Lucky Lotto Sweater

Last year, my life took a huge u-turn which has brought about many changes.

Lovely SunnyJim felt I could do with a pick-me-up and bought me a Lotto ticket, which went on to win $70. (BTW, this is the first and last ticket for me. I personally frown on gambling, and figure this is the only winnings I will ever have, so get out while I'm ahead.)

I wanted to use this money for something meaningful. Countrywide Mandala variegated wool had caught my eye while buying thread in Sewing Direct sometime earlier, and the winnings covered the cost of yarn for a new sweater. The pattern is the same one I always use, with a few personal adjustments.

The fit is perfect, it's so soft and warm, I wear it often.

Love it, love it love it.

Blue Wool Pintucked Dress - Simplicity 8165

Earlier this year, I made a summery, short sleeved dress in linen and Simplicity 8165. Much loved, upon completion I decided to make a winter edition.

The blue wool crepe is from the stash, another score from Fabric-a-Brac. Following my notes from the first use of this pattern, I cut a size 6(!!) long sleeved version. I elongated the cuffs after seeing this picture of the Duchess of Cambridge, but I wouldn't recommend copying this look - it takes a bit of gymnastics to get all the buttons done up each time. Mostly, I roll the sleeves because I don't have time/can't be bothered.

I'm a bit meh about the dress -  it always feels a bit "Little House on the Prairie" nightgown-ish. But it's comfortable and I wear it often anyway.

Snow on the Remutaka Range

Carter Fountain, Oriental Bay, Wellington, to snow-tipped Remutaka Range.

See the snow on the Remutaka Range in the background? That's why it's been so fricken cold!

Kelly Green Merino Hoodie - Butterick 6101

A few years ago, I was tempted into buying a piece of merino sweatshirting I saw on TradeMe. It wasn't cheap - about $35 p/m from memory, and a minimum of 2 metres, but I was intrigued because I hadn't seen merino in this form before (nor since), plus it's my favourite colour. The idea was to make something warm for shavasana, as my yoga class can be chilly mid-winter. I pinned many ideas over the years, before settling on a classic hoodie.

At Moeraki boulders wearing Kelly Green Merino Hoodie (Butterick 6101)

An old, tried-and-trusted pattern - Butterick 6101 (ca. 1980) became the basic template, with a few tweaks. Pockets would be a must, plus I added cuffs and a hip band. The hood in the pattern is lined, but because the merino has a wonderful soft fleecy backing, I left it unlined, instead making a flat-felled seam down the centre back to keep it neat.

The hardest part was finding a zip and cord to match. I considered white, lime green, daffodil yellow, brass and chrome, before finally finding a dark green zip in The Fabric Warehouse - not perfect, but close enough. There doesn't seem to be any cord in Wellington that isn't black or white, so I created my own out of fabric.

Hands-down my favourite make in recent times.

(BTW, can anyone tell me what happened the lady's leg (with the tennis racket) on the pattern?!)

Purple plaid jacket mash-up

Five years ago, I received a wonderful suprise gift from my aunt. She was having a clean-out, and gave me two lengths of wool fabric – enough grey camelhair to make a coat, and a lovely piece of wool plaid, predominantly purple in colour.

At the time I was working in a very exposed south-facing office with floor to ceiling windows. It permanently cold as it saw no direct sunlight—ever. I made the most of every bit of the plaid fabric shortly after receiving it by making it into a dress. It was like being wrapped in a cosy blanket, and was on high rotation during the following winters.

My work moved into its current office early last year. Now the temperature is at a pleasant level, I no longer need to wear the dress. However, as with most other countries in the world, in winter, layering is de rigueur.

Since the fabric was still in excellent condition, I decided to unpicked and recut it into a jacket. I liked the velvet inlaid collar from Simplicity 3146, but unfortunately couldn't use the rest of this pattern because there wasn't enough width for the kimono sleeves. Instead, I turned to Simplicity 3120 (circa 1959) for the body and sleeves. However, there was absolutely no way of matching the check across the body to the sleeves, no matter how hard I tried. Disappointed, and though the jacket was near completion, it became a UFO, hiding in the back of my closet.

Fast-forward to last months TMS challenge when Bracken mentioned she also had unfinished jackets and coats hanging around. We challenged each other to complete one of them in time for November's Amnesty Day. Out of the closet it came.

It was actually very close to being finished, just the sleeve linings need attaching and buttons and buttonholes. But after trying it on, I decided to also re-position the side bust darts and add a velvet cuff – the sleeves were just a touch too short for me.

While I'm happy to be finished with it, I have to to be honest and say I like it but don't love it. The fit is still not quite right, and I don't at all like the velvet cuffs – but they're ok rolled up. Still, it will get worn next winter, I'm sure.

Look who stopped by - Kārearea (New Zealand Falcon)

Sheltering in a tree from the heavy rain on Saturday morning, right outside my living room window.  According to the NZ Falcon Survey, "Looks like a male falcon, probably a juvenile from this season’s breeding, just starting to ‘colour up’ to adult."
Very exciting!

It's been so long - winter floral shirt

Yet another UFO I can tick off the list, and now that it's finally finish, got to say I love it. It was too mature for my tastes at the time I started making this, but now 10 or so years later, it's perfect.

All it need was to lose the big '70's collar and cuffs. The other changes I made were to topstitch pretty much the entire garment, and swapped out  the nasty plastic buttons I was orginally going to use with some lovely Romanian glass buttons found in Taupo's Oakleaf Antiques a few years ago. Absolutely worth stopping here if you're travelling along State Highway 1 as they have the most fabulous collection of glass buttons bought over from the actual factory where they were made in Romania when it closed down. Be careful if you're on a budget though - those little buttons quickly add up when you can't leave any of the lovelies behind!

The pattern was traced out of an old Burda magazine, and the fabric is lite-weight wool, with a floral barkcloth-style print. I think it may have come from The Fabric Warehouse, but I can't really say for sure after all this time.

Looking forward to wearing this once the weather cools down.

The wild week that was

I’m alive!

Worst storm in more than 40 years passed over New Zealand on Thursday night, Wellington bearing the worst of it. Fortunately, we were warned well in advance and no one was killed or injured. Damage though – oh boy! (Take a look at the images on the left under “Storm batters Wellington” link.)

Suffered a little damage ourselves –  a fallen tree in the backyard, thankfully it missed everything vital; part of the fence ended up on the neighbours driveway requiring a cleaning up; and a crack in a window which was sucked open by the force of the wind, not broken, though, so can wait another day or two before I call insurance – let the people who need it most get their claims in first.

Last night there was the most beautiful full moon. I took a shot of it as it was slipping over the hills this morning before I left for work.

A round-to-it

Plaids, checks and stripes that don’t matched at seams bug me big time. I know sometimes its impossible to line them up completely – especially when you are a beginner, but to not even make an attempt is just sloppy and cheap and frankly amateurish. Its so common in store bought clothing (even “designer” clothing is not immune) that sometimes I just despair. Look away, Jux, look away!

When I spied this skirt in Petone’s St Vinnies I had to rescue it. Made by the now defunct Aotearoa House it features a lovely kōwhai embroidery on the front. But - OH - those checks! Fortunately it was a little on the long side so wouldn’t be indecently short once recut.

A few hours in the weekend unpicking, cutting and stitching, plus a good press and shave and I have a new winter skirt.

Plus I heard this old fav on the radio while weaving some magic.

Look Blue, Go Purple - “Cactus Cat”.

Winter stripes

With the weather finally turning, I spent the weekend preparing my wardrobe for winter, rotating my summer clothes with the winter ones, making sure everything is clean and not in need of repairs. Winter shoes and boots were removed from boxes and summer sandals cleaned and boxed away. A few things were removed completely to go to charity, and a couple of “round-to-its” have gone to the top of the mending pile - more on those soon.

The best thing about having a bi-annual closet clean is rediscovering loved garments. I made this pure wool knit striped sweater at the end of last winter, the coldest on record for more than 40 years (it actually snowed in Wellington!). It was worn on a regular basics immediately because it’s lovely and soft and toasty.

Two patterns were mashed up to make it - Simplicity 7084 for the body and hip tie, and Simplicity 8172 (from the ‘80’s) for the sleeves.

And check out the Mad Men Challenge big reveal over at JuliaBobbin. Such a talented bunch of ladies.

My Tartan Terror

Tartans are tricky fabrics to deal with, even for the most experienced seamstress.
In order to avoid tears and UFO’s (Unfinished Objects - thanks, Gertie for this new terminology - love it!) I chose a simple pattern - yeap, this one again - last time, promise.
Yet, because I’m a perfectionist, I still managed to create problems for myself - you know, the checks HAD to match - everywhere. Take a look at the sleeve to bodice seam - phraww! This meant hand basting every seam first. But I did make it easier, and added a little interest, by cutting the collar and cuffs on the bias.
However, by the time I’d finally finished the dress, winter was nearly over here in the southern hemisphere, so it’s only been worn a couple of times. Never mind, there’s always next year.
Thank you, Auntie Muriel for the fabric.
Brooch was a special crew gift (find similar here) and you’ve seen the belt before here and here.
The original Tartan Terror.

I See Red, I See Red, I See Red!

earthquakes, economy, tenants, family, travel, worst ever ‘flu, delusional from worst ever ‘flu, can’t believe I drove (to pharmacy) delusional with worst ever ‘flu, cat bitten by dog, vets bills, lost buttons (and marbles, some would argue), restructuring, retrenchment, (co-workers) redundancies, new shoes :-), neighbours, boundary issues, broken stove, new stove, high NZ dollar, sales! specials! sun, snow, cold cold cold.

Made these two jackets months ago, but—even though its winter—haven’t worn either of them yet.
Actually, made the red wool jacket about 15 years ago, but I’ve re-cut the collar, replace the huge shoulder pads and shortened it about 10cm. Made the brooch too, because the original buttons left a mark while in storage—oops!

"I See Red" by Split Enz (1978)

Lazy Sunday Afternoons

What do you do when it's raining and cold outside?
Here's an idea...

Wind power

It was a stunningly beautiful crisp and cold weekend. SunnyJim and I made plans to visit the wind turbine in Brooklyn now it’s in working order once again. Alas, we didn’t make it until near evening on Sunday, when dark ominous looking clouds started rolling in from the south. So no more pictures of the snow capped Kiakouras.

But I was suprised to be able to see the windfarm at Makara from Brooklyn.

Winter Love #2

A peek at the snow capped Kaikoura ranges of the South Island, from the living room window, on a clear winters morning.

Winter Love #1

Mornings when the mist rolls in off the Cook Strait and around the hills and valleys of Wellington.

Winter sunshine

The temperatures have plummeted, the woodburner is cranking (eco, of course - apparently less than 0.6 emissions, the selling point being a tree rotting on the forest floor produces more emissions than this) and Monty the minty moped is under cover.
Winter is here!