2013 Recap

Well I hope you have all had a good Christmas, and now we are fast approaching the New Year.  When I look back over the year at my blog ,  Ive had some creative hits and misses.  its interesting to see what has become part of my everyday wardrobe and whats got buried to the bottom of my drawers. So here is recap at what has worked and what didnt for 2013

FIRST - THE MISSES

MAY Still havent altered this dress yet.  Feel like a granny in this one.

MARCH   I  wear this dress on hot days, when Im pottering around, not for anywhere special.  Its so cool being 100% cotton.  I wouldn't  make this  pattern again though, the little cardi has hardly been worn also.

Its funny, I love white especially in the summer and when I started making this top I was convinced I would get loads of wear from it, but I have only worn this blouse once. Its not that I dont like its just the cotton  is quite firm, (it was a sheet I used)  its hard to wear anything over it.  I think the answer is to shorten the sleeves, to make it more wearable.

Now  my SUCCESSES

  Such an intricate pattern but Ive had such a lot of wear from this dress, will make this again.

JULY   Quilt for my daughter she loves this and its getting lots of use, which makes it all worthwhile

AUGUST I love this skirt, fabric does all the work so just a simple straight skirt pattern.  Cant wait to wear it again.

SEPTEMBER  These tops are so easy to wear and go with such a lot of things in my wardrobe

DECEMBER Christmas socks.  The Family love them (wish I could knit quicker, started making them in May)

TOTAL MAKES 17 items

3 pairs of hand knitted socks
1 bag and 1 Bag liner
1 hat
1 pair of men's trousers
2 tops
1 blouse
3 skirts
3 dresses
1 patchwork quilt. 
And one wadder that I wont mention.

Ive double checked, but I could have sworn Ive made more, but I havent. I was incapacitated after my spell in hospital, but that was only a short while.  Looking at the list, I would like to make  more in 2014.

Im pleased to say I like and wear most of the things Ive made, which is alot better than making loads of things and only wearing a few.   How about you, have you had a good creative year?

Rethinking about patterns

Ive been doing alot of thinking about patterns of late especially with the change of seasons.  Im slowly coming to the conclusion that there isnt much choice out there in new patterns. 
Dont get me wrong there are few fantastic patterns that I have my eye on.  Just waiting for the offers to come up here in the UK.  For example some of the Vogue designer patterns are very clever, I always seem to be drawn to the ones that look like they would be tricky to sew.  Something different and challenging.

Vogue 3161

        

Vogue 1362

Vogue 1360 very similar to a pattern I made.  tricky but rewarding.

 But when you get looking at the other pattern they are very deja vu  The photos are good, here is a good example.  This shirt looks intricate but its all in the fabric choice.  Take another look at the illustration.  You will see that it its just a simple straight shirt pattern. Now surely we all have one of those in our patterns.

Here we have a basic long sleeved top that is made from 2 pieces of fabrics that makes it appear different.

A  jacket  cut across the waist, puts a different twist on this style

I look at the illustrations and think "Well thats like this pattern I already have but with........"  With a little skill and imagination we do not have to buy lots of patterns but just think different. Unless of course you like doing that.

Here in the UK patterns are not cheap especially  the Vogue, which are  ridiculously expensive, but for me its not just about saving a few £££ its more about being creative.

The Gatsby girls

A  little while age I showed you something I was working on.   Well let me  present a collection of badges.   Ive called them the The Gatsby Girls.  

They are proving very popular with my friends.  Ive sold two already.  I hope you like them.  I loved that era very classy.  My father was a teenager during the 20s'.  I can remember pics of him and his older sisters in these fabulous outfits, always with  hat and gloves.  

 

Rose

Elsie

Doris (Sold)

As  always your feedback is appreciated

Alice (reserved)

The baby Owl

 Well readers a new laptop.  Super sensitive  driving me slightly mad, and getting to grips with Windows 8 is another story.  So what better way to road test it out,than with a post and photo.

Sometime before Christmas I had a brainstorm.  I decided I wanted to make an owl.  It seems owls are very "in fashion" at the moment, they are on everything, cushions, bags, fabric, purse shapes, so why not jump on the band wagon and make one I thought.

So within the space of a day I had created this baby owl.  Believe me that was the easy part. ,it s okay me having these ideas but I dont see the whole picture; ie what do I do with him how. How do I display him?

My first thought was to put him behind a display frame,  but I so dislike textures behind glass.  So he has been hibernating for a few months.  Ive now decided he needs to be on a stand and the poor sole has now got doweling up his derriere awaiting a stand. Aww



Sometimes you just  cannot rush art. Isnt he sweet, made from the my fabric and wool stash, Its amazing what can be created with junk from under the bed (hubbies words not mine)  When completed I intend to put him up for sale.  Not sure yet which route I will be taking for selling him. Any thoughts.