Knitting & Sewing Round Up!

Well it seems an age since I did a post on my most recent projects.  

While visiting my parents I knitted a couple of sweaters with matching berets for Sasha and a dress for Schoenhut Miss Dolly (or others).

I have teamed the sweaters with a corduroy skirt with little working pockets. 

The wool was a lovely yarn I bought while in New Zealand called 'Zealana Performa Kiwi Fingering' and is made up of a mix of NZ Merino, Possom and Organic Cotton.  It has a nice soft feel and drapes well.

This outfit is available to purchase for £31.50 plus postage either direct from me here or from my Etsy Shop  (later today hopefully)   My model Maddison and her boots not included.

The second sweater and beret set also teamed with a corduroy skirt is also knitted with Zealana but this time in a lilac colour.

This outfit is also available to purchase for £31.50 plus postage either direct from me here or from my Etsy Shop  (later today hopefully)   My model Maddison and her shoes and socks not included.

A variation of a favourite pattern of mine, this dress was also knitted while away.  This dress will also fit Sasha, but I have made it longer than most prefer as I was looking to make the length more suitable for Peggy Sue and other Schoenhut dolls.

While in New Zealand I managed to have a few days away with my friend in Whangarei.  To my delight we came across a Quilting and Patchwork shop!  This shop 'Country Dawn' was a fabricholics delight.

There it is across the river...

It was a huge shop - one of the biggest I have seen dedicated to all things quilting and patchwork with such a huge selection.  How I would love to live close to this!  Perhaps not such a good idea though as it would probably severely dent my wallet.

A wonderful selection of Kiwiana fabrics, some of which I selected to purchase for some new upcoming projects.

Lots of colours patterns and fabric goodness to delight all palettes.

There were completed patchworks on the walls.

Very beautifully done.  

They hold quilting and sewing classes here as well for all levels and tastes.

So what did I get?

A fairly small collection really as I didn't have a lot of funds to spare and as such was quite selective.

The two fabrics on the far right I actually purchased at the Stone Store in Kerikeri and they are a gift.

The buzzy bee fabric is currently out of production so I grabbed what was left. 

The others are fabrics I haven't had before with the exception of two. I am looking forward to being inspired by these.

I also bought some lovely wool in another fabulous shop 'NZ KnitnStitch' I discovered when attending a knitting group meet up.  Some more lovely Kiwi made wools.

I have already teamed some of these with some of the fabrics bought....

Yarn and fabric inspiration inspired by New Zealand.

Failed at the first hurdle!

Back in December I admired a doll Shelly had put on her blog...but did nothing about it....  Last week seeing she was still waiting patiently for a new home I could resist no longer.  I have absolutely no will power it turns out!  Only in January and have already added to my Sasha doll collection despite my intentions not to!  Failed at the first hurdle it seems.  

Here are her arrival photos:

Her dress is sweet, but a bit short for her I feel.

I took a few of her the day she arrives as she is just so beautifully photogenic!

I am planning on making her, her own wardrobe of clothes - something I think will suit her personality and style a bit more.

In the meantime she is wearing a corduroy mini skirt and sweater I made a few years ago, teamed with a pair of boots.

I love her hair!  

I think Shelly has done a wonderful job of repainting this girl.  On a whole I prefer 'original' Sasha dolls, but she stole my heart.

She has chosen the fabric she wants me to make her something with!

Quite a combination!  Difficult to get the true colours.  The top fabric is a brown, almost suede type fabric with gold studs, the floral is fine needle cord and the other is a gold textured fabric.

Now to design her first outfit!

Some new Kiwiana fabrics and wool

While in New Zealand I wanted to get some Kiwiana fabrics and some New Zealand wool.

This time I bought fabric designs that would hopefully suit the boys a bit more.

Just loving this selection.

The wools I bought will hopefully match the various outfits I hope to make that will be available to purchase.  

They are a combination of New Zealand Merino, Alpaca and Possom.

The wool is very soft and beautiful to knit with.  

I managed to knit a few sweaters that will form part of  complete outfits eventually.

Rory is modelling a sweater made from the variegated blues.

I love how it brings out the blue in his eyes.

James is wearing a cardigan made from New Zealand Merino - a more rugged wool and a slightly larger fit.  Still  to have the buttons sewn on.

Back to Rory again in another NZ Merino, Alpaca and Possom mix - this time variegated greens which also suit him with his red hair.

Stevie is wearing a pretty cardigan made with the variegated mauves.  Again this is waiting for the buttons to be sewn on.

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Lastly, Henry wanted a green cardigan to go with some of his clothing so I made this one (not NZ yarns)

A purchase

I ventured out today to our nearest fabric shop ...

Teeny tiny buttons...

Pretty fabrics....

Inspiration!