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 

Apron

One of the really wonderful things about sewing is the ability to whip something up from your stash when the need arises.  

Little person was taking a lot more interest in what BM was doing when he was making dinner.  And we wanted to be able to get her more involved.  

So I quickly made up a fully lined mini apron.  I didn't use a pattern and just eyeballed the size against her.  

The lined fabric was one of my very first sewing purchases.  I ended up buying a LOT of quilting cotton accidentially when I started sewing as I didn't really understand how the weights and fabric content would suit (or not) my intended garments (please say this wasn't just me?).

The blue spot and the button were a gift from a friend and my sister in law respectively.  I was a little too keen to finish the make and got the snap press out and used it before I thought about placement - but more is more, right?  What are your quick sewing makes?

Sending a personal touch

My card making has taken a significant nose dive in terms of productivity since my little person was born.  At the moment, my crafting and sewing supplies and tools are spread out between two rooms - little person's future bedroom and the guest room.  Both are doing serious double duty at the moment.

My card makes have been limited to making for specific occasions/events.  Its a nice change of pace not to have to worry about the finished cards over taking the card box but the box is getting quite low.  I normally send 20 or so to my aunt and mother for their birthday and Christmas as an extra handmade present.  I'm pretty sure I don't even have that in total at the moment.

One of my most fun makes was turning little person's art work into cards for family.

I really enjoy cataloging my card makes and I'm a little bit of a hoarder when it comes to 'fancy' paper and have a tendency to recycle.  The card below contains a postcard my mother coloured and sent to me.  I sent it to a colleague who's going through a rough time at the moment and I love the idea of the care sent on to someone who needs it.

The maps below were tester pieces for our wedding invitations.  They're watercolour maps of Wellington made using Stamen.  I really love their work.