Sew a Little Seam Brynn Sweater

Another warm make for LP, this time a free PDF sweater pattern from Sew a Little Seam.



Its made with leftover fabrics from stash.  The main fabric is a merino nylon from Levana - such a pity they aren't still making this locally.  They've recently outsourced their fabric production.



My trusty three step zigzag providing the hemming.



And a personalised iron on label.

Pattern: Brynn sweater - free Pattern from Sew a Little Seam 
Size: 12-18m. I used a free 12-18m version and the pattern ran true to size.  I've subsequently downloaded the full version (which requires registration but is also free) and will definitely think abot making it again in future.
Fabric: Merino nylon from Levana and ponte for neckline - both from stash.  I have a matching Muse Jenna merino cardi and the ponte is from my Paprika Jade skirt.
Amendments: I doubled the pattern by making two complete bodies and sleeve sets and then joining at the hem and sleeves.  I didn't quite get it to work completely as I joined the neckband to both the layers at the same time.  I also added the Ali Express name tags but didn't think of it until after I had added the neckline so hand stitched it in and ironed it down.

Misusu child sweater

A few months ago my little person was lacking jumpers and cardis. I bought the Misusu children’s crew sweater pattern and sewed it up using random fabrics I had on hand.

I love how it turned out and the pattern was a fun and relatively quick make.

The pattern has some fun details like the back neck facing (is it called a facing when it’s not for finishing openings?) and the snap button closures.



I even sent off for larger (and colour matched) kam snaps to finish it off. The snaps are going through quite a few layers here as they also catch the seams. 

Mostly sewn up on my serger but the sewing machine came in handy for some nice details (facing and sleeves using a three step zigzag).

I busted out my new name tags for the second time. They're from Ali Express (L&L - handmade store).  I got LP's name with a selection of dinosaurs as iron on tags.  I was able to choose the name and font.





I twin needled the top of the pockets but mostly tried to stick to the serger as much as possible.



Delighted I've both reduced my stash of harder to use fabrics *and* made a cute and useful make for LP.


Pattern: Misusu Children's crew sweater
Size: 12-18m
Fabric: Two fabric a brac french terry knits and one drapey knit from stash (instead of a rib as I didn't have one)
Notes: I amended the sleeves to make them two tone as I wanted to use up the last of the green knit.
Improvements for next time: Not completely happy with the placement of the snaps and I needed to place it closer to the neckline.  But works well so not especially bothered!

Pocket square

A (supposedly) quick make.  A cotton voile pocket square/handkerchief.  I busted out my rolled hem foot to *quickly* make a pocket square for BM.  Hours later after detangling my machine, I finally had it hemmed.  I think I might have been quicker hand sewing it.  Ah well...  Its all skill building, right?

Cloud quilt

I don't think of myself as a quilter but looking back over my makes and thinking about this quilt in particular, I may need to update my sewing self image.  I started this quilt in my very early days of sewing - the exuberant fabric buying stage.  In my case, that meant looking in thrift (second hand) stores to see what sheets I could repurpose into something I could sew.



Of the four fabric toppers in the quilt, two are up-cycled sheets I bought second hand (dark blue and blue flowers) and two are fabrics from my stash (again with the early and over enthusiastic purchases - black dots and pink umbrellas).  I had the squares precut for years (oophs!).  I'd like to think that I am less likely to over buy now or to buy inappropriate fabrics for the makes I want to sew - but my recent fabric a brac spending spree put paid to that idea (but snuggly flannel!!!). 



I backed the quilt with a very snuggly red and pink fleece I bought for quilts.  But really I would have been better to wait until I had a quilt top ready to go!  Its been in my stash for quite a while as a result but my little person can attest to the snuggly-ness as she enjoyed running off with it on more than one occasion!

I bound it with most of the remaining dots and machine quilted the squares.  I had originally intended to quilt the clouds on the fleece backing into the top as well but I didn't get shapes I was happy with on my first two so I unpicked and stuck with my tried and tested square method of every second square.



I'm rather pleased with the finished product and have gifted it already.  In terms of future improvements, I did ok sewing the squares together but my quilting and binding need a bit of work.  I end up with some bunches of fabric between the quilted squares and my binding suffers at the corners!  But fabric rehoused out of my home is win and the finished product is definitely usable.

Baby blanket

I’m officially an auntie again so I can share these photos without giving the game way! I hope as thrilled to be asked to make a blanket for my new nieces or nephews (my sister in law was having twins) a few months ago. I bought the yarn in Ireland when I was back visiting earlier this year and started as soon as I decided on the pattern. 

It’s the new(er) ripple pattern - woodland ripple - by Lucy of Attic 24. She’s such an inspirational crochet designer. The pattern looks amazing stitched up but I didn’t find as relaxing to crochet as her neat ripple pattern. This is worked in a set of two rows using singles and then a holey double row. She also suggests working on the back loop for added texture but I didn’t see the need for a child’s blanket, especially as it may weaken it. 

A bit larger than expected as I went off the number of repeats I used before for the neat ripple. But this has a longer repeat (obvious in hindsight!). 

I sent it off with a few other presents and makes to my mother to pass along at the right time and my new niece and nephew were born late last month. I’m gutted I won’t get to meet them until the end of next year at the earliest. But at least they’ll be wrapped up my crocheted blankets. 

And don’t worry the other baby also got a crochet blanket too. One I’d made earlier. Rather pleased as the ripples of this blanket match the ripples of the blanket I made for their older sister and the yarn in the other blanket is the same yarn I used for the original one too. 

Yarn: Debbie Bliss cashmerino

This isn't yarn I'd bother buying again. It was expensive but also has 33% acrylic (not mentioned in the 'title'). New Zealand is spoiled for much nicer options but the yarn shop in my home town in Ireland was primarily acrylic - and a rather large shop too.

Pattern: Woodland Ripple by Lucy of Attic 24

Hook size: 5mm

Finished size: 30 x 34 inches

(I made 9 repeats with the added extras required by the pattern)

Twig and tale fox vest

Its not often that I still love my makes when they're in heavy rotation - they often just fade into just clothes or things that I need to use.  This little beauty is a wonderful exception.  Its the twig and tale animal vest and in particular the fox version. 



I made up size two for my little person so she has time to grow into it and its already gotten a tonne of wear since I finished it (ages ago - oophs!). 



The outer fabric is a vintage wool from my grand mother's stash.  I've subsequently found out it was from the Ardfinnan woolen mills in Ireland.  The woolen mills was a leader in Irish fabric and my grand uncle worked there - he used to bring home remnants for my grandmother.  The factory itself closed before I was born.  I'm actually rather pleased I didn't know the provenance of the fabric before I joyfully cut into it.



Its lined with purple/lilac quilting cotton from my stash.



I spent a bit of time lining up the pockets - but then annoying used the back of the fabric by mistake (aghhh!) - it adds a human element, right? ;)



The closure is a standard duffel toggle from spotlight.  The first time I used one of these and I was going to put in loops and a button but liked the look of this better.  Easy to apply but it would have been better to do so before I sewed on the lining.



Look at that pattern matching! Vest to tail!  Thank you Maryanne (of Made Marion) for your tutelage in that area. (Helpful hint - if you get a chance to do her sewing techniques course at Made Marion - do!)



The ears are so cute!



The tail is a bit long and is the same size for all the child vests could have been shortened.  But works better now that LP's a little taller.  Its finished in a wool felt from Made Marion.



I added the flutter sleeves too - and am rather pleased I did.  I often tend for more pared down choices but think it looks good on.

The instructions were easy to follow and I'm still in love with the results.  So glad I made this and I'll be so sorry to see it go when she grows out of it - thankfully I have a niece who should be hitting that age when my LP has out grown it.

Pattern: wig and tale animal vest with fox option and flutter sleeves in size 2.
Fabric: vintage wool from the Ardfinnan woolen mills in Ireland and quilting cotton from stash (possibly Arthur Toyes but don't hold me to it!)
Notions: Wool felt for tail from Made Marion and toggle closure from Spotlight
Notes: as its a vest rather than a coast with sleeves that will/won't fit, it should last a bit longer.  And fitting is fairly true to size.  LP's gotten about 6 months out of it already.

Little bag lady

A quick but satisfying make for my little person. She’s been very interested in bags and loves to carry them when we go shopping. They’re a little oversized so I quickly cut out and made one more suited to her size. Added a flower button as “flowers” are another current favourite.

Fabric: Cotton quilting from stash (fairly old stash too) 

Notions: button from stash

Pattern: self drafted