The silk shirt progress

So the shirt is progressing slowly.  I'm showing you closeups of the neck today and the possible length of the sleeves.  

You can see that I've turned the buttonholes in and am about to add a facing to go down the front and round the neck.  I've scooped the neck out a bit too.  

I was really drop dead lucky in that I found a lovely piece of fine cotton fabric in my stash which is going to make the facings.  Well that's after I've made a pattern for them, of course!

Monday moan

Sorry if you're bored with these moans but they're probably useful to somebody somewhere in the great 'scheme of things'!!!!  

Today I'm moaning about abbreviations in patterns.  

When I started tatting in 1956 (yes it was shortly after the demise of the dinosaurs) everything was written in longhand which was a big struggle to follow.  No diagrams were in the leaflets and booklets I could afford with my pocket money.  

Nowadays we have excellent diagrams and shortened notation too.  Abbreviations are the 'normal' in patterns and are very welcome, believe me.  But there's one thing that I'm noticing more and more and that is new designers inventing new names for the simple things that we 'oldies' know by the original ones.

I was looking at a pattern yesterday and I saw tp.  Now what is tp?  I looked for the list of abbreviations and there wasn't one in that pattern!!!  I guess that tp is vsp (very small picot).  Or it could be 'talking point', 'top picot' or even 'try picking' (your nose!!!).  I had a guess in the end that it was vsp.  

I do wish new designers would check what the 'normal' method of notation is instead of inventing their own.  Don't ask me where I saw this pattern as I haven't a clue but there are many out there using 'new' names for what are already acceptable instructions.  

Thankfully the practice of calling 'abbreviations' 'legends' has on the whole been lost as that really did annoy this aged old git.  A legend is a story of olden times etc and not a list of abbreviations.  Still, that's history now in Tat Land!

Back to the beads again

Two more of the beads covered.  Wonder if I can keep this up!!!

Back to the 'day' job!

Now this is progress over the last week since I started on the shirt.  I'm going very, very slowly with this as I respect the silk very much.

You can see on the top photo that the collar has gone and on the second photo I'm opening up the front too having, of course, removed the buttons!!  I've also cut off the cuffs as well.  I'm also wondering what length to make the sleeves but that decision doesn't have to be made for a good while yet.  

I thought working with black was bad enough but working with white sewing threads while deconstructing this is a LOT worse.  The silk shines so much and it's a case of slowly, slowly, catchee monkey!!!!

The evening 'job'

We've got sash windows on this old house and where the top window slides down there's a little 'shelf' where my solar jiggly things sit.  I've got crocheted curtains (I did them years ago) below the shelf for privacy and I'm bored with those but still need to leave them up.

So I've decided to make some sort of 'dangly' thing to hang between the crocheted curtains and the glass but I wanted 3D too.  Out came the big beads!!!

I'm using this set of patterns.  Here are the first two.

A shirt

During our massive tidying up session over the past six weeks or so we found a shirt in Nick's wardrobe.  

It's MASSIVE and he said I should take it to the charity shop.  I don't think it's ever been worn and it's shiny and gorgeous as it's made of Thai silk.  I'll add the photos I took in the sunshine (a rare thing) although they've come out with a blue tinge.  The shirt is actually a gorgeous white.  

I'm going to make this my next project!!!  This will be the 'day job' as I'm playing around with tatting in the evenings.  More on that tomorrow!!!!

Monday Moan - please save the planet

So today I'm going to moan about patterns.  

So what really, really BUGS me is the people who are producing pages and pages of 'paper' to write down their patterns when the same thing could be done in 3 - 4 pages at the most.  

Then they charge for the pattern and leave the customer to have to pay out even more to print out all those pages.  Lots of patterns I see for sale are many pages long (often into double figures) with HUGE font and waaaaay to many pictures.  Please, please, please let's resolve this 'my pattern has got to be big and fancy so people think they've got value' mentality and aim for clear, concise instructions.

Remember, people, a pattern is merely instructions on how to achieve the finished piece and NOT a tutorial on every step taken to get there.  Those parts are techniques and not the pattern.  It can also confuse the person working the item because they've learned another way to do certain techniques.  

I suggest that before buying a 'digital download' you check how many pages you are committing to printing out (contact the seller and ask for a sample page too) and whether some of those pages are merely 'headers' with nothing more than the designer's and pattern's name on.  

Can we please try to save the planet for our kids and grandkids.  I'm so looking forward to your comments on this moan.  

Now for a picture to cheer you up!  A Motmot bird.

Final post on the jacket

As promised yesterday - the inside of the jacket!!!  As you can see (or rather NOT see) there is no patchwork stitching showing on the inside!!!

Decisions made!

So to put the whole jacket together I started at the bottom!!!  As I knew the original denim was straight I cut the patchwork fabric to 'match the length' measuring and checking several times.  I then added a band which I could then turn over to the inside and stitch to the denim.  

Next I did the same for the two fronts.  Made a couple of strips of fabric slightly wider than the original as I needed a little more width.  This was then sewn on with a stiffening to turn over to the inside.

Then I needed to 'strain the brain' (aka BC3) on what to do next!!  I decided to cover the collar and at the same time incorporating the denim and the patchwork.  That was a bit fiddly but worked really well.  Fortunately I'd cut a newspaper pattern out before I started putting the whole thing together.  I added magnetic buttons (which I'm still not totally convinced about) to hold the fronts together.  I may one day change those out into buttons and buttonholes but will test try the magnets first.

Finally I turned up the sleeves using a strip of fabric as I did for the bottom and fronts.  So here are some pictures of me in the jacket and tomorrow I'll show you some of the inside too.  There is a pocket on the left side of the jacket which holds my phone.  Can you see it?

Starting to put it together

I've missed a few stages out so you won't get bored to death with this and will try and finish the whole process off this week.

The pictures below are showing the side seams, shoulder seams and the sleeves inserted.  A certain amount of panic set in at this stage as these photos show the denim undershirt with the patchwork outer just worn separately.  

My lovely neighbour, Jo, (who's kitchen we're in) kindly gave it a good looking over at this stage and passed it 'fit for purpose'!!! 

Now, what should I do next?  Hmmmmm.  

Two sleeves and a foot!

The top sleeve needs a bit more work but it's 'nearly there'.  

Now what would a jacket need a foot for, I can hear you say?  Well look closely at the second picture and you'll see my foot crept into the frame!!!  It's a good foot (I luckily have a second one to match) and it does a lot of hard work too!!!

Moaning Monday

Today my moan is going to be about tatting videos.  

I've seen some pretty dreadful ones and some really good ones but there are videos that I feel are going a 'step too far'.  Now what do I mean by that?  

I appreciate (and use) the videos that show a technique and there are many of those which are very helpful particularly to new tatters who want to learn the 'dreaded' flip etc.  

A slight digression here as I don't know why I call it 'dreaded' as to a mere 13 year old (a looooooong time ago) the flip was so obvious.  Anyway most of the videos 'out there' on the interwebs are great and it gives the viewer many angles on how to do certain techniques.

What I'm most concerned with is the new move towards videoing and posting patterns.  First of all the designer of the (probably) originally written pattern needs to be asked for permission or it could be called a copyright theft if no permission is given.  

But that's NOT what concerns me most.  I'm wondering that if this method of sharing patterns becomes a popular  way of passing them on - won't it make us lazy?  Just sit and do what's on the screen?  No thinking required?  The only thing against this method of pattern sharing is the constant need to drop shuttles to rewind and replay.  

Let's face it we've all got a BC3 which needs regular exercising and stretching so if a pattern is written and illustrated then surely that shouldn't need to be made into a video - it'll make us all lazy if that becomes the norm. 

Just a picture to cheer up the blog post!!!

I have two fronts!

No, not weather fronts or anything else - simply two fronts for my jacket.  I THINK!!!!  

As you can see they’re very ‘roughly’ the shape of two fronts!!!!  The armholes are sort of ‘there’ but not really ‘there’!!!!!  Beneath the top picture is an ‘in progress’ picture of the right front which is hanging on a chair.  So far, so good - I think!!!!

Another progress picture!!!

This is another picture about the patchwork jacket!!!
You can see from this picture that I have a lot of fabric and a relatively small area to work in. I’m not very tidy either!!! This is the table in the conservatory where I sew. You can see some denim that I cut off the original garment to make the hem straight.
As the only ‘pattern’ I’ve got is the original denim jacket and not a clue how to progress this crazy idea I’ve decided that the first thing I need to do is make the ‘fabric’. More next time!!!

Slowly getting back to the blog.

The main reason for me being absent has been a massive tidy up of the house.  It becomes a bit unnerving when the guys (and gals) at the tip (dump) great you as a ‘long lost friend’!!!!

I’ve now done six trips to the tip which is, fortunately, just outside town.  I’ve also been lucky enough to have been able to park my car outside our house.  This is unusual due to the fact that we only have on street parking and it’s a busy road.  Anyway, I digress.

During my period (which is not yet over) of clearing, tidying and cleaning I’ve also managed to snitch an hour or so to do a bit of crafting.  Mainly I’ve been working on two sort of secret projects but sewing on the patchwork idea has also had small amounts of time spent on it too.  This is where I left it when I last blogged.

Here’s another progress picture - bearing in mind that I’ve only had odd moments to get on with this!!!.

I will be back

I’m gradually working through a few hiccups here in hot old England but I promise that once they’re over I’ll be back on track.

I recently spotted the light at the end of this very long tunnel so may soon be back boring you all to death. You have been warned!!!!

Meanwhile a picture I took when I managed to escape the hiccups for an hour or so!!!

Moaning Monday

I know I’ve been absent from this blog for a week or two but it’s due to circumstances that need to be dealt with. I’m hoping to be back soon but it could be another week or more due to the extreme heat we’re suffering at the moment as well as the other hassles.

My Monday Moan?  Well it’s about losing things. Why oh why is it so easy to lose things that you’re actually using?  I sit in my chair tatting away and without moving a muscle my hook/bobbin/scissors are gone.  Vanished completely. I have to get up (putting down the iPad I’m working on and search the chair. These ‘things’ usually turn up pretty quickly but I still ask why, and how they go missing so quickly.

I took this picture yesterday as it tickled me that I could see my earrings!!!

Well this is small progress

My crazy idea for the denim jacket is taking on a life of it's own.  Not necessarily a 'good' life but it's started.  Let's say it's at the 'just been born' stage!!!

You can see that I've just pinned the pieces together here.  I think the next stage will be tacking them roughly too.  The iron is being put through it's paces as well as I need to keep checking and checking.

Meanwhile evenings are for tatting and progress is being made on another new idea.  I think this one will make a good lesson so I need to start thinking about where I'm going to offer it!!!!  

Yet another

This time I've used size 80 thread instead of two strands of sewing thread.  

I love these two colours together but was surprised to see how much smaller this pink brown one was compared to the previous motifs worked in two sewing threads wound together.  You live and you learn!!!

I had an idea!

Well it's been percolating in my old brain for ages!!!  Do you remember my gecko jacket?  Here it is.  I also did another with animals all over it too.  This one.

I decided to look through my wardrobe the other day and found another plain denim jacket that's been hiding in there for years!!  I know why I've never worn it - the sleeves are too long and it's BORING!!!  So I'm off on another adventure - a patchwork one.  Not a 'planned' patchwork but one that evolves.  Whatever THAT is.  I honestly don't know about this project but it'll be fun playing and the scraps I'm using will only get thrown away one day.  Save the planet, says I.  

As usual I'm not quite sure how it's going to proceed or how I'm going to do it but it'll be fun trying and I do have a lot of scraps of fabric.  I'll keep you updated!!!!

Another chicken wing coaster

I am working hard on a new design but I’ve no idea yet whether I’ll be sharing it anytime soon.  

I’m still debating whether it’ll be a good one for a lesson or whether to keep it for a probable TIAS.  So many decisions that it hurts my brain!!!  

I am also making these coasters when I need to ‘wind down’ - for no other reason than it’s relaxing to make something which needs little thought.

I also have another ‘good idea’ but goodness knows whether it will come to fruition!!!  Time will tell but I’m still here in my little corner of Tat Land!!

Completely nothing to do with anything!!!

The reasons for my quiet blog are many at the moment but one of them is now behind me.  

Last Saturday we had our annual (except for last year!) street party.  It had to be arranged very carefully due to Covid restrictions and instead of using the inside of the house as we normally do, we kept it to the very beautiful garden only instead and social distancing well under control.  

The house (just along the road from me) is a charity which encourages holistic healing, counselling, lessons in Pilates etc.  Here's the link.

We have two gazebos which the guys put up in the morning although it was a bit breezy and they both managed to 'take off' resulting in the death of one!!!  There is a big permanent one already there so the loss of one wasn't too dramatic and the sun stayed behind the clouds.  

We had entertainment laid on with the Trinity Players, some drummers called In2Cultures (who are always very popular) and instead of an open mic session due to another small and unsolvable hiccup there was a quiz.  My team cheated disgracefully and won but we did own up and didn't get the prize!!!!  Must admit it was fun cheating!!!!

Here are a few pictures - it was seaside themed so there was a sandpit for the kids and an art section too.  

The last picture is of the two chickens who took themselves off to bed as soon as dusk fell!!!

Just a little something

Just to pass the time until I really decide what I  want to do next.  I need a big project.  Something to keep me out of mischief.

This is the chicken wing coaster which I've done with two strands of sewing/quilting thread - just to make it more of a challenge!!!

I'm going to have to find time to go through all my bits and pieces soon and sort out those that I want to give away to friends.  Once we're back to the sewing/craft groups I'm going to take those things along and just let people take what they want.  I don't need all this 'stuff' around me.  Boxes full of tatting that's never been given a home.

I've made a couple

I've made a couple of these Dreamlit bobbin holders because I've found my originals SOOOOO useful.  Now I'm wondering whether anybody will want them.  Please would you ask around or leave a comment if you would as I don't want to waste my time making more if they're just going to sit around the house!!!

This is the post about the original ones.

I really find them so useful and I usually leave a 'tail' hanging out so I know which colour the bobbin holds.  Unlike the round bobbins, when you do this with the oval ones they don't come unravelled in these holders.  Picture just below along with the new ones.

In the doldrums!!!

I think I need a kick up my butt.  Everything seems to be ‘too much trouble’ at the moment.

I have a new design that’s going quite well but really needs finishing.  

I have nothing to keep me out of mischief in the way of an ‘ongoing’ project like the poncho was.  

In fact ‘doldrums’ is exactly the right word for where I’m at at the moment.

I’m hoping that somebody will give me the kick I need but in the meantime I’m going to just make patterns that please me - if I can find them.

The picture is one taken on one of my walks and is just to cheer up this post.  I WILL be back!!