Mimi Blouse #LoveatFirstStitch

I said I was going to give my new sewing machine a workout didn’t I? Well here it is: my first attempt at a Mimi blouse – the pattern from Tilly’s Love at First Stitch.

 The fabric is the Liberty cotton lawn I got from the Knitting & Stitching show, and I LOVE the print and colours. It washed really well before I used it, and ironed out nicely too (although it does then get creased again very easily once you’re moving it about).

 

This is the most complicated thing I’ve sewn so far, but I actually really enjoyed making it. The pattern pieces come with the book and I just traced them onto kitchen baking baker that is slightly translucent. I cut out a straight size 4 for this one, based on the garment measurements given in the book. Fitting the pieces onto the fabric was simple too, there is a layout diagram in the book, and I was careful to fold the fabric exactly in half so that the pattern matched across the fronts (yes, there is a repeat pattern on this fabric, although it’s quite subtle because of the ‘busyness’ of the print).

 

After the initial moment of hesitation at making the first cut into the fabric I had everything ready to go. Tilly’s instructions (as I’m sure I’ve said before) are really clear and easy to follow with lots of photos, and expanded details on working new techniques, like the gathers when attaching the front and back pieces to the yoke. These came out really well I think, for my first go, and actually with the detail in the fabric they’re probably not that noticeable anyway.

 

 

I took my time over this make, partly because of not having a lot of time free to get on with it (only one day at the weekends and a few odd bits in the evenings), but also because I wanted to make sure I got it right and was left with something wearable. Another first for me was French seaming the side seams, and attaching the collar and neck facings. I’m thrilled with how the collar turned out, and how evenly I managed to balance it!

 

The iron was definitely my best friend during the process; it really does help to make sure things sit right. Other than the side seams, everywhere else was pinked, and I tried out the overlock stitch on my machine which I think worked OK, I don’t think I’ll get much fraying.

Attaching the sleeves also went smoothly, and I really like the little pleat detail for a bit of interest. I topstitched the sleeve facings in place, and the hem, and used the same brighter pinky/purple for the buttonholes for a bit of contrast.

Ah, the buttonholes. I’m sure I mentioned how much I love being able to do automatic buttonholes. SO easy, once I’d re-measured where they needed to go of course. I’m really happy with how the top button sits neatly between the collar points, and the positioning means I don’t get the dreaded gaping at the bust. I’ve put on simple little plastic buttons in a toning pink; I didn’t think it needed anything fancier given the print of the fabric.

 

I’m completely delighted with how this turned out, apart from anything else it fits well and I’m looking forward to wearing it – with a long-sleeved layer underneath and a cardigan over the winter, and on its own next summer. I also love that this pattern is easily varied: I fancy a plain version with piping in the yoke seams, and a sleeveless summery one too. I’ve got a bit of the fabric left, not enough for another one of these, but maybe a simple camisole top or something, and some scraps for little makes – I haven’t shown you my favourite little flower brooches yet.

So thank you Tilly for another beautiful pattern, thank you Janome for my amazing new sewing machine, and thank you Liberty for the gorgeous fabric. Completing this blouse has really given me some more confidence with sewing garments, I’m already scouting out patterns for my next big project, but I think some little fun Christmas makes might be first on the list.

Emerald Eyelet Jumper

More knitting completed, another jumper this time. It’s another pattern from the Sirdar Summer brochure, but instead of the cotton DK I used some Softspun DK that I got as an offer pack from Hobbycraft a while ago. I really like this yarn, I’ve used the DK and the Chunky, it’s so soft to handle, really light to wear but also warm, and the gentle sheen looks really pretty in different stitch patterns (I knitted this cable jumper a few months ago). The green of this is gorgeous, a really lovely bright emerald that I love, and the silvery sheen just highlights it.

This pattern is a pretty easy one, mainly stocking stitch but with garter stitch ridges and an eyelet row in blocks that continue all over the body and sleeves. I llike the stepped hem effect too, a bit different. It wasn’t too difficult to keep track of, in fact I only really used my row counter when I was doing shaping to keep track of the decreases rather than counting the pattern repeats.

This jumper also seemed to come together quicker than the cardigan I did last, I suppose there are fewer pieces, but I think I’ve also managed to carve out a bit more time to sit and do my knitting in the evenings and at weekends to help me chill out from other stuff.

The only thing I’m slightly worried about is that the jumper seems to have come up a bit tight across the shoulders and armholes. I knitted the same size as the cardigan pattern from the same book, and it’s fine around the bust (usually where I struggle) but seems small at the shoulders, the pretty rolled neck gets stretched out. Not sure what’s going on as I don’t think I’ve sewed up any tighter than I do normally and all the pieces measured right according to the pattern. I’m hoping that the yarn will stretch out a bit when I wear and wash it and it’ll be fine. Obviously I’ve also done my usual shortcut of not blocking, so maybe I should have done. I really like this jumper and it’s the sort of thing I can see myself wearing a lot over the winter, even in the office, so fingers crossed it eases off a bit.

I’ve got a couple of balls of the yarn leftover and I think it’ll be perfect for some little Christmas trees – a friend sent me some patterns last week and I think they will be my next project. I feel like having a bit of a break from big knitting projects for a little while and working on some smaller things that are easier to get finished quickly, so Christmas decorations will be perfect, and maybe a few presents like mittens and hats for friends and family.

A break from knitting will also give me a chance to work on my Mimi blouse – I’ve cut out all the cotton pieces and interfacing ready to get going with the sewing machine one evening this week hopefully.

What are you all working on at the moment? Have you started Christmas crafting? Or are you nearly done already and I’m way behind?! I’d love to see what you’re making, maybe leave me a link to your blog and I’ll return the reading favour.

A Brand New Sewing Machine

I’m very pleased to introduce my new baby. The Janome CXL301. I am one very happy crafter!

 

It was delivered the week after the Knitting & Stitching Show, and sadly I was out the day it came so it had to stay in the box for an extra 24 hours before I got home on the Friday afternoon to let it out. I was very good and took everything out carefully, and read the instruction manual first before plugging anything in. But oh the happiness of the lights coming on when I switched it on for the first time!

The sewing machine comes with quite a good selection of accessories included; a regular sewing foot, zip foot, satin stitch foot, and an automatic buttonhole foot (more on this later!), as well as bobbins, seam ripper, screwdriver, spare needles, extra spool holder and a soft cover. I’m already working on a shopping list for extras – concealed zip foot and twin needle for starters.

Threading up was really easy, there are guides on the machine to show you which direction to run the thread, and the drop in bobbin is so much simpler to deal with than the side-loading one on Mum’s old machine.

 

Time to get sewing then. I had a good play around with all the different stitch settings, the locking stitch, reverse, foot pedal vs auto speed control – this is my favourite button on the machine by the way – look, it’s a tortoise and a hare! In fact, I may never use a foot pedal ever again just so that I can use this slider!

 

 

Being able to adjust the stitch length and width for straight and zigzags is easy, and more precise than my old machine, and although there aren’t many decorative stitches they are pretty (love the trailing leaves), as well as some stretch and overlocking stitches (haven’t tried these on jersey yet).

 

But then, there really wasn’t any point putting it off longer, I had to have a go at a buttonhole. Now, given what I’ve told you about my/Mum’s old sewing machine I’m sure you can appreciate why I’ve never attempted a machined buttonhole before. However, I am very happy to announce, automatic buttonholes are my new favourite thing in the whole world! You just load the button in the back and away it goes! So easy! I’m going to put buttons on everything from now on just because I can!

OK, calm down.

So yes, very very happy with my new toy, and it will get its first real test soon as I’ve cut out and prepped the pieces from my gorgeous Liberty lawn to make a Mimi blouse. More on that next time.

The Knitting & Stitching Show

The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace has got to be the best day out ever for a crafter. I went with Mum on Thursday 9^th October and had an absolutely brilliant day – feet ache, back ache, headache and general exhaustion notwithstanding, there was so much to see, amazing inspiration and of course shopping!

Unfortunately I didn’t get to try out any of the workshops or listen to any of the lectures (tickets all sold out!), but a lot of the other stallholders had mini demonstrations going so you could see how to do things – I’ve still yet to get the hang of needle-felting.

Although I’d been to the Spring show at Olympia, the Ally Pally show is much, much bigger, loads more stalls and exhibits, so it did need a bit of strategic planning to make sure we didn’t miss anywhere, or get lost when we wanted to go back to something! Helpfully, all the stands are numbered, and there were other landmarks signposted around the main halls, so you were never too far away from food and drink, or a toilet (complete with obligatory mile long queue)!

I had gone prepared with a shopping list so that I could at least try to stay a bit focussed and not spend toooooo much money. And on the whole I didn’t do too badly. There were a few things on my list that I didn’t get, but what I did buy made up for having to wait until next time.

 

A lot of the stalls I just looked at for ideas and inspiration, and stood in awe of the amazing talents and craftsmanship of the makers. My few major stops though were Abakhan, Black Sheep Wools and Fabrics Galore. If you’ve got your eye out for bargains, these are the places to go.

From Abakhan I got three packs of yarn – yes, packs, that’s 10 balls at a time – some Rowan Drift in a beautiful red/orange/purple mix, and two packs of Sirdar Click DK, one in a pretty blue/grey, and the other a pink and orange mix. The Rowan I’ve got lined up for a chunky winter long waistcoat and the grey Click for a jumper. The best part though was the price – the Rowan was on sale for £19.99 for the pack!!! And the Sirdar was 2 packs for £22, working out at just over £1 a ball – madness!!!

 

 

 

Next was the yarn dive at Black Sheep – literally what it sounds like –they pile up hundreds of packs of yarn in the middle of the floor and you just have to get in there and see what you can rummage out. I saw quite a few things I’d have loved to get for my stash, but managed to restrain myself to a pack of Rowan Revive in a beautiful sea blue/green mix (I got the pink last time and loved it) which will be perfect for something next summer; and a pack of Rowan Summerspun in lovely autumnal greens and browns – not sure what to make with this yet.

 

 

 

So that’s five packs of yarn costing me less than £100 in total but with a retail value of nearly £300. Unbelievable. Also, a bit awkward to carry, so we had to buy a wheelie trolley bag.

From Fabrics Galore, after much deliberation, I decided on this gorgeous Liberty cotton voile which I plan to make a Mimi blouse with. I got 2.5 metres, and they were selling it for £14 a metre, much better than full price direct from Liberty.

I also got this half metre of African print cotton from a little stall which I just love, the bright colours are fantastic, not sure what to make with it yet, it might sit in the stash for a little while until I find the perfect thing.

I could have quite happily spent days looking round properly at everything (it gets really, really crowded!), and spent an absolute fortune, but sadly I had to be a bit sensible about what I actually have time to do (boooooo for work!), otherwise I’d have loved to get a couple of gorgeous cross-stitch kits, more yarn (obviously!) and lots and lots of pretty things. I’m also running out of space to keep stuff anyway.

However, there was one more purchase that I’m really excited about. We stopped to have a look at the Janome stand, and the ladies were so helpful, and the offer price too good to refuse, that I ordered myself a new sewing machine! Hoorah! And so it was delivered last week, I got it all set up at the weekend and it’s brilliant! I’ll tell you more about it in another post once I’ve had a chance to try all the different functions out. 

Happy crafting everyone!

Sirdar Cotton DK Cardigan

Yes, I finally finished this cardigan! It took me much longer than I had hoped but seeing as I've been working full time and haven't had nearly as much time to knit as I'd been used to, I'm just pleased it's done.

I used a pattern from this Sirdar Summer brochure, and love how the diagonal ribbing adds a bit of interest to an otherwise plain cardigan. It actually wasn't too complicated to knit either, I managed to keep track to the pattern while I was watching TV at the same time, really easy counting!

I love the bold red colour of the yarn, and even better, none of the colour came out the first time I washed it! Definitely good quality.

Personally, I'm pleased with how I managed to match up the diagonal across the side seams.

My favourite part though is the buttons. I got these from my local haberdashery ages ago and have been waiting for the perfect thing to use them on.

In other news, I went to the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace yesterday, had a fantastic day, and will tell you more about it in another post soon - once I'v recovered from how much money I spent!

Magazine Review: Knitting

I love Knitting magazine, I really don't know why it's taken me so long to get round to subscribing as I've been buying it every month for ages. Now I do subscribe, and the newest issue dropped through my letter box this morning! I'm going to give you a little sneaky peek, as it won't be out in the shops until later this week.

This is the Big Autumn issue, so even more patterns than normal, for women, men, kids and home. That's one of the main reasons I like this mag so much, the number and variety of patterns each month is brilliant, and if you work out how much you'd spend to buy each pattern individually, or as part of a pattern book, compared with the cover price of the magazine it's incredible value. I also love that there are a great range of yarns used to suit all budgets, rather than just the 'designer' yarns preferred by some other magazines.

This month's patterns fall into two categories - Oversized and Autumn Brights. It's the second that have really caught my eye, I'm definitely a colour person, and there are a few patterns that will be added to my future project list.

As well as the patterns, there is always a main feature article which is a great read, this month is about Pinterest. I actually wrote in a few months ago in response to an article about 'Having a Go' at different techniques without fear, and my letter was published as the Star Letter, and I got a set of beautiful bamboo needles as a prize.

There are a couple of patterns from previous issues that I'm really keen to knit too, firstly this woven stitch jacket from last month (I've got some purple chunky yarn that will be perfect).

And this double moss and cable jumper from the month before that, I just love the crispness of the central cable against the double moss stitch.

I'm almost finished my red cotton cardi (it feels like it's been going on forever!) and am in the process of sewing up all the seams - I really need to start knitting things in the round! - and then I need to find some buttons, I'm thinking shiny gold ones.

It's not long now until the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, Mum and I are going on Thursday 9th October, and I can't wait! I've been saving up for a mega yarn and fabric splurge - must remember I'll have to carry it all home on the train though!

One Frustrated Crafter

Doesn't time fly... Apologies for the radio silence over the last couple of months, I've been busy getting into the swing of a new job and working full time again which sadly has drastically cut both my time and energy for crafting and blogging.

Anyway, let's have a quick round up of what I have managed. The garden has done really well over the summer with lots of lovely weather, I'm going to enjoy the last of the sweetcorn tonight, my dahlias have been flowering non-stop, and I've got a sunflower heading towards 10 feet tall! No photos at the moment sadly, I'll try and get out this week for a few snaps.

No sewing unfortunately, although I'm looking forward to getting hold of 'Learn to Sew with Lauren' (of Sewing Bee season 1 fame) when the book is released next week. The trouble I have with any major sewing projects is I don't have anywhere permanent to have the sewing machine set up so I have to properly dedicate whole days at a time to working on something. At the moment with working all week and also a lot of family stuff encroaching on the weekends I haven't managed to fit anything in yet. I really fancy making a Mimi blouse from 'Love at First Stitch', must keep an eye out for some suitable fabric.

Knitting has still been ongoing; I've made two more teddies for my Nan's neighbours which are wrapped up and ready to go when the new baby arrives in the next couple of weeks, and I've been working on a V-neck cardigan in the red Sirdar Cotton DK I got in Cambridge a while ago. It's very slow going though, in the last month I've done the back and left front. Really noticeable how not having a couple of hours every day to knit has impacted on how quickly I get things done. Oh well, it will get there eventually, and I'll enjoy wearing it when it's done - I'm thinking this one is going to need some shiny gold buttons.

Does anyone else struggle to fit in crafty stuff around work? I'm not especially enjoying how little time I seem to have, after being unemployed for a while and having whole days to be creative, now having to get up to commute to London and being exhausted after long days I'm feeling a bit creatively frustrated. Mind you, I didn't help myself by buying a needle-felting kit in Hobbycraft the other week that is still sitting sealed up in the box...

Perhaps I ought to try for smaller projects that I can fit into shorter spaces of time. Am I allowed to start thinking about Christmas gifts yet? Either that or I need to start taking my knitting on the train...