Embroidered Denim Jacket

Despite the lack of posts, I have been busy - I am someone who cannot sit and do nothing!

I started a new project a few weeks ago and this is one I will be working on for some time, so watch out for updates.

I have had a denim jacket hanging in my wardrobe for some time but in the last few years I have not worn it.  It had a lining (must have been a posh one!) which had ripped around one of the armholes which no doubt contributed to its lack of use.

Rewinding a few years, Quilting Arts featured a denim jacket that Susan Brubaker Knapp had covered with stitches and although several years have passed since I first saw it, the inspiration stayed with me so I decided it was time for me to start.

To prepare the jacket, I ripped/cut out the lining and was surprised to find the finish wasn't too bad although some parts did need tidying up.  I was just going to overstitch the edges but my daughter Clare suggested I get some pretty bias binding to use instead.  Great advice which I duly followed!

I started with a mandala as I had just finished my first embroidered mandala which I had enjoyed.  This was followed by two more mandalas on either side.   I now need to add some stitching to connect these as I feel they look a bit odd 'floating' at the sides.

Centre Mandala

Mandala which sit either side of the centre one

The next panel I worked on was really inspired by that first one I saw in Quilting Arts.  I used images of items I use when sewing - tape measure, cotton reel, scissors and needle and thread.  These were all done in outline and the background was then filled with seed stitches.   I plan to do another layer of seed stitches over the top of the first layer.

Detail of centre panel

Put them altogether and you have ......

I planned to wear it to a family party last week but the weather was so hot, jackets were not required!

This is very much a WIP and I have planned the next few designs to go on it but I will take my time to make sure it is just what I want.  I added an extra bit of stitching in the corner just so people know.

WIPs? What WIPs?

Following on from my last post, I am pleased to say that I stuck to my plans to do a bit of each of my Works in Progress each day resulting in three finished crochet projects!

I'm really pleased with the Maid of Honour Shawl because of the way the colours have blended together.   I did have to fiddle a bit at the end as I wanted to make sure I got to the solid colour for the edge and I didn't want to chance not having enough yarn.

So pleased that I worked out how much to do each day for Hope's Blanket as it means I finished it well before her birthday later this month.

I don't want to post to much about it in case she sees it so here's a sneak preview....

My work on the Temperature Blanket has ground to a halt with seven more rows to finish September off.  I have run out of wool in the required colour so as soon as I have caught up I will post the usual monthly update.

And as everything was up to date or finished I managed a couple of extras!

I finally got a chance to start on the August Little Box of Crochet but I must confess I wasn't happy with my efforts.   It was a pattern for a little crochet purse worked in two halves and then joined and sewn in to a frame.  I worked the first side and felt I was struggling so put it to one side.   Once I had time I watched some lovely help videos that went with it and found that my initial attempt was actually okay so I did the second side and finished it last night.

I think this is going to fall into the category of "nice to do but I won't be rushing to do more just yet".

A little extra in the box was some cross-stitch which I did enjoy doing - always find cross stitch calming as it satisfies the mathematical part of my brain.

So, as I've caught up I have been able to add so projects to my list!

Works in Progress

In previous posts I have mentioned that I have several WIPs and I have to do a bit of each every day so that I get them all finished.  I thought I'd let you see just what is on the go at the moment.....

Temperature Blanket

I keep this up to date, usually once a week so I don't get behind.  This photo shows it up to the end of August.   I didn't realise how obsessive it can become watching the daily temperature and then remembering just what we did on this hot day or that cold day!   This is definitely going to be a blanket of memories.

Blanket for Hope

My granddaughter Hope requested a blanket for her 10th birthday in October so I started it last month while she was staying with us.   She wanted it in shades of blue and went through the Stylecraft colour chart choosing the colours she liked.   I had several blues left from the Last Dance blanket, picked up some off balls on my travels and them ordered some from Wool Warehouse to hopefully give me enough.

Hope then had a look at all the blankets on Attic24 and chose the Hydrangea blanket which I was pleased with as it is straightforward and works up quickly.  I've worked out that to get it finished in plenty of time I must do six rows each day and so far I have stuck to it.

The photo was taken at the beginning so it is much longer now.

Maid of Honour Shawl

I decided I wanted something for myself so I'm making a shawl.  It's called Maid of Honour and was designed by Natasha of Buttonnose Crochet.

I'm using Scheepjes Whirl in the Salted Caramel Matcha colour which is blue, through green to caramel and I'm just loving the way the colours blend through the changes.  I haven't got far at the moment as this has been number three on my schedule and only gets done if I have completed the others on the day's schedule.

Little Box of Crochet

Although technically, this is not a WIP as all I've done so far is open the box have a peek and quickly close it again so I don't get sucked in.   I know what's in there - a lovely crochet purse project and a cross stitch project so I have to call on all my often not very strong willpower and wait until I can do it with a clear conscience.   Trouble is another Little Box will be coming soon so I can't leave it too long!