Hello, my lovelies! A rubbish blogger that I am, I thought it was about time I popped by and showed you the bit of UFO & Stash Busting I have been doing in June & July.
To be honest there has not been that much, two projects to be precise. Most of what I have made has been for others (I know I am selfless), and shockingly I've even started knitting for Christmas, which is wholly unlike me! So a separate post will surely follow with all those goodies...but for now back to the busting
To be honest there has not been that much, two projects to be precise. Most of what I have made has been for others (I know I am selfless), and shockingly I've even started knitting for Christmas, which is wholly unlike me! So a separate post will surely follow with all those goodies...but for now back to the busting
Candy Cane Beach Bra
(UFO & Stash Buster)
I bought this pattern early last year as I wanted to make it up for my summer hols but I never got around to doing more than cutting it out from the fabric, I am lazy!
Created By: Mrs Depew Vintage
Pattern PDF : 1950's Beach Bra 32"- 40" (£4.91)
Ingredients:
- Approx. 0.5 yard Cotton Outer
- Approx. 0.5 yard Cotton Lining
- 2 Buttons
There is not really much to say about this pattern as it was very simple and straightforward to make up, just 6 pieces (including the lining) so I really can't think why I took so long to finish it!
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| I absolutely love the 50's pointed collar on this top |
Both the outer & lining (plain white cotton) fabrics were from Walthamstow market at £1 a meter and have been sitting in my stash for a few years, I found the candy stripe quite a little irritating to work with as it refused to match up (see the front seam) but that probably has more to do with me than the fabric!
I used two massive buttons on the back to make it a bit easier to open/close without asking for assistance and to ensure it doesn't suddenly ping open in public. I think I will have to have a go at making up a matching pair of shorts then all I'll need is some sunshine and a sandy beach!
Crewel Love
(UFO & Stash Buster)
I started this embroidery shortly after I finished my crewel embroidery kit back in February I had gone crazy pinning embroidery pictures and was keen to get stuck into something a bit more difficult.
My inspiration came from this 70s 'God Bless Our Pad' I loved it so much I knew I had to try my own take on it.
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| Source: racheldenbow.blogspot.com via Wendy on Pinterest |
Not being the most religious of souls, I felt it would be more appropriate to have a different phrase and eventually I settled on The Beatles lyric 'Love is All You Need' which I think is in keeping with the flower power theme.
Ingredients:
Pattern Here: Love is All You Need
Know How: Split Stitch
Ingredients:
- 20" x 16" Frame without glass
- 24" x 20" woven fabric
- Odds and ends of yarn
- Embroidery Hoop or Frame
I've had the frame for years, I saved it from the bin (classy) back when I worked in a photo lab, the glass was missing so it could no longer be sold, but I knew that it would come in handy for something and at last it has.
The backing fabric was taken from a pair of Next curtains a college at work kindly gave to me as they were redecorating and though I could use them, unfortunately, they didn't fit any of our windows, so after much deliberating I decided to re-purpose them as they were the perfect colour and weave for a bit of embroidering.
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| I first outlined each letter in split stitch, then I used a huge Padded Satin Stitch to fill them in. |
I traced my text onto the fabric using a pencil, which I soon learned was a mistake. The white wool was gradually turning grey as I stitched over the outlines, eeek! Fortunately, I can report after washing it has pretty much gone, phew! Next time I will be using a water soluble pen much less stressful!
I improvised the flowers as my embroidery skills are still rather limited I stuck to what I knew (3 stitches) and kept it simple, but no less effective I think! If I were to make another I would definitely mark out the flowers beforehand as I did struggle to fill some gaps and not have too many of the same colour too close together.
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| Making the most of stitching in the sunshine. I bought myself a cheap tapestry frame from Hobbycraft as the hoop was just not big enough. |
I actually finished the last few flowers whilst watching the amazing Olympic opening ceremony, in between bouts of lump in the throat sobbing that is - what the heck! I had no idea I felt so patriotic - the boyfriend though I was having a breakdown - all I can say is thank goodness for Rowan Atkinson irreverent silliness, making me laugh myself out of it!
It needs a bit of a gentle press to reduce some of the creases caused by washing, and I may add a few more flowers at a later date. But all in all, I think it looks great and well worth the many, many hours it has taken to finish, as I really enjoyed each and everyone, especially those sat in the sunshine!
Oh, and as it's Tuesday I am going to link up to Lakota's Ta-da! Tuesday!!
Wendy x
