tiny happy

I have some handmade clothes to share with you this week. In truth, most of these things were finished a little while ago, but I don't think I recorded them here at the time.

I do love to make my own clothes. Over the lockdown period, I became aware of how many clothes I really own, almost without realising it. When you can't leave the house except for a daily walk, you don't need clothing for different occasions – just comfortable layers and a raincoat, really.

I made a simple top and a pair of pants at the end of lockdown, when I knew I'd be going back to work in the city. I think the act of cutting and sewing them together helped me prepare for the change of lifestyle (until then I'd been working from the kitchen table, like so many others, and like I know my overseas friends still are!)

The top was cut from the most beautiful hand block-printed Indian cotton. I ordered it from Miss Maude, an excellent craft supply store in Wairarapa). I just drafted a simple pattern myself – it's nothing fancy or complicated. To finish the neckline, I used a narrow green bias tape and hand stitched it in place.

The pants are also really simple – they're medium-weight black linen (from The Fabric Store) and made using the Merchant & Mills Eve Trousers pattern. They're quite loose fitting, 7/8ths length, with a folded cuff and a side zip. Super comfy and nice for wearing to work!

I also knitted a beret using some leftover merino and mohair yarn held together. The Bisbis Beret pattern is by Sari Nordland and is a lovely shape – I recommend it! Here are my project notes on Ravelry.

I have lots of other sewing projects and ideas waiting in the wings but I haven't felt very inspired lately to get all my sewing gear unpacked. I think it's a wintry thing – it's just much cosier to be knitting by the fire in the evenings! Some things I'd like to make when the weather warms up include this dress from Papercut Patterns and this haori jacket for spring.

I thought you might smile when you see the fortune tucked inside our latest pack of Good Fortune Coffee beans – kind of appropriate for renovating but also for sewing, don't you think?
I've also included a photo of a little shrine for spring – candles in glass holders, dried summer strawflowers and the all important sprigs of daphne are currently in pride of place on the kitchen table. Welcome in, spring! 

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Over the past week, I read Written on the Body, an older novel by Jeanette Winterson. I think I read it as a student because it was vaguely familiar, but totally worth the re-read.

Tom and I just finished watching Stateless, an Australian miniseries produced by Cate Blanchett and focused on four strangers in a detention centre in the desert. I found it really compelling. And heartbreaking. 

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I hope you are keeping well and warm, wherever you are in this world. X X