After the Blue Phase

Time

I hope I have finished the Blue Phase now! 

Winter is fading so I dare to believe and the light has changed, and to fight dullness I made a range of blue Tops. I don't really like to wear black. Although people still associate this colour with me probably because I had a very Black Phase a very very long time ago, it stuck to their mind. Even though it was followed by a White Phase and then a very colourful period.....

I seem to start working on my working days and as soon I am busy time is over. I understand that I have to corporate with my family life but it is like everything in my life at the moment. There is a thought or I start something and in a blink I am taken out and have to do something else. Normal for this stage of life, I still struggle with it and it keeps me feeling fragmented. A good challenge to still get things done, time efficiency is required and concentration. Which brings me back to my Blue Phase. I lack all of it. And chocolate is one of my dearest friend at the moment...oh.

There are only 2 more unfinished tops waiting to be made which feels much better than a pile and I decided to do some other very practical things today. Starting with a hairband. You might think that is boring.  But to wear your hair all day long with an uncomfortable hairband only leaves you with headache and a very bad mood. And although I went through my whole workspace and did a spring clean at the same time (actually quite efficient!) I cannot find my one and only so comfortable hairband anymore. Ridiculous, it takes about 5 minutes to make and I only had one? Made of the edge of lycra - I love using leftovers - it is very elastic but still maintains enough stretch to keep my bun where I want to have it all day long without headache or broken hair.

Next on the list are undies and a bra but I won't go into anymore detail....... Ready for a long long Easter Holiday.......

Quick & Easy Hairband

Gentle to your hair and very easy to make - a Hand stitched Hairband

Reproducing one of my latest projects over and over again, I had to think about how to use the leftovers of this gorgeous bamboo cotton jersey. This was not hard because I really don't like hairbands I can get in the supermarket and I don't want to scout for good ones.... and I always loose mine or rather spread them in unknown places. Just to demonstrate the cross stitch better I used white material for the movie.

If you enjoyed watching this movie, please don't forget to like, share ♥, thank you!

So this is what you need:
.stretchy jersey with lots of cotton in it so it won't be too slippery
.a plastic ruler
.a rotary cutter
.buttonhole thread
.a needle (sharps no4)
.some thin pins
.fabric scissors

.. preparation
Depending how you will use your hairband, determine a size that suits your needs.

With your rotary cutter cut a strip of about 4 cm width (but try also 3 or 2 cm, it depends on the size of your hairband and the thickness of your jersey) and the desired length along the grain line. Include 1 cm overlap in your strip and pin the overlapped ends (1 cm).

. . sewing
Thread your needle, make one single knot at the edge and about 7 mm higher up make a double knot.

Loop your thread around the edge and come up making the first bottom part of your Cross Stitch. Sew the Cross Stitch all along tip you reached the other edge, loop around it make a double knot close to the fabric and a single knot about 7 mm further away and trim.

Now you can pull you hairband and stretch it which makes the edges curl up, tuck in the area where the seam is.

Finished!

To be repeated in bigger or smaller sizes or thinner width and very useful to make it in the size that fits around your wrist........

How to Make a Headband

How to Make a useful Headband - very easy & versatile

This Headband is a must have for my comfort and daily life. Whether working, dancing or on the bike I don't want my hair in the way but I need something soft and gentle to hold it in place. I found this version very useful:

. . .if you enjoyed watching this movie please don't forget to like & share it, thank you!


What you need
.stretchy soft jersey with lots of cotton or it will be too slippery
.a plastic ruler
.a rotary cutter
.buttonhole thread
.a needle (sharps no4)
.some thin pins
.fabric scissors
.tailor's chalk

. . preparation
Determine the size you need with a strip of your material (cut along the grain line) and mark it with a pin. I usually make it a tick smaller because the fabric will give, but not too tight to keep it comfortable. Add 1 cm for overlap and cut a rectangle of 10 cm width (across the grain line) and the desired length of your headband (along the grain line). 

Using tailor's chalk mark a line 9 cm away from the edge and across the grain line. Repeat on the other side. The area between those lines will be cut into strips.

Cut along the grain line from marked line to marked line leaving a 2 cm spacing between these strips. The strips make it more adjustable and it looks lighter and is also decorative.

. . sewing
Pin the edges overlapping 1 cm and thread your needle. Make a single knot close to the edge and a double knot about 7 mm further up. Start sewing a Cross Stitch by looping the thread around the edge first. Do this a second time and the space between these loops will determine the height of the Cross Stitch. 

Come up and make the first bottom part of your Cross Stitch. Continue all the way to the other edge, finish with two loops, a double knot close to the fabric and a single knot 7 mm further away. Trim.

Stretch the headband and make the strips curl up and it is ready to use.