egg cups

Some nice yolky egg cups heading down to Frank.

burda 9503 #3

Version number 3 of this pattern completed. (The other two here and here). Rather than buttoned cuffs this one has the simpler sleeves. So much quicker to do. I added some elastic in the cuffs. I still have no idea what I'm doing on the button placket... I can't understand the pattern or the diagram. It's not right but it'll do!

The fabric I got from a discount stall at the knitting and stitching show. All it says on the selvedge is Great Flower Designs 40's by 40's superfine cotton lawn.

stylish dress book 'B' in Nani Iro

After coming across this pattern again and again on flickr and sewing sites I finally got hold of the pattern book it features in and made myself one. It's pattern B from Stylish Dress Book. A loose blouse with gathering around the neck. The sleeves are in two pieces with gathering at the middle and an elasticated cuff. I assumed the book would be in Japanese like other ones I have, but was pleasantly surprised to find it was in English.  That saved a lot of head scratching and poring over a translation sheet. Still, with these Japanese sewing books you have to remember to add seam allowances and when tracing out the pattern for the lower sleeve, remember to add an extra 10cm to the width for the gathering. 

I bought this fabric last year and was waiting for the right project. It's Peaceful Cooing by Nani Iro and it's a double gauze (two pieces of gauze like fabric invisibly stitched together). It's very soft and warm... would make a beautiful quilt. 

I'm sure I'll be making this pattern again and again (and many others from the book). Next time though, I'll make the next size up (size 12) as it's a little tight round the shoulders, and I'll extend the sleeves two or three inches. 

The first bit of sun we've seen in weeks today. Still freezing on the beach, so a very brief photo shoot! I surreptitiously snapped off some beautiful greengage blossom on our walk and brought it back to the house. Spring is here!