The tale of Burda 7798

Thank you for all of your lovely comments re my sewing doubt.  The very next day I decided to just 'go for it' and start sewing whatever happened.  I did make one change though, and decided not to start with the dress, but to do the sleeveless top first - I don't get on very well with sewing sleeves!  I chose a different fabric that I had brought with top sewing in mind, and began!

Advice had been to cut a size larger than I am as the pattern comes up small, so I went to a 14 instead of a 12.  The instructions were self explanatory and I didn't have any problems until I came to sew the bias on the neckline, and after a number of efforts, realised I'd used the armhole piece instead and that's why it didn't fit properly!!!!!

As usual, the zip and I fell out big style.  I need to learn to sew a zip properly.  I make it up, I do it wrong.  I get it in, in the end, but it takes hours and hours!!!!!!

So here it is, ta-dah!  It does fit, but the neckline isn't as close fitting as I had hoped it would be.  I don't know if this is the style of the top, because I went up a size, or did something wrong.  Not sure how to rectify it at the mo.

I did wear it on Sunday though and it was fine.  So I'm pleased.  Just took me a long time to complete!  I'm not sure I'm going to tackle the dress until I can sort the neckline out though, so bear with me on that one!

I did make a cake to go with the top-wearing though.  I used Lisa Faulkner's chocolate cake recipe and then finished it off with kit kats and m&ms.  There is still half left if anyone wants some?!

My tiny owl knits cowl is on the backburner for a while as a friend has asked me to commission a blanket for her new baby daughter.  We looked at flowers initially but I couldn't work out how to get them to join for a blanket, so we are going for tiny squares, and dots as she is a Dottie!  I'm using Stylecraft wool which I've not used before, but know that Lucy for Attic 24 recommends it, and I have to say, I'm impressed.  I also ordered it from Wool Warehouse and it came in a lovely drawstring bag to keep it all in!

Today is the first day of Autumn - can't wait to get the woolly tights out!


G x

ABC Crochet

ABC Crochet - an alphabet of Amigurumi animals by Mitsuki Hoshi

Published by Harper Collins 360

31st July 2014

Hardback Edition

 

 

 

Now, I've not attempted any Amigurumi, yet, but I think this new book by Mitsuki Hoshi might be the one that starts me on my journey.  It's an alphabet of animals from an Alligator through to a Yak.  There is no Z for Zebra, but Z is for Zoo instead!  I did think there would be patterns in the book for every animal, but no, that is not the way Amigurumi works.  Most of the animals are made from the same pattern, so you don't need to include twenty six versions of the same thing!

 

 

The book contains some basic instructions for learning the basics of Amigurumi, and of how to read the description so you know what you're doing -very important! Then it shows you the patterns in pictoral form and then shows you, step by step, with photos how to make each part.  I don't think it could be much clearer than that!

 

 

The book gives a complete break-down for completing the bear, right through to the assembly part.  It then shows you how to do some of the other animals, though in a more concise way - a seal, a rabbit, a koala, a lion, a chicken, a duck, a hamster, an otter and a panda.  Once you've mastered these, you should be able to do the whole book!

 

 

Happy hooking!

 

G x



 



Confidence blip

Argh! is how I'm feeling right now.  I've bought a new pattern, infact my first ever paper pattern I should add, as all of my others are from books.  I bought it because the gorgeous Hettie Brown made this dress just last week and I fell in love with the dress so ordered it for myself to make.

Photo from The Woven Nest

The pattern has been delivered.  I have fabric to make the pattern. I still need the zip but that is neither here nor there.  I started tracing out the pattern this morning but have just run out of tracing paper.  I need more to continue but even as I trace, my head believes that I cannot make this dress, for it is too difficult for me.  I have little sewing confidence, I doubt myself at the best of times.  I have not rushed out to buy more paper and a zip.  I do not know if this dress will be made.  Of this, I feel a little sad.

On a more positive note, for fear of depressing all and sundry, we spent the weekend oop-north as hubby was entered into the Great North Run.  Saturday was spent wandering around Durham and Sunday was 'Race Day'.

 I love the name of this shop

A huge vintage clothes shop that would make even Dawn O'Porter squeal

Unfortunately we did not get to see hubby running his race on Sunday, or anyone else for that matter, as by the time we had dropped him off in Newcastle town centre then navigated our way (2 girlies and 2 dogs) around a very poorly signed diversion to South Shields, we couldn't get to the finishing line to see him cross over, so we waited at the family reunion area, under the flag of 'T' as pre-arranged to congratulate him on his success.  He came in 10,283rd place in 1:57:33 which he is very pleased with.  I'm glad he did it and am very proud of him.

I'm also getting on with my Tiny Owl Knits cowl.  It feels like I have done loads but in fact am probably only a third of the way through!  There are lots of ends to sew in but I am mastering the circular needles which had taunted me from on high for so long.  I am no longer afraid!

 

When we arrived back, oh so late, yesterday, I found my copy of the latest Pretty Nostalgic magazine on the doorstep.  My article on 'taking tea with Agatha Christie' is inside.  This made me grin from ear to ear!  I've also been sent a review copy of the new Poirot book by Sophie Hannah - it arrived on Friday and I did stop breathing as I opened it!  So far, it's very good!  You'll have to check out my other blog to find out what I think in the end though!

Right, I'm away to ... well  I don't know what to do... the non-sewing sewing has left me feeling a bit empty.

G x