Burda Bomber ...

...and this is as far as I've got.  Have been so busy with training, finishing up my knitting module and painting my fence panels.  I also want to put a lining in it, which isn't included in the pattern, so I've just decided to take my time and not worry about when it's finished, which should have been the end of May.

Made sure to get the pattern placement of the big blowsy roses correct though (or it could potentially have been a bit embarrassing, ha!).  I love the fabric, it's not like the Mary Berry Bomber, as I couldn't find anything like that, but I thought this would work equally as well, if not better.  It's from the Amy Butler Alchemy range.  Aren't the sketchbook roses gorgeous?  I've got some black stretchy knit to finish off the neck, cuffs and waistband with.  Not sure what I'm going to use for the lining, though I've got some thin pink towelling-like stuff which might work.  We'll see!

One for Trish Blair ...

I first 'met' Trish at Sew Weekly.  She lives in Wellington, New Zealand.  When I saw her it struck me how much she resembled 'Eunice' (now there's a name you don't come across much these days ...).  She was an old friend of my mother's and there are lots of photos of her from the 50's in a box of memories we have.  I really must find one so you can see for yourself the resemblance.  Anyway, that isn't really what this post is about.  What I really admire about Trish and her style is the way she puts things together and this includes her handbags!  Particularly wicker ones.  Look at this one - photo from Sew Weekly website, just for reference I might add ...

  
Well I happened to mention on Facebook (my new toy ...) that I bought one through being inspired by her and she wanted to see so here it is!

Not a vintage one sadly, but from Laura Ashley of all places.  I just couldn't leave it behind, so it's all your fault Trish!  I love it though and will so enjoy using it this summer (if we ever get one that is!).

It's trying to be Spring ...

Very trying ... What happened to the sunny weather?  Is that it for this year?  At least this brave soul is surviving so far ...

Kaffe Fassett at The Fashion and Textile Museum

Yesterday, I met some of my fellow City & Guilds knitters at The Fashion and Textile Museum on Bermondsey St, near London Bridge - no rail engineering works this week thank goodness - I've been so looking forward to this visit.

Can't miss this orange and pink edifice!

The Museum was set up 10 years ago by Zandra Rhodes.  She felt there was a need for a place to showcase contemporary craft and provide associated education.

A Zandra Rhodes poster design featuring London landmarks

'Kaffe Fassett, A Life in Colour' is currently showing and it is stunning.  I was surprised to learn that Fassett started out painting still lives in delicate monochromes - beiges, creams, greys.  It was only when he left art school in the US and came to London in the 60's to settle that he discovered colour in a big way.  He used treasures that he found in Portobello Road in his paintings which formed the basis for his textile crafts.

Craft is where his passion lies and includes knitting, needlepoint and quilting.  The knitting came about after a trip to Scotland, looking at the landscape and visiting a mill where he could buy yarns in the colours he observed.  A friend taught him how to knit on the rail journey home and his first project was a multi-striped cardigan.

Kaffe's first knitting project

Later designs include triangular shapes which allowed a move away from 'linear' pattern.  The exhibition has many examples of his knitting through the years.  His influences can be as diverse as the Orient through to typically English horticulture and seed catalogues.

Displays also include beautifully stitched needlepoint chair coverings, cushions, slippers and waistcoats.

Quilts hang from the walls and there is a 'feeling' wall where visitors are encouraged to touch the fabric strips and discover for themselves the pleasure of working with cloth.

'Feeling' wall

There are three rooms full of exhibits and a video to watch, so plenty to see and all in all, a wonderful experience and exhibition.  I am still buzzing!

Afterwards, I had the chance to chat with some of my fellow students and discuss my progress with Loraine, my knitting tutor.  What a fab day out!

Loraine's photo from her website 

Loraine (blonde lady) teaching

I saw 'The Shard' too!  Right next to London Bridge.... actually, it now reminds me of the triangular shapes Fassett uses in his knitwear designs! 

The Shard

Me and my pals

On every Wednesday lunchtime at work, we eat, chat, relax and craft.  It's a great way to break up the week!  There is only one rule for joining ... we never talk about work.

Sign the petition to stop the UK Government reclassifying craft as non-creative

If you go here:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/49537

You can add your name to the petition which reads as follows:

We request the Government reconsider the proposal that craft no longer be considered part of the creative industries, as part of the 30 April proposed changes set out in Classifying and Measuring the Creative Industries consultation paper.

The craft industry and those who work in it, over 88,000 people making a £3bn annual contribution to the UK economy, are inherently and by their very nature creative. We want the UK Government to stop ignoring The Crafts Council and the thousands of mostly sole trading craftsmen and women who consider themselves to be and indeed are creatives.

The Government should be proud & supportive of our vibrant creative craft industry & celebrate the unique, rich diversity of skills & craftsmanship, not seek to declassify, dismiss & undermine it.

Calling an IT Business Analyst a creative but refusing the title to a skilled potter or ceramicist shows the level of understanding that those proposing the change have of what is and isn't creative.

Virtual Meet - My turn, plus Giveaway!

Well it's me now - the last to make a contribution.  I think you all know something of me from my 'about me' blurb and my Sew Weekly days plus the couple of meet-ups I've been to.  It's been great to find out bit more about everyone else - made up for the disappointment of not getting to a meet!  I'm still juggling the sewing and knitting - I'm more than half way through my knitting qualification now.  I'm trying to sew, but keep getting put off by things.  I have a terrible cold at the moment (or it might be the onset of hayfever which I get at this time of year).  There's also a lot of training at work, which I'm happy about but will keep me occupied for a lot of the time.  Anyway, I will try!

So, what would I have eaten/drank?  Well, I love Italian food, which is my downfall really for piling on pounds!  I'm trying to be a bit health conscious myself at the moment, but for something special such as a meet maybe a Margharita Pizza or a Lasagne or something a bit more exotic than that.  I'd try and be a bit virtuous and have a Diet Coke or perhaps push the boat out and have a typically English Pimm's and Lemonade!

What would I have worn?  Probably my favourite shirtdress - see picture - sorry it's not a newer photo but I'm full of cold - which I think is the best thing I've made so far.  The pattern just went together so beautifully and fits so well (I was lucky in winning it from Magpie Mimi).

Me and my other favourite occupation!

What have I bought recently?  I treated myself to the Colette Parfait because it looks so versatile in that it can be made into summer and winter garments.

I'm a bit behind everyone else who seem to be making the Laurel.  I've found a summer print to make Parfait with but also plan on a cord or wool version.  I've also bought some wool coating fabric which I already have the pattern for (see below).

I found Parfait and the coating fabric on the same day in London, about 100 yards apart!  The pattern came from Raystitch in Islington and the fabric from a little shop on the same road which was having a retirement sale (it was a big bargain!)   

Raystitch - photo from the Ray-Stitch website, as I forgot to take my camera!

Raystitch has a great cafe by the way with delicious coffee and there's also a teaching room where classes can be booked.

Have I anything to swap?  Well yes, but I'm giving first dibs to all the other Virtual Meet participants.  There are some children's patterns which I know I'll never use.  Then a skirt and a top pattern.  Would anyone like them?  Is there anything you could use Judy in exchange for the pattern of yours that I like?

I also have a giveaway, as I've now exceeded 20,000 hits - all through this series!  I was going to do one at 20,000 anyway but am sooner than I thought.  I have 2 metres of this bird and stripe print fabric - it's a kind of furnishing weight but soft enough to make into garments too.  Just leave a comment and I'll draw someone at random.  Good luck!

Well, all that's left is to say thanks so much to everyone for taking part in the meet.  It turned out to be a better idea than I thought and made me quite emotional sometimes!  Hope you've all enjoyed it equally and maybe there'll be another one next year!