Sunday 27 January 2013

Not quite spring

 Most of the country has had a bit of this but last Friday night was the most severe snowstorm we've had for ages. Horizontal drifts and complete coverage!


 What better way to cheer the house up than some tulips and hyacinth? We saw these when were out shopping and couldn't resist them. A little extravagance in these austere times.
I added a few bare twigs and some  dead montbretia heads and they look even better.





Such pretty colours together and I suddenly wondered why I hadn't used them in my sewing.




So I had a go.

 I wasn't entirely happy with these yesterday. they seemed a little smaller than usual and I just wasn't in the zone as I have mentioned before.
 But they look very pretty today under the flowers.

 The light was so good today that I went on a bit of photo spree.
Staying in the Spring green mode, two large hearts.

 This is one of the smaller hearts and wouldn't go into a display with the others but its a pretty one and took just as long to make, not only that but I think I'm almost out of that colour velvet. 
Oh No! That means another dyeing session and you know how much I hate that.

 Here's the most gorgeous deep pinky purple..it doesn't look like the picture. Its juicy!

 I loved plonking these little red darlings under the flowers..
 so I did it twice!
 Colour! I love it.
(See what I did there?)
I was asked some time ago to review these two books and they arrived last week.


The first one is just about all you could want to know about history of colour and dyes in textiles. I haven't had time to read all of it but its full of fascinating facts.


 The illustrations are detailed and the information is comprehensive.


 There are chapters on all aspects of colour


 and I think its a must for the textile student, as well as being a good read for the hobbyist .

The second book I hadn't thought I'd like as I am not going to wear Vintage clothes unless I lose about 4 stone, but I can't put t down.

 It comes with a dvd full of patterns for the projects in the book. 
I haven't tried it but each pattern can be printed off in a sort of jig-saw format, many pieces for each pattern. In the front of the book there is a chart of numbers which you have to follow when you lay pattern which will give you a full size pattern for each project. 
For example.. 



 The instructions are in the book. 

Here's another:


 As well as the patterns you can print (and there are quite a few) there's the historical context of these and other styles showing how the same item evolved through the decades up to the 1970s.



If you are a sewer of clothes its a really neat way to get hold of a whole lot of patterns and information.
I was just a wee bit disappointed that they didn't have a utility coat pattern after all the illustrations of it.
But you can't have everything.

Another super book especially for the fashion student and maker/wearer of vintage clothes.

For more information about these and other craft books go to

Meanwhile I'll be making more of these.




26 comments:

Rachel said...

It is a lovely colour combination!

Miriam Weaver said...

Lovely post Jackie, the flowers and the hearts so pretty. I'm glad your happy with them.

Jacqui said...

Love the fresh colours for leaves and the hearts are gorgeous! I really love the 'juicy' pink purple one, wonderful colour. Lovely work. :)

Jeanette, Mistress of Longears said...

Love your yummy hearts! and the pins with flowers look so springy!
The textile book, coming with your recommendation sounds like a must-read!

Clare Wassermann said...

Jacqui do you ever do any workshops? I'd really be interested

Heather said...

What an uplifting post Jackie - I love tulips and those colours are so fresh. They translate so well into your brooches and the hearts are very timely for approaching February.
I used to wear a skirt like that in the 50s - when I had a waist! Two great books judging by your pictures.

Rosie said...

The colours on this post lifted my spirits immediately! Loved the yellow especially - you should make more of them ....

Rosie said...

The colours on this post lifted my spirits immediately! Loved the yellow especially - you should make more of them ....

Rosie said...

The colours on this post lifted my spirits immediately! Loved the yellow especially - you should make more of them ....

Unknown said...

Hi again, I love your work such a nice set with the flowers together. Well done.

Mary Ann Tate said...

I love them all:)

Anna said...

What delightful Spring colours, I'm sure we're all looking forward to seeing them outside! I really enjoyed reading your post.

sharon young said...

What a gorgeous spring colour post, thank you for cheering up my day, and your hearts and brooches look amazing.
Love the look of all those patterns and book on colour looks very exciting.

Zdolność-tworzenia said...

Pięknie wiało i wirowało.
No i przepiękne cuda powstały.

Zdolność-tworzenia said...

Pięknie wiało i wirowało.
No i przepiękne cuda powstały.

Els said...

Hi Jackie, lóve the colours of your artwork and the spring flowers together !!!

jennyflowerblue said...

Oo but nearly nearly spring with those lovely colours, what a great combo. I like the look of that colour theory book, fascinating stuff. Hugs xxx

EllenF said...

Loved the post-- the green and blue hearts are unexpectedly lovely. I just enjoy following your adventures. Thank you!

EllenF said...

Loved the post-- the green and blue hearts are unexpectedly lovely. I just enjoy following your adventures. Thank you!

Robin Mac said...

Lovely post as usual. what interesting books those two are, and the vintage clothes are just what I was wearing so that shows my vintage!! Your hearts are all gorgeous as usual. Cheers

Unknown said...

Jackie, your brooches are wonderful, colours are so amazing and positive, especially after the picture of snowstorm :) Great contrast!

Annie Cholewa said...

I'm really rather liking the spring colours leaves ... perfect for cheering up a snowy/rainy/grey day and reminding us that spring is coming.

Noelene said...

Hi Jackie,
tonight I just discovered your Blog
and after a long visit looking at your beautiful works I have become a follower.

I love your colour combinations, your hearts are gorgeous.

Looking forward to visiting you often.

Noelene
Tasmania Australia.

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Jackie. Beautiful photos and the flowers with your pins make a very interesting and lovely arrangement. Love the bright red hearts, too. Stay warm!
best, nadia

Judith said...

I love your blog. Super work!
Following weeks of not being able to get my 'mojo' working, I'm feeling inspired and will be off to my little bolthole to get creative! There is Rugby on the TV for several hours this afternoon, so I can be sure I won't be disturbed.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the inspiration! :)

Gretz said...

I am SO SORRY to have issed the hearts on etsy. Your work is STUNNING and I will be keeping an eye on your store!



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