Woolly jumper to cardi - in progress

Ended up doing lots of other things today, so didn't get to have a go with upcycling the jumper to cardi until this evening. 

So here’s where I’m at so far:

I’d dismantled (I mistakenly said 'dismembered' earlier, only to think - hmm that's not quite what I mean!) the jumper yesterday (umm ok whilst watching strictly!) So it was already in pieces to pin up. 

I think I’d also been putting off cutting it, as I wasn't sure what would happen and if the wool would unravel.  In the end though I just went for it.

I measured a top I already had to get the right width and then pinned it up. I also did the same for the sleeves. 

At the moment the collar isn't long enough to go all the way around so will need to have a think about what I can do with that.  

Also, if I want the front to overlap so I can add buttons, I’ll need to allow extra on the front panels for that – so I can just move them out a bit I think.

Pretty pleased with it so far!

Won’t be able to do any more on it until later in the week, but that should give me a chance to come up with an idea for the collar. I’d like to add some pockets too. :-)

How it looks so far

Woolly jumpers, fabric and temptation

Temptation in coat form

Oh dear. I was tempted today.

There it was in the window at a shop in Wells. Bright, colourful and ahh soo lovely! I even went in and looked at it – but didn't try it on. That would have been a huge mistake.

It was a lovely coat by the Irish company Avoca. I do actually already have a coat by them – which I’d bought earlier this year for a wedding – and I LOVE it! (anyway slightly off topic there..) They make really, really original, colourful and beautiful things. There is quite a history to their company (Ireland’s oldest Mill) – which I like and you can read about here.

But it did make me ask myself why I was doing this. And I came up with the same answer. I want to learn how to make beautiful things myself. So I’m sticking with it. (still thinking about that coat mind).

I’d set out to find some winter woolly’s as that’s something seriously lacking in my wardrobe. So off to the charity shops I went. I know from past experiences, I've never actually bought a woolly jumper from a charity shop as they tend to be past their best, bobbly and misshapen. 

Today was no exception. Lots of other good quality things.  But no jumpers. I checked the men’s section as well as figured I’d be able to alter them. Nothing.

I did find some fabric though! So I bought that. Hurrah! £2.95 for a pretty big piece that I *think* I’ll be able to make some trousers from. That’s the plan.

Went to every charity shop (there are quite a few). No luck. 

But I was really happy with the fabric so that was great, and thought I need to have a think about this jumper business.

The jumper!

So chatting about it on the way home with my lovely fella, he said he probably had some jumpers I could have to ‘alter’.  Whoop whoop I thought, this could work!  Turns out he has ‘A LOT’ of jumpers at the back of the wardrobe that he’s never worn! 

For now he’s given me one to see what I can do with it. And providing I don’t make a complete hash of it, I’m hoping I’ll be able to persuade him to give me some more...

In the mean time I have my first jumper to play with! I have an idea to turn it into a cardi. 

I like the reverse knit so am planning on turning it inside out, but taking out the sleeves and turning them back around so they are the right way – if you follow me.  I can see in my mind what I’d like to create – but actually doing it is another matter. 

Excited about having a go.

Had a lovely day in Wells though. Even had some roasted chestnuts from Charlie Chestnut. ;-)

Charlie Chestnut ;-)

Knickers!

Day 8 – Already!  And we’ve some new joiners – Viv and Karen. Welcome!

So then, what’s this about knickers? Well It seems quite a few people who have joined up for this ‘challenge’ have put  knickers on their list of things they’d like to make.  And there has been quite a lot of tweeting about it and looking for online tutorials (which there are quite a few!)

I must admit, this did surprise me. I’d never considered making them myself.

However, those M&S undies (they used to be my shop of choice when buying such items) Just aren't as well made as they used to be. And to get anything half decent, do you need to spend over £20??

Then I thought (as you do) ‘I wonder how much the ‘cheapest’ and the most ‘expensive’ knickers are’...

So quick google (I do love the internet!) and found (this is by no means *proper* market research!)  that:

Cheapest pair of ladies knickers I found are £1 from Primark. A £1? Really? How can that be??  (Yes – OK, I know the answer). 

Most expensive pair I found were £195.  These are from Agent Provocateur's 'Soiree' range which are embellished with Swarovski crystals. They also do a playsuit for £15,000. Bargain. (bodyguard not included).

So, this got me thinking -  is it possible to make your own that would be as special as some costing £195? (properly) I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s progress!  

Maybe I will have a go...

oh and there’s an update on Mistyfuse. Here’s what they said:

“Attached Inc is dedicated to producing a superior product and that also means a GREEN product. Our chemist formulated Mistyfuse to be the best possible fusible: ultra sheer, super strong, uber versatile, incomparably eco-friendly. EQUALLY IMPORTANT is our production method. Mistyfuse is made in a green industrial facility which we can only do because Mistyfuse is made without solvents, body modifiers, blow additives and without extra adhesives. This careful formulation and production has another benefit--it gives Mistyfuse superior aging properties. But we didn't stop there. We also have a MIstyfuse that is made with a UV stabilizer to retard any darkening that might occur over time.”

No word from Vilene Bondaweb yet.

Appliqué, bondaweb, mistyfuse? It’s a whole new world.

What started out as a ‘quick look on the web’ has turned into a bit of a fact finding mission.

So it went something like this...

Hmm so I’d like an appliqué design on my skirt, what’s the best way of doing that..? and what’s this bondaweb stuff? I’ve never really used it as I use felt on my cushions. What exactly is it? I know it fuses fabric together, so must be some kind of glue, but what’s it made of? where is it made? when was it invented? 

And, is it environmentally friendly?

on to the internet..googled..

Tweeted..

found some information, but not all the answers.

So far (and thanks to fellow Love What You Wear –ers? Jaimie and Ginny) shall we have a ‘name’? any ideas?

Have discovered the following:

• Bondaweb is the brand name and is made by Vilene
• It is also known as Vliesofix and Wonder under
• Vilene is part of the Freudenberg group, a German, family owned business
• They are the market leaders in ‘interfacing’ for the garment industry
• They launched an Eco range in 2008. This range contains no AZO dyes, formaldehyde and APEO - and are also compostable and bio-degradable. 

So what’s an AZO dye?  what’s APEO? I know about formaldehyde. Does that mean those things are in their other products? I don’t know. I want to find out more about them - have a feeling there will be lots of 'sciencey type' words like Alkylphenol ethoxylates..that I will need translating!

So, I rang them to find out.

Spoke to a very friendly lady and asked her my questions, she said she would get back to me.  I also dropped her an email, just to make sure they had my address as my name can be a bit tricky. So will wait and see.

Then Jaimie pointed me in the direction of Mistyfuse.

Mistyfuse are an American company based in Brooklyn, New York (they are ok after Hurricane Sandy) and say that their webbing is 'environmentally friendly' – I have asked what makes it so, and am waiting to find out.

So no complete answers yet! But just wanted to share what I was looking into – and if anyone knows the answers let me know.

Then on to appliqué itself..

I learnt that there is more than one way to do it. And that there is a way of doing it without using a ‘fusing’ material – after all it was around well before bondaweb was invented! (so you might wonder why I’m bothering to find out about how that stuff is made – I’m inquisitive. I like to know!)

These techniques are traditional needle turn appliqué and reverse appliqué. And according to one of the books I have there is also Broderie perse, Hawaiian appliqué, stained glass appliqué, cut and sew and inlaid...heck – how many different ways are there of sewing one piece of fabric on to another..?

Didn't realise what I’d started!!

Have a funny feeling I’ll be dreaming in appliqué tonight...

Welcome to our first fella and goals for the week

Welcome to Dominic, who joins us today. *hello*

Dominic and his wife have already spent a year not buying any new clothes, and so they are already well experienced! (have asked for some tips). 

White Stuff skirt I like for inspiration

I want to set my goals for the week. And thought I’d be brave and post them here! Basically to have them written somewhere that wasn't just a random piece of paper that I’m bound to ‘tidy away’ i.e lose.

We’re having a ‘pre-Christmas’ family get together the second weekend of December – so that’s now become my target date to make my skirt!! eek – that’s a month away so surely I must be able to make it by then!  I really want it to be ‘nice’ so taking my time a bit in finding a pattern and looking at ideas. Oh and knowing what ‘actually’ suits me. I’d hate to spend lots of time making it only to discover that a ‘puffball’ skirt just isn't the right look for me...!

So have decided it’s going to be an A-line (I already have a Monsoon skirt that’s this kind of style and I like that so that’s a good start!) and I’d love to have some kind of pattern/design on it – but am not sure yet how I’ll do that. 

I really like this skirt from White Stuff – so that’s inspired me. And it was such a beautiful day today I did pop-out for a short walk and was looking for inspiration from the trees and plants/seed heads I saw.  And do I add that after I've made up the skirt so it’s lined up correctly or do I do it after cutting out and before joining up?

Am trying not to be too ambitious, but do want to make something I’m actually going to ‘like’ wearing!!

• Take own measurements and adjust dressmakers mannequin (going to need help with this!)
• Is the pink wool fabric I have actually enough to make a skirt? It measures 93 cm wide x 138 cm Length – I *think* so but not really sure?
• Choose a pattern I like
• Work out what else I’ll need – might need a zip, I have some blk lining (will that be ok?) and tread already that’s pretty much the right colour.
• Decide on what kind of design I'll add
• Cut out the fabric!!

What are your goals for the week?  Let me know! x

Another joiner and a few lists

Skirt length. No idea how old this fabric is!

Welcome to Sarah, who has joined us today! And I’m just loving everyone’s enthusiasm! YEAH!

I've been having a think about what I’d really like to make over the coming year and have come up with a little list. (I do like a list)

Things I’d like to make

• A skirt (have fabric but no pattern)
• A maxi-dress (have fabric and two patterns)
• PJs (have the pattern)
• Summer Linen Trousers (have fabric and pattern)
• An evening dress (have fabric but no pattern)
• Three summer tops (have the patterns and some fabric)
• Crochet a shawl
• Knit some socks
• Make some knickers! (I know I’d excluded underwear from this challenge – but figured I’d have a go!)

Am sure this will grow but think it’s enough to be getting along with! Am surprised actually at how much I already have. (I know I’m not the only one!)

Charity shop buy years ago.
£1.50 and £3.00. 

Things I’d like to learn/have a go at

• How to use the button foot on my sewing machine
• Freehand machine embroidery
• How to crochet
• Improve my knitting and be able to follow a pattern
• Dying with natural plant dyes
• How to make my own patterns
• Spin some yarn from a real live animal! Doesn't have to be a sheep! (won’t be a Vicuna mind..!)

Think this will grow too as I go along and I discover more things!!

I've also been thinking about how best to keep going (other than the fact there are now 19 of us doing this!) and I know what helped me when I did the 30 Day Challenge, earlier this year  (you can read about that here. And watch the little video I made here. Not the best in the world but was rather pleased with it as it was the first one I’d ever made!)

This was setting a weekly goal and also ‘checking-in’ on how I was getting on (and not being hard on myself if I didn't achieve my goal – but just working out why and then what I can do differently the following week) plus the biggest thing was the support from the rest of the people also doing the 30 Day Challenge.

And now that there is a fab group of other lovely ladies going this with me – it’s going to be AMAZING!

so thank you! x

And I’ll end this post with a great quote from an article that Ginny shared with the group which you can read here (I know I posted this on FB already but is something worth repeating (as I need to remind myself of it!):

"When you start, it will look like crap. Perhaps we tend not to try new things because we expect perfection right out of the gate, but you should know that nothing is perfect on the first try."

And that MISTAKES are GOOD! That’s how we learn!

Right then. I’d better stop faffing about and get on with it!!

Have you got a list of things you’d like to make or learn over the year? Why not share them below.

Eighteen so far!

Wow! So all went a bit crazy since the last post thanks to lots of sharing of the project. ;-)

(You can read some of the blog posts here: flipknitstitch and mymakedoandmendyear) Let me know if you're going to blog about your adventure too so I can share it. ;-)

At the last count there are now 18 of us taking the challenge! BRILLIANT

So a huge welcome to new joiners: Elizabeth, Katy-Marie, Su, Kate, Lydia, Ella, Catherine, Sharon, Sarah, Denise and Ruth.

Please shout out if you don’t see your name here! Don’t mean to miss anyone off..

It’s going to be such a fun, exciting and challenging year ahead. Knowing that there is a whole bunch of us doing the same thing – so we can share ideas and help each other along, is going to be great. I know it will certainly help me complete it!

I've already got some ideas for the BIG party we will have this time next year! Thinking old fashioned glamour with us all wearing a dress (or other) we've made/refashioned!?? What do you think? 

Maybe I’m jumping ahead slightly here – I do tend to get ‘as excitable as a puppy’ but why not! This is an adventure after all.  And it is meant to be FUN!

Thought it would be good to recap what I've done today so we can share ideas etc..(still haven’t gotten any fabric out yet!)

I've set up two Pinterest boards (Love What You Wear - Inspiration and I Made This!) which you can find here.

And thanks to Catherine, we might just get John-Paul Flintoff himself as our Champion! As it turns out I’m not the only one to have been influenced by his book!

I've also set up a Twitter list of everyone taking part. Some aren't on twitter yet – but will be joining soon.

And as I mentioned over on the Facebook page I've created a ‘I’m In’ page where I’ll add a bit about everyone who is taking part. Will send out a few questions just so we can get to know each other a bit better.  ;-)

*phew*

So I’d love to know – What’s your first project going to be??

I’m going to have a go at making a simple skirt. ;-)

Happy creating! x