woolly warm

Fed up with cold!

I must admit I reached the edge of acceptance. I am too cold for too long. My winter wardrobe is actually quite good with some experience of gale attacked islands but at this point of the season my tolerance is very low and I am seriously fed up and permanently dreaming of warm.

Anyway thinking and dreaming did not warm at all so I just made IT and all for myself!!!

The design is the favorite Hand stitched Yoga Tank Top and it is made of some greyish bluey woolly material.

I started it yesterday out of deep freezing frustration and finished it this afternoon and have been warm since, very warm.

Now I am thinking of a long sleeve extension to complete it . . .

giveaway - excitement, part 1

2000 FB likes and the fun can begin!

I know I am still far away from 2000 FB likes (although I am very proud of my almost 200, thank you!)but there is no reason not to participate in a giveaway-event.

I met Jonua from Paris or she found me? and as soon as her FB page 

reaches 2000 she will start her big giveaway-event.

There will be a lot of vendors participating and all you have to do is 

like and comment and you can win!!!! 

She started promoting these vendors on her blog already, so have a look

what the prizes are that you can win!

To help reach her 2000 FB likes you could participate in another giveaway-event

hosted by Sandy and co-hosted by Jonua and you can win even more!

Find out more on Sandy's FB and Sandy's blog.

Why am I promoting this? 

Because I am one of the vendors at Jonua's giveaway-event 

and you can win these Hand stitched Yoga socks 

made of 100% Organic Cotton jersey! . . . . . to be continued . . 

a sunday on the beach

Freezing Sunday but cool pictures:   i can cu   on the beach

Sometimes it is just perfect. 

The sun is shining, nanny minds the kids and the car is available. O wow. I was so excited all day to venture to the beach and show off i can cu Hand stitched Yoga wear / fashion in front of a not so patient camera man.

The newest top got finished in time and the selected clothes had to face the iron and were neatly packed into a big bag. Wellies on off we went.

I am so not used to realize plans lately so I was a bit tense all way . . . . .

But no worries. We found some nice dunes, after a bit of moaning because of the sunlight not being on our side and getting used to the blowing wind, the photo shooting started and after a bit we had about 300 pic and I was freezing.

Here is the first pic:

* Hand stitched classic jacket in organic cotton jersey 

* stitched stripy tank top/harmony collection

* Hand stitched Yoga pants in black Organic Cotton/Bamboo Jersey 

time to vote?

The inkblot in a contest

My Treasury >the inkblot< is taking part in the Treasury contest!!

If you have a minute please vote for it!
many thanks
http://onfireforhandmade.com/etsy-treasury-contest-feb-16/

it is still Valentines Day. .

It is still Valentines Day!

treat your self with -15 % using LOOOVE

http://www.etsy.com/shop/icancu2

super comfy Yoga pants

Hand stitched Yoga pants in black Organic Cotton/Bamboo Jersey - and super comfy

They are here! The test phase is over and these super comfy Hand stitched Yoga pants are available it the shop now. 

And NEW! you can choose the colour of the contrasting seams to choose in the drop down menu (the crotch-seams stay dark)

These Hand stitched Yoga pants do not have an elastic band but a comfy fabric waist band. This makes them even more comfortable and un-feelable.
They sit snug but are not tight, the cut gives a nice look and feel. The fabric, Organic Cotton/Bamboo, is gorgeous to wear and soft to your skin.

Ideal for Yoga as they give a lot of freedom and are soft but I guess they will be a favorite for every day use.

Spring 4 Liverpool

A bit of spring for Liverpool

Just finished 2 pairs of wrist warmers in the shades variation. These have only 3 colours but wider sections. Don't know but they took ages to finish, probably due to sick kids and lots of ideas and new bamboo/cotton super jersey that arrived and is just waiting in front of my eyes . . .Anyway they are in the shop now here in Liverpool. The shop is an art shop and you can find a lot of gorgeous things there and it also attracts some interesting people. Volunteering there means meeting some of them and enjoying talking to them as well. Really nice when they are interested in Hand stitched fashion and even purchase some!

Yoga socks ready for their journey

From fabric to packaging

I had a good working day. . .and a very busy one. I prepared a pair of Hand stitched yoga socks 

for their journey and doing that included packaging and screen printing. I happened to have some hours on my own which is a rare occurence and only arises spontaneously and is completely impossible to plan. So I enjoyed myself and only stopped for a brief break for my yoga set and a snack.
My working day has not finished yet but for now I will devote myself to my family . . .

DIY Hand stitched infinity scarf

DIY Hand stitched infinity scarf / head band / necklace / accessories / emergency scarf for freezing kids . . .

I don't think I have enough infinity scarves. My first Hand stitched infinity scarf was made out of a bit of scrap material. I found a piece of cashmere knit exactly the right size to fit twice around my head. The material (rectangle) was longer along the grain line which was fine for me because it stretches less this way and is perfect for a headband that keeps its shape.

So that is how my infinity scarf production started and I adapted it in many different ways. One for example is made out of the leftovers of an Organic Cotton jersey top I made and turned into a scarf with lots of necklaces. Another one is made of a warm knit and a bit wider so I can pull it over my head and it is very warming and cozy. . . So if you would like to stitch your own infinity scarf by hand, 
this is what you need:
. Fabric - anything that does not fray but stretches
. Cutting Matt
. Rotary Knife (optional)
. Plastic Ruler
. Milward Sharps Needle No4
. Gutermann Top Stitch Thread in colour(s) of your choice
. Thin Pins
. Embroidery Scissors
. Fabric Scissors

STEP ONE

First decide what shape your infinity scarf should have. This project demonstrates a thinner version, that serves as a headband but also a necklace or scarf. 
The width should fit twice around your head, add about 1.5cm for seam allowance. The height is about 33cm but again decide what suits your purpose. The grain line runs with the length of the rectangle.

STEP TWO

Then pin the (shorter) edges (pic 2).

I usually fold the material so the wrong side is inside and the felled seam you will create will be outside. The reason for this: When you wear the scarf it twists and so when the inside is visible it looks neat and still attractive and the seam being placed on the outside gives another element to look at (pic 5+6).

STEP THREE 
Make 1 knot at the very end (about 2mm away from the edge) to prevent fraying and then about 1cm higher make 2 knots in the same place to fixate your thread at the start.(The double knot in the same place might take a bit of practice)

(fot the knot also see http://icancu4more.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/diy-hand-stitched-wash-bag.html) 

Start stitching. I loop the first stitch around to the back and up very close to the first hole which seems to give it more hold. Then sew in a straight line a straight stitch. 

The stitches should have a nice rhythm. Too wide leaves a gap, too narrow might ruin the fabric. When you reached the end run your finger along the stitching from the beginning to the end to find the right tension between fabric and thread. Too tight and the fabric looses its stretch, too loose and the thread makes loops. 

Finish as you started. Loop the last stitch around to the front and down next to the same hole, make a double knot in the same place (on the wrong side) by using your nail and a single knot further away, trim the thread. Ideally both knots the first one and the last one are on the same side.

STEP FOUR

Pin the seams to the side where your knots are (so they will hide under the seam). Thread your needle, it is nice to use a contrasting colour for this eye-catching cross stitch. 

The start is the same as for the straight stitch by looping your thread around the edge. Come up next to the loop and make the first bottom part of the cross stitch, the needle should come up at the same distance from the edge as the stitch that came up next to the loop. The top part is exactly the same as the bottom part but moved to the right and you come up at the same distance from the edge as the last stitch that came up on the bottom. . . Keep your top and bottom parts of your cross stitch in a line so your stitch looks regular with a nice rhythm. In the last pic you can see the wrong side. 

End as you started by creating a loop that goes to the back right next to the last stitch. Knot off and trim.

Enjoy!

And now you can also watch The movie for making a Hand stitched infinity scarf:

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

Yoga pants test phase

Testing Day for my new Hand stitched Yoga pants

When I did my training as a graphic designer I remember finding myself criticizing the to my opinion wrong spacing on shampoo and soap packaging or whatever was there in the bathroom while I was washing my hair. 

For my Birthday I got a voucher for Liverpool One, which is a popular shopping corner in the center of Liverpool. And again I was looking at seams and shapes . . . .

It has been now over a year that I am 'off high-street' and wearing handmade. I am far away from having a whole wardrobe stitched by hand but I am getting there, slowly.

So the next project are these Hand stitched Yoga pants. I designed already classic leggings which are very comfortable but I wanted to top it with a band made of the same fabric as the pants instead of an elastic band. The reason for this is it is soooooooooo comfortable and gentle around the waist. I call them pants because they are not as tight as leggings but still have a snug fit. The eye-catching cross stitching transforms this rather simple design into some very nice Hand stitched Yoga pants.

Today is the test phase for the cut and so far no pulling and adjusting and only comfort . . . .

Soon to be tested in an Organic jersey made of bamboo, cotton and elasthene. Really looking forward to that!

% SALE - get ready 4 spring!

Icancu has a new SALE section to help you to get ready for spring and refresh your wardrobe!

It is January and spring is wanted! 

I am really looking forward to a warmer season and thought it is good to get prepared. 

This new SALE section will help you to refresh your wardrobe . . . . Enjoy!

icancu2.etsy.com