tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19644553644604502962024-03-13T15:35:54.641-06:00Spotty Dog Social Clubknitting.sewing.dogstwotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.comBlogger257125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-75619351606797204112018-04-13T21:57:00.002-06:002018-04-20T16:56:21.303-06:00Lorraine: MemoriesThank you to everyone who has left comments here over the last few weeks. Lorraine's family and I have been very moved by them and wish everyone happiness in following a hobby and lifestyle that certainly made Lorraine happy.<br />
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If you would like to know a little more about Lorraine, I have prepared something for her Celebration of Life to be held on the 23rd April.<br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/lnwzo0h2qpzixnh/Lorraine%20Memories%20%28Low%29.mp4?dl=0" target="_blank">Lorraine: Memories - a video compilation </a>twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-29145831736299753622018-03-24T10:06:00.001-06:002018-03-24T10:06:28.817-06:00Lorraine has left usI wish I were saying this with a heavy heart, or even with a broken heart, but the fact is my heart was taken from me early this morning when my beautiful wife and best friend, Lorraine, passed away.<br />
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She had been fighting a terminal cancer diagnosis for over a year in her usual fashion. She called this last year our "early retirement" and we spent it, as we have spent almost every day for the last 17 years, together. She was the brightest, kindest, most loving soul it has ever been my privilege to encounter and while I will miss our days together so very much, I know she will be with everyone who loved her for a long time to come.<br />
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The astronomer, Carl Sagan, once said "The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.”<br />
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Earth Hour is tonight. Turn off your lights, go outside, look up at the night sky. Tonight, there is a new star in the sky, brighter and more beautiful than any other.<br />
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Paul - Mr SDSCtwotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-69431239043256342212018-03-22T10:04:00.000-06:002018-03-22T10:04:31.044-06:00Mr SDSC HereMy name is Paul, otherwise known to you ladies as Mr SDSC or Lorraine's husband.<br />
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Many of you will have noticed that Lorraine hasn't posted much over the last year, certainly compared with her usual prolific number of posts. Sadly, this is because in that time she was diagnosed with metastatic gall-bladder cancer and has been undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy to fight it. This, and what we have called "early retirement" has taken almost all of our time for the last 12 months or so.<br />
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Lorraine is now critically ill in the Dulcina Hospice in Calgary and to those who love her appears to decline a little more every day. The outcome, as we have known from that first diagnosis is, unfortunately, inevitable.<br />
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She was always delighted, and not a little surprised, at the number of followers she quickly acquired and the interest and kind comments you posted. I know that even under these circumstances she would love to hear from any of you who might read this in the next few days.<br />
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I will check back regularly and pass on any comments I find to her. I know they will cheer her up.<br />
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Thank you,<br />
Paultwotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com75tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-78382958629998962722017-05-11T12:13:00.001-06:002017-05-11T12:13:49.293-06:00Hello Norma JeanTime to catch up on some of my sewing, and of course I have being using my favouite designer, Tina Givens.<br />
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With Summer approaching it was time to make some light-coloured jeans, and Norma Jean looked to fit the bill.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sewtinagivens.com/norma-jean" target="_blank">Source</a></div>
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Not such a good photo from the designers web page, but trust me . . . . !<br />
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I used an off white linen/rayon mix, some quilting fabric patches, and whoosh, I was off! No changes to the pattern - it is oversized and baggy, and as I didn't want to change the fundamentals of the design, I left everything as it was. Oh, I may have left off a patch or two, but other than that, no changes.<br />
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I have some hanger photos to follow, but this is how 'Norma' looks in action with a linen <a href="http://www.sewtinagivens.com/jaqueline-pdf" target="_blank">Jacqueline slip</a> and a trusty <a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/search?q=mccalls+6168" target="_blank">McCalls 6168</a>. </div>
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The pockets are interesting - they are sewn into a cut in the front pattern pieces - they feel a bit like a kangeroo pouch to me! I'm not sure if I'd bother using these pockets next time, I'll probably add some in-seam pockets or patch ones. Nonetheless, they are quite fun.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rRuq_k_YwHY/WRSiWVLD-LI/AAAAAAAAJcU/gMRvSULrSdwV8_qo4auBMHxjWgun-4cfwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rRuq_k_YwHY/WRSiWVLD-LI/AAAAAAAAJcU/gMRvSULrSdwV8_qo4auBMHxjWgun-4cfwCLcB/s400/IMG_4322.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Ah yes, a couple of cute patches!!!<br />
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I'm going to wear these a few times before I decide whether or not to dye them - I'm not quite sure if this off white is too bright. <br />
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Here are some hanger close ups!!<br />
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One of the 'kangeroo' pockets above!</div>
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A few patches . . . </div>
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And my label! The front and back pattern pieces are the same, so I always like to add a label.</div>
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These really are quick make and I'll be using this as my 'go to' for woven pants/jeans. Love them!<br />
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How is you summer sewing coming along - or winter sewing for my 'downunder' sisters?twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-45236782583100404172017-04-30T21:19:00.002-06:002017-04-30T21:19:59.252-06:00A Bakers Half a Dozen Gosh. Where has the year gone? Here we are, almost in May already.<br />
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Due to some recent life changing events, things have changed somewhat around Spotty Dog Towers, and as a result it is pretty clear that I have waaaaay more stash (fabric, yarn, beads etc) than I will ever use in this lifetime.<br />
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And so I have been busy. Lots of clothes to blog about, but also socks. Aww, c'mon, I love knitting socks, and these are the ones that I have recently made (mostly to gift), some to keep. Let me introduce you quickly to the first half dozen:<br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/twotoast/billy-basic-socks-63" target="_blank"><b>Purple Fabel Billy's</b></a><br />
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This is great hardwearing yarn and the socks knit to fit men and their somewhat HUGE feet.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/twotoast/billy-basic-socks-62" target="_blank">Caribic Billy's</a></b></div>
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Another pair of men's socks. These will likely be for my father.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/twotoast/billy-basic-socks-61" target="_blank">Felici Picnic Billy's</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RyehK_O2l4/WQajStuvijI/AAAAAAAAJa0/Jx3eoPMBdE8Ky7OBchtMo6T5ndzmOiA0wCLcB/s1600/IMG_4245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RyehK_O2l4/WQajStuvijI/AAAAAAAAJa0/Jx3eoPMBdE8Ky7OBchtMo6T5ndzmOiA0wCLcB/s400/IMG_4245.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Definitely a pair for one of my ladies at work. I love Knit Picks Felici yarn - so soft and scrummy. It is a shame it felts - although after quite a few washes, but certainly worth it. I was going to link to the yarn but currently <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfSearch/Search.cfm?q=felici" target="_blank">KP only has it in worsted weight.</a> Oh well, plenty more in MY stash!!</div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/twotoast/billy-basic-socks-58" target="_blank"><b>Turquoise Jacquard Billy's</b></a><br />
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Another really great hardwearing yarn. The yardage on this always scares me as it is really low - although the yarn is more of a sport weight. I have learned to trust a 60st cast on (as opposed to my usual 64st) and just 50 rows for the leg (in comparison to the 60rows). Not sure if I'll keep these, otherwise more ladies socks!<br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/twotoast/billy-basic-socks-57" target="_blank"><b>World Circus Billy's</b></a><br />
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Yep, more hardwearing yarn. Are you seeing a pattern here? Self patterning yarn, hardwearing, fabulous colours! I picked this up a year or five ago when I went on a knitting retreat to Tofino, Vancouver Island, BC. Will be great for a funky, male recipient!<br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/twotoast/billy-basic-socks-55" target="_blank"><b>Spring Billy's</b></a><br />
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A cheery pair of spring socks, sized for female tootsies!<br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/twotoast/billy-basic-socks-59" target="_blank"><b>More Pairfection</b></a><br />
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I have already made and gifted these to Mr. SDSC and they are already in rotation! I love this yarn (hardwearing, patterned etc) and this is the only patterned yarn that I make an effort to actually match up. I like the haphazard look of mismatched socks, so these made a nice change.<br />
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All links are to the relevant Ravelry pages and the pattern (my own) that I use.<br />
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So, there we have it. That's my sock knitting up to date. Next up are clothes!twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-43419132975549039482017-01-20T07:51:00.001-07:002017-01-20T07:51:30.186-07:00Bottled RainbowsI can't remember where I first saw this quilt, but I knew I had to make one! It was designed by <a href="http://www.stitchedincolor.com/" target="_blank">Stitched in Colour </a>and the details are <a href="http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2011/02/bottled-rainbows-ticker-tape-quilt.html" target="_blank">here, on her blog</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.quiltmaker.com/patterns/details.html?idx=13916" target="_blank">Source</a></div>
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I like the idea of bordering the blocks with plain fabric and then filling in the centre with scraps that match. This design is an applique one known as 'ticker tape' and the blocks are created in a 'quilt as you go' technique. Looks like fun!<br />
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Here are my fabrics for the borders, which will then influence the fabrics used for the ticker tape.<br />
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I used the recommended Kona Cottons as follows:<br />
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<b>Top Row: </b>Violet, Berry, Marine, Pacific<br />
<b>2nd Row: </b>Camellia, Cerise, Everglade, Bahama Blue<br />
<b>3rd Row:</b> Pomegranate, Kumquat, Avocado, Grass Green<br />
<b>Bottom Row: </b>Rich Red, Orange, Canary, Cactus<br />
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I have started going through my scraps, matching them up to the colours . . </div>
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It looks like I will start with the Bahama Blue as I have quite a few scraps in that colour - perhaps this will become my 'block of the month' and will be completed for Christmas - watch this space!</div>
twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-90749008797564901472017-01-17T03:45:00.000-07:002017-01-17T03:45:25.808-07:00TG 12 Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Further to Dawn's request to see the '12 Days of Christmas' that was posted on Facebook - here you go! I copied and pasted text from FB and I think the font etc is different to what I usually use, but I think this works:<br />
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<b>Day 1: </b>grey jersey cardi (Simplicity 2154), grey linen sleeveless top (Seamingly Smitten Draped Tank. This is a bit like the KL Pinwheel Slips), tartan undershirt (started with Kwik Sew 2766 and added a skirt) and jeans 'Tina Givens style' (Oprah).</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Ok, I'm cheating a little here as I have been in my PJ's all day tracing patterns and cutting out! Here is a pic from October, and is one of my favourite combos - McCalls 6168 cardi (cotton/Lycra mix), TG Jacqueline slip (muddy linen/rayon mix. Due to complete laziness this has been cut out symmetrically with the two points at the sides being equal), and grey Peg Leg leggings (cotton/Lycra fabric). All worn with black ankle (ish) boots and a bright, cheery scarf.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">So, its a bit windy outside - but here you go on <b>Day 3: </b>more TG Oprah jeans, another McCalls cardi (I have a few of these!), an undershirt I made last night with a printed plaid cotton skirt, scarf from Gap, gardening shoes. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><b>Day 4: </b>This is what I wore to go fabric shopping today (picked up some lovely denim for 70% off - it is currently in the washing machine . . . . . ) Simplicity 2154 Cardigan in purple cotton jersey, black (sleeveless) Holly tunic (this may be my new favourite!), undershirt with silver/grey lace (and an organza ribbon trim to stop it fraying!), black TG Oprah jeans. Worn with black boots. Also grey/black scarf from GAP and a 'me-made' TG inspired necklace - leather strap with freshwater pearls. I had to overexpose the photos so you can see the details.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Another PJ day, so here is a favourite outfit. The cardi is off the same McCalls pattern used previously but a different view, TG Jacqueline slip in cream linen, TG Patricia skirt (with elasticated hem) in check fabric. black pull-on boots.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><b>Day 6: </b>Playing dress up as I will be at my sewing machine all day today! New TG Oprah jeans with a flower patch, undershirt with animal print stretch lace on the hem, draped top with black wool trim (fabric was only 45" wide!), scarf and glass pearls necklace. I'll wear this with a black or grey cardi.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><b>Day 7: </b>and it has just started snowing again. Black McCalls cotton jersey cardi, black/white top, cream & lace undershirt (made from a jersey bedsheet that doesn't fit the bed</span><span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">😉</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">), TG Oprah jeans, gardening clogs (usually would wear black boots!)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><b>Day 8: </b>and still it snows . . . ! Who am I kidding? I love the snow! So for New Years Day I present to you TG Jeans (rolled up to show my hand knit socks), black linen Briare with a ruffle down the front, brick red cotton/Lycra McCalls cardi, rayon jersey Infiniti scarf. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><b>Day 9: </b>brown linen Cara, Oprah jeans, Simplicity 2154 cardi, necklace made from some of my Mums beads.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><b>Day 10: </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Back to work today, so bathroom selfie I'm afraid! Grey McCalls cardi, blue TG Jacqueline tunic (cut symmetrically with the longer sides), TG Oprah jeans, black boots, me made lapis lazuli necklace and cheery scarf!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><b>Day 11: </b>washroom selfie </span><span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" aria-hidden="1" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v6/fce/1/16/1f600.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">😀</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"> TG Oprah jeans (I know I sound like a one trick pony, but I do have a few pairs - and these ones have a cute patch on the back!), black linen Cara with ruffles down the front, purple cotton/jersey cardi (Simplicity 2154), black boots, me made necklace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/2017/01/tartan-daffodil.html" target="_blank">And day 12 is here.</a><br />
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Phew, that was a bit of work to get all of these photographed and posted on FB, but it was rather fun!</span></div>
twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-22893913519999061002017-01-14T21:19:00.000-07:002017-01-14T21:19:00.837-07:00Not So Plain JaneI recently joined a Facebook group that sews and celebrates the work of <a href="http://quiltsbycheri.com/" target="_blank">Cheri Payne</a>. I love the homespun/primitive aspect of her work, and as I looked through I saw a pattern called Plain Jane. It is quite simple - a pieced background made out of neutral fabrics, some applique and embellishments, and you end up with a very cute wall hanging (the pattern is free if your <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quiltsbycheri/" target="_blank">join the FB group</a>). I thought that it would make a great memorial for my very beautiful sister Detsie passed away unexpectedly in 2005 and her death is something that I continue to struggle with. Whenever I see something that references sisters, my eyes tend to leak a little, and I am always on the look out for something to make as a memorial to her. Perfect.<br />
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So let me tell you a little about my 'not so Plain Jane'!<br />
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She has curly red hair - just like my sister. I had straight brown hair and Detsie and I always wanted to swap and have each others hair!! There are three shell buttons on the strip of lace across the top, representing my brother, Detsie and I, the three children. There are 36 kisses, one for each year of her life as well as quite oa bit of stitching that I did in neutral thread which doesn't really show up on the photos.</div>
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There is a flower (you can see part of it against her dress)</div>
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and two hearts - one for each of her children,<br />
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A star next to her face and another kiss over her heart.</div>
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I found this strangely cathartic, and just need somewhere to hand it. I really enjoyed the handsewing and embellishment and am now planning one for my mother who was a dressmaker - the motifs for that will be fun.</div>
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I think Detsie would have like this. She would probably want to know where the representations of her beloved dogs, motorbike, books, earrings, etc, etc, etc, were. But yes, I think she would have like this.<br />
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xox</div>
twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-5545701417642163402017-01-12T20:46:00.000-07:002017-01-13T12:43:28.265-07:00Tartan DaffodilNow there is a great name for a band! For me it is the latest Tina Given slip that I have made, so let me tell you about it. . . . .<br />
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<a href="http://www.sewtinagivens.com/daffodil-tg-a7046-pdf" target="_blank">Daffodil</a> had previously passed me by, but when I saw the line drawings - a slip with a hankerchief hem - I thought that it would work for me. Pair that with some lovely tartan rayon that I had to hand, and I knew that my next project was good to go! The fabric is very soft and silky with a great drape. It does not cling - either to me or other fabric/clothes, so will (hopefully) work really well.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJaETNVVuBE/WHhDqOkNuUI/AAAAAAAAJSg/lUPZI3PeK-0YE03H5J8RwacWSnQef7yyACLcB/s1600/Daffodil.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJaETNVVuBE/WHhDqOkNuUI/AAAAAAAAJSg/lUPZI3PeK-0YE03H5J8RwacWSnQef7yyACLcB/s400/Daffodil.webp" width="250" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sewtinagivens.com/daffodil-tg-a7046-pdf" target="_blank"><i>Source</i></a></div>
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The original pattern has two pieces making up the front (and back) as well as having sleeves. I thought that it would work well as a one piece front (and back) and without sleeves. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cpTbTobUFO8/WHhGiYWdmsI/AAAAAAAAJTE/wSjw1EVO7Sob5MRVzGSdC8GEk4xdBFuzQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cpTbTobUFO8/WHhGiYWdmsI/AAAAAAAAJTE/wSjw1EVO7Sob5MRVzGSdC8GEk4xdBFuzQCLcB/s400/IMG_3742.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I prefer to to wear a cardi over my slip, so sleeves are really not necessary to me. Having made my changes, this is what I ended up with:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJxXSOijpNg/WHhMphQ6nRI/AAAAAAAAJTc/BQfCuX_QTssPKwFEopAiVys1XMcCkSdVwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJxXSOijpNg/WHhMphQ6nRI/AAAAAAAAJTc/BQfCuX_QTssPKwFEopAiVys1XMcCkSdVwCLcB/s400/IMG_3748.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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And I love it! I actually made it too long, so I folded it up 3" which was one check, and you can just about see that around the dropped waistline level - I like to think of this as a design feature!!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8sr10JG5dI/WHhGVOkg4lI/AAAAAAAAJS0/z3puw-UPUKgnoIq93cedm6kuSWpZwkqsgCEw/s1600/IMG_3750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8sr10JG5dI/WHhGVOkg4lI/AAAAAAAAJS0/z3puw-UPUKgnoIq93cedm6kuSWpZwkqsgCEw/s400/IMG_3750.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I also found that as my fabric was 45" wide, I had to add a band on each side of the hankerchief skirt to compensate for the lack of width. In my head I devised lots of different ways to hide the seam - a bias binding strip, black ribbon trim, etc., but in the end, the seam was barely noticeable (I actually had forgotten about it), so I left it as it was. I bound the arms, neckline and hem with single fold bias binding, and OMG - check out how centralised it was on the centre front. Totally a fluke, but I'll take it!!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyFnPP4Ufuw/WHhGWMpwc-I/AAAAAAAAJS4/rqKQqd2eCsYo2KaKqJj8lbEb4fXhEcFEACEw/s1600/IMG_3752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyFnPP4Ufuw/WHhGWMpwc-I/AAAAAAAAJS4/rqKQqd2eCsYo2KaKqJj8lbEb4fXhEcFEACEw/s400/IMG_3752.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I added a single bias cut patch pocket with a bit of black lace as trim. Oh boy. Rayon fabric that has a lovely silky drape does not play nice on the bias. Hence just the one pocket!!!!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9kDoNTiiOs/WHhGWqx4XPI/AAAAAAAAJS8/HGqgszdhzd8oNPOWh-4PPMMlRXqpxdfuwCEw/s1600/IMG_3756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9kDoNTiiOs/WHhGWqx4XPI/AAAAAAAAJS8/HGqgszdhzd8oNPOWh-4PPMMlRXqpxdfuwCEw/s400/IMG_3756.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Of course, I added a patch centre upper back (the inside one has my label on it) and I used a scrap of lace (leftover from when I made a bra, see the second one down, <a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/2014/08/another-weekend-more-bras.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</div>
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And here it is all dolled up. I took part in a '12 Days of Christmas' pledge wearing Tina Givens designs, and as I was at work on the day I wore this outfit, a bathroom selfie will have to suffice! I am wearing it here with a pinstriped <a href="http://www.sewtinagivens.com/patricia-tg-a7045" target="_blank">Patricia skirt </a>(which it appears I haven't previously blogged about) and a black jersey/Lycra McCalls 6168 cardi. I LOVE this look, and have some rayon in another tartan to make another.<br />
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Tartan Daffodils anyone?<br />
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<b>Edit:</b> Further to Lisa's question about having to add side panels, this is what I meant:<br />
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The solid vertical black lines are the edges of the fabric with the fold being on the right. The pattern piece extends outside of the fabric (the dotted line on the left) so I had to cut that piece separately (actually there were four additional pieces, front and back, left and right extension pieces) and then attach them to the main body of the slip.</div>
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And now you can see why I sew and I'm not an illustrator!!! I hope that helps.</div>
twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-19328513967059445822016-12-25T13:00:00.000-07:002016-12-25T13:00:25.297-07:00Christmas SewingBy the time this post is let loose on the world, the Christmas sewing that I have completed will have been gifted, and I will be settling down after Christmas dinner with my husband and father, a G&T in my hand and some new sewing books to pore over (please Santa!) A small but enjoyable gathering and I trust that your day will have been just as enjoyable.<br />
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Time to share some projects!</div>
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When we were in Canmore in October we passed a small shop that had some lovely flannel nightshirts on display. Mr. SDSC said at the time that he would like a nightshirt and so I was on a mission. I used <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/41636" target="_blank">Simplicity 2317</a>, which features regular PJ's, a jersey vest and shorts, as well as a nightshirt. My local fabric chain was selling some lovely Canadiana flannel at a great price - so I was good to go! I used the XL size which will be on the large side - but I suspect that this will also be worn as a dressing gown. I made a couple of changes to the pattern/construction:</div>
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<li>lengthened it by about 5", Mr. SDSC is 6ft tall</li>
<li>no piping. Just because.</li>
<li>serged the collar to the neckline. I like to top and edge stitch the seams, rather like a faux flat felted seam (I actually have seen it called a welt seam)</li>
<li>plastic 'poppers' instead of buttons</li>
<li>pockets added to the side seams - who wouldn't want pockets in the side seams?</li>
<li>hand-stitched the facings down. I know that this will not be ironed, and there is nothing worse than 'flappy facings', so it took an hour or so to sew the facings down and I am pleased that I did that.</li>
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It is hard to make it look good on my dress-form - but you get the idea!</div>
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I know that the closures don't look perfectly spaced at the top - I just wanted there to be a couple of options of how high the neckline could be.</div>
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I know it is a little bit vain, but I do enjoy adding a label. I have found that the folks that I do make things for tend to look for the labels and appear to be a little disappointed if I have failed to include one :)</div>
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Next up was a pair of socks for Mr. SDSC. Nothing special about them other than the yarn is rather fabulous. It is s<a href="http://us.schachenmayr.com/yarns/regia-pairfect" target="_blank">elf-striping from Regia</a> and this is the second pair that I have made using this yarn. It is fab!</div>
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Oh no, what is that I can see in the grey stripe? Yep, a dropped stitch. Dangnabbit. Oh well, It is all tidied up now!</div>
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My father is quite hard to make/shop for, but when I was at a quilting fair this year I saw a remembrance quilt by a Canadian designer called Corinne Hewitt which I thought he would appreciate, so I bought a kit called <a href="https://hchquiltpatterns.wordpress.com/patriotic-patterns/" target="_blank">'Lest We Forget'.</a> Again I made a couple of changes - left out the lettering (I think that it is rather poignant without the lettering), changed the headwear of the soldier to look more British (my father is a retired British Army Officer). I used the profile of a <a href="https://timwolversonphotos.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/cwmcarn-war-memorial/" target="_blank">WW1 memorial in Wales</a> for reference (scroll down the link until you get to the profile photo at the bottom), and am rather pleased with how it came out:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEhD3UltOsA/WF9xntRghvI/AAAAAAAAJQs/kQVKs7UJOuk1EzMUZZxYZQmtLX6nsLsiQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEhD3UltOsA/WF9xntRghvI/AAAAAAAAJQs/kQVKs7UJOuk1EzMUZZxYZQmtLX6nsLsiQCLcB/s640/IMG_3640.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The three poppies in the field (bottom right) are small, red buttons. The four poppies in the corners are made up of two layers of poppy petals and a black button in the middle. I kept the Canadian flag as my father is very proud of now being a Canadian citizen and this is a lovely marriage of the two Countries. I have added a sleeve to the back so that he can hand it if he likes - it is 25" x 36". Oh, and this photo was taken two or three days ago - as you can see, a nice dry deck. Would you like to see what my garden looks like now?</div>
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Winter has arrived! I'm not too sure how excited the dogs are, but I am looking forward to a white Christmas!</div>
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Each Winter I plan to make some table runners and never seem to get round to it - but this year, I did. Both are free patterns:</div>
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<b><a href="http://vickisfabriccreations.blogspot.ca/2014/10/pole-twist-table-runner-free-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Pole Twist Runner</a></b></div>
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Ah yes, just look at that lovely, fresh snow. The light at this time of year can be pretty dull and it therefore hard to get good photos, but this works! This is a really quick and easy project and I used up some of my Mum's quilting fabric which I enjoyed doing, I kept the borders very plain - I rather like the modern esthetic of a skinny binding, and that is it.</div>
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<b><a href="http://quiltingdigest.com/make-this-trees-table-topper-for-holiday-cheer/" target="_blank">Trees Table Topper:</a></b></div>
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There are a few different ways to finish off this topper - I chose to use pinwheels and to go 'scrappy' using red and green fabric although not necessarily Christmas fabrics. I love this!</div>
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The white flecks on the photos are falling snow - it was snowing when I took the photos!</div>
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Unfortunately I didn't get chance to sew any Christmas clothing - but I am still off work for another 9 days so I am sure that that will change! Do you have any Christmas sewing that you'd like to share?</div>
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Wishing you all a Happy and Peaceful Christmas.</div>
twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-41426463688729121352016-12-21T11:50:00.000-07:002016-12-21T11:50:44.018-07:00Restyling PatriciaOver the last few months I have made a few <a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/#uds-search-results" target="_blank">Patricia Skirts</a> (<a href="http://www.sewtinagivens.com/#!patricia-tg-a7045/c4fl" target="_blank">Tina Givens </a>- who else?!). The pattern is for a dropped yoke with a gathered skirt attached and then the hem is pulled in and sewn to a band. It has a very funky balloon or pegged (thank-you Lorie for the description!) look. <br />
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So far, so good. Well, not really. The skirts have been sitting in the back of my wardrobe - feeling a little unloved, so I set about determining what the issue is and fixing it.<br />
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It turns out that there are two issues - one is that I clearly walk like an Amazon with big ground-covering strides, and the hem band is rather restrictive. I found this especially so when getting in and out of the car, stepping over lounging dogs - you get the picture! Also, the skirt has no pockets. Well, my version doesn't. I changed the pattern a little to make the yoke one piece with an elasticated waist, so no side seams. One of the joys of making my own clothes is to add pockets, usually inseam. To everything. Well. Almost!<br />
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To fix the first issue, I made a couple of the skirts with an elasticated hemline - thereby keeping the shape of the skirt, and yet making it more 'walkable'.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PLhuN4vezNM/WFrFrjYnL0I/AAAAAAAAJOk/7_WX-4x9d4MK5_EB7V_NDiYeo7hWKX8WACLcB/s1600/IMG_3604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PLhuN4vezNM/WFrFrjYnL0I/AAAAAAAAJOk/7_WX-4x9d4MK5_EB7V_NDiYeo7hWKX8WACLcB/s640/IMG_3604.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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This is a lovely Royal Stewart Tartan in brushed cotton and is lovely to wear.<br />
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In order for this to work - I need to have gathered the bottom skirt onto the yoke. However, what about the skirts that I had pleated onto the yoke? I find this a lot quicker and easier than gathering, so I needed another solution. I noticed that another designer, Krista Larson has a similar <a href="http://kristalarson.com/product-category/clothing/skirts/" target="_blank">RTW design</a> with an unrestricted hemline - so that was the way to go. I cut off the original hem treatment and a simple single fold bias binding attached with a triple stitch zigzig was all that was needed:<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rlfsPpRbTlA/WFrHQwDd0hI/AAAAAAAAJOw/pv1fFpwAfSsZ4Mubw44AxZdBnkidVMyRQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rlfsPpRbTlA/WFrHQwDd0hI/AAAAAAAAJOw/pv1fFpwAfSsZ4Mubw44AxZdBnkidVMyRQCLcB/s640/IMG_3596.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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This is the first skirt that I changed, and as I did not have any of the chocolate linen/rayon, I dug around and found some co-ordinating linen with a stripe pattern. The hem looked a little strange being in a different colour, but when a scrap was added down the side over part of the ruffle, and a patch pocket was sewn to the yoke it looked much better - and solved my second issue!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETPHK16sSDM/WFrIIYHdpRI/AAAAAAAAJO0/rTFzSPblIi0LdC62g8TAZYjGJLYR_Lb1ACLcB/s1600/IMG_3601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETPHK16sSDM/WFrIIYHdpRI/AAAAAAAAJO0/rTFzSPblIi0LdC62g8TAZYjGJLYR_Lb1ACLcB/s400/IMG_3601.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sorry about the colour variation, the middle of these three photos is closest to the correct colours. I had to piece the pocket together, but I think it looks rather good. It is 6" wide and this is about 6-7" in depth - enough for some lip salve, a tissue etc! And it is double thickness with some interfacing ironed on near the top.</div>
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And then I did some other skirts . . . . </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_GQvgn-kzeo/WFrJVU8uQWI/AAAAAAAAJPE/jQHtGfcJbe8gt5AIS1OQifc4NJwmtVwzQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_GQvgn-kzeo/WFrJVU8uQWI/AAAAAAAAJPE/jQHtGfcJbe8gt5AIS1OQifc4NJwmtVwzQCLcB/s640/IMG_3590.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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This is a lovely 100% wool with browns/dusky pink/greys that I got for a steal from Fabric Mart or Fabric.com a few years ago before the Canadian Dollar tanked against the US Dollar. Is is very soft and washes well. I cut this pocket on the bias, and left the seam that made this double layered on the front so that it can gently fray. My 'design feature'! The other bonus with this skirt was that the hemline was quite bulky before and wasn't quite 'right'. But now - it is lighter, and to my mind, more attractive!</div>
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I also updated a plain black 'Patricia' with a strip of lace along the ruffle and on the pocket - you will need to use your imagination for that one though as the photos came out terribly. And finally, the Royal Stewart skirt has this pocket:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jAukFH267jA/WFrMN-_T8TI/AAAAAAAAJPU/hhbAyh3UWHcz86MTVfxn1f52OvtNZrHtwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jAukFH267jA/WFrMN-_T8TI/AAAAAAAAJPU/hhbAyh3UWHcz86MTVfxn1f52OvtNZrHtwCLcB/s640/IMG_3606.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Again, cut on the bias with a scrap of lace 'just for fun'!</div>
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Due to the type of tops I wear with my skirts, the pockets will likely be covered, but just knowing that they are there makes me smile.</div>
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I am really pleased with this simple makeover. My skirts are now a lot more wearable and still retain the boho/Lagenlook style that I love. </div>
twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-71058136641892403512016-11-28T08:04:00.000-07:002016-11-28T08:04:09.571-07:00Undershirts - Hits and a Miss or TwoI mentioned <a href="https://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/2016/10/layering-up.html" target="_blank">a short while ago</a> about shirt extenders - or undershirts as I like to call them. Made from cotton jersey on top with a lace trim that hangs down beneath a top or cardi. And I love them so I made some more . . . . want to see?<br />
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White cotton/spandex jersey with a rayon print trim. Yep, regular fabric works just as well as lace. I made the skirt 3" longer on most of these.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HL06gj6LZG0/WDtUcc642uI/AAAAAAAAJLM/TgL3o6yIyyU1iilysNVh4qAUYZ-uiCbbgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HL06gj6LZG0/WDtUcc642uI/AAAAAAAAJLM/TgL3o6yIyyU1iilysNVh4qAUYZ-uiCbbgCLcB/s400/IMG_3426.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Grey cotton/spandex jersey with a brown checked fabric. I also used some pink trim on the arm and neckline.</div>
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A 'tartan' check on grey jersey with a little bow on the neckline (shorter skirt).</div>
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Apparently this is Royal Stewart tartan. I think that it looks very dramatic and I have matched it here with black cotton/spandex jersey and black arm and neckline trim.<br />
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Charcoal cotton/lycra jersey, charcoal lace and an organza ribbon trim. For this version I used different lace and it frayed a bit so I edged the bottom with black organza ribbon, folded it up and sewed it to the right side. Done.<br />
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And sometimes I add a lovely little patch on the back:<br />
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Please excuse the Merchant and Mills type photography. The weather is pretty cold right now, and I didn't fancy lots of costume changes! I think that you can see the details a bit better as well when the undershirts are flat.<br />
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Well - how do they look as part of garments? Let me show you :)<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fiMZN7-z1UM/WDtgVI27H8I/AAAAAAAAJL4/woCxup2O5UQNf5st-WwXEk7WJEGuS3YfwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fiMZN7-z1UM/WDtgVI27H8I/AAAAAAAAJL4/woCxup2O5UQNf5st-WwXEk7WJEGuS3YfwCLcB/s400/IMG_3444.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Here is the Royal Stewart version with a charcoal grey <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/39704" target="_blank">McCalls 6168</a>. I would wear this with <a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/2016/10/peg-legs-or-day-i-became-pirate.html" target="_blank">black Peg Legs</a> or some <a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/2016/05/holly-and-tartan-cara.html" target="_blank">Tina Givens jeans</a>.</div>
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And it works equally well with the cardi open, a pretty necklace and a scarf.</div>
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This time a burgundy cardi and my undershirt is under a light grey linen <a href="https://seaminglysmitten.com/collections/women-1/products/womens-draped-tank-with-hankerchief-hem" target="_blank">drapey top</a>. Pearls and a short infinity cowl made from rayon fabric and done!</div>
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I think I will be wearing these two outfits to work next week. I remember that Carolyn from <a href="http://sewingfantaticdiary.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Diary of a Sewing Fanatic</a> used to plan out a week's worth of garments including accessories (I can't find the posts now) and they were very inspirational, and such a great idea. No pondering what to wear in the mornings. Bonus!<br />
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So, what were the misses? Well, with one version I used some different black lace that I think had lycra or spandex in it. <br />
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Can you see all those little threads? I think that they are the spandex/lycra/elastane/whatever and washing and wearing had made them degenerate. That's a shame, but I'll take this lace off and add something else so not all is lost.</div>
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Here is the other one:</div>
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It is a little hard to capture in a photograph but the neck trim doesn't lay flat (this is one of my pet peeves). It is a matter of lovely trim, wrong application. It looks great on the neckline of a bra, but does not have the stretch for this jersey. Oh well. I'll cut this off too and add a different trim and this will work too!</div>
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I'd like to think that I am 'undershirted out', but let's be realistic - that's not going to happen!</div>
twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-70938543026810888582016-11-27T13:57:00.000-07:002016-11-28T11:50:29.270-07:00En Provence with Bonnie HunterI'm not too sure what the deal is with the end of month and writing up posts - quite often multiple ones, but it has happened again! So much to say! I have to admit to being a little lazy - firstly I do do a lot multiple sewing (much to my husbands' consternation!). Why make just one top when you love the pattern so much? Why not make three or four? What I then forget to do is to make a note of the changes that I have made - add a bit here, lengthen this, scrap that etc. I do keep a notebook that has measurements in for elastic lengths to use on vest tops, or sizes to cut when making little pouches which is useful, but not as useful as referring back to my notes and photos on my blog. Time to catch up. <br />
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So, lots of sewing happening in my part of the world, and today I am going to start with another quilt that I have started. Well actually, there are two, so get a nice steaming cup of tea, put your feet up and read on!!<br />
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Somehow I heard about a quilter called <a href="http://www.quiltville.com/index.html" target="_blank">Bonnie Hunter </a>(and I am so glad I did!) who is obsessed with scraps of fabric (in a totally good way) and thought that I'd have a go at her mystery quilt that she starts this time each year. I think that this is the third or fourth that she has run. She starts off with a tempting photo of her inspiration (in this case the <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.ca/p/en-provence-mystery.html" target="_blank">lavender farms in Provence</a>. This link will only be live for a few months) and then suggests colour combinations. Now this is pretty smart - as computers vary, she actually goes into a paint store and selects a number of paint chips to help you make choices. I can only imagine how daft quilters must look, running into hardware stores to get their paint chips and then raiding their stashes for the appropriate fabric. Of course you can make your own colour choices, but I am happy to be a sheep!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5L9Xi7cK7w/WDs8DZjoLMI/AAAAAAAAJKA/ZZPDyuptu-8_4PBniP-mBGHD4i-0oSIMACLcB/s1600/IMG_3494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5L9Xi7cK7w/WDs8DZjoLMI/AAAAAAAAJKA/ZZPDyuptu-8_4PBniP-mBGHD4i-0oSIMACLcB/s400/IMG_3494.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Very pretty indeed. These are the main colours that will be used with lots of <a href="https://www.google.ca/search?q=low+volume+neutrals&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwif-Nv63cnQAhVK02MKHekjB5UQsAQIMA&biw=1366&bih=629" target="_blank">low volume neutrals</a>. The first clue came out on Friday, and involved making over 200 of these (see below) four patch squares (<a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.ca/2016/11/en-provence-quiltville-mystery-part-1.html" target="_blank">here is the first clue.</a> Bonnie has asked that folks be redirected to her blog rather than copying and pasting the details on your own blog).<br />
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So this is what I made:<br />
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I've included a couple of close ups to show some of the very lovely fabrics like cute little birds and sewing paraphernalia, </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCw9HOW0Rnk/WDtCeVUSdeI/AAAAAAAAJKQ/_ue8kuOIOr4EL8nQqaG6JkcDqlGKyaDPACLcB/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCw9HOW0Rnk/WDtCeVUSdeI/AAAAAAAAJKQ/_ue8kuOIOr4EL8nQqaG6JkcDqlGKyaDPACLcB/s400/IMG_3486.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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the dragonfly above,<br />
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Delicate pink flower fabric as well as the two Christmas fabrics with firs and berries, and the stars with writing. There are some cute little birds and fabric with sewing machines on too.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3NByC4nkNUo/WDtCfAGb93I/AAAAAAAAJKY/Cr8lI-zIVPUWeWs6Us5rOa_jcsNH99DLACLcB/s1600/IMG_3490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3NByC4nkNUo/WDtCfAGb93I/AAAAAAAAJKY/Cr8lI-zIVPUWeWs6Us5rOa_jcsNH99DLACLcB/s400/IMG_3490.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And the compass fabric with paw prints in.<br />
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So there we have it - clue one completed. Clue two comes out next Friday . . . . . can't wait to see what we will be making next!<br />
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Have you tried mystery quilts? I know that some folks really don't like committing time and fabric to a project where they don't know what the final item will look like, but I really like the freedom of not having to think - just instructions - use this type of fabric, cut your fabric in this manner etc., and if you look at her other quilts, they are rather lovely, so I am sure this one will be just as good.<br />
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Clue 1. Sitting waiting . . . .<br />
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Do take a look at the progress of my fellow mystery quilters <a href="http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/11/en-provence-mystery-monday-link-up-part.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Is it Friday yet?twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-275849731715712752016-10-27T21:35:00.000-06:002016-10-27T21:36:43.816-06:00Layering UpAs I have said many times before, I really enjoy layering up, and this time of year is the perfect time to do just that. This is what I wore today:<br />
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The cardigan is <a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/2013/12/and-three-makes-five.html#uds-search-results" target="_blank">McCalls 6168 from a few years ago</a> and the jeans are <a href="http://www.sewtinagivens.com/holly-tg-a7072" target="_blank">Tina Givens Holly Pants</a>, that I <a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/2016/05/holly-and-tartan-cara.html" target="_blank">mentioned here</a>. The white top is a <a href="https://seaminglysmitten.com/collections/women-1/products/womens-draped-tank-with-hankerchief-hem" target="_blank">Seamingly Smitten Draped Top</a> and I love it! I've made three or four of these, they are perfect under a cardi. And the lace peaking underneath? This is my 'new best thing'! Let me tell you a little more. </div>
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A few months ago I was told about a website called '<a href="http://www.farmhousefrocks.com/" target="_blank">Farmhouse Frocks</a>' - lovely Lagenlook styles made by Amish ladies in Ohio. Very much my style. Anyway, I filed this away and promptly forgot about it until a post popped up on Facebook and I took another look. Oh boy, what a treat! There are a number of styles that I like the look of, especially the <a href="http://www.farmhousefrocks.com/collections/best-sellers/products/shirt-extender?variant=8465961605" target="_blank">'Shirt Extender' </a>and I thought how well it would go with my wardrobe. </div>
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For the basic body of my version I used <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/3117" target="_blank">Kwik Sew 2766</a> an OOP nightgown pattern. It is quite a simple sleeveless nightgown/petticoat and I cut it mid hip length. The pattern is designed for wovens (on the bias) and knits, I used some very soft oatmeal coloured cotton jersey and some matching cream stretch lace for the trim at the bottom. The jersey is actually a fitted sheet that never really fit our bed, so some great re-purposing! After making up the top I pleated it and serged the lace on the botton edge, and done1 For the neckline and armhole edging I used lingerie lace trim at 80% of the measured edge of the openings and it is lovely!</div>
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I left the bottom edge of the lace raw after cutting it with my rotary cutter so that it is nice and straight.<br />
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I have already cut out a black version and a (OK, and a couple of) white ones too! So not only will I be warm as the weather gets cooler, but I'll also have some pretty lace peeking through my layers as well!</div>
<br />twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-8193113804477709612016-10-15T12:53:00.000-06:002016-10-15T12:53:00.974-06:00Gypsy Wife - Completed FlimsyI love it. I really, really love it. I know one shouldn't be proud. But I love it! Here is the top (or flimsy) of my <a href="http://www.amitie.com.au/shop/Patterns/Jen-Kingwell-Designs/p/Gypsy-Wife-Pattern-Booklet-by-Jen-Kingwell-x2366180.htm" target="_blank">Gypsy Queen quilt by Jen Kingwell</a>:<br />
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It really is a lot more vibrant that these photos indicate and I think that I have captured that in some of my 'favourite' blocks below:<br />
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This orange, brown and green block above, maybe my favourite block of all. I reminds me of a sunflower!</div>
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All in all, it only took two weeks to sew up! Whoosh, I don't mess about you know! I have taken a class at <a href="http://www.mysewingroom.ca/" target="_blank">my local quilt shop</a>, and am now qualified to use their long-arm machine. The plan is have horizontal lines running across the quilt, so I am hoping it will be quite simple for my first quilting project! And yes. I am hooked. I am already one third the way through another one. Totally different this time, a controlled background and colour scheme, here are a couple of pics.<br />
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Oh, and look what arrived in the mail yesterday from <a href="https://blackrabbitfabric.com/" target="_blank">Black Rabbit Fabrics</a> - I predict some more <a href="http://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/peg-legs/" target="_blank">Peg Legs</a> this weekend!<br />
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<br />twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-54023623457479158042016-10-13T17:37:00.001-06:002016-10-13T17:37:35.346-06:00Peg Legs - or 'the Day I Became a Pirate'I have really been embracing my Lagenlook/Tina Givens style and have enjoyed wearing my me-made clothes this Spring and Summer. Being able to wear sandals/summer shoes means that I do not need to worry about socks/tights (pantyhose to my American and Canadian buddies) - although to be fair, I really detest tights. I'm a stockings kind of girl - but have you seen have you seen any on sale recently? They are like gold dust.<br />
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So, with Autumn and now Winter fast approaching (oh, and we had our first fall of snow last week. Really), what is a girl to do?<br />
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I know that a lot of people make their own leggings, and I thought that may be the way to go. I can still wear my slips, a pair of winter boots, a cardi/jacket. Perfect. But what leggings? I have a few patterns (<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/163883670/pdf-espresso-leggings-cake-patterns-riff" target="_blank">Espresso</a>, <a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=2&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=251&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=42" target="_blank">Style Arc Laura)</a>, but for some reason I wasn't feeling the love. And then I came across <a href="http://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/peg-legs/" target="_blank">Peg Legs by Patterns for Pirates</a>. Oh my goodness, they are fabulous! When you get the pattern they look really weird. They have a a very low rise at the front, and are one piece - no side seam. They are designed to have a wide band at the waist rather than an actual elasticated waistband, so I made some up. It turns out that if you have a similar waist/hip measurement, then this sort of design doesn't work too well (think yoga pants), and they were soon heading south, taking my knickers with them! Other than that, they fit like a dream.</div>
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I know the pictures aren't very clear, but really, this is all about the view! This is outside <a href="http://www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/" target="_blank">Banff Springs Hotel</a> before going in for Sunday brunch, we really are very lucky to have this on our doorstep.</div>
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So, I played around with the pattern, worked out I needed to add 3" to the rise front and back, serged some elastic on and voila - I am all Peg-Legged now!</div>
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Here I am wearing a Tina Givens Jacqueline Slip (linen), <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/39704" target="_blank">McCalls 6168</a> (I've made <a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/2013/12/and-three-makes-five.html#uds-search-results" target="_blank">one or two</a> of these. Cotton/Lycra mix) and a spiffy poppy scarf. I have dual British and Canadian citizenship and am proud to wear poppies.<br />
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Here is a close up of another pair of Peg Legs. You can see the lowered front rise. I really thought that they wouldn't be comfy and not cover my tummy, but they are fab!<br />
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So if you fancy being a Pirate - try out some Peg Legs. if you join the Facebook group there is code to get the pattern for free. Bargain! They do have quite a following on FB, and this is how the cool kids photograph their 'Pegs:</div>
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For you own safety it is not necessary to see my feets, so here are some hand-knitted rainbow socks instead!</div>
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Incidentally, as far as sizing is concerned, I did the old 'wrap the fabric around your body to see how much it stretches' trick and that determined the size that I cut out. By tightening and loosening the fabric, I could get the 'look' I wanted before cutting out. Perfect! If you have a small hip/waist ratio, you may wish to wrap the fabric around your waist, cinch it in, and then see if you can pull it down over your hips. If I use fabric with a different stretch, then I would do this to see if I needed to change size.</div>
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Can't stay - need to make some more Pegs!</div>
twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-56443722828585438092016-09-17T12:45:00.000-06:002016-09-17T12:45:38.865-06:00Gypsy Wife - the Beginning!Whilst waiting for the new patterns and fabrics to come out for the fall, I thought I'd try my hand at a bit quilting. It really is 'big' in Canada - much more so that in the UK (where I hail from originally), and in fact the first Canadian dollars that I earned when we moved here in 2004 was from working in a quilt shop, cutting fabric. As you can imagine, I was handing over most of my wages each month to my employer to pay for the fabric, books, notions that I had bought!<br />
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So, what to make? I have made a couple of quilt tops, or 'flimsys' as I have heard them referred to, as a result of buying a 'class pass' from my local quilt shop and attending some classes, and now I wanted to try something different. Somewhere on the net I saw some <a href="https://www.google.ca/search?q=gypsy+wife+quilt&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=629&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwilwoPE-JbPAhVRyWMKHeL1BE0Q_AUIBigB" target="_blank">photos of a pattern</a> called Gypsy Wife by Jen Kingwell. Oh man, what a riot of colour and pattern! And best of all? You can use up scraps.<br />
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I bought the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/FabricGardenAus" target="_blank">pattern online via Etsy</a> from a seller in Australia - and I would thoroughly recommend her. I did a bit of research checking pattern cost & postage, and she came out top, saving me over $20 on some of the other sellers. Some people have written reviews about the pattern (mostly on Amazon) commenting about the content, and as long as you go into this knowing that you will NOT be held by the hand, I think most people will be fine. And of course, thanks to the interwebs, there are lots of blog posts to help you out - and I used these <a href="http://hydeeannsews.blogspot.ca/p/gypsy-wife-2016.html" target="_blank">two</a> <a href="http://jaffaquilts.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">blogs</a> that were actually a quilt-a-long. There are some excellent documents that list the size of the different blocks in the different units - I found it very helpful.<br />
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But first, what colours? I was tempted to do the full 'scrappy' look, but thought it wold also be fun to have some kind of colour co-ordination, so over to <a href="http://www.design-seeds.com/" target="_blank">Design Seeds </a>for some inspiration. I love this blog - and if you ever need some help with colours - this is a great place to start. After lots of mooching around, this is the photo and colours that I plumped for:<br />
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<a href="http://www.design-seeds.com/wanderlust/a-door-brights/" target="_blank"> Source</a></div>
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Very Mediterranean with quite a few colour choices. Love it! And here is my selection:<br />
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There is a real mixture here, Amy Butler, Riley Blake, Moda, Wal-Mart, Fabricland, fat quarters, jelly rolls, charms squares, and scrappy scraps! <br />
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Once the colour choices were made, it was time to play!!<br />
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The pattern book itself has you make up all the blocks - pinwheels x 6, hourglass x 2 etc., and then link them all together in their ten sections with the long strips, finally sewing the 10 sections together. I found it easier to make one section at a time, including the strips, starting on the left (sections 9 & 10) and working towards the right (sections 1, 2 &7). Here are my first few blocks:<br />
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Which when put together, made this sections 9, 8 and 10):<br />
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The colours are really rich and it amazing how they all seem to 'go' together. I tried not to have two fabrics the same touching, and I wanted to have all my strips at the bottom to be different (60 in all!)</div>
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Close up you can see more detail (well, duh!) I have NEVER made any of these blocks before, so although I would count myself as an experienced dressmaker, I am definitely a beginner quilter. There are a couple of differences in my blocks - sometimes because I didn't read the instructions fully, and at others for aesthetic reasons - for example the blue heart below. The pattern directs you to have more contrast/background in the middle section where the triangles are, but I wanted mine to have a more solid appearance. So that is what I gave it!</div>
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Well, that was my first weekend's sewing. I am absolutely thrilled with the progress. My camera doesn't quite capture the vibrancy of the project so far. I will work on that for the next set of photos!<br />
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And in the meantime - ooooh, new Tina Givens patterns and autumn fabrics to play with. I really like this look by <a href="http://shonmodern.com/products/antisuit" target="_blank">Kaliyana called the 'Anti Suit</a>:<br />
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Have you started your Autumn sewing yet?</div>
twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-33040725259564024742016-08-25T22:30:00.000-06:002016-08-25T22:30:04.814-06:00Adding to the Collection - a Singer 15-88I've been a good girl for quite a while, and then for some reason I found myself taking a mooch at Kijiji, and what should I see - a handcrank Singer sewing machine. This was actually my very first sewing machine that my parents bought me (a couple of years ago, honest, and for just GBP12). Sadly I don't recall what happened to it, but seeing this one for sale made me think about it. So I made a offer, and this lovely lady came home with me:<br />
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Cinders (I will be transforming her into the Princess that she truly wants to be!), is a 15-88 and was made in Prussia. Her serial number is C3390349. Unfortunately as the Russians invaded Prussia during WWII and cleared out the factory, there is no information on her exact age, but that is OK with me!</div>
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She is really grimy - I'm thinking that it may be nicotine (although it doesn't smell at all), and I'm slowly getting her cleaned. She has a really smooth action, although I need to replace a wire guide on the tension control. There is a bit of rust and some chrome missing on the hand-wheel, but once this is done, I'll be able to sit at the table and sew away whilst watching TV with Mr. SDSC. I'm aiming for a sewing machine in every room - I don't think he has noticed yet!</div>
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Incidentally, this is a <a href="http://www.tfsr.org/publications/technical_information/sewing_machine_manual/" target="_blank">great site for help and instructions</a> to overhaul handcranks and treadles. It is from a UK site that refurbs machines for transport out to Africa.</div>
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I really love these old Singers, I use my <a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/search/label/Singer" target="_blank">Featherweight</a> for doing buttonholes as it is much better than my Pfaff, and I have a couple of others that just are so lovely to look at - what fabulous stories they could no doubt tell. Oh, and Cinders has a working reverse stitch. A hand-crank with a reverse stitch! The one on my Pfaff died years ago so it will be quite a treat being able to reverse!</div>
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So you have a soft spot for older machines> Do share!</div>
twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-85541936322739693562016-08-22T22:07:00.001-06:002016-08-22T22:07:13.910-06:00Tuffets and BargellosI mentioned a <a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/2016/07/my-sewing-room-sewing-classes-class-pass.html" target="_blank">few weeks ago</a> that I had bought a class pass for the Summer that allowed me to take as many sewing classes (at one of my local quilt shops), as I wanted for no extra charge - well apart from class supplies . . . . . ! And I have now taken two more classes that were great fun!<br />
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The first was a 'two fabric bargello' and I saw one of these at the quilt show I visited in May (<a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/2016_05_01_archive.html" target="_blank">fourth pic down</a>) and when I found out that there was a class - I was all over it like a rash! <br />
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As I don't really have much of a sense of colour, I chose a fabric kit, and got sewing:<br />
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This was yet another fun sew, and only took two fabrics (the clue was in the pattern name!) and some plain black for the borders. The main red/orange fabric is a kind of ombre, and the bubble fabric just co-ordinates with every thing. You essentially sew a band of the bubble fabric onto each end of the ombre fabric to make a tube, and then lots of cutting later you have 30ish strips of fabric that are sewn together in a particular manner to get the 'tick'. I have to say that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Each stripe has to be carefully numbered, and there may have been a bit of 'fricking and fracking', but I am really pleased with this.</div>
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The black fabric looks a rather shiny - I was trying to get a photo on the deck and it was probably a bit too sunny. It is matt black, and I will use this plain black for the binding. There are a couple of shows coming up and I will try and get this done and entered. I can dream!<br />
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My next class was over two Sundays, and resulted in a <a href="http://tuffetsource.com/#" target="_blank">tuffet</a>! Now I know my British buddies will understand what a tuffet is - just think 'Little Miss Muffet', or as we used to call them as kids, a pouffe.<br />
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This is the underside, eventually the feet will be screwed in here and the button will be tied off.</div>
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And here is it, all covered. The fabric I used was from a jelly roll of Canadiana fabric. The strips are sewn onto a foundation piece that acts as a shaped pattern. Oh and I added a label - well, you would, wouldn't you! I also wrote my name and the date on the wooden base - just in case in years to come, someone re-upholsters it! And this is what it looks like right side up!</div>
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I love it! It has a diameter of about 18" and is about 12" tall. It is a fully upholstered piece of furniture (unlike cheaper, inferior versions, we were warned!) I will likely make another one - but it was rather expensive to make.</div>
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And these are the ones made by my class mates:</div>
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A lovely mix of different width pieces of fabric. The cover is made up of 8 sections, so with a bit of maths, and you can alter the width of the strips.</div>
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The one above reminds me of liquorice allsorts. It is interesting to see how fabulous the highly patterned fabric transformed into a rather sophisticated tuffet. Just three fabrics were used for this version.</div>
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This red, white and black version was also made with a jelly roll of Canadiana fabric. This time the fabric is batik and it is very striking.</div>
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The last one to show you is from a very soft palette of colours and the button in the middle has been embroidered with the makers initials. Gorgeous.</div>
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It really has been a great summer of sewing. I've made loads of small pouches and other odds and end for charity, as well as quite a lot of dressmaking. </div>
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I have a few garments to share - mostly variations on a theme as I am thoroughly entrenched in my Tina Givens/Lagenlook style, and she is advertising that she has a lot of new patterns for Autumn - so I am looking forward to that! I am also thinking of something similar to the <a href="http://www.kaliyana.com/eng/about/" target="_blank">Kaliyana Anti Suit,</a> oooh, so many plans!</div>
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Before I go, just a reminder that I am selling off one or two patterns on Etsy (cough, cough, about 400), so please help a fellow sewing buddy out and take a look and grab some bargains. Postage has been a bit of a nightmare to calculate - and I have credited a couple of orders where it actually worked out cheaper than my calculations (this has happened on a couple of orders of multiple patterns) - so feel free to contact me for a postage quote if it seems a bit expensive. Oh, and 20% off until the end of August with the code <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SDSC20.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's about it for me - how has your Summer been?</span></span></div>
twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-38292749463688974172016-07-29T21:32:00.000-06:002016-07-29T22:10:38.322-06:00Green Caterpillars and Bramble StripesWhen I was younger, cotton reels were wooden, and there were lots of crafts to use these. I remember one was collecting quite a few, painting them green, threading some elastic through the middle and turning them into a snake or a caterpillar.<br />
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Another was to make a 'knitting nancy' - remember these. What a slow way to make an iCord.<br />
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<a href="http://www.knittingparadise.com/t-332023-1.html" target="_blank">Source</a></div>
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Fast forward a few years, I am now an adult, but where are all those lovely wooden cotton reels for me to make into something else? Yep, replaced by cheap plastic ones. Argh. What is a girl to do? And then I saw a project (I'm really sorry, I can't remember where I saw this first), and this is what my empty plastic cotton reels look like now:<br />
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Pretty cute right? Little scraps of some of my favourite fabrics, wrapped round and glued down. They reside in glass jar in my sewing room looking very cheery. I made two or three and I was hooked, so I went through my hoard of threads, got rid of those last few yards that I would never use, and now I have quite a few. I thought it would be fun to use fabric in the same (or similar) of the thread that was on the reel. Just because!</div>
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So there you have it, not quite green caterpillars or 'knitting nancy's', but I rather like them! And, a few less items in the landfill!<br />
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Oh, and I'll just let you see some more socks that I have just finished. I love purples and greens, so this <a href="https://www.google.ca/search?q=patons+kroy+socks&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj36LzZn5rOAhUT2WMKHYY8DYcQsAQITg&biw=1366&bih=629" target="_blank">Patons Kroy </a>in Bramble Stripes is pretty much perfection! More details on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/twotoast/billy-basic-socks-53" target="_blank">Ravelry page</a>.<br />
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<br />twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-68381173529215182762016-07-19T17:18:00.000-06:002016-07-19T17:18:24.650-06:00Sewing Pattern Sale - Discount CodeOK, so I have a couple of sewing patterns hanging around, and it is about time to share the love! <br />
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Since I have fallen down the <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/twotoast/lagen-look/" target="_blank">LagenLook rabbit hole</a>, my tastes have changed (although there will always be some totally unsuitable patterns that will stay with me) and these patterns are are patiently waiting to be loved in a new home!<br />
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I have started <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/twotoast?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">listing them on Esty</a> - I am up to 100 so far (how many?) so do drop in and take a look. I am selling them for $4 (regular patterns, many OOP), - $10 ('fancy dan' Vogue OOP designer patterns) and postage at cost (although the UK comes in at $10). Loads of bargains to be had - postage will be combined :)<br />
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And to make a sweet deal even sweeter, if you enter the discount code SDSC20 . . . . you will get another 20% off. Woohoo! This runs until the end of August.<br />
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I live in a smoke free home/don't smoke so no 'nasty niffs' and the patterns I'm listing are all 'factory folded' although there is some minor wear and tear on the envelopes.<br />
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Come one, come all - I'll be listing them for the next few weeks, I'm sure!<br />
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You can get to my shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/twotoast?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">via this link</a>, or click on the 'Etsy Page' on the right of this post.<br />
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Anyhoo - can't stop, I've got some Vera Wang, Belville Sassoon, Anne Klein, Calvin Klein and DKNY to list!twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-55087163215596742222016-07-17T10:41:00.000-06:002016-07-17T10:41:21.324-06:00My Sewing Room - Sewing Classes - Class PassOne of my local sewing stores, <a href="http://www.mysewingroom.ca/" target="_blank">My Sewing Room</a>, is offering a 'pass' for sewing classes this summer. You buy a pass and then can attend as many 'class pass available' classes as you like during the summer. It looks to me as though pretty much all the classes are covered, and as after 2-3 classes the pass would pay for itself - I signed up. I have taken a few dressmaking classes in the past and learned a huge amount about fit etc., so thought this would be fun too. I am signed up for about 6 classes including four where I will make a quilt top, one making a <a href="http://www.mysewingroom.ca/classes/index.php?pageref=sub&subref=tuffets" target="_blank">'tuffet'</a>, and another making the <a href="http://www.creativequiltkits.com/spicy-spiral-bargello-table-runner-by-school-house-quilts.html" target="_blank">Spicy Spiral table topper</a> that I took last week.<br />
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This is a seriously clever pattern and has been a hit for many years. I have been trying to get hold of the pattern but it is only available in print and has been hard to track down. I managed to get the ruler that is needed, a 10 degree wedge ruler (actually, the pattern calls for a 9 degree wedge ruler, but the difference is not an issue) pretty cheaply for $20 at the <a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/2016/05/heritage-park-2016-festival-of-quilts.html" target="_blank">Heritage Quilt Show</a> in May and waited patiently until I could find the pattern. Then guess what - yep, it was one of the patterns offered by My Sewing Room. Woohoo! After rummaging through my stash I was able to use up 8 fat quarters in blue and yellow. To be fair, you do not use up all the fabric in the fat quarters, so more scraps to play with!<br />
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This is where I have got to so far - I 'just' need to quilt and bind it:<br />
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The wrinkly white fabric is the batting, I'll trim it up after quilting.<br />
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Doesn't this look super complicated? Actually it isn't. It really is very simple. All straight line sewing. The key is the wedge ruler and the cut pieces. If you get a chance to try this pattern out - I would highly recommend it.<br />
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Once it is done, I'll share some more photos. I think would be a great table topper in Christmas fabrics too. One lady in my sewing class was using batiks in rainbow fabrics, and another used <a href="http://www.clothworks.com/designers/index/profile/id/38/" target="_blank">Laurel Burch blues/purples</a>. I really don't think you can go wrong with this pattern!<br />
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Do you have any 'go to' patterns that are a lot easier than they look?twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-20099913148979362892016-07-13T13:36:00.000-06:002016-07-13T13:36:03.741-06:00Seriously, More Bags?Said my husband when I showed him my latest makes. In my head it makes perfect sense. First of all I bought some lovely yarn from <a href="http://www.caterpillargreenyarns.com/" target="_blank">Caterpillargreen Yarns</a>. I had already made a <a href="http://spottydogsocialclub.blogspot.ca/2016/03/caterpillar-green-phi-socks.html" target="_blank">pair of socks</a> from their yarn previously and I could hear some more skeins calling my name!<br />
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This yarn is seriously gorgeous. The yarn is dyed in stripes (and having dyed yarn myself I know how labour intensive it is to dye stripes). It is not cheap, but it is lovely!<br />
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This yarn is has grey stripes with one bright pink stripe.<br />
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It looks very nice 'caked'. I had started a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/twotoast/noel" target="_blank">Noel scarf,</a> it is an asymmetrical triangle with garter stitch stripes interspersed with lace stripes. The knitted stripes can tie in with the dyed stripes for more impact and when I get to the pink - that will be in lace. I may also have one of the grey stripes in lace as well. I think that will really reinforce the quirky shape.<br />
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But I have a problem. I can't put grey and pink yarn in a blue or a red or a green knitting bag . . . . so I made a grey and pink one!! It is based on the <a href="http://noodle-head.com/2012/06/open-wide-zippered-pouch-diy-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Noodehead Wide Mouth Pouch</a>.<br />
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Phew, that feels <i>much</i> better! The fabric is quilting cotton that I have had had for years. I think the pink is from Wal Mart/Fabricland and the grey was leftovers from a wall hanging I made about 10 years ago. The lining was a fat quarter I picked up on my <a href="http://ozbound2013.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">trip to Australia</a> in 2013. I liked the aboriginal print, but was put straight by the shopkeeper who advised that the other fat quarters I had purchased were aboriginal prints, but this one was a 'white man's' version. Oh well, I still like it and it contrasts really well with the pink and grey so it all worked out!<br />
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But that is not all. Once you start making these pouches, all sorts of fabric combinations jump out at you and beg to be made. Like this lovely fresh, green version:<br />
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And a very cute one made from glorious <a href="http://www.tulapink.com/" target="_blank">Tula Pink fabric</a>.<br />
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And talking of Tula Pink, here is a <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/accordion-coin-wallet/209250" target="_blank">lovely little coin purse</a> from the same fabric:<br />
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So yes. Seriously more bags!twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-43964564797894437182016-07-09T21:39:00.001-06:002016-07-09T21:39:25.007-06:00More TG Love!I have been on a bit of a <a href="http://www.sewtinagivens.com/#!sewing-patterns/c1se" target="_blank">Tina Givens</a> splurge recently - no surprise, right?! And have some <a href="http://www.sewtinagivens.com/#!violet-tg-a7058/c1f8m" target="_blank">Violets </a>and <a href="http://www.sewtinagivens.com/#!holly-tg-a7072/c8mj" target="_blank">Holly Pants</a> to share with you.<br />
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Firstly, I was really taken with this tunic from the <a href="http://www.tinagivens.com/#!clothing/cakb" target="_blank">TG Couture website</a>:<br />
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I thought that it looked quite similar to the Violet, and as I have some similar coloured linen mix fabric, I made one up!<br />
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Mine is certainly different - I really can't get on board with the un-ironed look. I really wish I could, maybe one day!<br />
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Some of the contrast linen and some printed cotton makes for a fun patch on the back!<br />
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I added a couple of ruffled strips to the back to breakup the expanse of fabric, as well as the fun patch on the back.<br />
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I've also made about three pairs of TG jeans, this time using the <a href="http://www.sewtinagivens.com/#!oprah-tg-a7073/cb7r" target="_blank">Oprah</a> pattern, which is very similar to the Holly. And I cut out the wrong size (the pants are cropped and they would have been a bit snug around my calves) etc, etc, no spare fabric. Argh! I had just enough leftover to cut a couple of 2" strips so I decided to make them into 'Holly's'! As the strip was not long enough to run the full length of the pants, I pieced them together and highlighted the error with contrasting thread!<br />
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I do like my 'butt labels'!!<br />
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The legs finish just above ankle height and look great rolled up. I serged the inside seams so the thread can be seen. It's not really noticeable except for when you take a close-up!!<br />
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The fabric is a really lightweight denim, 97% cotton, 3% spandex and drapes nicely. They have a dropped crotch - not too pronounced and are really comfy to wear! The pockets are large patch pockets sewn on top of the fronts and caught in the side seams. I lined them with 100% cotton fabric for strength and stability and they are rather lovely!<br />
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I do have some more goodies to share and make notes on - I just don't want to overload the photos. I also noticed (or perhaps it just appears more obvious) that I have steadily been putting on weight. Sigh. I know that these designs are not conducive to 'flattering/slimming' and I really don't mind that at all. What I don't like is my chubby face and arms so I will need to work on that . . . . .<br />
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How is your summer sewing coming along?twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1964455364460450296.post-7982553953383425912016-05-29T22:32:00.001-06:002016-05-29T22:32:17.101-06:00Heritage Park 2016 Festival of QuiltsThe weather was gorgeous this weekend so I took myself off to the <a href="https://www.heritagepark.ca/plan-your-visit/event-calendar/21st-annual-festival-of-quilts.html" target="_blank">Festival of Quilts</a> at Heritage Park today. There were over 600 quilts displayed around the park, some in huge tents, some hanging from the balconies of the historic hotel, and some draped over fences. It really was spectacular - and such a great variety.<br />
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Here are a few that particularly enjoyed:<br />
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Thi reminds me of silver birch tree trunks. A great way to use up scraps.<br />
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This was my father's favourite. It is called 'Whirling Dervishes' and is paper pieced. It is only now, looking at the photo, that I can see how detailed this is - there is even some shading in the clothes!<br />
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It looks as though this has been made from a couple of charm packs, and a couple of packs may have fallen into my bag in the vendors tent!! I love rainbow patterns . . . . . .<br />
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The bargello quilt above is made from just two fabrics, with the main one being gradient dyed.<br />
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The quilt above and below is made up of tiny houses about 3" square. In some of the windows there are little faces peeking out. Very cute!<br />
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The teeny tiny square on the quilt above are about .75". At first they looked to be random squares, but you can see a rather subtle pattern. Such detailed and time consuming work.<br />
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The pixilated quilt above reminds me of <a href="http://www.vangoghgallery.com/painting/starry-night.html" target="_blank">'Starry Night'</a>. Again, lovely colours.<br />
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I love houses on quilts. Just saying!!<br />
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Very calming colours - blues and greens.<br />
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Stunning. Just stunning! I didn't get close to the lions head, but from a slight distance it looked stunning.<br />
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And finally, hearts. This was actually on display next to one of the vendor tills and each square is made of three layers - either a base layer with two hearts on or a base layer with two windows. I think this would work really well as labels on my clothes.<br />
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Well, lots of ideas and thoughts. Some that would relate to dressmaking, some to quilting - I tend to err on the side of smaller table runners or wall hangings, or maybe a mug rug or two. Can't wait to start!<br />
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And as a last note - but certainly not an afterthought, I was approached by a lovely lady who recognised me from my blog. I am sorry to say that I was so blown away that I did not ask her name, but thank-you lovely lady, you made me feel all warm and fuzzy!<br />
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What inspiration has caught your eye recently? twotoasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432778966553987105noreply@blogger.com1