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Friday 31 October 2014

Winter 6PAC - Burgundy and Navy separates for work

Having not sewn anything for 2 months, I have a partially unpacked sewing room, and the lovely Elizabeth has started up a wonderful new Winter 6PAC thread over on Stitchers Guild.

I am going to make some pieces in navy and burgundy. The current plan is

Navy boiled wool jacket - previously made
Navy pinstripe trousers - proper wool trousers with lining and etc.
Then being me, I am going to do some knit pieces
In burgundy/eggplant - Vogue 2989 skirt,
and my TNT cowl turtle necked top
Depending on how the fabric yardage works out I may be able to sneak a cardigan in as well, though we shall see on that one.

In navy ponte there will be a top and skirt, quite possibly the same patterns used again but I might want to do something different by then or find that I have to as the yardage doesn't permit. I haven't measured the navy fabric yet.

Saturday 25 October 2014

Cushions found whilst unpacking

These cushions were found whilst unpacking and will go to the Christmas Fairs one on Sat 15th Nov and another on Fri 28th Nov.
I think once the sewing stuff gets unpacked I will be making more bags whilst the webbing for handles lasts.

Sunday 19 October 2014

New Home

All the paperwork got finally sorted for the four house chain whilst we were on holiday and less than one week after we came back I got the keys for my own little house. I had removal guys move the furniture and things I had managed to box up, and then have brought the other bits over by car (I've only moved round the corner and slightly down the hill as I like the area). I've spent what seems a lot of time back at the old place cleaning and sorting the garden out, and hopefully it will have been enough to ensure the return of the deposit when I have the exit inspection tomorrow as I had less than two weeks overlap in the end.

The basics are unpacked at the new place but its going to need some work on the bath/shower/boiler so waiting to see if I have to dismantle the shelving in my tiny new sewing room so part of the floor can come up for pipework or not. As such I don't really want to actually unpack any of the fabric until I know which way this is going.

In 4 weeks time I am sharing a stall at the local Christmas Market which raises funds for the village church. My fellow stall holder knits so we thought my sewn things would complement her knitted items well. It will also give us both a chance to wander round the other stalls  - I shall make a beeline for the homemade jam and cakes - and also take comfort breaks when required.

I'm not sure if I will have much time, space or unpacked resources to sew anything more for our stall, but happily I have some items I already made which I packed in with the books, so have put them into an Ikea zippy bag as I went through unpacking the boxes of books and can just produce them when required.
These include various cushions - floral hearts, union jacks and some other larger floral ones, one string of bunting, some bookmarks maybe an apron or two. The main area I can see being useful would be fabric bags. I have sold out of the stock twice now, so they are definitely worth making if only I can recall which 'Sewing' box has the webbing for handles in it.

Friday 3 October 2014

Feira Dos Tecidos, Funchal, Madeira

We took a holiday in the Portuguese island of Madeira recently, and I was pleased to find the fabric shop Feira Dos Tecidos open (I had seen it in Lisbon at Easter but it was closed).
When the shop is open they pull large remant bins out onto the street to tempt shoppers. The remnants are sold by the piece or by weight. The store also has lots of rolls of fabric and a home dec section.
Whilst I had a good look at everything, I actually bought 3 pieces of printed sweater knit from the Euro 3.95 a piece remnant boxes.
This abstract print is black, dark brown, taupe, teal and ivory. 1.25m x 150cm wide.3.95E

This floral has black, dark grey, light grey, dark brown, rusty brown, camel and ivory. Also 1.25m x 150cm wide. 3.95E

This wonderful animal print has black, grey, brown, camel and ivory but is only 0.9m x 150cm. I loved it so much that I bought it anyway and will be creative when cutting out.

All 3 fabrics work well with existing pairs of purchased wool trousers - one camel, one dark brown. The second two also work with black basics and some wool mix charcoal trousers.
DBF was not impressed by how long I was gone (45 mins) as he couldn't imagine I could be in the shop all that time and was worried I'd got lost. He also didn't seem too wowed with brown based sweater knit fabric, so I have promised its Autumn/Winter wear for work!