Opinions needed

I've been packing, so I have not knit or sewn a stitch. But I've been THINKING about knitting and sewing a lot!

I got some of this fabric and want to use it for one of two dresses, but I can't decide which.


Dress 1 is more of a party dress, but I think (?) it could be causal, too. Which is needed, because I don't attend many parties. I think it would look great in this fabric.


Dress 2 is a wrap dress, aka the wear anywhere dress, and I think it would be gorgeous in this fabric, too.

But I want to use the fabric for whichever style the print will go better with. What do y'all think? I am pretty bad at imagining how things are going to look, so I'd love some opinions/advice!

Project planning

Whoops, I forgot earlier to post something I've been meaning to link to for days. I put a new set of photos up on flickr. These are pictures of fabrics I have already, with the patterns I am planning/considering using them on. I'd love to hear what you think of my choices!

For the fabrics that are posted twice, I have to choose which project to use it for. The only exception is the pink plaid, of which I have 2 cuts... it should be enough for me to do both projects.

I'll be adding to this as I get new fabrics for new projects... but that probably won't be soon. I need to get some of these out of the way!

Graduation Earrings!

Here are my special order earrings, designed by Susan of Sulu-designs. Aren't they gorgeous and just perfect for the dress?!


She ships for free, too, just in case you wander over there and see something you must have! ;-)

Edited to add: Photo taken by her, not me. She is a fantastic photographer, I'm not! haha.

Graduation Dress

You know how you see a dress you just LOVE on the hanger, and then you try it on and are disappointed?

That didn't happen with this dress!!

I didn't make my graduation dress, but I love it so much I wanted to show it off anyway! It is from Ann Taylor Loft.


Isn't it lovely?!


Decisions, decisions... which shoes to wear?


A close-up of the shoes in the running.

Which necklace to wear? I'm leaning toward the black, but I just don't know for sure. It's a choker style and I usually like necklaces to be a little longer than that. I really need to find the one I'd planned to wear... but it has unfortunately disappeared for the time being. Hopefully I'll find it by the 19th!

Fused Glass

Remember the class I took last summer in fusing glass? I didn't think so. Haha. Anyway, it was such fun, and I've wanted to do it again since. I finally got my hands on a microwave kiln (sooo neat!), so now I can make more jewelry! But, I know I need other things for fused glass jewelry making... the things I am aware of needing are: glass cutters and pliers, a drill with a teeny-tiny bit, and a grinder. And, of course, the glass. Anything else I need? Anyone know how much this stuff is going to cost me? I know the drill and the grinder are going to be expensive, and I have no idea when I'll be able to get one unless you know of a great deal somewhere! :-)

By the way, if you're interested in one of these microwave kilns, I found them here.

I'm almost to the sleeve shaping on Rapunzel. A very long car trip will do that for ya.

Finals and graduation soon. Yikes! I'll probably be scarce for awhile.

No time for creativity

I'm swamped. I have less than 2 weeks left in the quarter and lots left to do. So I haven't been knitting or sewing at all. I did a few rows on Rapunzel that will have to be ripped because I messed up the moss stitch pattern.

But I am going to have a break, and during that time I HOPE to get lots of sewing done. I am going to focus on sewing because I have hardly any summer clothes. I have a hard time finding things I like in RTW, and I hate the quality of the clothes I can afford. I went to a store in our mall called Rave, and caught a good sale - everything in the store was 40% off! I even found 5 or 6 tops I loved on me! So I got them... only to discover the most expensive one (a knit top that was my favorite purchase) was literally falling apart at the seams. I had it exchanged, and the new one is better, but I'm still going to reinforce the seams just in case. So, after that, I am even more disgusted at how much money you have to spend to buy clothing that doesn't fall apart! Not to mention the whole sweatshop thing. It's one of the reasons I've always wanted to sew.

Anyway, so I found some really great deals on fabric recently, and got some with the hopes of sewing on my break. Unfortunately, I just can't afford to do a SWAP right now (timewise or moneywise), but I have picked out some fabrics (that I just LOVE) that will go well with things I have already, along with a couple that will add some much needed color and variation.

To make my blog less boring, I'll post pics of the fabrics and the patterns I plan to use them with. And also, I'm taking a short study break so I may as well do this.


This is a polyester/lyrca blend. I love the color and the print, and figure that since I'll buy polyester RTW without a second thought, I may as well do the same for fabric. It was really, really inexpensive. I really wish I could find a picture of the pattern I'm planning to use: it's from Burda WOF 8/2006, #104. I can't bring their archive site up right now, so I'll try to post a pic later (wonder what's up with the site?). I'm going to make the top short sleeved instead of long (hopefully that won't be too hard). Edit: Burda is back up, so I was able to get a picture. Here's the top I'll be making with this and the below fabric.


This is a rayon/lyrca blend. I think it's just beautiful! I'll probably use it to make the same top as above, also with short sleeves.


This is a lightweight denim that I'll be using for this Burda WOF denim skirt. LOVE this skirt so much, I just hope it will look great on me! And omg, those shoes... where can I get them? I adore them.


This is SILK chiffon! I love silk so much. Not that I ever wear it, because I am such a klutz, but the fabric was such a great deal that I couldn't pass it up for this chiffon blouse (I will wear a camisole under mine).


This is a pink plaid cotton shirting with 3% lyrca. I already have some of this for a button shirt (haven't decided on a pattern yet), but I got some more to make the modeled view of this skirt. I hardly have any skirts, so I really wanted to make a couple to wear this summer.

I'll probably be making these in order of what looks easiest to hardest. Here's to hoping I can get back into the sewing thing!

Oooh, IK Summer preview is up!

The link is here. And it is looking like a great issue!

My thoughts:

I can't wait for the extra pictures because a few things I'll need to see close up to decide on, but here's what I think.

The On-Your-Toes Socks are socks. I will need a close-up to appreciate them.

The 1824 Blouson will be adorable on the girl who can pull it off. I am not that girl.

The Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt might be cute on the same girl who can wear the 1824 Blouson. Not on me. Also, I hate the color used. It's not brown and it's not grey... it's drab. Ugh.

I like the Notre Dame de Grace Pullover, but it looks a little masculine to me. Maybe it's the color, could be something to do with the shape. I really adore the collar, though.

I LOVE the Josephine top, gorgeous, beautiful, adorable! I will definitely be knitting that. It looks like my beloved Brown Sheep Cotton Fine would work. What color do you like for this top? I like Perry's Primrose or Wild Sage, I think.

The Little Smocked Cardigan looks pretty cute. This is a maybe... there's a chance I'd love it and a chance I'd hate it (on me), and right now I don't know which is more likely.

The Wing Top looks really pretty from the back but I want to see the front.

Lutea Lace-Shoulder Shell could be cute with some waist shaping.

I really like the Wheat Ear Cable Yoke and the Lacy Yoga Bags, but am not too likely to knit either.

I LOVE the Origami Cardi, but I think it would look awful on me. This is usually the case for me with Norah's designs... they're beautiful but don't work with my body type too well. I'll look forward to seeing others' FOs though.

The Summertime Tunic is cute, but I'll need to see FOs before I even think about it.

I cannot imagine wearing gloves made from crochet thread, but the Motorcycle Chica Gloves are cute.

I actually really like the Luvtröja Måns sweater, but I don't have any guys to knit for (my bf would never wear a sweater).

The Hand-in-Hand Cable Sweaters are sweet. And if it comes in the right size, possibly something that would be good for my grandmother.

Love the Syncopated Caps! Definitely going to make this one.

My favorite in this issue is Oriel Lace Blouse. I will definitely be making this one as well, but I may change the neckline. I'm not crazy about wearing turtlenecks. The yarn is superexpensive (although beautiful) and way out of my budget. I will not be using it. I hope to find a sub... any suggestions? I was looking at Artfibers, but I don't know if they have anything.

Can't see enough of the Montego Bay Scarf to have an opinion on it, other than that the color is very pretty.

The Ogee Lace Skirt would make a cute swimsuit cover up, but the yarn'd have to be washable, for sure.

Love the Spiral Boot socks, but I would shorten them because I can't stand long socks.

What is the Lace Chuppah?

What I can see of the Pomegranate Blouse looks really cute, but not for me (though with added shaping... maybe), and I also like the Summer Wheat Top, but I don't know how I feel about those bobbles.

All in all, great issue! Can't wait to get my hands on this one!

Oh, I picked the Sideways Spencer back up, and have been working on it. I forgot how quickly it knits up. I've finished the left sleeve and side, and am working on the back. Of course, after I finish the main body I'll have lots of (ugh) stitches to pick up and ribbing to do... so I'm sure I'll slow down after that. I've also finished the waist shaping on the back of Rapunzel, and have ~5in done on it (I think). I'd take pictures, but my digi cam batteries are dead, so I need to get some more.

Perhaps I should have finished something else first

But I started on Rapunzel from Rowan 34 last night, and got a good 4" done while watching the new 007 movie. I just realized, though, that the pattern uses a discontinued yarn, Rowan Lurex Shimmer, which I do NOT have, and cannot find to match the yarn I'm using (Stacy Charles Merino Cable in shade 122, a deeper wine color than in the picture.

By the way, this yarn? SO SOFT. SO PLUSH. SO NICE. A little splitty, but wonderful. Not in the least bit itchy, so far as I can tell. It doesn't even feel like wool. The skeins are small, and it is pricey, but was half off when I got it. It knits up beautifully (the stitch definition is superb, while not making every mistake or wonky stitch stand out the way cotton does), and I am loving working with it. And looking at it. All the colors I saw at the LYS were just lovely; so lovely, in fact, that it took me about 15 minutes to decide on one. And I still think about shades 130 (that divine purple that is so deep and rich, while still being beautifully bright, vibrant, and jewel toned-ish, though if I ever actually saw a jewel this color, it would be the only one I'd ever wear) and 112 (a gorgeous, brilliant turquoise that seriously seemed to glow and looked very nice with my skin tone) with a little regret, though I adore the 122 I am using. Thinking back, the picture on the link does no justice to the colors at all. But I do think the color I have is best for Rapunzel. :-)

The Lurex Shimmer is used, doubled, for a "intarsia moss stitch" at the top of the jacket (I suppose the part that is obviously moss stitch). What do y'all think? Will it still be totally, completely gorgeous if I don't do any intarsia at all, and just use my Merino Cable for the whole thing? Or should I try to find something to take the place of the Lurex Shimmer?

FO - VK Twist Top

Wow, what a quick knit this was! I finished this thing so quickly, I didn't even have a chance to blog about it.

Project details:

Pattern: From VK Spring/Summer 2005, Twist Top
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Bubble Gum, ~2 3/4 ball
Needles: Size 6 from the Boye IC
Mods: Not one

This was sooo easy to make, and I really love the finished product! It hasn't been blocked yet, but I just couldn't wait to show y'all. I'll post another pic or two after it's blocked and dried.

If I did it again, I'd use a different yarn. Not because I didn't like the Cotton Ease, in fact, I really like it. But this top feels quite heavy. Ideally (for me), this top should be in a lighter yarn with better drape. I would like to see it in a sport or even fingering weight yarn. But I'm no good at rewriting patterns so drastically, so I used what I had, and am still very happy with it. It will probably be too warm for summer in La, but it will do fine for spring... though it's currently 50 F and too cool outdoors for me to wear short sleeves. At least I won't regret the time it'll take to dry!




BTW... not to be crude, but the spot is on the mirror... not on the crotch of my pants. Just wanted to make sure that was clear! ;-)

Recognize this pattern?

I have this saved on my computer, but I don't know where it's from. Anyone?



I haven't done much crafting in the past few days. I've been too busy, and a little lacking in motivation. So, no real progress to report. I do still plan to have some FOs up soon, though... so keep watching!

Edited to add: I will definitely share any knowledge I get about the origins of this pattern, if I ever find out. For some reason, I'm thinking it may have been a Phildar pattern, but couldn't say that for sure.

Happy (belated) Easter!

I hope yours was as nice as mine. I had a nice, long weekend, with time to do some sewing and knitting... expect a knitting FO soon, and POSSIBLY a sewing one. I can never promise sewing FOs since I've had so many projects that didn't work out lately. But I REALLY, REALLY hope this one does!

New Use for Buttons!

I don't make jewelry often, mainly due to a lack of supplies and time (since I focus more on other areas of crafting), but I thought of a pair of earrings that sounded really cute, and decided to try it out. I like the result! The earrings are not quite as "dangly" as I'd like since - don't tell anyone - I used picture hanging wire as I didn't have anything else to work with, but overall, I'm very happy with them, and can only imagine they will get better when I get more supplies! Ghetto, right? Haha. Well, as Tim Gunn would say, "Make it work." So I did. :-D




I think I may have found a use for all those random buttons I have! :-D

And thank you all for the comments on Gatsby Girl!

Oh, and I wore the LG wrap sweater today since it was chilly, but not cold enough for GG. It was so nice! I really love this sweater. I recommend it to anyone! I plan to take pictures wearing it completely finished, but I'm linking it as an FO for now, anyway. It doesn't look THAT different than the last picture.

SWAP (sewing with a plan)

Lots of people on the PR board are doing a program called "Sewing with a Plan (SWAP)." I am really intrigued by the idea, because it consists of choosing a print, and using those colors as a basis for a wardrobe that coordinates. Of course, I need to get my sewing skills up a level or two, so that I'll feel confident taking on such a task!

But the idea of a wardrobe that goes together so well, so that you don't have to spend so much time thinking "Does this match? Will someone think a 5 yr old picked out my outfit if I wear this?" is just really... well, stress free, I guess. Like, I think of it, and my muscles relax. Haha. I wouldn't want every article of clothing in my wardrobe to be the same 2 or 3 colors, but I would love to have several outfits that I could depend on. Since I normally just grab the first things I see that might look ok together and go, this idea is really tempting.

And I already wear so much pink that it would definitely need to be one of my colors. Thinking of the colors I wear most, they are: pink, red, blue. I don't know about a neutral though (which I assume I'd need?), black is dependable, and Dusty thinks I wear black well, but whenever I put it on, I feel like I should be at my own funeral... I'm so pale, haha. Maybe chocolate brown or grey. I like both of those for neutrals. Of course, since it's summer, khaki is a good idea.

For anyone as interested in this idea as I, one of the members of PR posted her template, which seems like a good starting point for all the pieces you'd need to do. I'll link it here, but just want to point out it's not mine! SWAP wardrobe template. In addition to this, I would like to do a dress or two. Every summer, I dream of dresses, but never find any I like that aren't too fancy for everyday wear.

Since I'm starting so late, and I know this is going to take forever, my biggest problem is... should I focus on summery type things? I am thinking yes, since La's weather means that summer is the main season and pretty much lasts the length of 3 seasons everywhere else. Plus, I tend to wear the same colors throughout the year, though in the fall and winter I do wear some darker shades, but not all.

This is going to be a big, complicated undertaking, though I feel it will help simplify my life when it's done. But still... finding fabrics (because I hardly have any), and I really don't have it in my budget to ever buy a large amount of fabric at a time. And finding that much time to sew! It takes me such a long time to sew anything. I just can't imagine being able to sew so many pieces. And then there's patterns. I already have some patterns I'd like to use, and a couple more in mind. Actually, honestly, I have patterns for all but maybe 2 shirts and capris or shorts if I decide to make any, but most of those patterns are in the 3 Burda WOF mags I have, and their patterns only come down to a 36", while I use a 34" normally, so I'd have a lot of resizing to do. Plus a lot of pattern tracing to do, which I hate. Yes, I normally cut patterns. I just don't have the time to trace every single pattern. Maybe someday I'll regret it, but I really hope not! :-)

I'll post later with ideas for patterns, I think. I already have thought of a couple of tops I've been wanting for awhile, so I think I'll plan them into this.

Oh, and I'll try to match some knits in this, too, but as I already have yarn for several projects in other colors, they won't all go. Which is fine by me... variety is the spice of life!

Edited to add: Link to patterns I'm considering for my SWAP on Flickr. They're not listed in the order I like them or anything like that. And of course, I will be choosing from these, not attempting all of them! I left a pretty broad range because I have to find fabrics, and wanted to have options. Tell me what you think! :-)

Fear of the Unknown

I'll admit it. I'm afraid of sewing.

Silly, isn't it? I'll put several months' worth of work into a sweater that I can't really try on and have any good idea of how it is going to look for quite awhile without any fear, without thinking twice. A sweater I will have little occasion to wear, considering the climate. If it doesn't work out, I'll feel some disappointment, then rip without too much remorse and find something new.

But sewing? I don't know. There's something so committal about that first cut into a nice fabric you're totally afraid of ruining and/or wasting. Especially knowing I need to do all of these adjustments to the pattern before ever cutting into my fabric. Then, after you sew it up, if it's an atrocity, doesn't fit, and/or looks bad, what do you do with it?

A failed knitting project is a chance for a new beginning. A failed sewing project is a failure.

I really want to make a jacket. A nice, fitted brocade jacket. That fits ME, without being too long, or having sleeves too long, or being huge in the shoulders and tight in the boobs. I have the fabric, I have a pattern, I have fabric to practice with first. But thanks to my recent failures, I'm afraid to try any new projects. I want to make at least 2 sheath dresses, some tops, at least one nice pair of pants and some capris that aren't so long on me that I look like I'm wearing pants that are a couple of inches too short. I want to make up some of the darling 50s and 60s dress patterns I have, and I want to make a dress like the one I posted recently. I want to make use of the Burda WOF magazines I have. I want to have a wardrobe that is completely personalized, completely me, that fits perfectly and is exactly my style. But I'm afraid!

How do you recover from one or more failed projects?

Don't worry, I'm not giving up sewing. Just trying to get back in the game!

About Time! (Gatsby Girl FO)

So the Gatsby Girl is done, and I don't think I've been happier with a finished item yet. Seriously, I really am happy with this knit. In theory, this sweater should not have been very flattering on me, but, though IRL it may be less flattering than in these pictures, I still think it is really flattering, especially for a sweater.

Project specs:

Pattern: Gatsby Girl from IK Fall 2006
Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed, color: watery (I think)
Needles: size 2 and 3 from the Boye set
Mods: Long sleeves instead of 3/4

I lengthened the sleeves, not because I didn't like the look of the 3/4 sleeve, but because my yarn has so much alpaca in it that I knew it was going to be a very warm sweater, and I felt that it would be more wearable and practical with longer sleeves. I don't like the look quite as much, but I am very happy with it. Many thanks to Jodi Green, the pattern creator, for helping me figure out the numbers for lengthening the sleeves.

The pattern was wonderfully written, easy to follow, and easy in itself without being boring... although the 1x1 rib sleeves were taxing at the end. In retrospect, I would have done a cable on the sleeves or maybe lace, just to make the sleeves more exciting.

The yarn is not something I would have chosen for this project if the ladies at the yarn store I visited had not suggested it and let me knit up a swatch in the store. I was shocked, because I thought the tweed would be too busy for this sweater, but I think it worked up beautifully. I do love the Felted Tweed, and already have obtained another sweater's worth. The fabric is lovely, the yardage is great, and it's nice to work with. The sweater is a little itchy, though. I don't think I'll be able to wear it without a shirt underneath.

The buttons are a little special to me. Someone gave me her great-grandmother's collection of buttons, and boy, do I love buttons. Especially old buttons. I like to think about what they were on before, but for these delicate little pearls, I just couldn't decide their history. I only found 4 of them, thought I could have sworn I had 6, which is the amount the pattern calls for. So, I mixed them with 3 rhinestone buttons I had, alternating every other button, and got the button holes crocheted, then found the other 2 pearls. Sigh. I like the mix a lot, though, and don't care enough to change it. I couldn't get a good picture of the buttons, too bad!

The color is really odd. When I bought it, I was convinced it was a greeny-teal color, but after months of looking at it, it looks totally green to me now, with only a bluish tint. Also, the lighting may have something to do with it... but I swear in the yarn store it was much more teal! I think the color's off in the pictures, anyway.

As usual, the pictures suck. I was able to get one decent one with the self timer on my camera, but none of the rest of those came out, so I did a couple in front of the mirror. Anyway, hope you like!






Edited to add: Link to Rowan Felted Tweed. I used the color "Watery."

Yaaay!

Gatsby Girl is almost done! I will finish knitting it tonight! I am SOOO GLAD! I have loved knitting this pattern, but 1x1 rib on size 3 needles can only be interesting for so long, haha. Anyway, yeah, just wanted to say that!

I'm also working on getting my fabric scraps organized into a book. I'm trying to separate them two different ways - based on fiber content and on weave (for the ones I have big enough scraps to cut, or two of the same), and adding information in there when I get it. I think it's going to be such a great and handy tool when "finished" (of course, I am sure I will be adding to it whenever I get a fabric I've never used before). If you have a million random scraps you don't know what to do with, you can send them my way. My goal is to learn and have access to as many different fabrics and weaves as I can, because I am such a hands on learner. I can read all about a fabric, but until I actually have it in my hands, I really can't judge it or picture how it will look and feel. Since I don't have a fabric store to go "experiment" in, I thought of this, and several nice ladies from PR sent me scraps.

I'm thinking of doing this for yarn as well. I have scraps of most of the yarns I've used so far left; only a few projects I think I used every yard on.

Also, does anyone know of a pattern that looks like this?



I know it's from Burda Easy Fashion, and I think from the Feb 07 issue, but I cannot find it anywhere to purchase! I thought there might be a single pattern out there somewhere that is very similar. So please let me know if you've seen anything. Or, if you know where I can purchase this mag (I looked at GLP's website but couldn't find back issues), or if you have it and want to get rid of it, or even if you don't want to get rid of the whole magazine, but know you are never going to make this dress and would be willing to sell me just this pattern, please leave a comment! I would really appreciate it! I just LOVE this dress!

Edited to add: FINISHED! The knitting, at least, on Gatsby Girl is DONE! YAY!! She is blocking now, and I am so excited. I hope to have it seamed this weekend.

I may be able to save the Burda blouse

I have had an idea, and can't wait to try it! It involves taking the shirt apart, so unfortunately, I don't know that I will have time for it today. I wonder how hard it is to do those fabric covered buttons, though, and whether Walmart would have any (since that's the only place around here). Hmmmmm...

Wow, inspiration!

I'm not a quilter, nor have I ever attempted to be, but wow, this quilting blog I ran across is so inspiring, I just had to share! These quilts are works of art (not that they aren't all works of art, of course!). Check it out if you'd like:

Nellie's Needles

Really amazing!! :-)

The muslin didn't turn out very well this first try. I'm going to give it another shot when I get some more sewing time. I have never done a lining, so after I get it to fit decently, I am going to try a lining before I make the actual dress up.

I have dress envy

Aside from study for multiple exams I have next week, what do you think I did today? Perhaps tried to rescue the disaster from the last post? Nope. How about knit on the Gatsby Girl? Nope. What about one of the other hundred projects I've started and not yet completed, then? Nope.

I cut out the muslin for Vogue 8280. Hopefully I'll be more pleased with this than the Burda shirt. I did finally crochet the edge of the LG wrap sweater, though, and wove the ends in. It's complete, I guess, but I still haven't found anything to close it with that satisfies me. I wore it on a cool day fastened with a cute little butterfly pin, but the pin is a bit heavy, and, being old, gave me a hard time getting it undone later.

If you happen to see any fabric with a print like that used for the dress "Rhoda" from this site, please, please, please let me know! I saw Stacey London wearing this on WNTW yesterday, and now I really want to make something similar! I just love all the black and white with splashes of pink, so fun! And how they brought the pink out with the trim. I've been obsessing over the thought since I saw the dress. I also totally love Barclay , Blair, and May in the black/white fabric. Any pattern suggestions there? Hehe. Unfortunately, I think I love planning new projects more than finishing old ones, but fear not, the old ones will get done (except I haven't yet decided about the Burda blouse).

Edited to add: Oh, and thanks, everyone, for the birthday wishes. I did not get to knit, but I did have a wonderful birthday, complete with a fabulous crawfish boil! :-D

Burda 7993 Progress

I've worked more on Burda 7993. In fact, it's nearly complete. I don't know how much closer to complete it is going to get, because I don't know whether I like it. I think it's either too big or too unflattering, or both. Too big can be fixed, but unflattering probably cannot, so once I decide that, I'll decide whether it's worth finishing. Progress is stalled, anyway, because I need elastic for the sleeves and don't have any. Anyway, here's what I've got thus far:



What do you think? Is this pattern worth finishing or at least giving another try? Or is it wrong for my body type?

Edit: Ok, normally I would be far too vain to ever put such horrible pictures of me where they may be viewed by anyone (and that's something, considering the crap shots I normally post), but several people have commented in the review I did at PR that the shirt is too small for me and that I need to go up a size. So here are some awful pictures of it with no waist belt ribbon thing. Too small? I'm worried because the next size up is a 36", which is what I originally tried to start sewing with, and everything I've made in a 36 has been less attractive and flattering than a burlap sack would be.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Maybe I'll actually get some knitting time today! There has been very little of that lately.

Finished? Object - Lana Grossa Lacy Wrap Sweater

Well, I've seamed the LG sweater, and now am trying to decide what else needs to be done. I still can't decide if all I need is to do an edging around the fronts, or if I need to add to the bottom, and of course, there is the matter of how to close it. I could knit the tie as pictured, or I could get some cute brooch/pin, or I could sew satiny ribbon in a matching shade. I was even thinking of finding ribbon to sew all around the bottom edge, and extending it for the tie... but that might mess up its stretchiness. What do yall think? And I still can't decide whether I should rib or do some kind of lacy rib at the bottom, lengthening it, since I am not "long and lean" as I think is normally the shape a sweater like this looks good on. Would it be more flattering this way? I definitely don't want something that makes me look dumpy, and since I love this yarn so, I want to love the sweater and have it as perfect as I possibly can. Or should I leave it be? Argh, so many decisions! Please give advice!! :-)



Edited to add: Link to FREE pattern is here: http://www.lanagrossa.com/service/mdm/08_2005/index.html

Sewing news

I made a muslin for Burda 7993 (the cute top). I did a 2" FBA, which worked really well, except that it made the vertical darts HUGE and you can see them through the muslin. That won't matter on the real shirt, because I don't think the pink cotton I have is as thin.

I didn't bother with any of the facings yet, and though I did the collar, I didn't do it right (you're supposed to cut 2 pieces, but I only cut one, whooops!), but I don't think it will matter too much anyway.

The FBA used up so much extra fabric that now I'm worried I'll always need to get more than called for by the pattern. That really sucks, because I've already got fabric for a few projects that will need an FBA, and I had bought only what the pattern called for. I really hope I don't need more!

Anyway, back to the top. One thing I'm not sure I like about the shirt is how much the ruffle at the bottom sticks out, and another is the puffy sleeves. The ruffle kinda poofs out (which it does NOT do in the pattern picture!), and I have never thought puffy sleeves would be super flattering on me, but as the sleeves on this top didn't look very puffy, I thought it might be ok. I still don't know, because I didn't have the elastic you're supposed to put at the bottom of the short sleeve. I'm going to cut out the fabric soon, and give it a try in the real stuff. Maybe in the cute pink, I will be happier, and I am sure I can figure out something to do about the ruffle and the puffy sleeves if I just hate them. Mainly this shirt was to learn FBAs, and because I thought it was super cute, but the fabric was so cheap that I won't cry if it doesn't work out, just sigh and be a little disappointed for a day or two.

Edited to add: FBA stands for Full Bust adjustment, and so far, I am not liking how this shirt looks on me... but I still need to sew on the ruffle and get that elastic.

FOs - Mardi Gras Gloves and Ribbon Purse

I figured since I'd be down south for Mardi Gras, and had that fabulous Mardi Gras Lorna's Laces, I should make a pair of gloves to wear to the parades. They weren't done in time, and it turned out too warm for gloves my entire vacation, but I am happy about them anyway. I could not find a pattern for fingering weight gloves anywhere, so I did these with no pattern! My first non-pattern project (aside from a couple of hats). I love the way the LL pooled... anything better could have been called a self striping yarn!




I've had this idea in my head for longer than I've known how to sew... a purse made of ribbons woven together. I was disappointed to find on Craftster that my idea wasn't original, and had already been executed better than I could have done, but I decided to make one anyway. I was actually going to follow the tutorial, but I didn't have enough of the ribbon, and Michael's was out, so I just wove the ribbons together, sewed it, put interfacing on, folded it in half, and sewed it together. I made the lining in the same way (minus the weaving, of course), from a fat quarter, but added pockets. It was really fun, and I ADORE how it turned out! I flatter myself enough to say it looks almost store bought!

I'm alive

I haven't dropped off the earth. I haven't been online much, and while I've been knitting, I don't have that much to post about. I do have a small FO to post... but I'm currently on vacation, and haven't bothered with taking pics yet. I've been working on both the LG and GG sweaters, got yarn for a couple new undecided projects, but mostly have had sewing on my mind lately. I think it's because of the warm spell we had that convinced me I wouldn't be needing warm things any more, until today when the temperature dropped 20 degrees F. I've got a sleeve finished for the LG, and about half a sleeve finished for the GG. I will not knit on ANYTHING else until both of these are done, darnit! I am so ready to finish GG, and LG is going so quickly that if I don't finish soon, you'll know it's totally out of neglect.

Pics to come soon! Also, pics of a purse I'm sewing. It's going to be totally cute, so keep a lookout for it! :-D

I'll also talk about the book I won in a contest next time I post. I'll be home, and more inclined to use a computer than I am now.

I also finally found THE CABLE used for the Delphine sweater! It really looks just like it! It's on page 100 of Gisela Klopper's Beautiful Knitting Patterns. I saw it today and just couldn't believe it! But I didn't get to buy the book yet. I wasn't expecting to buy a book today, and didn't have the cash on me. I will get it for sure, and then I can return to the Delphine sweater. Joy, oh joy!

Your opinions wanted! (fabric and knitting related)

First, I simply adore crane fabrics! I have a yard of this one added to my small fabric stash, and I've no idea what to use it for. It's a cotton, and so beautiful! I don't quilt, and it doesn't match my "decor," anyway. I already have several fabrics waiting to be made into purses. Any suggestions? Here are some pics, and I used a penny to help see the size of the prints.






Secondly, I've finished the back and both fronts of the LG wrap sweater! YAY! I can't decide if it's going to work as is (with sleeves, of course), or if I need to add something. A possibilty is searching through Knitting On the Edge for a nice edging to go around the wrap, and picking up stitches to add a couple (or a few) inches of ribbing at the bottom. I want to decide before I do the sleeves, so I can just make the sleeves shorter if I have to. I'd prefer long sleeves, but I think 3/4 would work if I need to make changes and start running short of yarn. Anyway, I pinned it together, and tried it on. What would you do? Finish the sleeves and sew it up, or pick up for the edging and ribbing?


Oh, by the way, I should add that I'm not at all a fast knitter. Nearly all of those pieces in the last post are the result of several months of knitting!

Sewing Plans

I think I may get more sewing done if I list the projects I have in mind to do soon. Mainly, this is one of those posts where I try to get my thoughts in order.

First, I want to get Burda 7993 done. I have some plain pink cotton for this, for now. I hope to get something cuter later. I have an Amy Butler print that I am starting to think may make a cute top. The pattern pieces are cut out, but I am still trying to figure out this whole fitting thing as described in my Fit For Real People book. It seems very lengthy and complicated. I thought all I'd need to do is figure out a full-bust adjustment (FBA), but apparently there are loads of other steps to attend to first. The fitting is really the reason I haven't started on the muslin yet. It's confusing and a bit scary.

Next, I'll either have Vogue 8196 (another shirt, minus the puffy sleeves), or New Look 6644, a DRESS (and the matching jacket). I don't have fabric for the shirt yet, so I may wait on it, plus I am eager to work on the NL dress, but if I feel I still need a little more practice before undertaking the dress, I'll go for the shirt first. I could use the AB print I mentioned above for the top, or find something else. I have some pinkish lavender linen for the dress.

Then, I will do the dress I posted about before. I'll be using view D of Vogue 8280. I found an eyelet fabric that I think will be perfect, but don't actually have it yet. Someone recommended that I use cotton batiste, too, so after I find out what that is, I'll be using that for the lining. I need to find a pattern with a v-back to use. I've found so many with v-necks, but hardly any with a v-back.

Then, I want to do my interpretation of the Kara Janx Kimono dress using New Look 6674. I want to do it in a dark pink rayon MC with a light pink rayon as the CC edging. I'm going to make changes - if I can figure out how to add a 3/4 sleeve, I will do that, and I am definitely carrying the CC down the front of the dress. Oh, and I'm going to make a fatter belt like the inspiration dress has. I love this dress so much! I can already see how great it's going to look... so I hope I am not getting my hopes up too much.

Then I want to attempt my EvaDress pattern... in silk ottoman taffeta. I think this is going to be a huge challenge, which is part of the reason I'm putting it off for so long.

Oh, and I have to make a purse using this Amy Butler fabric:

I have about 2 or 2.5 yds of it. The pattern I want to use only uses about a yd (or was it half a yard?), so I don't know what I'll do with the rest. One of my friends thinks it would be a cute top, too, but I just don't know. Oh, there's a quarter on there for reference.

This is by no means an exact schedule of the sewing I'm going to be doing over the next few months. These are just things I want to get done, and definitely don't want to forget.

PS. Knitting related news is that the back of the LG wrap sweater is almost done.
Also, proof of how ridiculous my inability to stay on one project is. Here are all finished (or very nearly so) pieces of sweaters:

The front and back of the Gatsby Girl:

One front and the nearly completed back of the Lana Grossa sweater:


The back of the Rebecca Apriot Jacket:

Sewing is great because...

I saw and adore this dress. Here are some pics in case you don't feel like clicking the link.





It's gorgeous, but it's also $550! OMG, who pays that much for a dress? Or any piece of clothing, for that matter? Not I. So, thanks to the lovely ladies at Pattern Review, I'll be making this dress for a very small fraction of the price. I'll use view D of Vogue 8280, and some eyelet fabric I'll be ordering online. It is going to be divine! I've been told how to do the white panels under the black eyelet, and am hoping for tips on how to give the pattern a v-back like the dress has, and (maybe) how to move the zipper to the side, instead of the back. Maybe I'll finally have found that perfect "little black dress" that has always eluded me?

In other sewing news, I made myself proud today. I was given a dress as a gift, but it turned out to be too large, and I couldn't return it. It fit me like a sack, so it has just been laying around, waiting, and envying my t-shirts and jeans, since they actually get worn. I made it wearable today! I added some darts to the front (like princess seams, I think) and shortened the straps, and it is actually flattering now. Yay! It was almost too easy. It's a spring/summer dress, so it will be awhile before it has an outing, but I think it will be nice for church.

In knitting news, I'm over the halfway mark for the back of the Lana Grossa Wrap Sweater. This thing grows so quickly! I hope to finish it soon. I am pretty aggravated by all the of projects I have unfinished, especially when I really want to learn fair isle NOW. But I really need to finish these things. They have sat around far too long, and I know as spring and summer get here, I will want to knit things like Orangina. Plus, isn't Eunny's book due out soon?

Like the list needs to be any longer...

I recently found two new sweater patterns that are too cute.

Vex, which can be purchased here, and Wicked, which you can buy here. I don't have them yet, but I've been ogling them quite a bit! And Vex is knit in MALABRIGO! Swoon!

FOs! (Bet ya didn't even know I was working on them)

I have two FOs to show ya! First, I test knit for Sylvie's Cactus Mittenettes. I love this pattern, and these gloves! They are SO EASY. SO QUICK. And I don't even have to say "SO CUTE," because you will see that shortly! I knit these in less than a weekend (really, less than 2 hrs/mitt, I think), in worsted Plymouth Galway, some green color I had lying around. The green is actually much brighter than the picture. I really recommend this pattern; I think it will make great last minute gifts, and not to mention very nice for those balls of splurge yarn! The Galway was a little scratchy, but softened up nicely after a soak in hair conditioner. I probably have half a ball left... definitely enough for another pair. My non-knitting roommate admired them, and I think I may whip her up a pair. Anyway, on with the pics! Please excuse the poor quality, as I took these with my camera phone... my digicam needs batteries.



The next FO is a hat I started awhile back. It's a pattern made up by a member of LJ's Knitting community, and the pattern can be found here (scroll down to the comments to find it). I used a random yarn found at Goodwill, it had no label but I'm fairly sure it's 100% acrylic. The color is very pretty, and it was $.50, so I had to get it. I wanted to make the hat longer than in the pattern, but I started worrying that I wouldn't have enough, so I didn't. Turns out I had plenty left to do a few more rows, but oh well. It covers my ears if I pull down hard enough, and the yarn is not very warm anyway. I'm happy with it. It's nice for cool, but not cold, days, and for bad hair days as well. If I knit another, it will be in a nice, warm yarn, and I will make sure it covers my ears. I'd love another, but knitting the dream swatch for 18 or 19 inches on size 2 needles seemed to take FOREVER, which is why I started this nearly the day the pattern was posted, and just now finished it. As usual, please forgive the lack of makeup.


Also, anyone want to get rid of their copy of the Nov 2003 Spring IK? Hehe. I really want to knit the Remembering Honey sweater in there!

In the sewing news, I got this pattern. It reminds me of the Kara Janx Kimono Dress. If only it had the fantastic sleeves! Now to find fabric to get that look!

New Pattern, Finally!

I've wanted this pattern for a long time, but haven't placed a KP order in awhile, so I'd been delaying ordering it. It finally went up for automatic download, so I got it! It's the Kimono Styled Sweater. I've been thinking about what yarn to use for it, because I think after I finish several of my current projects, I am going to start this one up immediately, since I have wanted to make it for so long. Of course, I could, and may, use Merino Style, but after working with Rowan Felted Tweed, and seeing how fabulous it looks with cables, I am thinking of using that. I'm not sure, because this sweater is more heavily cabled than Gatsby Girl, so it may not be a good choice. And I'm not sure if the tweedyness would look right with the styling of the sweater... of course, I was unsure of that with the GG, too, and now I think it enhances it! I absolutely adore the yarn, and WILL definitely use it again for a sweater, and for anything else. I can even see myself getting single balls of this yarn to make hats/gloves with... and I never randomly pick up just one ball of yarn. I am thinking particularly of the color Melody. What is your opinion?

Another thing, I'm not sure about the sleeves. There is no shaping for the sleeves at all. Should I try to add shaping?