Saturday, January 14, 2012

First makes of 2012

When I mentioned in my last post about taking it easy when it came to making things this year, I was deadly serious. I refuse to take part in any more deadline work - in fact the only deadline on my mind is the August quilt show, and if I work consistently towards that it won't be an issue. And if it becomes an issue, I won't put my quilt in. It's that easy. No stressing. I don't need things that I get enjoyment out of to stress me out. Life is for living, not stressing. If I learnt anything out of the drama that was last year, that was it.

Simplicity 2938

Here is the first make for 2012 - something I cut out before Christmas, started making between Christmas and New Year as time and energy allowed and finished sometime around the 2nd January.

Yes, it's another Not Sorbetto Simplicity 2938 - my fourth and definitely not last. I don't think I've mentioned how good this pattern is. It's a perfect fit, and that doesn't happen with patterns for me very often. In fact the other night I basted a shirt with an entirely different pattern for something different to sew, and it's a horrible fit. It is spending time in the naughty corner until I can rip the basting out and start again with a change in the darts and taking in/letting out at the seams. In the meantime, I'll stick to Simplicity 2938 because I know it works.

Simplicity 2938

The fabric is from Spotlight and it is embroidered cotton. When I first made this top I was concerned about how stiff the fabric was, even after pre-washing it. But on the second washing with soap and a good iron, it turned out quite soft and a little bit drapey. Which is just as well - I bought this fabric in another three colours.

Armorique shawl

And here's my first crocheted item of 2012. It's another Armorique shawl and I made it for a swap my knitting/crochet group were having this morning. I really enjoyed making this shawl (except for the deadline/rushing part) even though I've made it before and normally would have been bored with it. But one of the things that happened last year with the illness and surgery (and probably the large amounts of morphine) was that I lost quite large chunks of my memory. One of the chunks seems to be the first making of the shawl. I cannot remember a thing about it, but photos and the shawl itself prove that I made it. So it was like making something for the first time.

Armorique shawl

I can't even remember making these little leaves on the outside of the shawl last time. These were a  lot of fun. I left them unblocked - just flattened them down with my hands and hoped for the best.

Armorique shawl

Speaking of blocking, I didn't do it very heavily. I used wires across the top of the shawl, and then pinned out the rest, just loosely. The yarn is Glenora Merino/Silk/Possum and it's really lovely to work with, despite my possum allergy. Would use it again, definitely (which is good - I also have it in black).

Armorique shawl

I only managed to take one photo of the recipient wearing it today. I hope she likes it!

8 comments:

  1. Love the simplicity of the top - Spotlight actually have had some decent fabric of late. Looking forward to your next make of this top...

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  2. You can allay those zig-zaggey fears. It's really lovely!

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  3. Question: how many bloody pairs of saltwater sandals do you have? Dying of envy here!Great top, of course!

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  4. Hi Michelle and great to see 2012 starts with a not sorbetto!! Like it. Great fabric too. I have massive shawl envy too seeing yours. It's a stunner and I don't know if I'd be able to part with it had I made it!

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  5. The shawl is great! I don't even remember your first one, and I don't have a valid excuse like you do!

    And the top is of course fabulous. And the beauty of sewing is that you can make the same pattern look totally different just by using different fabric. Hurrah!

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  6. I think your shawl is lovely, especially the little leaves. Nice top, I think it is a good thing to have a pattern that you know works.

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  7. That shawl is so so so so SO gorgeous.

    ...and you've almost convinced me to go get that Simplicity 2938 pattern. Everything you've made using it looks fantastic.

    And yes. No stress. That's what I want too. No deadline sewing. Drama free. Just for fun. No obligation.

    Good luck.

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