Colder

 Colder and colder, that's this week. Is this it now, are we rolling into winter, or will there be a final snap of warmth? Whatever the weather is doing people say it's unseasonable, so I'm not even sure what to expect anymore!

Today I had a lovely swim in the sea, but it's been the first this year (since it started warming up in may, anyway) where getting in, I felt like actually this is rather cold and perhaps I'd rather sit inside and eat a biscuit instead. But I went in anyway, and as always felt better for it. 

It was made easier by having my crochet dress to change into after. I made this in the spring, and it was, oh, lots and lots of work. Unfortunately once it was finished I discovered that I handed accounted for the weight of the wool and the resulting drag, so rather than the waist sitting at my natural waistline, it was more of a dropped waist which wasn't what I was after. 

I wore it once or twice and then put it away in a wardrobe, feeling disappointed, and every now and then I have wondered if there is a way of picking out a section of it without having to completely unravel it, and not coming up with much. Anyway, as is often the way, I had my eureka moment the second I opened my eyes this morning and got to work on it, taking out the squares around the neckline. It was a bit dicey and I made a couple of wrong snips so here's hoping it doesn't unravel at any moment. I also made a cord for the waist, and now it fits me perfectly, I think I will live in it over winter, and am even desperate to make another now. I will resist the urge as I have plenty to get in with already.

I also got around to making the dress from the duvet fabric I bought last week. I just used the pink side, and only about two thirds of it at that, so this is one of the least expensive garments I have ever made at about £1.50, not including the pattern. 

I decided not to have a contrast collar this time as I thought it would be too twee with the pink, and I left the pleats open for a poofier skirt. My greatest triumph came after I begun sewing, I realised I would need another zip. Rather than ordering one online, which I am trying not to do, I thought I would try my local charity shop which I knew had a few zips last time I went. In the even they only have one in the right length and rather than white it was creamy yellow. I bought it anyway, I think for 40p, and came home and put it in a jar of bleachy water for an hour, and thankfully it turned perfectly white and I was able to complete the dress in a day. 

We had, not our first, but our first fire that was properly justified this week. We all enjoyed, especially the cats. Over the weekend the girls and I put up the window halloween decorations, better late than never. 

At the weekend we went to the National Botanic Gardens and saw a small, but exquisite display of costumes inspired my stories in the Mabinogion. One if the things that was so fascinating and wonderful about these costumes, the stories aside, was that for many of them the materials and techniques were detailed on an information board, and almost all of the materials were old curtains, things from car boot sales, bits and bobs from the button box. Inspiring stuff. 

I have a jacket pattern I'm keen to make, and I'm thinking if I can find a pair of velvet curtains they could be just the boy. 

Now I'm off for a run in the cold, and then have housework to catch up on, as always, so time to go!