winter project link party - February

After an interminable January, February came along really quickly. It took me a bit by surprise to be honest. It is still dark in the evenings but I no longer need lights on my bike in the morning. Soon, I won't need them at all. Mind you, I won't be cycling for much longer if the rains continue, my bike path is muddy, flooded and treacherous. I might start swimming to work :-)

I am joining in today with Jennifer's Winter Project Link Party. Have a look, many inspiring creative women share their projects there. No blokes yet. 

I have been beavering away quietly in the evenings. I am working on three projects at the moment, slowly but steadily. I pick up James' stripy jumper when I sit down in my comfy corner. It is progressing quite quickly although I did have to unravel the yoke and knit it once more. I am following this pattern, loosely I have to say because it seems more complicated than necessary, particularly the yoke increases. I do really like the short rows that are used to shape the neck. I am fond of short rows in general, they are such a great way to shape a garment, or anything really.

Some evenings I sit down with my patchwork quilt and add a row or two of squares. I have eight rows of 14 squares just now. I leave it out on my ironing board (a more or less permanent fixture in the house) so I can look at it often. I like choosing squares at random. Of most I have less than four so there is not much chance of identical squares being too close. It is really liberating. I have in the past spent far too much time worrying about 'things being just right' and I feel it is a great personal achievement to be able to go with the flow.

Lastly, I spent a few hours sticking the pdf pattern for my Appleton dress together. There are three versions for different cup sizes and I had printed out two because I wasn't sure what size to make. To avoid extensive grading I decided on a C/D cup. As luck has it, I accidentally assembled the wrong cup size, even though I had checked... I used a whole roll of sticky tape. Once I finished assembling the pattern I had to do some grading between sizes because I am a very bottom heavy pear shape and differ by two sizes. I boldly used my French curve, something I would not have dared a few months ago. I feel a bit like a Star Trek explorer, boldly go where no one has gone before.... I started cutting out the fabric but have now lost the will to continue. I felt like I imagine someone on psychedelic drugs would feel after staring at my dark blue daisy pattern fabric. Honestly, the daisies started moving. I blame this for the fact that I managed to place the front pattern piece such that I my left side is now my right side... the dress is asymmetric. Someone please remind me of this when I start sewing. This might be a while because my overlocker frightens me. It sews at the speed of light. 

One last thing before I flop down on the sofa for a snooze. Fellow sharers, could you link to the patterns you use? If you use one that is. I like to be inspired but don't fancy trawling the net for something that looks similar. No doubt designers also appreciate the credit given.

And so it is time to chill out. The weather is appalling and there is little else to do. The boys are thrashing their room as I type but that is something to worry about later. Have a wonderful weekend. x