A top for any Factory

Well its been quite the weekend here in Tamaki Makaurau, a summers worth of rain fell in approx. 15 hours on Friday, roads were flooded, houses inundated and my husband and sister still thought it would be a grand idea to attend the Elton John concert. Seriously.

I dropped them off as close as possible to Mt Smart stadium , complete with plastic ponchos* and already wet feet in rain I would describe as biblical. The three km ride home was hair raising to say the least , only to discover five minutes after walking in the door the concert was cancelled. Gah! In hindsight it was a blessing, walking home after several more hours of deluge would have been a disaster, and emergency services were already well pushed. Tragically four people have lost their lives, which rather puts things into perspective.

I’ll admit I moaned like a champ when we put the fence in down the side of the section and the volcanic rock our part of Auckland sits on meant a digger we booked for half a day took three (at eye watering expense) But what may be hard is also porous and we have been very lucky not to experience any flooding. So what to do when it just won’t stop raining? Sew of course.

I made the Factory dress a few years back, and have worn it to bits, so was very keen when Merchant & Mills released a digital addition to the pattern, a top version I knew would get plenty of wear.

It’s a simple shape, but Merchant & Mills patterns are all in the detail. The front split hem, rolled sleeves and lovely collar all make it feel a bit more special.

It’s a fairly simple sew, I only come a cropper slightly when I realised Lazy Kristina had not changed the thread on her overlocker and it was not a great look on the turned back sleeve!

So instead, I turned the hem inwards and then folded it back on itself, stiching around the cuff to secure.

I don’t think it looks quite as good as the original cuff, but does have the benefit of a) not unfolding, b) not requiring me to unpick overlocking, which is always a good thing for my blood pressure and marriage.

I’m really pleased with the finished top, I really like the utility look with pants and sneakers or jeans. The linen is Sea Green from The Fabric Store and yes I do look a tad crumpled. We went out for a family lunch to celebrate my sister & Mr PK’s birthdays, a long leisurely Sunday lunch is so much fun, and not something we tend to do at a restaurant, so this was a treat.

I also got to wear a Xmas pressy, a new brooch from Erstwilder !

This is an Ibis, part of the Egyptian revival range, resin with lovely gold detailing. Ibis were under the protection of the deity Thoth, responsible for among other things writing, mathematics, measurement and time. Rather appropriate for a sewist accountant who likes to blog yes? I love wearing brooches, and have a collection, including some fabulous Erstwilder numbers I shall post in coming weeks. Old skool, like watching an episode of your favorite show then wait a whole week for the next one. Does anyone remember that?

I have to share the most amazing cocktail I had at lunch today. We went to Oyster & Chop , after a Crayfish Bisque and some banging steak I was rather too full for pud (I don’t have much of a sweet tooth anyway) but on tasting my sisters Porn Star Martini (yes…) I had to have one. Vanilla Vodka, Passionfruit liquor, sugar syrup , lime and a little shot of sparkling wine, OMG seriously yummy. I shall be making these at home, although I will be changing the name…

I received a lovely Xmas gift from my sister in law, a subscription to Dish magazine. I’ve tried to limit my magazine purchasing in the last few years, they had built up and I realised I would never look through all of them , let along read/cook everything. But Dish is so beautifully photographed, and I never fail to find several, if not many recipes in every issue I want to make. The food is a good mix of quick and easy and more complicated dishes, plus drinks and places to visit. Its also bi monthly, so each issue feels like a real treat.

Helpfully the new issue has several yummy tomato recipes, look at that haul, not bad for one plant I put in myself (called Tommy Toe because how could I resist??) , and one which self seeded from last year.

I picked this up from the Library during the week, you know when a book just speaks to you. I’ve only just delved in but already it’s just glorious, wonderful writing and delicious recipes. Chicken Kiev oozing garlic butter, Creamy Mashed Potato ( I had a fairly frank exchange of views with a colleague on this one, unless vegan of course, why would you add olive oil to mash when you could add butter???) , Cacio e pepe with butter, heck yes please!

In other news I shall be starting back on my exercise routine next week. I promise.

I hope wherever you are it’s safe, warm and dry, take care friends

Kristina x

* My sister Dette & I were stuck in a mighty rainstorm in Venice, we swallowed our inner fashionista and brought plastic ponchos, which was great until Dette discovered hers had a hood…it was filled with water which she promptly tipped all over herself. I would have helped with the dry off but I was laughing to hard too stand upright..