StyleArc Winnie

I'm finally starting to sew again.  First up was StyleArc's Winnie funnel neck top for knits. 

This was incredibly quick to sew.  It took me 2 hours.  At least 1/2 hour of that was trying to get my twin needle to work to hem it.  I eventually gave up on the twin needle.  I am getting very tempted to buy a coverstitch machine.

It is very hard to see which is the front and which is the back once it's made up.  So I made my own label and added it.

The knit fabric is very light weight and is probably a bit too light for a funnel neck, so it tends to end up drooping a bit.  But given how easy this is, I love it.  Plus I like the slightly higher neck that keeps my neck warm in the cooler weather without feeling strangled like a turtleneck does.

It has 3 inch hems at the sleeves and bottom.  Next time I'd just do it as a 1/2- 1" hem on the bottom as I'd like it a bit longer.

The month from hell

 I haven't posted for a while.  It has been a very difficult month.  My mother passed away unexpectedly.  As well as dealing with the normal grief as executor I have been keeping very busy preparing her house for sale and organising paperwork.  Then on top of all that one of my closest friends had triple bypass surgery and another friends 96 year old mother has had a major stroke.  The next few days are critical for her.

This hasn't left any time for crafting.  The day before my mother passed I had finished my first Colette Moneta.  When I finished it I certainly didn't envisage I'd be wearing it to my Mums funeral.  These photos were taken before Mum died.

This was made from a knit fabric from Smart Dress fabrics.  I can see why this pattern is so popular.  It only took me 4 hours to complete and that included making the collar.  I lengthened both the bodice and the skirt, but don't think I needed to.  In fact next time I'll shorten the bodice back to the original length.  Also the back neckline is a bit low for my personal preference so next time I'll raise the back neckline.  Other than that I do love this pattern. Plus it has pockets.

A couple of friends came over to help with Mams house.  After we went for coffee then visited an antique store.  They had just got a delivery from an estate which included this sewing chest.  They hadn't yet cleaned it up so I got it cheap if I did it up myself.  Since these photos were taken, I've treated it for borer, polished the handles and varnished it. I'm not sure of the type of wood, I think it may be walnut.

It was filled with various odds and ends.