Weekday Knitting

Posted by Clarinda Kaleidoscope in sewing and tagged with beanie hat, knit magazine, knitting, Sew Over It, Sewvember, Sublime wool 16/11/2014

I have been able to knit since a young age and I go through phases of being madly into it and then not doing anything for a good couple of years. I was certainly having a dry spell but since I’ve started sewing and reading blogs I have been inspired by a number of sewistas who finish off their handmade clothes with a funky little cardigan and so I have gotten into it again. I have a number of WIP but did want to show you a little lace beanie I made which has had SO much wear already. I found the pattern in KNIT magazine.

I really needed to concentrate on the lacy pattern so I couldn’t really knit whilst I watched TV so it was pretty much completed on my commute. It was my first experience of circular needles and I have become a huge fan and now knit using them even when the pattern doesn’t need circular needles.

The wool is Sublime cashmere merino silk dk – I have already bought another 100g in an inky blue to knit another as this one has proved to be super versatile.

Worn on my birthday for a walk across the South Downs – this is the lunch stop – champagne in a beaker.

Selfie on the beach with the family in Gand background

Selfie on the beach with the family in the background

I tend to knit every day on the tube and train into work. I keep my WIP in this little bag I made during my first workshop at a Clothkits – I have had some odd looks when I open my Mulberry and pull out my knitting. I am currently working on a variety of squares to make a blanket for my daughter.

On the sewing front, I just wanted to share a little peak of how my lace dress is coming along.

Week two of four at Sew a Over It lace dress workshop

And finally, I am LOVING Sewvember – so many interesting glimpses on a daily basis. Have a peek on Instagram at #bpsewvember. So much inspiration; so little time.

Toodle pip,

Clarinda x

Dahlia: done

Posted by Clarinda Kaleidoscope in sewing and tagged with Colette patterns, Dahlia, Gone Girl film, Sewing 09/11/2014

I had so wanted to enjoy making Colette Pattern’s Dahlia and had visions of frolicking around the Peaks showing it off – it took much longer than I anticipated so I didn’t get it finished during my week away; I became incredibly disheartened with it. Well, after a burst of hand sewing this morning (sleeve and neck bindings and hem) it is finished and I was able to wear it for a little frolic around in the local park. The weather today has been unbelievable – Remembrance Sunday and I was out in just a cotton dress and a cardi.

My issues with the Dahlia are many and I hasten to add – are all my fault (just making it clear I am not blaming the pattern). I messed up the yoke so that both seams are not enclosed; I made my bias binding too thin; I clearly did not gather the neck sufficiently so that the dress can actually be worn off the shoulder. I have just read Sew South London’s blog and she has inserted darts at the back of the neck. If I were a patient person, I could attempt this remedy but I cannot, I’ll be honest, be arsed to remove the bias binding so I think it is doomed forever to be worn under a cardi.

That said, I do think it is a great dress for layering. I bought the fabric at Sew Over it with the intention of making another Sureau but then the Dahlia came out and I thought it would make a perfect Autumn dress. To be honest, as it is only cotton it is too thin for Autumn. I do have a lovely blue and red check wool and will probably make my next Dahlia with that.

You are probably wondering why I am already planning on making another Dahlia when I am clearly so disgruntled. Well . . . before I encountered my difficulties, I proposed it as a pattern for the next Sewing Bee at work (first one blogged here)and everyone has now agreed to do the Dahlia. The plan is that we will wear it for the last day of school when we go to the Carol Concert – might be a bit chilly for the half a dozen of us sporting bare shoulders.

I have read a few blogs lately where people make reference to the need for more intermediate patterns/ books. I do think the Dahlia is intermediate. All of the gathering, the enclosed yoke etc. The only thing I am pleased with is the invisible zip – perhaps whilst people are looking for the invisible zip they will not notice the gaping neckline.

For my little photo shoot I used plum coloured accessories as I do love plum – only ever wear plum lipstick. However, there isn’t any plum in the multi coloured fabric at all and I think that a cardi in teal would be better. So, guess what dear reader? I am making one! Bought this wool yesterday in a little nearby haberdashery along with the patternbook Rowan Easy Winter Knits – the yarn is 100% merino and called “Big Wool”. It is beautifully soft although I must say it feels/looks a bit synthetic to me. The designer for all the knits is Martin Storey whose patchwork blanket I am currently making squares for on my daily commute – the intention being that it will be a Christmas present for my daughter 2015.

So I have added to the number of WIP – also on the go is the lace dress I started on Wednesday (I have been given a mounting task to do for homework!) and Lauren’s yoke top which I thought might have seen the light of day by now but no.

On a non-sewing related matter I saw Gone Girl at the cinema this afternoon. I was wringing my hands so much that I actually wrung my ring off and had to go hunting for it at the end (and this is from someone who has read the book and knew what was coming). It’s been out a few weeks now so my closing salutation is to encourage you to go.

Toodle pip,

Clarinda x

Dahlia in disgrace and the joys of being part of sewing communities

Posted by Clarinda Kaleidoscope in sewing and tagged with Colette patterns Dahlia, Sew Over It, Sew Pretty, Sewing, Sewvember 04/11/2014

I have been feeling a little down. I proudly boasted in my last post how I was going to make a Dahlia whilst on half term and had visions of elegant poses of me in the Peaks looking suitably smug showing off my autumnal sewing success. I did not finish the dress in the week; I have not finished it since; it is currently looking at me from where I have tossed it on the sofa – this particular Dahlia is in deep disgrace. Its misfortune would have remained private but I have been encouraged to move on and blog, regardless of having anything to share/show, by Sew South London who has blogged today of her own frustrations and an unfinished Dahlia.

Just look at that renegade seam – it is supposed to be on the inside. How did that happen?

So, once my patience has been replenished (the store is currently closed) I will complete the last bit of hand sewing and post photos of my finished dress. The sewalong started today so I might well have another attempt – I did have some nice navy and red plaid lined up but my confidence is currently depleted.

However, what I did want to share was some of the fun things that are going on at the moment linked to various sewing communities.

1. Tomorrow I am starting a course at Sew Over It for four consecutive Wednesdays to make a lace dress – hopefully it will look like this:

photo courtesy of Sew Over It

The tutor is the brilliant Julie who guided me through my first (only) pair of trousers. It will be tiring going to a workshop after work but I am excited about having expert help with my sewing and learning some new techniques. I am also looking forward to meeting some fellow sewistas.

2. By complete chance I read about Bimble and Pimble’s Sewvember on the day it started

I have been diligently uploading my photos to Instagram (quite a new experience for me) but the really fun thing is all the sticky beaking you can do. I have been truly over-awed with the sheer size of some people’s stash and the sewing space pictures on Day One are really making me think about how I can pretty up my own space. I guess that’s what Instagram is about for us – caring, sharing, inspiring and I have been inspired!

Finally, 3. the wonderful Katya Essery of Sew Pretty is starting a Sewing Club at her gorgeous studio in Wimbledon on a twice monthly basis where you can drop in and get help with your projects – no doubt I will be turning up with my Dahlia!

Photo courtesy of Sew Pretty

Katya has also introduced some new workshops including a winter coat, a tie and Christmas stockings. If you can get to Wimbledon, do consider taking a class at Sew Pretty – I have done a couple now and love Katya’s relaxed approach which combines really skilful instruction with wine and friendly banter.

Hopefully, I will be able to share a garment, of some description, soon – you can guarantee I will not be saying “this came together really easily”.

Toodle pip,

Clarinda

Half term sewcation

Posted by Clarinda Kaleidoscope in sewing and tagged with Children in Need Great British Sewing Bee, Colette patterns Dahlia, Hartington, Lauren's a Yoke top, Sewing 26/10/2014

It’s rather odd to be packing the car up for a week in the Peaks: mountain bike – tick; walking boots – tick; sewing machine – TICK! It’s been a good week on the sewing front. I celebrated my birthday and a lovely sewing friend gave me a jar of buttons, a pair of stork scissors and a vintage apron.

Button jar with two of my favourite cards

A hurried photo and inappropriate undergarments have not done justice to this gorgeous vintage apron

I have spent the week tinkering about with Lauren’s yoke top – not for me the garment in a day type blogger – a week seems almost the minimum time in which I could actually make something. I also discovered a new haberdashery in Worthing where I bought all the various notions I need for forthcoming projects – get me – NOTIONS – six months ago I wouldn’t even have known what that meant.

This week ‘s episodes of The Great British Sewing Bee have been a delight – how fabulous that sewing is so mainstream we now have celebrity specials for charity. But ….. my oh my there were some frock shocks! I sympathised hugely with some of the efforts and the time pressures. For me, sewing is leisurely pleasure – if I had to do something to time it would kill the enjoyment of it for me.

So, here I am now in Hartington, in a gorgeous little cottage I have stayed in, apparently, seven times before according to the Visitors Book. Being a walker and an anxious cyclist, it is the perfect place. There are brilliant walks and lots of disused railway lines which have been converted into off-road cycle paths.

Manifold Cottage, Hartington – a cosy home from home

So, when I am not walking, cycling, marking, I plan to finally finish my silk yoke top and, big claim dear readers, start and finish my new Dahlia! What a gorgeous pattern – I bought it as soon as it was released. I have decided to use some fabric I had bought to make another Sureau. I did have some sumptuous wool plaid (navy and red) but I think I am going to save that and do it with the Sew-a-long as I will definitely need some help matching those checks.

Have a FAB half term everyone – happy sewing,

Toodle pip,

Clarinda x

My yoke top WIP – if Rachel can take her sewing machine to Brazil I can certainly manage to take mine to the Peaks

Two birds, one stone and a bit of a bonkers dress

Posted by Clarinda Kaleidoscope in sewing and tagged with 60s shift dress, black cat, Cat Lady Sewing Challenge, handmade 19/10/2014

October has been a great month for me – I love having an Autumn birthday and this year I had not one but two sewing challenges. Thanks to my blog devouring activities I had read about the Cat Lady Sewing Challenge which I thought was a really fun idea. At about the same time I volunteered myself as a pattern tester, to give a beginner’s perspective, for Lou Lou – a new pattern from English Girl at Home. As both had October deadlines I decided to combine the two – this was possibly not such a wise decision.

I immediately started to look for suitable fabric. I was very excited to find this rather funky design called Cheeky Black Cat from Textiles Francais – whilst this fulfilled the brief for the Cat Lady Challenge it was far too structured for the Lou Lou which is meant to be floaty and drape beautifully.

However, I thought the 60s style A-line shift would work well with the fabric and that I might look a little bit like Samantha from Bewitched.

Sadly, I was wrong.

I have to confess that I haven’t done the dress justice at all. It is fully lined with a funky little piece below the dress itself . Colour matching the lining with the little balls of wool the cat is playing with still couldn’t create the feline grace I had hoped for.

However, it was a fun make – one of my colleagues asked if it was my Halloween outfit – which was not quite the reaction I was expecting!

And back to the Cat Lady element: this is my lovely cat Tambo – the latest in a long line of black cats: Leo, Flynn, Scout, Puffin, Jude and a highly aloof tortoiseshell Serafina Pekkela

Many thanks to Miss Crayola Creepy for setting up a fun challenge and to Charlotte for giving me my first shot at pattern testing.

Toodle pip,

Clarinda

First trousers and a lovely day at Sew Over It

Posted by Clarinda Kaleidoscope in sewing and tagged with handmade, Sew Over It, Sewing, Ultimate trousers 05/10/2014

I had a really fun day yesterday at Sew Over It sewing cafe in Clapham where under the expert guidance of a lovely lady called Julie, I managed to make a pair of Ultimate Trousers which I have worn today, are comfortable and fit me!

The studio is great and I would highly recommend taking a class there if you can get to Clapham. Tea was available throughout the day and elevenses included gorgeous handmade cupcakes. The studio was super girly, bright pink stairs, pin cushions in China cups and saucers etc. There was also a wonderful selection of fabric.

I had bought my fabric the week before, black cotton twill, but when I saw all the lovely fabrics on display I changed my mind. I made my trousers up in a moss green polka dot cotton (and bought more fabric for two future projects – I really am beginning to see how sewistas can easily build up a significant stash.

I thought it was brilliant that they already had a number of toiles to try on to check your fit. We double checked the fit after we had cut out – I needed a slight alteration at the back. Rather annoyingly I didn’t mark it on my pattern at the time and now I can’t remember it.

The best thing of all was that I finally got to use an overlocker. I loved it. I’ve looked at EBAY but there doesn’t seem to be many floating about. I do have a birthday later this month so perhaps I could go for the combined birthday/Christmas gift approach. What do you think – do the benefits justify the cost?

So it’s been a really satisfying weekend on the sewing front – made and wore my trousers (photos taken at Elmer beach – what an absolutely glorious day it’s been) and this afternoon I have been busy making a rather bonkers dress but that is for next time.

Toodle pip,

Clarinda

I am a OWOP winner and other news

Posted by Clarinda Kaleidoscope in sewing and tagged with knitting, OWOP, sewing patterns 29/09/2014

OWOP was great fun for me; I threw myself into it and found it very rewarding in more ways than one. I entered the daily prize giveaway being run by Handmade Jane and was lucky enough to win three patterns of my choice which had been generously donated by SewBox. I spent ages poring through the huge range on offer and in the end decided upon patterns which keep popping up in blogs: Hawthorn by Colette Patterns; Gabriola by Sewaholic and Anna by By Hand London. I hereby pledge to make all three garments and blog about them in due course.

It’s funny, I was going to put a time limit on that ( the end of the year) but I am already building up such a backlog I decided that it wouldn’t be wise. Already cut and ready to go are a Megan dress from Love at First Stitch and a Yoke Top from Learning to Sew with Lauren but they are going to have to wait a little longer because I am doing my first piece of pattern testing ( which I am very excited about – also apprehesive as it includes a number of techniques I have never used before) which has a fast approaching deadline. As if that wasn’t enough, I had also promised myself that I would make a VNA top to run in for the Chichester Half a Marathon in two weeks and I haven’t even sellotaped the pattern together yet for that one.

Finally, whilst there is a lot going on in my head on the sewing front at the moment, in practical terms it’s currently all about knitting. I have embarked upon a patchwork blanket as a present for my daughter who really loves her wrapping herself up in a duvet on the sofa. I am using Martin Storey’s pattern for the knit along on Rowan earlier this year. Some of the wool arrived this week – I am ordering it in stages as it is so expensive. I do have a deadline for this one – 25th December. There are forty eight squares and a cable trim. I have done five squares – wish me luck!

Toodle pip,

Clarinda

Me? Blog Hop? Yes please!

Posted by Clarinda Kaleidoscope in sewing and tagged with blog hop, fehrtrade, Love at First Stitch, Sewing, Sewing blogs, sewing with Lauren 24/09/2014

For the last few weeks I have been reading, with interest, various sewing blog hops where people answer a varying range of questions about their sewing/blogging/inspiration etc. It was therefore incredibly surprising, that this fledgling blogger (with only eleven posts to her name and an even fewer number of followers) was nominated. So huge thanks to Rachel from Is it fitting for thinking that I might have something of interest to say – Here goes . . . . . Why do I write? I have always liked writing. I like the permanence of the written word – particularly from a social and historical contextual point of view. I find writings from women of the past fascinating. I have been both a diary keeper and a letter writer – I guess that I am just moving with the times, albeit a little after everyone else, and now blogging. Years ago Virginia Woolf wrote about the importance of A Room of One’s Own – the desire is just as important today and it is with great interest and pleasure I have read about various bloggers’ sewing spaces and how precious they are to them.

My first Sorbetto

What am I working on at the moment? I am still in the September return to school flurry and have not completed any projects this month but I have started loads! I tend to sew at weekends and knit during the week which is more manageable on my commute. I have started knitting a patchwork blanket designed by Martin Storey as a knit-along for Rowan. On the sewing table is a dress from Love at First Stitch (cut out and ready to sew), a yoke top from Learn to Sew with Lauren (cut out from the most gorgeous silk I bought in China this summer) and I am determined to make Fehrtrade’s VNA top for the Chichester Half Marathon which I am running on October 12th.

Chinese silk

How does your blog differ from other blogs? It’s obvious isn’t it? I’m new, don’t really know what I am doing, can’t easily add buttons, icons, etc. take rubbish photos (or rather my willing students take them) and haven’t really established my own style yet. I am working on that and hopefully by the time I celebrate my first blogiversary I will look back fondly (and with some embarrassment) at these early, juvenile posts.

Bluebell woods on a run

How does my writing process work? I am a runner. Whilst I am out I go through all sorts of things in my head: letters of complaint; job applications; blog posts. I can assure you that somewhere on the South Downs are crafted the most amazing, original and entertaining blogposts. Bizarrely, by the time I have got home, showered, done a million and one other things, all the little gems have vanished and what remains is what you can read here.

Post race ice cream

Nominations No pressure at all if not your sort of thing but I would like to nominate Lazy Daisy Jones whose blog I discovered with this post on Day Three of OWOP and saw immediately that I would love her style – her description of herself as a “mid-century …..mama who will forever be a girl at heart” had me cheering “Me too!” My other nominee is Sew South London who has been a kind and generous supporter of my blog and sewing efforts. Toodle pip Clarinda x

A brief foray into kidswear enabled me to use this wonderfully nostalgic fabric called Making Paper Planes

Sureau kicks off the new season

Posted by Clarinda Kaleidoscope in sewing and tagged with Deer and Doe, Sewing, Sureau 21/09/2014

I am ridiculously proud of this dress – a colleague actually asked me “Is your dress from White Stuff?” However, looking at the photos (courtesy of one of my Y10 – I really am going to have to investigate the decent camera and tripod option) it does appear to be a little bit baggy across the top.

This is my first Deer and Doe pattern and the Sureau was really lovely to sew. I particularly like the false placket (five months ago I didn’t even know what a placket was). By the way, do you like my necklace? It is a treasured possession of mine. It belonged to my mum – there is a matching bracelet. It was given to her in the early 1950s and apparently came from Austria.

I followed the really helpful Sew-a-long on :: paunnet :: including clear instructions for a SBA – it’s apparent from the photos that I could have taken off even more but I was obviously in denial about quite how small my bust is!

I was also pleased to have learned how to insert a side zip. It is incredibly satisfying to learn new things and whilst I haven’t been sewing for long I can see that there are so many techniques to learn and the perfect that I am going to be happily ensconced at my machine for hours.

The obligatory back shot – the dress is quite rumpled because I had been perched atop my desk for most of the morning. Sorry about the uninspiring background i.e. the flats which overlook the school – we do have lovely grounds but both I and my willing photographer felt a little self-conscious so snuck around the back of a teaching block to take these shots.

Well, I love this dress and plan to make a couple more. It is wonderfully comfortable and will lend itself to layering as the season rolls on. I am going to try and find some needle cord for the next one – any fabric suggestions for me? Enjoy the day – hopefully another one of those gorgeous late summer days that make you feel you have to savour every moment.

Toodle pip,

Clarinda x

Dressing for the occasion . . . . . And the occasion is KATE BUSH!

Posted by Clarinda Kaleidoscope in sewing and tagged with Kate Bush, Kate Bush concert, Lulu Guinness handbag, Vintage Fair 18/09/2014

Hello, I did give myself the option to not always blog about my sewing and this post is my first deviation so please forgive me if you were only wanting to hear about my dressmaking – this one is costume related if that is any consolation. Last night I went to see Kate Bush. I was ridiculously excited and thought it was only right and proper that I dress up for the occasion. A few weeks ago I came across this glorious dress in a vintage fair in Chichester Assembly Rooms – you can’t see it in the photos but it has a thigh high slash and a plunging back. The feather covered cuffs were great fun. Just look at how I am shoving out my chest to try and fill the dress (the design meant I had to go braless which is never going to be a good look for someone like me). I accessorised the dress with a bag bought for me by dear friends for a big birthday – it is a great bag with embroidery depicting a couture dress shop and the reverse showing dress form, scissors, pincushion etc The concert … It was magical! I have loved Kate since Wuthering Heights. I found it so emotional at the start of the concert that as soon as she started singing I had tears rolling down my face. I am becoming increasingly nostalgic as I get older and feel so privileged to have lived through such brilliant times. I was sat next to a fan from Sweden who had come over just for the concert. She said it was a 30th birthday present to herself – she wasn’t even born when when Kate Bush started recording. There are no photos of the event ( the guy in front of me was removed for taking pictures). The stage shot is from before it started. I went to a “sumptuous picnic” beforehand in the gloriously gothic setting of the church opposite – it was the only way I could get a ticket – by buying a ridiculously expensive hospitality package. However, the food was gorgeous. I really enjoyed dressing up for this event – clothes have the power to make us feel magical. However, I think the Chelsea supporters I encountered on the District Line thought me more than a little eccentric! I promise a sewing post for the weekend – my Sureau!