Innes & Swan

Apr 5

Hello There!

I’m back from my self imposed, semi retirement! People who know me will recognize that I have been here before. Yes, there have been many a deleted blog in the past. I didn’t hit delete this time:) Why the sudden disappearance? Well, I have a tendancy to take on projects, give it my all and then quickly burn out. I would be wise to live by the old addage of “slow and steady wins the race”. Whenever I try to turn a blog into a money making venture, it just doesn’t feel right. Quite frankly, I don’t have the desire to put in the work involved. I don’t want to be tweeting my every movement. I don’t think I’m all that special. No, I’m just a normal mom like you. In the words of Ann Voskamp, “I’m a mess”. Yes, my house gets messy, the children fight, I lose my cool, and sometimes we eat smoothies and popcorn for lunch. But you know what? I’m okay with that. I’m okay with not “doing it all”. I’ve realized that it is humanly impossible!

So, why blog? Well, I love to share information. My friends will tell you that if there is some obscure, made in Germany, hard to find item I will source it out. If there is a great site with free Japanese patterns, I want others to know about it. I don’t blog because I think that my life is better than yours, I blog because I love to create and I love to connect with other creative people. I will continue to post periodically, but I’m taking all pressure off of myself. I hope that you will continue to pop in every once and a while to see what I’m up to. Oh, and the sweet bunny in the photo? She was made by our eldest daughter Emma.

Feb 23

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Free Pattern: Voile Pajama’s

This past summer I bought some Anna Maria Horner voile that was on sale at Huggeligt. The fabric sat in my stash until a couple of weeks ago, because as gorgeous as the fabric is, I couldn’t think of what to do with it. I love colour, but the print is a little louder than I usually wear. I spotted a free pattern for pyjama’s on the Advantages Magazine website. Voile pyjama’s? Oh yes! These loungers from Anthropologie served as the inspiration for the wide contrast cuff. I nixed the pyjama top, and opted to use a tank I have that just happened to be the perfect match.

Some pattern notes; I sewed the size 40 pant, but I found that I needed to add an extra 1/2 ease in the thigh area. I usually wear a size 8 bottoms. Luckily I had the foresight to sew up a muslin of the pants, using some cotton that I had put aside for such a purpose. I know that it is an extra step, but I highly recommend sewing up a muslin, especially if you are using special fabric. There is nothing worse than making something that doesn’t fit right! I added a 6″ cuff to the bottom and a bow to the waist using contrasting fabric.

There is a nice DIY for a pair of shirred voile p.j pant bottoms at Noodlehead. I may have to make these, as I am now a little addicted to sewing with voile!

Feb 19

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This Year

Why hello! I took a bit of time off from blogging to sort my priorities out, and to think about my goals for this year. It has been really inspiring reading other peoples goals for 2013. I have purposely kept my goals very simple and doable-no 265 projects for me! My list is quite short, and my priority for this year is to save money.

My goals for 2013:
1. Spend less money!
2. Sew from my fabric stash
3. Plant a garden
4. More time for read-alouds
5. Take a week to think about an item before buying it

I am not going to be legalistic with my list; if I need to buy some lining or a zipper, I will purchase them. But I do hope to be more conscious of my spending. Planting a garden is the top priority for this spring, it helps that I am married to a horticulturist, as I do not possess a green thumb. Reading aloud more often to the kids also made the list. We are a book loving family, but anyone who has a wiggly two year old knows that having them sit still for extended periods during story time can be a challenge. I should say for a story other than Hairy MacClary!

My notebook is a K&Company Smashbook. I am a sucker for notebooks, and this has so far been my favourite. It has tons of pages for doodles and lists, and is interspersed with vintage photography, clip art and cute prints.

Feb 2

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Free Pattern: Colour Block Kimono Shirt

What is it about freezing cold weather that makes me want to sew clothing for spring? I was on a search for free sewing patterns a few weeks ago and I found a great French site Advantages Magazine, which has free patterns under the ‘Couture’ category. I have made a couple of the patterns so far, the first being this pattern for a Kimono blouse. I love the simplicity of the pattern, and I thought that it would translate well into the colour block trend that is popular this year. Speaking of translating, google translate produces a rather amusing translation for the pattern instructions. If you are experienced with patterns, I don’t think that you will have any trouble figuring it out on your own! To download the pattern, scroll to the bottom of the page and click ‘Telechargez le Patron’. To download the pattern layout click ‘Telechargez le Schema’.

Some pattern notes; I sewed the smallest pattern size, which is the size ’38′. For comparison, I am a size 6 on top. I took 2 inches off of the width of the sleeves, and blended it into the side seams. The original design has the sleeve going straight across to the bodice, but because I was using linen and not the silk as suggested in the pattern, the sleeves were a little full and they stuck out in an awkward manner. I also left off the contrast sleeve facing and the contrast hem band. Because of this I lengthened the shirt by 1 1/2 inches. I used linen from my stash, but it would also be beautiful made with voile.
This photo shows how I curved the sleeves into the side seams:

If you are looking for a quick and easy sewing project for spring, this is the one!

Jan 28

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Valentine Stitching

I hope that everyone in this end of the world has survived the cold snap. I hibernated at home, and started a few Valentines Day projects from my favourite embroidery book ‘A Rainbow of Stitches’. This book is a great source of modern cross stitch and embroidery projects. The Aida cloth, floss and towel come from a stash of craft supplies that were given to me. I can’t say no to free craft supplies! Valentine’s Day is the one time of year that I think you can get away with displaying a garish red fingertip towel. I also have a scrappy fabric heart bunting in the works.

What have you been doing to stay busy during this dreary time of year?

Jan 18

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Favourite Things: Lazybones

Thanks to Pinterest, I have just discovered the gorgeous Australian company called Lazybones. Originally making only sleep wear, they have expanded their line to include clothing, bedding and girls clothing. Vintage floral prints? Voile cotton? Fluffy white quilts? I’m in heaven!

Here is a peek at some of my favourite things:

Eden Curtain