Ten days and so much completed already

Twenty Sixteen is going to be a year of stitching, knitting and sowing for the allotment. So I hope I have got off to a good start. 

Since the beginning of the month I've completed three projects and made good progress on a fourth. 2016 is going to be a year of completing unfinished projects and using more fabrics from my stash.  This is before I start to plant for the season, I shall experiment with some new crops and regrow the usual favourites.  

A Christmas present that was a few days late!

I made this jumper for Mike as a Christmas Present, but I did not have enough wool to do the sleeve bands. After purchasing another ball on Friday, it's done.  

He was pleased with it on Christmas day in it's half finished state and said it was a great surprise even without the finishing touches.

A birthday present for myself

I made a bag like this two years ago, but found it a bit small to put everything in, so I made it a bit taller and a bit wider and now it's just perfect. 

Another success this year.



(The original bag can be found on my January '14 post)

A blouse made from my stash of fabrics.

This Butterick Retro blouse pattern 6700, was cut out at the beginning of last month.  I started to stitch it but Christmas got in the way.

It's another project I've completed in the last 10 days. It looks great on, I'll cut out a pair of trousers later and make them up so I have an outfit for my next lunch or dinner appointment. 

A project under way again after an 8 month break

Way back in April I started a waistcoat for myself. After completing the first front, I put it on the side to complete later.........

Later came on Monday last, I designed the right front panels and made them up, and I really want to finish it now.

It's a crazy patchwork sample waistcoat or is it a mad sampler waistcoat? I wanted to experiment with techniques and rather than waste all the little bits and pieces I was playing with, I made useful sections and compiled panels for the waistcoat.

Side right front panel

I cut a backing layer in white fabric and two panels of the pattern piece, one in plain fabric, one in the floral. 

The plain fabric I cut in wiggly strips vertically.
The floral I cut in wiggle strips horizontally.
Then I wove them together and stitched them to the backing panel using a decorative machine stitch.

Right front panel

I cut a backing layer of fabric  and then laid the floral patchwork sections onto the backing layer. I concealed the raw edges with rouleau loops stitching them in place close to the edges of the rouleau strips.

After stitching the two pieces together, I added bound button holes.

To see the constructed back panels follow this blog.

This week I need to complete my trousers to wear with my blouse.

Work on the back panel of this waistcoat.

And if there is time finish another job left over from last year.