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Knitting Patterns in the shop… Author: Claire This weekend I finally got around to sewing the zip into my green cardigan, and I spend several hours yesterday putting the finishing touches to the knitting pattern for it. It’s available in sizes from 30″ to 54″ chest, and you can make it from any chunky yarn that you fancy. I’ve added the pattern to the shop, where you can buy and download it as a PDF file. Last week I started work on a raglan shrug design, which I’m currently knitting up from my black Colinette Point 5, although even as I’m knitting it I’m thinking of ways to make it better. Once I’ve worked out all the kinks, I’ll write up that pattern for you as well. If you do download any of my patterns, I’d love to see what you’ve made! Please feel free to leave comments linking me to any photographs you’ve taken and are happy to share. You can also find me on Ravelry. Click on the photos to go to the knitting patterns!
Author: Claire
This is Simplicity 4050, sadly now out of print. The only change I made to the pattern was to add a tie belt to the waistband. The plain pink fabric is from my stash of Bishopston organic cottons, and the cupcakes are by Martha Negley for Rowan. Chloe had seen the photograph of a dress I’d made for myself using these fabrics - Simplicity 4072 - and asked for one the same. Simplicity 4050 is the plus-sized version of that pattern, and to be honest I think it’s much more flattering. The neckline isn’t quite so low, and there’s no gathering at the front of the skirt. It also fastens with a zip at the back, making it a more streamlined dress. The Simplicity 4072 turned out not to suit me after all, so I’m quite tempted to make myself a version of the Simplicity 4050 instead. I’ve made clothes for Chloe before, and she always looks fabulous, so I’m looking forward to seeing pictures of her wearing this one! I also made a matching Suffolk Puff corsage to go with it:
Author: Claire One of the perks of working in a fabric shop is that you find out in advance when the pattern companies are just about to have a special offer, or discontinue lots of styles. Now is the time of year when all of the autumn/winter pattern books appear, which means special offers galore! I have something of a weakness for buying patterns, so I’m trying to be very good and only buy them if I’m absolutely definitely positively going to make them in the near future. I have fabrics in mind (and in my stash!) already for the four patterns below, so I felt justified in picking them up.
Top left: McCalls 5591. Top right: Vogue 2784 (now out of print) Bottom left: McCalls 5717 Bottom right: Vogue 8211 (now out of print) Now I just have to carve out a tiny space in my hectic sewing schedule, and set aside the time to make something for myself! Author: Claire I seem to have been working on this toile for absolutely ages. It’s not that it’s a particularly difficult pattern (it’s one of Vogue’s Easy Options range), just that I’ve been a bit unwell again recently, and every time I tried to work on this toile I’d have to stop because I was feeling too poorly to sew without risk of mucking it up. Thankfully it’s all come together now, and is ready and waiting to be tried on in a couple of weeks’ time.
The pattern is Vogue 8470, and the finished version is going to be in black and red. The top layer will be a black georgette (plain or with tiny flocked spots, we haven’t decided yet), with a red satin lining showing through underneath. In white like this though (at least before I added the sleeves!) it has a definite hint of the Marilyn Monroe about it. I think this is going to make a really lovely party dress. So much so in fact, that I think this pattern is going to be a definite contender for my wedding dress. Author: Claire Ever wondered what an entire kilo of Colinette Point 5 looks like?
Well, now you know!
It used to be the most enormous jumper, one that I knitted for Paul a few years ago. It’s hardly been worn, so I decided it was time to reclaim the wool and turn it into something else. I’ve promised to sew a fleece for Paul instead, so at least he won’t get cold! His main complaints about this jumper were that it was:
I must admit that I prefer to knit most Colinette yarns using smaller needles than suggested. I’m going to try a swatch of this on 10mm needles, and see how it comes out. I’ve been looking for the perfect shrug/bolero/cropped cardigan pattern which would work in either Point 5 or Rowan Big Wool (which I also prefer to knit on smaller needles than recommended), and I haven’t found it yet. I think it’s time to sit down with Ann Budd Pink Tartan and Pink Leopard Print! Author: Claire Earlier in the week I finished my latest corset - a pink tartan number made from a favourite pair of old trousers. I’d been hoarding the trousers for years and years, despite the fact that they were far too small. I’m glad I did, as I’m very pleased with this new lease of life for them!
As you can see, I liked my new corset so much that I dragged Paul out in the rain to take pictures of it for me! Thanks also to my sister, who gave me this fabulous umbrella last Christmas. Isn’t it cute? While I was in a pink mood (when am I ever not in a pink mood?), I picked up a new addition to the corset fabrics pile. It’s pink satin leopard print!
I mean, honestly, how can you resist? I’m taking corset orders for September, if anybody’s feeling particularly glamourous…? Lovely brooches for lovely Mums. Author: Claire
I made this one for my Mum. I’ve been trying to think of something pretty to make from this fabric for ages, but I had such a tiny piece that I didn’t know what to do with it. The fabric is the remnants from a dress which was made for my Mum when she was a little girl. It’s the most adorable print, of fairground carousels with horses, and these doves. It’s made from a very large self-cover button, with the loop at the back removed. I fixed the fabric firmly over the button, and attached the back to hold it into place. I then sewed a brooch pin to a piece of matching felt, and joined it to the button with blanket stitch. Voila - one pretty brooch, from a tiny scrap of heirloom fabric!
This one was made for Paul’s Mum, whose birthday is very soon. The button is the same size as the one above, covered in a tiny square of quilting fabric. The spotty fabric is actually brown. It’s gathered into a Suffolk Puff, with the button sewn into the centre. There’s a brooch pin on the back, to fasten it onto a jacket. As soon as Stef saw this, she came up with loads of great ideas for these Suffolk Puffs with buttons in the middle. She suggested hair ties, shoe clips, embellishments with beads - all sorts of things!
I have so many teeny-tiny scraps of fabric that I didn’t know what to do with. I also have two art market stalls coming up in September and November. I can feel a whole lot more Suffolk Puff making coming on! Author: Claire My Dad’s poorly at the moment, so he’s spending a lot of time sleeping and resting. He needs to be comfy, so what better way than in a pair of Lounging Trousers?
As you can see, they’re perfect for lounging on the bed, maybe doing a bit of light reading, and of course for settling down on the sofa for a bit of knitting. Both of these pairs of trousers are refashioned from recycled sheets. The fabric’s wonderfully soft from being washed many times already. They’re so comfy, you can’t help but feel better with them on. Get Well Soon, Dad! Author: Claire I’d never made a Suffolk Puff before today, and now I’ve made a dozen:
They’re made from offcuts of the Bishopston organic cottons, with a little bit of Fair Trade batik thrown in for good measure. The centres are made from self-cover buttons. These particular puffs are going to be sewn on to organic cotton tote bags, which I’ve been embroidering for Paul’s cousin’s daughters. I haven’t done any embroidery for a very long time either, but I’m pleased with the way it’s come out. Pictures will follow when the puffs are attached! Before the Art Market in September, I plan to make a whole bunch of these as corsages, with brooch pins on the back. If I’m feeling particularly creative, I might go mad with multiple layers and feathers and ribbons and sparkly bits. I’ve really enjoyed making these little pretties. I can’t wait to see how they look in lots of different types of fabric! Author: Claire This morning I had a very productive time drafting a pattern for a pair of leggings. By lunchtime I’d transformed a piece of lovely cotton jersey that I bought from The Cloth House several years ago, and in the afternoon I started on a simple tunic to go with them. Say hello to Simplicity 2927:
It’s not finished yet, mostly because I was taken by surprise at how complicated this little dress turned out to be! It’s one of Simplicity’s Project Runway patterns. As it happens I’ve never actually watched the TV show, but I’d sort of assumed that the point of the patterns was to encourage young wannabe designers into sewing their own clothes. We’d already discovered at work that the patterns are quite difficult to read. The back of the envelope is quite confusing in terms of being able to work out what you need (more so than normal!), and the instructions often seem unnecessarily complicated. This particular design comes in a choice of two lengths, has three different sleeve styles, and optional pockets. Directions are also included for piping all of the seams. Throughout the pattern you’re sewing concave to convex edges to make the curved side front seams and the neck band. The sleeves are either faced or bagged out. The front facing’s rather fiddly, and the sleeves and neck band were a nightmare to put together neatly. I sew three or four days out of every week, and I found this pattern rather difficult! I certainly wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who didn’t already have plenty of sewing experience - and plenty of patience. It took me around six hours to get this far, and I was expecting it to take about half that time. As I was putting this little tunic together, I was a bit worried that my choice of colours was going to make me look like a dental nurse. Looking at the photo though, I think the style is quite cute. Slightly sixties-looking, and I think the button makes all the difference. I don’t know whether that’s going to be my final choice of button - I need to see the colours in daylight - but I think whichever button I choose, it needs to be a big one. All I need to do now is put in the zip, finish off the last few loose ends, and give the whole thing a good pressing. I’m disappointed that I couldn’t get it finished today, as I was planning on wearing it to work tomorrow, along with my new leggings! Still, I’d rather do it properly, than try to finish it in a hurry and make a mess of it. I keep going back to these little raglan tunic patterns, so I guess my next step is to draft one of my own. Whatever I come up with, I do know that it won’t have a neckband, and it won’t have such complex curves! I’m still in love with the pockets though. |
and a piece of 
The best way to contact Claire is by email: claire@designbyclaire.co.uk.
You can also send text messages to 07905 500266.