February Plans :: Sewing ::

Happy Thursday everyone! I hope you are all having a great week. This week I sat down, and decided that I will sew again. Now that my wardrobe has been reduced to 15 items, I am a bit desperate to be honest. Also my sewing machine has not seen the light of day for months now - poor her, she needs her vitamin D. There is nothing like planning to spark interest again - and get excited about new projects. I chose two for this month, hopefully they are easy enough and without too many pieces to ensure success. And now that my fabric stash has also undergone the Konmari method, I know my fabric options. 

The Arum Dress from Deer and Doe should be easy - it is a pattern meant for beginner, so I am really hoping this is true. I was thinking of making a dress for Valentine's Day dinner. Yes, we have plans - not last minute plans, but real plans, in a real restaurant, and this deserves a handmade dress! I am thinking denim - I have some from Offset Warehouse (unfortunately I cannot see it on the website anymore). That little (useless?) pocket has to go though. 

I fell in love with the Burda 7220 view B top - but to be fair view A is very much my style too. However now that I have the pattern, I have done some research on the pattern, and it is not exactly looking like what I had in mind. I will be making a proper muslin for this one. Ivy Arch called it part futuristic dentist's scrub and part intergalactic Lieutenant Commander's tunic. Hmmm... interesting...  not exactly my style then. So it might need adjustment - many reviews calls already to go one size down. As you can see a muslin is a must! I have fabric found here - it has a lovely darker sheen on the wrong side, it would look great. 

What are your sewing plans? How do you get your sewing mojo back? Do share! 

Gilliatt and Acorn :: Crochet ::

Happy Wednesday everyone! I have a new (hopefully quick) project to share with you today - a new hat for Baby MiH. He asked for one - with a pompom, the boy clearly has taste - and I was of course happy to oblige. I wanted to make Acorn by Kat Goldin as soon as I found the pattern in the latest issue of LandScape (it is a bit like Taproot but can be found in the UK!). 

So first I finished my double moss cardigan - it is currently blocking and waiting for side seams (ok, so not finished, but nearly there). I am actually really impressed I finished one project before starting another one - a totally new concept for me... I have not crochet for a while, and I have never really done texture work with a crochet hook - so yes, I ended up starting 3 or 4 times. But I am on a roll now, so I am hoping to finish really soon. It is getting cold, and to be honest Baby MiH does need a hat. 

It was also an opportunity to go into my stash of one skein and use some leftover of Gilliatt by De Rerum Natura (you can read my 'Yarn with Attitude' review here). I thought it may make the beanie hat a bit more boy-ish, and I love the tweed effect of the yarn. 

Hopefully Baby MiH will be happy with his new hat, enough to have his picture taken, here is a challenge and a half!

New Felt Ipad Cover :: Embroidery ::

For a previous le challenge I made an Ipad cover that I really liked using hama beads. Baby MiH really enjoyed the hama beads - and decided that it was much better off my Ipad cover, and in his toy box. This Ipad cover is no more... But I will not be defeated by a 2-year old, and finally made a new cover - stronger from my first cover experience. 

This one is using embroidery - nothing that can be removed too easily (hopefully). The pattern is from my favourite craft book (it is the only book I want to make all the patterns from!). I have already talked about it here. The embroidery resembles a bit Christian traditional symbolism - oh, hold on, 'tradition' is the theme for le challenge - did you think I forgot about the .. interesting.. theme we chose? 

I tried to take a close up picture to show the actual stitching. This is not your regular cross-stitching, it looks a bit braided. It took me a while to get my head round it (because you have to follow the direction the pattern sets as well). But it definitely adds another dimension to the stitching, and also pops up a bit (not sure I needed this considering the colour scheme I chose). The stitch is called Tvistsom - you can read more about it here. It is a traditional Scandinavian stitch - and in traditional there is ... 'tradition', I am SO into this theme! 

It makes a nice change to cross-stitching, I think the overall effect is softer (a mix of the easiness of cross-stitching and the softer effect of embroidery) - but you really have to look up close to understand what stitching is used.  

The felt I used this time is much stronger than the previous one (probably double the thickness). I bought it for a Christmas project that was never to be. I love working with felt - because there is no seam to worry about. It is brilliant. It looks like I quilted the border a bit - it was all planned, and not at all because I had left too much seam allowance... You can find similar felt here. The yarn I used is the same as for the Settler shawl.  

Because of the thickness of the felt I had to use a pointy needle rather than an embroidery one. And my fingers are still remembering it. I am just warning you - embroidery is a dangerous business. And of course I am not that good at making perfect stitches, so I used waste canvas to add the pattern. I love waste canvas... 

I am always late for my le challenge project - but somehow always manage to make something I really wanted/needed to make for some time. It is a great way to get things moving for me. If you would like to join us for this le challenge or future le challenge - all entries and themes are here. 

Worth trying again :: Knitting ::

Believe it people - these are socks, hand-knitted socks, my hand-knitted socks, in fact my first pair of hand-knitted socks. It was one of my knitting goals for 2015 - to knit hand-knitted socks. And here we are, beginning of April 2015, and we are discussing my first pair of hand-knitted socks. This is not bad going. 

To be fair, I put ALL the odds in my favour - 

     1. I chose a simple and clear pattern that plays on its colour scheme and not on a fancy design (ie stockinette); 
     2. I chose the same yarn as indicated on the pattern - in fact I only switch the colour scheme - crazy move, I know; 
     3. and I made one MAJOR modification - by adding a 1 inch to the leg section, whoohoo, crazy mods right there!

Pattern: Camping by Cabinfour

Yarn: De Rerum Natura Ulysse in sel and poivre (you can read my review of the yarn here)

Needles: 3.25 mm

Modifications: Minimal. I used Jeny's stretchy cast on and added that inch to the leg section

I am writing this post whist wearing my socks. They are so comfortable. These are not your regular socks - they fit perfectly, they are warm, cozy - everything that I believe hand-knitting should be about. OK, maybe I am seeing more in the work I put into it than I should - it is late and I am a bit tired too. 

I am planning to knit more socks, there is no stopping me now - I can do it (well that's if they are knitted top down, and I may be that  crazy and that I will give the toe up method a go!)

And it is one 2015 aim ticked, and onto the next... Fair isle anyone? 

Red and Grey :: Knitting ::

This month's le challenge theme was passion - so easy to interpret and then so hard when you have to get down and make something. I had something else in mind for this month - but could not work out the pattern in the end. So I knitted this little hat last night - Little Baby MiH was desperately needing a new hat (that fits his massive head), and therefore it is a win-win. A new hat and an entry for le challenge! 

I have had this red like passion yarn (oh yeah, weak interpretation but I was desperate!) in my stash. It is a Wendy merino chunky yarn. The grey yarn is leftover from my Nord. 

I am happy to post the pattern if anyone is interested. It was knitted in 6.5 mm - which might explained why it took me no time to knit it. And it is a baby hat, and that is so rewarding! I really need more of these cute easy projects in my life! 

What is your entry? Have you been inspired by passion? Here are all the other entries. Next month's theme will be posted tomorrow on Le Challenge, so stay tuned. 

Mr Moustache :: Cross-stitching ::

I finally managed to take picture of Little Baby MiH in his customised vest top - I had talked about the customisation process here (a bit of time ago now). He has been too small to wear it until now - but he is wearing it all the time now that he is able to. 

I bought a set of organic vests for Little Baby MiH before he was born, and only customised one of them. If you have a winter baby, vests are not something you get to see often. It is probably best to customise the summer ones - in case you fancy making some. 

It does make the perfect gift though - a vest is really useful, but a bit boring, so customising it adds a real personal touch - I am thinking initials to be super fancy. 

I bought the organic vests from BabiPur, the waste canvas 

from the Needle Craft Shop and use some DMC thread in brown. 

Here is my Pinterest board for embroidery pattern inspiration. 

I took a few pictures of Little Baby MiH to get these three (a mere 140...), hope you enjoyed them! 

A new Bedcover by 2018 | Inspiration {Knitting}

*For a chance to win one yard of organic cotton fabric dyed naturally

please make sure you enter the giveaway here*

There are many reasons to love crafting, and in my case trying to improve my skills - one of them is to able to recreate some items that are available but at great expense, or that do not exist anymore, or that I have only seen a picture of. 

This is the case of this blanket that I pinned a year ago (apparently). I knew it would be possible to find a pattern (well at least I was hoping to), and then I found it! 

I am not saying this is the easiest/quickest project I would be taking on - I am thinking probably 5 or 6 years (at my speed), but after a year on my Pinterest board I still love it - that mix of vintage and grey, so I am probably still going to be in love with it by the time I finish it, right? 

So I found the (free) pattern on Ravelry, and it confirmed what I knew all along - I could make my own. I am looking at this other (free) pattern to adapt the border and add a diamond border. 

The yarn is from Swans Island in Graphite - organic and using environmental-friendly dyes (of course).   

So day that I knit a block over 2 months, I may be able to have my new bed cover by Christmas 2018... Something to look forward to.. 

Bough | A Finish {Knitting}

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments yesterday! I can now finally come back on the blog without having to hide everything. Although I could have featured Bough ages ago!! I actually finished it in March, but I had not done the pompom, and it felt funny on me without it (although less so now that I have shorter hair) - and at the end of the day it is only head shots!

Let me start by I LOOOOOVVVVEEE this beanie hat. I bought the pattern as soon as I spotted it in BT Wool People Vol. 6.  

It was also the opportunity to try Shelter. I reviewed it here, and despite my reservations, this is the perfect yarn to show off the cable work. Have you seen the definition of the design?

Earrings: Azuni

Pattern: Bough (WP Vol 6) by Leila Raabe

Yarn: Shelter in Soot

Needles: 4mm circular (smaller than recommended as saw comments 
on the pattern knitting big), I am not sure it was necessary in the end.

Modifications: Not done on purpose, but I believe I forgot a section between the tree design and the cable.

I love this grey version, I wanted to knit something I could wear with any of my coats. However the green yarn used in the WP6 shots is really beautiful, and I may just need one in that colour too. So yes, I will use Shelter again, just because I think it really suits the design, and this time I will probably knit in 4.5mm to make it just a bit slouchier. 

A question of Quantities {knitting}

Last week I did not get a chance to show you the middle twist of Nord, but here it is:twists and the start of the v-neck shaping. Isn't it amazing?

I have never knitted v-neck shaping before so that's interesting and fun - and hopefully will make me knit this up a bit faster. 

My real problem now is that I may be running out of yarn. I have found my spare skein BUT that skein was awful and split in zillions of places (I complained to the Knitting shop - no response and now they don't sell it!), and I had left out that skein on purpose... But it will be handy (and very annoying) in the end. 

This is the actual colour - the previous picture was edited on IG

Running out of yarn is not something that usually happens - because I am usually generous with the number of skein I buy - usually one more than I think I will need, in case all the UK (and French) retailers run out of the specific yarn (yes this is happening right now with Cascade eco Alpaca!). How much yarn do you buy for a project? The exact amount or more? 

Linking up to Ginny's today and interested in your thoughts. 

Meet Desmond the Dragon | A finish {crochet}

He is cute, he is green, he is a dragon - let me introduce to Desmond (not my choice). If I am honest, I still cannot believe I have finished it. I do not crochet as much as knit, and thought that might be actually above my skills level. But look, I made him - with my little hands, on my own, no help! And he does actually look like the pattern - I know, amazing!

He is MUCH bigger than the pattern suggested - which may be why Baby MiH is not that keen on him (basically he is a big as he is when baby MiH sits).

In other things I am proud of having made are the eyes (well one of them, the other one is a bit wonky - did you notice the editing of the left eye). I could not find any, and then I thought of that fimo clay I had, 30 minutes in the oven, a bit of clear nail varnish (essential DIY tool) - et voila!

Then there is the clever bit about the spikes, so clever! You make a backbone chain, and then make the spikes! The back of the head is not the easiest of bit, but it is still very clever!

The ears are probably the cutest bits. Again it took me a while to understand - and a lot of Ravelry stalking to make sure I understood what I was supposed to do - I think I managed it ok.

 

Here is the back, it is a bit wonky, totally my fault - it happened when I pieced together the head to the body..

 

Pattern: "DIRK" - lalylala crochet pattern N° VI - Dragon, Dinosaur (available here)

Yarn:  Artenaso Definition sock yarn in Crocodile and Drops Karisma in Forest Green
(the white and orange yarn are leftovers from the fox hats, and the fabric from the Botanics collection)

Hook size: 4mm 

Modification: none only mistakes (except the size)
  Filling: Soft toy filling found here

There are many other great patterns by Lydia, I love the afro on Loni the Lion ... which one is your favourite?

Pattern Picks | BT Winter Vol.14 {Knitting}

It is out, yeah!! Yes, the new volume of Brooklyn Tweed patterns is on-line... I am feeling all terribly excited when the collection is revealed ... To be honest, I am more of a fan of Wool People 6 but there are some cute patterns that may make it on my needles... And of course the models are gorgeous, the pictures are gorgeous, the colours are gorgeous - as always it is totally inspiring!

Let's start by Landfall - I love it but I will never knit it. I am just being honest here, there is no way I have the  patience to knit this. But I wish I had, what an amazing knit!

So meet Elmont, that seems to be much more manageable - love the details, subtle but interesting. I would probably knit this in another shade though...  

Or I could knit Benton, you have to love that neckline.. That would be the perfect garment for the spring I reckon (with boyfriend jeans of course and flats... can you see it guys?).

I was not sure about including Alloy - I think it is quite quirky and on trend, but I am in two minds about having a knitted black insert instead of leather... So I will probably not knit this, but will be interested to see other knitters interpret it.. 

And here is Channel - gorgeous of course, I LOVE that colour, but yes as with Landfall probably not for me - but I so wished I had the patience...  

  
Which one is your favourite? Which one would knit? Are you all ready to tackle Landfall? 

The Brasilia Dress | WIP {Dressmaking}

I know I still have many WIPs that are sitting in my to-do box and adding one more project should really not be on my agenda. But I really wanted to test the Brasilia dress pattern. I thought this was the perfect dress for Mr MiH forthcoming Christmas do (massive event usually in some posh venue, although in Luton this year, hmm yes...). 

Rachel's version

My original idea was a black version of the dress - always good for testing a pattern and when I am going to challenge my sewing skills. But I found this fabric at my local John Lewis and just knew I had to use it. 

Clearly this is not my usual style. And looking at the fabric laying flat on my living room floor I did not really like it anymore. Never mind, it was the fabric I chose and I was going to make a dress out of it! 

I did the grading, it was not as bad as I feared as it was a case of widening (quite a bit) the waist and shortening the top half of the body. I also lengthen the bottom of the dress, but I am not sure whether I am going to keep that modification, I just wanted to have the option. 

I am making very good progress. The front panel is already made, I just need to get on the case of the invisible zipper... 

Vintage Chevron Quilt | A finish and Giveaway {Quilting}

 

Beware this is going to be a post full of pictures and only few words.

Pattern: Giant Chevron Quilt from The Elven Garden 
(available on Craftsy or Etsy)or check out 
the giveaway at the end of the post!

Fabrics: The 70s section fabric selection is detailed here, a collection of 

low volume fabrics in cream and Kona white for the background

Quilting: Stitched in the ditch around the chevron patterns, 

and highlighted with brown red hand quilting (Guterman).

Binding: I bought my bias tape – I opted for a very narrow binding so 

it did not overtake the whole quilt. I used a blanket stitch 

beforehand so it shows underneath the bias tape.

Size: The finished quilt size is 140 cm x 185 cm

Result: This is a great pattern – so versatile, just look at all the different 

testers’versions. It is a great beginners’ pattern 

as well (you don’t have to make it more complicated like I did).

This is the quilt I am most proud of. Technically I have still a lot more to learn about quilting, but I think I really have found my style and managed to capture my vision in this quilt. It was a bit more complicated because of the stamp collection, but totally worth the effort – it does blend colours well – you will see definitely more of this technique.

So it is GIVEAWAY time! You want to make this quilt – yes you do! Jess has been nice enough to giveaway  TWO patterns (in pdf form)!! Whoohoo! Who is in?

You have 3 chances to enter the giveaway:

1. This giveaway is open to my followers only - old and new. 

Let me know how you follow my blog in the comment box.

2. Like the MiH Facebook page - and leave me a second comment. 

3. Follow me on twitter, tweet about the giveaway, 

and/or follow me on Instagram (natmadeinhome) – 

and come back to leave me a third comment

The giveaway ends Friday 15 November at 12 noon (UK time). Please, please, please leave me a way to contact you if you are a no-reply blogger Good luck!

 Related posts:

• My  zigzag inspiration post is here
• I posted about making the stamp collection chevron pattern here as well as my fabric choice
• A post about progress here.