2025 April summary. Repairs, weaving, and sofa cover. .

 This April has been warmer and drier than usual. It feels like an early Me-Made-May, because I've done loads of assessment and care-and-repair. A round of stain treatment on clothes and bedding now there's enough light to see what's what*. A round of the usual minor fixes: restitching popped seams and missing buttons; adjusting waist elastics; adding a dart at shoulder blade height...

* Obviously, spills get dealt with as soon as possible. Spring cleaning round is for the cumulative tiny dots and spots that just make fabric look tired. 

We have two relatively new backpacks. It'd be a big job to add a waist strap to the weekending bag (transfer weight to the hips not shoulders). But I could reuse some reclaimed webbing and clips to add a chest strap (keeps the shoulder straps in place). Looked for some cord and a small cantilever clip to help the day bag straps stay in place, but have temporarily settled for a lanyard with a very sturdy swivel clip. Think an oversized necklace clasp. It's just knotted on for now, but if a success I can use the lanyard tape, the swivel clip, and a small o-ring for a more permanent fix. 

The big repair job started was the Finchdale jumper. I've hardly worn it despite all those knitting hours, due to discomfort at the armscyes. Same symptoms as the Talvi had - and since I adjusted that it has hardly been off my back except for laundry. Added height to the sleeve caps. Hmm, better. However sleeve caps and sleeve bodies both need a tad more wearing ease. Before setting them in again, did some experiments on a scrap square with sprang weaving. I was able to improve the sleeves without reknitting the whole lot. Ladder a column of stitches, double twist the rungs pairwise and secure with a crochet chain, and it'll look deliberate while gaining two stitches width, about ⅓". Enough to feel the difference. Not done done yet, I'm considering filling in the bodice lower scye a little, but haven't checked against shirts as opposed to tees underneath. 

And a bonus craft project over the Easter break. I have a small table loom for a few weeks, the kind that uses a notched stick to create a shed. There's been time to make a teapot stand, using up long thin fabric scraps as twine. Interesting as an experiment, but too many weights and qualities of scrap to make decent twine. Plus, in practical terms, the shuttles and shed weren't designed to take this thickness. 

Also a small mat from all those two foot lengths of yarn that we** hoard. Started as an experiment in colour grading from a roughly sorted pile of scraps, ended up a little picture of meadow lake and mountain. I enjoyed doing this as an afternoon workshop kind of project, but not enough to want to store the loom permanently.

** 'We' meaning the author and quite possibly the reader.

Not much knitting. Finished an Aran toddler hat. And started another winter hat. For me! The loaghtan hat is permanently lost, I think because it was slightly small in diameter, despite reknitting. Different yarn to the recommended and didn't grow in use. So I've cast on another using my usual pattern. Start at crown, increase to 22.5", one hand span diameter, in 8 sections. Then increase gradually just a tad more for the brow bone. I can decide on rib/brim later when the fit is confirmed - I did like the horizontal ridges on the old one.

Also started a larger project. I don't want to have our sofa professionally recovered for two or three years - until building works on our estate are finished. But as a stop gap, I've been experimenting with the old throw, with paper templates, and with a length of curtain fabric. The current preferred option is to drape the old throw over back and arms and skirt, and under the seat cushions to keep it in place, and to hide the ink stains. Then make a single temporary cover for the three seat cushions. I'm reluctant to cover tham individually because I constantly lose pens, phone, knitting, etc between them. A few days into May I have a prototype cut, the fitted edges sewn, but only draped at the centre till I see how much excess to leave as an expansion joint to cope with foam compression when we sit.

2025 March bits and bobs

The TDCO trousers and Talvi jumper finished in March are already blogged, but not yet photographed. What else has been happening chez Mouselet? 

Denim Rtw skirt altered. It was a charity shop find bought for a western themed event. I'd already put an extra strip in at front high hip to get it to hang without literally hitting the back of my calves. However I still wasn't choosing it because the front slit was draughty. I've now patched in a fake underskirt, a salvaged 7" square. I like the way it looks and feels now. One last tiny gripe, I'm constantly breaking my brittle fingernails on the stiff fabric. Let's see if it lasts the spring, or whether I undo the alterations and donate it back. 

 

Altered red legwarmers when I found a bit more yarn. Is it "a cobbler's kids are the worst shod" thing, that I use best yarn for other people and make do for myself? 

Repairs done. 

Replace missing toggle on backpack drawstring. 

Let out elastic on smallest pair of new knicks. There's always one in a multipack that's been skimped. 

Used TDCO waistband to add another round of elastic to red fleece joggers. 

New arrivals

Coffee-coloured linen above-ankle skirt - another charity shop find. It's working well practically in this mild Spring weather. However a standard hip curve drapes the fabric away to the side of my body, so I may straighten the side seams for appearance. I'm tempted to take the excess from front only, giving more of a walking skirt silhouette. Maybe safety pin it and see how it hangs? There are more complicated options involving moving darts. 

What's next?

A few handstitched alterations to make permanent next time the sewing machine is out, e.g. take in tartan pjs  at ankles. And a few other things to fix. 

Get on with sofa and chair-seat covers.

Unfortunately I'd better pause the fitting project until my foot heals. In the meantime I will have no scruples about altering not-quite-last-legs garments to get me through the summer, or about acquiring and altering charity shop finds. 

    

2025 Jan Feb, progress but nothing completely done

2025 January February summary.

For 2025, I'd told myself that I'd try to do a few stitches on something every day. The prompt is 'you enjoy it once you start'. And apart from one day when there really was a higher priority, I have moved forward a little on one or other project, and enjoyed it. 

Not exactly the projects as I'd sketched them out, and not much is finish-finished, but lots of learning. 

The woven top S6614 did get the shoulder point moved in, then got put away because I need trousers sooner than a summer top. It's a useful delay, because the trousers' photos have give me an insight onto how far towards the waist my sloping shoulders propagate. A three quarter view from the back is instructive. There's sometimes extra soft tissue in the area between bra band and natural waist, depending on where my arms are. (Tucking tee into bra band to photograph back waist really emphasises above waist area.)

The TDCO trial is teaching me a lot. The summary is that, once the rise is adjusted for me, and standing, I can use a much more conventional shape than I imagined. Cut a bigger size than my low hip suggests, straighten the hip area below the crest, and shorten the back dart. The process has fixed the twist below knee I find in RTW and my previous me-mades. Sitting, the pressure is on the spine curve and belly button area. I haven't done the final tweaks on the two legged toile yet, but this is already much better than RTW and I think better than last year's linen pair. 

Reknitting my teal Talvi jumper from the armscye up. Well, apart from the yarn remaining quite curly after skeining and washing, it seems to be going well. Back is done, front needs one more shoulder, sleeve caps are paused an inch from the top in case back needs to be longer than the front. Hope to finish in March. 

And the granny squares. Hmm. Got diverted by a puzzle about Fibonnaci numbers into making squares with sides 1, 2, 3, 5, 8...blocks, with the intention of joining them into a golden spiral 18" square (which would have been fine for the community project) Only when joining did I realise that A) it needs to be mattress stitched to emulate the interlocked rounds B) you have two spaces at the end of each side, so they were actually proportioned 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 etc to each other. Never going to work. Then our knitting group was asked to contribute squares to the Southport Bear Parade. Most of mine were sent to cover bears at our favourite cafe. However I resized a few up or down to 6" and they may still get to the Art Gallery next month. I'm coming to the conclusion anyway that my crochet tension is wrong for Granny Squares bigger than this. They get baggy above 9" or so. That's also useful learning. 

So, where are we for March?

Finish Talvi jumper. If OK, do the same ish refit to Finchdale jumper which has had fewer wears and is in a better condition. 

Continue with TDCO fitting. Transfer high leg and spine changes to flat pattern. Can I improve undertum area? Investigate preferred fit for both wide-ish ankle/foot  and for narrow ankle/foot. 

I must get on with the sofa/chair covers, the plain cream is looking scruffy even when newly washed, other coverings are too disparate. 

    

2024 roundup

 Happy New Year 2025

It's been a busy 2024 for family, for work and for non-crafty projects. For instance, I refreshed my schoolgirl Spanish to accompany DH to an event in November. And to be honest, when I look at my clothing, it generally serves it's purpose better than when I "retired" six years ago.

I have about 50 indoor items of clothing now, that is tops, bottoms, dresses and cardigans, mostly me-made or altered to fit better. I like all the colours and most of the styles. However there are a few gaps, some are getting ready for replacement, and the jury is still out on whether to keep, say, more than two skirts or short sleeved tops. Overall, though, it's about the right amount for my lifestyle.

And how did I do with 2024 plan?

Cycle shorts in bright yellow as an underlayer and a cami in Monet jersey finished, a constellation-print shirt S9210 for H. Adapted a charity shop denim skirt to fit me, however I find the walking slit cold so it may not stay long in my wardrobe. The woven shirt/top has had a couple of attempts, but still nothing finished that I'm happy with. Formal dress, woven shirt, office trousers, summer joggers and my mouse-fabric waistcoat didn't get to the top of the list. I've started dreaming of a coat, however a sewn cardi and/or jacket would be good practice.

As well as the planned items, in 2024 I sewed one pair of stretchy trousers in antique gold ponte, one tee in  Monet jersey, and two rectangle skirts one in mustard and one burgundy. Knit one Hermia cardigan in Mallard merino, a Manx loaghtan yarn hat, and brown merino wrist warmers all for me.  Some extra knitting for  presents: merino legwarmers for H, a beanie for K, a mustard aran hat for E.  Community arts contributions: poppies, granny squares, and cafe decorations. Plus the usual hats and booties to give away. Fails? The chicken-print Betty neckline was not a success, nor the L shaped scarf due to fabric choice. The usual ongoing repairs have been done, and some rarely worn garments brought back into use, mostly be letting out at the waist and high hip. DH's old work wear fleece was delogo-ed and is in use again. Some small knit items were reknit or extended and are better now.

I've bought a number of charity shop items to try, of which a couple have been altered, the white floral shirt significantly refitted. Several garments were donated back as too far from my own shape or other needs, but that's ok occasionally - it's been interesting to try. Unfortunately I've had to part with some old favourites, either worn out or because they've become too tight at lower shoulder blade height.

The fitting programme inches forward. I have trouser and tee patterns, cami and cycle shorts, however the joggers still need a better waist treatment.  I'm  actively working on the woven top again, having abandoned B8957 for the Betty, then found S6144 is better (tighter scyes so more movement ease) at the shoulders. Over the last week, I've unpicked the 2021 Talvi jumper ready to reknit up from the underarms.  

What else crafty? Reading blogs. Watching historical and fitting videos. Clothing and stash sifts. Two lots of inherited stuff sorted and absorbed or rehomed. 

FFFF directions: A long essay in my diary about Function and Fit by garment type is in my November/December diary. I think my Finishing is improving - certainly my cutting and marking have*. Not so much Fun added to the clothing because the chicken print failed. And because I need more plains to balance the prints I have. Does it count that I've had fun trying or rediscovering techniques?

* I'm starting to be confident to use decent yarn for myself, but need to do the same with decent fabric now that Fit and Finishing are better.

Overall, I can definitely count myself a Crafty Little Mouselet for 2024. 

Wonder what will happen in 2025? 

2024 November and December

The main activity while away at the beginning of November was planning. I wanted to think (again) about what needs I am meeting. Geeks know this as collecting functional requirements. My sewing diary now lists how many of what kinds of garments I think I need, then goes into a bit more detail. Obviously my choices are personal, depending on things like local climate (mild, damp and changeable), physique (petite, proportions far from standard, sensitive to cold and sun) and residence (little drying or storage space). Chattered about which patterns I started with, all fairly ordinary since I'm only an improver as far as fitting is concerned. Many of them are now out-of-print. However similar basic ones are easily found. I've been better in the last few years about taking photos of makes and acquisitions (analysis of existing system), so I hope that will inform my next specific sewing goals. 

Knitting 

Finished H's new legwarmers, made from the overbought Mallard merino. Two balls make a pair about 10". She wore them moments after they were given, and I've seen her in them several times since :) 

The Mallard Hermia cardigan was very slowly completed. Decided to do a folded hem since a rib emphasises my overhang. Finished grafting the hems just into December. Buttons had been chosen (on holiday in Spain) and the band, with all those stitches to pick up, just in time to wear on Christmas day. 

Sewing. Thought I might make progress towards a woven top, even in winter, by rough fitting  over a long sleeved tee. Vintage Simplicity 6614 size 14½ was the plainest woven dress in my pattern collection, A half size (37" bust) dress with a back zip, two long back darts, and a French dart at the front. Wasn't expecting much from the first version. Would you believe it? It's an improvement on my hard-won Betty in the shoulder and armscye area. V1 was fitted downwards, pretty good to empire line, not too bad to waist, not enough fabric from previous toile to go over my high hip. V2 continued down to top of leg, adapted to hang a bit straighter at low hip since I intend a top. and was tweaked by 1/8" here and there higher up  Like the V1 sheeting, the V2 gingham was third-use fabric. After an hour's V2 test wear, I'd like a smidge more movement ease in biceps and lower shoulder blades. But I am really pleased with how it drapes on me, and that the grain lines are right. I've started tracing the adjusted pattern ready for v3. 

Repairs done. 

De-velcro-ed a baseball cap after it ate my sunscreen scarf. Well,  the said cap will be donated to DH who tans, since the side of my own face burnt anyway. 

Tightened up plaid pj sleeve and leg hems. Not sure I like the look of the now lantern legs, but they can be unpicked if need be. Warmer and less of a trip/spill hazard now. 

Ancient V-neck white tee, added sideseam darts to help shoulder fit.  Same change to an old Freya, which rubs less than it did at front scye. 

Tighten up grey pj sleeves, they were letting the draughts in. 

The pink fleece pj trousers had their elastic snipped, Happened to be wearing them when taking a fitting photo of Simplicity 6614. No wonder I rarely choose them when the cb was so hungry. They needed an elastic scrap, about 3", inserting for an even waist.

Chose not to do:

Another Betty pattern test, because Simplicity 6614 feels better in shoulder area, and is more fitted. I'll continue with that for now. 

Replace oldest cycle shorts, because I realised I can use some of my pieced or cropped trouser toiles as loose linings for trousers. 

New arrivals: 

A purple (charity shop) quilted coat. It keeps cold and rain out well enough, but swamps me above high hip. I really do need to work up towards coat construction. Oh no! Realised I wore this, when rushing for a train on a wet day, with a red hat that doesn't go. Not that I dressed soberly in my youth. 

Denim skirt. For a western themed event. Well, I can't run for a bus in it, but it's OK for mild weather. Let out half an inch at each front high hip, and hangs much better, and no longer creeps up my waist throughout the day. . 

Cowboy hat, was definitely for this event only. Returned to the charity shop soon after. 

    

2024 mid-and and late- October

Between too many treats (concert tickets, walks and lunches out) and peak demand from my non-crafty project, there were just a few days mid-month where I had sewing-sized gaps in the schedule. 

Knitting can be done in shorter sessions. Although the Mallard cardi just needs split hem completing, and a button band on, it's been kicked down the list by a request from H for legwarmers - she is down to her last pair. She is fitter than me, and needs 5 extra 4 stitch ribs around her calves compared with her ankles. I, who only run for trains and buses, need only 3 extra. She has chosen the Mallard merino leftovers. The first is done up to the last few rows at the top, and the second cast on ready to take on a journey later this month. 

As the warmer weather clothes get put away, I notice the older long sleeve tees are looking less than pristine. Not quite ready for recycling, however I dug out my best pattern, a much modified Tilly and the Buttons Freya tee. Used more of the Monet-esque blue floral poly to make 2024 v1, tweaked another 1/4" at armscye and neckline. I really like the fit now. It works with navy trousers, and also with the thin dragonfly-print royal blue trousers, made 2017 ish. Wouldn't usually wear two prints together, but think I can get away with these. 

Repairs done. 

Green seeds-print tank, 2018 ish, had been altered to fit, but some discomfort from squared off binding enclosed in the sideseam. I had just enough to butt up the binding slightly offset. Not the prettiest join, but now much softer and flatter. Comfy enough now to sleep in or wear all day.

A general check for popped seams. Causes? Forgetting to switch to zigzag on stretch fabrics. Older tees need more front armscye scoop and less at back (pattern now corrected) Laundry issue - arm or leg stitching can pop when extracting a too tightly packed load from washing machine,  remember to use a net bag. 

Household: Deep cleaned inside tumble dryer - including new-to-me lint hiding place. Deep cleaned sewing machine. 

 

For next month? I'm enjoying wearing the Manx loaghtan hat, but it would look even better with an oak leaf attached. 

Reknit two year old Talvi teal jumper with stretched out neckline?

One more Freya tee? A sewn fleece or French terry cardi? 

Revisit waist treatment on joggers, make another pair? 

The pillowcase Betty from last month is really comfortable. Can I find a better match for the yoke pieces, and get at least some wear from it? 

We'll see how much time I actually get! 

    

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2024 September and early October

 

Sewing Camisole in blue floral Monet-esque poly jersey. The pattern is a distant descendant of a SoZo download, now cropped to waistband height, raised at front for extra coverage, and slightly ruched back and front at sideseam for fit. Stayed nicely in place during a full day test wear. I added 1/4" length at cb to flat pattern, but can claim my version as a T&T now. 

Fitting. Played with draping with paper tablecloth, but got nowhere better than the Betty. Cut another Betty from an old pillowcase and some scraps. Various quarter inch tweaks, notably at yoke and lower shoulder blade height. Have adjusted the flat pattern, and worn this round the flat and as a pj top. Think this is my minimum ease woven top, now. Very comfy. There'll be another Betty from decent material in the spring. 

Knitting. Mostly finishing off or redoing stuff that was nearly right last time. 

Mallard cardigan extended below waist. With new yarn, have substituted the old contrast yarn with new main yarn but different dyelot. Sleeves are better length, hips better width, and now longer than before. Currently working on split hem just above sitting length, then only have button band to redo. 

E's hat, Mustard Aran. (delivered, explained to his mum that the seam can be adjusted to fit him) 

Poppies, all delivered. 

Unpicked wristwarmers (too loose) and reknit 4 St's narrower. That's better. 

Unpicked most of Manx yarn hat, have reknit stand wider and a little higher, and crown with extra yarn (it was a bit thicker and maybe stiffer than 4-ply usually is). Just need to close off last couple of dozen stitches now.. 

Christmas stocking decoration for knit'n'natter cafe. 

Repairs done. 

New swimsuit top taken in along band (I'm between L and medium size) 

DH's trouser button replaced, one restitched for safety. 

Overall (1980's!) let out

Rainbow legwarmers extended, but left the red pair for now. 

Take in red fleece trousers (yellow ponte pair can wait till spring) 

Let out mouse-print pj trouser elastic (my standard cf adjustment for Rtw) 

Strap fixed on mouse and poppies bag.  

Removed letters from black men's volunteering fleece (they didn't want it back) and put on a fabric patch to conceal the non-unpick-able logo. 

Tightened binding on chicken-print Betty 

New arrivals:

Thick soled trainers. 

Discards:

Ethnic print cardi, too small across back now. 

Pieced rugby shirt - scorched area still shows

    

2024 August summary

Not much sewing, but am happier with the chicken-print fabric Betty top. Problem with the shoulder area. Added length across back including scyes. Dropped the V another inch for better proportions. Even nicer now it has visible binding.

Knitting: the Newborn size pink hat is finished.

More poppies - they are an easy handbag size project. 

Unpicked the baby merino wristwarmers (too loose) and started to reknit 4 St's narrower. They are both about 6" long and I hope to get another inch on each. 

Repairs done. 

Shortened garden bird print tee for H. Unpicked top stitching at front neck and lowered the scoop 1/8" to compensate for stretching.

More popped seams restitched and two stretched neck lines elasticated (a more solid jersey than usual) 

Restitched press stud on brown jacket. This time it's the second down - the one I fasten when I want part open. 

Button restitched on navy canvas pants. 

Patched paisley cycle shorts (as temporary bikini bottoms, I'm going to see how I feel about swimming again)  

Retouched paintwork (a regular summer household task) 

Discards. The tan petite overshirt, new-to-me about 2015, now too tight across shoulders. Shame. 

Beige L-shaped scarf, can't get clean. But will use that shape again. 

Hoarded small fabric scraps. I've kept enough to do repairs on garments I still have, and a few child friendly pieces. Just in case. 

What else crafty? 

Spent way too much time watching historical /archaeological textile and garment videos. 

Started yet another fabric /yarn sift. We're not going to get trying-on weather this year. Only a couple of days over 20°C. So the next projects will need to be either already fitted patterns, or cardigans/top layers to be tried on over long sleeve tees. Which get scruffy quickly cos they fluffy and cosy,  so I run short of them quickly. 

 

    

2024 July summary

Mustard Aran hat, pre-teen size. I don't have measurements yet for this, so knitted flat from age suggestion and will choose seam style to adjust when his mum gets back to me. Length just touches tops of my ears, so ribbing  likely to turn up for him. 

Summer wrist warmers in light brown baby merino. An odd ball that's a really good match for my skin tone has been my travel project. Top down, 60 St's rib on 3.25mm dpns, thumbless, worked gusset down to 52 St's (though 48 would have been better). Both warmers worked down to the forearm so far.  I'm hoping for 8" to 10" length. Why for summer? So I can wear some of my nice short sleeve shirts and tees without scratching at my eczema. 

(EDIT Next time, on 3.25mm dpns, c/o 56St,, rib half an inch. Leaving a 4 st bridge, make thumb hole 1.5" deep. Reduce to 48st at wrist, and increase at forearm to 52 or 56 before edging below elbow. If I choose garter stitch edges for historical reasons, cast on 52 with fewer decreases below thumb.)

Only enough of the pink yarn left for a newborn hat. It's progressing slowly top down, but I've started the rib now. 

Test wears. Our part of the UK has been just outside the warmer air stream. On the couple of days above 20°C, the altered silk top was very comfy. The L shaped scarves worked as a extra layer as well as for sun protection. The white floral top and the new-to-me split sleeve tops are still waiting for a suitable occasion. 

The Mallard raglan cardigan made last year only works with a dress. Tracked down more yarn - and unfortunately it is less muted in colour. I need to knit up a sample to see if it will do for cuffs and bands - and if so can use the existing cuffs and bands to add an inch or so and bring it down to cover my skirt and trouser waistbands. 

No sewing. The Chicken-print fabric Betty top has been neglected in the hope of a warm and quiet day. (Edit. Fixed in early August) 

Possibles  -  same as last month

Repairs done. 

Only household e.g. tightened screws on frying pan. 

    

2024 June summary

Not a particularly crafty month, but some projects finished or moved forward. 

Knitting /crochet:

Delivered granny squares for the community arts project, then decided to make one more plain in flecked grey, then squeezed in a second from mixed leftovers (the octagon centre worked better than a square start). A couple more poppies added to the bag, too. These two projects are refreshing my crochet skills, and using up yarn unsuitable for baby clothes donations. 

One toddler size pink hat knitted, and started another. 

Sewing: Worked with chicken -print fabric for Betty top. It's the best fit yet for sleeves and mid-back. Ready for a test wear when summer arrives.  However I've cut the neckline too wide to stay in place and suspect it will soon be on the repair pile for a yoke to replace the neck area. 

Repairs:

Poppers on brown raglan cardi restitched - again. 

Rainbow legwarmers. Cut off shrunken wool extension (about 1") and added a burgundy acrylic stripe (about 1.5") to the top rib. 

Two long scarves made L-shaped for sun protection.  From a two-fabric charity shop find, one half beige gauze, the other ivory lace. 

Other crafty activities:

Sorted some inherited knitting needles, decided which to add to my own collection. Duplicates donated, well most of them :)  

Test wears - only the mustard brocade skirt which was fine for about town. We only have had one hot day here (in mid-twenties)  White floral shirt still awaits the sun. 

Chose not to do:

Sew what you need in June - already covered by existing plans. 

And what's are the probable projects for July? 

Make sure the tweaks to the Betty top are transferred to the flat pattern. 

Play with raising or narrowing the back neck so it doesn't slide down in wear. 

Handbag sized projects. I've done a load of crochet poppies, can I do some knit ones as well? Use the part ball of cotton yarn for (sun protection) gloves? 

Once happy with the Betty pattern, can I use what I've learned to reknit the top 6" or so of the Talvi 2022 or Finchdale 2023 jumpers? Or am I better making a fleece or brocade cardi first? I'm short of decent cardigans. 

Neither of my summer raincoats have hoods, can I do something about that? 

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2024 May summary, mostly repairs and rejigs.

At the start of the month, I was fitting. Working out how much to compensate for the waistband stretch on ponte pants. Also did another round of drape/pin/stitch/adjust on a defunct plaid shirt of DH's. This time I concentrated on underbust to hip, and have a better contour map to feed into my eventual (cough cough) well-fitting shell. The grand plan is to blend with a better shoulder area/upper back/armscye/sleeve cap, but for now I'll settle for a better waistband and yoke. 

Me-Made-May? Well, I told myself I'd skip this year, and just do a grand try-on instead. Unfortunately, my posture has deteriorated. Upper back is even wider and rounder, pelvis more tilted. A large bag of jackets and formal wear left the flat, including some favourites (sad). But I did find ways to rescue several of my me-mades and charity shop finds from the outbox. 

Firstly, another alteration round with two recent makes, where I hadn't compensated enough for the stretch fabric. 

Plum skirt, take in another inch. 

Ponte pants - split back darts into three  (1" taken in). Take 1/4" off all side seams, making another inch from waist. Hooray, they stay up well now. 

And then rejig older garments which I want to keep

Duck tee v1 and pale tan Freya v1 - fix tight front armscye by adding a back armscye dart and compensating with bust dart. Bonus - they don't roll to back so much, so necklines fit better. 

Add extra elastic on grey summer joggers.

Moved the zip across 1/2" on the camo trousers

Red plaid pj trousers, add 5" to elastic. No wonder they were uncomfy (I'm smallest at empire line so tight elastic creeps upwards) 

Bias cut sleeveless blue flowered dress - added dart to front and back below scye. No longer cuts into armpit. 

Paisley cycle shorts, restitched popped seam. Stole a little from seam allowance at tum and spine to give more ease at that height. 

Additional button hole made on white floral shirt, it's now suitable for the office

Has this worked? Yes, the rejigged trousers and tees are chosen again straight off the clean washing pile. Though it hasn't been warm enough yet to test the lighter clothes. 

Wardrobe: This year's sifts have left me short of summer office wear and of tidy everyday cardis. Which told me to reschedule... 

Sewing: A quick rectangle skirt from some gifted mustard brocade (Two seams to shape the waist elastic). It's passed its test wear round the flat, but awaits temperatures over 20° before it gets a full-day test. 

I finally checked sleeve and neckline pattern and cut out my chicken print fabric. 

Knitting:

Community Arts poppies, two last petals to go, and that's the last of my suitable yarn. 

Community Arts granny squares. Done but not delivered. 

Reduced band on red tam, started reknitting sides and crown. 

Household: . 

Tighten bolts on remaining living room furniture. 

Hanging loops on remaining bathroom towels 

And candidates for next month? 

Finish reknitting cherry scrappy tam, and the last poppy. Extend cherry legwarmers if I can. Then back to baby hats. 

Sew up the chicken print top, test the mustard skirt, and carry on with the fitting project. Surely it will feel warmer soon! 

    

    

2024 Mid-March to end April

Spring is stuttering in, and I've washed and put away all the coldest-weather clothing. Layers of mid-weight will do for a while.

Slowing down on the knitting, but enjoyed working with the Manx loaghtan wool (rare breed undyed) as the hat grew in odd short spurts. Two concerns: Playing yarn chicken. Would there be enough to finish? And is it big enough? I checked tension and the pattern suggests it should stretch to fit. First wear before it was blocked, and it crept upwards. Better after wet blocking. 

Unusually, my train-journey bag has crochet for two community arts projects. Poppies for a Remembrance Day exhibition, commemorating service folk and civilians. And granny squares raising awareness for maternity provision - or lack of it - worldwide. I'll use all my red black and pink yarn leftovers for these projects, and get back to selfish knitting and baby hats later in the year. 

Sewing. Last month's plum self-drafted skirt has had a surprising number of wears, as an extra layer over pj's in the early morning or late evening. As a personal preference, I get on better with a hoodie rather than a big-sleeved dressing gown while doing first- and last-thing jobs. The trial skirt isn't brilliant fabric, but it is keeping my legs warmer. 

A shirt for H had reached the head of the queue last blog post. V1 Simplicity 9210 in old sheeting had to wait for a wear test (Spoiler: it passed with very few changes). 

Whilst waiting I adapted ancient News of the World NS258, made successfully in linen last year, for stretch ponte (antique gold from Marshside), cut out and accepted up to the waistband. Since I need a curved or darted front waist at that height, I wanted to check how my pattern lines up with the darts before finishing. 

Then H came back from her trip. V1 trial shirt needed small tweaks to sleeve length etc, but drapes beautifully around her neck and shoulders. Cut out V2 Simplicity 9210 in constellation print cotton poplin from Croft Mill.(UK readers, H studied a while at Jodrell Bank observatory, so you'll understand why this fabric was for her.) Finished, tested, and pattern changes made. She is really happy with the finished shirt. 

The antique gold ponte pants NS258 have their hem and waistband. Yes, the top of the band does indeed need to be 3" smaller than the base an inch below. Had to take them in, cos the trousers were Toulouse, as the old joke goes. Kidding apart, I'm pretty pleased with them as secret pyjamas. The bonus is that they go well with the duck-print jacket that I wear to technical meetings in summer. 

Repairs done. 

H's dark floral shirt, shorten at hemline to 23" below high shoulder point.

Plum skirt, take in an inch at waist. Then another! 

White floral shirt - shorten sleeves 3" or 3.5", taper to original cuffs, so lose 1" wrist circumference. Added 1" darts front and back. Added shoulder darts, taking in 1". Repair frayed buttonhole. Hmm, maybe it would be quicker to make a new one, however I learned better fitting and a new-to-me cuff placket. 

Replace drawstring and toggle on grey/turquoise backpack. 

Bra extender added to old but barely-used reserve white rtw - stitched on to survive washing machine. (The good bras are handwashed.) 

Some household repairs too, principally fixing a partially blocked drain before it became completely blocked. 

Chose not to do:

Take out excess below front waistband neon cycle shorts.  

I've added a discards section to my diary. Hoping items will mostly be worn out after many wears, rather than shopping mistakes. The 2014-ish navy and white raincoat must have had hundreds of wears and a couple of reproofing runs before finally biting the dust when the zip broke. Not worth unpicking when cuffs etc are almost worn through. 

The other category I'm happy to discard is wildcard buys from charity shops*. If the peasant style top with dark peach and dark sage flowers had worked out with my mature figure... I'd been unsure whether the style was too young, but the actual issue was that lower-cut backs fall off my sloping shoulders. For a couple of quid to a good cause, and better understanding, I'm not unhappy to discard i.e. donate it unaltered to another charity shop nearer me. 

* Very few fitting rooms nowadays, and in this case there's a rail journey to take the top back. 

Candidates for next time? Maybe see if I can get a skirt from the leftovers antique gold ponte. 

I want to restart the woven shirt/top. I have some adorable chicken print poplin and a trial top fitting from last year, though hadn't decided on sleeve and neckline to showcase the print. 

Depending on my non-crafty commitments, I'd also like to think about top and underlayers. Fit a sleeveless top to double as a cami, and maybe a cardi that fastens at centre front. UK summers are as unpredictable as our springs. 

The Rolls-Royce item, a raincoat that fits me, is still in daydreaming stage rather than planning. 

    

2024 February and early March

So, what's been happening chez mouselet in the last month and a half? 

Hooks and needles still turning out small things for donation. The last of the lilac 4ply was crocheted into a baby hat, ribbed with a dark rose, and there was just enough lilac for a shell edging. With purple dk made fingerless mitts (thumb holes but not thumb extensions, blue skies and dragonflies pattern) to match last month's socks. And the very last of the purple dk, supplemened with white ribbing, became a 6-month hat that matches mitts and socks. 

A present for K on her allotment, a beanie in kingfisher colours, Teddy Navajo Aran. 

And prepping the next handbag size project, I've chosen needles and pattern - yes after knitting a tension square - to use the gorgeous undyed Manx loaghtan (rare breed sheep) 4ply that I brought home from the island last autumn. 

A little sewing... 

2024 v1 from ancestor pattern So Zo cami, in reused dark blotchy print. Reusing a somewhat altered pattern from a couple of years ago and what I've learned since then. Interesting, I added a horizontal dart at lower shoulder blade, and it fits well now, is very comfy, but wants an extra quarter inch coverage for my winter bras. And just a little more length for waistline warmt. 

Also for me, v1 of a self drafted knit underskirt with a little bit of flare, made from bargain box plum jersey. The front waistband needed a bit more 'curvature' to stay up well, a consequence of my sway back. However, I am happy enough with fit now that I'm ready to lengthen the pattern an inch, and cut better fabric for a spring skirt. 

And started a more complicated sewing project, prepped a shirt pattern for H. It's mid-nineties Simplicity 9210, design your own shirt. So old they have reused the pattern number. V1 is made up in a worn-out sheet. First fitting and a recent try on look pretty good, but she hasn't done a proper wear test yet for those last quarter inch adjustments. 

Repairs? fixed popped seams and loose buttons. Took in stretched elastic, clipped wide elastic on pj's to clear my hip bone. Added a strip to office chair seat cover to stop it working loose. 

I think you can guess the plans for the rest of March. Into April, maybe I'll tempt fate by replacing summer clothes - lost sunhat, outgrown dress etc. 

    

2024 January roundup

January projects, on the whole, were handbag sized knitting and crochet for donation. Mostly booties, with one pair of sleep socks for a toddler. Theme was different styles - sole first, toe first, top down Not in photo, a bonus pair of toe up crochet preemie booties, already donated. Haven't seen a pattern for crochet top down yet, and there are still crossover and granny square designs to try. 

I'd wanted to see whether I still enjoy crochet (I do, though it's harder on my eyes than knitting.) Also, to have a go at knitting both classic heel methods, before I choose yarn and pattern for a grown-up size later in the year. 

I'm also pondering hybrid travel slippers for myself - crochet sole in chunky or doubled yarn for insulation, knit uppers for packing, and because I prefer knitted rib. There are always more projects to try. 

The only sewing project was another pair of cycle shorts, in inherited neon jersey  whichbreathes a little. No, not as exercise wear - for me a bike is transport - but as  an underlayer. I had a week away from home, variable temperatures, and the extra layer worked when going from snow to shirtsleeves. I'm also happy to add my much altered https://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/peg-legs/ pattern to the T&T* list. The bad news? Now I want to buy fabric for leggings, to try the gusset versions, to try colour blocking, loads of options. 

* T&T - tried and tested, tried and trusted, tried and true. A pattern you have made your fit adjustments to, and need to mostly think about fabric behaviour when you make up.. 

October to December 2023 roundup

Happy New Year! As I thought, my non-crafting project is taking much of my time and energy. (It's going well, though). So the sewing machine is only coming out occasionally. Betty (the Betty Foster master pattern mashed up with Burda 8957) has been put away till I can give it proper attention. 

The somewhat tested Successful Sewing 8 SS8 joggers pattern was tweaked again and make up in red fleece as Tai chi spares.The test wear was a success, the pattern retraced, and they have been worn often. So comfy in these winter evenings. To be made again in better fabric in the spring. 

Quite a lot of knitting, as it can come out and about with me. Bigger projects come out in the evenings, and at knit and natter. Small handbag size projects are for trains, lunch breaks, whenever I have a few spare minutes sitting. 

Teal Hermia summer cardi. Couldn't get a yarn order with the same colour, instead added more of the light stripes. Used every inch and it's still shorter than my preference. But it's done, my best fit at shoulders yet, and will be lovely with dresses next summer. 

Finchdale jumper. This wasn't as far from finished as I'd thought . Cuffs and 2.5" hip ribbing with side slit were (re)done this quarter. Also reknit neck ribbing with fewer stitches and smaller needles.  Have set the sleeves in and sewed in all the ends this afternoon, so it counts as a 2023 finish, right? As usual, it's way better at waist, high hip and over bust on me than anything I can buy, but I can quibble with neckline, shoulder width and lower ribbing width. Only quibbling - I'm looking forward to wearing it. 

Lots of small portable projects. I'm finally confident to use real wool for me, for family and for close friends who will care about the difference...

Blue merino legwarmers for a September birthday.

Kandinsky sock wool wristwarmers - for me. 

Reknit rainbow sock yarn mittens with less ease - for me.

Cherry tam for me. Ancient stash yarn, high percentage of wool. So cosy. As a bonus J gave me a Robin brooch, which perches beautifully on the fold line. 

Matching cherry legwarmers - needed to add green stripes  to eke out the length. By chance, H gave me a cowl a few months ago which goes well with hat and legs. 

Attempted tiny wristbands  with the last of  pale blue merino. Bother, they kept coming off with coat or jumper, so unpicked them and used the yarn to extend similar-coloured wristwarmers - for me. 

And for donation, mostly acrylic ...

Blue baby hat. 

Coffee and white preemie hat. 

Playfood egg salad - an unexpected group project at knit and natter. A thank you to the lovely cafe owners who plan a teddy bear picnic display. 

Crochet baby booties in pink/salmon/purple. 2 classic pairs done, and one toe up. Purple pair started, classic construction but some details which are new-to-me. Another rabbit hole to fall down while I see which construction works best - for me making them and my best guess at good for the baby and parent. 

Rainbow  crochet baby hat made with rainbow mitten leftovers. This was sock yarn, unlikely to felt, so I've risked donating it to the baby bank. 

Repairs 

2021 green joggers needed cuffs or similar. These had shrunk about 2" in length, and were a little draughty to start with. They're so  much warmer now. Comfier to sleep in too, because they don't creep up to my knees. Bonus, the green and blue trial tee, Freya v5, looks and feels good with this. 

2023 Petrol blue cords - taken in a bit more.

My shrunken rainbow legwarmers, 2018?, have had a few rounds added in Terracotta chunky wool. Bother, one hid in a trouser leg and got tumble dried. The Terracotta is necessarily the ankle end now. 

Fixed popped seams on cycle shorts (worn as an under layer in this weather) 

My non-crafty project probably goes on till Easter. So, while I fully intend to keep making things, I probably won't blog about them for ages. 

All the best for 2024,

Mouselet.

    

September 2023 roundup - fitting and knitting

We had two family trips away in September, the first to the Midlands, the second to Scotland. Which took me away from my sewing machine, but did encourage me to knit something portable. 

The legwarmers weren't quite finished by the end of the month, but were nearly there. It's getting cool in the evenings now (despite the unseasonable 30° earlier in the month) so these will soon be appreciated. 

No progress on the Teal Hermia summer cardigan. I didn't want to make an Internet yarn order till we came back, none of the physical shops visited carry that brand of merino. And now we're home, that colour seems to be sold out on the UK sites. Guess it will be unpicking time - serves me right for dithering so long. 

Sewing, I carried on with the Betty Foster toile (muslin). Three interesting things I've learned:

It hadn't occurred to me before to measure overbust when sitting. It's much bigger than when standing.

This design had a horizontal and a vertical bust dart. Given the flare in my ribcage (or is it the front of a swayback) I didn't need to stitch the vertical one. That explains why I can get away with about a 1" horizontal dart despite my C cup fitting. 

The shell has a very high neckline, elegant when tunic length. I was surprised it was quite comfy. Only need to drop front neck an eighth or a quarter inch. In practice, I'll probably go a bit lower and wear a scarf in the colder months. 

Non-sewing

A project arrived, which will take much of my time and my  space for a couple of months. So the good fabric has been put away till new year.

Repairs

Restored the  unpicked topstitching on new-to-me blue/black waistcoat (not quite enough fabric at hips to be worth taking up at shoulders) before donating. 

2023 Petrol blue cords, new-to-me, taken in at waist and back rise shortened. After a couple of of wears it seems I'll need to take another half inch in both places. 

Two tees let out at overbust height. This year's Freya v1, and 1995 black tee. All my long sleeved tees now have enough movement ease to sit and type without becoming painful at the underarm. Note to self. They had already been let out at the back of the sleeve cap. I need both adjustments. 

P4P White tulip tee (2021?). Used the last scraps of thick white jersey to replace the neckband. Much more stable and comfy now. It stays on my shoulders again. 

2023 August roundup. More tees and some learning.

Knitting

Teal Hermia summer cardigan. I have only enough yarn left for about 3 rib rows and I need 6-8. Three options involve lots of unpicking, curses, alternatively buy more yarn, probably online. 

Another blue baby hat finished, one more knitted from crown to rib. Trying a broken rib this time, but it's difficult for me to see to read the previous row. Would try the stitch pattern again knitted in the flat. 

Have had another request for legwarmers for a September birthday. Unlikely they'll be finished in time, but I have sorted out yarn, needles, and a plan (a combination of patterns) 

Sewing

Freya 2023 v5 from green French terry and blue floral leftovers. A can't spoil um project. It's just the right length and weight in this grey British summer, though a tad tight at the upper arm. The fabrics are ok together, the solid is a close match for the leaves. But the colour combination doesn't go with any of my trousers. Chosen often if I get changed once I get home. 

Freya 2023 v6 from duck print and white jersey leftovers. Not yet perfect, but definitely wearable in public. I still enjoy the duck print, so I'm glad it succeeded. 

Spent some time with scrap materials (from a damaged nightie) adapting the NS258 trousers to a simple skirt.  However, the intended wearable reclaimed fabric (from a black maxi skirt) was too narrow for any flare at all. And so near to the end of warm-ish weather, I decided not to make the pattern up in decent fabric this year. The flat pattern will feed the hip area of a woven top. 

Started fitting the woven top again. Remembering a long-ago comfy bodice, I dug out the Betty Foster master pattern. Any UK readers remember her from the seventies? It has narrower shoulders than 'usual' and a rounded shoulder alternative with the same 1.5" adjustment I need. So little change for me to the armscyes and above. Decades after I first tried this, I now have a better idea how to fit my high-hip area. So far, I've been playing with old damaged sheeting, and have a reasonable fit. Must remember I need more ease than standard at underarm, even if it looks loose when standing - I measured overbust when sitting and got a shock. Still to decide on initial style for neckline and cuffs, uncluttered for a busy chicken print poplin, compatible with some of my current warm layers, and ok to wear with scarves.  Then the plan is to merge the pattern with my intended Burda 8957 and make again in one of two plainer fabrics. 

Repairs and alterations

2023 fish scarf, added a button, less bulky than tying it. 

Added a lace modesty/sunburn panel for striped lawn overshirt.

Popped seams on green joggers and paisley stretch trousers. Ah, same place on both, so more thigh circumference another time. 

Popped seam on original duck print tee. Stress point at front armscoop. Again. 

Two pairs of new-to-me trousers shortened. 

Attempted refit of a new-to-me waistcoat abandoned, not enough fabric at high hip, so will stitch back on original lines and donate. 

Household repairs

Fixed damaged paintwork from leak in the winter and from maintenance work in winter/spring. Various small odd jobs, e.g. draught-proofing outer door, are finally off the list. 

Other sewing related

Wardrobe architect. I have reread this series, now on the Seamwork web site, and have redone the 2014 worksheets. Also looked at other planning capsule and SWAP resources, before summarising my preferences. An interesting exercise, which will inform future makes. 

Thinking about waistbands (after reading several articles about TDCO Top Down Centre Out trouser fitting). I've already used the idea of keeping a suitable band (reclaimed) for the skirt fitting, as well as putting some preference notes in my diary.

Experimented with horizontal seams in stretch fabrics, how to avoid overstretching. Partly I should 'let the feed dogs do the work', and partly the feed dogs can't work with too narrow seam allowances. I can use a more stable fabric direction on the underneath section, and if necessary use an additional stabiliser of some kind. 

2023 July roundup. Mostly tees

Not much knitting. The teal Hermia summer cardi is progressing slowly, four more rows to go, and then button band and ribbing. Cast on another baby hat for a short train journey, it's done from crown to start of the ribbing. 

But lots of sewing 

NS258 pleated trousers - sage linen. Added a pocket, and it's now a popular choice. 

Freya 2023 v3 from blue flowers and dots. Different fabric handling - keep mouse paws behind the needle when stitching for this cotton/lycra mix. Quite a few pattern tweaks such as adding sleeve cap ease for using standard furniture (too tall for me), and adding a centre back godet to try solve high-hip fitting problems. Worn several times already. 

Freya 2023 v3a. Instead of the planned matching skirt, the blue flowers and dots jersey became another tee. Remeasured myself, included the godet in the back piece, and did a small sway back adjustment. Still want to tweak the ease at underarm though. Tidy and comfortable. I like wearing this one. 

Freya 2023 v4 from reclaimed pj trousers. Some difficulties because fabric was well used and needed piecing. I'm happier with the front yoke (less ease), the front drape (bigger darts) and the abdomen ease (more and better distributed). In the first days of August, I tweaked the sleeves and overbust, but haven't retested the flat pattern yet. 

Repairs:

Replaced damaged button on red linen trousers.  

Button on DH's trousers.  

Coral double gauze overshirt, remove torn collar and used some of the fabric to reinforce the inside collar stand. 

Not done. Adapt men's trousers with damaged back hem for me using front hem to add to front rise. Oh dear, these were 34" waist, and, while I could fasten them, I would need another 2" to get the waistband to sit horizontally, plus at least 1" extra height in the front rise. Given that the pocket fronts are about to fray too, and the knees are distinctly pale, I simply salvaged the zip and binned these. 

Not done yet. Burda Easy 8957 v4 in chicken print poplin, planned with a scoop neck and a darted sleeve. I had been looking forward to sewing this, but got pulled into tee-making instead while the fabric was in the washing machine. Partly because, after years looking for a shirt that didn't rub at front armscoop, three came along at once (to charity shops near me). 

Unusually for me, I bought, in a shop, a sunhat with a bigger brim than my own. Saved my skin, literally, on an unscheduled trip. I'm mentioning it because my attempts at weighting the latest tee hem made me wonder whether next year I could try a bigger brim myself and stiffen it a little with binding. I like hats that can be stuffed in a bag, and my current pattern has the biggest brim that two layers of quilting cotton would support. 

What else sewing related? 

In my diary, I reviewed the flat pattern changes I'd made to NS258 pleated pants and changes so far to Burda 8957. It'd be nice to to do the same for my tee against the original Freya from Tilly and the Buttons before I file the pieces away. I'll say again that the original pattern gave me several well-worn garments, and was a useful stepping stone to working out my preferences. However I don't think I'm likely to go back to the negative ease trend, which was very popular when the design was published. 

I chose not to do Make what you need in June, since the last two months have concentrated on polishing patterns for two workhorse garments anyway. But I did make notes in my July diary about hmm... August? Not sure whether my notes are worth turning into a blog post, but it sharpened my thinking about needs using themes of Function, Fitting, Finishing and Fun. I can choose something from the wardrobe holes list for next month. 

2023 June roundup

I started June with a tidy of my fabric. There's a cabin-sized suitcase with autumn /winter fabric, mostly inherited but some of my choices, waiting for me to improve fitting and construction skills. A carrier bag with summer weight fabrics, mostly my choices, with a few for H, ready to join the queue. And I'm down to one carrier bag of leftovers, old sheets and garments for resizing, repair or just pattern testing fabric. There's a bulky overflow length, fleece to trial a better cardi or light jacket. Three decent lengths of inherited summer weights, that didn't suit either of us, went to a charity shop. That's about the right size fabric stash for me and my flat - the 'right' collection size is about personal needs and preferences. 

I talked about my summer clothes sort as a time-poor Me Made May in an earlier post. There are fewer garments altogether, fewer so-so items, and fewer orphans than in previous years. I'm very happy about that. 

Sewing wise, it's been an excellent month. One good garment for me, the linen pants in the previous post. A simple top for H, who agreed to let me practice fitting skills on her, and was happy with the result. I forgot to take a hanger shot before giving it to her, but posted a shot of pattern and fabric a few days ago. 

Four improving toiles, wearable as pj's because they are so comfy, but too thin, too print-flawed or too pieced to wear around visitors. NS258 pleated trousers in mint sheeting were v5, and have become summer favourite pj bottoms already. The picture is here, http://little-mouselet.blogspot.com/2023/06/a-tale-of-many-toiles-muslin.html. NS258 cropped island pair v4 are also fine for sleeping, but they're not always warm enough first thing in the morning when I'm doing daily jobs. Annoyingly, I'd already cut the flawed-print leftover of leftovers to trial Burda Easy 8957 v3 bodice, so the remaining scraps aren't enough to reach my ankles. I have a fitting post in mind for B8957, coming soon - it has already passed its night time comfort test and its morning task ease test.

The final toile, a relaxed descendant of Freya tee by Tilly and the Buttons, was a can't spoil 'um project. The bodice was from parts of a woodland print women's tee, with sleeves cut from a thinning man's white tee. It's promising - I've worn regularly as pj's with the mint trousers. However, with so much piecing at the back yoke, it's not a fair test of the pattern. Nor something I want to show off. 

All three patterns are in my back-to-basics list. NS258 pleated pants is ready for good fabric, though I want to retest the waist and and add back the integral pockets. The simplified version of B8957 semi fitted woven top is close enough for good fabric, though I haven't tested the collar/lapels as printed yet, nor frankenpatterned a cuff. The Freya descendant, relaxed long sleeved tee, is worth testing on new fabric now. None of them quite qualify for T&T status (Tried and Tested, Tried and Trusted, Tried and True - depends where you live). We are getting close. 

Knitting, not so much. The Hermia summer cardi is progressing slowly. I have had to stripe in an odd ball of similar weight yarn. One sleeve is done, the second a few inches above the cuff, the bodice down to underbust height. Even when I've carted it out with me, it's hard to pick up something this size for just a few minutes. I need to sort out another portable project. 

   

Repairs:

Zip in H's flowery dress.

Add waistband tucks to last year's summer trousers (and for a linen pair that stretched over the day, removed tucks and then restored them) 

Strap on cloth bag reattached for DD. 

Button on DH's trousers reattached. 

Stitch harvest mouse shirt lapel, to prevent finished inner edge showing. 

Restitched and patched a favourite shopper. Who wouldn't want to keep a mouse/woodland creature bag? 

Made a key leash so that the damage doesn't repeat itself. 

Unblocked the auto-defrost drain on the fridge.

Chose not to do:

After testing out a few ideas. Crochet cuffs in cotton/linen/silk. A beautiful odd ball of yarn, however it wasn't spun tight enough for crochet. Maybe come back to the idea when in the mood for knitting.

Shorten sleeves on flowery pj top. Knuckle length is actually warmer for sleeping with elbows well bent, though a pain in the kitchen at breakfast time.

Wardrobe acquired:

Two scarves from charity shops. One man made but soft, pale colours. one brown and white fish print with buttonholes (what!) 

I think I can say a productive month 

Happy sewing everyone. 

    

2023 May roundup

Managed to stay in my own nest a bit more this month. That means less knitting and more sewing. 

The main project has been many toiles (muslins) in prep for some summer trousers. Two of the five have been good enough for pyjamas. The final one is also fit for pj's, and is close enough to transfer final changes to the flat pattern and make a good tracing. 

The Teal Hermia summer cardigan has moved slowly. I didn't have enough yarn after all, but the contrast stripes look good on the sleeves. One cuff, one quarter sleeve, and the lower quarter bodice to go. 

The cheerful Teddy was finished, and is looking for a home. A baby hat just needs casting off, when I dig out an odd bigger needle to do so. 

Repairs. 

Removed the wobbly patch from the event shirt, it needs a firmer fabric anyway. 

Stitched down the sleeve ties on a rtw dress, they'll never stay in place otherwise. 

Adapted the old sofa throw for the new sofa, which of course is a slightly different shape. 

In the household, yet again I cleared out all the small stuff from my living room/work area whilst a job was done. But this time I'm not allowing myself to bring anything back until it has been assessed, cleaned, and has a proper place to live. There are still a dozen shoe boxes to check, however the task is mostly done.