Category: crafting

  • sideways flowers

    skirt in progress

    I cut this simple gathered skirt the other day, out of some cotton fabric I picked up at the Textile Museum sale in the spring. I’m not attached to the fabric at all, and it was quite inexpensive, so it was perfect for a random trial run! I want to perfect an everyday skirt pattern for myself so I can knock out some clothes for the spring and summer.

    I did the side seams on the serger, and just hand-basted the elastic casing to see how it would feel. Not bad! There are quite a few things I’d like to try out on skirts – cutting out a separate waistband, using elastic thread for a smocked waist, adding pockets and a lining. There’s always more crafting to do!

    skirt in progress

    The bottom of my skirt pattern piece was a little too big to cut the skirt straight, so I cut it on the cross grain – except of course, I didn’t notice that the little flower pattern actually does have a direction. Oops. Oh well! It’s a pretty light fabric so I might need to add either another layer of cotton or a lining fabric before I’d actually wear it. So…it’ll probably sit in one of my many workbaskets for awhile, while I think on it.

    buttons!

    I was at the workroom yesterday, ogled some gorgeous silk/linen fabric (one day) and came away with a big pile of pretty vintage buttons. I really need to figure out some kind of display/storage solution for buttons, because a ziploc bag just isn’t very appealing.

    snow, snow

    Stay safe and warm, wherever you are!

  • Weekend Snapshots

    mmm pie

    Blueberry pie with star top crust. So good!

    off the needles

    I finished my plain chunky cardigan (my own pattern, Quince & Co Osprey). I still haven’t been able to knit much due to wrist pain, which is driving me nuts! I finished the second sleeve of this one very slowly. The ends are woven in and it just needs a good bath. I think I’ll add a zipper and maybe some embellishment – a cross stitch design? Wool felt elbow patches? Hmmm.

    spinning

    I did manage some spinning though! I’ve been working on this red merino for so long, but I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel – that little bag is all that’s left.

  • every day I’m stitchin’

    The package came a little while after Christmas, but Dale got me the materials for the Superhero Sampler! I used to cross stitch some when I was a kid, and I did the Winterwoods Sampler a couple years ago, but this will be my biggest cross stitch project ever! (Apparently I never took a photo of the finished Winterwoods sampler, which is still hanging around without a frame. I should get on that.)

    Dale gave me all the materials for the Superhero Sampler!

    I don’t have a lot of embroidery supplies anymore, so I improvised. One evening’s work was cutting up tissue boxes to make bobbins, and winding off all the floss.

    floss box

    Then I could get started. I finally learned the loop start, rather than using a knot.

    beginnings

    I started from the center, so my first completed letter is M.

    M

    Super fun! It’s going to take awhile, but it’s a lovely change of pace.