this is my last week of almost full-time work. My little Stella has been in childcare four days per week rather than her usual two days for the last four weeks and she is exhausted! She actually ASKED to go to bed last night – unheard of! Clare has managed pretty well but is still pretty happy about the thought of Mummy being around for more school drop-offs and pick-ups. My husband is almost through four weeks of the Big Important Job and he is shifting into the settling in stage rather than the “oh my goodness there is so much to do in not enough time I’m feeling slightly panicked” stage.

And me? I actually have quite mixed emotions about changing my role from full-time bread-winner with partner at home looking after the house and kids to part-time earner also looking after the house and kids. I hadn’t realised how much I need to work outside the home. I need to use my education and skills and talents in an environment where they are in demand and where they validate my abilities by paying me! On the other hand I am really looking forward to more time with the girls – I have missed them so much – and hopefully not feeling as constantly rushed and pressured. Next year Stella will be going to childcare/kinder three days per week rather than two, so maybe I’ll add some contract work to the mix again then on top of my regular two days. Or maybe not. Who knows! This year has been such a big one for all of us in terms of change. We’ve all learned a great deal and I hope that we can take the best of those lessons as we move on into a new stage. I really hope that we can make choices that will work for everyone in the family, not just one or two. I think that we can do that.

But back to craft! The title of this post refers to the first round of Meredithe’s Medallion Quilt-A-Long. Over the past week or so I’ve gradually managed to cut out triangles and sew them together in little quarter hour bursts. Last night in between ironing shirts and jeans it was done!

I decided to keep the triangles large to show off the fabrics. The centre medallion is 16 inches square and the flying geese are 4×8 inches. I really didn’t want to waste any of my precious Aussie designer fabric so used speed piecing method B from Quilter’s Cache for the flying geese and quick pieced half square triangles for the corner blocks. There is still plenty more embroidery to be done on the bird. I’m thinking of incorporating some of the final quilting into the embroidery. I’m really enjoying this project – thinking about what might look good, choosing fabrics, drawing up a design, discarding it, drawing up another, then actually doing it! Small, manageable bursts – at this early stage anyway! I wonder what next month’s round will be.

And now the littlest is tucked into bed while the biggest is off on school camp. So it’s back to the sink then up to the ironing board for me – because if I can get the chores done quickly enough I might be able to cut out Vogue 1250 before it’s time to go to bed!

Wednesday, 14 September, 2011 by thornberry

my creative space, work in progress

my creative space…

I’ve recently had to pick up extra days at work while my husband is job-hunting, so I’m currently working almost full-time. This has limited my crafting and creative time somewhat, and has limited my blogging time a great deal. I’m still doing a little bit of making but I’m not keeping up with photo-taking and blog-post-writing. I’ll post when I can, but it’s going to be a little sporadic. But there still is some creative space inside my head!

Some of you will remember that I started going to the gym late in 2009, and I managed to keep up quite a demanding exercise schedule for about 14 months. My fitness improved enormously, I lost weight, I got stronger, and lots of aches and pains vanished. But at Christmas I completely dropped the ball exercise wise, and with the change in my work hours I just can’t fit the gym in any more.

So to the obvious exercise solution.

We dragged the old Repco Traveller out of the garage and I’ve started cycling to and from work. It’s a 45 minute ride each way – which is the same time it takes me to drive to the train station, catch the train in to the city, then catch a tram up to work. Most of the ride is on bike paths, and I’ve picked the perfect time of year to start riding – not too hot, not too cold. Now that we’ve tarted the bike up a bit with some of the things it was missing – a bell, lights, a basket, water bottle, and a new comfy seat – I am actually enjoying the ride. I don’t mind exercise as much when it has a definite purpose – this way I get to and from work and have exercise all at the same time! Other than the reduction in commuter crochet time, it’s a win-win situation. Anyway, what does this have to do with my creative space?

I need a waterproof bag that will fit into my bike basket. On day two of riding there was a light shower, and I quickly worked out that it would be a good idea if the things that I need to cart on the bike with me were protected from the weather a little. I shower and change when I get to work, so need a bag that is big enough to fit clothes and shoes and a towel and toiletries, as well as some room for the things I’d normally put in my handbag. So I’ve been thinking.

I’ve had this oilcloth/PVC coated fabric in the stash for a while – it would be perfect for a bike basket bag. Now I need to figure out the measurements – it needs to fit nicely inside the basket. Will I have a zippered closure, or a flap and clip over the top? One long strap or two side handles? Make a matching zippered pouch to keep inside it for toiletries? Will I line it or leave it unlined (and easy to wipe clean)? Will it need a pocket or two? Or should I just keep it as simple as possible? I think I’ll need to mull this one over a little more.

What’s in your creative space? Visit Kirsty to see what creative things are happening over blogland.

Thursday, 3 March, 2011 by thornberry

my creative space, WIP, work in progress

My creative space…

Although our delightful host is away on holidays, I reckon there are many delightful creative spaces out there to see. Today in my creative space we are selecting buttons to go on Clare’s new cardigan.

There is also a large pile of stretch fabric. Thank you all so much for your input on which fabric I should use to make a dress to wear to my niece’s wedding! There appears to be an overwhelming preference for one of the grey fabrics, although I have one reader who says a solid would be more appropriate. My husband prefers the one in the top left of the first photo. Most of the fabrics have one vote, and I still haven’t quite decided. The grey with blue/white/lemon flowers is a border print, so that makes it a bit more of a challenging option – but I like a challenge! I’m planning on cutting into one of the fabrics today, so will let you know my final decision soon (and it won’t be a solid – I’m a print/pattern/colour sort of gal).

How’s your creative space looking this week?

Thursday, 23 September, 2010 by thornberry