Milanese Sampler - Done!

My Milanese Sampler is done, and I'm very pleased with it. My sewings aren't the best, but it looks good to me. This little sampler is filled from beginning to end with all the techniques I've learned. Excuse me while I pat myself on the back. Okay, I'm done now.

On to something new. I got my confirmation for the Hungarian Lace Class at the GLLG's Spring Fling, and I'm almost dancing with excitement and anticipation. I scanned the patterns and printed them out on heavy blue paper. I think I'm going to do Pattern #2, and I know I need to practice plaits and picots.

I will also get started sewing my new 'accessories'. Other gals buy new shoes, or get their hair done; I'm all excited about a new tote bag for my pillow and bobbins. Throw in some matching worker cloths, and I'm in heaven!

Milanese Sampler is almost done

I finished Mittens in Half Stitch last week, and the last of Trolly Net filling on Saturday afternoon. I turned the corner in cloth stitch, and finished the braid following the technique on page 19, "Sewing off into an awkward shape". I only need to tie the pairs and cut the bobbins off. I thought I would take a picture before I did that last bit, since to my eye it looks pretty good right now. Who knows what it will look like when I trim the threads and turn it over. You may never see another picture of this sampler again!

I am pleased with my little sampler, simply because I learned so many different techniques and advanced my skills. I began this little adventure in late August and set it aside for three or four months while I worked on Christmas knitting and my Pi Shawl. I didn't track my time, and I regret that.

Saturday afternoon I had a near-disaster. I took the pillow and stand to the back porch; I meant to finish while the weather was nice. The dog was sleeping in the sun, and I thought she might enjoy the company. The neighbor came over to say hi, the dog got antsy, and my lace pillow ended on the ground, pins and bobbins down. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, my 14 pairs of bobbins were secured while I finished the Trolly Net, and all my pins were pushed into the pillow. I had a few minutes of untangling, but no broken threads, even my #14 crochet hook survived the tumble. I will think twice before I do that again!

Knitted Pincushion and Mittens in Half Stitch

Here's a picture of my pillow, you can see my new knitted pincushion. When I was doing my fillings, I used my crochet hook and my pin lifter alternately. I kept losing my crochet hook, it was a nuisance and the darn thing is so sharp. Someone on the Arachne list mentioned a knitted pincushion shaped like a cupcake, and that sounded interesting to me. I searched for a pattern, didn't find one for a cupcake, but did find this little pattern. Of course, I didn't follow that pattern exactly, my pincushion is a simple bandage of garter stitch, 4x18". I folded it in half, coiled it up, and sewed the bottom edges together. I can pin it directly to my pillow, and never lose my crochet hook again.



This is a close up of my progress on my sampler. I finished my filling, and pinned those bobbins out of my way. Then I turned the corner, and started on my last leg, which is Mittens in Half Stitch, found on p.50 in Read's Milanese Lace.

Some of my bobbins are getting low on thread, fortunately those are included in the passives on the edges of the braid. The workers alternate because of the half stitch in the center, and that helps the workers use less thread. I think I'll be able to finish without needing to add in more thread.

More Trolley Net

I'm at a point where I have to decide if I want to continue my sampler or take it off the pillow. I will need the pillow at the GLLGI's Spring Fling, but that's more than a month away. I'm tempted to turn the corner and do another pattern. My large knitting project is done, and nothing has filled that spot yet. I have some sewing to do, but that won't take much time.

Tatt3r buys fabric

Hey, Diametrag, check out my fabric! I took 4 pictures, trying to get the right colors. I even dragged it outside and threw it on the driveway in the sun. When I downloaded the pix, I decided the first one was the best. Even with the flash, the colors are fairly true on my monitor.

I want to make some accessories, a pillow tote, worker cloths, cover cloth, bobbin case and pincushion. I bought 2 yards of each, and should have more than enough.

The solid is a lightweight denim, the print is quilting cotton. I plan to make the bag from denim, with a pocket inside, and put a contrast binding around the outside, denim carrying handles.

I hadn't considered denim when I was thinking about my bag. When I got to the store, they had a good sale and the denim was so soft. I think it's 100% cotton, sure wish they would put that info on my receipt.

The print looks odd in the picture, but the background is light blue with a smoky blue swirling around. The flowers aren't a true blue, but a greeny-teal blue. I wasn't sure I liked it when I got home, and stuffed it in the bag. Now that I've looked at it in the sunlight, it's not too bad.

I want to finish my bookmark (yes, another one) and clean off the dining room table. I'll take out the leaf and do a switcheroo with the sewing machine. Then I'll be able to take some time out from lace and knitting for a bit of sewing. My accessories are related to bobbin lace, and I'll post my progress here.