Trying something new

A bit of a late night post for me but just have to share. I have bought dressmaking patterns, and made various clothes, mainly when my daughter was young but have never tried to make my own pattern, so thought I would give it a go. Under instruction and it's harder than you think.

You need your maths skills as you need to measure, add, subtract, divide, and select the correct angles. And brown paper, sticky tape, pens, curved ruler and a yard (or metre) stick.

Oh, and a large table.

I've decided on a pair of trousers.

Paper pattern completed tonight, next task is to pin onto my practice fabric and draw round the pattern. My practice fabric is an old bed sheet.

And finally, can I show off with my Christmas cactus plant. I bought it from a budget store last year and it must be living in its perfect place as look how many flowers it is sporting.

Hope you have a good week.

S xx

Not liking these short days

It's dark when I set off for work in the morning and dark when I get home. This makes it hard to take decent photos. I have been crafting but have to keep it quiet so not letting family and friends in on what they may be getting for Christmas, but help the weeks are flying by, it will be here all too soon.

I can share this with you.

The embroiderers guild I go to had been challenged to make something from some donated school ties. There was some fabulous makes. All I could come up with was a door stop using 4 stripey ties. But it is totally recycled, I've filled it with old fiction books.

I also made a hat at craft night on Tuesday. Will get Doris to model it this weekend so I have a photo to share with you on my next blog.

Hope you have a good weekend.

S xx

Need more hours in the week

Apologies for my lack of blogging but life has been a bit hectic here at Jessie's Needle. Day job really busy and the adult crochet class was so successful I was asked to do another. This, and making gifts for Christmas (which I cannot show here for obvious reasons), has left me with little spare time or interesting things to share.

But how about these .....

No, not road kill, but some crochet robins.

However, Joy asked what I was sewing, and here it is, a skirt - modeled here by my good friend, Mildred. Mildred came to live with me earlier in the year. I plan to dress her up for Christmas so she feels at home.

At the crochet class I took a photo of the inspiration table which I set up. As you can see, I love colour.

Sorting out my cupboards I found a table runner made by Jessie, in cut work. Makes my efforts look really amateur.

And finally, I have made something for myself. It's a cowl in crocheted cable instead of knitted. The pattern was in the magazine, Inside Crochet.

Hope you are all well out there in blog land.

S xx

Little knee blanket

Hi, finished a new knee blanket today.

Not the best of photos but the days are getting shorter. This will brighten up a dull day.

Hope you have had a great weekend.

S xx

It's been a crafty week

Just a quick post. Welcome to my newest follower, Ellen, you are number 20. Just need one more to get the key of the door ;-) ??????

I've finished the illuminated letter 'S', here's a few photos.



Don't know whether it's a dragon or a double headed serpent.

Tuesday night made a crochet pumpkin ready for Halloween.

Off out to my crochet class tonight.

Hope you are having a good week.

S xx

Busy weekend - Quiet Sunday

I cannot believe it's been a week since I last had time to blog, was aiming for at least two per week.  Not had much time for crafting either. It was my granddaughters third birthday. She is really growing up, we had a great time.

But I do have I few photos to share.

A WIP which I have picked up, will start work on this this evening. It's an illuminated letter S, in cross stitch which looks like a dragon.

Dressmaking pieces, cut out and ironed, ready for Monday night's sewing session.

And finally a bag I crocheted in the summer, which seems a long time ago as I'm currently sat in front of the fire.

Hope you had a good week, and that the coming week is just as good.

Completed Sunday stitching experiment

Happy Sunday to my blog followers and visitors. For the last few Sundays I've been linking in with Chrissie and a stitch along. I'm really enjoying the process and have been experimenting with a technique I've not tried before. Cut work. Not the delicate white work which I've seen before, but something a bit more substantial.

Today is the day I cut out some of the fabric. Scary, scary.

Shiny sharp new scissors, Sheffield Steel.

I've had them quite a while, this is the first time I've used them.

Started with the leaves.

Then moved onto the petals.

Must confess that I had to redo one of the petals, as I caught it and cut the thread.

But overall I'm pleased with how it has turned out.

No excuses now, must make a start on the housework.

S xx