The trouser pattern takes shape

Hi, been working on my trouser pattern today ready for tomorrow night.

My homework this week was to pin my pattern onto the pattern fabric. The idea is to use a similar weight to the fabric you are going to make the trousers from. I'm using an old bed sheet.

Once I'd ironed the sheet I pinned on the three pattern pieces.

Next was to draw round the pattern once, then draw on a seem allowance.

Looking forward to the next stage.

And my Christmas cactus, which I found out today when listening to the radio, is really a jungle plant  and doesn't like strong sunlight, is still putting on a good show.

Hope you have all had a great week.

S xx

Trying something new

A bit of a late night post for me but just have to share. I have bought dressmaking patterns, and made various clothes, mainly when my daughter was young but have never tried to make my own pattern, so thought I would give it a go. Under instruction and it's harder than you think.

You need your maths skills as you need to measure, add, subtract, divide, and select the correct angles. And brown paper, sticky tape, pens, curved ruler and a yard (or metre) stick.

Oh, and a large table.

I've decided on a pair of trousers.

Paper pattern completed tonight, next task is to pin onto my practice fabric and draw round the pattern. My practice fabric is an old bed sheet.

And finally, can I show off with my Christmas cactus plant. I bought it from a budget store last year and it must be living in its perfect place as look how many flowers it is sporting.

Hope you have a good week.

S xx

Not liking these short days

It's dark when I set off for work in the morning and dark when I get home. This makes it hard to take decent photos. I have been crafting but have to keep it quiet so not letting family and friends in on what they may be getting for Christmas, but help the weeks are flying by, it will be here all too soon.

I can share this with you.

The embroiderers guild I go to had been challenged to make something from some donated school ties. There was some fabulous makes. All I could come up with was a door stop using 4 stripey ties. But it is totally recycled, I've filled it with old fiction books.

I also made a hat at craft night on Tuesday. Will get Doris to model it this weekend so I have a photo to share with you on my next blog.

Hope you have a good weekend.

S xx

Need more hours in the week

Apologies for my lack of blogging but life has been a bit hectic here at Jessie's Needle. Day job really busy and the adult crochet class was so successful I was asked to do another. This, and making gifts for Christmas (which I cannot show here for obvious reasons), has left me with little spare time or interesting things to share.

But how about these .....

No, not road kill, but some crochet robins.

However, Joy asked what I was sewing, and here it is, a skirt - modeled here by my good friend, Mildred. Mildred came to live with me earlier in the year. I plan to dress her up for Christmas so she feels at home.

At the crochet class I took a photo of the inspiration table which I set up. As you can see, I love colour.

Sorting out my cupboards I found a table runner made by Jessie, in cut work. Makes my efforts look really amateur.

And finally, I have made something for myself. It's a cowl in crocheted cable instead of knitted. The pattern was in the magazine, Inside Crochet.

Hope you are all well out there in blog land.

S xx