[ sew much to see ]

MY BRAIN IS spinning with ideas after attending the Knitting and Stitching Show today in Dublin. Held at the RDS, it's a huge venue filled with all things textiles and fibres. Whether you are a knitter, sewer, beader, weaver, felter or textile artist, it's a feast for the eyes! With vendors, an artist gallery, demonstrations and guilds to join, it's got everything you need to complete your hobby.

The best part about the show is that even if you don't have a hobby, I guarantee you will by the time you leave! So inspiring... what should I make first?

lisa

[ another tova ]

WELL, I'm pretty smitten with this Wiksten Tova pattern and I just whipped up another...

This one is a lightweight black cotton with little fuzzy circles...

After wearing my blue one the first time, I immediately knew that sewing only one wouldn't be enough {read about my first Tova top here}. 

It just seems to be that easy to wear, go-to top in my closet. And the possibilities are endless! Hmm... I wonder what colour I should make next?

lisa

[ a hankering for hankies ]

I'VE ALWAYS had a love for vintage hankies - perhaps it's the images they conjure up of ladylike olden days. I come across pretty ones every so often at antique shops and flea markets and it's such a shame to hide them away in a drawer or box.

How about making them into something so they can be admired? 

maybe some cushions...

or a table runner...

framed art...

or grouped as a headboard...

some pretty bunting...

a tablecloth or quilt...

a skirt...

or even a dress...

some lavendar sachets...

to decorate a party...

joined into a lovely scarf...

or charming curtains...

even if you don't sew, you can tie them like this...

So are you as smitten with these lovely girlie hankies as I am?

lisa

[nanasaidsew; martha stewart; country living; poppytalk; bellemaison23; etsy; 

polkadotchair; pinterest; thefabledneedle; skiptomylou; williamwedding; 

darbyharden; jollygoodegal; 2.bp.blogspot; themotherhuddle; nana'shouse]

[ a charming kitchen for a charming artist ]

I STUMBLED upon this lovely kitchen belonging to UK textile print designer, Teresa Cole. It's a light, lived in, comfy space and the bright hit of red cabinetry gives it such cheerfulness.

Teresa started Teresa Green upon graduating in printed textiles from art & design university. All of her fabrics are from within the UK, her linen from Ireland and her inks all water-based. With a passion for kitchenalia - ladles and kitchen scales and old garden objects, her illustrations have a whimsical feel and are as adorable on cards as they are on cushions, kitchen linens and purses. If you are looking for some lovely handprinted pieces, be sure to visit her website.

[bottom pic: country living]

[ a tova for all seasons ]

THE TOVA by Wiksten has taken blogland by storm and I can see why ~ a comfy top, dress or tunic that's easy to wear and universally flattering ~ and with no fussy zippers or buttons, it's easy to make. I decided to jump on board and I just finished mine. I think it's perfect with a pair of jeans...

I used a very light cotton sheeting fabric which was very easy to sew. I went through my fabric stash and decided to add a coordinating tiny floral fabric for the inside of the collar, especially since the collar sits open and is very visible. I'm really glad I did ~ I think it adds a special little detail...

The pattern is available from Wiksten as a pdf download which is super convenient. The instructions are thorough and easy to follow ~ just download, print, tape together and cut out ...

I made a couple of changes to my pattern:

1} I made the collar 1/2" narrower and rounded the top corner

2} I chopped off 2.5" off the length to make it more like a shirt than a tunic

3} I sewed the placket closed about 1.5" from the bottom so that I don't need to wear a tank underneath all the time

It seems that everyone who has made this top has made multiples and I'm already thinking about my next one. Here are some pretty examples from blogland done as various tops and dresses...

Aren't they great? I think my next one will be a solid or tiny print ~ maybe a grey. Wouldn't a soft flannel be so cozy for fall?

If you want to give it a try, pick up the pattern here and read through the sew along over at verykerryberry for some great tips.

lisa