Vintage improvement

The great thing about using an existing garment as the pattern, is that you can see areas that you would like to improve or do differently. For example, I've decided to "knit-in" the hem, rather than sew it down after I've finished. Replacement on the left, vintage on the right.


Changing the placement of the increases to be sympathetic to the design elements was something else I wanted to do.

Vintage increases.


Replacement increases lining up with the "pyramids".


New and old side by side. (Yes I have already noticed THAT mistake).


So now I am working on the front... here's where I am up to... I call it "the danger zone" because it gets so tricky, and tension is really important.

Farewell to the old

For years I have worn a vintage sweater which was made for my Mum by her mother. Mum wore it for about 20 years before handing it on to me. Well, I wore it for another 20 years. As the years went by, I did a number of repairs. However after 40 years - there is nothing more I can do to keep it going.

Now it wasn't the best made item, it had some glaring flaws and was ill-fitting all the same, I valued the love that went into that sweater. Each time it was worn was like having my Mums love with me. A great comfort, especially over the last few years.

Anyway, over the Christmas break the local wool store had a sale on. I went in and took this item, just to see if they thought it was beyond repair. Unfortunately they agreed. So, I have decided to remake this item, using the garment as the pattern, and using some new colours.

Here's the vintage sweater:


and this is its replacement in progress:

Titirangi sunshine

Last year I asked the ladies in my quilting group if they could give me any left over fabric or scraps that they no longer want. The ladies were very generous. I've been holding onto the fabric, and will combine them with my own scraps to make a scrap quilt.

My search began looking through the quilting block books and resources that I have at home. Nothing really "spoke" to me, so I looked online. I am mindful that I have many small pieces of fabric - a repetitive type quilt is not an option. After a long search I've found one I really like. To be honest, it was a toss up between a triple irish chain, and Darlingoldlady's block. In the end I went for Darlingoldlady's - check out her photo here.

I've decided to call mine "Titirangi sunshine". I reminds me of a dappled sunshine streaming through the bush/forest. A kind of textured cheer. This quilt is going to pose a few challenges as I don't have a pattern, so I will have to draft from scratch.

The plan is to make this quilt will be big enough for a queen sized bed. So I'm aiming for a 90 inch square. Last night I did a rough draft layout using pencil and paper. The block size will be 10 inches. The bed top I will have at least 6 squares across, and I'll have a 15 inch drop on either side of the bed. As yet I haven't decided if the drops will be borders, or a continuation of the blocks. I'll let that idea perculate :) If you look at Darlingoldlady's picture, you would have already noticed that my finished blocks will be smaller than hers. I'm not sure what size hers are.

As I work through this quilt, I'll document my progress.

So this is what I did last night - drafting the block.


Next step... make a test block. Or should I say - what you should do... What did I do??? Purchased fabric! I needed white and beige for the squares. I don't have a large enough supply of this to do a whole quilt. Probably not a smart move, because I should have made a test square first just to see what the measurements would be, and how much fabric would be required. Also, to see if the block matched up to my expectations.


The next part, which was really quite time consuming was determining what sizes these patches should be cut (after adding the 1/4 inch seam allowance). I was then thinking about a cutting strategy. For example, if you have a large scrap, you could cut a square, then either cut it in half (diagonally) to make 2 triangles, or if the square was super large, you could cut it into quarters to make 4 triangles. All of these require different sizings. Then I also had to think about the "mini" scraps I had, and what was the smallest size that could be used. So I guess this all boils down to planning.

Yes, it would be easier with a pattern, but half the fun is using what you have on had, and your brain! :)

Okay, now that the thinking was done it is time to pull out the scraps. Here's the scraps I will be working with.


Then I choose fabric that is large enough to make at least 8 triangles to go around the centre.


Scraps are then ironed.


Now I'm ready for the cutting.

No Buy Fabric Challenge

I've made a commitment. Hmmm... a rather extreme commitment.

From Monday I will not buy any new fabric for a whole year. If the purpose of the purchase is to create a brand new quilt.

So - what can I buy?

• thread
• batting
• backing
• fabric for borders / sashing (as long as it will complete an existing project)
  

Now - here's my reasoning why I would do this:

• you only live so long
• the multitude of projects currently in progress, and waiting in the wings is rather excessive
  
• tastes change - in a few years time I might not like what I currently have
• stretch my creativity

Do you think you could make the same commitment? Want to join me?

Crafty goodness

I've been doing more work on the yo-yo quit. Well, to be truthful, just a small part of the quilt - the making of the yo-yo's. I've got around another 1,000 to make for the 9-patches, then I have a yo-yo sashing to make, and then an outside border - you guessed it - made out of yo-yo's.

I'm a bit worried that I might run out of fabric. I've been trying to use up all the "ugly" fabric - as they actually look pretty darn good as yo-yo's.

I plan to do this project over the next 2 years. Not because it will actually take that long, but because it is my "relief" project. What I mean is that I do this one in-between other projects to give me a breather.

Anyway, here's a progress photo.


Eventually each yo-yo will get colour matched, and converted into 9 patches. Like in this image.


As I was going through my fabric to find more ugly fabric, I pulled out an old project that I created back in 2007. This project is quite different for me. I don't usually do "big", and this quilt has BIG squares. My plan is to do free-form hand quilting, e.g. minimal marking on the top, and just going with the flow. Consider it an exercise in creativity.

In 2008 I bought the backing and batting. Here we are in 2009, and I finally basted it. I've already named it... Paws a Plenty.

Here it is, in the hoop.


Oh, forgot to mention, an exciting purchase I made. I bought a pre-loved spinning wheel recently for $30! It's an Ashford Traveller SD. They retail here at around $560! It's needs a little bit of work, but something I know I can do. Here it is sitting in the corner of the room, awaiting repair.

Table runner completed

The hand quilting has been completed, piping has been added to the outside edge. and binding attached. It is finished! Wahooo!

Here is a close-up of the hand quilting.


And here's the finished table runner.

Whacky weather

The weather has been so strangely lately. Last night is was cold. Cold enough that I couldn't do any handcrafts. Anyone that knows me, knows that this is VERY serious :) So, on went the heat pumps. Crisis averted. Today, it is really hot. Must stay inside, so that I don't get sunburnt, but I've also got to get some air flow through the house. Very strange.

I had a head cold last week, and was absolutely miserable. My head is still a little congested, but much better now.

This weekend, I've diverted my attention to a table runner. Currently hand quilting it, with my new thimble. Oh how I love the ThimbleLady thimble!!! If you have a chance to try one out, I would highly recommend it.

The table runner, will be a lovely addition to my dining room table, which is pre-loved, and comes scratched in the centre. The table runner should hide the table's problem areas :)

And here's the table runner...


Now I know that I've been jumping from project to project. To be honest, I'm feeling quite burnt out, and generally indecisive at the moment. Work is really demanding and taking a lot of energy. I hope to get my handcrafting mojo back soon, and stick with 1 or 2 projects - through to completion :) Could this be a bad Tui advertisement - followed by the words "Yeah Right" - I am a crafter after all.