Random stuff

I am in the midst of knitting a baby blanket for a colleague:
It's the 'Old Shale Baby Blanket'. It's an easy knit, but looks far more complicated than it is. You can find the pattern here.

I also recently made toadstool rattle for a friend's new bub. It's cute, but my version came out more like a toadstool ice-cream cone. Mmm, poisony. (Pattern here)

Finally I have a couple of weddings to attend, so I am on the lookout for fancy fabrics to make up some of the vintage patterns I love but haven't made because I haven't had occasions to wear them. I went looking at Remnant Warehouse today. I came home with two sweater knits instead of glam silks. Oh dear, looks like I will have to do more fabric shopping. Sigh.
I'm thinking the McCalls 5245 jacket from the dark chocolate rib which the label says is a poly/viscose, and maybe another Vogue 2925 top from the teal, which is a wool/acrylic blend.

my weekend

I decided I need some more staples (no, not office supplies... mmm, office supplies) rather, I needed some skirts and tops.

Two skirts with some help from Madame L'embroidery Machine:

The grey one was actually made last weekend and is reversible - cherry one side, swallow the other. I didn't put a picture of the black one, just the atomic boomerang, because I couldn't get a good picture.

Note: while I think these skirts look daggy in pictures, they are actually saucy in person. I used the bottom half of the McCall 5700 dress I used for the shamrock frock which makes for a nice highwaisted skirt (they are both out of doubleknit with a wide elastic waist, as I will wear tops over them)

I made a shortsleeve version of Vogue 2980 Fauxlero in a lovely soft snowleopard print knit

The instructions aren't the best. I'm going to make this again soon, so I am telling my Future Self to remember to put the side pleats on the inside, not the outside, since it is a bit puffy this way.

I also made the Vogue 2925 quick top (with side bewb gathers) as trialled by Kitty. Once again this looks daggesque in the pic and on Jane, but better on (yeah, yeah, I should take pics on me then shouldn't I?)

I also did some practice stitch-outs on some felt. Love those beakers!
These designs are from Embroidery library -they have some cool designs and are very helpful. I got some excellent Dia De Los Meurtos and robot designs as well.

I also reorganised the sewing bench and pegboard to make room for the embroidery machine and supplies
and contemplated a retro lab look for my bathroom (hopefully to be renovated at the end of the year)

Woollen tops

Well, one top finished and one abandoned.
I was making the top on the bottom right of this vintage vogue pattern (from the Moggy shop; ie: pilfered from her sewing room) in some black wool-blend jersey from the stash. The pattern is intended for wovens, and it was turning out ok in the jersey until I got to the collar. I underlined the collar piece in stretch poplin for stability, but it looked a bit yuck when I put it on. So into the magic waiting box it goes! I will go back to it when I feel like a challenge.

Instant gratification top project needed. As I had a fair bit of the jersey, I made the quick vogue top again, gathering the sleeve attachments this time instead of pleating them. The side bewb gathers are more apparent in this plain fabric. I like it, and I'll wear it.