assemblage

tom's boxer shorts

ahem, pardon me, but hands up who thinks tom has been watching me pose for photos? you should have seen the out-takes! so very serious.

tom has some new boxer shorts we worked on together. you know, school holiday project. a sweet cotton fabric with a delightful canoe print.

after allowing him to have his way with the sewing machine, we settled on tom manouvreing the presser foot whilst i controlled the action under the needle.  phew.

i think they look terrific with a navy tee as opposed to the white tee i was intending to make. and he loves them but really too cold today hence the windcheater/tshirt layering effect.

shame anais now wants a pair. fabric sufficient for one only. when am i going to learn?

the olga pant

   

in honour of olgajazzy and the "conversations" we had about this pants design, may i present the olga pant.

these are funny! surprisingly flattering; particularly in the rear view - a combination of the folded wide waist, the dropped crotch and then tapering to the slim ankles (i think it is actually the latter detail which clinches the flattering form). these have been developed from a previous fisherman style pants pattern (with many versions about of late).

as you can see, my version are destined for pyjama pants - not as adventurous as some for public display. more for reasons of fabric than design. although i am considering a pair in charcoal with perhaps a fine pinstripe widely spaced (the vertical lines assist the lengthening shape to the legs).

and speaking of pyjamas, tom and i have been working on a new pair of summer boxer shorts this morning. watch out for him on that presser foot!

emma kidson

 

as you know, i have been a fan of emma kidson's handmade jewellery for some time. and look! a divine pair of her faceted burnished sterling silver earrings. thank you, emma!

now, we just need to get her to open an etsy shop so we can all access her wonderful handcrafted jewellery pieces. but for now, contact her via her flickr profile.

update: emma's etsy shop is up and running! whoo hoo.

paper crane comfort

   

while running yesterday morning and contemplating a new white tunic top for anais, a long sleeve top concept entered into my brain a new development stage instead.

an extension, and in some ways a simpler design, of this earlier version. and using the paper crane technique from this book.

this has a softer texture and definite comfort fit. longer line at the waist for eliminating air drafts. longer sleeves to pull over the hands. raw edges to roll at will. rolled and folded neckline. or gentle organic undulations. your call.

and i have plans to add some to the shop. bear with me. i will be off seeking resources during the week. thoughts of cream wool versions and striped charcoal wool versions for our northern hemisphere friends. and perhaps a couple in black and a few in white cotton interlock for those cooler australian summer evenings.

and i have plans to extend the concept further: perhaps a cotton blouse. and more.

yup. i am going to be very busy.

and feel free to let me know your size if you are interested to ensure i provide a suitable sizing selection.

thursday threads

 

threads. threads of my thoughts this week.

3 work projects measured, drawn and awaiting sketch design work.

2 habu threads for 1 knit project based on this archetype. with plans for a sewn version in the shop. sometime.

1 pile of washed and folded fabric awaiting some time and attention after my craft shop crawl with di and sooz.

2 weeks of school holidays start tomorrow. so none of the above will actually be attempted for some time yet.

and thoughts on this family from our church following hannah's australian story. powerful and frightening. honest and courageous.

to swathe

   

may i present:  the swiss cheese scarf.

i have been pondering suitable names for this elegant scarf. perhaps "perforated wrap". or "mesh mantle". or the ridiculous "holey stoley". or simply the "swiss swathe". okay. you get the idea.

it is fabulous and sensational.

i love the colour. i love the length. i love the style. i love it.

yes, i did lose focus about halfway in to this knit. and, yes, i wish i had done more homework to revise the hole cast on/cast off method. but regardless, this is something i will wear. and wear.

and, yes, i did wear it pre-blocking to show these girls on saturday before our craft shop crawl.

mini market bag

 

yes, the habu got the better of me. but i promise tom was not unwell after a sleep. and i didn't start it until later that night. so i wasn't neglectful.

this is a faithful version of the bag pattern from here. although i did make up my own handles.

but my bag is tiny. unintentionally tiny.

perhaps other yarns would give and stretch. but not this yarn. (perhaps i should stick to the suggested yarns next time...)

anyway, this bag would be perfect for those wanting to limit their purchases at a market. or only needing to buy a couple of organic tomotoes and a few bulbs of garlic. for bruschetta. with sea salt and a sprinkle of aged balsamic vinegar.

mmm. not that there's anything wrong with that. lunchtime methinks.

happy habu to you, too

 

this post was originally named pear shaped thursday, such has been the start to it,

involving thus far:

hideous dog disasters on the carpet

resulting in time delays for morning rush to school

work phone calls requiring immediate attention

resulting in further time delays to a scheduled site measure

another phone call to collect sick son from school sick bay

resulting in cancelling the delayed scheduled site measure

but, on the upside:

i did swing by the post office on the way back from second school visit to collect my order from habu, nyc. wheeee.

question:

tend to sick child who appears now to be perfectly fine

or

send him back to school so i can start a new knitting project

or

actually do some work that desperately needs attention.

hmm. a tricky one.

postscript: a gorgeous article on my favourite japanese/australian designer, akira isogawa, in today's The Age, as part of Melbourne's Spring Fashion Week.

his description about his work is wonderful: "you must recognise that space between the skin and the body changes when the textile is loose...i try to be honest... cover the body in a flattering way..."

things i inherently agree with and humbly aspire to.

spring stripes

  

while knitting in a delicious light grey, there has been only one thing  on my mind:

sew something to wear with it!

while this has been growing on my lap each evening, thoughts of dark denim, light grey and white colour combinations have been rendered before my eyes.

this fabric was purchased recently, knowing it would be put to good use. it is a cotton interlock that i now realise is so lightweight it is slightly transparent.

i can now look forward to warm spring days to wear it. with my new scarf. sometime soon.

and thinking i might just need a fabulous  yellow something to complete the look.