So in the aftermath of the Ella coat, I’ve found myself immersed in the knitting of little things. Quick Projects. Near-instant gratification.
I started an “Amelia” top for Emily out of Rowan Pima Cotton.

It’s from Rowan 51, and is much further along than this. In fact, it’s finished, blocked and merely awaiting seaming.
It’s awaiting seaming because I got distracted by another small project. My nephew will be baptised next weekend, and I decided to knit him a cardi for the occasion. It’s a pattern from Sublime, a fairly basic stripey cardi in 4ply.
I’m using the new Rowan Wool Cotton 4ply,and it is divine!

I’ve knit most of it, I’m on the second sleeve now. Needs to be finished for next Sunday. I think I can, I think I can…

Finally, it’s done. Well, almost!

Ella is off the needles. It fits me better than it fits David, I promise! Not blocked yet, this picture was taken within minutes of it being finished. Better pics to come!
And another long term project is done. I made a quilt for Em. My first full size quilt – and possibly my last. I didn’t really enjoy making it, but I’m glad I did.
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I’m pleased with the end result, and I think Em is too!
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It’s the Jelly Filled quilt by Thimble Blossoms, made with a Moda “Ruby” jelly roll and some extra fabric. I chose these colours because they’re girly without being babyish.
When I sew, I’m a guesser. It’s a bit odd really, because I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist in everything else, but I sew by feel and instinct rather than by careful measuring and precision. That doesn’t really work in quilting. There was a great deal of exasperation and unpicking involved in this quilt.
And I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t actually do the machine quilting. I didn’t want to ruin the hard work I put into the piecing, so I paid someone else to quilt it for me!
But I’m happy with it, and it looks nice on Em’s bed.

There’s a reason why you can’t see anything other than the bed. My idea of a clean bedroom doesn’t have the same execution as hers.
But at least the quilt is pretty!

This may be the longest project I’ve ever worked on without taking a break from it. I cast on Ella in mid January, two and a half months ago. But the end is (almost) in sight.

(Bad model pose, no makeup!)
What happens though, is that you get up to the ruffles and think to yourself “Hooray, just the ruffles, and I’m done!!’
Just.The.Ruffles.
My God, the ruffles. You have all those stitches for the skirt, then you double them. Then you purl back, then you do another increase row, increasing into every second stitch.
Then you do a picot cast off. Cast on 2, cast off 3. The neverending ruffles. The skirt hem alone took two days to cast off. But it was done. Then I started on the front placket ruffles. I almost wish I’d done plain plackets, but I know it’ll all be worth it, if I ever finish.

One down, one to go.
And this week I had a happy realisation. I’d bought myself a new Inoui winter scarf. And totally unintentionally, it matches my Ella!

Meant to be!

I’ve made myself a few new sundresses this year, and I know I promised to blog more about my sewing, so here’s one of them – the Colette Crepe pattern!

A little while back, Kris put a call out on Twitter that she was ordering some Colette patterns and did anyone else want any? Did I ever!
I’d been looking at the patterns on and off for a while, trying to decide which to start with, and this was the perfect opportunity. I got the Crepe pattern, and also the Chantilly. I’d spotted the fabric a few months ago, and bought the last of the bolt, not knowing how much I’d need or what pattern I had in mind, but absolutely loving the print.
As soon as I saw the Crepe pattern, I knew it was meant to be.
It’s a wrap style dress, which overlaps and ties in the back.
The fabric for the ties is a Kaffe Fassett shot cotton in Vermillion that I picked up at Calico & Ivy. One benefit to working in a fabric store is that you can pull out bolts of fabric, look at them all day, and not feel like you’re holding up the store staff while you take hours to make your decision!

This pattern is a great pattern for all levels of seamstresses. The tie is the only fastening, so there’s no mucking around with buttons or zippers. The neckline and armholes are faced, and there’s darts in the bodice for fit, but it’s not too difficult a project. There are pockets, which I love, but they’re easily left off if you think you’re not up to it. Each Colette pattern comes with an entire booklet of instructions, which are very comprehensive without being confusing.
And the result is fabulous! I always feel pretty in this dress! I make a point of trying to always something handmade when I’m working at Calico & Ivy, and this dress always receives compliments. We’ve been stocking the Colette book at Balmain (Although it’s temporarily out of stock), and I think my next project will be the Taffy top from the book – maybe in some Liberty Tana Lawn. (Drool!!)
Although as a teaser, I have made my Chantilly dress, too. More details next time!!

This weekend, for only the second time this year, I have the entire weekend off. No work, for two whole days straight!
So it’s time to catch up on Ella. (Fat chance!)

The skirt is supposed to be done by Monday, we’ve had three weeks to do it. I’ve actually got a little bit further since I took this picture yesterday. I’m finished with the increases, and I’m happy with the size – now I just need to knit six or eight inches until the skirt is the length I’m after.
I’ll be on the lounge, in front of the TV!