curtainy-clothes
It was about this time last year that I was complaining about my horribly cold hands, and I've decided I must have circulation problems, because the chill-blains have returned again this year. Last year, my mum made me these lovely fingerless mitts, but stupidly i lost one of them on my travels. But look what she finished for me yesterday:
Thank you, Mum- I love them- so warm and cosy with cables, and made from handspun yarn the colour of the sea. i like to think of the creamy yarn as being sea-foam, edging the gloves. She used an Interweave Knits pattern, but I can't seem to find which magazine they were from now. I'll update this when i've checked with her.
And in an effort to branch out from the same winter skirt and pants I've been wearing too often, I made another from some thick green cotton/linen, and pieces of a vintage barkcloth curtain for the pockets and bottom panel. The skirt does up with a side zip.
It's just a basic do-it-yourself pattern created by tracing around another skirt that i liked the shape of- which doesn't always work out- but I'm happy with the fit of this one. The best thing is, this skirt fits fine over my winter wool pants, which is a look that not everyone appreciates, but I'm loving right now. (It's cold.) When I take Arlo to kindy, I can sense the 'there's the crazy lady who wears all her clothes at once' look I'm getting from some of the parents and maybe also the children, but I don't mind too much. I think all my winter skirts have been made from curtains, but perhaps it's the influence of watching The Sound Of Music too often as a child. I always thought those kids looked the coolest when they were wearing their curtain outfits.
Aah but at least your the crazy WARM lady who wears all her clothes at once!! Love the handwarmers. My sister is attempting her first (major) knitting project at the moment- handwarmers with cables. (she is brave!) I haven't seen hers- I wonder if they are the some ones?
Posted by: Jessicah | June 27, 2007 at 12:40 PM
'there's the crazy lady who wears all her clothes at once'--HA! That's too funny. I love the skirts-over-pants look myself. I like layering my clothes in general. But we have had 90 degree heat lately so I've been layering my bathing suit with my tank top and that's about it.
I just love the warmers your Mum made for you. And your print-fabric pockets are always so cute in all of their many ways.
Posted by: amanda | June 27, 2007 at 12:54 PM
what a nice mom you have!
and i LOVE the skirt - perfect.
Posted by: kirsten | June 27, 2007 at 01:43 PM
That curtainy skirt is awesome. I've been thinking about the Sound of Music today too - wonder where that's coming from?
Posted by: Megan | June 27, 2007 at 02:05 PM
(laughs) I thought that making clothes from the curtains in T.S.O.M was amazing when as a child, now that I think about it, that is being resourceful. Love the pockets on that skirt. :)
and.. I can feel a mum's love there..... gush.
Posted by: Fiona | June 27, 2007 at 02:19 PM
me too. that hasalways been my favorite part of that movie! love that skirt. and the gloves. making me long for some cooler temps!
Posted by: heidi | June 27, 2007 at 02:25 PM
Hi Melissa, beautiful things as always. Such a treat when you have added a new entry! Like reading a new mag, and always inspiring. Struan and I enjoyed meeting you and tom in the weekend. We would love to meet up again when we come back.
Posted by: melissa | June 27, 2007 at 04:17 PM
i LOVE your curtain outfil!! you look scrummy - well done!
xxx
Posted by: steph | June 27, 2007 at 04:24 PM
those mittens look extrta cozy and great for when you want to sew beautiful bark-clothed pockets on skirts! well done!
Posted by: tash at poppyseeds | June 27, 2007 at 05:20 PM
Wow - that skirt is FABULOUS! If you had them in your shop I'd BUY ONE!
Posted by: Alison | June 27, 2007 at 05:26 PM
very resourceful of you! I've got a lovely embroidered tablecloth that I think would make a lovely summer skirt - but will it still look like a tablecloth?
Posted by: janet clare | June 27, 2007 at 05:28 PM
It's c-c-c-c-cold here too. Delicious mittens!
Posted by: alisonmc | June 27, 2007 at 06:12 PM
Oh my... i love the mitts and the skirt is lovely:)
Posted by: Zelia | June 27, 2007 at 08:24 PM
Hey, no-one (but us) need know - your clothes are unique, which says more about your individual expression than buying mass marketed stuff! Remember wearing a miniskirt made from pillow cases over leggings with trainers in 92 and wondering if I'd lost it, but I felt comfortable and happy, and now everyone wears trainers with skirts. You are probably a trendsetter, we had an article over here that in London the IN THING is to have bespoke recycled clothes! Cx
Posted by: caireen | June 27, 2007 at 10:12 PM
hehe! remember my early morning hockey story. I wear all my clothes at once too - even when I don;t leave home.
I adore those fingerless gloves. I love that they have a proper thumb and the colours - don't tease me, please. They are perfect.
I can't thank you and Tom enough for your help with the homework. I wish you could see his little delighted face. It's priceless.
xx
Posted by: rachael | June 27, 2007 at 11:21 PM
Too funny! I must be the crazy lady too then, because I hate being cold and tend to layer as much as possible too:) I like the new skirt you made!
Posted by: Chara Michele | June 28, 2007 at 05:35 AM
ack! i love clothes made from linens! that is a great skirt... i too love to wear the pants and skirt combo, people may look at us funny but we know we are cool, right?
Posted by: ginny | June 28, 2007 at 06:09 AM
Oooh, I love those gloves! What a nice mama to make you a second set. And just this weekend in Colorado I said to my brother, "Do you feel like we should be wearing matching outfits made of curtains?"
Like minds.
Posted by: africankelli | June 28, 2007 at 10:55 AM
that's my favorite way to wear a skirt or dress, layered over jeans...i like to think the strange looks are really looks of envy :)
i love the vintage fabric you used for the pockets...
Posted by: Tif | June 28, 2007 at 03:18 PM
I love your skirt. Perfection.
I'm off tomorrow - but take care over the next week - I might even send a postcard from exotic Lake Taupo! WooH.
Keep warm!
x Helen
Posted by: Helen | June 28, 2007 at 03:20 PM
The skirt and the gloves are gorgeous. I think if the other mothers are looking at you it is only because they think you look lovely. :-)
Posted by: Sue | June 28, 2007 at 07:13 PM
What lovely gloves! I've been wanting to attempt to make some for myself but haven't been brave enough. What a lucky girl you are to have such a nice mom. And the skirt is beautiful! Those other mommies are just jealous they aren't as stylish as you!
Posted by: caliconurse | June 29, 2007 at 12:40 AM
Ah, vintage barkcloth, so beautiful. The other mums just wish they knew where to buy such original clothing.
Posted by: VictoriaE | June 29, 2007 at 10:20 AM
I love the skirt! Very cool - I would love to make something like that sometime soon. It's weird how people can't handle difference aye. I get called a hippy at work - and I'm not even one at all - usually its because I'm drinking herbal tea or eating something organic. People can just be dumb.
Posted by: Kate Shuttleworth | June 29, 2007 at 11:21 AM
Love the skirt :)
Posted by: Hege | June 30, 2007 at 03:41 AM