curtains at last

curtains at last, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

I don't have a proper curtain rail as there isn't a wall to attach a traditional rail too, so I fitted a shower rail directly onto the ceiling in front of my bedroom window. I have to devise my own method of fixing the curtain to the static rail as the curtain MUST have maximum curtain coverage over the rail itself - this is a south facing window so if I don't the summer sunshine (when we have it) will blind me and Mr C in the morning. I used presstuds for my previous bedroom curtains, this time I am using metal hook and eyes. Yes - I had to sew 48 of them to the tabs!

To make up a basic lined curtain I worked to guidelines I found at alternative-windows
This site was really useful and there are lots of basic guidelines and tips for making cushions and blinds too.

I love the retro style pattern and mix of orange and pink - I bought the fabric in a John Lewis summer sale about 3 years ago, I bought the lining (standard weight) from there too. I think the fabric as about 5 quid a metre - a bargain I couldn't resist! Each curtain measures 170cm height and 134cm wide.

I have enough fabric left to make a couple of quilted pillow cases.

recently finished items

Dolly jacket- Jaeger (6-12 mnths), originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff

Handknits for Babies and Children by Martin Storey
4 ply Baby Merino Jaeger

Scalloped Baby Blanket for Isla, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

Pattern from Amy Karol - bend-the-rules sewing
Fabric from Liberty,

me and my clara, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

Clara from Hip Knit Hats - Cathy Carron
Brown Sheep Chunky
The sun was in my eyes - so please excuse the squinty look ;-)

PLEASE note you can find errata notes here for this book

Knitted Atari 2600 Console with CRT

Knitted Atari 2600 Console with CRT, originally uploaded by jm3.

How cool is THIS - I found it here Not sure how I get my hands on the pattern for this!

the pieces - Dolly Jacket

Dolly Jacket, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

Nearly there now - just got to sew it together.. 3mnths in the making.

bunny hop to Istanbul

wee wonderfuls bunny, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

I just love the wee wonderfuls - this little'un is now residing in Istanbul, safe in the care of a Lea. I made it in November 2007 but didn't get round to posting it until now. I am also behind schedule with my gardening projects - I only planted my daffodil bulbs today, hopefully they will be in flower by easter (fingers crossed). I choose a pastel variety for a change - I usually plump for the classic yellow. I have completed two other sewing projects this week that I will share with you soon.



Until then let me mention a children's book I added to my collection this week: A Child's Book of Poems by Gyo Fujkawa, first published 1969. My sister and I owned a board book by Fujkawa when we were children called Our Best Friends, published 1977. I loved this book because the illustrations were so vivid - I was amazed with the detail of the clothes and grass, yet the eyes were just black dots. The collection of poems in this book includes William Blake and Kate Greenaway - there are lots of colour illustrations but my favourite are the drawings.

Festive Production

Cushions, originally uploaded by louisemakesstuff.

Cushions in Amy Butler Fabric with pink satin trim. Cushion pads from John Lewis 30 x 40 cm. feather filling - think they cost about 3.95 each. Liberty have now started selling Amy Butler fabric at 8 quid a metre - the patterns are gorgeous, really distinctive. The green fabric here looks fairly traditional but the lovely green and pink give it a contemporary twist - combined with the spotty fabric on the reverse of the cushion the look is complete. These cushions were gifted to my nan and my boyfriends mum - both were pleased to receive handmade gifts - both were a former knitter and seamstress (sadly not possible now due to ill health).

NOTE: I noticed this on the Amy Butler selvage...
Lotus © by Amy Butler for Rowan fabrics for non commercial use only.
Fair enough I guess - we all have to earn money. This is the first time though that I have seen such a bold statement printed on a selvage - I am not sure how strictly the non commercial usage is enforced - but there must be loads of crafty bods out there making beautiful stuff for sale on Etsy, (for instance) who may consider that a wee trim of Amy Butler fabric here and there would make all the difference to their handmade goodies. That got me thinking to ways around using the fabric for non commercial use, such as exchange by barter/swap shop type enterprise. There may also be implications in the future for crafters who remix fabrics and garments such as Anti factory (my fav blog of 2007), especially if in the future more designers made use of these and rules and they were strictly enforced. I hope not...

Blimey how time flys...

I have returned from my 7 month residence in Istanbul and am now back in the UK for good. All around me babies are appearing. Currently I am busy knitting Baby Dolly from Jaeger, Baby handknits, J29, (size 6-12 mnths) for my cousins new born daughter Daisy Mae. I have at least 2 more babies to knit for before the end of 2007.

On my return, about 4 weeks ago! I joined the social movement that is called facebook. I am trying desperately not to get hooked... but it is difficult. The good thing, as well as keeping up with all my mates from Turkey, is that I have been invited to a couple of events by fellow knitters > I been invited to "knit a tit", an event that will raise money for breast cancer. It will be held on Saturday 27th August at "I knit" in south London > and I found out today that the knitting and stitching show is on this weekend at Ally Pally. How exciting I would never have found out about this otherwise! I intend to go tomorrow :-)

Last up, CONGRATULATIONS to Charlotte