Making a pair of trousers

Pattern all cut out

For my birthday this year, ‘im outdoors has bought me a 6 week sewing course at our local haberdashery.  This is the same place I learnt to crochet a couple of years ago.  They are really nice there and although small they normally have the things you need.

Yesterday was my first session, 3 hours after work.

I’ve made dresses before but want to be able to make more complex patterns.  However to be honest they scared me, so when I saw a trouser making course I thought it would be perfect.

We started the session by selecting the pattern we wanted to work with.  There were 2 to chose from.  

Both would cover how to fit a pattern, pockets and zips but one was a little simpler while the other was a little more complex.  Of course I chose the most complex pattern.  Mostly because I liked the look of the trousers, but also because if there is a time to challenge yourself it’s when there is a tutor on hand to help you out if you get stuck.

Because trousers are so complex we are making a calico pair first.  This not only helps us to work out if they fit, but also give us some practice on some of the more complex things like pockets.

So most of the session was firstly cutting out the paper pattern, then cutting the pattern pieces out of calico and then there was just enough time left to start sewing, so I finished the class with one pocket competed and a second on the way.  Next week we should go faster as all our pieces are cut out and ready to go.

My first pocket

I was a bit worried that either I’d be out of my depth or too tired after work, but Alison our tutor was really patient with us and happy to answer any questions.  And as with all the best projects I was concentrating so hard on what I was doing that there was no time to feel tired or think about the rest of my day and the time flew.

I really enjoyed my first session and I can’t wait to go back next week and finish that pocket.

A new address

I’m a bit of a traditionalist so knowing that we would be moving soon I started thinking about how to let everyone know our new address.  I think it’s a shame now that often you just get a text or email with a new address - I like something a little more physical.

We’d been hoping to move before Christmas, so my thinking was to send something out with the Christmas cards.  And then we got pushed back to January, but after thinking about it for a bit I decided this plan would still work.

Having worked as a UX Designer for the past year, and working closely with UI Designers at the same time, I’ve learnt that it is totally ok to look at what other people are doing before starting design.  I’m not talking about copying, but competitor analysis and idea generation.  

So I started by looking at the Noun Project to see how people draw houses and what house and home mean to others.

Having done some research I started sketching out ideas for illustrations to show the idea of moving house.  I had a few I really liked, but when I spoke to ‘im outdoors we narrowed it down to one.

Now I had to decide.  Did I draw it by hand and scan it in or should I try using Adobe Illustrator?  Because I only wanted something very simple, line drawings really I thought I’d try with the software first.

Watching how my colleagues do things in Illustrator must have paid off as I managed to create my little houses.  And where I got a bit stuck Google helped me out.

And there we have it, moving from the flat on a hill to a house backing onto a woodland.

I love little projects like this.  A bit different from what I do day to day but with a real purpose behind it.

Moving house

8 years ago we moved into our lovely flat.

For a first property it was pretty great and we’ve really enjoyed our time there, but sometimes you just have to move on.  And this is why the blog has been so quiet for the last 6 months.

This time moving was not such a smooth journey.  We found a lovely cottage in August which would need a bit of work but had a massive garden and when finished would be amazing.  We started packing and the fish were sold.

 

A lovely cottage but with major roof issues

And then we found out the roof was in worse repair than first thought.  £60,000 worth of repair in fact.  Money we just didn’t have and so sadly we had to walk away from that one.

With our flat sold the pressure was on to find somewhere else.

We visited many properties but none were quite right, until finally, at the end of September, we saw a semi-detached Victorian house.  

  
A lovely open plan downstairs with 4 bedrooms above and a 100ft garden that backs onto woodland.  It’s not perfect but it ticks a lot of boxes.

My study come craft room

'im outdoors office

The bathroom needs a little work

 

The main room has a wood burner

As does our 'snug'

The bird feeder got put up the day after we arrived and almost straight away we've had birds visiting. We've had blue tits, great tits, coal tits, long tailed tits, robins and nuthatches so far.

The woods behind the house

Just a footbridge away

We’d been hoping to move in Dec and finish the year on a high, but in the end it was a good start to 2017. We've spent the last week unpacking and its starting to feel like home. Of course there is a list of things we'd like to change, the garden for one, but there is time for that.

Here’s to at least another 8 years of happiness.

Crochet Basket

 I recently downloaded the LoveKnitting app to see what all the fuss was about.  Actually it's a really nice app which allows you to keep track of your knitting or crochet in a really well thought out way.  You can tell someone who knits and/or crochets was on the design team.  (the only problem being it forgets everything if you force close the app!)

Every week they give away a free pattern.  The Crochet Basket caught my eye and I decided I wanted to have a go.  The beauty of this pattern is that you can make it any colour your want and as tall as you want, and it's a really easy pattern to follow.
The other good bit was I could do the odd row here or there as I had time.  Repetition can be boring, but it can also be soothing.

I gave it to my Mum for Christmas and she seemed really chuffed.  She loves purple so that was always going to be a win, but she could see straight away how useful it might be too.  She might not have lots of wool to fill it with, but I am sure she will find other things.

Knitted Mice

Recently I've needed some quick knitting projects to fill the odd couple of hours.  Something which is easy and quick to do and means I have a finished thing without too much effort.

These knitted mice are the perfect thing.  I can make a complete mouse in an evening if I want or take a little longer without it being a major effort or too complicated.

And once I have a good collection I will be sending them off to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where they will go towards helping some poor abandoned cat feel a little loved.

I think they change the patterns on a regular basis but you can find patterns to make and donate on the Battersea donate page. There is a pattern for a dog blanket too, but that feels a little beyond me right now.

Crochet poppy

Last year I knitted myself a poppy.  I was very pleased with the result.  The knitting pattern came with a poppy crochet pattern, so I thought I would have a go this year and see how that one turned out too.
Although in a way this one was easier to create than the knitted one, I have to say I think the knitted poppy looks better.  I'm not sure if I did something wrong with the petals but they don't look quite right and I'm not sure about its black snout.

Like the knitted one its too heavy to wear, but looks good on my bag. I might not be over joyed by the end result, but it has still taught me lots and was an interesting project to complete.

Another knitted bear

Normally at this time of year I am busy collecting things to go into a shoebox to be sent to a child somewhere who won't receive anything this Christmas. But due to another project we're working on I've not had as much time or money as normal.

However, I have just started a new job, much closer to home, which has cut my commute by half and means I have more time in the evenings for things like knitting.  So rather than put together a shoebox, I have knitted another little bear.

 He will be sent out to Knit For Peace who will be able to pass him on to someone who needs a hug this Christmas.  They are an amazing organisation, who will take any knitting and pass it on to those who needed it, be it in the UK or abroad.

I would have made him a jumper too, but as always there is never enough hours in the day even when you get 2 of them back!  So instead I crocheted him a scarf (using leftover wool from my cardy).  I'm sure that will help to keep him warm, wherever he might end up.  I send him with love and hope he gives someone comfort when needed.

Felted stars

Last week I was back at the Farnham Maltings for their annual Thread event. I haven't been before but was glad to go this year.  I was in nice and early before the crowds which meant I got a good look at everything!

 My favorite thing were these felted stars.  But what to do with them?  It suddenly occurred to me that they could make great badges.  And what about a cocktail ring?  I'm not 100% sure how that would work, but I'm going to give it a go.

 

Meanwhile the pink star has found a home on my blue jacket.  Its quite striking I think.