Ever heard of Lekala? I hadn't until a few weeks ago. But I am so glad I now have.
The best part about this pattern website? You put in your own personal measuements, they send you a completely custom pattern, ready to print, tape, cut and sew. No need to fiddle with store bought patterns to get the fit right. There are quite a few free patterns as well if you want to give it a go before buying some.
The pattern I used for this dress is the 'Short Dress'. (Intermediate sewing skills needed, requires ruffling and has a single front piece, sewing around curves, adding a zipper and facing).
Its so great to finally have a pattern that feels like it was made for me... oh wait, it was! Bust shaping is pieced curves, not darts (which I love, I hate the nipple point you can get with some darts). I will definitely be making more of these.
Only one problem, its one size (the size you purchase) so if you lose a lot of weight, you will need to rebuy it. But its cheap so I have no problem with that!
Next up is this free skirt which I will upcycle out of a silk multi-use wrap skirt/dress that I bought when first pregnant.
I bought this Ashford spinning wheel off TradeMe from a very helpful and wonderful lady. I'm hooked already! I got the treadling with consistency and feeding the fibre down pretty quickly, now its just feeding even amounts and getting a nice consistent and reliable yarn that is the bit I need to tackle.
Going to get some dyed merino fibre and give that a go. I know a lot of people say to learn before moving to 'real things', but I prefer to learn with what I am going to use in the long run anyway. As long as its generally even yarn, there is no reason I can't use it to make something! Plenty of times I have been using a store bought yarn by a 'big name' brand and come across chunky bits anyway.
I am a big fan of printables. These days you can find printables for everything. Meal planners, cleaning lists, shopping lists, to do lists and the list goes on. I should make a list.
If you love printables - check out goofnutdesigns
Planners, address books, calendars, dividers and more. The best part? They are affordable!! I know there are free ones out there, but I love supporting handmade whenever I can and when people take the time to create something for the world, they deserve it.
So here is this weeks list of awesomeness.
A5 Planner Refils (Set of 5): Includes Meal planner, grocery list, to do/buy, notes an a monthly calendar. Also available in A4
A5 Daily Calendar: Gives times from 7am until 7.30pm. (perfect! I do not function before 7am and my craft nights start at 7.30pm)
Holiday Gift List & Budget: Always handy this time of year! Would be good to add to your new years planner so that you can start getting a few things on special here and there throughout the year. Jot down where you hid it too!
A4 Homework Planner Refil: Handy for kids who need it written down. Or even just for you so you can keep up with what they are working on (and remind them of due dates!)
Love Notes: These are just so gorgeous and would be perfect. Often I have left the bedroom in the morning (after Mr. Craft Files has gone to work) and have found 'I love you' post-its stuck to random things. The back of the door, the computer screen, an apple.
I want need the first 3. in A5 size. A5 is perfect handbag or craft bag size. The set of 5 planner refils, the daily calendar and the holiday gift list. There is also handy divider tabs that you can use to organise your brand new stylish planner. I would get it wire bound at a local copy centre with a card front and back, then sew a cute planner cover. Maybe something with a little elastic piece for a pen. And a pocket for random things like dockets and business cards. Maybe make a few to change up when I feel like it. I know I could hole punch and add to one of those A5 ring binder planners, but there is something about wire bound planners covered in fabric that I love.
Hope you drool as much as I did. I love stationery, I won't deny it!
I saw this in a treasury on Etsys homepage, and I want one!
This week is FleetingStillness - [From their blurb: Every item is designed and carefully handmade by me. Window panels, sun
catchers, candle holders, night lights, lamps, wall vases, boxes,
figurines and more!]
These are stunningly beautiful pieces and I am even seriously considering a display piece for our wedding next year that we can bring home and lovingly stare at every day.
Window Panel - Space Odyssey: I can imagine it in our sons room. Oh I would love to see the sun rise through this!
Business Card Holder: Tempted to even just this on my own desk at home. Just to have. Because it's pretty.
Leaf Night Light: This is what was in the treasury that drew me in. Unfortunately Squish is a destructo-child and I would not be a happy camper finding this broken on the floor.
3D Flower Wedding Favours: To pretty to give away. I'm sure I could find a way to include these in my boquet.
Every time I look at this top, the colours make me smile and it reminds me of a stained glass window (hence the stained glass top).
It has a fitted yoke with a very full body, almost like a tutu!
Top down, single piece, seamless construction, although it does have alot of colour changes and requires a working yarn count of up to 8 colours/ends. Not for the feint of heart!
It is very printer friendly with individual sizes (no need to work with parenthesis and get your count wrong). Includes a US/UK stitch comparison chart.
The chain stitch to create the panel blocks can take a few tries, but I have added an explanation of the way I have found with my testers to get the best results.
Can be found on Ravelry, Etsy or direct from here.
Sizes are 1 size per 2 pages.
Very printer friendly.
Includes US/UK comparison chart on seperate page
Sizes: NB, 6 months, 1T, 2T, 3T.
