Collared Sleeveless GBSB blouse

So I have a new make to show! After making the pussy bow blouse from the GBSB book fashion with fabric I immediately decided to make the hacked collared version. So I quickly added lightweight drapey material to my shopping list ready and waiting for when I actually go fabric shopping.

Then something wonderful happened, A lovely lady who reads my blog got in touch and asked if I'd like some of her patterns as she was having a clear out? Obviously I said yes! Then the same lovely lady sent me some fabric that she wasn't going to use...... all I can say is WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!!! I'm officially adopting her.

So there was three different fabrics in the parcel [shout out to her husband who was lovely enough to take them to the post office] but the one that immediately caught my eye was a drapey, spotty, soft fabric thing..... I'm not sure what the technical term is?

Okay so I'm wearing it open [Its styled buttoned up in the book], I have this weird thing where I like my neck and chest to be free, its weird I don't know why, but I do. I also have boobs [they used to be bigger] so I still tend to dress for my old bigger boob that couldn't really be contained. Now they are more manageable but I still fell the need to flaunt some cleavage.

Sewing wise its a pretty easy make you just have to pay close attention to cutting and pinning your pattern pieces, no seriously this is the type of fabric that moves faster than Severus Snape confronted with a bar of soap.

I'm really going for the tucked in style at the moment I seem to be tucking everything in, not sure why? Maybe its because its getting colder and my mum always tucked me in when it was cold so I wouldn't get a cold tummy?

I really should have ironed this at some point but I was so terrified so burning a massive hole in my work that I decided not to, I think air drying it on a hanger might help with some of the wrinkles.

All in all I really love it, I think its flattering and I like the collar, although I might attach it differently if I make it again.

The only variations I really make was marking my own buttonholes [I used the sweetest tiny mother of pearl buttons on this] and backing my collar in a lightweight cotton. I did this for two reasons , one I ran out of the spotty stuff and substitutions had to be made and secondly because I had a brainwave, you see with a cotton on the underside of the collar I can safely iron it! Without the heat having to touch the spotty fabric! GENIUS!

Not quite sure what happened with this picture? But I like it because I look creepy and stuff.

I've shown it buttoned up/down and tucked and untucked, I'm not 100% on which style I prefer to be honest.

Wow I look grumpy and tired in these pictures. Lil knitwit is still being delightfully stubborn and naughty which is tiring to say the least, there's nothing quite like getting up at seven in the morning to wake up a child, who then screams at you, because you put his sock on wrong. because I love getting up early, and walking in the cold so you can sing humpty dumpty at nursery........ alternatively maybe I should just learn the art of properly applying socks to feet.

I'm also grouchy because it became apparent that we have something else living in our shed apart from our bunny rabbit "Ronnie". I've had my suspicions but I put the scuttled noises down to things falling over or the wind. The bag of rabbit food nibbled open and the un rabbit shaped poop on the floor was slightly harder to avoid. So I spent yesterday cleaning out the shed, putting all food into sealed tins and putting down rat poison. Yes I think its a rat, they are pretty hefty poops to be a mouse. I suppose it could be a squirrel? God I hope its a squirrel, I hate rats.

Anyway our rodent suspicions were confirmed today when we saw next doors cat sat staring at our shed. all I can say is "faster kitty cat, kill, kill kill!".

I'm calling this picture "was that a rat?"

Much Love

Frankie

x

It's like Christmas but more velvety

I recently came into possession of some velvet. A roll of velvet to be precise. Yes a roll like they have in fabric shops. It was given to me by one of my mums belly dance friends. All of whom are very lovely and always on the lookout for bits and pieces I might find useful. 

But what on earth can I do with it all? How will I store it? How will I know how much there is? 

My first instinct for storing it was to cut it into manageable lengths and fold it away, however my nanny who's visiting said this might cause the velvet to get gold lines and crease and ruin it. So instead I've tucked it behind the sofa with my projector screen. 

With regard to how much there is, I have no idea, I know how to work out the circumference of a circle but not of a spiral? I'm not sure they covered that in gcse maths. Or if they did I wasn't listening! Which means I'll have to play it fast and loose! I'll have to enjoy the velvet whilst I can and be satisfied that I've enjoyed myself when the end comes. Sort of like eating chocolate blindfolded.

But know what to make? How much velvet can one person cram into their wardrobe? Well if your me and love velvet! LOTS! 

So naturally I've started a velvet Pinterest board! Here's a few of my favourite things: 

Okay so it's ambitious, and I've got no idea how to work the whole buses thing. But I've wanted a velvet corset since my sister came home with one over ten years ago. (My sister possibly loves velvet more than me) I adored that corset, in fact it's just one in a long list of things I wanted to steal from my sisters wardrobe  over the years, now I'm not sure I could do something this complicated but I think the gbsb fashion with fabric pattern might serve as a good starting point for corset based projects. 

A velvet suit, mick jagger was my inspiration for this, however I think I might go for a straighter trouser rather than a flare. I used to love flares when I was about 9/10 in fact I had a pair of huge flares and I'm still not sure how I didn't fall over in them. So I think I've had my fill of flares, plus I think a straighter leg will stop it from looking outdated.

Ive looked into ways to alter the velvet so I don't get bored , I'm tempted to try bleaching (on a scrap first) and see if I can create a galaxy style dress, complete with little bead "stars" and I'm definitely going to try embossing, apparently you need something you can heat like a rubber stamp or a metal stamp. My only stamp is an owl so I've been on the lookout for interesting metal objects that might be usable, so far I'm found a potato masher......... 

I think this might be the project I start with. The clemence pattern from Tilly and the buttons looks like a good fit for this and I think it will be nice and snuggly for winter. 

Velvet minidress (minus sparkles) I'm pretty sure I wore a dress similar to this for the millennium, it was from Tammy girl , in fact all my "party clothes" were! I loved Tammy girl! I wonder if it's still going? Anyway the other reason I love it is because I'm pretty sure buffy the vampire slayer had a velvet minidress and she's been my idol for years! She's just so 90's ! Anyway I'm going to use the gbsb book 2's shift dress pattern. I just made a summer version so I know it fits and a more winter appropriate version would be cool. 

And that's all my ideas for now! 

What would you make with a bolt of velvet? 

Much love

Frankie

Xxx

Miette cardigan update - part one

I thought I'd document my progress on my miette cardigan! So without further ado here's part one!

So I started off by casting on no less than 8 times, I'm not even joking I really struggled with some of the instructions! As it goes ssk does not mean slip stitch, slip stitch, knit stitch. It actually mean slip stitch, slip stitch, knit the two slipped stitches together, It took me far to long to realise my error, about 4 cast ons I'd say? Then there was the wonderful incident where I decided I don't need stitch markers so took them out, only to realise I do actually need stitch markers so had to start again!

Incidentally I don't actually own stitch markers so I've been using paper clips, bright pink paperclips to be precise.

One pound from Tesco can't say fairer than that can you! And they are working just as well as regular stitch markers, well I assume they are.

But anyway I'm plodding on nicely, I don't knit really fast so the aran wool is making it seem like Ive done more than I have.

Ive just finished the dreaded row 25 which I had to Google, but as soon as a realised that I was making the front bit more sticky out it made sense. I'm getting along quite nicely with the lace pattern but I'm making sure to re read each line so I don't make any silly mistakes.

I'm also coping surprisingly well with the needles, even if they do look a bit like nun chucks [everyone knows grannies are assassins really]. I think for my next project I'm going to try knitting in the round, she says even through shes not finished the cardigan yet!

Speaking of which I'm trying not to start any new projects until this is done, I'm desperately trying to stay focused!!! So these are the only items in my knitting bag at the moment, my wool, my needles, a tub of paper clips, a jingle jester pencil [technically little knitwits] and a piece of card that I'm marking my rows off on.

whats in your knitting bag?

Much Love

Frankie

xxx

Very Grown Up Dress

I don't usually make dresses like this, Its a pretty grown up style and whilst i don't mind dressing like a grownup i always tend to find grownup outfits are a little less than comfortable.

However needs must and Ive decided to start dressing a lil bit better to help me feel more chirpy. Its not that I'm miserable don't get me wrong, but Ive found that i seem to spend less time on looking good now I'm a momma, so i though i might start trying to look better again in the hopes it makes me feel a bit more like a human and less like a cleaning, feeding , poop mopping up machine. 

So the pattern for this dress is from the second gbsb book. Its a princess seamed shift dress with a darted skirt and arm and neck hole facings. I loved the facings they give a really lovely finish to the dress without bulking out the seams too much.

Generally i think the shape is pretty flattering, and i like the style of dress with the abstract print. This fabric was given to me by a friend and is a very heavy curtain weight, Its probably too heavy for this dress but i like how it turned out and i thought the print was kinda cool with the big flowers. I'm not sure how much wear ill get out of it becuase3 the fabric is so thick, so i might just chalk it up as a wearable toile.

The colour means its more of a summer dress, in fact i could see me wearing this on a safari! We've been looking at different honeymoon destinations for next year and Mr knitwit thinks its highly amusing that I'm already planing what ill wear. 

zip wise i changed it up a bit, i basted my back seam together with a long stitch and then sewed in my zip using a smaller stitch and then stitched the remainder of the seam. It kind of makes a closed double lap zip.

I did wonder if the placement of this flower was a bit awkward but i really couldn't do anything else with the amount of fabric i had.

I'm still shocked at how well this fits, Although i do think i might have used the wrong seam allowance sewing it up. I'm not sure why but i think it might be because of the pretty evil cold i was rocking.

The only thing i hate is the hem i hand stitched it and the fact you can see it is a bit annoying hopefully it might change after its had a good wash and a press.

I think I'm going to make a winter version of this next using another thicker material but in a darker colour.

I'm hoping these pictures turned out okay, its my first time using my wireless remote for my camera. I realise my face and hair are a mess but i was sleepy and as i said i have a cold. Not even a stay in bed kind of cold though just the annoying I'm gonna make every day feel like a climb up mount Everest type.

Much Love

Frankie

xxx

Machine pieced triangles

I had a little bit of birthday money left so i took a risk and brought a pack of pre cut squares from amazon, it was one Pound for the squares and another Pound for delivery. For 50 four inch squares i didn't think it was too bad. Initially i brought them with the intention of using them for my hexy quilt however when they arrived i was that pleasantly surprised that i decided they needed a project of their very own! So i cut another 50 squares from a plain cream cotton and got cracking. [I cant seem to link to the seller on amazon but they are called Raylinedo]

I'm not sure where i first saw the technique i used to piece triangles but basically i put a plain square and a patterned square together draw a line diagonally from one corner and stitch a line either side, then i cut up the line Ive drawn and iron.

Not a hugely detailed description but it works really well and I'm guessing its faster than piecing actual triangles.

anyway i love how it looks even it it was an absolute pain making sure that all the triangles were going the right way!!! I'm slowly adding some sashing around the outside to make it a bit bigger. the rose fabric is from my cupboard and i had just enough for this but I'm debating my next fabric move.

All in all i think its pretty, especially seen as the main quilt part only cost me two pounds! I'm especially pleased with my points on the triangles.

I'm not sure when I'm going to get around to quilting it, first ill have to find something to back it with and some wadding and then all that's left is the binding!!

In other news, the boys are slowly getting better, and we are finally getting back to normal after all of the excitement. Ive got some clothes to sew up this evening and then hopefully i can get around to photographing them all soon! Ive also got some more treats to pick up from my mums regarding sewing!

Much Love

Frankie

xxx

Miette Cardigan

I'm going to take the plunge and knit myself a cardigan. No im being serious ive got wool and needles and everything!

Im going to make the miette cardigan by andi Sutterlund Mainly becuase a lot of bloggers have made it, so it seems quite popular, its meant to be fairly easy and its super cute!!!

I did have to get needles and wool though so i used my hobbycraft voucher!

One massive ball of wool! and two scary sets of needles!

Staring with the needles, I didnt have any of these so obviously i had to invest! hopefully ill be able to knit this competently so then i can progress to some of her more complicated patterns, which i think also use this type of needle!

The wool is a womens institute aran thats exclusive to hobbycraft, I was meant to buy the grey [becuase grey goes with everything] but this purple slipped into my basket! and im glad it did! sometimes you just have to take the plunge and inject some colour into your life! theres 1000m in a ball so it should be more than enough! i just hope i dont screw up too badly. althought at 10 pound a ball i didnt think it was too expensive, i mean its not cheap but its a nice wool.

pattern wise its a top down pattern, im still not 100% what that means but i have nanny on standby for any queries!

right im off to cast on before i bottle it!

much love

frankie

x

Catch up time

So i think i can officially say that September has been a hectic month!

so I'll start from the beginning, we had my birthday which was lovely and i was a lucky girl and was given two hobby craft vouchers, i brought several things including a new pair of fabric scissors and some thread as well as this little beauty.

Ive never tried needle felting so I'm looking forward to giving it a go and seeing how i enjoy it. I especially like that there are three of them , like my little family. and at only £3 its an absolute bargain!

Ive also received some gifts from someone who reads my blog and we've become rather good pen pals! Its nice to have someone to talk to about sewing and knitting. She has been kind enough to send some patterns some of which will be making an appearance very soon, a seam allowance tool which i think will come in very handy for pattern drafting and some fabric. One piece has already been cut and is waiting to be sewn and another i know exactly what i want to do with it!

I also photographed my first wedding last weekend, It was a lot fun even if it was a lot of pressure!!! I'm happy with a lot of the pictures Ive got and i did a better job than i thought i would! sadly theres not many pictures of me due to my photographer responsibilities but here's a blurry on of me and Mr knitwit stood together whilst i took pictures!

and the bride and groom gave me these beautiful flowers as a thank you! It was completely unexpected in fact i didn't even have any shoes on when i went to get them!

You can see a few of the photos once they have been approved by the bride! Hopefully she likes them as much as i do. Even if it was a really long day, we got up at seven, little knitwit threw up in the car on the way down (luckily he wasn't in his suit) I had to clear of the car using a combination of wet wipes and an old asda carrier bag that's been in the car since Christmas whilst trying to avoid getting any puke on myself (i was already dressed for the wedding) then i had a whole day of photography ahead of me! I definitely didn't need to be dealing with sick in the morning that's for sure!

But it was all worth it! i felt very privileged to watch the bride get ready on her special day and it was an honour to e trusted with such a huge responsibility.

In other news!!! I have a tutorial up on the craft cotton website!!! Its my first proper tutorial so pop over and have a peruse of their gorgeous fabrics and give it a whirl!!!



I'm very proud of myself and it feels like this is a step in the right direction for what id like to be doing with my future!!!

And theres two more tutorials to go!!! so keep your eyes peeled!

much love

Frankie

x