Extra clothing allowance

In addition to the six clothing items, as you have already seen I am allowed lots of accessories, essentials like knickers and shoes and one coat.  I am wearing my grey knit dress again today (and my leadlight cardigan as I'm postponing turning on the central heating) but as I have photographed it several times already I thought I would show off my coat instead.

The coat pleases me is several different ways.  Firstly is is made almost entirely from stash materials

From the top, scraps of hand painted silk velvet (from my cousin the fabric artist, Sharon Verry's oddments bag), dark blue lining material from stash, orange silk lining from Cloth House in Berwick Street, (bought specially but with an aged credit note) and wool tweed given to me by a friend who found it in her loft when having a clear out recently.

I thought a about the style for a long time before putting scissors to the fabric.  I especially wanted a stand-up collar with inward facing revers. Eventually I chose the collar and sleeves from this pattern and cut the straight body shape free hand.

This is possibly my most used pattern, I have slashed and stuck the jacket and dress patterns in so many directions I am wondering how much longer it will last.

My coat's first outing was to be to my cousin's youngest son's wedding in December last year, hence my wish to use some of her velvet

The huge ceramic buttons are from a craft shop in Porthleven Cornwall.  I lined the sleeves with the dark blue lining and the body in orange silk

Button holes as well as the moon gazing hare are in velvet.  I sourced the hare outline from Pinterest and freehand cut it into slices to be able to use as many different colours of the velvet as possible.  I ironed on fusible interfacing before cutting the pieces and machine appliquéing  them to the cut out back section of the coat

xx

c

On the thirteenth day

This afternoon I shall be mainly sitting on the sofa

... and after I have posted this photograph of me wearing my grey knit dress and hand knit Leadlight cardigan for day 13 of the Lent clothes fast* I shall be knitting.

Twenty two squares finished for the baby blanket, eight to go.

xx

c

* In case you have just come upon my blog I have promised to wear just six items of clothes for six weeks and am seeking sponsorship, raising money for a charity called Labour behind the label.  This is a charity that supports, and campaigns for better conditions for, garment workers in parts of the world where there are not the employment protection laws that we have in the European Union and N America.  If you would like to donate please hit the button at the top of the right hand column (immediately below details of the current total) and you will be taken to a page where you can sign up.  Thank you.

Twelve

Sunday brunch with several offspring, their partners and a sprinkling of grandchildren is a favourite meal.  Everyone is happy with a table piled high with eggs, bacon, sausages and toast. While I pile the sausages into the oven and whisk eggs (for scrambling, do you think I would fry eggs for 10?) the first adult to arrive puts the kettle on for tea and coffee, or forgets and we all just have orange juice, it doesn't really matter.  Sometimes I ring the changes and we have pancakes with maple syrup, bacon, blueberries and creme fraiche - or even kedgeree

Wearing the grey jersey dress with my pale turquoise shawl

The shawl is knitted from Lissom by Yarnscape a 50/50 (merino/tencel) lace weight yarn in the colour seascape.  The pattern is Blight by Deborah Frank.

My shawl pin, which is such a good colour match for Seascape it is sometimes hardly visible in the shawl's folds, is a pyrex glass spiral that I bought at Wonderwoool Wales last year.

xx

c

Day Eleven

I'm getting very comfortable in my jeans and tee shirt

Today with burgundy and gold Kashmiri wool shawl with shisha embroidery

xx

c

(Don't we all) Love Fridays

Friday begins for me at the Gym

Quick selfie after my workout

Then a dash home and the lovely bit - a long hot shower and dressing in comfortable clothes, rewarding myself in the afternoon with a book or my knitting

Day #10's outfit, burgundy skirt, grey tee and Leadlight cardigan

xx

c

Please...

no calls, texts or visits, today I'm working

In silk blouse, black jeans and a big warm pashmina (it can be draughty in my study)

I have a writing assignment for Yarn in the City.  Meanwhile you can hear their latest podcast, including my contribution on the #sixitemschallenge in aid of Labour Behind the Label by clicking HERE

xx

c

PS It's the ninth day of my clothes fast, if you haven't donated and would like to please follow this link

Eight (one week under my belt)

Plain and simple today.  After pilates (in permitted sports kit) I am wearing my black jeans with grey tee shirt

But the scarf in another thing.  It is silk velvet lined with heavy silk habotai, hand painted by my cousin Sharon Verry and available in The Guild of Ten shop in Truro

xx

c