After a very busy sewing weekend (more about that at the end), I needed a small project to pick up this week. Something that didn’t involve handling volumes of fabric. My current quilt really wasn’t going to fit the bill. It’s reached the stage where it’s more than an armful and, without doubt, I needed something different, although I am itching to finish it.

Instead, I’ve picked up my Dear Daughter quilt, which uses the English piecing patchwork technique. Basically the shapes are made with paper and then the fabric attached to it. Eventually the paper is removed, once the fabric is all sewn together. Usually I’d tack the fabric to the paper, but I used fabric glue this time. It’s quicker and washes out.

It felt strange going back to hand stitching patchwork, after a couple of projects using the sewing machine. Much slower and I felt slightly impatient and irritated at first. Once I was back in the rhythm, I remembered how it provides space and more of a mindful time. I began to enjoy it more. I love how different techniques can give such a different experience.

I think this is the last block in the quilt. I have the fabric for the sashing, so maybe I’ll start piecing the blocks together this week. I’m undecided about whether to write the final letter just yet (each block has a letter). I might leave it to the end, or write this one plus one final letter for the whole quilt. Still pondering.

On to a knitting update next. I’m creeping up the sleeve of my blue jumper. Still at the stage of increasing the width, as I head for the shoulder. Probably the biggest news on this is that I’ve finally found the matching needle. Both are 4mm, but I’ve been using a slightly longer needle. The length gives a subtle difference to the balance, I find, but after a few rows it does make a difference. Trust me to find it after finishing one cardigan and almost finishing this one.

Oh and finally I need to add an explanation to this photo. I used it as my Sunday photo, but was too tired to add more. On Saturday, I spent the day with one of my nieces, who happens to be getting married this year. She found a dress that she loved and, without giving anything away, looked amazing in it. The dress although lovely had one feature that was going to prove a problem on the day.

Their reception is in a field. In the UK. If it doesn’t rain on the day, the likelihood is that it will rain on the days running up to it, leaving the surface wet. Her dress had a train. It was also too long all round. By the end of their big day, sprinkling flower seeds on the dress’s train might have been a totally viable option.  To cut (see what I did there) an extremely long story short and to avoid revealing any more details about the dress, the photo above is the remains of the train and length.

Watching her walk up and down her flat afterwards, wearing the dress, I could see how much easier it was for her. It will still get dirty to a certain extent, but it is now balanced. She is no longer fighting against the volumes of fabric. She was wearing the dress and not the other way round. The dress wearing her.

It was a long, long day and I wish I could have tidied up a few more bits, but she’s happy. I couldn’t imagine doing this for anyone else but my nieces or daughters. Full of admiration for seamstresses that make alterations for clients. It was such fun spending a whole day with her. Not sure I’ve ever done that before. We didn’t stop talking.

So glad I could help. I feel honoured she trusted me.

I’ll post up photos of the big day, so you can see the dress eventually.