Granny Squares and Love

I’ve been absolutely bursting with pride this past week, because would you believe I taught myself something new (this is an awful time-consuming habit I have) and its potential is HUGE!

That’s right, I learnt how to use some crochet needles and began exploring Granny Squares! Now, I’m a knitter, and a stitcher, but crochet is something that has never interested me. Since I’ve had time to think about it, I have no idea why that is.

I’m forever being told stories about my Gran, who was a genius at crochet and making clothes. How she’d make her girls stand with their arms outstretched as she wound the skeins of wool around their hands. If they ever wanted something new to wear she’d stay up all night cutting and tacking, stitching and pressing. What is even more beautiful about these stories is that everything was passed down from sister to sister, and it was worn over and over until the seams dropped out!

I read about patchwork quilts recently, that these things we invest so much time and skill into are not simply pretty, but they are heirlooms and our grandchildren’s grandchildren (or at least their dog) will be using them many years down the line.

And so, with all that inspiration from my Granny, I’ve began the process of crocheting very basic granny squares for a cushion cover. My first attempts were using some scrap DK wool, and they are, erm, a little messy to say the least!

I couldn’t get my head around it first but I think perhaps it is to something to do with the tension. I also felt that the fibres of the wool make the surface look a little “fluffy”, which can happen in knitting when you’re handling the wool a lot.
Is this something you guys have come across when you began to crochet?

I found that the treble stitch was difficult to understand using the tutorials and illustrations at the back of books (which I will be reviewing soon), particularly because when working in a square as apposed to straight, you are looping the needed through the middle hole. But I used this wonderful tutorial on YouTube to help me get the hang of it.

I bought some ‘smoothie’ wool, which has a more ropey feel to it, in an attempt to get a little neater on my squares, and I think a combination of that and practice have helped me produce a few of these.

And here is picture of that lovely lady I was telling you about!

Any advice and comments would really be appreciated on this, I’ve fallen in love with the simplicity of using one needle, and some of the truly awesome crochet patterns!

What technique do you use to hold the wool and keep the tension the same?
Have you experienced “messy” crochet and how did you beat it?

The Frilly Fox

So this blog is just a small explanation about the name change. Having previously been “Vinspo”, I began to feel like the content of my blogs weren’t reflecting the name and the description. It all got a little confused! I wasn’t writing because even though I had a whirlwind of ideas, they were all about my sewing, knitting, crafting and baking. So I haven’t been blogging…

I sat down one night and really wanted a name that was accurate to the content, that reflected my character and that wasn’t as sterile as the last. I drafted out loads of ideas, used name generators (don’t waste your time with those) and eventually decided on The Frilly Fox!

I’ve used the Fox because the blog is crafty, and the Frill because it’s very stitch orientated and everything I love is inspired by our Grannies frilly, floral stuff!

Hopefully under this name, I won’t feel so limited, and it’ll be more flexible for me to blog about things slightly off topic if I feel the overwhelming urge to. I’ve read that newbie bloggers always experience these sorts of hiccups when they start writing. I’m already feeling better about mine.

What obstacles have you had to overcome when blogging?
Any advice for the new girl?

Date night dress

So today, im feeling stitchy. I took a look at this vintage dress in my stash, pushed aside the assignments and made it look a little less…frumpy.

Simply removing the shoulder pads, shortening the sleeves by 3 inches and then shortening the hem by 2 inches. It feels like a new dress!

From the scrap strips I’m planning on making a headband to match. Just perfect for date night!

What do you think?

A scarf for every occasion

I love a good scarf.

Over the Easter break I made time to get myself into some second hand shops to scout out the items that had potential. I found a few dresses, a pack of Pokemon cards (the originals, of course) and some vintage scarfs.

Now I’ll have to admit, I have more projects than I have time to finish them. But I’m the kind of girl who accepts a challenge and nothing makes me more excited than sewing! So it’s a sure winner when I’m stuck between cleaning the house and stitching a hem.

Once I’m done collecting my scarfs, and swooning over the fabric, and gushing over the designs I must admit…I’m kind of stuck! Wear it around your neck or wear it in your hair, the practicalities of adapting a scarf are pretty limited. So I’ve been doing a little research, because I’m sure as heck not parting with these beauties! And although I haven’t had the opportunity to experiment with these ideas yet, I was desperate to share the inspiration. Because it turns out the scarf, it has potential!

Lisa Comfort has to be my new girl crush – owner of Sew Over It, a sewing cafe in London. She posts some beautifully simple sewing projects on her Twitter and Instagram. I purchased her book because I fell in love with the images, and how her projects show some simple but effective techniques for up cycling old clothes. And from reading her book, born the idea of shredding scarfs!! (Please bare with me…)

1. Find a top, cardigan or jumper that needs some love.
2. Decide on a scarf that is neither precious nor a fabric that is going to fray easily when cut.
3. Cut your scarf into 3 strips (there should be plenty left over if you are using a square design).
4. Plait the fabric with the help of a chum or a heavy object to hold the end.
5. Pin the plait to the neckline/cuffs of the garment.
6. Sew in place by hand.

Finally, if you’re feeling slightly more adventurous. You could always experiment with the scarf dress. Simply use two square vintage style scarfs, they don’t even have to be matching. I’ll let the pictures do the talking…

Have you found any other uses for a vintage scarf in your sewing box?

Supping and sewing.

My two favourite things. Drinking tea and plotting my next sewing project. I’m half way through making cushions, a patchwork and a tea-dress. But my motivation is so high, my attention is short and my budget is small.

Problem 1. I am so excited to do everything at once, I never complete the first thing. So although I’m a sewing bunny, I have little or nothing (completed) to show for it.

Problem 2. I’m prone to go a little crazy. Crafting and sewing have become expensive and “trendy” which in turn makes sewing your own thing not always the budget idea it has been in the past. I see, I love, I buy. I’m broke!

Problem 3. Time. We’ve discussed this, I know it is a naff excuse, but I’m going to make it anyway!

Now it is all well and good articulating the problems, but it isn’t very productive if I just leave it at that. So I have set myself some challenges to overcome these sewing hurdles.

Firstly, to stop paying full price. I am going to concentrate my sewing skills on up-cycling used clothes and refreshing their looks. This means sale items, charity shops and of course ploughing through my own wardrobe. I’m hoping this will not only help me tackle the budget issues of a sewing student, but it will also hone in on my size adjusting skills and encourage me to think outside of the box.

Secondly, I am going to complete those projects before I even think of starting something new. To do this, I’m going to keep a little sewing journal or scrap book of all my ideas and this way I can complete them in order. I might just find that gem of a jacket I want to customise, but it will have to sit in the sewing ‘to do’ box until I’ve finished the wedding bunting and the appliqué flowers. You get the gist.

What I’m super stoked about, is sharing this with the world. I have silly little pipe dream that is consuming too many of my thoughts at the moment. Just perhaps this is the beginning of that dream. Wish me luck!

What things have stopped you from sewing up a storm?
Has anyone particularly inspired you to get creative with clothes?

Think happy thoughts…

I thought I might share with you some pretty intense pictures I’ve gathered on my surfing adventures this week. Enjoy them!

A 1940′s dream

Amongst the chaos, there is always the time for some completely trashy TV. We found ourselves watching an episode of Come Dine With Me, whilst enjoying our own culinary delights this week.

It was a pretty surreal moment when a young girl with cherry red hair, who was pondering which came first; Adam and Eve or the dinosaurs, then invited everyone around to her very vintage home. She had the most adorable, 40′s inspired lifestyle EVER! I’m telling you now, I was seriously jealous.

She may not have looked the sort, but her decor was really as authentic as it gets. Not just the token piece of Kath Kidson fabric in every room, but the lampshades, the wardrobe, the curtains, the sofa…
She gushed about her love of vintage, talking about being so in love with an era that she chose to live it too. Even more adorable, was her modest menu in line with traditional 40′s scran.

I’ve noted another young girl (who’s name escapes me) that I caught on a cooking programme one morning, who’s kitchen was equally awesome. All of its contents really reflected some beautiful taste, and a real eye for detail. Her gas stove still needed matches to light it, and was a sweet duck egg blue. Above her head hung some metal jugs and pans sporting floral and white patterns, and the chunky wooden shelves held a mish-mash of jam jars, novelty sugar bowls and salt and pepper shakers. She was talking about creme brûlée, which is equally fabulous.

I read that the 40′s kitchen began to incorporate new gadgets with its traditional purpose and style. Which is a lovely concept that can be applied to the modern home, especially if you want to intensify your love of vintage and have it spill out across your living space too!

These things must take time and patience to source, but it hasn’t deterred me from dreaming up my own 1940′s kitchen . I need a house first, but that’s just a minor detail. On that note, I’m going to leave you with this:

What elements of a 40′s home do you love the most?

My week in pictures

Having experienced the ‘half-term feeling’, I’m really excited that I’ve had the chance to spend some quality time at home. Doing normal things, like drinking excessive amounts of tea and buying a new book to lose myself in. After today, let the madness begin!

So here is my week in pictures…

Top left:The Normanator being showcased. Top right: PASSED MY DRIVING TEST! Bottom left: The human and I. Bottom right: Genuine progress on the patchwork.

Thought of the week

“You can always do more than you think you can.”

I spotted this quote on a journal yesterday when I was doing what I promised myself I wouldn’t do, and buying more books. I’m not sure who said it, but it stuck with me all day. I think it’s a simple truth, that can really put your efforts (regarding anything) into some well needed perspective.

Quite recently I’ve been working 7 days a week, and complaining that there is little or no time to do anything properly. But isn’t time the perfect excuse? It’s a great reason for not getting around to writing, or doing any of the washing, or avoiding the gym (yes, me too) and even not finishing that quilt you’ve had planned for over a month!

Ironically, I can’t apply this little gem to everything I’ve found out this week, because there was an instance where I thought I could do more than I really could. I put every effort in to that ‘thing’ and it was a massive, gigantic, totally enormous fail. I’m not negative, I promise, because I’d much sooner look back and say “I really tried” than “I could have done so much better if I’d bothered getting out of bed that day”. So, what I’m really left thinking about it effort. Effort, motivation and positive outlooks on situations. You can always do better, but that requires motivation and effort, and if your positive then no single set back can really set you back.

I pinky promise I’ll be finding the time and motivation to write.

What is inspiring you this week?

Oh, and here is a picture of Norman snoring his boots off under my mannequin, just because

And of course, some progress on the patchwork:

Pillowcases and Patchwork

Ok, so after having a hectic few weeks sobbing over my dissertation and teaching, I had completely forgotten this blog was even sitting in my ‘drafts’. Basically, I decided to get some charity shop pillowcases for a point in my life when I have a spare moment to drag my sewing machine out and relax (oh I know how to treat myself!) but there is method to my madness, I promise.

Me and my human are still in the process of collecting things for our little flat, and I love it! I’ve collected tea cups, a dinner set, persian cat salt and pepper shakers, a mother goose cookie jar, an old singer sewing machine and even an old type-writer.

I’ve learnt that pre-loved things make me happy, and they suit our tastes, and that in all honesty we couldn’t afford much else even if we wanted to.

My mum has always told me to “own it”, and not in the literal sense either. In fact she’s just meant that things need to be you, they need to reflect you, make you happy, and you have to put your stamp on it. It’s an important part of my crafty ethos and why everyone should have a bash at making something themselves.

The pillow cases are in fact for my next project (hurrah!) I’m going to be making my own patchwork blanket, because everybody loves a good blanket. I think it will be a timeless, challenging and adorably homegrown addition to our linen cupboard. Until I had a quick peek at some online tutorials I was under the illusion it was a mammoth task that involved super-sonic sewing skills. Alas, the specialist magazines and quilting fanatics in the world are probably somewhat to blame for those thoughts, because it’s actually a pretty simple process.

My blanket will be 50 inch x 70 inch.
Each square will be 5 inch x 5 inch (but cut 5.5inch for seam allowance)
Cut 140 squares (using both sides of approximately three cotton pillowcases…and perhaps a few scraps!)

I will definitely keep you updated on my (very slow) progress, so wish me luck!
I hope you’re inspired by something pre-loved today