Kath’s weekend craft report – sewing
I have been missing writing about my own crafting endeavours and adventures, and as I don’t yet have the energy or drive to re-invigorate redcurrent, it will have to lay dormant a while longer until I figure out its future. In the meantime I thought I would do an occasional post here at whipup on my weekend making and doing, experimenting and learning journeys into the realm of the handmade.
This past weekend was a busy one for crafting, I actually spent one almost whole day in my craft room. First I was commissioned to make a skirt with matching bag for my 6 year old daughter (the matching hat, belt and underwear will have to wait till another day). I used a simple tried and true vintage skirt pattern, that I have made over and over again, this skirt can be sized up, sized down, used with heavy winter fabrics or light cottons for summer. The trick with sizing is checking the waist measurement (pattern can be found at here).
I also made a pair of lounge pants for myself, I used the pattern from Amy Butler’s new pattern book (see review here). These pants are super easy and comfortable. I used some really light cotton that I purchased last year with a plan to make pants, and finally I have a pair. Will be making a couple more of these.
And the other major project I got going is this baby quilt top and back. I used the log cabin pattern, (see how to work a log cabin design here) now I usually steer away from patterns when making a quilt, my haphazard methodology is not usually suited to strict structural design where accuracy is essential. I like the element of chance to be a major part of my quilt making, I like a quilt that involves improvisation, which is why I am drawn to fun quilts unfinished business quilt design and to the log cabin quilt design. The great thing about these sort of patterns, is that they are more a method of working than a pattern as such. You cut-sew-iron, cut-sew-iron, and the pieces do not have to be exactly the same, in fact if they are not the same all the better, it adds to the charm and uniqueness of the design. (see this gorgeous example of a modern log cabin quilt by Keiko Goke, and an example of improvisation in log cabin quilting with this vintage quilt, features in this article and here is thelog cabin pattern block for you to give this design a try.)
December 12th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
i’ve missed you. thanks for the post. i love your work – so accessable and inspirational. thanks.
December 12th, 2006 at 10:52 pm
Nice post, Kath. I’ve missed your blog so it’s especially nice to hear from you…*personally*. Lovely peek of the baby quilt!
December 13th, 2006 at 4:32 am
So glad to read again about you, your family and your crafting! Your blog actually made me want to blog!
December 13th, 2006 at 5:18 am
yes red current made me want to blog and get creative again. thank god for whip up. the skirts are great, i can so relate to your style, thank you…
December 13th, 2006 at 3:28 pm
ah thanks guys.
December 15th, 2006 at 7:42 am
I was thinking of you today and missing the blog so I thought I’d stop by here and found this post…. . I guess I’m not alone in the sentiments!
Are you still using your mud oven? Maybe not in your current heat?
Have a great holiday, Kath.