Bread is life

Haven’t posted food here in ages, have I?

This is the ol’ classic New York Times no-knead bread, except I kneaded a bit. So, last night dissolved ¾ tsp yeast in 1½ cups water, mixed with 3 cups flour and 2½ tsp salt, and left on the counter overnight. Around lunchtime I gave it a quick knead, let it rest 10 or so minutes (maybe longer, I wasn’t paying attention), shaped and put in the claybaker to rise, covered with a tea towel. The last few times I made claybaker bread I forgot and overproofed it, so this time I paid attention! When it looked nicely risen, I removed the towel, covered the claybaker, and put it in the fridge for 3 hours. Then, I slashed the top, put the cover back on, and into the cold oven. Turned heat to 450°F, timer to 70 minutes. 

Looks so good but I am resisting temptation and letting it cool before I try a slice!

All in one day!

I bought this fabric last summer, in a fit of ill-advised retail therapy. I had the idea for this dress in my mind, and couldn’t find the exact fabric I wanted (this ain’t it) and was on the verge of ordering something expensive from far away when I saw this $5/m 100% mixed fibres jersey at Fabricland. Flimsy to the point of being see-through, no body at all, but whatever it was a $7.50 investment in not spending $75.

Then because it was crappy and unsatisfying I just packed it away with my stash.

I’m getting ready for a charity bike rally this summer, and planning to make cycling bibs (long rides need comfortable clothes!). I’m not a big stretchy fabric person so I thought I should practice before I break into the fancy technical fabrics I bought, so I thought “I’ll make that dress.”

Then it occurred to me—I had leftover beige jersey from the leggings I made for my Megumin costume ($5/yard at Fabricland, I bought ½ yard). Maybe I had enough to sort of line it halfway? At least the parts that matter? Doubling the fabric would give it more body too on top of being no longer transparent.

I sketched a pattern onto the fabric with a washable marker, starting with the back piece of a dress I’ve made three times (here's a flowered version and plain black version, I also made it in grey fleece-backed jersey), adjusting the shoulders as I went, and tweaking the front pice to include a dart. Couldn’t find the sleeve piece so I just traced it off a dress, freestyling the cap (this is what I did for the Megumin dress too).

I am so pleased with the result!

If you look too close you’ll see the seams are a bit poor, being just a zigzag (I experimented with the stretchy cam on my Supermatic but it only wants to go backwards?) but overall it looks exactly how I envisioned! I will probably tack down the lining in a few spots to prevent the raw edges rolling, but will totally wear this as-is (when the weather improves). Not bad for about four hours of effort and a total cost of about $12!

Red jeans

I wanted red jeans for ages. 

I got this nice cotton twill years ago—for nursery projects—and cut and even pinned everything months ago. Finally did the sewing part this weekend!

Red jeans!

The pattern is one I drafted years ago from a pair I got in a swap. That was back in 2017 I think—middle of a 4-year posting drought. Here’s a pic of them from a few years ago. They’re the pants I use to make sure my weight isn’t changing too much. Rigid denim is not forgiving! That said I kinda wish I’d gone with a more contemporary wide-leg cut for these, but oh well. They’ll be in style again eventually and I’ll wear them then.

Megumum

 Not done yet, but I’m pretty pleased so far! ComiCon is tomorrow, but even if this is as far as I get, I’ll be happy!

An autumn sewing

Once again, it’s been a while!

So far since my last post, I’ve made another Argil tank top and finally finished my Gr8 Gingham Raglan. Really happy with both (although I barely finished the Argil before the weather changed).

Gr8 Gingham 

Another Argil 

Next up is obviously pyjamas!

Winter flannelette... so far all I’ve done is prewash 

And after that, something very new for me: cycling shorts! 

Fabric and sewing pattern for cycling shorts 

I don’t do a lot of sewing with knits, but I’m doing a 3-day, 300km fundraising ride next summer, so need more kit! Fabric and pattern are from Discovery, chamois on order from Aerotech. Wish me luck!

Summer sewing has begun!

Shopping for something else and found this watermelon fabric I couldn't resist at 50% off. Bought a half metre for $7 and made this halter top: 

In my backyard showing off my clematis 

Sort of improvised as I went along, just sketching out a pattern based on measurements directly on the wrong side of the fabric. I am so happy with it I might try to trace off the pattern onto paper so I can make again (maybe as a dress?).

I also made a skirt, that one I at least took pictures as I was making it, thought I had done that for this as well but it appears not!

Me Made May week 5

The final week of Me Made May! I even actually made (and wore) something new!

This is a shirt - my favourite shirt pattern - that I started eons ago and never finished. Getting the idea to zhuzh it up a bit with a contrast running stitch got me inspired to get it done. 

Monday got cold again. Old cardigan in Knitpicks Gloss, corduroy wrap skirt that i never wore because it was teal, removed colour and over-dyed (might over-dye again to get a better red?)

I saw a cut top on Instagram recently and then realized it was near identical to this one I made out of old sheets three years ago (self-drafted, inspired by this dress), but with an extra flounce (now I'm tempted to add an extra flounce). Polka dot skirt is one i made in 2018 or so.

Me trying to dress like a capitalist for a peace mission. Same favourite shirt pattern (you can see this fabric in that post from 2013), this time in a really nice black pinstripe, and pencil skirt in a fine wool windowpane check.

I love this dress so much. Black cotton broderie with white collar. I have had it (and the shoes) since 2016 or 2017?

Yellow gingham circle skirt (to match the top from last week) and a black silk halter top that was another pandemic project (ugly print remnant bought at discount, colour removed, over-dyed). Note bike shorts and helmet! I cycle in all these outfits; I don't usually bother with shorts but this in particular was for a ride to a gallery about 30km outside of town.