Out of Sync

Last Friday I wasn't ready to blog, and next Friday seems a long way off, so here is a little pictorial trip through what I have been making: 

I made this dress from grey striped linen, which has been sad and lonely, unused in my fabric stash for a while, and a contrast sort of Scandi-style gingham with red heart embroidery, which I bought in an amazing shop in Bath. They look like they were meant to be together! I'm really pleased as the dress was so easy to wear, and went from the quirky town dress to beach cover-up in one short hop. The lovely lady from here recognised it as hand made and offered her compliments. I will definitely use the pattern again.

This is a skirt made from the exact same pattern that I have used for gore skirts before: 6 gores, plus faced waist. It is unlined, as I want it for summer, and the dark blue protects my modesty. I bought the fabric in London, back when I visited in January. (Also, I love my Menorca shoes!)

This is some knitting which I started probably about a year ago. When the seasons changed I put it away, as it is quite light and cottony, so I did not think I would wear it  much through the winter anyway. I have finally finished all of the pieces, so I just need to assemble it and knit the neckband. I dislike sewing up my knitting, but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end. I'll write more about the actual knitting on my ravelry page

This top is not newly made, but I have re-discovered it! It was hiding in my box of hand knits and I genuinely had forgotten all about it. I made it last year and wore it once or twice. Now it is due for its first wash... always a nervous moment! I'll wait for another really fine day so it can dry quickly. 

School's Out!

I spent last week drawing in knowledge from a wonderful tutor, in one of my very favourite areas: pattern cutting. Although I learnt plenty on my degree, I did not learn how to really personalise the fit of a garment. Skirts are fairly straightforward, but for all the reading of books, making of toiles, and peering in mirrors to try to see the back of something like a dress, it is exceedingly difficult to professionally fit something onto yourself. Now, thanks to last week, plus the few days I spent back in January, I have a complete set of personalised blocks, and some really spruced up know-how. 

Thrown in was a bit of a reunion with some marvellous ladies: sparkly-eye Glaswegian Clare, and quietly witty Saranne kept me entertained. There is such a pleasure in going through an intense experience with like-minded souls, especially strong women. It felt like a rite of passage, as we sweltered through London heat-wave days, with no opening windows. 

Sigh: when can go on the next course...?

There is something about a Fashion room:
all those naked dummies seem to suggest endless possibilities

There was no time to recover on Saturday, however, as we were arranging a craft fair. It went well, with plenty of people coming through the door, and only minimal disruption from the rain. I seem to remember that our July fair last year was a popular one too. It is definitely time to re-stock my own stall, which although it means plenty of work, is also a sort of liberating feeling: what will I make this time...?

To top off my week, on Sunday afternoon I was lucky enough to attend a Fair Isle workshop. Colourwork in knitting has always terrified me and yet enthralled me, so it was fantastic to feel like I had learnt so much in just making a small sample: I can hold my yarns in separate hands, make corrugated rib, and twist the yarns where there is a long float at the back of the work. And I have come away with the beginnings of a cute beret- I do love a hat! I was dubious about the Jamieson & Smith Shetland wool, as although it is beautiful I suspected it might be uncomfortably scratchy to work with... but actually I love it. But oh dear, another project to fall in love with!

We also learnt icord cast on, which is very pretty indeed

Bloggin'ell!

Gosh, I've managed to miss three Fridays! Below is a little pictorial resumé of some of the things I have been up to since I last blogged. I have also finished a couple of sewing jobs, which I will hope to get photographed and share with you very soon.

This is a new design called 'Wilderness Flowers'.
This first version was made from raw silk, but I have already made more from different yarns and with different trim options, and even with matching mitts. 

Both for my niece: the 'Darling Bud' baby blanket. Made from chunky yarn this grows pleasingly fast.
The pattern will be coming soon to ravelry.
Plus this gorgeous giraffe, which I did not make, but I did customise with her initial.

Thinking a lot about crochet trims...

More cushions: I bought several cushion pads when I designed the 'Lean on Me', and I also bought a variety of Aran yarns as a bit of an experiment, so it was about time that I got on with the crochet. This top snap is for a round cushion, in Phildar 'Aviso' yarn, which I seem to remember being really quite cheap. The colours are much more pleasing than they appear here, and I am impressed by the quality of the yarn. It is the tiniest bit splitty, but it is very soft and has a lot of body, plus it crochets up nice and evenly.

This bolster is done in Rowan 'All Seasons Cotton', which is actually an acrylic blend (yes, I remember my dismay the first time I ordered some over the net). It is a yarn I have come to like for crochet: I love the palette they make it in, and the depth of colour. It crochets well, and is smooth and comfortable.