Reading goals for 2015

My life isn't all babies and sewing. When I have the time I enjoy a good book.

When scrolling through my Instagram feed a few weeks ago I spotted a reading challenge called 26 Books with Bringing Up Burns. 

There's a blog called the Burns family blog (Instagram @Bringingupburns) and to reach their reading goals for 2015, created a list of 26 prompts from which to chose a book to read. For instance, a book set in a place you would like to visit or a book you own but haven't yet read. Their aim was that whatever types of books you are into you will be able to cover all 26 items on the list.

There has been massive social media interest and I love scrolling through #26bookswithbringingupburns and seeing what everyone else is reading. I've also got more ideas for books I would like to read next. 

Another amazing blogger Knitty Bitties has made a printable bookmark of the challenge and shared it on her blog for us all! I've printed mine off and will cross them out as I've read them. 

I've just finished my first book of the challenge. The Husbands Secret by Liane  Moriarty. This is number 1 on the list, a book I own but haven't read.

What a great read. Keeps you hooked till the very end. Through the challenge many others have recommended this authors other books so they have been added to my wish list. 

Need to crack on with my next read. What to pick...

Bronte top

 

Perfect Pattern parcel are a company who collaborate with indie pattern designers to offer people like us bargain priced bundles of patterns at the same time as raising money for children's education. Throughout the year they release a bundle of patterns for limited time only and you have a choice of how much you wish to pay for them (too good to be true huh). If you pay $32 or above you not only get the 5 patterns in the bundle, you also get a bonus pattern! So that's 6 fantastic patterns for $32 - wow!

 

The last pattern parcel for 2014 was a bag pattern bundle which looked fab. I have so many bags patterns I haven't tried yet, I decided not to purchase the bundle - totally regret that decision now its too late of course!

 

 

 

In October 2014 they released a bundle of women's patterns which social media went crazy for.

 

 

The parcel included dresses, skirts, cardigans, tshirts and lounge pants. Most ladies would be able to make a new wardrobe out of these beauties. I had actually purchased the Julia cardigan pattern previously, but even with that the parcel was well worth the money.

 

Deciding what to make first was difficult. I have so many ideas for fabric choice, its hard to chose, but I needed a quick make and I saw other bloggers post how quick and easy the Bronte top was I chose this.

 

 

The Bronte pattern is by Jennifer Lauren Vintage. Its a cute fitted top, made with knit fabric. What makes it different from most top patterns is the lapped shoulder detail. It reminds me of my daughters baby grows. The top can be made for causal wear or with more interesting fabric can be made suitable for a night out. The pattern came with the option of short or long sleeved.

 

I have been browsing the Girl Charlee website for some months before I took the plunge last year and did my first overseas fabric order. Girl Charlee are a US company who specialise in knit fabric, offering quirky designs that can't be found elsewhere. I ordered a lot of fabric from them (and ended up with a customs charge :( ), but was worth it as I haven't found a UK company that offers as good a fabric as they do. I ordered a yard of a grey marl knit with cute foxes on it. I initial planned leggings for my daughter, but as its turned cold here I went for a top for me.

 

I had used some of this yard of fabric to make a hair turban for my mum (more on that in another post), so I had a little under a yard. Girl Charlee provides info such as percentage stretch for all the fabric on their website. This print had a stretch of 30%. The Bronte top recommend at least a 40%, and I should have cut a bigger size to take this into consideration, but I didn't and it ended up ok - just.

 

The pattern was really easy to follow. The diagrams help with placement if the pieces to create the lapped neckline. There is a Bronte sewalong on the Jennifer Lauren website and can be found here. I didn't see this till I had made my top, but looks good so I will use it when making my next.

 

I see myself making lots more of these as they are a quick and easy addition to the wardrobe.

Can't wait to see what Perfect Pattern Parcel bring us in 2015!

Colette Seamwork Magazine

I've been so bad at blogging recently. Well actually I've started lots of posts but they are still drafts waiting to be publish once I take some more pics etc. I love this next make so much it needed to jump the queue. 

Colette are independent pattern makers who are responsible for some great garments such as the Mabel skirt (I've made 2 already!) and the Laurel dress (on my to do list). 

The Mabel 

The Laurel

A couple of months ago they launched a new digital magazine Seamwork, that includes articles,tips for sewing with different fabric types and of course some great patterns that can been seen together in super quick time. 

Sounds too good to be true right? Well it is so get subscribing! 

The first issue contained 3 patterns, the Oslo Cardigan, the Madrid Bag and the Valencia Bag.

I was instantly drawn to the Oslo. When looking at a sewing pattern I normally pick the dresses and garments for a night out. I have a one year old, nights out are few and far between so my aim is to make some wardrobe staples. Things I will wear on a daily basis, not for birthdays and Christmas! 

The Oslo is a cardigan made out of knit fabric that can be made in 2 hours. 

They show a few option of fabric for this make, so it can be made as a lightweight carry or a thick, cozy and warm piece. I had a work Christmas party booked on a very cold weekend in December so I needed something warm to wear. 

On a trip to Goldhawk Road I found a cream wool fabric for £15 per meter. It was thick and fluffy so perfect for keeping me warm. I purchased 2.5 meters, 2 meters would have probably need enough. 

I printed the pdf and taped the pieces together. This was probably the longest part of the process (isn't it always!). There aren't many pieces to this cardy. The cuffs are separate and can be attached with the seam outwards and the cuff is turned up to cover the seam or the other way round. 

Assembling the pieces was quick and easy. The instructions were clean and simple to understand. A great project for a beginner or a quick make for the experienced sewer. 

This was the first time I used wool but I didn't have any problems. The machine was very fluffy afterwards though (and my clothes and the floor...). 

I'm going to be making a lot more of these cardigans. I've got some nice quilted Jersey that would make another warm one and some fun prints from Girl Charlee that will be good for some lightweight ones.