Knit It - Star Trek Socks

We are currently experiencing a mini heatwave here in the UK, as I type this I am sitting on the back step overlooking the garden, relishing the cool breeze in the morning air and watching Beau attack some ants, you know because that's what cats do! So what better time could there be to write a post all about my newly knitted, thick and cozy, super toasty, woolly socks! Goodness, I'm perspiring just thinking about them!

~ Star Trek Socks ~

Pattern: Hermione's Everyday Socks

Yarn: Drops Delight (09) Turquoise/Purple

Needles: Circular 2.25 mm

Knitting Know-How: Magic Loop, Turning a Heel & Kitchener Stitch

I call these my Star Trek socks because whilst I was knitting them, the flashes of blues and purples that were being created by the variegation in the yarn, really reminded me of the cyan tinted lens flares used in the fabulous rebooted Star Trek films (watch the trailer here if you are not sure what I mean), this discovery also gave me a fabulous excuse to rewatch both films whilst I was knitting - it's a hard life!



The pattern I used is a free one found on Ravelry, called Hermione's Everyday Socks. They are designed to be knitted from the cuff down on circular needles and incorporate a very simple variation of moss stitch, to create the lovely texture you can see on the ankle section and top of the foot. I will say for my first time knitting socks they were a pleasure to work on. Something about the speed at which each sock grew was very appealing to me, and I can now see why people become obsessive sock knitters!



I was a little apprehensive about the instructions at times. The pattern is written for knitters who already have a basic understanding of the construction of socks, if you are a novice like me it can be a little confusing, but with the aid of YouTube and a little perseverance I muddled my way through and I am happy with the result. The area where I first lost my confidence was on turning the heel. Turning a heel can be done many different ways, but this pattern calls for a heel flap to be knitted and then stitches to be picked up along the sides of the flap to rejoin the knitting back into the round, creating a right angle in the knitting and giving the sock its heel. It is very ingenious once mastered, but I truly did struggle and I'm still not 100% sure I've done it quite right, but it works as a heel and so it will do!

The last thing you need to do when knitting a cuff down sock is to join the toe ends with the very clever Kitchener stitch. This was the most frustrating part of the whole project for me, OK, let me explain why. The Kitchener stitch is a wonderful way of invisibly joining your knitting together by cleverly creating, with a sewing needle, an additional row of knit stitches between the two pieces of fabric, or in this case the top and bottom of the toe. When done correctly it looks great and really is the perfect way to join the toe together, saving your toes from any nasty seams to rub against, whilst you're proudly prowling around in your new snazzy socks. The toes in my socks are not so neat. I watched the video on how to do it loads of times but I still haven't quite mastered it, one sock is definitely better than the other, but for a first attempt it's not too bad and they are still pretty snazzy right?!

Obviously, now they are done it is far too warm to wear them, so I'll have to wait until the weather cools down a bit before I can unleash their full fabulousness upon the world. That said, I am planning a trip to watch the new Star Trek movie next week and would love to wear them, but if I am honest, even with the air conditioning in the theatre (only place in the UK you can guarantee on air conditioning, even in the winter, brrr, is the cinema) I think it will still be too warm. I guess I'll just have to wait until the DVD comes out and then I can have a triple bill movie marathon whilst wearing my Trekkie socks and perhaps also while I'm knitting up another pair - now that sounds like a plan!

Wendy x

Knit It - Mustard Miette Cardigan

I have tantalised you with a few bad bathroom selfies over the last few weeks, it's now time to properly show off my latest finished knit!

~ Mustard Miette Cardigan ~

Pattern: Free Miette Cardigan Pattern by Andi Satterlund 

Size Made: 38" Bust - My tension made it nearer a 40"

Ingredients: DK weight (I think!) doubled up to make Worsted
24" long 5mm & 4.5mm circular needles 

4 x stitch markers 

8 x 5/8” buttons

OK, so a quick round up on this pattern for those who missed my previous ramblings! Back in 2013, I wrote a super long list of all the UFO's I had around my flat. I aired my list and felt great and really positive about kicking them into finished object territory, but wait, what is this, the urge to cast on something new was calling and I was weak and I gave in to temptation, I raided my stash for some yarn and began knitting myself a Miette!

I would dearly love to tell you what yarn I used for this cardie, but sadly the label has long been mislaid (AKA binned) and so I can only guess that the yarn is either from Stylecraft or Robin. The ply is also a bit of mystery, I think is 4ply but it could be DK (it's so close in thickness to both?!?). The colour is a gorgeous mustard yellow the prefect vintage cardie colour if you ask me. Ok thinking about it a bit more I'm going say it's most likely to be this Mustard Stylecraft DK but without buying more I can't be sure. One thing I am sure of is that to get the correct tension I doubled up the yarn, this is my goto technique for knitting worsted patterns and so far it has always worked out really well!

Miette is knitted from the neck down on circular needles, which is a very new concept to me. Around the neckline, there is a lot of pretty holes which are crated by decreases and yarn overs and they look wonderful when you get them right. I got them wrong a lot. It is a pattern which requires you to jump straight in at the deep end, so it's worth noting if you're new to knitting, you might want to work up to it! But after my 50th attempt (OK I'm totally exaggerating, probably...48th) I had it sussed and felt quite proud of myself!

After the neckband it becomes much easier, it's just a simple knit and purl stocking stitch with a few decreases for bust shaping and increases for the sleeves and more yarn overs continue the holy border along the edges of the front openings. After a while you will need to put some stitches on to a stitch keeper for each of the sleeves while you continue to knit the rest of the body of the cardigan, this to me was such an ingenious idea!

The body finished I went back to tackle the arms. I pulled out my DPNS, for this as I could not get the super long circular needle to work well using the magic loop method, and this is where I hit my first hurdle! I may have said it before, but it's worth repeating, I find that my tension changes dramatically between knitting on straight needles, circular and DPNS. I can knit on exactly the same size needles and have three very, very different outcomes. Circular being the loosest tension, next straight and finally, DPNS on which I knit the tightest!  So when it came to picking up the arm hole stitches I just could not get it right, So it was put in the UFO pile.

Until October last year when bought a bigger set of DPNS and whilst on visiting my mum and dad on the Isle Of Wight I set about finishing it off, I was a bit unsure as to whether I would have enough yarn to finish as I only had one medium hand wound ball left, but as it happened there was plenty and I even managed to knit the arms a bit longer than the bracelet length they are in the pattern. So that brings us to a few weeks ago when sewed on some bright red buttons and tidied up the loose threads so I could finally add it to my wardrobe!



I have worn my Miette lots since I finished it and really love it, it is certainly very warm and will look great with summery dresses in the once the weather warms up a tad, plus the colour should work well with lots of things, especially my new box pleat skirt, once I finish it!

The fit is pretty good too, though it is worth noting that this style of cardigan is designed to be close fitting and so will draw attention your bust, this is great if you want to enhance that area but if you are a little more self-conscious (like myself) then you might feel more comfortable wearing it unbuttoned or perhaps knit yourself a slightly larger size. As you're knitting the cardigan in one piece you can try it on as you go to check you are happy with how it's all going which is great and also means no seaming up at the end which is a massive time saver!

Which gives you more time to pretend to play the Ukulele!

Wendy x

Crochet It - Stained Glass Blanket

Hello, I hope 2016 is being kind to you!
Today I want to introduce you to my first finished project of 2016, it's been a long time in the making so I am very, very glad that I can finally call it finished!

~ Stained Glass Granny Square Blanket ~

Stash Buster & UFO

I first blogged about this project back in 2013, as part of my UFO Hall of Shame, but that's not when I started this project it was actually way back in 2011 that this project first came to life!

 Pattern: None I winged it! 

Essentially 24 Granny squares joined and then bordered with rows of granny square shells 

(two double crochet stitches then a single chain - triple chain on corners) 
until the desired size is reached then a scalloped edging is added.

Ingredients:

3mm Crochet Hook

Lots of yarn in various thicknesses
Stitches Used:
Puff Stitch // Granny Square // Scalloped edge
Joining Granny Square

It began as a way for me to relax whilst living amongst the boxes shortly after moving home. There was no TV or internet access for about a month and so in the few minutes each day, after reorganising boxes, cooking dinner and falling asleep on the uncomfortable (all we had) dining chairs, I did a little crochet!

Now you might not notice it from the finished object, as it is a little different, but my inspiration actually came from, one of my favourite TV shows, The Big Bang Theory. Amy Farrah Fowler has a lovely Granny Square afghan on her couch which is all edged in black and it seemed like the most suitable project for using all the granny squares I had made!

Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.
( Image Source and Pattern from the Geek Mom blog )

It's worth noting (probably because I didn't have the internet to hand) that rather than doing a double/treble crochet stitch shell typical of the granny square, I mistakenly did a puff stitch square instead. I can only think to blame muscle memory, as the last thing I had turned out with a crochet hook was my puff stitch beret so my hands just naturally resorted back to this stitch! My mistake was realised only once I began joining the squares together, and though it's not a massive problem the reason a  puff stitch suits beret making is the fact it creates a slightly domed rather than a flat fabric and so my little granny squares have created more of a lumpy (or as I have been referring to it nippily) fabric than I had desired, but heck it's just as cozy!

After crocheting 24 squares I got a bit bored and so decided to just get cracking and start joining them together (which I did 2 New Years Eves ago). I then to make the blanket a more useful size I decided to encompass the squares with rows of double crochet, mostly using black but occasionally adding a couple of rows of one of the colourful yarns from the centre, I think it's worked out quite well it's certainly striking and the border thankfully has certainly helped to flatten down the puffy squares a little.



And that was how it was left for 2 more years (I don't like to rush anything!). It was only on New Years day, this year that I finally added my last few rows of black to the border and then added the pink scalloped edging, which is something my mum showed me how to do and I must say finally makes me feel like I might have a hope of getting better at this crochet malarkey!

Now it's finally finished I am rather in love with it, I just adore how striking it is it and it's certainly helped brighten up a rather dull beige sofa! In hindsight I wish I had made it just a little bigger, so that I could swathe myself in it on chilly evenings, but it fits the sofa nicely and keeps my knees warm while watching TV and plotting my next project, and lets face it seeing as it's taken me five years to get this far I think I should count my blessings that it even covers my knees!

Wendy x

Free Patterns - 1943 Needlework Illustrated

Hello!

Today is my birthday and so I thought, seeing that I am getting lots of treats today it might be nice to treat you lovely readers as well!! So I am sharing one of my Needlework Illustrated booklets which contains lots of sewing ideas for making yourself and your home look fabulous during rationing, also most importantly four super knitting patterns!

Zebra Striped Shirt

To fit a 32-36" bust

The striped Shirt on the cover of this Magazine is a cleverly knitted version of one of the most popular and charming fashions of the day. These blouses always look fresh and tailored, are attractive under a suit and important enough to wear with an odd skirt for everyday occasions.

September Beauty - Lace Knit Jumper

To fit 32-36" Bust

These days every garment has to do the work of two. Here is a versatile little knitted that makes the prettiest lace-stitch jumper you could wish for, or buttoning all way down the front, can be worn as a cardigan when so needed. The full sleeves are a new and charming feature finishing in deep ribbed cuffs to match the ribbed welt that fits so snugly at the waist. A tiny ribbed border edges the neck and fronts.

Classic Cardigan - Selected for Style

To fit 33-35" Bust

How's this for a bonny baby! The foal, full of fun and frisk, is only three days old! The Proud owner is wearing the classic hand-knit Cardigan. Four coupons were never invested better than in this warm woolly cardigan. It takes 8 ounces of 3 ply wool and is worked in stocking stitch!

Arab Stripes Jumper

To fit 32-34" Bust

Raid your 'muddle-box' for bright bits of mercerised thread or wool left over from your knitting, and work them into the bands of colour that distinguish the sleeves of this novel jumper. Here you have a "Knitted" of great individuality... smart, new and striking... yet so easily achieved.

Download the free copy of Needlework Illustrated here!

I hope you enjoy!

Wendy x

Knit It - The Date Maker

Hello, it's been a while, hasn't it! Goodness this year seems to have gone by in a whirl and I am still spinning from all the wonderful things that have happened, so much so that I have been struggling to know where to start with getting this little blog up to date and rather than procrastinate any further I've decided I am going to show off my recently finished knit, after a quick preamble to set the scene that is, by now you'd expect nothing less!

A few weekends ago it was the annual IWM Duxford air show, I thoroughly enjoyed last years event despite a very early start, so I knew that I would have just as much fun this year, weather permitting, so ordered some tickets and popped along!

I was not disappointed, the weather turned out to be utterly perfect and the show was just spectacular! As it was the 75th Anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Britain there were lots of warbirds in flight and lots and lots of Spitfires (I do love a Spit). I won't overwhelmed you all with all my pictures here, but there are many more over on Flickr if that takes your fancy!

I'd decided if the weather was going to be anything like it had been for most of the summer (read: cold and windy) then I was going to need a good cardigan to keep the chills at bay. So I searched The Vintage Pattern Files for some inspiration (about time I used it myself!) My criteria was simple it needed to be 1940s in style and relatively quick to knit, as I only had about three weeks until the show. After a little searching, I found the perfect pattern, one that has actually been nearing the top of my knit list for ages, it was finally time to make a date with The Date Maker!

~ Date Maker Sports Jacket ~
Columbia Style Book 1946

Free Pattern: 

By Tasha from By Gum By Golly

Size: 

38-40" Bust

Yarn: 

Stylecraft Life Aran - Cardinal x 6 100g Balls

Needles:

US size 7 / 4.5mm

So I had my pattern, but there was just the small matter of re-sizing to contend with. The pattern is designed for a 32-34" bust so I was going to need some major up scaling for it to fit my 38-40" measurement. I had a quick look on Ravelry to see if anyone had any advice for resizing but found nothing, so I settled back and knitted many, many, many tension squares on various different sized needles and yarns. It was totally worth the effort, as after all my testing I discovered that because my knitting style is loose I could use an Aran weight yarn and the recommended 5mm needles, and get the extra inches I needed for it to comfortably fit me without having to change anything else!

When choosing a colour I just knew it had to be red, no indecision there, so I ordered some really lovely Stylecraft Cardinal yarn from Wool Warehouse and waited impatiently for it to arrive. Luckily it turned up on the Friday just before the summer bank holiday, which meant I was able to make the most of the extra time off I had and devote it to knitting! That extra time and the fact that this is a super quick pattern to knit meant that it only took me 3 weeks (22 days to be exact!) to knit, block and sew together, for me (a slow knitter) that really is a record!

The pattern is very simple to create and after a few repeats very easy to remember. Essentially it's a rib pattern, which is staggered either side of the centre 2 stitches, which creates the wonderful diagonal lines which make this jacket so appealing! The first row is where you stagger your three knit and purl stitches in the direction you want the diagonal to go. The second row is what I call a confirmation row, it's where you knit all the purl stitches and purl all the knit stitches, essentially using the row below as a guide, which is great as it gives you a chance to rest your mind for a bit!

After knitting all the sections, I blocked each piece to ensure that it came out to the size I needed, this worked really well, apart from Beau choosing to sleep on the back section while it was drying, meaning the ribbing got a little more flattened that I was hoping for, though I am sure after it's next washed it should spring back! Once it was all dry I knitted the cuffs and attached them to the sleeves before seaming up the sides. I have to say the sleeves are my favourite part of this pattern, I love how they look with the V's running up them, that said I still have a dislike of knitting sleeves which can be felt by the fact I could have knitted them a smidgen and a half longer (probably 2" if I am honest) as they are just on the edge of being long enough for my gangly limbs!

After joining all the body sections together it was time to crochet around the neckline. I have to say I found this the most tricky bit of the whole process, as no matter how hard I tried I could not stop the points of the neckline curling up, I figure it's designed to be worn with a collared blouse so I am not too worried about it, though it is irritating!

Next was knitting the waistband. I started by knitting to the measurements of the lower edge of the jacket, adding a few extra inches for the buckle flap, but once I tried the jacket on realised my error, it was just too baggy and the buckle was not going to be able to cinch the waist in at all. So reluctantly I unpicked the band and re-attached it, this time, stretching it against the lower edge as I stitched so that it would give pull in a little more and give the jacket more of a blouse effect which would fit my body more snugly!

Last up was covering and attaching the buckle, I used this video to help me crochet over the buckle and then attached it to the lower edge of the jacket, it's only later that I realised I had sewn the waistband on the wrong way, blast, it should close right to left, not left to right, but who's going to know, well apart from me and you, and you won't tell will you!

So I had finished it in time for Duxford, and there was no frantic sewing in of ends on the way there either, which is utterly unheard of! As it turned out the weather was the warmest had been all summer and so I did feel a little bit toasty, as the fabric created by all the ribbing is quite dense, but I loved wearing it so much that I persevered through the heat! I have actually worn it quite a bit since and can honestly say it's the comfiest thing I have knitted so far.

So there you have it my first finished knitted and my first blog post in simply ages, I now just need to fill you all in on all the other fun stuff that has happened while I have been away, this could take some time!

Wendy x

Sew it - Girls Gathered Skirt Tutorial

A little friend of mine, Keira, who turned 5 a matter of days ago, saw my crazy cat dirndl skirt and fell in love, well you can't blame her! As a cat lady in training herself (she has 'adopted' a scruffy black cat who lives down her street called Rosie, they are now the best of buddies, aah!) I decided as I had a little fabric leftover from my version I really ought to make her a skirt of her own, so that we could be crazy cat ladies together!

~ Girls Gathered Skirt ~

This skirt is as easy as pie to make, there is no need for a pattern just ready your tape measure, and in about an hour you'll have a skirt fit for a princess!

Ingredients:

20" (51 cm) of 2/8" (7cm) Wide Elastic 

About 1/2 yard 45" wide Cotton/Polycotton Fabric

Matching Thread

Sewing Machine & Pins
Tape Measure & Scissors
Elastic threading needle or Safety Pin

Iron & Ironing board

Measure & Cut: 

Waist measurement x 2 = Width

I followed the similar principles to making the adult dirndl version, this will make the skirt nice and full, but as children don't have hips to contend with you could easily add less, it all depends on how much gathering you want and how much fabric you have! 

Waist to Hem + 5 inch = Length

To get the length measurement simple measure from the child's waist to where you want the skirt to fall, above/below the knee, and then add 5 inches to this measurement, that will give you plenty of fabric for the waistband and hem.

Sew It: 

1. Measure out and cut your fabric to size as described above, then zigzag or overlock/serge all of the raw edges of your fabric.

2. Fold the length of fabric together right sides of the fabric touching and sew the side seam within the 5/8th" seam allowance. Using a cool iron (if using polycotton or anything that might melt) open out the new seam and press it gently flat.

3. On the top edge of the hoop of fabric you have created, fold the fabric over twice to enclose the raw edges and to create a tunnel for the elastic this will be your waistband, pin in place as you go round.

4. Zigzag stitch around to secure removing the pins as you go. Start your stitching just past the first seam you created and ending a little before, this will give you a nice little neat gap to thread your gathering elastic through.

5. Thread an elastic needle or safety pin with 0.5cm wide elastic and thread through the hole in the waistband. Work the elastic around the waistband until you have returned to the beginning.

6. Once out the other side, gather the skirt to the required width, ensuring there is enough stretch still left in the elastic for the comfort of wear and ease of getting it on and off! Knot the elastic securely and tuck up into the waistband.

7. You will need to check whereabouts on the leg you want the bottom of the skirt to fall before pinning the hem. This will determine how much of the lower edge you will need to turn over to reach this measurement. 

8. Once you have found your measurement, hem the bottom of the skirt in the same way as you created the waistband, turn the skirt inside out and double fold the raw edges under. The only difference is, this time, leave no gap!!

9. You can either sew the hem with a zigzag stitch as the waistband or if you prefer a  simple straight stitch will do the job just as well.

10. Lastly, give the hem a quick press with your iron (same temp as above) and you are done!

Kiera's skirt was fashioned from a leftover fabric panel which was 44" (112cm)  x 17" (44cm).  I had to guess Keira's measurements as I didn't want to spoil the surprise, luckily I was not too far off, as you will see in the top picture it is a little bit big and I could have easily added less fabric to the width (waistband) of the skirt to make it a little less 'poofy', but if nothing else it will give her room to grow as the elastic can easily be let out when needed, so it should last her a few months at least! I also love the fact that this pattern could easily be scaled up to fit adult measurements, though it would be wise to use a thicker gauge elastic to avoid the waistband from digging in!

By all accounts, Keira seems to love her kitty skirt and on being given it choose to wear it straight away over the skirt she already had on!

A Success I'd Say!

Wendy x

Sew It - A Dirndl A Day

Not very long after I moved from my room in Walthamstow to a flat in Woodford, I made a skirt, this skirt to be precise!

I blogged about this skirt (here) and thought this skirt was lovely, so pretty, so colorful and so quick to make. But to my shame I've never once wore it. Oh, I tried it on a few times but always decided and that it made my hips & behind look huuuuge and so stuck it back in my wardrobe and pretended it never existed.

That was until a few weeks ago, I don't have much wardrobe space so I decided it was time to be ruthless, if it didn't fit (waiting for that mythical 'thinner me') or hadn't been worn in ages, it was time to say goodbye. So when I got to this skirt, I knew it was time either to wear it or re-uses the beautiful fabric.



I tried it on and strangely my previous concerns didn't bother me quite as much, I could see past the big-buttedness and knew that this pretty skirt would be perfect for surviving the heatwave we were having. And now that I don't give (so much of) a damn how big my butt looks I have been wearing this skirt to death, it actually got to the point were I was sad that it had to go in the wash, this made me aware of two things:

1. I am a fickle sod. I'm the same size as when I made this so my derrière must look the same!
2. I was going to need more of these skirts and quickly to give me a chance to wear them before the good weather here in the UK disappears once and for all!

So I have made some more, well quite a few more, I now have six skirts, that's very nearly one for every day of the week!

All of these skirts have taken just under 2 meters of fabric to make and with the exception of the black one came from Minerva Crafts and cost £2.99 pm.  As before I followed Gertie's Dirndl Skirt Tutorial (Part One & Part Two) I did make a few changes to the pattern. Rather than using the measurements Gertie suggest I came up with my own, due to my hip to waist ratio I wanted less fabric in the skirt so I decided to just double my waist measurement which gave me a nice full skirt but not too full. Also I didn't make a paper pattern for either my skirt or waistband, as once you have worked out correct measurement the pieces, being cotton the fabric can be easily sniped & ripped to the required size, for me not having much space for laying out fabric to pin a pattern to, it really is a huge help!

Right, on to the skirts!

Just looking at this fabric makes me happy, its full of summer sunshine and one of my favourite colours and as far as I can remember this will be the first time I have ever worn yellow!


For some reason making this skirt was more difficult than the others, due to a zip that would not behave, I think it might be that this fabric was just a little lighter in weight than the others but now that I have stitched it into submission, I am so glad I persevered as its so lovely!


This was the most worn, so far, out of all of the new skirts I've made. I really love the way the pinks and dark blue contrast and luckily despite bringing more pink into my wardrobe ( I really thought I hated pink, must be in denial) it goes well with most of the tops I already own, hence why its being worn and worn!

The Fabric was from Minerva Crafts and is still available Navy/Pink Floral Print As much as I love this skirt it is the one where the fabric has not held up to general wear as sadly the colour is fading a little more with each wash but it still looks presentable.

Yes this skirt is covered in yellow Donkeys and Blue Zebras and I love it. Enough said!

This Fabric is Donkey Fabric from Minerva Crafts and I love it! It is totally wacky and kitsch and so to my mind echoes Some of the fabulously Kitsch skirts of the 50's.

As a teen I was never really a goth more of a brit pop tom boy, but my oh my I did wear a lot of black (and by a lot I really mean almost everything) all of the other skirts would have made me sick with fear! It has taken me years to fight back my black compulsion, I'm drawn to it.







So to appease the voice in my head which is always screaming 'make it in black' I made this skirt, it also acts to balance out all the floral funkiness going on with the others. Its made from a lovely black eyelet lace /  broderie anglaise which I have had lurking in my stash for an age so its nice to finally give it some life!




It would not be a craft blog without a fury pattern weight of some kind waiting in the wings to "help", my chosen species of helper is the cat. And the cat in my life, Beau puts his grumpy mark on everything, curtains, carpet sofa, even this skirt (see below) so why not make a skirt that reflected this impact and full outed me as the crazy cat lady I am.

This is Blue Kitty Polycotton from Minerva Crafts, and it is literally covered in kitty cats (it also comes in red and yellow and green) it must meet Beau's approval as he seemed only to eager to 'help' yet again!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

So with all these homemade skirts under my belt, there are a few things I have learnt!

Working with polycotton is a lot of fun, as you can see its available in some wonderful and wacky prints, it tends to be lighter in weight than 100% cotton which makes for cool and floaty clothing and due to the blend of synthetic in the fabric it also means that doesn't need much ironing, so no annoying creases at the back from being seated at work all day! There is a downside to using cheaper printed cottons, be they 100% or of the mixture variety, there does tends to be a bit of colour loss on the darker shades once they are washed.

Top left after the wash / Lower right before the wash

I'd expected a little colour loss, I chose not to pre-wash the fabrics before sewing and so found while working that my hands and sewing machine were getting stained with blue dye, wonky donkey skirt I am looking at you!

Also I found that the printing didn't run true to the grain of the fabric, meaning if you have a very obvious stripe in your pattern you may not be able to get the pattern run parallel to say your hem, which is super annoying if your looking for precision, so its worth bearing these things in mind when choosing your fabric!

Anyway these issues aside I love all my bright and breezy skirts its just a shame, though I love autumn, that soon I will have to pack them away for next year, oh well I am looking forward to cozying up in my winter woollies too!!

Wendy x