A bit of braid

Waistcoat with braid and buttons

The green braid has taken up most of this week, crocheting the entire length of the waistcoat. After much debate with Elizabeth we decided on a quadruple treble stitch which would have to be pressed by a hot iron as made.  This gives the effect of lace, though before the event it shall need another pressing as I have found it goes fluffy quite quickly. Like the treble stitch it requires the wool being wrapped around the needle before its inserted into the loop, however instead of just wrapping it twice, I have wrapped it four times around the hook. This does take more time to complete each stitch, though it lengthens each one and creates a care free wave effect over the braids edge.

Once the length was made up, it was sewn to the edge of the waistcoat using a basic running stitch and then pressed flat to the edge. 6 sea shell buttons were placed on the waistcoat in 7cm gaps. The sea shells represent the Mock Turtles story in Alice in Wonderland. 

Overall the waistcoat represents the design that Elizabeth drew quite well, it has all the components needed as well as  the back story behind the buttons. The garment is quite tactile as well which will stand out against the shirt cotton.