tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90965987826133247862024-03-05T15:04:55.972+00:00S&OSStitches & Other StoriesDankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-67256838425487974482020-06-26T10:18:00.000+01:002020-06-26T10:20:08.970+01:00A little red dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0S-tyiddWKprZoLSCVEYbVL5Scysmg2JQqrSxuL8ixPIvIu1hiTNNniizX-6VfYkuv1i7I78RHJObuTBRaFWK6SOP53sP36JQgG6MuNAfa955TD3MfM_oDUkqMdqZ6NHoYyaM8JvHUls/s1600/D9F5D1DE-A45B-4E51-956F-45FC9E2F0F27-31359-000008652401153C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0S-tyiddWKprZoLSCVEYbVL5Scysmg2JQqrSxuL8ixPIvIu1hiTNNniizX-6VfYkuv1i7I78RHJObuTBRaFWK6SOP53sP36JQgG6MuNAfa955TD3MfM_oDUkqMdqZ6NHoYyaM8JvHUls/s1600/D9F5D1DE-A45B-4E51-956F-45FC9E2F0F27-31359-000008652401153C.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
My first make in almost a year.<br />
<br />
When I started my PhD 3 years ago I naively thought I'd have as much time for my hobbies as before. But of course I don't. And it's not even because of the PhD, but because I work part time on the side of it, and in addition have chosen to live far from the university and have a commute (I did until the lockdown anyway). That still leaves me some free time, but there has been a shift in my priorities. Now I'd rather use that time to be out walking, or read books, or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/phoodologist/" target="_blank">bake some bread</a>.<br />
<br />
The other reason I'm sewing less is that I've lost my appetite for it. I have been critical of fast fashion for a long time, but I've only relatively recently turned that critical view to my own production of clothes. Because ultimately, whether I buy more clothes than I need or make more clothes than I need, both have an adverse environmental impact.<br />
<br />
So I make a LOT less than I used to, only a handful of things per year, and that suits me fine. When I sew something it's an absolute treat, and I'll put in so much more care and effort to make something well so it can last me a long time.<br />
<br />
Like this dress. I've wanted a little red dress for the longest time. So I bought myself some <a href="https://www.minervacrafts.com/shop/fabric/dress-fabrics/k-94305-art-gallery-fabrics-jersey-knit-fabric-per-metre" target="_blank">nice cotton jersey</a>, and sewed with care, attention and joy. I used the <a href="https://www.mariadenmark.com/shop/405-rachel-wrap-dress/" target="_blank">Rachel wrap dress pattern by Maria Denmark</a>, but made it a lot shorter, and I'm delighted with the result.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVMq_4p8REnImqU78v9fdd4joD7ayOGacAXnJRDExy-56b5nQoseEXwtYeYEEB0LlS_D5LY7tTUPi7yuUHPLzTTxbzXmVDl6EmT4ia9Wsri76sC1eHRAPahhOJGRQgnPJ1qTuZ-2X-M8V/s1600/D59731E6-515F-4700-9ECB-47B5C626CA2D-31359-0000086548ED12C6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVMq_4p8REnImqU78v9fdd4joD7ayOGacAXnJRDExy-56b5nQoseEXwtYeYEEB0LlS_D5LY7tTUPi7yuUHPLzTTxbzXmVDl6EmT4ia9Wsri76sC1eHRAPahhOJGRQgnPJ1qTuZ-2X-M8V/s1600/D59731E6-515F-4700-9ECB-47B5C626CA2D-31359-0000086548ED12C6.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Unfortunately I didn't take the same care when taking the photos as when sewing, so it looks ill-fitting. The truth is that I was sunbathing for a few hours, waiting for that magical evening light, and was pretty sweaty and sticky when I pulled this on. So it clinged to all the sweatiest parts of me, and I didn't have a mirror to hand to adjust before snapping a few shots of it. Ah well. You'll just have to take my word for it that it fits better than it looks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWhhSJ_SsCAygDFYv19pQQ3b1cK34nmdh-IKRNP5zrZNwTZ_H5GThE2lWE7BnBDn6dThbo92rx9lnNDF-uxGNYR06iBoY9w7NtsAApK3JMuhLAIVCvTJNEAV2LKxmkh1xMQGKyCi1qMsn/s1600/4D980556-EB76-4E7A-8B3E-3D0384C6334F-31359-00000865049538CB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="889" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWhhSJ_SsCAygDFYv19pQQ3b1cK34nmdh-IKRNP5zrZNwTZ_H5GThE2lWE7BnBDn6dThbo92rx9lnNDF-uxGNYR06iBoY9w7NtsAApK3JMuhLAIVCvTJNEAV2LKxmkh1xMQGKyCi1qMsn/s1600/4D980556-EB76-4E7A-8B3E-3D0384C6334F-31359-00000865049538CB.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-77828560188640420872019-08-05T07:00:00.000+01:002019-08-05T07:00:43.779+01:00A magical Moselle top<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDR_xQMxiWqcLZunh_GZ-iwxonQMcnRDWSW8bu-oMxZ7c9owgo3ufekrTjuLY8nNaBBoTR70UrlbLc7UVgQmiDI0_EgV-lgaFSva165VeAaQI5mgxHqv8BydloWfpZ4Y_bM49a-EN3W1C/s1600/321B0C15-AF03-4783-B170-6D549D0F07BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDR_xQMxiWqcLZunh_GZ-iwxonQMcnRDWSW8bu-oMxZ7c9owgo3ufekrTjuLY8nNaBBoTR70UrlbLc7UVgQmiDI0_EgV-lgaFSva165VeAaQI5mgxHqv8BydloWfpZ4Y_bM49a-EN3W1C/s1600/321B0C15-AF03-4783-B170-6D549D0F07BB.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
This is another make that started with the fabric. I got this wonderful, wonderful fabric from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stitchandcappuccino/" target="_blank">Nicoletta (@stitchandcappuccino on IG)</a> years ago now. Dusky pink cotton lawn (I think!) with the most magical broderie anglaise border.<br />
<br />
It is so beautiful, but there wasn't lots of it, so I didn't want to make something with it until I found the perfect thing. In the meantime I hoarded it like a dragon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-RC6TD5xLYF4BxtpycuxHKcJNVTtjWNxQc4yV2GrhpMEhdvCB3TlDzUQnEbnC10R_qPbkTBynEZzK3PWySSTjP6k0L9iGekHVutHzFkF3VqWUa4Rnojlr1AmMZmCVd3lYHTR5ZuII8EQ/s1600/FE3D6895-00F8-4180-9711-04561D990551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-RC6TD5xLYF4BxtpycuxHKcJNVTtjWNxQc4yV2GrhpMEhdvCB3TlDzUQnEbnC10R_qPbkTBynEZzK3PWySSTjP6k0L9iGekHVutHzFkF3VqWUa4Rnojlr1AmMZmCVd3lYHTR5ZuII8EQ/s1600/FE3D6895-00F8-4180-9711-04561D990551.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I mean, just look at it! You can hardly blame me for not wanting to waste it on the wrong project.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Now and then I'd go back to it and trawl through my pattern library, but nothing felt right, so back into the stash it went.<br />
<br />
And then, a few weeks ago I saw a photo online of a ruffled off-the-shoulder broderie anglaise dress. Can't remember what store/brand now, but it's irrelevant. I fell in love. The love was made even sweeter by the fact that I could make a version of it myself, in this, the most magical of fabrics.<br />
<br />
Because I didn't have tons of the fabric I made a top rather than a dress, and the ruffle is not densely ruffled. But I absolutely love it. Like, so much.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxPqxHii3oK1v7woa6hBsB5UJdeaKCH2W7ABrd6M6VNGF34YCSweGv03kRMLyd2vbzSK2VWSLy5CltrIZDUF_eueEkjTxfpz_qEZmw4p0iJirs7HqzxcAQ901EQUfvgCmUV4gs-OUyLU4/s1600/713D07E2-C335-40BB-A5C4-23A3204E39B1+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxPqxHii3oK1v7woa6hBsB5UJdeaKCH2W7ABrd6M6VNGF34YCSweGv03kRMLyd2vbzSK2VWSLy5CltrIZDUF_eueEkjTxfpz_qEZmw4p0iJirs7HqzxcAQ901EQUfvgCmUV4gs-OUyLU4/s1600/713D07E2-C335-40BB-A5C4-23A3204E39B1+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03wThjqLPMpflw8uHTC7cEQdBQAT0blEKG11xoVvuFP8WyjIYbH85t2w2Z10kJdwUMpLoDh4JbWfADAr3QszNJaEnr9k775NKBUKBBtPqzCNDa3AAAsGg5UQJwVW2GF_JfVf8VMpf9tkp/s1600/2E6D2BED-6885-4B43-9F37-7AAB12AA5B66+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03wThjqLPMpflw8uHTC7cEQdBQAT0blEKG11xoVvuFP8WyjIYbH85t2w2Z10kJdwUMpLoDh4JbWfADAr3QszNJaEnr9k775NKBUKBBtPqzCNDa3AAAsGg5UQJwVW2GF_JfVf8VMpf9tkp/s1600/2E6D2BED-6885-4B43-9F37-7AAB12AA5B66+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2QepNUB7y5zTzmt_583stNo6rYC3uy2NCykJTkKnHPGN4306v-NyR8m0YweDhSnc60JWLQqSCThxTwjAbAfkNJENcWW1BdkqrB51SmsL6im-dS2iaxQiIdiQfLnpSlLI2Y8WnYu9YgIP/s1600/1BBCE25A-14E1-41F4-9309-261713909F8B+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2QepNUB7y5zTzmt_583stNo6rYC3uy2NCykJTkKnHPGN4306v-NyR8m0YweDhSnc60JWLQqSCThxTwjAbAfkNJENcWW1BdkqrB51SmsL6im-dS2iaxQiIdiQfLnpSlLI2Y8WnYu9YgIP/s1600/1BBCE25A-14E1-41F4-9309-261713909F8B+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(It looks in these photos like my jeans are dirty, it's various seeds and pollen from wading around in these weeds.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I used the <a href="https://www.ninalee.co.uk/shop/summer-essentials-moselle-ruffle-top-and-dress/" target="_blank">Moselle top pattern by Nina Lee</a>, and it sewed up so quickly and super easily. There was only one mishap, in that I accidentally cut off a piece of the fabric which should have been part of the ruffle, and had to patch it back together (you can kind of see it in the photo below). No idea why I did that, I was probably distracted (was listening to <a href="https://becomingmichelleobama.com/" target="_blank">Michelle Obama's 'Becoming' </a>on Audible when cutting/sewing this, it must have been a good passage!).<br />
<br />
And that's it, I have nothing else to say about it. I love it, and am excited to wear it lots and lots and lots.<br />
<br />
Thanks again Nicoletta for this magical fabric!<br />
<br />
On a final note, I think it might look better tucked into an A-line skirt or high-waisted trousers, than the black jeans I wore here, but I was chasing the last of the evening light and couldn't afford wasting time on styling it. Worth it though, look at that light!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO40BF0EDFJA2UfnTacroqxyaRf5qoi6ju5NxFJQgSoNbqWRk9owNCoWrIGK6XW9bNBLgAdw2RtfL5eyhowjN_0mw1zhLF2ZmAmSRGBZ-tzCRLO_-86k9N4ay3hj9tv_GO36cA3V8FYu5V/s1600/990A7A0D-F602-4487-87E5-554D4BB3526E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO40BF0EDFJA2UfnTacroqxyaRf5qoi6ju5NxFJQgSoNbqWRk9owNCoWrIGK6XW9bNBLgAdw2RtfL5eyhowjN_0mw1zhLF2ZmAmSRGBZ-tzCRLO_-86k9N4ay3hj9tv_GO36cA3V8FYu5V/s1600/990A7A0D-F602-4487-87E5-554D4BB3526E.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-1568558799282586742019-07-29T20:41:00.000+01:002019-07-29T20:50:11.618+01:00A v9251 (kind of) wearable toile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRorNpZHOdJv3sV_L0RMEKO2u30CRAMriT3QkEvl2oAPJ3n_oXyIGj9MmxZmDdHz4CMRajXmb2VhKuJmDwnB2v4XIsWS0T9VgLJXgPYOriG5h8ZqW4aW3sfL17YhohTkRAq-6HuMB-TTW/s1600/1974B12E-F52E-4669-9D40-81AB9E18DE66.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRorNpZHOdJv3sV_L0RMEKO2u30CRAMriT3QkEvl2oAPJ3n_oXyIGj9MmxZmDdHz4CMRajXmb2VhKuJmDwnB2v4XIsWS0T9VgLJXgPYOriG5h8ZqW4aW3sfL17YhohTkRAq-6HuMB-TTW/s1600/1974B12E-F52E-4669-9D40-81AB9E18DE66.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Wow, since my last post winter has turned to the peak of summer. While not quite true to my sewing output (there has been a <a href="http://republiqueduchiffon.com/en/home/70-suzon-shirt.html" target="_blank">Suzon blouse</a>, two <a href="https://frenchnavy.co.za/2019/01/18/the-stellan-tee/" target="_blank">Stellan T-shirts</a> and one <a href="https://grainlinestudio.com/2013/08/05/hemlock-tee-pattern-its-free/" target="_blank">Hemlock</a> in organic cotton since the knitted hat), it does reflect the fact that I have cut down on sewing and knitting A LOT. But that only makes me more excited about the things that I do make. Most recently, the dress in the above photo. So let's talk about that!<br />
<br />
First things first though, apologies for the slight blurriness of these photos. I edited them on my phone, and when I copied them to my laptop the resolution was less than ideal. But I don't have time to re-edit them (another make is already photographed and waiting to be edited!). Hopefully they are clear enough to show how the dress came out.<br />
<br />
Right, disclaimers out the way, onto the dress.<br />
<br />
This dress, like many, started with the fabric. Last year a friend gifted me some beautiful viscose challis that she purchased for me in Pakistan (how sweet?!). I immediately thought it would look fantastic as a wrap dress, and the <a href="https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v9251" target="_blank">v9251</a> seemed like the perfect choice. I'd never made it, but I had seen plenty around the Internets and they all looked fantastic.<br />
<br />
Before I made it up in this special fabric though I decided to try the pattern in a different one, in case it needed modifications. And I'm glad I did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mU0gR2AciY4vubnkvL4u6Kcc4MIjlBVNtYvCEEWSi5pDkULKc4TCtcMZ-LCj5pxqV7oz08AhYf8q4kFGdBo-_iX9lNDjMoV9c7l1lMr6W8VfjgwEn2ThudgkO3h_oeXVCGXfYzh3nHI2/s1600/020C6444-6BAE-4282-AC04-FE94DA53191E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mU0gR2AciY4vubnkvL4u6Kcc4MIjlBVNtYvCEEWSi5pDkULKc4TCtcMZ-LCj5pxqV7oz08AhYf8q4kFGdBo-_iX9lNDjMoV9c7l1lMr6W8VfjgwEn2ThudgkO3h_oeXVCGXfYzh3nHI2/s1600/020C6444-6BAE-4282-AC04-FE94DA53191E.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
The short story is that this was quick and easy to sew and the finished result looks great, but I'm not super happy with it.<br />
<br />
Here's why. I initially decided to make the short version of the curved hem (view A, but shorter still). But then when I cut it like that and tried it on I didn't like how it looked, and decided that I'd rather have a straight hem. However, at that point I had cut away too much fabric in order to make the curved hem. So I did the best of the situation and straightened it as much as possible. But that means that the front piece that wraps over the other is cut somewhat on the diagonal, which presents one major issue. This is that it doesn't wrap over properly, and the lightest gust of wind blows the dress open.<br />
<br />
This is easily fixed with a safety pin or two, but ideally that's not something I want to think about whenever I wear it. It's bad enough with RTW wrap dresses, where throwing modesty out the window by scrimping on fabric seems to be the norm - the beauty of homemade clothing to me is as least partly to solve such sartorial issues.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPEnVekkBTESvSOTBAWY4gdiAV1OQLa32eCKF5O_4Z1AqKL2_ZyEuwrDNU_Ome7hFR-8HHRIst64M4QTgJAGO6jiaDBBDiEHxd7ae5JUmG2yBE1kQhSKU1B6MQBEBp9jfRagTcGyRUZ2N/s1600/53740051-559B-476E-BF41-4C68F92D2C52.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPEnVekkBTESvSOTBAWY4gdiAV1OQLa32eCKF5O_4Z1AqKL2_ZyEuwrDNU_Ome7hFR-8HHRIst64M4QTgJAGO6jiaDBBDiEHxd7ae5JUmG2yBE1kQhSKU1B6MQBEBp9jfRagTcGyRUZ2N/s1600/53740051-559B-476E-BF41-4C68F92D2C52.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Ugh, the photo that made me realise I needed a hair cut badly.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
Then there is the fact that the bodice is probably a size too large and therefore gapes. So that introduces the need for another safety pin.<br />
<br />
I have modified the ties, by making them longer and leaving a small hole in one side seam to thread one through, which helps with the bust gaping, because I can just tie them tighter. But it's not ideal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZR-G2KufZhMylZo27U-sHQ78IWqos0u8ByqZ9huZ61_pXAfjxjhu0lFZjRi4W2SskKVdm-C9Tk_Z1AFfWzRSyHRqHesA9kjqUs9rkYHRFVksjMszccfGpE81PaFZVwr3Bg-oFxA7EHFa/s1600/DA224904-9035-4441-96AE-65C77BBC4A63.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZR-G2KufZhMylZo27U-sHQ78IWqos0u8ByqZ9huZ61_pXAfjxjhu0lFZjRi4W2SskKVdm-C9Tk_Z1AFfWzRSyHRqHesA9kjqUs9rkYHRFVksjMszccfGpE81PaFZVwr3Bg-oFxA7EHFa/s1600/DA224904-9035-4441-96AE-65C77BBC4A63.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
But, this was the purpose of making the dress in a different fabric - to figure out what changes I need to make. And these are: bodice one size smaller, cut skirt straight rather than curved and wide enough to wrap over fully, keep ties modification. I also think I'll underline the next one. Mainly because the fabric I want to make it in has a white base and it might be see-through otherwise.<br />
<br />
However, despite all the issues with this one I really do like it. It's super feminine and looks effortlessly nice. And the fabric is just dreamy. But the wrap blowing open is a real problem. So I'm tempted to cut it into blouse length and just wear it with jeans. I think that would be a really cute look and would let me get a lot more wear out of it. Not to mention that it would reduce the need for safety pins from three down to one!<br />
<br />
It would be a bit of a shame if I don't keep it as a dress, but on the other hand, it makes me more eager to sew it in the fabric I have intended for it. Realistically that will be next summer, because at the ridiculously slow rate I'm sewing these days I won't get around to it until about November time. But that's ok, I am anyways going through a phase of disgust for producing too much clothing, memade or otherwise, (this is a topic for another post) so PhD-imposed lack of time for sewing suits me just fine now.<br />
<br />
So in summary... v9251 turned out to be an as easy and fun pattern as it seemed from everybody else's makes and from this wearable toile I feel confident that I have learnt what I needed to do the lovely fabric from my friend justice.<br />
<br />
<b><u>What I did</u></b><br />
<b>Size: </b>12<br />
<b>Modifications:</b> Straightened skirt pieces and shortened hem, made longer ties that wrap all the way around, and left an opening in one of the bodice side seams for the ties to go through.<br />
<b>Fabric: </b><a href="https://www.minervacrafts.com/shop/fabric/dress-fabrics/ph-5718-floral-print-viscose-challis-dress-fabric-blue-per-metre" target="_blank">Wonderful blue floral viscose challis from Minerva Craft.</a><br />
<b>Time spent: </b>One Sunday, including cutting of fabric.<br />
<br />
<b><u>What I'll do next time</u></b><br />
<b>Size: </b>Bodice 10, skirt 12<br />
<b>Modifications: </b>cut skirt pieces straight from the start, probably also shorten like this time. Keep long wrap around ties.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMKUNXIzykEhixO66T-PJ8XmksHZoXqoMaMc_G84i_l1_ZtsPvDScyBZ6m3CgjNGKhbodSs67G87cCoofgFcGQQLpKm-MJeDjG08P6zUD-hC_lhfVPOzfcAJS5dMvxZivqDNLF6_NNa-T/s1600/EB3DE204-888C-42E9-A9AE-66961C239025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMKUNXIzykEhixO66T-PJ8XmksHZoXqoMaMc_G84i_l1_ZtsPvDScyBZ6m3CgjNGKhbodSs67G87cCoofgFcGQQLpKm-MJeDjG08P6zUD-hC_lhfVPOzfcAJS5dMvxZivqDNLF6_NNa-T/s1600/EB3DE204-888C-42E9-A9AE-66961C239025.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-79097457914422140102019-02-06T08:47:00.000+00:002019-02-06T08:47:10.548+00:00An Epistropheid hat for winter<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 14.0px}
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqv1cUJxNQ-0wB1EOWyRyFgVhtArEJcsSjEifvAutOt767FIfoERT4CeuWwhVCg1vE8VNx8_lspNOKHjLjC-BS9fZzhPo1IsNLuZsP_S33exOuEmk_rj1ZR8p0o0TCvaiKz1shrb0d3Kg/s1600/FA8870E0-B4EC-480B-A57A-47BF01789103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqv1cUJxNQ-0wB1EOWyRyFgVhtArEJcsSjEifvAutOt767FIfoERT4CeuWwhVCg1vE8VNx8_lspNOKHjLjC-BS9fZzhPo1IsNLuZsP_S33exOuEmk_rj1ZR8p0o0TCvaiKz1shrb0d3Kg/s1600/FA8870E0-B4EC-480B-A57A-47BF01789103.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
This time last year I was waiting for spring and desperately looking for signs of it. What a fool! This time around I know that spring does not grace the North with its presence until much later. So instead of looking for signs of spring I'm preparing for more winter by knitting woollens. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I don't knit a great deal of stuff for myself, mainly things that I gift to others, so even though I've been knitting for 4 years now I still haven't made myself a hat.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I didn't actually plan to do much about it, but some of the best handicraft projects are spontaneous ones, in my experience. Well, as spontaneous as knitting can be. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
This one started with the yarn. Two winters ago I bought a couple of skeins of quite rustic Norwegian yarn in a yarn shop in Stockholm without a plan of what to do with them. Was just checking out some yarn stores with a friend and really liked the look and feel of the <a href="https://www.sandnesgarn.no/peer-gynt-1865" target="_blank">Sandnes Garn Peer Gynt</a>. So I bought two skeins in dark grey and one in off white. And then sadly I kind of forgot about them. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
This winter I got a craving for learning colourwork knitting, and decided to start with something simple, like a cowl or a hat. And then I remembered this yarn....</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToDtHCW3aQ365Cjw_53wcVM7EGGjJffGOW5-hOGN08DmI4RDXjnI3dgmT2ck0nohhbuc5N4rTj8eHqd5H2izcnPIJpDXvOgeU4Qj96ICJq0OKaan7-qo7H7xDI7Ym4tsO5xIi_9lzGmAT/s1600/0DFA566D-3C38-4857-942C-2F314903078E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToDtHCW3aQ365Cjw_53wcVM7EGGjJffGOW5-hOGN08DmI4RDXjnI3dgmT2ck0nohhbuc5N4rTj8eHqd5H2izcnPIJpDXvOgeU4Qj96ICJq0OKaan7-qo7H7xDI7Ym4tsO5xIi_9lzGmAT/s1600/0DFA566D-3C38-4857-942C-2F314903078E.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
A small project in only two colours felt like a good start with colourwork, so I started looking for suitable patterns. I fancied a pattern that would remind a bit of traditional Scandinavian patterns or Fair Isle, but more clean and modern shapes.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
After a few weeks of searching Ravelry I found the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/epistropheid" target="_blank">Epistropheid hat</a> by <a href="https://katedaviesdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Kate Davies Designs</a> . It was perfect!</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I knitted a size M exactly as per the pattern instructions. It knitted up quickly, in a few evenings over the course of a week, and was surprisingly easy.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I don't know why, but I had an irrational fear of stranded colourwork knitting. So it was a very pleasant surprise when this was not particularly difficult at all! </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I wet blocked it and then debated whether to add a pom pom. Really wanted one, but also did not want to cover the beautiful crown of this hat. In the end I compromised and went for a smaller pom pom than I initially planned. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOVAPPpiVM03xpA6YWQsBkcIgiTdTfhbTPlcLUXbyifrKluNmkrpVAcYGInWVb3KJZgxLNV0aaaVtfQoV9BwE9X-AwYDgIpcKkN9mtCGwS2qnEKrohNKpmE9aDawbp9PVqq70bMyHAPWj/s1600/FA1DB501-620B-46A8-A48F-D90D7E40D170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1482" data-original-width="1013" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOVAPPpiVM03xpA6YWQsBkcIgiTdTfhbTPlcLUXbyifrKluNmkrpVAcYGInWVb3KJZgxLNV0aaaVtfQoV9BwE9X-AwYDgIpcKkN9mtCGwS2qnEKrohNKpmE9aDawbp9PVqq70bMyHAPWj/s1600/FA1DB501-620B-46A8-A48F-D90D7E40D170.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Funny story about the blocking. I blocked it on Saturday night and woke up to gorgeous sunshine on Sunday morning. There was still some snow on the ground and because the forecast for the coming days did not look good I knew this was my only chance to get some photos of the hat in the snow-covered landscape. But, the hat wasn't dry yet.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I'm not proud of what I did, but desperate times... I whacked the heating on high and put the hat on the hottest radiator in the house. Do you know what happens when you put wet wool on a radiator? It smells like wet sheep. But worse. Like, if you were to guide a wet sheep into a sauna and sit in there with it for a bit. (Only a little bit of course! I'm not painting pictures of animal cruelty here!)</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
But it gets worse. It still wouldn't dry quickly enough, so by noon I just gave up and grabbed the still slightly damp hat, my camera and tripod and set off looking for a suitable location. So in the end I kind of blocked it with my own head by wearing it. On the upside it is shaped absolutely perfectly for me now. On the downside, I smelled like a wet sheep for the rest of the day.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Totally worth it though. I'm superhappy with this hat and can't wait to do some more stranded colourwork! I'm thinking another hat...</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x885R8YlG9WjqE4HL0p_YwNNt0EAPkBZyp0G8_9cUHReTok7FWflP0aRb8HJPZS10s1IZ6KY_9d2JornKTTf-BcNS1lneJZo0bxVd5nD4ID11-pgfv2XtZWPXXdh-yl-ZSLb_eV7XtiP/s1600/3C90F975-F86D-4A38-AD2B-E9CEB7840BCA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="885" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x885R8YlG9WjqE4HL0p_YwNNt0EAPkBZyp0G8_9cUHReTok7FWflP0aRb8HJPZS10s1IZ6KY_9d2JornKTTf-BcNS1lneJZo0bxVd5nD4ID11-pgfv2XtZWPXXdh-yl-ZSLb_eV7XtiP/s1600/3C90F975-F86D-4A38-AD2B-E9CEB7840BCA.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHFhYD1QTQAfkKiIzlHhFmKiRUqdiYkdB9I8w-QvHEn4y3zmuwGIYH1zZwgZ9aZIB5QEwPQJoPsCouLiapuc7CW2CrbzPn0oea7bLeSyuDVHiQY0LP_9bosAVVQ8Qqx3efYM6WpIYasvs/s1600/DD356DB7-D46D-474D-8E00-45878150B51A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="825" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHFhYD1QTQAfkKiIzlHhFmKiRUqdiYkdB9I8w-QvHEn4y3zmuwGIYH1zZwgZ9aZIB5QEwPQJoPsCouLiapuc7CW2CrbzPn0oea7bLeSyuDVHiQY0LP_9bosAVVQ8Qqx3efYM6WpIYasvs/s1600/DD356DB7-D46D-474D-8E00-45878150B51A.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERUb-4OU_ozpEDFfD1plkPQ6qJoZa_s9esMNE3-1ncMPpBbDs8X9HhM_0dJE-ujwafEb-UOyxz3Prn1Wb6RMRyatBp6U0Vf8i7jAvqT2KdWSjw0syC2NjmU1l-P9GYF6vZFEZW5e2lgcy/s1600/34B0C3B8-E9B0-4B70-B07B-245FC9C0E6CA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERUb-4OU_ozpEDFfD1plkPQ6qJoZa_s9esMNE3-1ncMPpBbDs8X9HhM_0dJE-ujwafEb-UOyxz3Prn1Wb6RMRyatBp6U0Vf8i7jAvqT2KdWSjw0syC2NjmU1l-P9GYF6vZFEZW5e2lgcy/s1600/34B0C3B8-E9B0-4B70-B07B-245FC9C0E6CA.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-44446280511655369852018-12-28T10:28:00.000+00:002018-12-28T10:28:26.153+00:00A last make of 2018 and some year end thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHECwxwreFQAJkI9QYmdIaxxPr1HFVSsU6dJ9q588KxQR_jyg_JrdqHtrf5RTngLDpyxcCi2R-6wvu6Daua4janUwhSVkYVyOYHMHx0YHIuq29ZxhZj3hCtw6ptszUeQJi096tVDYZLiW9/s1600/EFB9CB13-E34B-4DCA-8087-FDBAD823E720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHECwxwreFQAJkI9QYmdIaxxPr1HFVSsU6dJ9q588KxQR_jyg_JrdqHtrf5RTngLDpyxcCi2R-6wvu6Daua4janUwhSVkYVyOYHMHx0YHIuq29ZxhZj3hCtw6ptszUeQJi096tVDYZLiW9/s1600/EFB9CB13-E34B-4DCA-8087-FDBAD823E720.JPG" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Happy holidays everybody! I hope that everybody who's reading this is having a peaceful, relaxing time wherever you are.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I certainly am! So much so that I'm borderline bored! But I'm sure I can think of something to fill the time with. Like updating here with my last make of 2018.<br />
<br />
I'm probably safe to assume that most of the traffic to this blog comes from my Instagram account. So if you're reading this you have probably noticed that there have not been any sewing updates for a very long time. The reason is pretty straightforward - there has not been any sewing happening for a very long time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I just haven't had the time. Or the motivation to be quite honest. A lot of things on my sewing list for this autumn have been really boring items. T-shirts and black skirts and the like. The 'cake' of sewing rather than the 'frosting.' And when time is limited sewing boring items just feels like a chore. Another thing to procrastinate on.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I managed one of the items on the list this autumn, before deciding to (metaphorically speaking) rip up the list. That one thing was a new version of an old red tartan skirt.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGupPJBuY7mC6HNWlwaKk8PG49f5ZD5tHKvmu4B6ZQUTIRM7peefVmrV28o641ZFECXF7wGaikpU3meo9EM266lmUpnqornsIuo43GZtnlWCQ6F53bseIRNmToufXrunfNLl4-tgwYscn/s1600/3E6CC5C9-0F44-40E8-9B53-3BA41CFE3460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGupPJBuY7mC6HNWlwaKk8PG49f5ZD5tHKvmu4B6ZQUTIRM7peefVmrV28o641ZFECXF7wGaikpU3meo9EM266lmUpnqornsIuo43GZtnlWCQ6F53bseIRNmToufXrunfNLl4-tgwYscn/s1600/3E6CC5C9-0F44-40E8-9B53-3BA41CFE3460.JPG" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I made a skirt in this fabric and exact style years and years ago. But I made it sloppily. No lining, no waistband, no pattern matching.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All these things irritated me, but I loved the skirt. Since I had about 1 m left of the fabric I have been intending to make a new one for ages, addressing all the problems of the original one.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A couple of weeks ago I finally did. The pattern matching is near perfect, if I do say so myself. The waistband is the barely there narrow one I was missing on the original skirt. And it is lined. So tick, tick, tick. But it was soooo boring to sew! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It feels fitting to end 2018 with a chore that I've been procrastinating on for years. Like the pressure (that I created myself) is off. So now I'm looking at 2019 sewing with the intention to only make 'frosting.' The new list is full of dresses, frills and fun fabrics. Can't wait to get started!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What sewing are you planning for 2019? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQ6nYkglNQAbe_oHrHmNylkB0WudOCug6AwZcTvuwwA-fpPbYGT_gy6l77fercAj9q495ZtDIF_rKP_1WJR3O1OK4bbgd2TFY4LEVcd04ewX91V8yAdsNdBxj5hW62Wt9TV7gaJjQBPDp/s1600/edited-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="1115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQ6nYkglNQAbe_oHrHmNylkB0WudOCug6AwZcTvuwwA-fpPbYGT_gy6l77fercAj9q495ZtDIF_rKP_1WJR3O1OK4bbgd2TFY4LEVcd04ewX91V8yAdsNdBxj5hW62Wt9TV7gaJjQBPDp/s1600/edited-.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOlAxm9eWsuqAMq6nXSs9mpAV0wrlm0iI7tqFcwjWObtMeXFKtp7ZxHeAt2nKaYK0MVtNTFZH3Gse01CbUKSBKnRLrnzQ6XdabCogWGdpOMZAYeLFUOkXql2THrTDWTWFVwfaWhsWkk0y/s1600/DBA16236-F2BB-4372-91AA-0581408255B9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOlAxm9eWsuqAMq6nXSs9mpAV0wrlm0iI7tqFcwjWObtMeXFKtp7ZxHeAt2nKaYK0MVtNTFZH3Gse01CbUKSBKnRLrnzQ6XdabCogWGdpOMZAYeLFUOkXql2THrTDWTWFVwfaWhsWkk0y/s1600/DBA16236-F2BB-4372-91AA-0581408255B9.JPG" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-78932350151933341312018-11-02T12:27:00.001+00:002018-11-02T13:10:43.855+00:00The Barbour inspired Kelly Anorak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUo7Mr5_lymm27f-UpiVVMyp-kr9Dlf9LGgLZBxPHU5Y14RETQp2Z3H2aBKbepiIx34emoJtqJAUEsZSGWKMaH6nTutvePK7R4Nt92AjTGUpseOge0ZdHmfzAo83ouD5t8Hc_uwLExhvf/s1600/edited-5827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUo7Mr5_lymm27f-UpiVVMyp-kr9Dlf9LGgLZBxPHU5Y14RETQp2Z3H2aBKbepiIx34emoJtqJAUEsZSGWKMaH6nTutvePK7R4Nt92AjTGUpseOge0ZdHmfzAo83ouD5t8Hc_uwLExhvf/s1600/edited-5827.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Finally, I can share my Kelly anorak. This one has been a long time in the making. Both the jacket and the blog post. I started gathering supplies and sewing in March and at the same time I started making notes in a Blogger draft post. The sewing and writing have been an equally slow process, but now finally both are finished. This is a superlong post, so now is a good time to grab a cup of tea.<br />
<br />
I've given it subheadings for easier reading/scrolling.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The inspiration</b><br />
<b><br /></b>I'll start with a bit of background. I love this shape of casual jackets and have wanted to sew <a href="https://store.closetcasepatterns.com/products/kelly-anorak-jacket-pattern" target="_blank">the Kelly pretty much since the pattern came out</a>. But, I generally don't have the patience for time-consuming and involved sewing projects, so I didn't think I'd actually do it. Yet for some reason I ordered the <a href="https://store.closetcasepatterns.com/products/spring-snap-button-hardware-kit-for-kelly-anorak" target="_blank">hardware kit from Closet Case Files</a>. Just in case, I guess. That was June 2017.<br />
<br />
Then, last Christmas Josh got me a Liberty-lined Barbour Abbey jacket. And it's the best thing ever! There is so much attention to detail, from the pockets lined with brushed cotton (or is it fine fleece?) for warmth, to the top collar being in fine corduroy, which is soft and warm against the skin when the collar is done up to protect against the wind. Not to mention, the Liberty details! The lining back yoke, the inside of the sleeve cuffs, the trimming around the inside pocket. Oh, and of course it's completely weatherproof. Manchester rain (/gale force winds/blizzards) has got nothing on this jacket! It has moved right to the very top of my favourite items of clothing ever and will stay firmly there for all infinity.<br />
<br />
I lived in this coat for the first 3 months or so after I got it and I could happily have lived in it for the rest of <strike>the year</strike>/my life. Except that it's padded, so it's warm. And it started getting that little bit too warm around March time.<br />
<br />
Considering how much I love this jacket I was really tempted to buy another Barbour, just the same, but without the padding. (So, essentially a Beadnell.) But I was also a bit tempted to make something similar.<br />
<br />
The time had finally come for the Kelly anorak.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQQ79A9wgGvlxwoiX440VMyU3c_Lj1lRBO67Y2Dnbn2nHo52RJGnqhvdSM_Pd-w_WEaGDOyOG7qF7jD1ezxzuKS226ynwV61GzXzQsv8mCK2ymTPTcsR2q0NpWI_QiUDVUAgsYq8JH2UI/s1600/edited-5851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQQ79A9wgGvlxwoiX440VMyU3c_Lj1lRBO67Y2Dnbn2nHo52RJGnqhvdSM_Pd-w_WEaGDOyOG7qF7jD1ezxzuKS226ynwV61GzXzQsv8mCK2ymTPTcsR2q0NpWI_QiUDVUAgsYq8JH2UI/s1600/edited-5851.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>The decisions</b><br />
<b><br /></b>I quickly learnt that there are a lot of decisions to be made with this pattern. Lined or unlined? Hood or collar? Shell fabric. Lining fabric. Snaps. Etc. I loved this, it makes it easy to customise to your own style and feel like you are making something unique.<br />
<br />
I have to pause for a moment here to praise the genius that is <a href="https://closetcasepatterns.com/about/" target="_blank">Heather Lou</a>. She has really thought of everything with this pattern and it can be varied a lot to fit a maker's style, practical needs and preferences. It's just a fantastic pattern! But more on that later.<br />
<br />
Right, back to the decisions. The first decision I made was to use oilskin for the shell fabric. Partly for the challenge of it, partly because oilskin is water resistant and thus very practical, partly because I thought it'd be awesome if it turned out well. And if it failed miserably I could still go back to plan A of parting with a kidney to finance the purchase of the Barbour. (Actually, making the Kelly wasn't much cheaper, see my quick maths towards the end of the post.)<br />
<br />
I knew that I wanted it properly lined, and that the lining would be sewn mainly from a Liberty Tana Lawn. This decision was definitively inspired by the Barbour. I learned from wearing it all last winter that a Liberty fabric on the inside feels like wearing a bit of summer even on really grey days. Ok, this statement is borderline cringe-worthy, but it's true.<br />
<br />
Next decision, I knew I didn't want a hood. I really, really don't like hoods. No idea why, just don't.<br />
<br />
What I didn't know was whether I wanted the drawstring waist, but that decision was made for me when I started sewing and realised just how stiff the oilskin is. Even if I sewed a drawstring in, no way would I be able to use it.<br />
<br />
The final decision was regarding the pockets. I knew that I wanted them to close properly as opposed to just have decorative snaps. I often carry things like my train pass and phone in my coat pockets and a) I don't want them getting wet, and b) I don't want to create an opportunity for pickpocketers. So I used the <a href="https://closetcasepatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Kelly-Anorak_Waterproof-Pocket-Variation.pdf" target="_blank">pocket variation extra pattern pieces</a>, which are great.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycJ4TUquqUxNXRpKm8MOPmQbXtYpQfqRf6alt1PGc8D_yMZm_xdpjRcw0X8un-Mr8cP3c3-fGViOnXZdMF-1Ppss10ZNwK1NubEWX_vHQpdAjus89rjFdRGl-iXiLF7ZAXvLLW1HBG_UH/s1600/edited-5835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycJ4TUquqUxNXRpKm8MOPmQbXtYpQfqRf6alt1PGc8D_yMZm_xdpjRcw0X8un-Mr8cP3c3-fGViOnXZdMF-1Ppss10ZNwK1NubEWX_vHQpdAjus89rjFdRGl-iXiLF7ZAXvLLW1HBG_UH/s1600/edited-5835.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvu7WGQq9hijpZjqjmdJiHVWSJRn9_7qN17KlUwlL9xTVNFhWaptCgMRENJj6kg0Rm37Rp7n1CrtibeuWVW9bpiM_WbOT1h2SZa1M9vn0ttFsO567M4-EI76ulE8uAxoc_ORjCLQY6yC5/s1600/edited-5905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvu7WGQq9hijpZjqjmdJiHVWSJRn9_7qN17KlUwlL9xTVNFhWaptCgMRENJj6kg0Rm37Rp7n1CrtibeuWVW9bpiM_WbOT1h2SZa1M9vn0ttFsO567M4-EI76ulE8uAxoc_ORjCLQY6yC5/s1600/edited-5905.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>The materials</b><br />
<br />
Decisions made, I got started. First step: gathering materials.<br />
<br />
<u>
The shell fabric (and interfacing)</u><br />
I bought this <a href="https://merchantandmills.com/store/cloth/navy-dry-oilskin/" target="_blank">Scottish oilskin from Merchant & Mills</a>. It's both kind of amazing and kind of strange. It's like very thick paper. Very easy to cut, the scissors just glide through it. It doesn't need pressing as it can just be folded. (!?!) Yet, it is thick and densely woven, and very, very stiff! Which really had me questioning whether I wanted to interface anything at all. In the end I interfaced most pattern pieces that required it, mainly so I could be sure the snaps wouldn't damage the fabric when used. But, I didn't interface pieces L and M (the left and right facings) because these pieces were not going to have any snaps on them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9_KKrNalvQ0IgYKw2GgkeUthl_dg5NQ7-Kl6tKvec9R0Rgfj3ojtNByVQIsuxMNO2Q2mGy1zH7Y5NQXyU69wwDe6PzV1Dhua2qSRKhHvFQGhZeBuOZSwBmBjUicAln4UW5mTL3_U5ySY/s1600/edited-5936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9_KKrNalvQ0IgYKw2GgkeUthl_dg5NQ7-Kl6tKvec9R0Rgfj3ojtNByVQIsuxMNO2Q2mGy1zH7Y5NQXyU69wwDe6PzV1Dhua2qSRKhHvFQGhZeBuOZSwBmBjUicAln4UW5mTL3_U5ySY/s1600/edited-5936.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<u>The sewing tools that made life easier</u><br />
This fabric definitely needed a suitable needle. I used <a href="https://www.janome.com/en/blog/introducing-the-new-purple-tip-needles/" target="_blank">Janome's purple tipped needles</a>, which are designed to work well on thick layers that need extra penetration power (never thought I'd use that phrase on a needlecraft blog).<br />
<br />
For the first few bits of sewing I just used a regular foot, but as soon as my layers started getting thicker that really wasn't working well for me. So I switched to a walking foot, to help the fabric move through the machine evenly. This was especially useful for the facings, which contain lots of layers. Although it was a pain to keen switching between the walking foot and a zipper foot when installing the zipper and facings, it was worth the effort. Now, luckily I already owned a walking foot, but if I hadn't, <a href="https://www.johnlewis.com/janome-walking-foot-5mm/p1177170" target="_blank">these are like £45!</a><br />
<br />
It's worth every pound of its price though. The combination of it and the needles really made a difference. When using just a normal foot and normal, but heavy-duty, needle I got a fair amount of skipped stitches. When I switched to a purple tipped needle and the walking foot, no skipped stitches. Moreover, the walking foot helped all those layers move through the machine evenly. If I was going to sew something like this with oilskin ever again this needle+foot combination would be non-negotiable.<br />
<br />
<u>The lining</u><br />
As mentioned above, I knew that I wanted the jacket lined and that I wanted a Liberty lining. What I really didn't know, was which Liberty fabric. I narrowed it down to four that I thought would work with the oilskin and asked the sewing community on Instagram. However, all four options got a lot of votes, so I was none the wiser. In the end the choice was made for me, because two of my options were no longer available on the Liberty website in the colourways I liked. So I chose the <a href="https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/rachel-tana-lawn-cotton-000502823.html" target="_blank">Rachel Tana lawn, in a blue colourway</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpMp_lK4sOAwPLSmjkTFgI3jSglG7PMQXRhPNo1wWqAGBphUZJe2eLZZHYaZ-LWhfaog3hJlCCwJx4vTCzEOZT1LuTmBH13t_70CfCdoAI6h6d2Gri4ShGBCsw1Ba2tnw2PO2OKKgg1oN/s1600/edited-5850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpMp_lK4sOAwPLSmjkTFgI3jSglG7PMQXRhPNo1wWqAGBphUZJe2eLZZHYaZ-LWhfaog3hJlCCwJx4vTCzEOZT1LuTmBH13t_70CfCdoAI6h6d2Gri4ShGBCsw1Ba2tnw2PO2OKKgg1oN/s1600/edited-5850.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCV9WDI3A8o6ETwAgWqnlI6oA08LYwEKks1eck6_irL-Xmx4E939OM208oFuhy4XhARaK40PM-YNyU8851aifixr8dVzTknG6Kj3XIVtyjZVw-uzFOP0qzwYd279WbAwgkTphmPAe01UG/s1600/edited-5922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCV9WDI3A8o6ETwAgWqnlI6oA08LYwEKks1eck6_irL-Xmx4E939OM208oFuhy4XhARaK40PM-YNyU8851aifixr8dVzTknG6Kj3XIVtyjZVw-uzFOP0qzwYd279WbAwgkTphmPAe01UG/s1600/edited-5922.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I only lined the body in the Liberty cotton. The sleeves are lined with regular polyester lining fabric. Just for practical reasons. If you've ever worn a coat where the sleeves are lined in a cotton or similar you will know that the friction between the cotton and whatever material you're wearing just causes the sleeves of your top to bunch up and it's not at all comfortable. A silky material is a must for lining sleeves, in my opinion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-fTDBtyV6fG28TIQ7nR-lCqB5Qh-RYmG18TDkKA33sZ-wWBq-i6R5YHA17qVYM8SmvxnnJjCAMITMp01QBy-Yil90TjmKximII4pNteChcMUf_qH51sNjIIepkfl4UDHg_a7YQL2h9Ku/s1600/edited-5912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-fTDBtyV6fG28TIQ7nR-lCqB5Qh-RYmG18TDkKA33sZ-wWBq-i6R5YHA17qVYM8SmvxnnJjCAMITMp01QBy-Yil90TjmKximII4pNteChcMUf_qH51sNjIIepkfl4UDHg_a7YQL2h9Ku/s1600/edited-5912.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>The sewing process</b><br />
<br />
I struggled quite a lot with this coat, but actually I don't think it's that difficult to sew. Yes, there are many steps, but each one is actually ok. The only thing that confused me were the facings around the zipper, so I used the <a href="https://closetcasepatterns.com/kelly-anorak-sewalong/" target="_blank">online sewalong</a> for that. This is a fantastic resource! Use it!<br />
<br />
I didn't have to do a great deal of unpicking at any point up until the sleeves. I went superslow with my sewing partly to minimise the mistakes I could make. Unpicked stitches on this fabric leave little holes behind, and I really wanted to avoid this. I made a mistake when attaching the front yokes to the front bodice pieces, in that I forgot the seam allowance was 5/8 inch and convinced myself it was 1/2 inch. I can only put this down to stupidity (read the instructions!!). But ok, this wasn't terrible, because my original stitch line fell onto the seam allowance once I'd corrected it, so no ugly holes luckily! I was less lucky with one of my facings, where I had to do some unpicking and the holes left behind are very visible (see photo below)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIww9bhw7IZG2aE_Gx0NKI0PyTZsR5vGyvIIaHk_5IR-h6gXQy98scbhJZIHzYlNHy0cuX95yNVPbEPFhyphenhyphengxwtDgzsClicGloV65vrzv2ZUAiFS1ZzpPKti6vgaVIvQQXvaXC8x6M8iuT/s1600/edited-5884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIww9bhw7IZG2aE_Gx0NKI0PyTZsR5vGyvIIaHk_5IR-h6gXQy98scbhJZIHzYlNHy0cuX95yNVPbEPFhyphenhyphengxwtDgzsClicGloV65vrzv2ZUAiFS1ZzpPKti6vgaVIvQQXvaXC8x6M8iuT/s1600/edited-5884.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<u>What was really hard</u><br />
The other instance of unpicking was the sleeves. Omg! The sleeves! I thought the zipper would be the hardest to sew, but man, did the sleeves prove me wrong. Because my fabric is super thick and stiff, it was really hard to gather the sleeve heads to ease the sleeves into the arm opening. It was also really hard manoeuvring all that material to sew an even line all around. That was a case of unpicking, trying again, unpicking, trying again, throwing the whole coat out the window, sobbing, running into the garden to retrieve it, trying again (while sobbing). Ugh, this step alone almost put me off sewing with oilskin ever again.<br />
<br />
Although it's closely followed in horribleness by the flatfelling of the sleeve seams. Flatfalling sleeves is hard enough in any fabric, but this fabric just doesn't move! It was not even a tiny bit enjoyable. If anybody told me I'd have to do it again I might just start crying.<br />
<br />
<u>What went wrong</u><br />
So you won't be surprised to hear that everything that went wrong with this coat affected the sleeves.<br />
<br />
First, I accidentally cut out the wrong length sleeves. Ok, easy enough fix. I simply added on some scrap fabric to the sleeves to make them longer. That was a very lucky error, because it allowed me to add some of the Liberty fabric (about 8 cm) to the bottom of the sleeve lining pieces, so that if I want to turn up the cuff a bit, the Liberty rather than the polyester is on display. Happy mistake!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiGfjcQzaCDvbLhACYGV_nV_2ANcPOX-ngbZDkDjg7GrbosoNF5y0UbzVm7Y5-XZ7rLMRDZ-iSzjmhs4AL5D6dNrV4xjqF7FxPAVaB6TRh3Y5ftiMgV__9bjqPBL_Hssov9fm1u5s3quv/s1600/edited-5862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiGfjcQzaCDvbLhACYGV_nV_2ANcPOX-ngbZDkDjg7GrbosoNF5y0UbzVm7Y5-XZ7rLMRDZ-iSzjmhs4AL5D6dNrV4xjqF7FxPAVaB6TRh3Y5ftiMgV__9bjqPBL_Hssov9fm1u5s3quv/s1600/edited-5862.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTEZZ9hWS6Ehkp5Sf1J-mEjmKGNks2RU7A48wP8k8qHy8dt-KApGMhPCZMjHOVJ6Bx800LgiHmInqOEDjsx4EBEgnIAoIPbS37zvs7K84VFj1wlk5QBiLlksjZP2abJFvWTDB-xqIeV-3/s1600/edited-5868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTEZZ9hWS6Ehkp5Sf1J-mEjmKGNks2RU7A48wP8k8qHy8dt-KApGMhPCZMjHOVJ6Bx800LgiHmInqOEDjsx4EBEgnIAoIPbS37zvs7K84VFj1wlk5QBiLlksjZP2abJFvWTDB-xqIeV-3/s1600/edited-5868.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The other potentially major mistake - I accidentally cut two right sleeves. Or rather, I think I cut everything correctly, but because my fabric looks exactly the same on both the right and wrong side, I think I confused myself when sewing and sewed two right sleeves. (!!!) My first thought was of course to cut out a new left sleeve, but I had only scraps left of the fabric, definitely not enough for a sleeve. So I cursed and cried a little bit. And then I realised! Because the fabric is reversible, I could simply turn the second right sleeve inside out and get a left sleeve! Honestly, sometimes the best solution is the easiest one. Ok, so the stitch lines on the felled sleeves give it away, because when done correctly the outside has only one stitch line and the inside two, and I've got one sleeve with one stitch line and the other with two. But honestly, if anybody noticed this I'd be too impressed to be embarrassed.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now for some of the important questions...<br />
<br />
<b>Was it enjoyable to sew?</b><br />
Honestly, no. I looked forward to making this, but it almost killed my love of sewing. In fairness, I did enjoy the first few steps, but once I had quite a few layers to work through it was pretty hard. The main issue is my shell fabric. The oilskin is so stiff that it just wouldn't move. It was so hard to manoeuvre and work with. The sleeves are a prime example. Now that I've finished it I'm glad I chose the oilskin and think that it was worth the effort, but if I ever sew with oilskin again I'll choose much easier projects.<br />
<br />
The other massive issue was time. I didn't have a great deal of it and this is a pretty time-consuming project. Made even more so by my choice of a difficult fabric. So, I did it in painfully slow steps. I ordered the shell fabric in early March. Two weeks later I bought the PDF pattern and <a href="https://www.netprinter.co.uk/sewing-pattern-printing/" target="_blank">sent it to the printers</a>. For this pattern I definitely didn't fancy taping together a billion A4 sheets. Then I was busy again so it took a couple of weeks before I had time to cut it out. Only by mid-April did I start sewing. I was literally snatching time where I could find it. One hour here, half an hour there.<br />
<br />
The slow progress of the sewing contributed to the overall feeling of this not being an enjoyable sewing experience. I know some people love slow projects and chipping away at them, but I really don't. I lose patience so quickly.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm fully aware that this stress around time is a problem I created myself. I shouldn't have started the Kelly when I didn't really have time for a project like it and instead saved it for a quieter period in the year. A lesson learnt for next time.<br />
<br />
I guess the final reason it was not enjoyable is the very visible mistakes. I really took my time with this jacket and spent a lot of time on topstitching. But because of the issues I had with things like the sleeves and other bits with lots of layers, the stitching is not as good as I would have liked it to be. And that's really, really frustrating.<br />
<br />
Despite the mainly unenjoyable sewing experience this time around, I do think I'll make another Kelly quite soon. I intended this one to be for spring with a lovely spring/summer floral lining. However, my slow sewing has turned it into an autumn coat instead. That's fine. But it does mean that I do want one for spring. And I want to have a go at making this in an easier fabric.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ssk3iwem9qa-kWGBOshuzqZw2vqzHIQ9oJq51JOeELjj4WtI-XLTdByPAoxpSZ4Vg0pOypWzbbMyQ04GTfIcNmcUAmtK8N_szJ71Daenwm6TBT9W7wJILaGZxXVjgGXiS1Q-jG3RNwLR/s1600/edited-5873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ssk3iwem9qa-kWGBOshuzqZw2vqzHIQ9oJq51JOeELjj4WtI-XLTdByPAoxpSZ4Vg0pOypWzbbMyQ04GTfIcNmcUAmtK8N_szJ71Daenwm6TBT9W7wJILaGZxXVjgGXiS1Q-jG3RNwLR/s1600/edited-5873.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Now, I don't want this to sound like I'm hating on the oilskin. I am very much not. I love the oilskin and am happy that I chose it and kept going when it got difficult sewing with it. I LOVE the result! The point I'm making is that maybe this particular jacket in this fabric is somewhat above my skill level.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>What do I think of the pattern?</b><br />
I mean, there is a reason that everybody and their grandma has made a Kelly anorak and they all look great. It's a really fantastic pattern! So well-designed. All steps broken down clearly. Instructions supported by a great sewalong. And I've already mentioned all the options for customisation. I have nothing but praise for it.<br />
<br />
I only really had one issue with the pattern itself. When the time came to install the snaps I noticed that there wasn't much room to do so. I had to put the snap bottoms (I'm sure that's not the right term) riiight next to the zipper and the snap tops on the very edge of the facing that covers the zipper to get them to fit.<br />
<br />
I don't know if this is a problem with the pattern or if I did some previous step wrong and didn't notice. Since the snaps did just about fit it's not a massive issue on this jacket, but I'll have to pay a bit more attention to this with the next Kelly I sew.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Is it comfortable?</b><br />
Yes, very. During the first few wears it was stiff and awkward and not great. And my disappointment was immense after all that work. But I gave it a chance and the oilskin has softened a little bit and now it's really, really comfortable. I keep reaching for it every time I leave the house.<br />
<br />
However, I think the zipper is slightly too long for me. I walk fast with big steps and when the jacket is zipped it does limit my movement a bit. If I still try to walk fast it bunches up at the front. So for the next one I'll use a shorter zipper. For now, I close this one just with the snaps. Which works perfectly fine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8iFJCHSmzx0ct2evFx-co7Lhw7XaC7XCR8Cq9qUvAmfGVhM7N07S8Aqb7bYeaNVZ9E1KEK-6rO5CinIao-g6Pdgktegf62EZKCrF0-V-zdy01agEP8guZBQ8h7c6ZlPk_iL6Awy357wC/s1600/edited-5843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8iFJCHSmzx0ct2evFx-co7Lhw7XaC7XCR8Cq9qUvAmfGVhM7N07S8Aqb7bYeaNVZ9E1KEK-6rO5CinIao-g6Pdgktegf62EZKCrF0-V-zdy01agEP8guZBQ8h7c6ZlPk_iL6Awy357wC/s1600/edited-5843.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the reasons I chose the oilskin for the shell fabric was because I wanted a shell fabric that could handle Manchester weather (constant damp and rain). Having tried it out for two months now I'm happy to say that the oilskin does its job perfectly. It is water resistant and only once has water actually managed to get through it. But it was absolutely pouring, and only the sleeves got wet. So that adds a lot of comfort points!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>How much did it cost?</b><br />
So let's talk cost. I think all of us who sew know that making your own clothes usually isn't cheaper than buying ready-to-wear. However, I don't often think about precisely how much I spend on my homemade items. For this jacket I decided to keep track, so I could see how much I'd save compared to buying a Barbour. (Ha!)<br />
<br />
So without further ado, the cost breakdown:<br />
<br />
PDF pattern + lining extension: 22 USD (about £15)<br />
Pattern printing: £12.60<br />
Oilskin + postage: £48.95<br />
Liberty lining, 1m + postage: £25.20<br />
Hardware kit + postage: 43.62 USD (about £30) + whatever I paid in customs that I've forgotten now<br />
Extra strong thread: £8.50<br />
Purple tipped needles: £6.49<br />
<br />
<b>Grand total: £146.74*</b><br />
<br />
<b>*</b>Not counting the things I already owned: interfacing, polyester lining for the sleeves, walking foot. Which would be about £45-50, putting the total at <b>£191.74-196.74. </b>(Cost increase driven mainly by the expensive walking foot.)<br />
<br />
For reference, the classic Barbour Beadnell is £199. And Barbour offer a 15% student discount.<br />
<br />
Soooo...this jacket in fact didn't save me anything. Let's not even talk about how many hours I put into this! Just buying the Barbour would have been a far better financial decision.<br />
<br />
But, every time I wear this it's with the knowledge that my own fair two hands made an oilskin coat. Pretty cool.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXLAoNrpZvnY045BhBGoi2mLahFmyufga9Wpi7oyWJ4j5FOo4PWExVVQoaT9uwzVEdc9o8B86PvQjOsBuVZjrRiDyPwYJRTCRPRi7OxL9lSlcO5WEoGR7BlMsl1-jEgIAyDWgJBCJjSj7/s1600/edited-5826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1487" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXLAoNrpZvnY045BhBGoi2mLahFmyufga9Wpi7oyWJ4j5FOo4PWExVVQoaT9uwzVEdc9o8B86PvQjOsBuVZjrRiDyPwYJRTCRPRi7OxL9lSlcO5WEoGR7BlMsl1-jEgIAyDWgJBCJjSj7/s1600/edited-5826.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>And finally, am I actually happy with it?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
So perhaps the overall tone of this post has been quite negative. I wanted to be honest and describe what sewing this jacket was actually like. However, despite the mainly negative experience of sewing it, I am really, really happy with this jacket. It's comfortable and looks great. And I know just how well made it is. So it was worth the frustration of sewing it, totally.<br />
<br />
I have posted some Instagram stories of making it over the last few months and gathered them under a highlights category. If you are curious on the process of making it, check out my 'Kelly Anorak' highlights on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/danka.jandric/" target="_blank">my profile: @danka.jandric</a> .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJq12wxTHP1p7lX5XLYJ7IqoBTRo_CGCOQCWwbgxwFOor_KhlTLwP_CXLnmT4mpGFj6A0kaANk-130b70ZeBxQukaED9x5r_hf3j6ZZWPWC187vSEscE9K2e7-NyFn7GUEbI_dz6S5rON2/s1600/edited-5825-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJq12wxTHP1p7lX5XLYJ7IqoBTRo_CGCOQCWwbgxwFOor_KhlTLwP_CXLnmT4mpGFj6A0kaANk-130b70ZeBxQukaED9x5r_hf3j6ZZWPWC187vSEscE9K2e7-NyFn7GUEbI_dz6S5rON2/s1600/edited-5825-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-19703742074589374782018-08-03T06:34:00.000+01:002018-08-03T06:40:03.234+01:00Another Scout tee and some magical light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujQgXB0VawyH8hxf2jF9d26MgQopdiH-PvapnWJJFO7r9GCjiYpwybApeEzjesIZRK6Q8MyyoktCrHyruRfHwh_dLLkG_Yn3ClVg5uz0dcTTjDMnnT7kw_XkdXswxxi5oFZW_A0lMYs0t/s1600/17E6FC40-561C-4190-8D69-5F0EA83832B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujQgXB0VawyH8hxf2jF9d26MgQopdiH-PvapnWJJFO7r9GCjiYpwybApeEzjesIZRK6Q8MyyoktCrHyruRfHwh_dLLkG_Yn3ClVg5uz0dcTTjDMnnT7kw_XkdXswxxi5oFZW_A0lMYs0t/s1600/17E6FC40-561C-4190-8D69-5F0EA83832B2.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
If you follow me on Instagram you'll probably know that I have a real soft spot for blue chambray. And as much as I am trying to not purchase new fabrics until I've worked through what I already have I just couldn't resist this blue striped chambray with little pink embroidered flamingos (scroll for close up). I mean, how could anybody, chambray lover or not?<br />
<br />
I knew the second I saw it in the <a href="http://www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fabric Godmother webshop</a> (I tried to link to it, but it must be sold out, can't find it anymore) that I wanted to replicate <a href="http://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-year-of-sleeve-part-ii.html" target="_blank">my Scout tee hack from last year</a>.<br />
<br />
Said and done. The only difference is that the sleeves are somewhat shorter, both the sleeve itself and the ruffle. This was entirely dictated by the amount of fabric I had and the need to make the stripes go vertically on each pattern piece.<br />
<br />
Oh, and I took in the body pieces by a few centimetres on each side. This chambray is not at all floaty, like the rayon I used for my yellow version, so it was just too boxy. I would have liked to take in a bit more than I did, but then I would have needed a zipper or some other opening at the back to get in and out of it, and well...laziness. Couldn't be asked. So I just tuck it into my jeans at the front, and that reduces some of the fabric bulk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59sTcY47v8jzJrNpYhHr70fL7XbknCA_A0IDmMk_cVqsUo8xLkjAWrGYcmt1-CahKrZJjHD98W9PuqUlkD5zrF1qqLjKQIuGf_XqvAmXM-DGSWXMvSnqq7vAkds5f8jPoyp43EL561rlK/s1600/18987BED-9679-4D46-8EB4-3EE05B9FB4CE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59sTcY47v8jzJrNpYhHr70fL7XbknCA_A0IDmMk_cVqsUo8xLkjAWrGYcmt1-CahKrZJjHD98W9PuqUlkD5zrF1qqLjKQIuGf_XqvAmXM-DGSWXMvSnqq7vAkds5f8jPoyp43EL561rlK/s1600/18987BED-9679-4D46-8EB4-3EE05B9FB4CE.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgOs8uQim4oxelrK2L0V_xDszT4lX8Ic2pXvpcB-LhCYWAU4EcNaHzC-UOiIrxQfJZhPXEyXGRGS2Os81JdU7trvcUJjdqwl8WR0Q0j1MJZUR2xrLBDh8VD56LHDWBKyBI-8ctaRabEqU/s1600/7CA5643F-C660-4836-AE75-CFDB135077E4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgOs8uQim4oxelrK2L0V_xDszT4lX8Ic2pXvpcB-LhCYWAU4EcNaHzC-UOiIrxQfJZhPXEyXGRGS2Os81JdU7trvcUJjdqwl8WR0Q0j1MJZUR2xrLBDh8VD56LHDWBKyBI-8ctaRabEqU/s1600/7CA5643F-C660-4836-AE75-CFDB135077E4.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And that's kind of all I have to say about this make. I've made many Scouts before, and have sung the praises of this pattern in previous blog posts. But yeah, it's a great pattern. So versatile, hackable, adaptable. A real pattern collection workhorse. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In terms of the sleeve hack, <a href="http://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-year-of-sleeve-part-ii.html" target="_blank">the details on how I did that are in my post from last year</a>. It's a very simple hack, and therefore a brief description, but if anybody would like a more detailed one, let me know in the comments and I'll try to do a schematic or something like that (maybe a tutorial, so I have an excuse to make another one of these!).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplhZy6xeRZhPP14MZOO5gJHSaX5mgmLrdspw28QBpjyPnamojnmLo0aj0PmPqWcn_7zpd5XWjOT4GXDShcuLrG4G9chB49Che9UBD4iuUkAB8wERXrNH80RJrDM7FhJzntxHl3RYjR44M/s1600/B23B5D03-B31A-4D99-A8AE-0CBD7D46A511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="929" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplhZy6xeRZhPP14MZOO5gJHSaX5mgmLrdspw28QBpjyPnamojnmLo0aj0PmPqWcn_7zpd5XWjOT4GXDShcuLrG4G9chB49Che9UBD4iuUkAB8wERXrNH80RJrDM7FhJzntxHl3RYjR44M/s1600/B23B5D03-B31A-4D99-A8AE-0CBD7D46A511.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On another topic, how amazing is the light in these photos? They are barely edited (if anything, I've reduced the saturation!). I went for a walk one night because I needed to clear my head, and the light was just insane (see the two photos below). All the dry and withered grass and weeds looked radiantly golden rather than their normally quite sad washed out yellowish-brown.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So the next day I decided to go for a walk at the same time, just in case it was as good. I put on this top and took the camera and tripod. Again, just in case.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And the light really was good. Very different. But all sorts of amazing. Have I mentioned how much I love the Peak District?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzZs4YplcMgaHhoOnt3lACK0qeXXBPRfNkMD4G6us3Eec-i27906I4VAyo4HaGjQ02NcXEgytLDgSBqYdSFrmtcv7w9mrjv6-SwqMdFkB0GluTqyH9h7URDqKIVIbt8QlKSKvERAP-VkO/s1600/07A92D7B-88BC-4FA3-8EF5-A81F036CE2A4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzZs4YplcMgaHhoOnt3lACK0qeXXBPRfNkMD4G6us3Eec-i27906I4VAyo4HaGjQ02NcXEgytLDgSBqYdSFrmtcv7w9mrjv6-SwqMdFkB0GluTqyH9h7URDqKIVIbt8QlKSKvERAP-VkO/s1600/07A92D7B-88BC-4FA3-8EF5-A81F036CE2A4.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHMEwA5EeAh_euoXkGkGRTBflHEkwughIXYLyZNwksmqn9nI8KCn_noZxhgGloKM167P2phBOLHiAgR4mI3zL0QhCPM5eyROTU9ELy4BdfdqA0cOJRoJgRUkI2N5quh4Z-3yFvQR_E2AR/s1600/8BC6BDE3-F4D9-4A87-8F0F-6D4E2A5FD6CB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHMEwA5EeAh_euoXkGkGRTBflHEkwughIXYLyZNwksmqn9nI8KCn_noZxhgGloKM167P2phBOLHiAgR4mI3zL0QhCPM5eyROTU9ELy4BdfdqA0cOJRoJgRUkI2N5quh4Z-3yFvQR_E2AR/s1600/8BC6BDE3-F4D9-4A87-8F0F-6D4E2A5FD6CB.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-11879505112388560792018-07-06T06:32:00.002+01:002018-07-10T10:33:59.204+01:00The happy accident Eliana dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsXJSz2lAfu8baJNUrSGb1UzcBNZD09C6F2L4bzudF7MVNg3f6GnLjMSMg9WNZJNDLZJKwRtIu_i8dIEmebR9LO-aNil0VGeVdUWFxR5efrRIAhaa53Ars-yvsBHhM-zgZTMyD3wi6_H9/s1600/edited-4361-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsXJSz2lAfu8baJNUrSGb1UzcBNZD09C6F2L4bzudF7MVNg3f6GnLjMSMg9WNZJNDLZJKwRtIu_i8dIEmebR9LO-aNil0VGeVdUWFxR5efrRIAhaa53Ars-yvsBHhM-zgZTMyD3wi6_H9/s1600/edited-4361-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
So after I made my Ruby top in soft and cool rayon I really fancied another garment in the same type of fabric. For these hot summer days we're having rayon and viscose challis are godsent.<br />
<br />
I had two metres of some p<a href="https://www.minervacrafts.com/shop/fabric/dress-fabrics/design-v1827-black-m-spot-print-viscose-dress-fabric" target="_blank">retty cheap viscose challis I bought from Minerva Crafts </a>last year and thought I'd do something with that. I wasn't quite sure about which pattern, but felt like I should use one I already had instead of buying a new one, in the spirit of working through my stash.<br />
<br />
I had bought the <a href="https://www.paulinealicepatterns.com/en/pdf-sewing-patterns/35-eliana-dress-pdf-pattern.html" target="_blank">Pauline Alice Eliana dress pattern</a> ages ago and then just never used it. I don't really know why I bought it, because I didn't think the shape of the dress would suit me. And I had read a few blog posts that described little issues, like the armholes being very large. But because I had it and the fabric was pretty inexpensive, I decided to give it a go anyway. If it didn't come out well, nothing lost.<br />
<br />
But! It came out amazingly! I LOVE how it fits! It has become my favourite dress for this summer! So floaty and cool, yet still looks quite put together and presentable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nb6JNy3FQ-GI0C9aAZdFj225tcF0ARLd3cQ4jEXQHkjnEv3y7uTfaEZnG_E8j4U2NQP9LBZGiZPsgokBqSmuLHQ4VHDqOKuSyRte4JY7WBrU29kn5hr7Vdri1tnzOM2RWYlcWTcb4gCe/s1600/edited-4356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nb6JNy3FQ-GI0C9aAZdFj225tcF0ARLd3cQ4jEXQHkjnEv3y7uTfaEZnG_E8j4U2NQP9LBZGiZPsgokBqSmuLHQ4VHDqOKuSyRte4JY7WBrU29kn5hr7Vdri1tnzOM2RWYlcWTcb4gCe/s1600/edited-4356.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My measurements came to a size 38 and that was pretty accurate. I only ended up changing two things to improve the fit. And one that had nothing to do with the fit.<br />
<br />
I didn't include pockets. Only because my fabric is very thin and fine and I didn't want the bulk.<br />
<br />
In terms of the fit, the first thing I changed was the position of the waist. On some of the images I've seen of the dress I thought the waist looked a bit low, so instead of sewing the skirt to the bodice, I just basted it, and then used a belt to tie it to test where it would sit on the torso once done up with the waist ties. It was a little bit too low down for my liking, so I just moved it up by about 2 cm.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE4eqZ-_T7UehsiRorn1PIH4guz0gjMW1cijvIzosSWgsZonGJzkFZI6mPyiJ-tJk65Vmwe19mTS5tL2WrLUBPOzA_KbMSDazQaLH-w4KORWLrnAPQtCmpWjETT-N-YTBSPwAGPUWsIkD/s1600/edited-4367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE4eqZ-_T7UehsiRorn1PIH4guz0gjMW1cijvIzosSWgsZonGJzkFZI6mPyiJ-tJk65Vmwe19mTS5tL2WrLUBPOzA_KbMSDazQaLH-w4KORWLrnAPQtCmpWjETT-N-YTBSPwAGPUWsIkD/s1600/edited-4367.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: right;">The second thing was on the sides. Before I finished the side seams I checked the fit, and I felt the dress was way too loose around the waist. Ok around the bust and hips though. So I removed about 3 cm total on each side. If I make this pattern again (I'm very tempted to) I'll just grade down to a smaller size at the waist.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLUYneJJ_WsKRXCze3h_YQdR8ktcLEic9ZN6ps-eXke2d_83rywzC71rbc2gXWB7mSHh5XbAOjq-qp4D1h5X-5udvhv02TpSGGviaMK-tdC6XqnRfi_IkoONHt45pxOoSfdHHIcVDSRRz/s1600/edited-4339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLUYneJJ_WsKRXCze3h_YQdR8ktcLEic9ZN6ps-eXke2d_83rywzC71rbc2gXWB7mSHh5XbAOjq-qp4D1h5X-5udvhv02TpSGGviaMK-tdC6XqnRfi_IkoONHt45pxOoSfdHHIcVDSRRz/s1600/edited-4339.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
And if I do make another Eliana dress I'll change two more things. First, I'll make the bias binding for the neck ever so slightly wider. Mine was a bit too narrow to catch the volume of the gathered neckline properly and I ended up with lots of ugly stitches where I was correcting and fixing this. Ok, some of this is down to the fact that I was watching the football and drinking wine when sewing. But another 0.5 cm on the binding width would just make it easier.<br />
<br />
Second, I'd take out a few centimetres at the back. There's just that little bit too much fabric there right now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RytD_PT77OWsuYdqyTamxFi6OQMmjUX9TDMEBp9rnhsGAMVMqVFoYR8cTnbLWt2D0EHUKa_Zw7EEqvNnSA_qLojAyPkgXMaUsSyatnyibHIR5rZk6dwW7qMzdFIFDmlKN1nPC-CMx_e1/s1600/edited-4324-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RytD_PT77OWsuYdqyTamxFi6OQMmjUX9TDMEBp9rnhsGAMVMqVFoYR8cTnbLWt2D0EHUKa_Zw7EEqvNnSA_qLojAyPkgXMaUsSyatnyibHIR5rZk6dwW7qMzdFIFDmlKN1nPC-CMx_e1/s1600/edited-4324-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
But on the whole, I'm superhappy with this dress. And I think the cheap fabric and (initially) unloved pattern are the perfect match! I'll be living in this as long as this heatwave lasts.<br />
<br />
I wore it for an evening walk the other day, when I took these photos, and picked some willow herb. This time just for a meadow flower bouquet for the kitchen table, but next time I think I'll have a go at making some cordial out of them. Can you make anything else from them? If you have any good tips, comment below!<br />
<br />
But how beautiful are they? I know that for gardeners willow herb can be a real pest, but on meadows and along train tracks they just look lovely. Summer and nature really are two of my favourite things. Despite the joy of being able to wear summer dresses every day, I'm hoping for a bit of rain, so all plants get a chance to recover from this crazy heat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vRzjuRfH11ZWiKRZxj_w2zrs-JkJWdLMbG_rNlr1Sbk7noVl6A3pU40mLZKCzuyGkCzxUjohDPJqppCwUZbQO3CiV3OCYq0dpTHihoFERRFr5PE2vgHsIoh6lQdxlSqEvINXOvrtB6X1/s1600/edited-4430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vRzjuRfH11ZWiKRZxj_w2zrs-JkJWdLMbG_rNlr1Sbk7noVl6A3pU40mLZKCzuyGkCzxUjohDPJqppCwUZbQO3CiV3OCYq0dpTHihoFERRFr5PE2vgHsIoh6lQdxlSqEvINXOvrtB6X1/s1600/edited-4430.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHkjx91NUmvAppbMvl4kpU1NaJRm1orpflRGVZn1u1l375RjSNx6Guz-hiBc6NIkJRv4WGSzGVxPb2ESfWFlFsTxSqtaBA0iVgBC9wxf9GCqF2YOVVQ9a8aeRzAqKlpEGU5P4HyJc9I0E/s1600/edited-4466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHkjx91NUmvAppbMvl4kpU1NaJRm1orpflRGVZn1u1l375RjSNx6Guz-hiBc6NIkJRv4WGSzGVxPb2ESfWFlFsTxSqtaBA0iVgBC9wxf9GCqF2YOVVQ9a8aeRzAqKlpEGU5P4HyJc9I0E/s1600/edited-4466.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmcpSrLhYwZLT5oIOWMQomPUv0pWWJ5WGTIBpPC1vEBT0oYcJhcKfTKwDh8uNuCF31rxlM0jceAD0jATeP6t-vlMWz6ahSG548FKu7rFs31JA3Z0UVmAa5llfQnrj-dZtUiu2JtmITwKD/s1600/edited-4483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmcpSrLhYwZLT5oIOWMQomPUv0pWWJ5WGTIBpPC1vEBT0oYcJhcKfTKwDh8uNuCF31rxlM0jceAD0jATeP6t-vlMWz6ahSG548FKu7rFs31JA3Z0UVmAa5llfQnrj-dZtUiu2JtmITwKD/s1600/edited-4483.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-45436103319042004632018-07-04T13:10:00.000+01:002018-07-10T10:33:44.928+01:00The Tessuti Ruby top that made me love sewing again<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vDfJhRvw4IALqWNBGsR_g5mjj9jdF7pV8sRE_-DJ3nIwD2N-UTi7UA1nNfGpGkfe3q9Q4b3h_R444YCyBspnXW8cFBRla6XPJaaNfrQLdikuA_GflI9gzsVoFx9wipg3LalVVRsLuPFc/s1600/edited-6593-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vDfJhRvw4IALqWNBGsR_g5mjj9jdF7pV8sRE_-DJ3nIwD2N-UTi7UA1nNfGpGkfe3q9Q4b3h_R444YCyBspnXW8cFBRla6XPJaaNfrQLdikuA_GflI9gzsVoFx9wipg3LalVVRsLuPFc/s1600/edited-6593-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
My last blog post was in February and to be honest there hasn't been much sewing since. In March I started the <a href="https://store.closetcasepatterns.com/products/kelly-anorak-jacket-pattern" target="_blank">Kelly Anorak</a> and 1) it was really difficult in my chosen fabric, and 2) I was really busy with life in general and progress was superslow.<br />
<br />
Somewhere between difficult and stressed I fell out of love with sewing. I was honestly so fed up with it. The whole point of it was that it is meant to be enjoyable, and I was not having fun. I'll tell you the whole story of the Kelly in its own post eventually, but yeah, it wasn't my favourite thing to sew. It's neither the pattern's nor the fabric's fault. It's the combination of the two with lack of time. Just terrible combo.<br />
<br />
But I kept going with the jacket and by the end of May I only had the snaps left (which I still haven't added). And when it was almost done and it had turned out pretty good that fed up feeling started to get replaced with a 'ooh, what will I make next?' feeling. I couldn't face anything even slightly difficult, so I decided on a very simple top - the<a href="https://www.tessuti-shop.com/products/ruby-dress-top-pattern" target="_blank"> Ruby top by Tessuti</a>.<br />
<br />
I had one metre of some blue rayon which was perfect for it. And this pattern was just the palate cleanser I needed after 2.5 months of sewing with oilcloth. It was so easy. And so quick. And turned out so well, with no modifications whatsoever.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrIizuyM295lQg0dcXTPoRSulAnLKue-Xtzh9t5-aOg5CwaFeIhS1gb5-wu5VDH81ck6kGbAdjvXh5BLkdMbHT_2efUZYrfLC09bLecCSdBedhxcX0p6dG35TwvZXvN0dCyY707geu9ak/s1600/edited-6602-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrIizuyM295lQg0dcXTPoRSulAnLKue-Xtzh9t5-aOg5CwaFeIhS1gb5-wu5VDH81ck6kGbAdjvXh5BLkdMbHT_2efUZYrfLC09bLecCSdBedhxcX0p6dG35TwvZXvN0dCyY707geu9ak/s1600/edited-6602-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
But also, it is so good for the current heatwave we're having! Rayon is floaty and cool, so it's ideal for warm temperatures. I have been wearing this top pretty much non-stop since I made it.<br />
<br />
Including on my birthday, two weeks ago. I really fancied going hiking, so that's what we did. Around the beautiful village of Castleton and up Mam Tor. Probably my favourite Peak District hike so far. Since I don't have any more photos of the top to show, here's some from the hike.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EX7cL4basppznQL-QB7UyiO5ZzUbWgr57ggbyjyr2unUCPBbw7dIrNXRPUemF-8hA_5LxzVi3wxdq-G2RIvD2cLZF8pwL4m-dup7kFN5j7gTAZkp3z03ULE5Bdji0z7RFQSDZLFAT7fK/s1600/edited-6547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EX7cL4basppznQL-QB7UyiO5ZzUbWgr57ggbyjyr2unUCPBbw7dIrNXRPUemF-8hA_5LxzVi3wxdq-G2RIvD2cLZF8pwL4m-dup7kFN5j7gTAZkp3z03ULE5Bdji0z7RFQSDZLFAT7fK/s1600/edited-6547.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaYu1F7MZsVjw_2QT3V5lpau2yKnKdtScrVo935YA99zB1dSxdqrsmiNNMXvks1YwIZkj2yV1RLn_fJD6ZI0vdRqwuPwkrRzWQ386RmsqQsMa5vjo-JrJuKcxntlXZNpTI6MsZ2ADICQj/s1600/edited-6491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaYu1F7MZsVjw_2QT3V5lpau2yKnKdtScrVo935YA99zB1dSxdqrsmiNNMXvks1YwIZkj2yV1RLn_fJD6ZI0vdRqwuPwkrRzWQ386RmsqQsMa5vjo-JrJuKcxntlXZNpTI6MsZ2ADICQj/s1600/edited-6491.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivA5Evd5sO10bHrh2W2LjHHuMTljvL6gv9QXIdXcSePdpob1wkmoH_p-pYykSnYGZoxLW5AaycDOTDFRw59mz0JwirVgqJj1KcnTF1SHDMqca_2JqRoW4mmmumPVaFkn6Ab3AUm08HIi6p/s1600/edited-6561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivA5Evd5sO10bHrh2W2LjHHuMTljvL6gv9QXIdXcSePdpob1wkmoH_p-pYykSnYGZoxLW5AaycDOTDFRw59mz0JwirVgqJj1KcnTF1SHDMqca_2JqRoW4mmmumPVaFkn6Ab3AUm08HIi6p/s1600/edited-6561.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKrtt0Cq8-fjd_ME3snwv3Iy3BygJR5XluKZqQK3u2E47Z3kkzSgymY11VLhbbXhjVXTS1PLMbZzCmTGUJBmjRNAick95q-bX6LmbuSJtv72JjJfxFcjZb_OKamvpq6a9j5uDd2BzmGwj/s1600/edited-6615-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKrtt0Cq8-fjd_ME3snwv3Iy3BygJR5XluKZqQK3u2E47Z3kkzSgymY11VLhbbXhjVXTS1PLMbZzCmTGUJBmjRNAick95q-bX6LmbuSJtv72JjJfxFcjZb_OKamvpq6a9j5uDd2BzmGwj/s1600/edited-6615-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TsMuAUCsZwwsLYF82jqHTJqu5mVwRL1bMDQt3BGPDTO13Fg12HSxTlil_-FJHAsAigB1aj4fvOEDiJZVV3VK87qGT9LwXWAlyiYUgxB9_g7lIqUBj5GJDY2_jvGF-wdILLzYwR-t82j7/s1600/edited-6644-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TsMuAUCsZwwsLYF82jqHTJqu5mVwRL1bMDQt3BGPDTO13Fg12HSxTlil_-FJHAsAigB1aj4fvOEDiJZVV3VK87qGT9LwXWAlyiYUgxB9_g7lIqUBj5GJDY2_jvGF-wdILLzYwR-t82j7/s1600/edited-6644-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlXB6X-w4RIpjQnzZg7hKfdMpgwk6JUDF_qDvu8_NUd5Udk7Ic0HBlF1-ViKYmlOWTGpSJfQ3qcBPTT8A-qLkoxU1_7L5QY_1a1_kBDuhxZbWJgGIAquTpudFUySWzp7nXTwxojE946Tf/s1600/edited-6531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlXB6X-w4RIpjQnzZg7hKfdMpgwk6JUDF_qDvu8_NUd5Udk7Ic0HBlF1-ViKYmlOWTGpSJfQ3qcBPTT8A-qLkoxU1_7L5QY_1a1_kBDuhxZbWJgGIAquTpudFUySWzp7nXTwxojE946Tf/s1600/edited-6531.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-61173168545029262632018-02-13T08:29:00.000+00:002018-08-01T21:41:36.025+01:00A Grainline Linden and first impressions<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k-fAs8xl4ZmWF_vmv8nr45cv3IdAZm4DsdGQu-9LwUYIPTIe9dCfai9zi2gtdarEhUQ_5MQYfx_Z9sFbxBpqyb73c0ijaGGLBToffnkix9BX5_wBEGgHW_aa8xJYN3q7IaeIhlVCy0_p/s1600/DSCF1859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k-fAs8xl4ZmWF_vmv8nr45cv3IdAZm4DsdGQu-9LwUYIPTIe9dCfai9zi2gtdarEhUQ_5MQYfx_Z9sFbxBpqyb73c0ijaGGLBToffnkix9BX5_wBEGgHW_aa8xJYN3q7IaeIhlVCy0_p/s1600/DSCF1859.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
This is a story not so much about the <a href="https://grainlinestudio.com/shop/women/linden-sweatshirt/" target="_blank">Linden</a> (what's there to say really? it's fantastic!), but about adjusting to life in the North. I've mentioned in <a href="https://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/my-2017-summary-in-instagram-pics.html" target="_blank">my 2017 summary</a> that I haven't really loved Manchester since moving here. And neither has Josh. A big part of that is that we miss our old life in the Oxfordshire countryside.<br />
<br />
So after a few months in a Manchester suburb (nice, as far as suburbs go) we decided to have a look outside Greater Manchester, to see if maybe there was a bit of countryside a commutable distance away.<br />
<br />
We really liked the little town of Glossop and its surrounding towns/villages, at the edge of the Peak District. With its stone cottages and windy streets and cute shops and restaurants it reminds of some of the Oxfordshire towns. But while Oxfordshire has picturesque green rolling fields, Glossop is set against the dramatic and rugged Peak District. As you can image, it's gorgeous!<br />
<br />
(Also, we're not hung up on Oxford, but it's where we spent most of our life together, so in many ways it's a reference point.)<br />
<br />
So we did it. We moved. And it was stressful and unsettling and exhausting. But now it feels good.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-tLjq8SFv2elboKVOpq8hAdSnK1mWiuyHTqT1n8fKV2bxTw1-BVPggQ_8G_4c7fQsc5P7U39ZMEtToZ0pfrVIrABjmjfWxFfxDaeR2fWcLhSmmekFqlDAKDi6JQzc97WtYqKluQ9PLZU/s1600/DSCF1867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-tLjq8SFv2elboKVOpq8hAdSnK1mWiuyHTqT1n8fKV2bxTw1-BVPggQ_8G_4c7fQsc5P7U39ZMEtToZ0pfrVIrABjmjfWxFfxDaeR2fWcLhSmmekFqlDAKDi6JQzc97WtYqKluQ9PLZU/s1600/DSCF1867.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMVWRoP63664gZCXRySbMJOY_J9nISRuBv8ClkLhmvC_8RK7ivOvmxGYH_GXozgSW4b4ep3lVOpnNz8VXaLa4drpoV8t9qGTnJgJfKHUDJaNdNHr8KA-R3KeRHUxaUdKidQDxkAzwEJhw/s1600/DSCF1754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMVWRoP63664gZCXRySbMJOY_J9nISRuBv8ClkLhmvC_8RK7ivOvmxGYH_GXozgSW4b4ep3lVOpnNz8VXaLa4drpoV8t9qGTnJgJfKHUDJaNdNHr8KA-R3KeRHUxaUdKidQDxkAzwEJhw/s1600/DSCF1754.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFF2Q22eSeqiyUNL4n0FfwUaa_xduDCBdY0cFbiO1pAHGC-5QM5fNE8p2hKirAxW9QoFu5z2Sze7zIiQM1ACKqp5FElL8zssD2C_LnSyoAd3T5hJNjjkWI1hyK_TqFoSCdkXu_NwtTigq-/s1600/DSCF1756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFF2Q22eSeqiyUNL4n0FfwUaa_xduDCBdY0cFbiO1pAHGC-5QM5fNE8p2hKirAxW9QoFu5z2Sze7zIiQM1ACKqp5FElL8zssD2C_LnSyoAd3T5hJNjjkWI1hyK_TqFoSCdkXu_NwtTigq-/s1600/DSCF1756.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1gOE83M99ePn7sAGTu4RTFhpUIOWHr4zYtQBRqB7wB-0dMeRfpsRyOLrIBB4X_THdmttaEZdbLC0RAOhr3Bb73WQ8jigKKUjHVrD549X1wu2gaxZAw9t1qt0aHJHK1_KXzYRklVHqKyi/s1600/DSCF1868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1gOE83M99ePn7sAGTu4RTFhpUIOWHr4zYtQBRqB7wB-0dMeRfpsRyOLrIBB4X_THdmttaEZdbLC0RAOhr3Bb73WQ8jigKKUjHVrD549X1wu2gaxZAw9t1qt0aHJHK1_KXzYRklVHqKyi/s1600/DSCF1868.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Admittedly, we've only been here a week, but I can already tell a difference. The very air feels different (colder!). There has been an instant improvement to my sleep. It's so nice knowing there is beautiful nature a short walk away from our house (as opposed to a drive away!). I'm feeling very positive about this decision.<br />
<br />
In celebration of a good decision I took my new Grainline Linden for it's first wear, a freezing walk around a reservoir.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwevcyWt2tIb91SatlyBcQWOqXLMZmGI2hHrsp1K6_WBCQWU0VJkp1p8b9v9VrIvvYdEzL7OCIFvA92YG2e24526PnWO3QOONcjMm244Y8pFA7j_posAKhPLEmW7_fKg1KeMzlxMquFRJX/s1600/DSCF1862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwevcyWt2tIb91SatlyBcQWOqXLMZmGI2hHrsp1K6_WBCQWU0VJkp1p8b9v9VrIvvYdEzL7OCIFvA92YG2e24526PnWO3QOONcjMm244Y8pFA7j_posAKhPLEmW7_fKg1KeMzlxMquFRJX/s1600/DSCF1862.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
So let me tell you a bit about the Linden. I bought the pattern some time ago and indeed intended to make it some time ago. But then I was distracted by <a href="https://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/toaster-sweater-2-and-trip-to-rotterdam.html" target="_blank">the Toaster sweatshirt,</a> and suddenly it was spring and the last thing on my mind was a sweatshirt!<br />
<br />
Last autumn I started thinking about it again, but the fabric I wanted, <a href="https://guthrie-ghani.co.uk/shop/fabric/cosy-colours-green-mustard-multi-fleck-fleece-sweatshirt-fabric" target="_blank">this fleece lined yellow cotton sweatshirting from Guthrie & Ghani</a>, was out of stock. I emailed them and they were amazing! They got in touch as soon as it was available again. I ordered it straightaway, but I was too busy just then. So, it became my January project. I finished it a few weeks ago, but because I was packing to move house, I didn't get a chance to wear it. So as you can tell, this sweatshirt really is a story of delayed gratification!<br />
<br />
But it was worth the wait. It kept me warm on that freezing walk, and I am wearing it now, writing this with the snow falling outside (Sunday afternoon).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHEpdgs1B8EPjl9qTfZTcZiWMWtZdOuMPC6l1LZOSZ_k1XkyntljYAzNfeK_5C3npNOUlmW-QRlSjULVGQOuGnSCMKqRfYZTjfMzr1oFGfZP4FDKnUo9FfKURUV8Pn9xikgINbs2QmSDc/s1600/DSCF1864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHEpdgs1B8EPjl9qTfZTcZiWMWtZdOuMPC6l1LZOSZ_k1XkyntljYAzNfeK_5C3npNOUlmW-QRlSjULVGQOuGnSCMKqRfYZTjfMzr1oFGfZP4FDKnUo9FfKURUV8Pn9xikgINbs2QmSDc/s1600/DSCF1864.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
In terms on construction, I cut a size 6 of view A, but omitted the waistband. It was incredible easy to sew, once I figured out why my machine was skipping stitches.<br />
<br />
This was really strange. I changed the needle, tried both a needle for knits and a regular one, played with the tension, everything I could think of. In the end I tried another thread, and the problem was gone. Which makes me think that the cheap polyester thread I had bought was rubbish. The problem was, I didn't have another yellow thread. So I switched to a white top thread and kept the yellow on the bobbin, and that was ok. But it was very strange and cost me an hour of sewing time! Not to mention that I had to do all topstitching upside down! Luckily there's not much topstitching.<br />
<br />
In terms of the pattern, I found the neckline band a bit too short and had to cut a new, longer one (about 6 cm longer). I'm thinking maybe my fabric wasn't stretchy enough? Also, I thought the neckline band was a bit too thin, so I added on 1 cm of width.<br />
<br />
Other than that, this pattern is easy peasy! I totally get why everybody loves it. This is a bandwagon I'm more than happy to jump on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkbf9bVWlAWYQ0HvC4hw9QeS7JHRZ-U5fz5naxOfBJKXUuUkjNUW2Aw9ezhGSgaFfhZOCyUna8Et_l9SkjlFtLzYaYmTNYaqwspd30fKncRFz2Bs81HFyu6Z-7DImNstF_taCD6ZuJ1-S/s1600/DSCF1882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkbf9bVWlAWYQ0HvC4hw9QeS7JHRZ-U5fz5naxOfBJKXUuUkjNUW2Aw9ezhGSgaFfhZOCyUna8Et_l9SkjlFtLzYaYmTNYaqwspd30fKncRFz2Bs81HFyu6Z-7DImNstF_taCD6ZuJ1-S/s1600/DSCF1882.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-49032022431983407602018-01-24T09:35:00.000+00:002018-01-24T09:39:57.197+00:00A 'weather safe' merino turtleneck<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8LtqzVLEO_dxal8iX9Az3y1AHOgAvCNVJGXXu_0qaELgyfZDMdwygoMOBdKW5Q1zDW3rud8nLxC7kBcLkHzcGk_QG5rH_1ZYVd2QRqfWX3NutjTBZJUZQMqC_L7bUfEeqJZ8syOL6tIb/s1600/IMG_3428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8LtqzVLEO_dxal8iX9Az3y1AHOgAvCNVJGXXu_0qaELgyfZDMdwygoMOBdKW5Q1zDW3rud8nLxC7kBcLkHzcGk_QG5rH_1ZYVd2QRqfWX3NutjTBZJUZQMqC_L7bUfEeqJZ8syOL6tIb/s1600/IMG_3428.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
In 2016, when I went to Australia on holiday, I picked up some absolutely lovely merino jersey from <a href="http://www.thefabricstore.com.au/" target="_blank">The Fabric Store</a>. Most of it was used to make a <a href="https://www.mariadenmark.com/shop/405-rachel-wrap-dress/" target="_blank">Maria Denmark Rachel wrap dress</a>, which I've shown on Instagram a number of times. But the second make from this fabric, made from the scraps that remained after the dress, has been hidden away like a well kept secret. Actually, there is nothing secret about it. It's just that it's usually layered underneath lots of other clothes (like in the photo above) and rarely gets photographed.<br />
<br />
I'm talking about the best turtleneck ever.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3Q7N8I1WVivj2Ic1q2vDrc2H_rT9iVgUl2t4eR7OIGH6V4R5YJUei4Ld5hDDvbpGy-Jk3xY2WnLxVN8k6QnGwFfuYzOryGCQGhDBXVwTHQwOPha5Oc7XsWyr0OAWuimOGj87b4zBm8G8/s1600/IMG_3429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3Q7N8I1WVivj2Ic1q2vDrc2H_rT9iVgUl2t4eR7OIGH6V4R5YJUei4Ld5hDDvbpGy-Jk3xY2WnLxVN8k6QnGwFfuYzOryGCQGhDBXVwTHQwOPha5Oc7XsWyr0OAWuimOGj87b4zBm8G8/s1600/IMG_3429.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's unfortunate that the shutter went off just as I was pulling up my jeans, but the tee looks good here, so forgive my wardrobe adjustment.</span></div>
<br />
As you know by now, I love turtlenecks. Not least because they are a fantastic layering item but also smart enough to be worn on their own. And the perfect pattern in my opinion is the <a href="https://www.namedclothing.com/shop/paola-turtleneck-tee/" target="_blank">Named Paola turtleneck tee</a>.<br />
<br />
So naturally I had some make one in this lovely merino. However, when I made it, I don't think I realised quite how much I'd love it.<br />
<br />
It has become my 'weather safe' turtleneck. What I mean by that is that I can rely on it to keep me warm and comfortable in most winter weather I might encounter. I've worn it in the Alps, far up in northern Sweden and most recently in the Scottish Highlands. And it hasn't failed me yet.<br />
<br />
It's like a great merino base layer, but looks a lot nicer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs2Iv7GbhbkUtCmdAyw9umkZj91T6ZAUP0ChzSIxX0RXCv6SmcTxDVodV4fRxqilTjULzKdmUa_r3DooBn85FIJ9lsyx4BNeLWLLgxl4CcU3rsOi7Q6smtPJaMfUNLPKYP1tTCA87JMss/s1600/IMG_3432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="777" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs2Iv7GbhbkUtCmdAyw9umkZj91T6ZAUP0ChzSIxX0RXCv6SmcTxDVodV4fRxqilTjULzKdmUa_r3DooBn85FIJ9lsyx4BNeLWLLgxl4CcU3rsOi7Q6smtPJaMfUNLPKYP1tTCA87JMss/s1600/IMG_3432.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPBa1Yt3fJ_X4lNtK7zTWkFr8pumhIJXclkdpdJFFcZnoKPYFD1L81XtcjaB_WJvo-BDHeFM6OUm-BhOPh_iIkKeiQdvkT8v1tXbw0lCYd38qcEIJvbdTbs8a3AWPAE5EsLnyNyFl1CXT/s1600/IMG_3414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPBa1Yt3fJ_X4lNtK7zTWkFr8pumhIJXclkdpdJFFcZnoKPYFD1L81XtcjaB_WJvo-BDHeFM6OUm-BhOPh_iIkKeiQdvkT8v1tXbw0lCYd38qcEIJvbdTbs8a3AWPAE5EsLnyNyFl1CXT/s1600/IMG_3414.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
These photos are from a reaaaaaally windy walk along the canal in Inverness. It might look sunny, but can you see in the first photo that I'm holding my hair? It's because in every photo that I don't you can't even see my face.<br />
<br />
Later that day my friend and I were heading out for a few drinks and dinner. All I did was change my trousers and shoes and put on some lipstick. The turtleneck stayed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKbMuBpZ_jG8X75icS7k1aGPmza-7X-RQmAIJKGZkPXJvFLZZZYLvzKVeYwGt5xSim-sNWt94GPE4nbyk5CWx4ZFekHvpWD4sg3jzdDFacvr-9QsxgkOxkoRQ8qClfgCvuMeq9qi8AKxg/s1600/27E241BD-41A5-4668-82F4-042F5974E997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKbMuBpZ_jG8X75icS7k1aGPmza-7X-RQmAIJKGZkPXJvFLZZZYLvzKVeYwGt5xSim-sNWt94GPE4nbyk5CWx4ZFekHvpWD4sg3jzdDFacvr-9QsxgkOxkoRQ8qClfgCvuMeq9qi8AKxg/s1600/27E241BD-41A5-4668-82F4-042F5974E997.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
And this is another reason why I love it so. It's versatile and can look perfectly smart too. In fact, its first ever wear was to one of my PhD interviews, tucked into a black skirt and worn with ankle boots. It was cold but I didn't want to wear something bulky or too many layers. The turtleneck did the trick to keep me warm.<br />
<br />
So now I'm thinking that ahead of next winter I'll order more of this lovely fabric from Australia and make a few more of these turtlenecks in different colours. A grey and a black one are a must in my wardrobe.<br />
<br />
Especially as there'll be many more trips like this one to Scotland. Which brings me onto the reason for the trip. A very close friend and her fiancé have moved up to Inverness. They moved some time ago but life has gotten in the way on both sides and we haven't found the time to meet up in either Inverness or Manchester until now. But last Friday I got on a 7h train and spent the whole weekend with them. And it was amazing!<br />
<br />
Here are a few photos from the first day, before the snow melted:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQWaxO-7CQWX88uA1yc4tXXKmdEw5wR3LTCWLDkMPLbzbwMgZfW4yVr7ztL_4lnb_n5A3PYKAZcvLc5P-myIETAU_ksJjvMHvD8xD3Y6cpx9AxDWk55E__P6mLRM4oZNKCqpAsqIZcGkp/s1600/IMG_3251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQWaxO-7CQWX88uA1yc4tXXKmdEw5wR3LTCWLDkMPLbzbwMgZfW4yVr7ztL_4lnb_n5A3PYKAZcvLc5P-myIETAU_ksJjvMHvD8xD3Y6cpx9AxDWk55E__P6mLRM4oZNKCqpAsqIZcGkp/s1600/IMG_3251.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqin8tcY_9HFusgUvZs7LURvzUMybV38r-oI03PC2O_B7HfYS7-9a1mJI5nM99pyjk1LzINMxjgn5LmAepfBte1HuumHVkWTooS-pZn8FpmmbWsJCf1dOrF8B-JL5jGteXQrRenh10acBq/s1600/IMG_3253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqin8tcY_9HFusgUvZs7LURvzUMybV38r-oI03PC2O_B7HfYS7-9a1mJI5nM99pyjk1LzINMxjgn5LmAepfBte1HuumHVkWTooS-pZn8FpmmbWsJCf1dOrF8B-JL5jGteXQrRenh10acBq/s1600/IMG_3253.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-U58a0kOAR-UptuT7-Q5X-NNq2bgbzES5RqC2CR5tNtPa3AIyA5J8QMYA8U9qrDy44EET7zLqP_dV01_nUXzz-pcXn6bwaAwHdNjkLG0Miph7E2SKhOZe3UhiiU5xuWix1gOKjUgszjg/s1600/IMG_3276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-U58a0kOAR-UptuT7-Q5X-NNq2bgbzES5RqC2CR5tNtPa3AIyA5J8QMYA8U9qrDy44EET7zLqP_dV01_nUXzz-pcXn6bwaAwHdNjkLG0Miph7E2SKhOZe3UhiiU5xuWix1gOKjUgszjg/s1600/IMG_3276.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOe6RkNAtNsHHCDDm7iX0BuCNmP7pkIVgLMkBeoQN62_3hr9egD8O17Vc0H5HpVyC7SkrYVk6o0zv-uy1v1_Ayx0E18xF4f1moKoFxH-bfbKwGcZsraV-6zOLA3DcBeLJLovxEV5TjkprO/s1600/IMG_3277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1583" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOe6RkNAtNsHHCDDm7iX0BuCNmP7pkIVgLMkBeoQN62_3hr9egD8O17Vc0H5HpVyC7SkrYVk6o0zv-uy1v1_Ayx0E18xF4f1moKoFxH-bfbKwGcZsraV-6zOLA3DcBeLJLovxEV5TjkprO/s1600/IMG_3277.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMH1jgGIcaIArJ_0NKepIKj6TShRY_klLeA7V7yJp7RD9yodPJEzNdFUKE2WMPmvYc_Wa_3eX4WC6AB8CpZP5k7vUzqMgY8XKMslhSXLViiV5oo3BuzNJ2CvqdejrX693Zev0kS5T0VUJ/s1600/BA207973-F714-4EC0-B1D1-47EFB3EA5EDF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMH1jgGIcaIArJ_0NKepIKj6TShRY_klLeA7V7yJp7RD9yodPJEzNdFUKE2WMPmvYc_Wa_3eX4WC6AB8CpZP5k7vUzqMgY8XKMslhSXLViiV5oo3BuzNJ2CvqdejrX693Zev0kS5T0VUJ/s1600/BA207973-F714-4EC0-B1D1-47EFB3EA5EDF.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEPYkdZb17qxmqlbF49xyKggT0Cd5osymtpZFd19JuhTCFZgrQjf81x6_D29JvHRNk2twO-PNIi-2a2TL8ip8Xe8TniXkZbq4XMJ7Jmvp47Q4zRl6QUninWe_JqefU6GV1q-nj7pE0Kkm/s1600/A192AAC3-C155-4CB9-9BE5-D6B6D2CFCF14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEPYkdZb17qxmqlbF49xyKggT0Cd5osymtpZFd19JuhTCFZgrQjf81x6_D29JvHRNk2twO-PNIi-2a2TL8ip8Xe8TniXkZbq4XMJ7Jmvp47Q4zRl6QUninWe_JqefU6GV1q-nj7pE0Kkm/s1600/A192AAC3-C155-4CB9-9BE5-D6B6D2CFCF14.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(PS. Photo credit for the photos of me goes to Victoria.)</div>
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-21503279179230471052018-01-12T07:23:00.001+00:002018-01-12T07:31:09.949+00:00Fairfield button up for JoshThe first post of 2018 (not counting my year summary post) stars one of my favourite people and an unselfish make...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5I7ztpCb8104vI27Wc0P86QeW7AXn6hn4hQ8mJ_n5LqV0qQ0MmLDpr6cxFdBwrUJn4kjtNPYKonFIextaoEzygb8bgE7eEQI1jmexKEG4nlQz0dpqsXU30ACtSRm2FGJByPGXpFUHR0k/s1600/_DSF5983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5I7ztpCb8104vI27Wc0P86QeW7AXn6hn4hQ8mJ_n5LqV0qQ0MmLDpr6cxFdBwrUJn4kjtNPYKonFIextaoEzygb8bgE7eEQI1jmexKEG4nlQz0dpqsXU30ACtSRm2FGJByPGXpFUHR0k/s1600/_DSF5983.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
When I first learned to sew shirts I made one for Josh, but it didn't fit well at all. I only took measurements before starting and didn't check fit throughout the process and it came out too big. Since then I have wanted to try again, but never gotten around to it.<br />
<br />
This Christmas I was knitting presents for my family and I wanted to give Josh something handmade too. He doesn't really like knitted/woolly stuff, so it was a great opportunity to try my hand at another shirt. I had the perfect fabric, this plaid brushed cotton from <a href="https://www.fabworks.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fabworks</a>. Josh likes plaid shirts, I like him in plaid shirts, simple! In terms of pattern, I decided to try the <a href="https://threadtheory.ca/products/fairfield-button-up-shirt" target="_blank">Thread Theory Fairfield</a>. Last time I made him a shirt I used the <a href="https://www.colettepatterns.com/catalog/negroni" target="_blank">Colette Negroni,</a> which I think is a really great pattern, but I liked the more classic look of the Fairfield for this shirt.<br />
<br />
Only trouble, this time I couldn't fit it to him at all, because it had to remain a surprise. So I used one of the most reliable tricks in dressmaking - I took the measurements of another shirt that fits him well and matched this one to those. Which led me to cut out a size M, with a bit of grading towards L at the waist for a more straight fit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFzuGmln_7wF4y5anmpJDHZ7O7FcruPFCE_l56-D6AizcDp33i_yallGEkN2uXBdST2XnNIMekKCCGtiVxgo2tT5Zdg8RpkZdKZRkhDFynDNoaRxYYa4suLKs-uwiCX96bY2HodE6JBSj/s1600/_DSF5989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFzuGmln_7wF4y5anmpJDHZ7O7FcruPFCE_l56-D6AizcDp33i_yallGEkN2uXBdST2XnNIMekKCCGtiVxgo2tT5Zdg8RpkZdKZRkhDFynDNoaRxYYa4suLKs-uwiCX96bY2HodE6JBSj/s1600/_DSF5989.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Because of the plaids there is a lot of pattern matching and I dare say I did fairly well...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELoW_HpE7iBjigJXl1TQwb_Suu9zJ_GR3oEs4gvt7Dc_MBH8uShjEAzjWH9agodeI5d9rva08sDSflbi4Oc9_g5fPC04pT5Uy98-MgWz3ZCyzSNtCpSNs8PYpiynYA-iiWt_BhhX_BBON/s1600/_DSF5990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELoW_HpE7iBjigJXl1TQwb_Suu9zJ_GR3oEs4gvt7Dc_MBH8uShjEAzjWH9agodeI5d9rva08sDSflbi4Oc9_g5fPC04pT5Uy98-MgWz3ZCyzSNtCpSNs8PYpiynYA-iiWt_BhhX_BBON/s1600/_DSF5990.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
...except for the back, where the box pleat goes across two stripes. In hindsight I should have cut it so the box pleat is on one of the brown stripes. But you live and learn.<br />
<br />
Although, check out how nicely the back yoke and collar cut on the bias came out! I'm pretty chuffed with that! The yoke took two attempts to get the dark brown diamond where I wanted it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa7l6YN1nVU8Mt69ntqbEk-2ffrJeVlfnGSyeOR2lTo7OfhfTqhdoX68BKHCVbbTICXklqemffKgYVE8x5jHUq88DE8sAxOyxF-oyVRv3YJ-mIm-Cbt60yTxJILRIvpZNZiuEH3UAgy5W/s1600/_DSF5995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa7l6YN1nVU8Mt69ntqbEk-2ffrJeVlfnGSyeOR2lTo7OfhfTqhdoX68BKHCVbbTICXklqemffKgYVE8x5jHUq88DE8sAxOyxF-oyVRv3YJ-mIm-Cbt60yTxJILRIvpZNZiuEH3UAgy5W/s1600/_DSF5995.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOO_XlKsil08kbWoxfz6NsvjtxMmbD8q6xAeEV7UuLFMwIn_Q_Gyw3KkZhI7kdRyhI9AVcjEsZuksYrmJIiQLtHN6_rQ4hJ2hyFzcBBKceqoFi2W250QKBrc1KgZ2CGyjNMgc9vJ5KZm2/s1600/_DSF5993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOO_XlKsil08kbWoxfz6NsvjtxMmbD8q6xAeEV7UuLFMwIn_Q_Gyw3KkZhI7kdRyhI9AVcjEsZuksYrmJIiQLtHN6_rQ4hJ2hyFzcBBKceqoFi2W250QKBrc1KgZ2CGyjNMgc9vJ5KZm2/s1600/_DSF5993.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I also cut the front pocket on the bias, and like it, although I see now that I should have moved it a few millimetres towards the button band.<br />
<br />
In this picture you can also see that the shirt stretches a little bit across the chest, so for the next one, I'll have to make it a bit wider in that place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8Iy_bCeb_bnM56xJHCk3BaH2MBPQd99ZC9sz5-AkzPUwGY3S0kI3kW5tFPOMqxd0ybC76Y9dMggxg8V292L0s6rHdaRRCs-axkuL3kgfwSIpf7CXMRANJtUgf7YjtA4HSAfEvpJgtSFj/s1600/_DSF5991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8Iy_bCeb_bnM56xJHCk3BaH2MBPQd99ZC9sz5-AkzPUwGY3S0kI3kW5tFPOMqxd0ybC76Y9dMggxg8V292L0s6rHdaRRCs-axkuL3kgfwSIpf7CXMRANJtUgf7YjtA4HSAfEvpJgtSFj/s1600/_DSF5991.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Because I was sewing this shirt as a surprise and I live with Josh, I had to work on this only when he wasn't home. Which shouldn't have been too hard this autumn as he was travelling a lot for work. Except I was too. So finding the time was tricky. I did the cutting one day and started the sewing another. And only a few days before Christmas I spent a whole day finishing it. That day was massively rushed, because I only had until Josh came home from work and that was it. So the sewing towards the end is quite sloppy (I finished it 20 minutes before he got home). But, because the cutting was done meticulously, I don't think it really shows. So much of good sewing really is down to the cutting, and this project confirmed that for me.<br />
<br />
So I'm happy that I cut it out on a separate day. I'm not sure I would have been as careful in my cutting if I had made it part of a bigger job instead of its own job, allocated a whole afternoon. I think this is how I will work in the future too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrgqWu0dB4kLflxk5W4P4Gtw0WNILnWHiC4ASIpXwnT-EX1kxv55YIsJN7vVVAjbkM4W8cjAs0WJa4GB6ApZRUb5dL2isoJc7DvrsrZT2w3xPiS3ZkBYtEqtR0xSPkid9i40bqkk6gNBQ/s1600/_DSF6003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrgqWu0dB4kLflxk5W4P4Gtw0WNILnWHiC4ASIpXwnT-EX1kxv55YIsJN7vVVAjbkM4W8cjAs0WJa4GB6ApZRUb5dL2isoJc7DvrsrZT2w3xPiS3ZkBYtEqtR0xSPkid9i40bqkk6gNBQ/s1600/_DSF6003.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
And overall...I think it turned out well! And Josh likes it (a lot more than the first shirt I made him!), which is the main measure of success here. I love sewing shirts, so now that I've figured out the measurements I think there'll be many more.<br />
<br />
We visited our friends in the North of Sweden over New Year's, where I took these photos. Gorgeous, no? They have an amazing log cabin (parts of which you can see in the first photo), and visiting them there and just hanging out in the snow always is the most relaxing time of the year. And a time to wear lots of plaids, obviously!Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-87799406201961874542018-01-08T12:02:00.001+00:002018-02-07T15:20:29.786+00:00My 2017 summary in Instagram picsSo this year summary in Instagram pictures has now become a bit of a tradition and towards the end of 2017 I found myself quite looking forward to writing it.<br />
<br />
However, for some reason my pictures have come out really blurry. I have this problem now and then with Blogger and think it might have something to do with how it compresses them, but I'll just live with the blurriness for now and resolve it for future posts.<br />
<br />
So, with blurry photos and all, here is my 2017 review in Instagram pictures.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>January</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-TndVOxGbroX8igOws_pNqMJKZhacuvMH-9tQS-hOXteo7SCzXeAyVZrOFu7pc3SBHxU6SrEZduCmW9t5vYy_StUoteYw147vpMBvFZi-ayKUMCEwxngmzCM7gRCfQ8x4yvl7VFQSK4C/s1600/IMG_E2864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-TndVOxGbroX8igOws_pNqMJKZhacuvMH-9tQS-hOXteo7SCzXeAyVZrOFu7pc3SBHxU6SrEZduCmW9t5vYy_StUoteYw147vpMBvFZi-ayKUMCEwxngmzCM7gRCfQ8x4yvl7VFQSK4C/s1600/IMG_E2864.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
In the autumn and winter of 2016 I was applying for PhDs after spending years making the decision to go back to school. I applied to several, but only really wanted one, the one I'm doing now. I had the second interview on January 11th and spent all my free time until this date preparing. After the interview I had a few hours to kill before getting the train home, so I visited the Abakhan store in Manchester and bought these buttons.<br />
<br />
The rest of January is a blur as I waited for the result. (I didn't get the funding straightaway, but got on the reserve list and eventually received a studentship.)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>February</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMr9KQepMDDAOxty5UZPLKRfp7LpObWP5vE3SP5bECKMHq_V21yfSg6HIewhD2NSiM3Mhb8tT5ftwStjF-mRND_ZA-XOrhqf-B1ATk39TQsO-3bXM-9U_0hlEOqQNsF8SfmAP3s1A9Cak/s1600/IMG_E2865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="621" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMr9KQepMDDAOxty5UZPLKRfp7LpObWP5vE3SP5bECKMHq_V21yfSg6HIewhD2NSiM3Mhb8tT5ftwStjF-mRND_ZA-XOrhqf-B1ATk39TQsO-3bXM-9U_0hlEOqQNsF8SfmAP3s1A9Cak/s1600/IMG_E2865.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
On February 1st Josh and I hopped onto a flight to Rotterdam. I <a href="https://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/toaster-sweater-2-and-trip-to-rotterdam.html" target="_blank">wrote about it a bit here</a>. We don't go on a lot of holidays together, so it's supernice when it does happen. This one was extra nice because it was so chilled!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56hcDOTKv_Nq_Ujy6iKHmAkbH_0fz39R7fYdwCtIY756KJdWH_Vcn8TPD-wCILGBG31WXsRPBrRfCteDzGSy5eV7F2FbiaHzJMCctKnOFurM_klL_1l-OvO8kYTA7VKHQPodKbVS-odHP/s1600/IMG_E2867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="621" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56hcDOTKv_Nq_Ujy6iKHmAkbH_0fz39R7fYdwCtIY756KJdWH_Vcn8TPD-wCILGBG31WXsRPBrRfCteDzGSy5eV7F2FbiaHzJMCctKnOFurM_klL_1l-OvO8kYTA7VKHQPodKbVS-odHP/s1600/IMG_E2867.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
By mid-Feb I started getting over my annual winter blues and started getting excited about spring. The appearance of snow drops was magical.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3-OOW8dfSw7NvCpwonmUKzUd0WS1LG9C4tzKX2UJNPVaSCyWZNplMzXA9MqtVvESXBnv-qjJRse6bczdYTh0Zq1EhjzD2bom2R4cOgEtLQ5EVIJIuKoymaMGdi6Jr4g7moZnYtI7a2il/s1600/IMG_E2868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="627" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3-OOW8dfSw7NvCpwonmUKzUd0WS1LG9C4tzKX2UJNPVaSCyWZNplMzXA9MqtVvESXBnv-qjJRse6bczdYTh0Zq1EhjzD2bom2R4cOgEtLQ5EVIJIuKoymaMGdi6Jr4g7moZnYtI7a2il/s1600/IMG_E2868.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
And before the month was over I decided to join in on the <a href="http://www.sewpositivity.com/2017/01/12/monetapartyinvite/" target="_blank">Moneta party</a>, last minute, on the closing day. And to my great surprise I was a semi-finalist! That was the biggest boost to my sewing confidence ever!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>March</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbfiJn8xAZH4OJXrL131d7VqftOXQuxiLPkHaK269EuRpxFjqWqnHG55Kdybd50YAUKDtlmCY-9G60ad4w3xziNoKBkWC7ieXIS-KyLj2zoIHm3mnSWr_bg_9Nzng2s5V7KLfK6j9TP-b/s1600/IMG_E2869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="627" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbfiJn8xAZH4OJXrL131d7VqftOXQuxiLPkHaK269EuRpxFjqWqnHG55Kdybd50YAUKDtlmCY-9G60ad4w3xziNoKBkWC7ieXIS-KyLj2zoIHm3mnSWr_bg_9Nzng2s5V7KLfK6j9TP-b/s1600/IMG_E2869.JPG" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>March brought new hobbies and new love for old ones.<br />
<br />
I decided to learn how to garden! Did my research, ordered my seeds and got to work. It was a project filled with love and happiness and I miss that garden dearly. Scroll down to July for more details.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee5TCjvC_JgRafUmuH5aZuL2ndFnP6UKLeE_2j7CTdlPkAMuxm1Vp5xBackjgcEqo1HSFwj9PJDlkZoozY7ULuMkJJ5_xEalJcvcFTNlNun3SRS0kvTSB_ob3Bpns3CBlVBTWa06iE-dq/s1600/IMG_E2871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee5TCjvC_JgRafUmuH5aZuL2ndFnP6UKLeE_2j7CTdlPkAMuxm1Vp5xBackjgcEqo1HSFwj9PJDlkZoozY7ULuMkJJ5_xEalJcvcFTNlNun3SRS0kvTSB_ob3Bpns3CBlVBTWa06iE-dq/s1600/IMG_E2871.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
And I bought a new sewing machine! I went for a computerised one with lots of lovely features, and am so happy with this purchase. It's supposedly great for quilting, which was a factor in my choice, but I still haven't tried it for quilting.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>April</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4JvkW3HNuvNYnFUbW9v32q_h7UgPIJUP_YDXV6Y59G89UdRhLAJk1exTfoHNW7_Dn1AGqeFonCsG9cpLVwnD58S1g_fFR45S8nAyCRmluQsWZLEUnsIwobOPMCZEzSx-3gKbXzPnEaI5/s1600/IMG_E2872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4JvkW3HNuvNYnFUbW9v32q_h7UgPIJUP_YDXV6Y59G89UdRhLAJk1exTfoHNW7_Dn1AGqeFonCsG9cpLVwnD58S1g_fFR45S8nAyCRmluQsWZLEUnsIwobOPMCZEzSx-3gKbXzPnEaI5/s1600/IMG_E2872.JPG" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
In April I was making beautiful things on my new machine, like this blouse, and enjoying the fab weather...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh208nf3ASFXeDS3nsPxMf7wPAT-_e3oSser3MvtKagP78qH_OnmWQZCHBMRZTS3HebFqKIo8iPrAduaFlPaunRGsj-CmH80CBtYQqqqlTmEdtvlK6P-APYvdJYAXtHpBdd-PIt1yCZthD7/s1600/IMG_E2873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh208nf3ASFXeDS3nsPxMf7wPAT-_e3oSser3MvtKagP78qH_OnmWQZCHBMRZTS3HebFqKIo8iPrAduaFlPaunRGsj-CmH80CBtYQqqqlTmEdtvlK6P-APYvdJYAXtHpBdd-PIt1yCZthD7/s1600/IMG_E2873.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
...which warranted walks in the woods among the bluebells. Magical.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZfEq4lSzdk_n0foNHYCyxiJJyxQXWLQ_DPidjmd462w7s4QYZ7uW0ojCCcNyziNL7erv8yFcMSJvBXydUhbZvjGum47KseqdCBiihJuZY_JroKsc6HuBKEunAuxUyTMwt0FmiMC3Xnog/s1600/IMG_E2874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZfEq4lSzdk_n0foNHYCyxiJJyxQXWLQ_DPidjmd462w7s4QYZ7uW0ojCCcNyziNL7erv8yFcMSJvBXydUhbZvjGum47KseqdCBiihJuZY_JroKsc6HuBKEunAuxUyTMwt0FmiMC3Xnog/s1600/IMG_E2874.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Meanwhile I had more than plenty of Spanish bluebells in my garden. This is probably the prettiest weed ever.<br />
<br />
<b>May</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQnLI-qwoevZ23rZaUc4lt0kwa62GjSPOI1sDhX1oUvUalTph9N6aRe3aMNJqYEZ9WcN9Qb5T1VHateVxxpvFquVhO2yyEHWM0B9JBuh9JBUrdV1r42pZLliFM2-YqYwd0CgZ0TOzpWCP/s1600/IMG_E2875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="617" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQnLI-qwoevZ23rZaUc4lt0kwa62GjSPOI1sDhX1oUvUalTph9N6aRe3aMNJqYEZ9WcN9Qb5T1VHateVxxpvFquVhO2yyEHWM0B9JBuh9JBUrdV1r42pZLliFM2-YqYwd0CgZ0TOzpWCP/s1600/IMG_E2875.JPG" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>May is usually one of my favourite months of the year (along with October and December), and this year was no different. I only posted photos of my Me Made May outfits, partly because I really didn't get up to much else this month. It was probably the busiest month in the garden, and every free moment was spent tending to it.<br />
<br />
The one massive event of May (and the year!) is that I heard about my PhD funding!! I got it! And one week later I gave my (3 month) notice at work!<br />
<br />
While choosing the PhD over my job at the time wasn't that hard, because I'd made the decision a long time ago already, it was really, really hard to give up my life in Oxford. I was tired of the city, but I had just began to explore the countryside and I LOVED my country life and everything and everyone in it.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>June</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFhnafAQbQthOBDv-LYbE46jXxs7U5oWDrSIFEZ_eWtRni2kxUwq4bReobscDejHPCBR7VM4dAMzWM7GNy4G0hgBwvs9QiAxeW8fm9j0CI5EVEJwLbttEzoo0LCVLnw4oMLhn57DndovZ/s1600/IMG_E2877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="617" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFhnafAQbQthOBDv-LYbE46jXxs7U5oWDrSIFEZ_eWtRni2kxUwq4bReobscDejHPCBR7VM4dAMzWM7GNy4G0hgBwvs9QiAxeW8fm9j0CI5EVEJwLbttEzoo0LCVLnw4oMLhn57DndovZ/s1600/IMG_E2877.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmyb5xJPeU6pCo6KYDDrt51reSBlpNPV5r41M0DsQ7did1TQsia4nu6JLgGdz4cSosDbI03O5SEwuNoEMObpouG36kXIJ0bCnIs4gvkdaMaXkI_ZolhBbnbWnscacWVVo3qMmsEGURrNE/s1600/IMG_E2879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="619" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmyb5xJPeU6pCo6KYDDrt51reSBlpNPV5r41M0DsQ7did1TQsia4nu6JLgGdz4cSosDbI03O5SEwuNoEMObpouG36kXIJ0bCnIs4gvkdaMaXkI_ZolhBbnbWnscacWVVo3qMmsEGURrNE/s1600/IMG_E2879.JPG" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>June is my birthday month and I am slowly turning into one of those people who celebrate all month long. The weekend before my birthday I went to Brighton with one of my best friends, and it was amazing. The day was hot and sunny and we had so much lovely food, delicious frozen passionfruit daiquiris and even dipped our toes in the sea!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAdBN6v0TkgTsuR5R2-mr43jU7zJnmbdXDurDaVphlDcJqUpsgH9NCI79DPPbdelaCyEiwziC_W84gLt7I3ad_tfDTuIlOacqYK0hTYaQqJiqxmEYDcP6rhFx_lKwFqmmEwDHrqHZHoGG/s1600/IMG_E2876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="617" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAdBN6v0TkgTsuR5R2-mr43jU7zJnmbdXDurDaVphlDcJqUpsgH9NCI79DPPbdelaCyEiwziC_W84gLt7I3ad_tfDTuIlOacqYK0hTYaQqJiqxmEYDcP6rhFx_lKwFqmmEwDHrqHZHoGG/s1600/IMG_E2876.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
My birthday itself was in the middle of the week and because I was about to leave my job and needed every last day of annual leave to house hunt in Manchester, I decided to not take the day off. But it was really lovely anyway. It was a hot day. I had lunch with two friends in a local farm cafe and after work I mowed the lawn (as you do) and then got dressed up and cycled to the pub with Josh.<br />
<br />
<b>July</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s3f9OPR_GpUgeL0PTCL-Ev8gc4FPRnlWoPr4nN5pRk79l_jMVclSk4J2zWcoLb1gR6TSM931_ME8V9B17OL-pbJd9t8NAnbF1eratTC1cz2Y4x3FxberLGslAgfQmtU-gdOoq_ix-gox/s1600/IMG_E2880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="621" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s3f9OPR_GpUgeL0PTCL-Ev8gc4FPRnlWoPr4nN5pRk79l_jMVclSk4J2zWcoLb1gR6TSM931_ME8V9B17OL-pbJd9t8NAnbF1eratTC1cz2Y4x3FxberLGslAgfQmtU-gdOoq_ix-gox/s1600/IMG_E2880.JPG" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>The beginning of July was fab! The weather was good and life was sweet. The evenings involved drinks with friends and the weekend mornings plenty of lazy al fresco breakfasts in the garden.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMLiPjwjE23rzD0cDXdCM0dvEIH7zVtyRebJwFllDPWDkUiPLmgBZ5LqsTDDv7FUjd1QgmGj8bguwkIpyH2oDcitS_sSux2R-pybedAwatSFYSA0XyvnSkgW7iVcc-ctuD5ZNU9UKBZeK/s1600/IMG_E2881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="619" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMLiPjwjE23rzD0cDXdCM0dvEIH7zVtyRebJwFllDPWDkUiPLmgBZ5LqsTDDv7FUjd1QgmGj8bguwkIpyH2oDcitS_sSux2R-pybedAwatSFYSA0XyvnSkgW7iVcc-ctuD5ZNU9UKBZeK/s1600/IMG_E2881.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
The garden vegetables finally started being ready for harvesting!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzybdaJ3-mgK3K-rVVIBjjZyWdD7uJAD1JWz2jNVjA131YTACZvQKBAtexgoG6Q14bvV42nHdAf8In47OOxaAHxuAC7gsWR3VHiKWqZRGoHAeTqkl4-1SvHykaEVQ7R89gaMsF83nVTkl/s1600/IMG_E2882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzybdaJ3-mgK3K-rVVIBjjZyWdD7uJAD1JWz2jNVjA131YTACZvQKBAtexgoG6Q14bvV42nHdAf8In47OOxaAHxuAC7gsWR3VHiKWqZRGoHAeTqkl4-1SvHykaEVQ7R89gaMsF83nVTkl/s1600/IMG_E2882.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
And this is when the garden looked its best. Everything was blooming or bearing fruit. This was my happy place. I can't begin to tell you how much I loved this garden. I dedicated a sewing project (the Turia dungarees in the photo) and <a href="https://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/the-garden-rant-about-mental-well-being.html" target="_blank">a blog post</a> to it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qnrA0llujUValgf5-AMxCZba_GxGFaHHi-YJirS_UdAtZbkDwgYr-xaBUlf8oLtTpb8dJapZfimiuLo6ZHn3pXLeXl3h6kdHPnuaO-RkSquUKafVmhxni84BotcClWKvz3ENZnhF_upG/s1600/IMG_E2883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="619" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qnrA0llujUValgf5-AMxCZba_GxGFaHHi-YJirS_UdAtZbkDwgYr-xaBUlf8oLtTpb8dJapZfimiuLo6ZHn3pXLeXl3h6kdHPnuaO-RkSquUKafVmhxni84BotcClWKvz3ENZnhF_upG/s1600/IMG_E2883.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
And then at the end of July Josh and I went up to Manchester for a few days to look for somewhere to live. We had a pleasant enough first day, with nice weather, a run in a beautiful park (where I run regularly now) and dinner out. But the remaining days it rained relentlessly, we got car trouble and the house hunt process was wearing us down.<br />
<br />
<b>August</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUTSlm5Ckxs5FjSeRTnZJ25_6D8E1JWH1p6xQTlkT-krSgE6ZctSGngBHauYBwIfqtF9__P8_4n9NjjSd1IZTNIYiP6m0lM2dYK0DqCe7EHwrbXB0cHi6NR6Rt3zPCfsKvgzqMs8H3wWp/s1600/IMG_E2885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="619" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUTSlm5Ckxs5FjSeRTnZJ25_6D8E1JWH1p6xQTlkT-krSgE6ZctSGngBHauYBwIfqtF9__P8_4n9NjjSd1IZTNIYiP6m0lM2dYK0DqCe7EHwrbXB0cHi6NR6Rt3zPCfsKvgzqMs8H3wWp/s1600/IMG_E2885.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Ok, one last picture from the garden before we moved. My sweet peas. These were amazing. It took them the longest time to blossom, but once they did they didn't stop. They bloomed all summer and when we moved away they were still in full bloom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3q_Mhyphenhyphenge0pzRmf1qPyJNwXC11tm27kyKEQCe9WcVDOjpELNKfQTv7XkXJHhayQQPv9SKO_YOkMjaKEPLfd7PaNI7e-wgiDuBm31jct4mTqb4l9vygGQvX3yv5go-_NbrjLgQW4b0CDUq/s1600/IMG_E2886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="617" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3q_Mhyphenhyphenge0pzRmf1qPyJNwXC11tm27kyKEQCe9WcVDOjpELNKfQTv7XkXJHhayQQPv9SKO_YOkMjaKEPLfd7PaNI7e-wgiDuBm31jct4mTqb4l9vygGQvX3yv5go-_NbrjLgQW4b0CDUq/s1600/IMG_E2886.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
And then we moved to Manchester. And frankly, we don't love it. Maybe because we had such a fantastic life in Oxford and our life in Manchester is so different. Maybe because we haven't been here long and don't yet know it. Maybe because we don't know many people here yet. I don't know what it is. But we're here for the next three years, so 2018 will be about trying to find our favourite things about Manchester and build the kind of life we actually want.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>September</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-wWC_IMVNpydeeNWcUkc4LXUaZ01YJk1eUvII1EAZtsQ9vZR4CAJmKzGyJu8N-Hx0qMOg3LQ15nohLmCo7OpdGPGRva-WgdGRt51F-qFro2kaFMwKNZZ43N8t862AgdwKlcVj08Z-hLb/s1600/IMG_E2887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="617" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-wWC_IMVNpydeeNWcUkc4LXUaZ01YJk1eUvII1EAZtsQ9vZR4CAJmKzGyJu8N-Hx0qMOg3LQ15nohLmCo7OpdGPGRva-WgdGRt51F-qFro2kaFMwKNZZ43N8t862AgdwKlcVj08Z-hLb/s1600/IMG_E2887.JPG" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>September was a long month of settling in and starting the PhD. The former was not so easy, the latter was fab!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhUfSnn5poES2a6i15ah5Rt3NgsdYvmsqzCIpHW0h6mAKEHmG7HdqyiDhgusTKpaFxoB_n76HVAmx7qCDRjZbG8eWHwTZeUdvme3jmJ9Y19BC5DnExOAxcAD0fPybd_x_PdgYqpNFQmxa/s1600/IMG_E2888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhUfSnn5poES2a6i15ah5Rt3NgsdYvmsqzCIpHW0h6mAKEHmG7HdqyiDhgusTKpaFxoB_n76HVAmx7qCDRjZbG8eWHwTZeUdvme3jmJ9Y19BC5DnExOAxcAD0fPybd_x_PdgYqpNFQmxa/s1600/IMG_E2888.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
A close friend was moving to Australia forever, and I went down to the south east to say good bye. The photo is from brunch with friends the next morning. The friends in question moved away from the area themselves a month later, to Scotland, and in less than two weeks I'm off to see them. Can't wait!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>October</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_GZJ-hqbosWLM8kRnqWCtrfTYy_miM-_8WdEakmh-nNzFBIMYl0rq0jrKeRoZvIX-yEjpsGL6lz3GMrHq9C_ZyPWUQeXBz5Lju8zQTXOuy9Sy6rCSS9h2Rgk4ApPlvMSmv98fpNJdW35/s1600/IMG_E2889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_GZJ-hqbosWLM8kRnqWCtrfTYy_miM-_8WdEakmh-nNzFBIMYl0rq0jrKeRoZvIX-yEjpsGL6lz3GMrHq9C_ZyPWUQeXBz5Lju8zQTXOuy9Sy6rCSS9h2Rgk4ApPlvMSmv98fpNJdW35/s1600/IMG_E2889.JPG" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>October is usually my favourite month and I love going for long walks in the country and foraging in the hedgerows and making bramble jams and sloe gins, but this October I wasn't feeling comfortable with my life, so I didn't do any of that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAex8eJt8F4D_8bqzZr7iMtEplbej0imlYr9xtPWVORcXcXUh6XZ459ibHxd9JQxLGkY4IMNfVB09MUOZv2K5viwnv7hDqISJNUsWDtNSyCSg9NmXxkbZtTXCJ63CM06KegfeUiG15Cgh/s1600/IMG_E2890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="613" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAex8eJt8F4D_8bqzZr7iMtEplbej0imlYr9xtPWVORcXcXUh6XZ459ibHxd9JQxLGkY4IMNfVB09MUOZv2K5viwnv7hDqISJNUsWDtNSyCSg9NmXxkbZtTXCJ63CM06KegfeUiG15Cgh/s1600/IMG_E2890.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Instead, I turned to the two hobbies that always lift me out of an unhappy mood. Firstly, running. And secondly, sewing. This <a href="https://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/autumnal-nina-lee-kew-dress.html" target="_blank">Nina Lee Kew dress</a> was my first make since moving to Manchester, and I love it both for its beauty and for cheering me up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpniWKoBGGnZwYyJrqe5z7XybzskKYDV5CeqokF4k4jrKxYps4qq9TklXIZ4MmU75rAL9DeL01OWpfsjVBRv6X4OEFRBY9OcvWNdUcZ1-jzMi2aPYtkvCMhDJpO2RHymTw3iKKs7rIqpG/s1600/IMG_E2891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpniWKoBGGnZwYyJrqe5z7XybzskKYDV5CeqokF4k4jrKxYps4qq9TklXIZ4MmU75rAL9DeL01OWpfsjVBRv6X4OEFRBY9OcvWNdUcZ1-jzMi2aPYtkvCMhDJpO2RHymTw3iKKs7rIqpG/s1600/IMG_E2891.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
And finally at the end of October I went to Paris for a conference. I stayed with a close friend I don't see often and just hanging out with her and having fun was tonic for the soul. The conference is the biggest in my area of research and the presentations and talks were the biggest boost of inspiration ever. I came back and couldn't care less about my unhappy life in Manchester, the next few months were going to be all about work!<br />
<br />
<b>November</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOq9oana8VkB7TlFlG0FZiOEVcXQHkK77jx5UW6otDiDLgXwKCZoiOoe9tUPx0n8XirroE8PiViWtsWOplXj5ikTWpkq_yHyV15GN2KmGzzfrhSiiJrTBYNtuyWQUw-W6giiIBKVg06EWJ/s1600/IMG_E2893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOq9oana8VkB7TlFlG0FZiOEVcXQHkK77jx5UW6otDiDLgXwKCZoiOoe9tUPx0n8XirroE8PiViWtsWOplXj5ikTWpkq_yHyV15GN2KmGzzfrhSiiJrTBYNtuyWQUw-W6giiIBKVg06EWJ/s1600/IMG_E2893.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJ7scbNCsrIwomd_Dwca8fHVmZYSRn7Z_-pEJ6MyHQZkY1kzEn8Y4BpMPxXRLJuiEdaCbEviafb0iGln5_VIuVeUkRdyIJgH75BHBAkYJJBjV_28xMt8O_m9LIMrMHgqn1PazSCObXZtW/s1600/IMG_1589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJ7scbNCsrIwomd_Dwca8fHVmZYSRn7Z_-pEJ6MyHQZkY1kzEn8Y4BpMPxXRLJuiEdaCbEviafb0iGln5_VIuVeUkRdyIJgH75BHBAkYJJBjV_28xMt8O_m9LIMrMHgqn1PazSCObXZtW/s640/IMG_1589.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
And the next month I went to Obergurgl in Austria to attend a training course organised by the Human Brain Project, where I got to present my research to fellow junior neuroscientists. Came back even more motivated, inspired and committed to this PhD.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>December</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GO2_LAfB80PQP_0XXuwnDwktzUMzA1ipkTXljg-kVhdUJmNdhnn0S3RIkbQNM1iZyTe8_b7w5tf3p7ETr6lrIzwt3-WoIuOqPAiEtMlu6a_jEi3XxB0dQqkplgLMPJo5v6OhK3VOVEE2/s1600/IMG_2423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GO2_LAfB80PQP_0XXuwnDwktzUMzA1ipkTXljg-kVhdUJmNdhnn0S3RIkbQNM1iZyTe8_b7w5tf3p7ETr6lrIzwt3-WoIuOqPAiEtMlu6a_jEi3XxB0dQqkplgLMPJo5v6OhK3VOVEE2/s640/IMG_2423.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>December was a mad race to finish the first draft of a literature review and some other bits and pieces. On the 22nd Josh and I finally got on a plane home to Sweden for two weeks. We had a lovely Christmas with my family and as her Christmas present I took my mom for afternoon tea in Stockholm.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ0UjdmJRJQECHXtAKopMWxQpEEAbCcvu3A6chxddA6RocZqy_fS3jTXPNw2EkFxKpdxxQn3bRaheZ21i4d1ZYDpAxIQZLH7IKpk_zDwOyKchdPnulRe9EQU1NCZyJ8y26HapOPcc9csw/s1600/IMG_2575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ0UjdmJRJQECHXtAKopMWxQpEEAbCcvu3A6chxddA6RocZqy_fS3jTXPNw2EkFxKpdxxQn3bRaheZ21i4d1ZYDpAxIQZLH7IKpk_zDwOyKchdPnulRe9EQU1NCZyJ8y26HapOPcc9csw/s640/IMG_2575.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And then we went to the very north of Sweden to visit our friends. We chilled, rode snow mobiles and just hung out. It was perfect. This photo is the sunset on New Years Eve from a mountaintop. Shortly after my friend and I had a sauna bath and rolled around naked in the snow in -24 degrees C to cool off. Spoiler: it worked. This is the good life.<br />
<br />
We stayed in Sweden until the 5th, and now we're back in the UK and ready for 2018!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-66332172331942863962017-10-30T08:43:00.000+00:002017-10-30T12:10:46.979+00:00Autumnal Nina Lee Kew dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPB4bfthRKzTvnyYxjqhH6zKhGl8SdcMPV007wjQxvfPdyK8KRpLooy_Kz1OXUIqMyeRMrLBh5Db66O2g2W1RGDMczaVs5Y8kKmBgwyHD1HJWlGZqzuowjnqFtfOnKQ43cXyOStGKqRzDT/s1600/DSCF5382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPB4bfthRKzTvnyYxjqhH6zKhGl8SdcMPV007wjQxvfPdyK8KRpLooy_Kz1OXUIqMyeRMrLBh5Db66O2g2W1RGDMczaVs5Y8kKmBgwyHD1HJWlGZqzuowjnqFtfOnKQ43cXyOStGKqRzDT/s1600/DSCF5382.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
This is my first make after a long sewing break, and I'm really very excited to share it. I packed my sewing machine up two months ago as we moved from Oxford to Manchester for me to start a PhD here. It was one of the first things I unpacked, but I just couldn't find the time to sew for the first couple of weeks that we were settling in. Then the PhD started, and as I was trying to establish some kind of routine, sewing was low down the list of priorities. But then I realised that sewing is one of my most effective ways to relax and disconnect from the 9-5 activities, so I decided to start a project that's been on my 'want to sew' list for the longest time - a tea dress.<br />
<br />
This dress started with the fabric. It's a lovely olive green viscose challis. I saw it in one of Fabric Godmother's newsletters and I couldn't resist it. When it arrived it just looked like a tea dress to me, so that's what it had to become. This was in early March.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1k78bbyfdflIkpgvcZg3GkGwkz4QV-oZ6vQIQn27bsc7KjrvmS4tPetOafNLMuC7jUUa05VyaMD6q-xyDEx8fG4WlCpLj5zkNqO7aCGdyE4V6Ib1OCsVhLl1QRWGWo46fSieSpljiSX6Y/s1600/IMG_5587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1k78bbyfdflIkpgvcZg3GkGwkz4QV-oZ6vQIQn27bsc7KjrvmS4tPetOafNLMuC7jUUa05VyaMD6q-xyDEx8fG4WlCpLj5zkNqO7aCGdyE4V6Ib1OCsVhLl1QRWGWo46fSieSpljiSX6Y/s640/IMG_5587.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There's two reasons why it took me so long to sew this dress. Firstly, the fabric has an autumnal look about it, so it didn't tempt me during spring and summer. Secondly, I just couldn't decide on a pattern.<br />
<br />
I wanted a tea dress, but not a too vintage-y one. I used to own a fabulous tea dress, with all the lovely details reminiscent of a 1940s one. But I never wore it. With all its lovely intricate details it became a special occasion dress, and I have more special occasion dresses than I have special occasions. So I sold it. I kind of wish I didn't, but ah well.<br />
<br />
So with that in mind I knew that if I made a very vintage looking tea dress, I just wouldn't wear it. Instead I wanted an everyday dress that reminded of a tea dress.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO02GoOtgf4WusR92PXv7Tv7XxSZZpIS7K4nF4WRKgAECCWlW1FhoNzG80C91e9vU4F5oCZ-PKDPksxyIBf4eewfmSJzSroWsKXOf1jg-smeDDjLJvLAWzXg2ARUyhwPRlXY0RdoW__meV/s1600/DSCF5390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO02GoOtgf4WusR92PXv7Tv7XxSZZpIS7K4nF4WRKgAECCWlW1FhoNzG80C91e9vU4F5oCZ-PKDPksxyIBf4eewfmSJzSroWsKXOf1jg-smeDDjLJvLAWzXg2ARUyhwPRlXY0RdoW__meV/s1600/DSCF5390.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnvFDcFMpkpyAge7PONZZfo0CMxCTeaTACaUExgSGftWTIZq3Cpb8vz2Xlc0e7-j1d1gDfXHasAAXUAaygZfUz7niFFpPHxOTLgCR0MhsfBGFxGYC_CSR5hqaYNS6wpmhbqBFdpfBghoE/s1600/DSCF5391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnvFDcFMpkpyAge7PONZZfo0CMxCTeaTACaUExgSGftWTIZq3Cpb8vz2Xlc0e7-j1d1gDfXHasAAXUAaygZfUz7niFFpPHxOTLgCR0MhsfBGFxGYC_CSR5hqaYNS6wpmhbqBFdpfBghoE/s1600/DSCF5391.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
But I couldn't find a pattern. I thought of hacking a pattern that had the overall shape I wanted, e.g. <a href="https://megannielsen.com/products/darling-ranges-dress-sewing-pattern" target="_blank">Darling Ranges</a>, or drafting my own, but that would require making a toile to check that it was turning out the way I wanted, and I just didn't have the time. Well, I guess I did, because I wasn't on a deadline or anything, but I didn't want to spend time on making a toile.<br />
<br />
And then I saw the <a href="http://www.ninalee.co.uk/shop/kew-dress/" target="_blank">Kew dress by Nina Lee</a>. And it was perfect! A simple and clean, but still very feminine look.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWlY9YyfT_eTBk8R3rl9-OinurmBHt7yNi7TRYoKu2epI5o6kTmjE2OmFj7F76IgU4JBlZW47Ny0uZX8tZzbpZAjnPqVO-zjnEEx4PrkTGFIrxBv_qBVWC98NXzpWt66l0dY_HThhFMuH/s1600/DSCF5368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWlY9YyfT_eTBk8R3rl9-OinurmBHt7yNi7TRYoKu2epI5o6kTmjE2OmFj7F76IgU4JBlZW47Ny0uZX8tZzbpZAjnPqVO-zjnEEx4PrkTGFIrxBv_qBVWC98NXzpWt66l0dY_HThhFMuH/s1600/DSCF5368.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
It was my first Nina Lee pattern, and I was excited to try it. It turned out to be a delightful sewing experience. The pattern is well-drafted and the instructions really thorough. It's quite an easy dress to sew, with nothing more complicated than inset sleeves. Because I hadn't been sewing for so long something easy and satisfying is really what I fancied, and the Kew dress delivered.<br />
<br />
And I love the result! It's exactly the dress I had in mind when I first bought the fabric! It's simple, yet incredibly flattering, and importantly, very wearable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6q7ddwCU9IxswSutzjUce1CqY6s2fvUn4D3NiqvpSL3EB0-3mtQcyDPZU1rLGXJMqSDNIosSqxvdKRjiwSTpeHw-XqtzkLu6smpTQZl-l-NSiNcZGsbnvCtRVT8Ylu5VYIo23DPMEswi/s1600/DSCF5365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6q7ddwCU9IxswSutzjUce1CqY6s2fvUn4D3NiqvpSL3EB0-3mtQcyDPZU1rLGXJMqSDNIosSqxvdKRjiwSTpeHw-XqtzkLu6smpTQZl-l-NSiNcZGsbnvCtRVT8Ylu5VYIo23DPMEswi/s1600/DSCF5365.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
In terms of construction, I only changed four things and three of them are all quite obvious. Firstly, I didn't do ruched sleeves. See point above about not wanting it too vintage-y looking. Secondly, I shortened the dress by 15 cm. I love the elegant look of the original mid-calf length, but above the knees is just a length I feel more comfortable in. Finally, I didn't space my buttons as closely as in the pattern. This was a practical decision. I had some buttons which fit perfectly for my fabric, but they are quite large, and wouldn't look nice spaced closely together. Also, because my fabric is very lightweight I was worried that too many large buttons would weigh on the fabric and pull it out of shape. Maybe this is a silly worry, given that the dress has interfaced facings, I don't know. But the two bodice fronts are gaping a bit in between the buttons, which you might be able to see in the photos. So what I might do is put snaps between the buttons, but just on the facing, so they don't show from the outside.<br />
<br />
Finally, the facing refused to stay down at the back despite understitching it and catch-stitching it to the shoulder seams. So I sewed a curved line between the shoulder seam on each side, through both the facing and the bodice back, like you see on RTW garments sometime. It means that there are visible stitches on the back of the bodice, but I think I did a reasonably neat job, so they don't bother me. Also, most likely I'll wear the dress with my hair down, so they won't even show.<br />
<br />
So in summary I'm really happy with it! So happy I wore it out for a movie date the same day I finished it. Would love to make the cold shoulder version for summer. But first maybe some more autumn/winter makes.<br />
<br />
Speaking of winter, tt was freezing taking these photos outside, but Josh kept me amused by making funny faces at me through the window as I posed for the self-timer, which resulted in this photo below. My favourite out of the set.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYO4Qc0Ar8sbPeUq8GWzODl6uZeKq56-E-UTbuIciWs7acqcw3_TW9lFwJj_r0VUIXPJQRzBrufV5ml_RT-sLKJl0VMJ1xiPyQpNVWX1DtipSmk1jtdf7_W-8UsykUE2aqZfVG-c7sPCa/s1600/DSCF5407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYO4Qc0Ar8sbPeUq8GWzODl6uZeKq56-E-UTbuIciWs7acqcw3_TW9lFwJj_r0VUIXPJQRzBrufV5ml_RT-sLKJl0VMJ1xiPyQpNVWX1DtipSmk1jtdf7_W-8UsykUE2aqZfVG-c7sPCa/s1600/DSCF5407.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-73639216322077940142017-07-23T12:54:00.001+01:002018-04-29T09:34:45.320+01:00The garden, a rant about mental well-being, and Turia dungarees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQxrx0x50CZM6CzeQyktzpavIssVAt7JwTXSyaRpJPGS50PL2ZYLXKVc7-6aUjvLmPDSq-TUM9T6L9YDRtZN3bvmmOZb7EmNLsCchKn-xdQ5Q-sLp7-elcFVyfgaVTpkwCfshRmjX4f0r/s1600/20170720-_DSF4806-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQxrx0x50CZM6CzeQyktzpavIssVAt7JwTXSyaRpJPGS50PL2ZYLXKVc7-6aUjvLmPDSq-TUM9T6L9YDRtZN3bvmmOZb7EmNLsCchKn-xdQ5Q-sLp7-elcFVyfgaVTpkwCfshRmjX4f0r/s1600/20170720-_DSF4806-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
When I moved into the cottage I live in now the garden was a mess. The house had been empty for years and the garden had become overgrown with weeds and thorny shrubs. Before letting it, my landlords brought in somebody to clear it, and while they got rid of all the wild plants, they left a mess behind. Dead, dried plants on the ground, lots of rubble, thick roots from the chopped down shrubs, and lots of broken glass from some picture frames which had been left outside. It looked like a set for a post-apocalyptic film. I have never had an interest in gardening, so I had no plans whatsoever of doing anything about it.<br />
<br />
But as it happened, I did. And it was the most therapeutic thing I've done possibly ever. I have alluded in this blog and on Instagram that I have a thing with SAD. I say 'a thing' because I've never gone to my GP about it and had it confirmed. So that it's SAD is guesswork. But I do have a degree in psychology, so it's educated guesswork. ;)<br />
<br />
The time interval between the low mood coming on and lifting is so short that I've never acknowledged it as an issue until recently.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GH5u_eUYHdFA9bhjLnWp6M8NP1MSpxukW9aAu3OigWacNTPT-aeHC4emdk3IEyVK5x0SpZEfh9zSPI-e_sY_EU1VvPP3WoDaKGHVF1TFEBCDQzjK5HS-V9WUnJMQS5sK86E2QieqDwkG/s1600/20170720-_DSF4844-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GH5u_eUYHdFA9bhjLnWp6M8NP1MSpxukW9aAu3OigWacNTPT-aeHC4emdk3IEyVK5x0SpZEfh9zSPI-e_sY_EU1VvPP3WoDaKGHVF1TFEBCDQzjK5HS-V9WUnJMQS5sK86E2QieqDwkG/s1600/20170720-_DSF4844-6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The window you see in the background is my sewing room.</div>
<br />
But the few winters I have been noticeably down, and the most recent winter was not great. I decided to make a massive career change and I poured all my time into it. I neglected everybody around me and spent all my free time cooped up in the spare room, hunched over my laptop, working on this goal. There were no major issues with my mood because I was motivated, driven and focussed. And that kept me happy. But it was getting exhausting working the day job, coming home and then focusing on something else demanding and not really relaxing.<br />
<br />
And then I failed. And that coincided with my usual January low mood. So...I was pretty unhappy.<br />
<br />
However, if it is one thing I've learnt during my years of repressing bad mood, it's that <a href="http://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/an-eulogy-to-my-first-pair-of-socks.html" target="_blank">taking on a completely unrelated challenge helps.</a> So when I saw my professional goals fail (only to rise from the ashes like a phoenix 5 months later, but I didn't know that would happen at the time), the emotional storm that followed had to be channelled into something. Thus, I plunged myself into unchartered territory. Gardening.<br />
<br />
I had made a very lame attempt in the past, when I bought two tomato plants and a couple of strawberry plants and attempted to grow them in terracotta pots on the windowsill. I only fed them water and neglect and surprise, surprise, they died. But this time I utilised the resources available to me. The wealth of knowledge that is my neighbour, a retired professional gardener, my mom who has the greenest fingers in the world, and of course the Internet.<br />
<br />
And...the garden is thriving. I have suffered losses to natural forces, including an army of slugs and a brutal storm that pulled several plants out of the ground. But the rest is doing great.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxihZjfUTGa_aY-6wOiAow4wdN-C7VFMd_WK4Z3x7NLzh_Blrt2aEI80codwS3NAjwex6b7l84wOM9sK4KW4b-0HcFZZMLpXFGlvQMpcg_IsAqJKKY_jXXCwu97yBoRgNNEGU0mPt5ZUMa/s1600/20170720-_DSF4811-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxihZjfUTGa_aY-6wOiAow4wdN-C7VFMd_WK4Z3x7NLzh_Blrt2aEI80codwS3NAjwex6b7l84wOM9sK4KW4b-0HcFZZMLpXFGlvQMpcg_IsAqJKKY_jXXCwu97yBoRgNNEGU0mPt5ZUMa/s1600/20170720-_DSF4811-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Now that plants, which I've grown from tiny seeds (or in the case of the strawberries and tomatoes, from seedlings from the garden centre) are producing fruit, I am beaming with pride. But more importantly, the garden helped me get through a very unhappy time and back to my happy self.<br />
<br />
I ran a half marathon last year for <a href="https://www.restore.org.uk/" target="_blank">Restore, an Oxforshire mental health charity.</a> A lot of their work involves their members getting involved in gardening work as a form of therapy. I loved the sound of that, but in hindsight I know it didn't fully resonate with me until now. Now I get it.<br />
<br />
So as you can imagine, I have a lot of love for my garden. So much that I devoted a sewing project to it. I had been digging, planting, weeding, watering and everything else in old jeans and wellies. But I felt the garden deserved better, so I decided to make a pair of dungarees specifically for working in the garden.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYM6_u7LB2EjoSjchzQ1bzWFEM-z6W2eecqSE4CxCxpifAq8AmTgMS0d1vtGrILmveIQs1MZg_1AlHeJmSUBSKf6jCPwzqQpVmQen5c2toN4gPq74UomEvSpby8KVRXdcqieCerJoBm0F/s1600/20170720-_DSF4965-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYM6_u7LB2EjoSjchzQ1bzWFEM-z6W2eecqSE4CxCxpifAq8AmTgMS0d1vtGrILmveIQs1MZg_1AlHeJmSUBSKf6jCPwzqQpVmQen5c2toN4gPq74UomEvSpby8KVRXdcqieCerJoBm0F/s1600/20170720-_DSF4965-2-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I used the <a href="https://www.paulinealicepatterns.com/en/pdf-sewing-patterns/18-turia-dungarees.html" target="_blank">Turia pattern from Pauline Alice</a>. Lovely pattern and great instructions. It's a bit time-consuming with all that topstitching, but I found it very satisfying to just sew a whole lot of straight lines in a fabric that behaves when handled. My only issue with the pattern was the legs, which are way too wide for my taste. So I tapered them quite a bit. When I finished them I wished I had tapered them a tiny bit more, but I flat-felled the seams and didn't fancy ripping them up, so I left them as they are.<br />
<br />
The only other deviation from the pattern instructions I did was to only use one zipper, instead of one on each side. And I have no problems getting in and out of the dungarees.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIsVn3TZbVWMK8HyCyJ0hes04CFd9cNgp0ysi6c-svA5iiSQErq8BfM-Us1sytUh4qs6Ei315IXc0jncrN83F8iYTiK2mPRjCFfrpqZZm-tGu5VoCEajiLgh1m3gktZ7T_sdDXnJS98Zk/s1600/20170720-_DSF4964-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIsVn3TZbVWMK8HyCyJ0hes04CFd9cNgp0ysi6c-svA5iiSQErq8BfM-Us1sytUh4qs6Ei315IXc0jncrN83F8iYTiK2mPRjCFfrpqZZm-tGu5VoCEajiLgh1m3gktZ7T_sdDXnJS98Zk/s1600/20170720-_DSF4964-1-2.jpg" /></a></div>
The fabric is <a href="http://merchantandmills.com/store/cloth/high-noon-11-75oz/" target="_blank">medium weight denim from Merchant and Mills in a deep blue colour.</a> I wanted something tough which will withstand kneeling, moving, getting covered in soil, being washed at a high temperature, etc. And this denim ticks all boxes.<br />
<br />
I am so happy with these dungarees. And my garden. So here is a photo bomb of both.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwOBaAn1e87Nn0TEciXH-vj7wmtnN0MlKUpjTYFR7x6Gm7qN1u6faZ0ZIyll8wffUk4oXOHkRC4BCQVtHWaxJTygOEK3u0eg_cGXdHXy72Ayivim2bORDaPqj02i0PNa6J9U8sWrudmzz/s1600/20170720-_DSF4831-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwOBaAn1e87Nn0TEciXH-vj7wmtnN0MlKUpjTYFR7x6Gm7qN1u6faZ0ZIyll8wffUk4oXOHkRC4BCQVtHWaxJTygOEK3u0eg_cGXdHXy72Ayivim2bORDaPqj02i0PNa6J9U8sWrudmzz/s1600/20170720-_DSF4831-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblHnnppqIPSw_eV_60kMtSCCQvGNhZ7IXdG-mMcMLtuxhLbjbaH0X9WP8R4dHttm7i-6lKm77RH0pSd637l46_jRnujatf6-M2c4QBzits6LSVV4tyUZQ2DMIyACk20aSQuN-SEDeRae2/s1600/20170720-_DSF4922-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblHnnppqIPSw_eV_60kMtSCCQvGNhZ7IXdG-mMcMLtuxhLbjbaH0X9WP8R4dHttm7i-6lKm77RH0pSd637l46_jRnujatf6-M2c4QBzits6LSVV4tyUZQ2DMIyACk20aSQuN-SEDeRae2/s1600/20170720-_DSF4922-23.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGgUicppWXnmJoZ77m7HyDEp10LF1a0NgBiHi180dx6skTGb6grwmINu29oSob1fdYBYje4jiCR6jG7xLd2dVogb1Nv-6LLhiXnGS_9aqfOKdxoghHXSXnZkxsVSdZiQRuK2AO76cfH48/s1600/20170714-_DSF4638-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGgUicppWXnmJoZ77m7HyDEp10LF1a0NgBiHi180dx6skTGb6grwmINu29oSob1fdYBYje4jiCR6jG7xLd2dVogb1Nv-6LLhiXnGS_9aqfOKdxoghHXSXnZkxsVSdZiQRuK2AO76cfH48/s1600/20170714-_DSF4638-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIOUlKE_maOGT5uDxSmlXs_ihYqj5Ks2p97PyTw2eunTpySoXNI20JQ_2uebjGpZ89cwaKFOczOj34JIQyKNpTP56QRqsHwbTpyM-oQsOGgx25hjQKik7bzdz9pXcYAchCUU-iSR7iYxR/s1600/20170714-_DSF4694-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIOUlKE_maOGT5uDxSmlXs_ihYqj5Ks2p97PyTw2eunTpySoXNI20JQ_2uebjGpZ89cwaKFOczOj34JIQyKNpTP56QRqsHwbTpyM-oQsOGgx25hjQKik7bzdz9pXcYAchCUU-iSR7iYxR/s1600/20170714-_DSF4694-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4mNFzj1ZCedK3chChkHpwa0KyjCYADm1_-U1hVBhXn7bV0csZKhSloJ-6cXaR0-wHoVPcwlwbf6StkjpiSCLHPCMHPZ-7TV6q7XbgVEY6uKRZ7q9JaA2D0qikoaaO7hePNc0fgoGu0Hb/s1600/20170720-_DSF4877-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4mNFzj1ZCedK3chChkHpwa0KyjCYADm1_-U1hVBhXn7bV0csZKhSloJ-6cXaR0-wHoVPcwlwbf6StkjpiSCLHPCMHPZ-7TV6q7XbgVEY6uKRZ7q9JaA2D0qikoaaO7hePNc0fgoGu0Hb/s1600/20170720-_DSF4877-14.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3N32iBQBShv4jlFqjj0MNdGBV3j7TMfP_VcJA8VycyIZndIXtO2VspJg-G6QGpyFfoJqfbFl4eIsrkkC80gAEQHun_YnlavEMPLU6mzz0auMU7_AQj6yJ_otGyaSzcttMk1Z63Qzewho/s1600/20170720-_DSF4803-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3N32iBQBShv4jlFqjj0MNdGBV3j7TMfP_VcJA8VycyIZndIXtO2VspJg-G6QGpyFfoJqfbFl4eIsrkkC80gAEQHun_YnlavEMPLU6mzz0auMU7_AQj6yJ_otGyaSzcttMk1Z63Qzewho/s1600/20170720-_DSF4803-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffM9PfSHmgnuSRsoSz4EF160mbZiVSWv9coSg1Ha-i-Q-KRLpNP2OplnZPnVqFij5C6Vgq-oVCUcnJn_z2sHhm7Sg5_4qqZREcJLmsCXog4wKpMOuia-0MRL6e9z9mnfFtIEbMxEEONLH/s1600/20170720-_DSF4948-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffM9PfSHmgnuSRsoSz4EF160mbZiVSWv9coSg1Ha-i-Q-KRLpNP2OplnZPnVqFij5C6Vgq-oVCUcnJn_z2sHhm7Sg5_4qqZREcJLmsCXog4wKpMOuia-0MRL6e9z9mnfFtIEbMxEEONLH/s1600/20170720-_DSF4948-25.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-UJa3CahfUJOs1gBe97TfRZ2iqjpl-30bGXfj1mBt0RLJWZuKXpXITH64Fxpwo2U1K0OjJm7BiGDKeMyFBi5239B7_QjLFRNN5cfvrU-HFC5-llsFKArhsWRsQ2xBRbTEj5x34G9oUKj/s1600/20170720-_DSF4883-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-UJa3CahfUJOs1gBe97TfRZ2iqjpl-30bGXfj1mBt0RLJWZuKXpXITH64Fxpwo2U1K0OjJm7BiGDKeMyFBi5239B7_QjLFRNN5cfvrU-HFC5-llsFKArhsWRsQ2xBRbTEj5x34G9oUKj/s1600/20170720-_DSF4883-16.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdLYWKkHGqVQ_0N__C6dczdQXiNLYQk8KMN_AWUjIVoa9Ew5c-SQ4rLcK7PMS0BcVDHiqlBEYxuPdykwV-Wuc9XqDg7ZHY0KYnXsQcoPiPJDP1h5CZQBIjvgsskCwFa5RGeVryhYTy2ec/s1600/20170720-_DSF4885-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdLYWKkHGqVQ_0N__C6dczdQXiNLYQk8KMN_AWUjIVoa9Ew5c-SQ4rLcK7PMS0BcVDHiqlBEYxuPdykwV-Wuc9XqDg7ZHY0KYnXsQcoPiPJDP1h5CZQBIjvgsskCwFa5RGeVryhYTy2ec/s1600/20170720-_DSF4885-12.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvsGbHGLgJjf_maG6AJEK-D0OqQMhpxolge034EpC0eMeVlqj4jKZuiYBfQ-XRR0l9rjhPWJU2Im7ev6NOfuo36HsePLEpiM7pEdyTxxQw2yfXHPLVaBRXAQxSqX_w4FiEDxTlIOyn1xu/s1600/20170720-_DSF4894-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvsGbHGLgJjf_maG6AJEK-D0OqQMhpxolge034EpC0eMeVlqj4jKZuiYBfQ-XRR0l9rjhPWJU2Im7ev6NOfuo36HsePLEpiM7pEdyTxxQw2yfXHPLVaBRXAQxSqX_w4FiEDxTlIOyn1xu/s1600/20170720-_DSF4894-19.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGNqCHiGwMw2JcypHyRtdbjhTkqEwfI4fOhywRIkX9cj4Gb8M2DvzIlcP1y9gmEeoUS8ofsmiJY25F0-KSoHws3gZr4NeJEOUFes-qiPMIzB0cUCTqwvS2WGlYIYTYiPDgAOTvyuIH9Rk/s1600/20170720-_DSF4852-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGNqCHiGwMw2JcypHyRtdbjhTkqEwfI4fOhywRIkX9cj4Gb8M2DvzIlcP1y9gmEeoUS8ofsmiJY25F0-KSoHws3gZr4NeJEOUFes-qiPMIzB0cUCTqwvS2WGlYIYTYiPDgAOTvyuIH9Rk/s1600/20170720-_DSF4852-10.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SaKJtXiznoVAHMgpG5-e-m_uBuRUiLFj6nJNcRqma9kx0aoYMDa-JtmgkvIm74a560g-Q3gIiEf_Ts4Lu9FAOC3IvY9S-Zyq2xEBHLLVDOYpCYWe0OEnZNrG4LbITS3kmJc_JPGQdcSr/s1600/20170720-_DSF4777-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SaKJtXiznoVAHMgpG5-e-m_uBuRUiLFj6nJNcRqma9kx0aoYMDa-JtmgkvIm74a560g-Q3gIiEf_Ts4Lu9FAOC3IvY9S-Zyq2xEBHLLVDOYpCYWe0OEnZNrG4LbITS3kmJc_JPGQdcSr/s1600/20170720-_DSF4777-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-89634095839787363782017-04-25T22:39:00.000+01:002017-04-25T22:50:00.877+01:00Liberty Queue for the Zoo Archer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE01RhnB7q00AQQk8CILRxB74sO2FzPrFi8sN4UrXAhLkrlmwN228f4krOruC7a-sHV07nL7zJ2ZA5m07kyMP_6aywHO4P7SobC06xVemnDPFOitgWYac3btZbdHDXtxsM6UyeKB0dw-4Q/s1600/20170425-_DSF4033-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE01RhnB7q00AQQk8CILRxB74sO2FzPrFi8sN4UrXAhLkrlmwN228f4krOruC7a-sHV07nL7zJ2ZA5m07kyMP_6aywHO4P7SobC06xVemnDPFOitgWYac3btZbdHDXtxsM6UyeKB0dw-4Q/s1600/20170425-_DSF4033-5.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
This shirt has been a long time in the making. The <a href="https://shop.grainlinestudio.com/products/archer-button-up-shirt" target="_blank">Grainline Archer button up shirt</a> is one of my favourite TNT patterns, if not <i>the</i> favourite. I have made a couple in really sensible blue chambrays that I wear so much I fear I will wear them out soon.<br />
<br />
But I started to itch to make one in a whimsical pattern. There is something about smart clothes in unpredictable prints that I find irresistible. I usually just admire it on others, not feeling brave enough to rock flamingos or cats on office wear myself. So I started thinking that maybe instead of full out flamingos, I could try a floral Liberty fabric as a light venture into whimsical prints. A soft-start, if you will. But when I was in Liberty, stroking the rolls of floral Tana Lawn, my eyes kept landing on this fabric covered in camels, giraffes and elephants with briefcases - <a href="http://www.libertylondon.com/uk/queue-for-the-zoo-tana-lawn-cotton-000510447.html" target="_blank">Queue for the Zoo</a>. I tried to turn my attention back to the florals, but it was hopeless, I had to have this fabric.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYce-XFxKrkYcmO6vdrZyKWWL5fyAz4p0mwlcoWnaE5pEeqdlPgpV_ArjqJW7e0LFsxiZgYNmUYqdLxae680Kqz8QRig_zSJyPNN4FdRzyASu-QnSBqimhlb_8D0gqZsQh7FmKPLPe4yJ/s1600/20170425-_DSF4042-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYce-XFxKrkYcmO6vdrZyKWWL5fyAz4p0mwlcoWnaE5pEeqdlPgpV_ArjqJW7e0LFsxiZgYNmUYqdLxae680Kqz8QRig_zSJyPNN4FdRzyASu-QnSBqimhlb_8D0gqZsQh7FmKPLPe4yJ/s1600/20170425-_DSF4042-7.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Unfortunately, I bought it just before moving house, so it didn't get made up straight away. After settling into the new house I had no time to sew anything but superquick projects, so my whimsical Archer had to wait. Until the Easter bank holiday weekend just gone. Almost a year after I bought the fabric.<br />
<br />
In a way it was lucky, I guess, because by this point I had bought my new machine, which helped me achieve a really neat result.<br />
<br />
In terms of construction...I've made a couple of Archers and <a href="https://shop.grainlinestudio.com/collections/dresses/products/alder-shirtdress-pdf-pattern" target="_blank">Alders</a> in the past and could by now probably sew one in my sleep. It helps that it is an exceptionally well designed pattern. I remember the first time I made it, and how nervous I was about how difficult it would be. And then being surprised by how straight-forward it was. For that reason I keep recommending this pattern to friends who are getting into sewing. The instructions hold your hand throughout the process and once you have one of these under your belt you feel like a sewing bad-ass.<br />
<br />
I don't have any photos of this, but I did flat-felled sleeves on the side and sleeve seams. It's my favourite and I learned a really easy way to do it from the <a href="https://www.colettepatterns.com/catalog/negroni" target="_blank">Colette Negroni pattern</a>, which doesn't involved any special foot. Because I like wearing my sleeves rolled up, the seams are on display, and a flat-felled sleeve looks great inside and out.<br />
<br />
Those of you with good eye sight will notice that my button plackets are the wrong way around. That was intentional. I didn't fancy trying to match this messy pattern, and doing it this way around looked a bit neater.<br />
<br />
One thing I didn't do intentionally, and wish I had thought about - the collar. It's upside down. Well, the little animals on it are anyway. When it is flipped down. So I guess I could just walk around with my collar popped.<br />
<br />
Or not.<br />
<br />
I normally like a tower placket on a button up shirt and always change this from the placket in the pattern, but on this busy fabric I just couldn't be bothered. Plus, I <u>always</u> wear my sleeves rolled up. Well, except when I'm posing for the self-timer, see below.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRicxLN2j3ErPIKUOb-ckuwP6d_Vt61OwJeNgk8OQ_1fZSlfM252f7cRGsAXjs5ibwJ_s8qWV-G4BThpeXZPe9hesMzCK-c6718LNbEKtjOLXKkh8T9CDrjZ0rpbZkIRqYicTV9YMk4o9O/s1600/20170425-_DSF4056-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRicxLN2j3ErPIKUOb-ckuwP6d_Vt61OwJeNgk8OQ_1fZSlfM252f7cRGsAXjs5ibwJ_s8qWV-G4BThpeXZPe9hesMzCK-c6718LNbEKtjOLXKkh8T9CDrjZ0rpbZkIRqYicTV9YMk4o9O/s1600/20170425-_DSF4056-8.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I considered doing the back yoke in two parts, on the bias, to create something of a visual effect. But once again I decided I couldn't be bothered. The thing is, this fabric is so busy, and so lovely, that it will demand all attention, and constructional details become just a side note.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaV1CIjgAOsOJ6vo7CLqeDFrc_VcuxYIGWFiL9S0MHw6ww-J64Y9iiUI5sURaFLJ_S72Pn2KL_Ecb0Zfq7vhImu-8sYqaqEvMqLDY77cQRt3crX2lVLV4nWe_yOnkA-lHdq0dpyzQSTp3S/s1600/20170425-_DSF4031-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaV1CIjgAOsOJ6vo7CLqeDFrc_VcuxYIGWFiL9S0MHw6ww-J64Y9iiUI5sURaFLJ_S72Pn2KL_Ecb0Zfq7vhImu-8sYqaqEvMqLDY77cQRt3crX2lVLV4nWe_yOnkA-lHdq0dpyzQSTp3S/s1600/20170425-_DSF4031-4.jpg" /></a></div>
The shirt is not as puffy at the back as it looks. It's just my terrible posture. The pelvis-out-shoulder-blades-back pose, just waiting for it to make it big on Insta.<br />
<br />
So in conclusion - yeah, I love it! To be honest, there is a selection bias in that I only post things I like on the blog, because of the work involved in taking the photos and editing them and writing about the project, etc, but I really, really love this one. Those giraffes in trainers, parrots in top hats and elephants with briefcases put a smile on my face every time.<br />
<br />
It will be an only child though, because this is all the whimsical my wardrobe can take. But it will be loved.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nK_OYJGQlDwi-uJncEfL6PVvzzr-Hq5eRaMSmFaOOS9nHGjJ-jrNMHoNMDunQLED4c46zpyMVjx3_BKXgObNRPnvgsIQqO47s61HdLyW1vmMJUVImvNSYd-9kYO3s0TWfh1Tjy6bLycK/s1600/20170425-_DSF4017-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nK_OYJGQlDwi-uJncEfL6PVvzzr-Hq5eRaMSmFaOOS9nHGjJ-jrNMHoNMDunQLED4c46zpyMVjx3_BKXgObNRPnvgsIQqO47s61HdLyW1vmMJUVImvNSYd-9kYO3s0TWfh1Tjy6bLycK/s1600/20170425-_DSF4017-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-28896028727269331912017-04-14T20:03:00.000+01:002017-04-14T20:03:01.131+01:00The year of the sleeve! (Part II)I can't remember how this blouse came about really. Normally I think about and plan a project for a little while before sewing it, but that wasn't really the case with this blouse, it just happened.<br />
<br />
I think that after my <a href="http://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/the-year-of-sleeve-part-i.html" target="_blank">Dove blouse</a> I wasn't ready to call it a day with the sleeve trend, so I decided to make another top with a sleeve detail. I was making an order at Minerva Crafts for a bunch of other fabrics and into my order slipped a mere metre of this sunshine yellow viscose challis. This is so not my colour, but I couldn't resist. And I have no regrets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0nZPNb6eh90_1colJSmdXRd1r3Qbt-a4HV1BLLlHWvmgKMzQ1K6wFNet4Ley2KQSVsvGRH6RWBOj0JmOus1BF4Fukj9StI2aiy-R3l69P4b-5CoUfesrMQOh6lJbr7R0CAfg9OTZB_bM/s1600/20170409-_DSF3827-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0nZPNb6eh90_1colJSmdXRd1r3Qbt-a4HV1BLLlHWvmgKMzQ1K6wFNet4Ley2KQSVsvGRH6RWBOj0JmOus1BF4Fukj9StI2aiy-R3l69P4b-5CoUfesrMQOh6lJbr7R0CAfg9OTZB_bM/s1600/20170409-_DSF3827-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I wanted a quick and dirty make, and decided I'd sew the <a href="https://shop.grainlinestudio.com/products/scout-tee" target="_blank">Grainline Scout tee</a> and improvise when I got to the sleeves.<br />
<br />
I cut out the pattern pieces and lengthened the sleeve piece by 15 cm or so. Possibly a bit more, not sure, I eyeballed it. I didn't enjoy cutting this fabric at all. Viscose doesn't stay in place while it's being cut, and I had all those daisy chains to line up both length and width-wise. I don't have any fool-proof way for doing this other than going slow and checking and double checking that the pattern is lined up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMbPchryT-1EnNXC-YgGe_e0w9xe5sPCDBditNW92Rtps4xViNvXnh-dF3-i7c_6yJYyO9L4C4blQgAGBanISK4nPWP-DQgxigMw-Mwsd83M3GI6qd4HOVvHj2saz0Qtc3XiOecdfmkWA/s1600/20170409-_DSF3819-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMbPchryT-1EnNXC-YgGe_e0w9xe5sPCDBditNW92Rtps4xViNvXnh-dF3-i7c_6yJYyO9L4C4blQgAGBanISK4nPWP-DQgxigMw-Mwsd83M3GI6qd4HOVvHj2saz0Qtc3XiOecdfmkWA/s1600/20170409-_DSF3819-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The sewing was a whole different story. This is where my new sewing machine really showed off! Viscose challis frays like nobody's business, so I've always found finishing seams a pain when sewing with viscose. But my new machine has a double overedge stitch which looks a lot like an overlocker stitch, and it completely eliminates fraying. It's a very slow stitch to sew, but so, so worth it. I ended up finishing all seams this way.<br />
<br />
Also, my old machine didn't do a wide range of stitch lengths, so sewing long basting stitches along the sleeve curvature to gather sleeves in order to ease them in was never quite as successful as I wished. This machine though, no problem! Has great long stitches, making easing in sleeves easy peasy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXVeB6EmXAp7S4zfL8-ne05R57-tQfMQdXY2OgDoz8Q4zO0haBcT6DWooKGen4N6-qegxzzgX-quDjj0d7jA_v0xUPvpc9VAIwUI3YHGw3GqBSPbTis6kW0vOJTFjSjJS30gaQQC-Rx__/s1600/20170409-_DSF3824-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXVeB6EmXAp7S4zfL8-ne05R57-tQfMQdXY2OgDoz8Q4zO0haBcT6DWooKGen4N6-qegxzzgX-quDjj0d7jA_v0xUPvpc9VAIwUI3YHGw3GqBSPbTis6kW0vOJTFjSjJS30gaQQC-Rx__/s1600/20170409-_DSF3824-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I've sewn a couple of Scout tees already, so the pattern was not new to me. It is a delightful little pattern, so easy and adaptable. The finished look will really depend on the chosen fabric, from structured and modern in a stiffer fabric, to floaty and relaxed in a lightweight fabric. Also, it's super-hackable. I've made four Scouts in total (incl this one) and three of them were hacks. Two of them I made in two separate fabrics, by splitting the front and back bodice parts in two and creating something like a yoke. And this one...just lengthened the sleeves and added on frilly bits at the end.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYihW9rkUearevHp-_Dkm6uPHhP0-YiXhNfzx4oc87RP-3gTx9r4kNzXY_utKkXks0Y9c4o11nz_4WMvh8B2L1ceNAxapg32ig0E1dgUBAJUDB8nkF17tKGluHfBWgHGVKRZrUule3bHr/s1600/20170409-_DSF3829-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYihW9rkUearevHp-_Dkm6uPHhP0-YiXhNfzx4oc87RP-3gTx9r4kNzXY_utKkXks0Y9c4o11nz_4WMvh8B2L1ceNAxapg32ig0E1dgUBAJUDB8nkF17tKGluHfBWgHGVKRZrUule3bHr/s1600/20170409-_DSF3829-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Speaking of the frilly sleeves, I made them by cutting out two rectangles that measured lengthwise double the length of the sleeve hem. The width of my rectangles was determined by how much fabric I had left as I only bought one metre (and trust me, it was a squeeze). I basted one of the long edges of each rectangle, and gathered it until it was the same length as the sleeve edge. Pinned, sewed to the sleeve pieces before I attached them to the body of the blouse, and carried on sewing it as per the pattern instructions.<br />
<br />
Because my fabric is so thin and fine, I did rolled hems (by machine) on all hems. There's loads of tutorials online for this, but I like <a href="http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/40053/sew-a-narrow-hem-by-machine/page/all" target="_blank">this one by Threads Magazine</a>.<br />
<br />
I have to say that I'm loving this blouse a lot more than I expected. Don't you love when that happens? When something turns out better than you thought it would? I'm loving it! Can't wait for some warm weather to start wearing it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZDxk4ELblcx78L3U_E_CP9cdbpvnngDJh_f-XCX37vcVLUFepQquo6Y6tYAOGYUPqAd_qL2oH9q2ObOBnCsIWT35Y4WOXv6cxmw62Jq6PRDvUO9hmo5nWuprXx5R7HdMlnHt-5ZyXIN9/s1600/20170409-_DSF3833-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZDxk4ELblcx78L3U_E_CP9cdbpvnngDJh_f-XCX37vcVLUFepQquo6Y6tYAOGYUPqAd_qL2oH9q2ObOBnCsIWT35Y4WOXv6cxmw62Jq6PRDvUO9hmo5nWuprXx5R7HdMlnHt-5ZyXIN9/s1600/20170409-_DSF3833-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-6951773897937310862017-04-10T19:00:00.000+01:002017-09-12T14:37:23.112+01:00The year of the sleeve! (part I)Sooo, I have to admit that I hate following trends. I have this whole snobbish thing about how it's easy to sheepishly follow trends, but it takes integrity to stay true to one's own style. But every couple of seasons I fall for a trend and have to face my own hypocrisy. And boy have I fallen this season! It's all about sleeves, and I looove it!<br />
<br />
Since big and frilly sleeves started popping up on the runways, and later the high street shops, I've been thinking about making my own top with dramatic sleeves. So I looked around the Internets for suitable patterns, and my eyes landed upon the <a href="https://megannielsen.com/products/dove" target="_blank">Megan Nielsen Dove blouse</a>. Bingo!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP48n7rx5rhsnoWySIBpFUSXqSoCyX-tBSckFsv_u-q9WHBWoqlr6_LKM6MUbCQ89okgSizngQuE8oTF8I3NAQJAkKCW1KMNcZirEAoMxR0-Y0vwGCiKx-9SrDtusXeSq23h1_uwLolt2/s1600/20170409-_DSF3804-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP48n7rx5rhsnoWySIBpFUSXqSoCyX-tBSckFsv_u-q9WHBWoqlr6_LKM6MUbCQ89okgSizngQuE8oTF8I3NAQJAkKCW1KMNcZirEAoMxR0-Y0vwGCiKx-9SrDtusXeSq23h1_uwLolt2/s1600/20170409-_DSF3804-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Two things to come clean about here: 1) See that bit of fabric in the V neck? The facing flipped up as I rushed to get into a pose before the self timer went off. 2) I may have gone a bit crazy with the contrast while editing these photos.)</i></span><br />
<br />
However, to reduce the cognitive dissonance of "I hate following trends, but look at me following a trend!" I had to at least stick to my standard monochrome tones.<br />
<br />
So I made it up in a <a href="http://www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/prestige-crepe-ivory/" target="_blank">subtle ivory Prestige crepe from Fabric Godmother.</a> As soon as I saw the pattern I knew I'd be making the full bell sleeves, so I wanted a heavy drapey fabric for this blouse. Something that would have beautiful movement. And this fabric is just the ticket. It is so thick and heavy (for a crepe). The quality is superb and feels very luxurious. As a colleague commented when I wore the blouse to work: "It looks expensive."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVhnNuBCn6o6jOMgVLNmQg-pmc6c4Ta3l5FYQkCANkfufrAEeGTIFgl2-pzd7NXIxyznRl6uD_J5cyS_HX12yzJyIUyVnl5QgV4UVI2Ppzp2PGdjXTT1nogLhm-T2YRwSckj20BLu9-5y/s1600/20170409-_DSF3805-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVhnNuBCn6o6jOMgVLNmQg-pmc6c4Ta3l5FYQkCANkfufrAEeGTIFgl2-pzd7NXIxyznRl6uD_J5cyS_HX12yzJyIUyVnl5QgV4UVI2Ppzp2PGdjXTT1nogLhm-T2YRwSckj20BLu9-5y/s1600/20170409-_DSF3805-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
So let's talk about the pattern. Consistent with my previous experience of MN patterns, this one is well-designed and comes with good instructions. It's quite a loose fitting shape, so there weren't any fitting issues at all. I cut a straight size S and it fits beautifully.<br />
<br />
The design is simple and elegant, but as usual with MN patterns, has a modern twist that adds that little something extra. Aside from the obvious, the sleeves, I am a big fan of the V neck finished with a facing. It creates such a clean look that I absolutely love.<br />
<br />
You can see that I went for version 3 with the full bell sleeves, and the only modification I made was to the hem. This was not part of the original plan. I loved the look of the long, curved hem, but when I tried it on like that the overall look in this white-ish fabric was a bit...religious-sect-member-uniform. So I made a very impulsive decision to chop a big chunk off the bottom of the blouse and ended up with this boxy, slightly cropped shape. Which I really love! It puts the sleeves in focus and makes the overall look quite clean and simple.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGndSj8wkeR3xdpMaqbRvlevLI9A7BwXC0V02mdZ3Kf9g_xJ0pMbpOiajJhITWQdeZVIJ7lf7FWMgyxnd0OYdV50GubknUQOj2F82xhUhD7sPXxnvNv36gcJKOmAucYwNOR_aUndRUxkS0/s1600/20170409-_DSF3807-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGndSj8wkeR3xdpMaqbRvlevLI9A7BwXC0V02mdZ3Kf9g_xJ0pMbpOiajJhITWQdeZVIJ7lf7FWMgyxnd0OYdV50GubknUQOj2F82xhUhD7sPXxnvNv36gcJKOmAucYwNOR_aUndRUxkS0/s1600/20170409-_DSF3807-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRarFwTX2Yq69eTOuk9TonyPEyHqzvDGblLusAPysrv1afkhYMeuKGd-EiF3Aa2R7INMMRGaI1QBCAMWXEc2goC606CQAkK4wKXaYM9a-dlgcTDXGUi2ZMd35KeWATlRPaP02ifKolWs8y/s1600/20170409-_DSF3808-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRarFwTX2Yq69eTOuk9TonyPEyHqzvDGblLusAPysrv1afkhYMeuKGd-EiF3Aa2R7INMMRGaI1QBCAMWXEc2goC606CQAkK4wKXaYM9a-dlgcTDXGUi2ZMd35KeWATlRPaP02ifKolWs8y/s1600/20170409-_DSF3808-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
So in summary - I absolutely love my Dove blouse. I feel super glamorous in it! And I can't tell you how many compliments I've received about it. The only issue: I'm bound to dip my sleeves in my food at some point.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcex6FBEtDUeAEFVxHI2OIOenTLoJkyLKjMhQia7m1SlkaOZQpCyc5OoiWeZvkmrPa0B_Vx58lt8_RT53PPGxzaiKwgeN_nVPHG0w0MMf3FIrxETi1DFlQ05NDEUc9fCt_3k8eBfVsEwiR/s1600/20170409-_DSF3813-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcex6FBEtDUeAEFVxHI2OIOenTLoJkyLKjMhQia7m1SlkaOZQpCyc5OoiWeZvkmrPa0B_Vx58lt8_RT53PPGxzaiKwgeN_nVPHG0w0MMf3FIrxETi1DFlQ05NDEUc9fCt_3k8eBfVsEwiR/s1600/20170409-_DSF3813-5.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-19377752798807085162017-04-07T09:31:00.000+01:002017-12-11T20:53:00.136+00:00Spring has sprungAnd with it my spring wardrobe. I'll get there. Indulge me a bit first.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPmo4iQr9ZGQbkQZwdT8YbhlWqMhJH6cR1aHaxZSI-Jk_0dvNxdirGNpcr9KaIwe57P7CCah4NzU9EinzNv7kq1eJquYdt9ThouOX95Xx326xH4SRW0Hv_hBmzjA1k33PDEs1BJI7-Xmq/s1600/20170405-_DSF3738-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPmo4iQr9ZGQbkQZwdT8YbhlWqMhJH6cR1aHaxZSI-Jk_0dvNxdirGNpcr9KaIwe57P7CCah4NzU9EinzNv7kq1eJquYdt9ThouOX95Xx326xH4SRW0Hv_hBmzjA1k33PDEs1BJI7-Xmq/s1600/20170405-_DSF3738-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The arrival of spring really is the sweetest time of the year. I love the long nights of summer, the crisp chilliness of autumn, the cosiness of winter, but nothing compares to those first warming rays of sunshine after a long winter. The first snowdrops. Followed by the first daffodils. The apple and cherry blossoms. The first tender leaves on trees. Birdsong. It's like a happiness pill. I become a different person with the arrival of spring. A better me. Me 2.0.<br />
<br />
So as soon as spring arrived I embraced it. I found myself a new hobby that means I have a good reason to be outside soaking up the sunshine every free minute - gardening. I've turned the conservatory into a temporary greenhouse while preparing the soil in the garden for my tender seedlings. I have grand plans. Big dreams. My ultimate dream is coming home from work a balmy July evening, uncorking a chilled bottle of wine, and making dinner with vegetable I've grown from tiny little seeds. Eating and drinking with friends well into the night (obviously this dream takes place on a Friday).<br />
<br />
All this while wearing something me-made. This is where the spring wardrobe comes in. The new hobby does not displace the old. With longer days and more energy there is time for both. So while I am planning my vegetable garden I am also planning my spring wardrobe. I've gone about both projects in much the same way. Decided what I want to make/grow, ordered the materials, and started the prep. Now that the seeds have germinated and my seedlings are growing in the conservatory I've started sewing. I don't have much to show yet, but it wouldn't be spring without some florals, so I've started off with this floral pencil skirt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSo-pWEmGyKD9UdpTzzNvJMIws8KS2w9jZ23korVbEGr0sSxyfwDpKpkgonJ6GHdGtCGmcr9Y-hPz8cTDXM51WF0P_Ff7qdcXc-Kq00MPQmqkQn19Bzfmu5xHwmOyXEHlR00FmDyZy0-Cz/s1600/20170326-_DSF3713-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSo-pWEmGyKD9UdpTzzNvJMIws8KS2w9jZ23korVbEGr0sSxyfwDpKpkgonJ6GHdGtCGmcr9Y-hPz8cTDXM51WF0P_Ff7qdcXc-Kq00MPQmqkQn19Bzfmu5xHwmOyXEHlR00FmDyZy0-Cz/s1600/20170326-_DSF3713-8.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The pattern is the <a href="https://megannielsen.com/products/axel" target="_blank">Axel skirt by Megan Nielsen</a>. I've always been a fan of her simple, timeless designs with a little modern detail. So far I've made two Darling Ranges, one Kelly skirt (which never saw the light of day because I realised I hated my fabric choice, which isn't exactly a fixable problem) and now two Axels.<br />
<br />
The Axel blew my mind. It is so simple, but so perfect. I made the <a href="https://www.colettepatterns.com/catalog/mabel" target="_blank">Colette Mabel</a> skirt <a href="http://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/lace-and-lavender.html" target="_blank">last year</a> and it just didn't work for my body type. I was so disappointed, because I love how it looks on others. The Axel suits my body the way I wanted the Mabel to. And it's so quick to make! I love quick makes. Sure, something slow and complicated is satisfying, but something quick and easy means half a new outfit in one sewing session. Clearly, I'm not one for delayed gratification.<br />
<br />
I made one version 2 without the hip sashes (see photos below), and one version 3 (above). I have nothing but praise for either. The designs and pattern instructions are perfect. This is a great pattern for both beginners and experienced sewers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd1abFwfm98Tro8fkCr8ieszk6jL5Iry6pvCnQ1kqQdw52z1xkShxoj_oHBrOO1yR29ORJBYQ_ZdBvWvkPAIPZN9aYGYnv9W6ZYmf96_zSJv09csJK7fG4IPP3FYufk2LxVd5P8K65qf3/s1600/20170326-_DSF3725-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBd1abFwfm98Tro8fkCr8ieszk6jL5Iry6pvCnQ1kqQdw52z1xkShxoj_oHBrOO1yR29ORJBYQ_ZdBvWvkPAIPZN9aYGYnv9W6ZYmf96_zSJv09csJK7fG4IPP3FYufk2LxVd5P8K65qf3/s1600/20170326-_DSF3725-13.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9cYXl8ESD3imoiq4lSpkqiSMMIqwv191lXgDhXlyieXOisR0Wf4dmql1QJ02NdYpOKSYZ0SkMVHb1jFiJnxmihBm1WL0WhwlU4FGXS9tL35Q1UW81zuynWrWVpFBQIbxSLh1ezPHRtmH/s1600/20170326-_DSF3726-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9cYXl8ESD3imoiq4lSpkqiSMMIqwv191lXgDhXlyieXOisR0Wf4dmql1QJ02NdYpOKSYZ0SkMVHb1jFiJnxmihBm1WL0WhwlU4FGXS9tL35Q1UW81zuynWrWVpFBQIbxSLh1ezPHRtmH/s1600/20170326-_DSF3726-14.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
My version 2 is a simple black ponte number. It's nothing special (aside from fantastic fit and superb comfort!), but a great wardrobe staple. I expect that I will wear it until it falls apart. And then immediately make another.<br />
<br />
I made version 3 in a lovely floral scuba. I've not worked much with scuba as I'm not a huge fan of synthetics (but oh boy is that changing! more on that topic coming in a different post), so I was very pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to work with it. The only difficulty is pressing as it doesn't respond well to heat. I find using a lot of steam and keeping the iron on the fabric for a bit longer than normal to lock in the heat works well. Just don't use too high heat as it is a synthetic after all.<br />
<br />
I have so many more spring projects planned, and so many things to sow in the garden! Good thing the Easter long weekend is coming up!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmjRRxhwZAVoGqOFrf0LLMQ1nlqRzIv7dCyXzl5Ln2Oyl_3-NRGZ-YfbmJYwqbqLR9qm-CyCu4I3us6UTMuFnKBEkdopmqJBLTClVXyi8vHWnqBDMck9Re68vSgM2X_80l7a-OkEi8mrn/s1600/20170405-_DSF3751-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmjRRxhwZAVoGqOFrf0LLMQ1nlqRzIv7dCyXzl5Ln2Oyl_3-NRGZ-YfbmJYwqbqLR9qm-CyCu4I3us6UTMuFnKBEkdopmqJBLTClVXyi8vHWnqBDMck9Re68vSgM2X_80l7a-OkEi8mrn/s1600/20170405-_DSF3751-5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BG6M6ia3mReNJFItNGUaS-ua7dIzfRAELCTzJRGX1O4sDmuNUJofiJjDZMzkScCzCNOVNvV0VVGVWF42rpANY261lkenN172VKRRJQLzFiWkjOoK0BJhndUAGsHR_6Wubw7hRsd8LejM/s1600/20170405-_DSF3755-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BG6M6ia3mReNJFItNGUaS-ua7dIzfRAELCTzJRGX1O4sDmuNUJofiJjDZMzkScCzCNOVNvV0VVGVWF42rpANY261lkenN172VKRRJQLzFiWkjOoK0BJhndUAGsHR_6Wubw7hRsd8LejM/s1600/20170405-_DSF3755-6.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-80213134217971158742017-03-19T14:47:00.001+00:002017-03-19T14:48:44.045+00:00Toaster Sweater 2 and a trip to RotterdamAt the end of last year I signed up for <a href="https://bluebirdfabrics.co.uk/pages/uk-sewing-blogs-project-sewmystyle-what-is-it" target="_blank">Sew My Style 2017</a>. The first item, to be sewn in January, was the <a href="https://sewhouse7.com/collections/alberta-skirt/products/toaster-sweater-2" target="_blank">Toaster Sweater 2</a> by Sew House 7. I had some wonderful sweatshirt fabric that I had bought from <a href="https://guthrie-ghani.co.uk/shop" target="_blank">Guthrie & Ghani</a> with the intention to turn it into <a href="http://shop.grainlinestudio.com/products/linden-sweatshirt" target="_blank">a Linden sweatshirt.</a> However, I didn't get round to sewing the Linden, and when the time came to sew the Toaster sweater, I decided to use my fabric for this.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3kugWmF18EV8dv6ranZ2DBzsSjz5iSNMMeSoarecCovl75ZRnFMI86vJjg9n5CFYc4luQKxzW39tUtYo0ZZuntMJOnaYnzAvSG9W6lgHpdJPSxucPDGrh7gE5k-Yu809Qf3DfAly8CR0/s1600/20170307-Rotterdam-26-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3kugWmF18EV8dv6ranZ2DBzsSjz5iSNMMeSoarecCovl75ZRnFMI86vJjg9n5CFYc4luQKxzW39tUtYo0ZZuntMJOnaYnzAvSG9W6lgHpdJPSxucPDGrh7gE5k-Yu809Qf3DfAly8CR0/s1600/20170307-Rotterdam-26-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The sweater sewed up really quickly and easily. It is incredibly comfortable, yet looks stylish, thanks to the neckline shape. I didn't do any modifications at all, and while I am happy with it, next time I will lengthen the hem slightly. Also, I'll try a slightly thinner fabric. My sweatshirt fabric is very thick, and as a result a bit stiff. It looks fine, but I think a bit more drape would look even better. </div>
<div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
Shortly after I made Toaster sweater Josh and I were heading to Rotterdam for a long weekend. It was early February and still cold, so I packed the Toaster. And it did a great job keeping me toasty.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeY8LqMaJUFE3nDi-t88q1l4AAQP5CdiUhZy5fmqkqNFuNraYlehPGSjt1ccFWtuj95LnGFAbhFTiwYaB1qlOWbHFiv2V8AJ5pMIxH4nXB7vpuSWdNVIvKvFhWN2CLD2nfECOGmy-2mUG/s1600/20170307-Rotterdam-24-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeY8LqMaJUFE3nDi-t88q1l4AAQP5CdiUhZy5fmqkqNFuNraYlehPGSjt1ccFWtuj95LnGFAbhFTiwYaB1qlOWbHFiv2V8AJ5pMIxH4nXB7vpuSWdNVIvKvFhWN2CLD2nfECOGmy-2mUG/s1600/20170307-Rotterdam-24-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So overall, I am a fan. So much so that I made one for my friend as a birthday present recently. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The February Sew My Style item was a disaster for me, but that's a story for another time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcu4IZdCIUkWsXbetxbmBWGo9sMxEZwY3LY82Cl0N9vuJRyCgAXzu_geIYeKJfGqNM8zkaT6O-iqisAzNiMrXAolAciPXuDnji_wr7huvycTL7gTsZBwi0-BpLgGaVXb7PkZxDpcXP6c5/s1600/20170307-Rotterdam-25-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcu4IZdCIUkWsXbetxbmBWGo9sMxEZwY3LY82Cl0N9vuJRyCgAXzu_geIYeKJfGqNM8zkaT6O-iqisAzNiMrXAolAciPXuDnji_wr7huvycTL7gTsZBwi0-BpLgGaVXb7PkZxDpcXP6c5/s1600/20170307-Rotterdam-25-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And regarding Rotterdam, it is a lovely city. The reason we chose to go was to see a photo exhibition at the Kunsthal. We knew very little about the city before going, except that is has the largest port in Europe. I had been told by a colleague who'd been that it's quite ugly. </div>
<br />
But actually, I didn't find it ugly at all! I loved the architecture! And the mix of old Dutch houses and new, funky buildings.<br />
<br />
Of course, it's nowhere near as beautiful as Amsterdam, but it has its own charm.<br />
<br />
I wouldn't necessarily go again, as I have an endless list of other places I'd like to see, but I enjoyed our trip here very much.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLPsTSpsYwtzMNStwUWLy6ANqDpqeCagdF8-pOeWe7_61uhqMYcq0YtUFXv8C_GLb7sAz_wikrEo3RXnLVwY1wqdkXiDVTr41qU7riO8Lzbp1qty7aJt9hqMsiaa5-gk9QwFUrjgq0u-v/s1600/20170203-_DSF3542-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLPsTSpsYwtzMNStwUWLy6ANqDpqeCagdF8-pOeWe7_61uhqMYcq0YtUFXv8C_GLb7sAz_wikrEo3RXnLVwY1wqdkXiDVTr41qU7riO8Lzbp1qty7aJt9hqMsiaa5-gk9QwFUrjgq0u-v/s1600/20170203-_DSF3542-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMzjexCRJ4EA3E0SczCjxXH0WG_8w06YoP2-adc9LY30VcEHfYgSjW8uccsO8eWiKKjzzFtznPPOsxnC_lzFJJCsS4FvjkcdDcG7yAOA8Ty0igLHg65gwVUihcshyHI19lpTxqm0Qg-VS/s1600/20170203-_DSF3590-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMzjexCRJ4EA3E0SczCjxXH0WG_8w06YoP2-adc9LY30VcEHfYgSjW8uccsO8eWiKKjzzFtznPPOsxnC_lzFJJCsS4FvjkcdDcG7yAOA8Ty0igLHg65gwVUihcshyHI19lpTxqm0Qg-VS/s1600/20170203-_DSF3590-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDIvZNTy3xzuIIr85YTfDrGTdE1GqtvmwiL5oUt-DlfR1wV41Wi34NIOg4l_7dJZQYOdoifZL9ht5V7mDYKxRxpIF80r1_AvZfwn0DhzlohmNggAzAH3qvMhe4-FZJSAMFUkVMj8KBcZZ/s1600/20170203-_DSF3591-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDIvZNTy3xzuIIr85YTfDrGTdE1GqtvmwiL5oUt-DlfR1wV41Wi34NIOg4l_7dJZQYOdoifZL9ht5V7mDYKxRxpIF80r1_AvZfwn0DhzlohmNggAzAH3qvMhe4-FZJSAMFUkVMj8KBcZZ/s1600/20170203-_DSF3591-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmln3W_aY9vCvDhI3MkUOl23zfBl9h3t7Q3D4MgId5bdfRr9YrJ-RXYbDZKWU6mhgQ7_mflYVoXcibzyUMbHQ1xezWu7VI31u-M3hhHPkEGu1l-uG6nl9XQgnHNljawxr0-S5E_k6Xbcjj/s1600/20170203-_DSF3596-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmln3W_aY9vCvDhI3MkUOl23zfBl9h3t7Q3D4MgId5bdfRr9YrJ-RXYbDZKWU6mhgQ7_mflYVoXcibzyUMbHQ1xezWu7VI31u-M3hhHPkEGu1l-uG6nl9XQgnHNljawxr0-S5E_k6Xbcjj/s1600/20170203-_DSF3596-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLZ-QTxuB4NtEQNOjgVV5ehC1_YV_7VzEvK4EcgpseuMXP186wHT0XCIAbRZIKfvJrRSMTv2oMFdv2qnLXtqdkwUwoG2jj3C9vU4SYC1RBM2u6vhMjBjLPObYLWExVv4wSu_SQXxKkVvv/s1600/20170203-_DSF3609-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLZ-QTxuB4NtEQNOjgVV5ehC1_YV_7VzEvK4EcgpseuMXP186wHT0XCIAbRZIKfvJrRSMTv2oMFdv2qnLXtqdkwUwoG2jj3C9vU4SYC1RBM2u6vhMjBjLPObYLWExVv4wSu_SQXxKkVvv/s1600/20170203-_DSF3609-5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo credit: first 3 photos are by <a href="http://www.tomalinlightworks.com/" target="_blank">Josh</a>.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-78543710962019132672017-01-15T17:14:00.000+00:002017-07-23T21:24:32.763+01:00My 2016 summary in Instagram photosSo...last year went by fast! I remember writing <a href="http://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/a-2015-summary-in-instagram-photos.html" target="_blank">my summary of 2015</a>. It doesn't feel long ago at all. And yet it does. It has been a busy year, and overall quite a good one. Well, for me personally. What has been happening in the world around us is a whole different story.<br />
<br />
So for the second year running, my summary of the previous year, in Instagram photos:<br />
<br />
<b>January</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjka7cbVWH_akL0Gwh93dHYQswziC1shX1dq2imoiQfhdi4QHOTeb2fQF3fKNCpkDsCnROhmZjSr3td_b1eEg7BCtxeZi5YyTYq8bZ_pVM08xK-8xY9uIFe1svUqDEH0mU7gC0_K9qvNzJh/s1600/IMG_5725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjka7cbVWH_akL0Gwh93dHYQswziC1shX1dq2imoiQfhdi4QHOTeb2fQF3fKNCpkDsCnROhmZjSr3td_b1eEg7BCtxeZi5YyTYq8bZ_pVM08xK-8xY9uIFe1svUqDEH0mU7gC0_K9qvNzJh/s1600/IMG_5725.JPG" /></a></div>
January last year was kind of miserable and so was I. It was just an unhappy couple of weeks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9iZeLeYsdtIUuJNeCiXTlz-YSRzhFqsoyD-i9P8Sukw7igx_ZXgYV_eDmqF0pZ-ICanZpxdkL1kjMYq2vVv1U6vBeMf06JV-7L0ZITDJ5iVS2W86myaQDIntvE1eIUHyOO5TAN-vMPcL/s1600/IMG_5860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9iZeLeYsdtIUuJNeCiXTlz-YSRzhFqsoyD-i9P8Sukw7igx_ZXgYV_eDmqF0pZ-ICanZpxdkL1kjMYq2vVv1U6vBeMf06JV-7L0ZITDJ5iVS2W86myaQDIntvE1eIUHyOO5TAN-vMPcL/s1600/IMG_5860.JPG" /></a></div>
Towards the end of January my mood was improving. I decided to do something fun to start the year off in a more cheerful way and went to Coworth Park with two friends for afternoon tea. It was so so lovely.<br />
<br />
<b>February</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiI2SCu6x328SRK2DF467q1F5DAHkCuMk1z5olkX1mDSqHuVRcXoD-U96CV_HR7BgiNquSOWuM_62Ng-KdQOF9eVq6W2a89x38sd0Bope1fwmkDyCEPjsrCmQRJL-vXUkXMblA-dPxg1U/s1600/IMG_6025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiI2SCu6x328SRK2DF467q1F5DAHkCuMk1z5olkX1mDSqHuVRcXoD-U96CV_HR7BgiNquSOWuM_62Ng-KdQOF9eVq6W2a89x38sd0Bope1fwmkDyCEPjsrCmQRJL-vXUkXMblA-dPxg1U/s1600/IMG_6025.JPG" /></a></div>
February came and two days before Valentine's day my grandfather passed away. I knew it was coming, but that doesn't lessen the grief. Spending time with friends and family helped. The photo above is from a visit I made to Welford Park with a friend to see the snowdrops. The ground was white with them, it was really quite beautiful. It's also the place where the last few seasons of the Great British Bake-Off were filmed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPmPbbnSik5PmifTWGK2v3CnJPufjvB942IgTfmJSz6RIMWMQmTS95KWYLRcsx2ODae5HM21NugrDpVxZLoJ6ZfWuvVj942fnFT0j9G8iI3vijUopuhz4cHUUKKeqdGXnfH5hsEWXJiPS/s1600/IMG_6095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPmPbbnSik5PmifTWGK2v3CnJPufjvB942IgTfmJSz6RIMWMQmTS95KWYLRcsx2ODae5HM21NugrDpVxZLoJ6ZfWuvVj942fnFT0j9G8iI3vijUopuhz4cHUUKKeqdGXnfH5hsEWXJiPS/s1600/IMG_6095.JPG" /></a></div>
I knitted my first pair of socks in February. I wrote a <a href="http://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/an-eulogy-to-my-first-pair-of-socks.html" target="_blank">post about them</a> and how switching attention from big things to small challenges was helpful during this time. These socks are so ugly in real life, one is a lot bigger than the other and in the first wash the colours bled and now they are mostly just grey, but I absolutely love them.<br />
<br />
<b>March</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHIk-AkQwdomq6oXNWlMf_Nzz6VINB8tJp0zcnz6JSdgPIJxDUfz8bQtYd8FcRNXJ39P4kO6bitJlYMWuqhxCQH9PraqxR6vTbqvL9h3t3_K_0KFX5PqC_wOEMLrG_FIhK9Gggo60abs1/s1600/IMG_6368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHIk-AkQwdomq6oXNWlMf_Nzz6VINB8tJp0zcnz6JSdgPIJxDUfz8bQtYd8FcRNXJ39P4kO6bitJlYMWuqhxCQH9PraqxR6vTbqvL9h3t3_K_0KFX5PqC_wOEMLrG_FIhK9Gggo60abs1/s1600/IMG_6368.JPG" /></a></div>
Things got a lot better from March onwards. The days got longer and brought sunshine and I started running regularly again. Running has always been my anti-depressant.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL71a7yFtr8T-R_NPsuHauQN-fBbk8HDYw-L7Yk9tU7RF9uhkIehEmFwKWBgTclfXaV_eyy2OnHtBWPlArdExmuMEIA1V9E5-eBwW1UzBTZE1S2T61JZVyCQrPqeUPZC0dCS5Plvq0h1eG/s1600/IMG_6484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL71a7yFtr8T-R_NPsuHauQN-fBbk8HDYw-L7Yk9tU7RF9uhkIehEmFwKWBgTclfXaV_eyy2OnHtBWPlArdExmuMEIA1V9E5-eBwW1UzBTZE1S2T61JZVyCQrPqeUPZC0dCS5Plvq0h1eG/s1600/IMG_6484.JPG" /></a></div>
One of my closest friends has her birthday in March so we had brunch at the Shard one sunny weekend to celebrate. The view was completely ok. :)<br />
<br />
<b>April</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPVV8XjuHfECn3f9Jf59isgk_32Kn1TZYANDcyo1kNS6DToEz82gbFP00FGbP9oIrrBCpzMq7p3G8irz6KlJNughnu_DQirH-SPGydUtx9fn8D8raCoGbmCjjYtyDXXrt_FGX9I3VHvip/s1600/IMG_6749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPVV8XjuHfECn3f9Jf59isgk_32Kn1TZYANDcyo1kNS6DToEz82gbFP00FGbP9oIrrBCpzMq7p3G8irz6KlJNughnu_DQirH-SPGydUtx9fn8D8raCoGbmCjjYtyDXXrt_FGX9I3VHvip/s1600/IMG_6749.JPG" /></a></div>
I went to Australia in April. Finally, after intending to for the 4 years my friend had lived out there. It was incredible. I loved everything about Australia. If it wasn't so far away from everything I would be tempted to migrate. This photo is of Manly beach, taken shortly after getting off the 22h flight.<br />
<br />
<b>May</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIjO8VOFZ4YthpOCypoHTZxe3nZnL2Ki4QTn-TCmrbHWA6Zw7q4IzAzAzkBXA-D2RtqZAXg1NIaljeWLzbEyfKpQx9azvrLzaXYIElupT4ovoHMbpGMw2pFcgpeDHtDp3oaJdKHfad4dF/s1600/IMG_7614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIjO8VOFZ4YthpOCypoHTZxe3nZnL2Ki4QTn-TCmrbHWA6Zw7q4IzAzAzkBXA-D2RtqZAXg1NIaljeWLzbEyfKpQx9azvrLzaXYIElupT4ovoHMbpGMw2pFcgpeDHtDp3oaJdKHfad4dF/s1600/IMG_7614.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqsvuXYzPa2-9gtoc8j_86SAln5zJwInSHv_vEBEBSDx2AZvww04ASautbFdgpL8lU6kYGBnRnbppWsEAentrwo1VbptF4UX-8uvkUaTQEX2AHZ8VN0MkNXYTAg-TN-Jz-Y3NULc1mWyw/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqsvuXYzPa2-9gtoc8j_86SAln5zJwInSHv_vEBEBSDx2AZvww04ASautbFdgpL8lU6kYGBnRnbppWsEAentrwo1VbptF4UX-8uvkUaTQEX2AHZ8VN0MkNXYTAg-TN-Jz-Y3NULc1mWyw/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG" /></a></div>
May was incredible. The weather couldn't have been better, everything was blossoming, and I started training for my next half-marathon. After one 10 km Sunday run I laid down in the grass among the buttercups and cows in this meadow and contemplated how ridiculously idyllic life is some days.<br />
<br />
<b>June</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZIRw11LBVZS-_YHd5NNMbD8GpjcTDK5OIHTa377sNTq5FfPVemTGIYJqoRj2Lpq7Wyz4rhkCpq2-5XPVCpqTPphLXDwkW948eJ68GW2SH32ijyhw6lC3xOzjLRnkVzXnSWYBURXu6lAx/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZIRw11LBVZS-_YHd5NNMbD8GpjcTDK5OIHTa377sNTq5FfPVemTGIYJqoRj2Lpq7Wyz4rhkCpq2-5XPVCpqTPphLXDwkW948eJ68GW2SH32ijyhw6lC3xOzjLRnkVzXnSWYBURXu6lAx/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" /></a></div>
June was all about running and spending time with friends and Josh. The evenings were balmy and I'd often come home from work and go straight for a run in the afternoon sunshine. In the photo above I had finished one such run and gotten dressed to go to the movies with Josh. My top is a refashion of a shirt I had originally made for him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijH-qalkCYrRg0b0UViEp8DYvcFUuQyjTjgV9HiHpnjDE9Orsrl2GXb8sOaJWjMg0eKpDX043UR2R5muQuJYpDfdFgz8m_QBRgNCEAEKeHkUg7yz9s0DmOu1m-aMlc0eCWc64LR0bw-43a/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijH-qalkCYrRg0b0UViEp8DYvcFUuQyjTjgV9HiHpnjDE9Orsrl2GXb8sOaJWjMg0eKpDX043UR2R5muQuJYpDfdFgz8m_QBRgNCEAEKeHkUg7yz9s0DmOu1m-aMlc0eCWc64LR0bw-43a/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" /></a></div>
We drove down to Devon for a wedding. The weather was appalling. Relentless rain and floods. But we had fun on the way down, listening to football games on the radio and eating strawberries. And the wedding was beautiful, as love always is.<br />
<br />
<b>July</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpIhMMyH-ooIi_AwY7odFea7Bi2-fMoULmX31KyEaC54eOkhTsd4xkmO59hzq0X_C81qSY_WJww89jL9HgxfUBRgII0XI5OfDDxPBGBg0bSgRFtRG8t3gRdOqeGae9f7uU0i5V0a2RKn1/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpIhMMyH-ooIi_AwY7odFea7Bi2-fMoULmX31KyEaC54eOkhTsd4xkmO59hzq0X_C81qSY_WJww89jL9HgxfUBRgII0XI5OfDDxPBGBg0bSgRFtRG8t3gRdOqeGae9f7uU0i5V0a2RKn1/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZm51cbJGfcm6oJ1UpIZFBsEwCozsbNGJmVgKMVpSsRLARxqv2p6ZUtdN4DEXY27MJp0yY7oqwGUnDKRxl_AW3ju1xshHoOhmXHHuKknePmWnGMDnt0ukQ9g1q3uJdJfK4T2GOqby6ujl/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZm51cbJGfcm6oJ1UpIZFBsEwCozsbNGJmVgKMVpSsRLARxqv2p6ZUtdN4DEXY27MJp0yY7oqwGUnDKRxl_AW3ju1xshHoOhmXHHuKknePmWnGMDnt0ukQ9g1q3uJdJfK4T2GOqby6ujl/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" /></a></div>
The weather improved again in July and I spent most of my free time either running or reading books on various lawns.<br />
<br />
<b>August</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uGCRTaBFdS7H_7PlDBGvfo7plGX0qq5J9qx2SCywg_7s6YjW1M3SdPLH49GVIrmli984c3BlIsFKFzZ31Jb5_RiVN_X2x8sOs4aJyoGo8RCpD9ee_87Aj7a0hxDjRmfeKAZJoAnaqGfI/s1600/IMG_1518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uGCRTaBFdS7H_7PlDBGvfo7plGX0qq5J9qx2SCywg_7s6YjW1M3SdPLH49GVIrmli984c3BlIsFKFzZ31Jb5_RiVN_X2x8sOs4aJyoGo8RCpD9ee_87Aj7a0hxDjRmfeKAZJoAnaqGfI/s1600/IMG_1518.JPG" /></a></div>
And August brought some more...you guessed it, running. My friend and I upped our training for the half-marathon and in the photo above we had covered 15 km. Unfortunately we also got lost in some fields, which wasn't fun at the time, but we laughed plenty at it afterwards.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ4KtCTE0Eusjw29KxRwxytX5_fh5UHoTbxscsJHybp51GKyEX2oH19gvoQAyJbJITECNvbl9TOufpYa4x-2icu8MHITNKtgeOoHANOVq3vEnaOYYcT9RCpvo14lZCwSjTIHj8h5CIQ_U/s1600/IMG_1865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ4KtCTE0Eusjw29KxRwxytX5_fh5UHoTbxscsJHybp51GKyEX2oH19gvoQAyJbJITECNvbl9TOufpYa4x-2icu8MHITNKtgeOoHANOVq3vEnaOYYcT9RCpvo14lZCwSjTIHj8h5CIQ_U/s1600/IMG_1865.JPG" /></a></div>
August also saw me do a couple of day trips with a friend. I love day trips, they are such a good way of actually doing and seeing something in a weekend. The photo above is from one such day trip to Bristol. We went specifically for the Bristol Balloon Fiesta and were lucky to see the balloons as every prior planned ascent had gotten cancelled due to strong winds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZl5XQpVvMs7eYFQsfJbf41-vQmuIb6EoYFKzvsaJ56mhRZow0Md2OZxUwltXYJK87S6wTCl7GvUj_SSwSrUS-5paH6woiBtyN_BZVHscy5G0IsNjey8rMY1SxsKE41Fia4UGpKhR55yfB/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZl5XQpVvMs7eYFQsfJbf41-vQmuIb6EoYFKzvsaJ56mhRZow0Md2OZxUwltXYJK87S6wTCl7GvUj_SSwSrUS-5paH6woiBtyN_BZVHscy5G0IsNjey8rMY1SxsKE41Fia4UGpKhR55yfB/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" /></a></div>
On the last day of August we moved! This was kind of unplanned, but when our rent for a teeny tiny apartment went up to an extortionate amount we started looking around. We found an adorable cottage in the most charming location. This is the kind of place I will be looking for when I'm ready to buy a property.<br />
<br />
<b>September</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxZ14QL8q5Y1HQYOGX_6l2gmT3VfDlOJCU-rMT_PT2rrJfy8cxXrN-GXTTgwnYV9y2gYsaa5ink-aJMwHK4oNeCMRyM5yGFiU_IcOhfmKQLkQ5UkxiXVin2iQMK6sKHV2FDmLR05Ls2BO/s1600/IMG_2740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxZ14QL8q5Y1HQYOGX_6l2gmT3VfDlOJCU-rMT_PT2rrJfy8cxXrN-GXTTgwnYV9y2gYsaa5ink-aJMwHK4oNeCMRyM5yGFiU_IcOhfmKQLkQ5UkxiXVin2iQMK6sKHV2FDmLR05Ls2BO/s1600/IMG_2740.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nihwCG0Ss17BI1X_VqTExQeYaPRarUsNQP5qnl1uLpPKs_xZruLsiTRZa2rMy8PNvQipP-DM5kWF_S8NJB3DUqzpUAS_Nu-xo4J5wU35x295fliYmjBs1eVyz4Rbr0W1Feltg-7phDKc/s1600/IMG_2674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nihwCG0Ss17BI1X_VqTExQeYaPRarUsNQP5qnl1uLpPKs_xZruLsiTRZa2rMy8PNvQipP-DM5kWF_S8NJB3DUqzpUAS_Nu-xo4J5wU35x295fliYmjBs1eVyz4Rbr0W1Feltg-7phDKc/s1600/IMG_2674.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Because of the move September was stupid busy. It was made extra busy because we were making a trip to the Lake District (planned before the move) and because I was going away for 5 days with work to a conference in London. By the time September ended I was exhausted. But happy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>October</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-9bwxoIOFkGQoCSJvc8PvhVKEzSgZVw-vvDbuAHgcN0bcXZDoCqpraU964Psd5TT7rv2hGUmGgUG0Imej6EwWRBEvwZrvDO5uXnTpHPIgLeJ7L1OzDRp8jowtrxnSJhRlorhRm2MonT5/s1600/IMG_3216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-9bwxoIOFkGQoCSJvc8PvhVKEzSgZVw-vvDbuAHgcN0bcXZDoCqpraU964Psd5TT7rv2hGUmGgUG0Imej6EwWRBEvwZrvDO5uXnTpHPIgLeJ7L1OzDRp8jowtrxnSJhRlorhRm2MonT5/s1600/IMG_3216.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I didn't take a great deal of photos in October. It was a busy month both at work and outside of work. When I had a free moment I spent it reading in bed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While I don't have any pictures of it, I ran the Oxford half-marathon for the second time in October. Improved my time and finally broke the 2 h mark.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>November</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Sc1-DYgrc9XsxFzgToqr_O7DJC4wZv6fJhQqFpeGKFckBSl5oThrStOI_jFemBDwONgrShyaWbiAJQjOJtKZr4L_FCecRN_J0s35eckBej1pWiu-KKGGfeER3-LRuASLCfh-pKHY6Djx/s1600/IMG_3487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Sc1-DYgrc9XsxFzgToqr_O7DJC4wZv6fJhQqFpeGKFckBSl5oThrStOI_jFemBDwONgrShyaWbiAJQjOJtKZr4L_FCecRN_J0s35eckBej1pWiu-KKGGfeER3-LRuASLCfh-pKHY6Djx/s1600/IMG_3487.JPG" /></a></div>
November was also busy. So busy. I went for walks in the fields near my house every free moment when there was daylight, visiting the sheep and watching the leaves change colours and ultimately fall off the trees. I didn't sew a lot, but I made about three of these turtlenecks. <a href="http://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/a-love-for-turtle-necks.html" target="_blank">I've blogged one of them</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>December</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6-WzE-pqpyNe5O0783dDIjYWQytGc-KwwVr6o3UmKbrHPk8HNx-LGIJyektGEmy-26wc7THjRHTbpT5quEaY61H02LJvsTy339XzgWm7hwdQlg9Sx30VJOOJ1NEaL6niTCw7e9SETf8K/s1600/IMG_4306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6-WzE-pqpyNe5O0783dDIjYWQytGc-KwwVr6o3UmKbrHPk8HNx-LGIJyektGEmy-26wc7THjRHTbpT5quEaY61H02LJvsTy339XzgWm7hwdQlg9Sx30VJOOJ1NEaL6niTCw7e9SETf8K/s1600/IMG_4306.JPG" /></a></div>
And December was...busy. Until the 16th anyways. Then me and Josh hopped on a flight to Sweden and took a well-deserved break. We visited our friends in Swedish Lapland where we spent the days riding snow scooters, reading books, playing board games, eating good food and just enjoying each other's company. Then followed a super-lazy week with my family. And we came back to the UK rested, refreshed and ready to take on 2017.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-54099217382219829772016-11-20T09:11:00.000+00:002017-03-19T15:09:04.312+00:00A love for turtle necks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I've <a href="http://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/hemlocks-and-bristol-balloon-fiesta.html" target="_blank">said it before</a> and I'll say it again, I love comfy clothes above any other clothes! And I love turtle necks. So naturally it was just a matter of time before I started sewing my own super-comfy turtle necks. Enter the <a href="https://www.namedclothing.com/shop/paola-turtleneck-tee/" target="_blank">Paola turtle neck tee from Named Clothing</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXwOwPIWaPYSLEya5CPhv-4WhkNiHz2IgTLF57BktC_m-_PoWR-ImnXRlsy15ALTQjAMqv-YFK54uuyNyyhPGTwzQCjIJUZhkZxgLqf5A5TiOyE2wT8Javb9C3MJ6GEuOXHPOxGhv3XTd/s1600/20161119-_DSF3442-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXwOwPIWaPYSLEya5CPhv-4WhkNiHz2IgTLF57BktC_m-_PoWR-ImnXRlsy15ALTQjAMqv-YFK54uuyNyyhPGTwzQCjIJUZhkZxgLqf5A5TiOyE2wT8Javb9C3MJ6GEuOXHPOxGhv3XTd/s1600/20161119-_DSF3442-6.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I have to admit that while I pretty much only use indie patterns, I didn't try a Named pattern until recently. No reason, except that my sewing queue was near-infinite and my free time non-existent. But I couldn't resist the Beatrix dress and once I had made that I became OBSESSED. Like, I want ALL the Named patterns! The fit is out of this world. I've never received so many compliments on a dress, handmade or otherwise. (A post about Beatrix will definitely come once I've taken some photos, but it's my favourite me-made dress to date, so I have to do her justice.)<br />
<br />
As mentioned, my free time is limited at the moment, so I had to pick something quick and easy for my next Named pattern. I chose Paola.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL8uqOKsJLc5uPnJV2rVck2wTPzVHBUldX_DWqfTzpeJ4koYEJ7RIv5jKNingydSd8TwtXjzGsLbjGzPc-MXUIPbeWfhmuBFdDSKy0UIRLEjGthPS3bJtcADsAR-UozDdmmasX_edFwJ-/s1600/20161119-_DSF3438-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL8uqOKsJLc5uPnJV2rVck2wTPzVHBUldX_DWqfTzpeJ4koYEJ7RIv5jKNingydSd8TwtXjzGsLbjGzPc-MXUIPbeWfhmuBFdDSKy0UIRLEjGthPS3bJtcADsAR-UozDdmmasX_edFwJ-/s1600/20161119-_DSF3438-5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWy-qWTDLk0d41uJGO4Fq2Mxne1fGbFNHqYr-N1ZcQKMMm9ZZEIXLh6HK4VulzxcwUabsbXr7zgw615aLklXS9QFh8s7rScWANwL4hsPzXyI6cRSTvUGtxF9oC9RmzCQQr-7r8WxyngBV/s1600/20161119-_DSF3434-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWy-qWTDLk0d41uJGO4Fq2Mxne1fGbFNHqYr-N1ZcQKMMm9ZZEIXLh6HK4VulzxcwUabsbXr7zgw615aLklXS9QFh8s7rScWANwL4hsPzXyI6cRSTvUGtxF9oC9RmzCQQr-7r8WxyngBV/s1600/20161119-_DSF3434-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe86DFG3YBrTBuevpGkDEgWQDKtC5km-WSert74WNY_DCHlVKpIAMq8zn_VR-5NI_TG9mwQwoDKUYnxUSyay2UX3kmnW6aiqbGndiuvzWensuR-1Lt6HLkiPymu3F5u8F6LS9wIOF4_o9/s1600/20161119-_DSF3443-7.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe86DFG3YBrTBuevpGkDEgWQDKtC5km-WSert74WNY_DCHlVKpIAMq8zn_VR-5NI_TG9mwQwoDKUYnxUSyay2UX3kmnW6aiqbGndiuvzWensuR-1Lt6HLkiPymu3F5u8F6LS9wIOF4_o9/s1600/20161119-_DSF3443-7.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
And the verdict? I love Paula as much as Beatrix! So easy to make, such good (COMFY!) fit, so perfect.<br />
<br />
In fact, I like Paola so much I've made three. Two are the straight up tee, including the one pictured in this post, the third is a frankendress with Moneta. Both from the same lovely <a href="http://www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/milano-jersey-dark-grey-marl/" target="_blank">Milano jersey from Fabric Godmother</a>, in my favourite colour for November, soulless grey.<br />
<br />
The other day I was in a horrific, full-on SAD mood. So I paired the tee with some jeans, my Hunters, <a href="http://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/autumnal-darling-ranges-dress-and-lacy.html" target="_blank">my lacy shawl</a> and a big heavy coat for a November walk in the fields behind my house. And felt amazing after. Fresh air cures everything.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFB7WymbtNUpn8J8JLKib5_cuZGcdKmR7XIZI3Mc7sQb9Ehh-TI1B_TRGdI6gc3g74M6X2y_VE3dV9wNT9nb9Uss8DH1zp2tHjxXibsep-WukoQi58URcRZ9VFPLbiWHfRcHzS6c5lzUb/s1600/20161119-_DSF3430-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFB7WymbtNUpn8J8JLKib5_cuZGcdKmR7XIZI3Mc7sQb9Ehh-TI1B_TRGdI6gc3g74M6X2y_VE3dV9wNT9nb9Uss8DH1zp2tHjxXibsep-WukoQi58URcRZ9VFPLbiWHfRcHzS6c5lzUb/s1600/20161119-_DSF3430-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XUc79HgZbOsnWCweSIJZ26TzwNVGf2F5E37e0HPJiJs2n6o6_6cDFMjaoWBQ0J0F657CtEEZwKLc2OuMPtYrTmVshbUP6ZK3JKzGsLmGblEcn5Luo08IL6dPdYPJ0PZ7yZX0tL9DtLI2/s1600/20161119-_DSF3450-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XUc79HgZbOsnWCweSIJZ26TzwNVGf2F5E37e0HPJiJs2n6o6_6cDFMjaoWBQ0J0F657CtEEZwKLc2OuMPtYrTmVshbUP6ZK3JKzGsLmGblEcn5Luo08IL6dPdYPJ0PZ7yZX0tL9DtLI2/s1600/20161119-_DSF3450-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQq6JE_LwB8vCue88ZqPj5ZGr1m6THgIZoeOEDV8ZFyjumjHiSzqJ4lc_qRXbN7e34dPrQPdt0idEb8a2frReUMrX6qIFERqltalnQH9uWoo5g8D1F9nDJeEyDdH_E0bYqyg7WPGGbN9-d/s1600/20161119-_DSF3456-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQq6JE_LwB8vCue88ZqPj5ZGr1m6THgIZoeOEDV8ZFyjumjHiSzqJ4lc_qRXbN7e34dPrQPdt0idEb8a2frReUMrX6qIFERqltalnQH9uWoo5g8D1F9nDJeEyDdH_E0bYqyg7WPGGbN9-d/s1600/20161119-_DSF3456-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS3OgMDF1j_9H84eKOaVk8AoAGzoORMp_uC_DEB0AOphplVu344D274DFxn2o5Rp29qYZq6uFiUW0_BKoHiENsaYogkVqo7Jkq-wBrgCvLVe1y8PbW8Nn8sDbK-1UL0ZmVVjZsuE9CwaD/s1600/20161119-_DSF3425-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS3OgMDF1j_9H84eKOaVk8AoAGzoORMp_uC_DEB0AOphplVu344D274DFxn2o5Rp29qYZq6uFiUW0_BKoHiENsaYogkVqo7Jkq-wBrgCvLVe1y8PbW8Nn8sDbK-1UL0ZmVVjZsuE9CwaD/s1600/20161119-_DSF3425-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I think these guys had a proper giggle over me posing for the self-timer.</span></div>
<br />
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-28817275739389931812016-10-30T11:07:00.000+00:002017-03-19T15:12:41.673+00:00Autumnal Darling Ranges Dress and A Lacy ShawlAlmost two months ago I moved from an urban apartment to a rural cottage. And my quality of life went through the roof! In the country there is so much space, it is so quiet, my one (!) neighbour is lovely, he gives me crab apples and sloe berries and I give him some blackberry jam I made, the air feels clean, there is a field of sheep a few hundred metres down the road looking cute every time I cycle past them, the view out the window is always pretty and the local pub serves fantastic food. Did I mention how quiet it is? So quiet!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEili_2BFGri5x77ZIbV4PXB6MHtrO3PLBYf9AM9NyW3BgWWA6YZKc2gzmWQA9NWCsjNLEGCQL0EhZiFYEO7QP2_HvliphCENEuJlhnt0msswVTI37kaYhE3KztjC9Fd6C0f-jQiCOvI79Dq/s1600/20161023-DR-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEili_2BFGri5x77ZIbV4PXB6MHtrO3PLBYf9AM9NyW3BgWWA6YZKc2gzmWQA9NWCsjNLEGCQL0EhZiFYEO7QP2_HvliphCENEuJlhnt0msswVTI37kaYhE3KztjC9Fd6C0f-jQiCOvI79Dq/s1600/20161023-DR-1-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I have fully embraced this country bumpkin lifestyle and shortly after moving in bought a pair of Hunter wellies. Partly out of vanity, partly necessity. The necessity is that it is muddy here when it rains, so wellies are the most sensible footwear. The vanity is that it could have been any wellies, but for me they have to look good enough to wear in public (the public clearly being the flock of sheep and my one neighbour).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAaa9uwSbl_zNoFTGaiUtS0YqbvzvGIwrpVG5-rZugZOQ79c69zUpR1-gcdjHAxkMv4TvPNLuJN0u2FaZcWpzh0gubqnLCMuNbLafFgYEb-zceJ0Xgk1QVFgMlKZ1Tqwf-m95938mMZF_/s1600/20161023-DR-17-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAaa9uwSbl_zNoFTGaiUtS0YqbvzvGIwrpVG5-rZugZOQ79c69zUpR1-gcdjHAxkMv4TvPNLuJN0u2FaZcWpzh0gubqnLCMuNbLafFgYEb-zceJ0Xgk1QVFgMlKZ1Tqwf-m95938mMZF_/s1600/20161023-DR-17-9.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Next up I wanted a girly dress. You see, ever since seeing the film <i>The Edge of Love</i> in which Kiera Knightley and Sienna Miller walk on a Welsh beach in dresses and wellies, I've had been obsessed with that type of outfit. Now that I had the boots, making the dress was easy.<br />
<br />
Especially as I had the fabric! A friend gifted me some fabric about two years ago and I haven't quite known what to make with it. I asked the sewing goddesses of Instagram, and got some good suggestions. But something told me to save the fabric. And a few weeks later I realised - the fabric would look perfect as a <a href="http://megannielsen.com/products/darling-ranges-dress-sewing-pattern" target="_blank">Darling Ranges</a> dress!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ0SnxmTocFQdvm6ZS3pxODvjnfEvmNOJclBnHNmf3FydTkpJNqJAtmy6XoaSdqYRyxtkvWz13-ZkpC0pTjOi3uImjVK5KqZCF0o8haACGSgtJ3yVglm0R3-S_01DRRrtc9YRNEeyRI2h/s1600/20161023-DR-6-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ0SnxmTocFQdvm6ZS3pxODvjnfEvmNOJclBnHNmf3FydTkpJNqJAtmy6XoaSdqYRyxtkvWz13-ZkpC0pTjOi3uImjVK5KqZCF0o8haACGSgtJ3yVglm0R3-S_01DRRrtc9YRNEeyRI2h/s1600/20161023-DR-6-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://thepeppermintstore.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/sewing-darling-ranges-forget-me-not.html" target="_blank">I had made one ages ago which I loved.</a> But I remember having issues with the darts. As luck would have it, I was looking at the pattern online and noticed that it now had waist darts instead. I emailed Megan about the new pattern, and with my response I got a copy of the new pattern. And guess what? No issues with the darts this time! Thanks Megan!<br />
<br />
(Btw, that wasn't the reason the pattern changed, my issues with the chest darts were because my body type is simply different from that for which the pattern was designed.)<br />
<br />
The dress sewed up fairly easily and quickly. The pattern is a delight and very easy to follow. I made no changes with this version.<br />
<br />
The fabric presented some issues when it decided to slide all over the sewing table, or not press, but we got there in the end.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoqj9DdiYWnWEqmQ-xuueUI3SPfA3mMD06aChb2T-SMAGdHhaTprNQcWMYZp7TQkjWsajXcB7uaKCPGdDHfy2eFsf3wdfpCVPq5EHaFjVWyAqUwyfUc_IBI5H1EELvrfkgDa87RF3561E/s1600/20161023-DR-4-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoqj9DdiYWnWEqmQ-xuueUI3SPfA3mMD06aChb2T-SMAGdHhaTprNQcWMYZp7TQkjWsajXcB7uaKCPGdDHfy2eFsf3wdfpCVPq5EHaFjVWyAqUwyfUc_IBI5H1EELvrfkgDa87RF3561E/s1600/20161023-DR-4-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The shawl was a long time in the making. <a href="http://stitchesandotherstories.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/a-lacy-shawl.html" target="_blank">I had made one before, for my mom</a>, but liked it so much I wanted one. So when I went to Australia earlier this year I decided that this pattern would be a good form of entertainment for the 22 hours of flight time each way.<br />
<br />
I made a lot of mistakes in the first few rows due to...you know, sleep deprivation and jet lag and all that. But you won't see them if you don't know they are there.<br />
<br />
I made one big and impactful thing differently with this shawl compared to the previous. I wet blocked it. And while it was a huge pain in the backside the result is fantastic. I am a complete convert.<br />
<br />
Now I just gotta work on that Range Rover to go with my country lifestyle....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvZ7YMe5ZJzBIpG9ZpQjbVsf6cqusi7ae0gs7r5GeHNej-qQFBHZLNntTeEKfnZUk8lDLX9GN8bqr-LOLl0RGJcXs1-QFPFS_KjhTe-cPpaFb3swGepJ_P8pw3rn2_GQjPeiofqNTQcz_/s1600/20161023-DR-15-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvZ7YMe5ZJzBIpG9ZpQjbVsf6cqusi7ae0gs7r5GeHNej-qQFBHZLNntTeEKfnZUk8lDLX9GN8bqr-LOLl0RGJcXs1-QFPFS_KjhTe-cPpaFb3swGepJ_P8pw3rn2_GQjPeiofqNTQcz_/s1600/20161023-DR-15-6.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9Bz-8qKQ1_UaJlmJX8S5a512_kLXJllgleaf_AnMy-siPsd6Dw-7EzcmrBQgHvfdagWo6zc-QAq0UkCSgyNhEpql0_mx0dzuWRNwWAYkEZZTl8NUJnMl_kTIswxF5mu0fHmO1DC3GtOX/s1600/20161023-DR-13-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9Bz-8qKQ1_UaJlmJX8S5a512_kLXJllgleaf_AnMy-siPsd6Dw-7EzcmrBQgHvfdagWo6zc-QAq0UkCSgyNhEpql0_mx0dzuWRNwWAYkEZZTl8NUJnMl_kTIswxF5mu0fHmO1DC3GtOX/s1600/20161023-DR-13-5.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOPfFfGYBgXbl7QBoJyC1duOa4jnvt7J4XIIi3eDzImT8vGuE0Qe-_E3jLYf2x0-gO5NMbI9yzKGT4NlPnJQ4KkW5R4axWjYNKd2GKf0bYEC1Effa3AxRKggr9Ca1N85fg4o9FjeLoyEN/s1600/20161023-DR-16-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOPfFfGYBgXbl7QBoJyC1duOa4jnvt7J4XIIi3eDzImT8vGuE0Qe-_E3jLYf2x0-gO5NMbI9yzKGT4NlPnJQ4KkW5R4axWjYNKd2GKf0bYEC1Effa3AxRKggr9Ca1N85fg4o9FjeLoyEN/s1600/20161023-DR-16-8.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK75GewhrkJD8tcfjM-GCZSGplvGJpVOnnohMgTYDwkdomyg0shXTXl4_jLfSrUB_H-9qWFR69e2I_4ZBcMWLrnWnslMcWtRL795pHTUtRKRyBhxxKZiWZasY2pv0MKRZMeRBtDrJJSaO/s1600/20161023-DR-19-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK75GewhrkJD8tcfjM-GCZSGplvGJpVOnnohMgTYDwkdomyg0shXTXl4_jLfSrUB_H-9qWFR69e2I_4ZBcMWLrnWnslMcWtRL795pHTUtRKRyBhxxKZiWZasY2pv0MKRZMeRBtDrJJSaO/s1600/20161023-DR-19-9.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLzdPTFdvB7EVU1sXsvrPoWcOyFeD1nRIpidhGh39pPr4YFybEwK6Bcu35BlYybRNiiSqq_NCXlv_I3aSNMOEru4t4OVKb1kdE_Z_Cnnkp1LReye9G-o7uzYcBDAqfcZh3Y9o3XJK__Lv/s1600/20161023-DR-23+2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLzdPTFdvB7EVU1sXsvrPoWcOyFeD1nRIpidhGh39pPr4YFybEwK6Bcu35BlYybRNiiSqq_NCXlv_I3aSNMOEru4t4OVKb1kdE_Z_Cnnkp1LReye9G-o7uzYcBDAqfcZh3Y9o3XJK__Lv/s1600/20161023-DR-23+2-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tomalinlightworks.com/" target="_blank"><i>All photos by Josh.</i></a></div>
Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-78622334167145206672016-10-22T22:06:00.002+01:002017-03-19T15:18:43.512+00:00Rachel wrap dressI have loved jersey wrap dresses since I bought my first. It is such a fantastic wardrobe staple. In the right material it doesn't crumple and it looks put together and feels relaxed at the same time. Three major wins right there.<br />
<br />
Yet I never made one. Until this summer. I don't know why I didn't do it sooner, but when I saw <a href="http://houseofpinheiro.com/" target="_blank">Rachel's</a> <a href="http://www.mariadenmark.com/shop/405-rachel-wrap-dress/" target="_blank">namesake dress by Maria Denmark</a> in an Instagram photo I couldn't get it out of my mind. So I ordered the pattern and the fabric and put it together in a week. And I have looooved it ever since.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItrTAjn5u_HvDK1H9Dr35HE8O0L3vCxN7mHrAC2xiM2obtHH5roqoRCtmvDCGE8owb473Te63N0sgDGakSStqHd5IWXsEH7cOmz5onSdnHqEfwsW32-ChNKH3nHqAeuSfOlznJlfcm9si/s1600/20160926-_DSF5393-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItrTAjn5u_HvDK1H9Dr35HE8O0L3vCxN7mHrAC2xiM2obtHH5roqoRCtmvDCGE8owb473Te63N0sgDGakSStqHd5IWXsEH7cOmz5onSdnHqEfwsW32-ChNKH3nHqAeuSfOlznJlfcm9si/s1600/20160926-_DSF5393-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6-7djr32kUm3jsvOd9ZWeDSIx_iavHylxup8fixg02vU4trOB2zt9RBmrOKPDVWf9uugvEwFBjrNdUmd_LHrw4vWiIeCWu92KlXEwob91NA3U4TcXCl8ZGnLjKwxhEeu64PUbgnNdFnx/s1600/20160926-_DSF5396-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6-7djr32kUm3jsvOd9ZWeDSIx_iavHylxup8fixg02vU4trOB2zt9RBmrOKPDVWf9uugvEwFBjrNdUmd_LHrw4vWiIeCWu92KlXEwob91NA3U4TcXCl8ZGnLjKwxhEeu64PUbgnNdFnx/s1600/20160926-_DSF5396-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.tomalinlightworks.com/" target="_blank">Josh</a> took these photos for me back in August but life got in the way, so I'm only now posting them.<br />
<br />
The fabric is a cotton jersey with blue feathers on a grey background, from <a href="http://www.backstitch.co.uk/" target="_blank">Backstitch</a>. It looks beautiful, but doesn't have a lot of stretch. Which means that the sleeves on my dress feel a bit tight. It is not a major issue, just something I should have adjusted for when cutting out the dress. But I was too eager to get sewing, and overlooked the stretch percentage of the fabric.<br />
<br />
The hem looks uneven on the above photo but it's just the way the dress was tied.<br />
<br />
The construction was very, very easy and I have no comments at all on the pattern. This is one of those patterns where you put in minimal effort and get maximal result.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXtWlTfnWiD6UB5TgLM8KrkHjkENOgFvtPPApGjHY2jWxkhmB-pwWhGYiLyqcJv_ufK07gl2RAcR4qJC2_1bG5w_3sIrXRiHlAj9jHz-BqXs_xINE3U3d_JNwOBTvOghcc8cU8YW3rlst/s1600/20160926-_DSF5433-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXtWlTfnWiD6UB5TgLM8KrkHjkENOgFvtPPApGjHY2jWxkhmB-pwWhGYiLyqcJv_ufK07gl2RAcR4qJC2_1bG5w_3sIrXRiHlAj9jHz-BqXs_xINE3U3d_JNwOBTvOghcc8cU8YW3rlst/s1600/20160926-_DSF5433-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCek4qVULBShD-TUeVGQYn9Y6XJA7-62iu4VUdWK5d1tgFgWEvVzyPdd57TrlRPWBdM5QCVNamFSi42DNxp3Kwe0bV3gJKX8BIvZUsFGJKy7riyCJ295SOB-pVheohj-_hiwArVoUWnZ6/s1600/20160926-_DSF5398-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCek4qVULBShD-TUeVGQYn9Y6XJA7-62iu4VUdWK5d1tgFgWEvVzyPdd57TrlRPWBdM5QCVNamFSi42DNxp3Kwe0bV3gJKX8BIvZUsFGJKy7riyCJ295SOB-pVheohj-_hiwArVoUWnZ6/s1600/20160926-_DSF5398-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I have got my next dress planned already. I bought a couple of metres of amazing New Zealand merino jersey when I was in Australia earlier this year, and I think it will be perfect for this cold season which is now upon is.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZY7ZEBmZ0OJ-cgIBKmxNIsqLJTVjG4nq-2C3uMAbH-efM9s2kF8dlThqHDsal76opnXrDz7AAbVuTmXgbHPrLb7JT9g7tSbf9iJnOwGm4971lTHkdaZVZaB1kBnYLC0gRC-Jpuiqg7gH/s1600/20160926-_DSF5455-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZY7ZEBmZ0OJ-cgIBKmxNIsqLJTVjG4nq-2C3uMAbH-efM9s2kF8dlThqHDsal76opnXrDz7AAbVuTmXgbHPrLb7JT9g7tSbf9iJnOwGm4971lTHkdaZVZaB1kBnYLC0gRC-Jpuiqg7gH/s1600/20160926-_DSF5455-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7Vm_27Lc5n1UHVrdG5y8Sws-IBX9KEHU6doQQLP3VzROcLPaVmNc1Baf-Fl_FqPQZV1T-CsTVAvioJmSHIaQUrBmB8Ffh2iRu7kvG12PVhECfLpBIVkpAGogudZwt6OShqRLnU1zTAVf/s1600/20160926-_DSF5402-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7Vm_27Lc5n1UHVrdG5y8Sws-IBX9KEHU6doQQLP3VzROcLPaVmNc1Baf-Fl_FqPQZV1T-CsTVAvioJmSHIaQUrBmB8Ffh2iRu7kvG12PVhECfLpBIVkpAGogudZwt6OShqRLnU1zTAVf/s1600/20160926-_DSF5402-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.tomalinlightworks.com/" target="_blank">All photos by Josh.</a></i></div>
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096598782613324786.post-74813768756820833312016-08-16T06:59:00.000+01:002017-03-19T15:24:59.626+00:00Hemlocks and Bristol Balloon FiestaAnybody who follows me on Instagram will know that my two favourite patterns are the <a href="https://shop.deer-and-doe.fr/en/sewing-patterns/20-plantain-t-shirt-pattern.html" target="_blank">Deer & Doe Plantain tee </a>and the <a href="http://grainlinestudio.com/2016/05/31/the-hemlock-tee-free-pattern/" target="_blank">Grainline Hemlock tee</a>. Not because both patterns are free and I'm cheap (though they are and I am), but because I looooove being comfy. And I have yet to meet a pattern comfier than the Hemlock.<br />
<br />
So all that to say that I have just made another.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6La5ScFnmzwUh1b__FL9KluAMwUXDvy6ae3784KY1xI0U2XFvdy2KNv0A0piR6P2PA1tMYSGkBZDMXKMZ4I8I7VEL3sycetp7p2BXHZ0ukfSQcQVx7rTa1filLaY8u64lvI2muGS44KZ_/s1600/20160813-IMG_1920-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6La5ScFnmzwUh1b__FL9KluAMwUXDvy6ae3784KY1xI0U2XFvdy2KNv0A0piR6P2PA1tMYSGkBZDMXKMZ4I8I7VEL3sycetp7p2BXHZ0ukfSQcQVx7rTa1filLaY8u64lvI2muGS44KZ_/s1600/20160813-IMG_1920-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
This one is in the softest viscose slub jersey from Minerva Craft. It's so soft and fine that it's almost transparent, and on a hot summer day almost has a bit of sexiness about it. Despite its boxy and slouchy shape. But that's good drape for you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7uLcaOmn8MJHkcYnXxh-SjRNy9AXs-8Z0IuiSGuKiEy4dyLEjEPrkTXVFFF5h8sU9Nn55p9M2DxtHhjL6iLTGTna57cSAK23UOdtPwEWRgNm4SLkm6UN47oZINqLAAx5swMYMMpZWO6i/s1600/IMG_1660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7uLcaOmn8MJHkcYnXxh-SjRNy9AXs-8Z0IuiSGuKiEy4dyLEjEPrkTXVFFF5h8sU9Nn55p9M2DxtHhjL6iLTGTna57cSAK23UOdtPwEWRgNm4SLkm6UN47oZINqLAAx5swMYMMpZWO6i/s640/IMG_1660.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I cut it one morning before work, which took all of 20 min. I sewed it up the same day after work. In 1 h. And that's kind of it. It's so quick and easy and I've already made so many that I have nothing really to say about it. Except that I lovelovelovelove it!<br />
<br />
So I might as well move on to some photos from its first outing.<br />
<br />
My day trip partner in crime and I hopped on the train to Bristol last week to see a bunch of hot air balloons float over the city in the annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9z5R-rgppV2QSHdydaJcSDRN0lha4H0lEDh8b-a1HTdnJ6gO86V5sp785L4t2aNV8Msys2Zhpbd8SQl8WeDSfsOORYWimFTtvykPlRPD5tg3iJs-EDu55htS6YUUthAh7z43XJtZ0Tfn/s1600/IMG_1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9z5R-rgppV2QSHdydaJcSDRN0lha4H0lEDh8b-a1HTdnJ6gO86V5sp785L4t2aNV8Msys2Zhpbd8SQl8WeDSfsOORYWimFTtvykPlRPD5tg3iJs-EDu55htS6YUUthAh7z43XJtZ0Tfn/s640/IMG_1688.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The balloon ascent was scheduled for early evening and we arrived in the early afternoon, so with time to kill we made our way from the train station into town with no particular target in mind. We came upon a gothic church, St Mary Redcliffe, which was really rather grand. I'm not religious, despite experimenting with religion at university the way some people experiment with drugs (I think they probably had more fun), but I like churches. I love how welcoming they are and the tranquility in a church, but most of all I love the architecture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZh3IjTfj_-hffw8TyrrCUni4-uB8rLLuR8dAPS-kVIGEumTIKhCY46xg5E55sM1OA9uOSY_5hxn1BCH5JtndaK_20zum6c0Nub_afENTjYM6NB4h3LelDrSBE3-anCeFXmc3sPrk3wuf/s1600/20160813-_DSF3111-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZh3IjTfj_-hffw8TyrrCUni4-uB8rLLuR8dAPS-kVIGEumTIKhCY46xg5E55sM1OA9uOSY_5hxn1BCH5JtndaK_20zum6c0Nub_afENTjYM6NB4h3LelDrSBE3-anCeFXmc3sPrk3wuf/s1600/20160813-_DSF3111-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
And luckily for me, my friend quite likes churches too. But then again, she was doing a degree in Theology when we met.<br />
<br />
We also visited the Bristol Cathedral. It is nowhere near as grand as St Mary Redcliffe, but is has some pretty magical stained glass windows.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WNoOSAsjudWisjFINpsO0nQhh8kHkpadGe7TGsbFnoX4qRWhYtNLZS-KtU4rwil2z8TBEeo1WnGgy0ULtOEadTiananJyFwskykCuCCfQY7qf_iVcfaSbCFfxGCKtyMqNLySYAKez5LY/s1600/20160813-_DSF3142-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WNoOSAsjudWisjFINpsO0nQhh8kHkpadGe7TGsbFnoX4qRWhYtNLZS-KtU4rwil2z8TBEeo1WnGgy0ULtOEadTiananJyFwskykCuCCfQY7qf_iVcfaSbCFfxGCKtyMqNLySYAKez5LY/s1600/20160813-_DSF3142-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Churches visited, we went for lunch by the harbourside and then walked along the water for a good hour or so, overdosing on fresh air. It was like being on holiday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT9M5P0fOEITXh26V3ZSRbA1d3Iwen3z-1RoNrSPyq5lt8nc8Jqc6ugkyHJO8YzTpWYhw4OBlgrCTBO4LxcxRbovpPxKnWIgL3YNdCihWZVJJJXqiNQrzhN0gsFC7gSI5I88OwMSafNHj/s1600/20160813-_DSF3160-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT9M5P0fOEITXh26V3ZSRbA1d3Iwen3z-1RoNrSPyq5lt8nc8Jqc6ugkyHJO8YzTpWYhw4OBlgrCTBO4LxcxRbovpPxKnWIgL3YNdCihWZVJJJXqiNQrzhN0gsFC7gSI5I88OwMSafNHj/s1600/20160813-_DSF3160-2.jpg" /></a></div>
Ahh, both of us in handmade tops. <a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lika_barn_leka_b%C3%A4st" target="_blank">Lika barn leka bäst</a>, as we say in Sweden.<br />
<br />
Can you see where I dropped food on my white trousers and then tried to wash it off in the restaurant bathroom?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR5rJp4bTkaKA3Izb9TQAujZnPMvvluWVt1hVe-9noVMujB3IOTAz2BSqo1CCWlSXG08MGKEboCwsH2bowcR_srdocRSMuNZ2V44DDfc8R6Ge-GMob7HV_5zbxdMu1BHtYSzDOAsK9LDB/s1600/20160813-_DSF3190-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR5rJp4bTkaKA3Izb9TQAujZnPMvvluWVt1hVe-9noVMujB3IOTAz2BSqo1CCWlSXG08MGKEboCwsH2bowcR_srdocRSMuNZ2V44DDfc8R6Ge-GMob7HV_5zbxdMu1BHtYSzDOAsK9LDB/s1600/20160813-_DSF3190-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
As it was approaching 6 pm and the time for the ascent we decided to find our way to the Clifton Suspension Bridge and go look for a good spot for a good view of the balloons. This was stupid easy, as all of Bristol was doing the same and we just had to follow the crowds.<br />
<br />
Viewing spot found, the waiting began. The whole of last week had been windy and five balloon ascents had already been cancelled because it was too windy. By 6 pm the next scheduled ascent had not been cancelled, but neither were there any balloons. So we took about 14 000 photos of the bridge. And waited.<br />
<br />
And then, close to 8 pm, the first one showed its chubby top! Followed by many more.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDBznI-ufWXhNN1LIv2Cms6Za9Z2LWTB4qq1v5vwg0AWK6OE0Fkp0h7lQatguZXm6e3ojjtS7ntoRpunSnb4tOgLzhkr1SvGHoEGUsfutVFgsrNu0o5awA3KqqmneEfJjZmpsttjp57vd/s1600/20160813-_DSF3220-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDBznI-ufWXhNN1LIv2Cms6Za9Z2LWTB4qq1v5vwg0AWK6OE0Fkp0h7lQatguZXm6e3ojjtS7ntoRpunSnb4tOgLzhkr1SvGHoEGUsfutVFgsrNu0o5awA3KqqmneEfJjZmpsttjp57vd/s1600/20160813-_DSF3220-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jl9AcqDTRnV1v2GNJjTQb1QrvQX3MHVrQVYWB4v5Ldh8aZIFfMq9It23FUn6yazJU9h-swih2BFSstniRGMqb0QREjKFAfMC_odANhlhPaOQel8-TdSVewZugeD7H-B9HWVGA6ORdzjp/s1600/20160813-_DSF3257-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jl9AcqDTRnV1v2GNJjTQb1QrvQX3MHVrQVYWB4v5Ldh8aZIFfMq9It23FUn6yazJU9h-swih2BFSstniRGMqb0QREjKFAfMC_odANhlhPaOQel8-TdSVewZugeD7H-B9HWVGA6ORdzjp/s1600/20160813-_DSF3257-5.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclSgaABbwKWQSytywFIdcprqqdeqCkeR5dDP2OoCqH6Y4FNG8xI6E4CnEnJm2dvnUspt7ezjwwQYjbDRSRCkmjei-gMtfBZl8IWGCa4Ft2icWrZm6JffxqjBzbws2u8BNIVyKJtI_XLRC/s1600/20160813-_DSF3261-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclSgaABbwKWQSytywFIdcprqqdeqCkeR5dDP2OoCqH6Y4FNG8xI6E4CnEnJm2dvnUspt7ezjwwQYjbDRSRCkmjei-gMtfBZl8IWGCa4Ft2icWrZm6JffxqjBzbws2u8BNIVyKJtI_XLRC/s1600/20160813-_DSF3261-6.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Dankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682096741611278501noreply@blogger.com0