Knitting, snow and Lomography dreaming

Hello. Well I have returned back, to Brisbane, from my trip home to Scotland. You may know, or not, that floods of an epic scale have hit Queensland over the last week. Fortunately we live on a hill out of the reach of the muddy water. Of course others are not as fortunate and now the big job of cleaning up begins.

When I was in Scotland there was big disruptions with serve cold weather and snow. So from one end of the scale to the other. I did really enjoy my trip home, seeing family and friends was great. I mostly just hung out with my parents. It must be in my blood to enjoy wrapping up warm and walking about in the cold!

One of the only semi- reliable and safer ways of getting around was by train. So took my knitting needles out of my case and got on with my cardi while the winter landscape went flying past. I am quite new to knitting and its a slow process. I also worked out that I have been adding extra rows on, duh. My Nana assures me that once you have knitted your first garment that you get faster.

I got heaps of lovely presents, mostly costumes pattern books. But on thing I did get was a Lomograpghy Diana camera. You can see it in the picture above. I have taken some photos with it, but they still have to be developed. You may remember my post when I day dreamed of having one... well I do now and it is aptly named   'Dreamer'. Plus the fact that it is sherbet mint is very agreeable.

xx

Modern knits with a vintage look

Hello, Some of you will be in 2011 already, I have still got 12 hours to go as I am back home in Scotland! I arrived early December and have been having a jolly good time with my family and friends.

Not much sewing has been done, but I have made some fabric place mats and coasters with my Mum, as she is an amazing quilter. One other thing that I have been doing is knitting. I purchased the Paton's pattern book because I like the vintage feel of the finished items. I really liked the one below.

But its way pasted my current knitting skills! So instead I am knitting the second one from the left on the top row instead (in the same colour as the one above).

I do have expert guidance while I am at home as my Nana was an outstanding knitter. In fact I am taking home the Shetland Lace shawl she knitted for me when I was born back with me to Australia.

Nana approved of my knitting a said that I was a fine firm knitter. Because she can't see that well anymore, she is 89, she is giving me all her knitting paraphernalia, including what will be vintage patterns. I am going up today to sort them out with her.

I have only knitted about 10 inches of the back pattern... will show you when I achieve more.

Well have a great start to 2011. I think its going to be a good one.

xx

Japanese sewing books

Phew. I am working at the Queensland Theatre Company right now. Making costumes for Grimm Tales. The costumes are amazing and if you are around Brisbane I would recommend going to see the show.

One thing about sewing all day is that you don't really feel like sewing all night when you get home. So tonight I thought I would post about Japanese sewing books and imagine that I have a magic sewing fairy in the cupboard. My three sewing wishes would be...

The first one I have is Feminine Wardrobe and I love this sleeveless bow top! 

The second book I have is Sweet Dress Recipe and  really like the pin tuck details on the skirt and dress (two wishes in one?)

Finally I have an accessories book and I love, love, love this back draped (deceptively simple from the front) cardi. YUM.

So where to get them if you are interested!

I go to Pompadours Craft cafe on Esty to look inside them and I have bought two recently(she also runs a Ebay store and often has more pictures of the inside pages there). The postage can work out to make it more expensive than the second option which is yesasia (I have linked to the Pattern Magic book, if you scroll down it gives you other pattern book options) 

I could not get one of the books I was looking for on yesasia so that's why I ordered from the esty shop. But if you buy from the yesasia over a certain amount you don't pay postage, so it can work out cheaper.If you want to navigate to the endless scroll of Japanese craft books on yesasia here this is the route via mouse clicks: 

Japanese>Books>Lifestyle>Home Arts

I found it useful to get the authors name from the esty store and then put it into the search on yesasia

If you can't be bothered and want to pay about $10 more per book plus $10 delivery go to Tessuti, but the others are cheaper.

Alrighty, if you do order some here is a site that gives you translations for simple sewing terminology.
 I have read that the clothes patterns are for those up to 160cm tall and you have to add 1.5cm seam allowance to all patterns.

Plus if you want to get your hands on some english versions of these pattern book The Book Depository has Pattern Magic for $22.92, much better than the $45 dollars in some of the shops in Brisbane. There is free delivery too. yes one is winging its way to me now... naughty.

Phew! Hopefully the weekend will free me up to draft my undies patterns and get cutting.

xx

Undies update - trim time

I went shopping on the weekend to get some trim for my first project from The Undies Book. I decided that I wanted to put some lace on the camisole, not just as trim but integrated in to the cups and then use the eyelet cotton trim as straps.

I found an good article on threads website entitled 'Create Couture Lingerie' by Alexandra Armillas. She used to make lingerie for Dior, so I reckon she knows a few things. I had been thinking that I am using non-stretch fabrics and might add some buttons to the centre front, but in the pictures on the article the buttons are to the side and it looks very sweet.

Alexandra recommends photocopying the lace and placing it on your toile to preview the design and I will do this. I am getting quite excited by this project and I think my sewing mojo as returned! Yipeee.

Here is the fabric and trim together. I tea dyed the cotton eyelet to give it that vintage feel and blend with the lace better. Next step is to make the patterns.

xx