# 15

Barn Square # 16

Yes, yes another square!!
This one with some odd and sods sort of wool - the brown was slightly finer than required so I combined it with the end of something else - created the yellow stripe.

WIP Barn Raising Quilt

The pile is growing - 16 complete squares now.  Not that I want my life to be about counting off lists, but it is useful to have a measure of progress!
I am going to investigate plastic knitting needles which can be taken on aeroplanes as I do have a long flight soon and reckon I could knit en route.

Knitted Squares so far - Barn Raising Quilt

I received a message this week was a quote; go into your studio to find something rather than make something and chance us your friend.  Isn't that lovely, and for me, finding lots of bits and bobs, it is very apt.

The mystery of blocking barn squares.

Q I have been asked 'what is the round thing I use to block the squares?'
A Garden kneeling pad

Handy use for the reverse side of garden kneeler

I have marked out a square to make life easier - there are 42 of these in the quilt!
(Previously we had a supply of the foam pads from the trampoline - which once they all came off the trampoline have re-appeared in our life in many guises, many craft related uses . . .)

# 14

Tee Shirt Top

Tee short top detail

This tee shirt top has languished without it's hem for a while!  And what do you know? A half hour task to complete it.  Worn twice since finished - love it.

Sometimes making a tried an true pattern over again is rhythmic and easy - this is once of these patterns.  I have followed 100 Acts of Sewing where the essential base pattern stays the same, yet all the dresses are unique.

Another up side to doing more craft and sewing is the mending jobs flow across the work space very quickly at the moment, which is good for all the family.  Everyone is getting used to sharing their dining space with my small sewing studio set up more or less permanently!

# 13 (Half way there)

Butterick 6247

Texture weave to knit fabric - in green!

Last weekend I took and pile of fabric around to my friend Suzanne's house for a bit of pinning and planning.  She is a sewer extraordinaire, very productive in her output of finished ready to wear projects - perfect person for this task.  Home I returned with a plan for all the pieces of fabric in the bag, and the work began.

A couple of alterations have seen garments move back into the working wardrobe!  Two previously made, but never really worn garments have been unpicked ready for adjustments.

This top is a Butterick Pattern 6247 which I bought second hand once.  It makes a raglan sleeve knit top which is very easy.  I have rouched the sleeves a little.  The knit fabric is quite fine, handy extra (under) layer - in my favourite colour too!  (Actually I am  little alarmed to discover how many green clothes I own!!)

This project hits the half way mark so I'm feeling quite chuffed with how it is all going.  Unfortunately the reality is one piece of knit fabric does not an empty wardrobe make!  I have one 10 year old who is rather hoping his mother will one day clear out all her 'stuff' from his room!  But from little things big things grow . . .

# 12

Comfy Yoga pants

A change of direction here when I got out my overlocker.

Studio end of the family dining table

Actually found the half made pants in the cupboard and as it turned out I had a selection rib materials for the band. Once again these half finished pants have probably sat for at least 4 years!!
So, fired into action, I had another look in the cupboard and found a few bits and pieces.  All knit fabrics.

Bag of goodies

A beginning

So the overlocker is staying put for the moment. . . watch this space.

# 11

I have been trying to recall when I purchased this kit and began the tapestry, at least 10 years ago!!  It is a Jennifer Pudney design.   It has languished in a roll awaiting, first for the right fabric for the cushion back, and then once that was sorted, it had another (long) wait.  Heavens the gestation period for some of these projects is very drawn out!! Anyway, after finishing the pheasants cushion one seems easy peasy!  Even the zip was OK too.

I must say this high energy for making things is fun!  I suspect this level of enthusiasm, and the easy appeal of picking something up and working on it might not be sustained!  But I am nearly at the half was mark for my 26 finished projects so that feels good!

# 10

Another Barn Square - number 15

Off the needles and blocked up.  Tail end of some mustard wool, but not quite enough, so I added some stripes.  I liked the stripes although I am still to deal with the tails ends which need to be woven in.  This one I bound off twice - the first time I discovered the square was too big!  But with practice I am getting efficient at undoing and re-doing!

Here is a quote I found in my pile of craft papers.

'There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through action.  And because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.  And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost.
It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable, nor how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it your clearly and directly, to keep the channel open . . .whether you choose to take ab art class, keep a journal, record your dreams, dance your story or live each day from your own creative source.
Above all else keep it open!'

by Martha Graham,  from 'A Creative companion by SPARK.