It’s summer

Most of a sleeve with a pile of sweater parts.

It’s officially summer.  How is that determined you ask?  Because I just got my first “aggressive” bikini wax of the season.  Too much information.  Sure.  Get over it?  Sure.  Gophers and calendars be damned.

Other than the above (which we shall not discuss again – no doubt to everyone’s relief) I’ve got lots of piles.  Piles of knitting.  Piles of cut out dress pieces.  No completed anything.  I also looked at my schedule today to see when I worked on Friday and found out I actually work on Thursday.  Oops!  Seriously dudes, I work like two states over so it’s not just a hop into the car situation.  Handled it though!

So back to my piles.  The knitting pile is the almost complete first sleeve of my Drops Alpaca Boucle sweater.  Can I tell you how dull yet lovely this pullover will be?  It’s soft and squishy but all stockinette.  You couldn’t see a stitch pattern in the boucle yarn anyway, but I think I’ll wear this sweater to death when it’s eventually done.

The dress is Burda 03-2013-131 which will hopefully be cute and not crazy.  It’s got fluttery sleeves that need underpinnings so side boob isn’t showing up constantly.  I think I’ve got a plan, but it will have to wait until next week when I finish working.  The fabric is some lovely paisley rayon challis I bought at Britex after a dental appointment (yes my dentist was carefully chosen to be in the Britex neighborhood).  Not really.  It’s just a bonus though.  It’s a pretty fabric I had to have despite being stupid expensive (for me that is).  I then cut it up for a panel skirted dress…who’s not much of a planner?

I shall leave you with my favorite cactus of last week’s trip.  What?  You don’t have a favorite cactus of the week?  Shame, you should get out more.

Good morning cactus!

Flying

These pants aren’t that wrinkly in real life, I’ve apparently stood funny and shoved my hands in the pockets. Also, I’m not depressed despite crazy face in the pic and my hair is puffy because it’s not been flat ironed in days!

No, not my professional flying my front fly!  Check that sh”t out!  I made pants.

Big deal?  Not really, I just haven’t made pants in ages and ages and certainly didn’t make fly front pants.  As you can tell, I finished my blue pants project (BPP) and they turned out just fine.  Sure I sewed the fly guard on wrong TWICE (yes I really did) and the waistband had an issue that required cutting out a new piece, but finished they are.  The are much less wrinkled in real life when I’m not standing oddly and using the pockets.  Really.

Turns out pants are no big deal. This project taught me that I shouldn’t be intimidated by something I’ve not done before and just do it.  What’s the worst that happens?  More trash on trash day.  Granted, I used several techniques from Sandra Betzina’s Craftsy course “Pant Construction Techniques” and her book Power Sewing.  It really helped to watch the Craftsy class (despite my computer not liking the Craftsy platform). There’s a lot of information in the class so I’d recommend it if you’re thinking about pants making.

The pattern for these pants is Simplicity 1696 from the “Amazing Fit” collection.  I’d worried about that name.  As with all the big American pattern companies, this pattern has a ton of ease.  Not just the ease you need to wear the clothes so they don’t rip when you reach for your coffee, but so much ease that you be hard pressed to make a successful garment.  Why?  I don’t know.  I just know to check the finished measurements of the garment and pick my size based on those.

These pants turned out well because I chose to cut the size that would give me the finished measurements I wanted (not the recommended size) and because I used sewing techniques and tailoring steps that weren’t given on the instructions.  This project worked despite the pattern company’s best efforts at hurting the team with their home ec 101 sewing techniques.  Seriously, had I chosen to make the size given on the envelope for my measurements I’d have had to take out 3″ or 4″ at the hip on EACH side.  I wouldn’t have needed a working zipper, I could have just pulled them on like sweats.  My polyester pull on pants days aren’t upon me yet!

I’ve written an even longer review over on PatternReview for those who are into sewing and I’ve added gratuitous pics below because I can and it’s my blog.  If you’re more the knitter type, the yarn for Alvinda looks very pretty with these pants.  Sorry knitters, but unless you want to see a sleeve in progress, this is all I’ve got.

Tonight is early to bed as it’s a 3am alarm clock morning tomorrow.  Ahhh, work.

Making the crotch shot seem normal?

What is that doing there?

Big red arrow of wrongness. That polka dot bit should be on the other side of the zipper opening (like on my correctly made Levi’s next to the wrongness.

Back from work and picked up the blue pants project (BPP) and what do I see?

The fly guard I so happily sewed in last week is on the wrong side.  I am guarding nothing with it there!  I even pulled out my Levi’s to check I’m not just suffering from jetlag or crazypants.  No, it’s wrong.  I shall unpick it AND the waistband I just sewed in place and fix it.  But first I’m going to take 20 minutes and sit out on the deck in my patch of morning sunshine.  I need to stock up on serenity before sewing today.

Thanks for all your lovely goodwill on my 1000th post!  I still can’t believe I’ve blathered on quite so much!

Sun please!

Potential 1000

Tiny yarn and big ‘ol blue pants.

The counter on my WordPress says this is my 1000th post!  Who knew I had that much to say?  I suspect many of those posts aren’t all that informational, but thanks to those of you who find my crafty journal at all interesting.

Moving on, what’s up craftwise with me?

I am still knitting away on my boucle pullover.  Yes, it’s interminable stockinette but it’s coming out well.  At least I think so.  I’m 3/4 of the way done with the front and it’s sleeve island up ahead.  The yarn I’m using is Garnstudio DROPS Alpaca Bouclé and it’s lovely and soft so I hope the resulting pullover will be as I envision (slouchy and comfy).

Because I’m highly suggestible, when I got an email blast from Nordic Mart proclaiming a nice sale I innocently clicked through and ended up getting what I hope is enough yarn for the new Alvinda cardigan from Twist Collective.  The Garnstudio Baby Alpaca Silk is so yummy and soft with that nice hint of silk sheen.  It’s a pretty sweater and the blue gray is a good neutral for me.  But first to finish the Boucle pullover.

On the right is the electric blue material I’m using for a pair of pants/trousers that I’ve finally plucked up the courage to make.  I’m using a Simplicity Amazing Fit pattern (#1696).  The truth of that name has yet to be determined.  The polka dots are for the pocket linings and seam bindings for a bit of fun – don’t worry I’m not planning polka dot clown pants on my arse.  My last pant project was “not good” so I’m hoping these turn out because the bright pants trend may not be a long lived one.  I hope it’s at least long enough for me to get these pants to fit.

Other than that I shall be dazzling someone with my “professional” smile all weekend…sigh.

Plastic knives

The raw materials at the ready.

The other day I had a notion to make up some cutlery rolls, and by that I mean a roll of utensils with a napkin to have handy.  I know not everyone has to eat standing up on an airplane like I do, but my friends seem to spend a lot of time in cars and offices.  They need utensils right?  And even better if they’re not plastic disposable landfill wasters.  I must note here that this roll has a plastic knife because knives are not allowed on board airplanes (in the US – not sure about everywhere).

The big reveal! It’s just cutlery.

When I stopped at IKEA I saw a cute set of cupcake kitchen towels and snatched them up to make some cutlery rolls.  I found a nice tutorial on BurdaStyle describing the process.  I say process, but it’s really rather self explanatory – it’s like making the roll your makeup brushes go in only for forks.  Some batting and scrap polka dot fabric later I’ve got one roll made.  You’ll also note that I haven’t yet inserted the cloth napkin because I didn’t have one handy, but there is a pocket on the right for a napkin.  Best of all the whole thing is washable and hopefully won’t be using up landfill space anytime soon.

They’re quick and easy to make (despite me only cranking out one) so expect to see more of these appearing from the cupcake towel stash when I’m not working quite so much.

I also managed to whip up a quick little pouch from one of the Michelle Patterns I bought last Friday.  It’s a cute little thing that begs to be upsized and used for a makeup bag.  Again, quick and easy yet only have time for one.  I did buy a Powerball ticket so maybe I’ll win and have more craft time.  Again, I only bought one though…

It’s so cute!

Now that’s love

Tired of reading all the bad news, here’s a wonderful sewing tale!

Now I’m not saying I love this girl’s dress, but it’s what she wanted and she looks adorable.  Good job dude!

Friday patterns

If anyone’s interested in sewing pouches or bags there is a super great Friday deal from Michelle Patterns. She’s retiring 21 PDF patterns and selling the lot for $5. Even if you only make up a few it’s a great deal!

http://www.michellepatterns.com/product/5-friday-quick-zip-lunch-bag

I hope this link works because I’m at work doing this on the phone. Have a great weekend for those having one!

Mind the pointy bits

I think I like it.

Today’s mantra is much like before, not much crafting around here.  Many reasons for that but I did manage to start another knitting project.  I’d appreciate it if you don’t mention the many things that are started and still waiting for completion.  Look away!

A while back I bought some of this long draw sock yarn and thought I’d use a skein to make a scarf.  I wanted to find a pattern that would highlight the long color changes and came across the pretty Wingspan pattern.  You short row a series of garter triangles and this technique works nicely with this yarn.  It’s also really easy to memorize the pattern sequence so you can knit rather inattentively and still be ok.  I hope I’ll finish this one before I see another shiny object and get distracted.

When a C is a good thing

Why yes, that is a Frigidaire behind me.

My sewing mojo is slowly coming back to life.  Luckily this coincided with the release of the Audrey C pattern from MariaDenmark.  This is good basic knit dress pattern that she’s released in both B and C cup versions.  I snapped up the Audrey C version, printed it out and only moaned a little bit while taping up and cutting out the pattern.  I’m not a fan of taping and cutting even though it’s not a hard process.  This pattern is just front/back/sleeve/cuff/facings so it’s not too onerous a task.

Next step was to find some fabric in the stash that would work.  The only piece that was suitable was this cerise cotton/rayon that I don’t remember buying.  It’s got a fair bit of 4 way stretch and is textured with a slight stripe effect.  The fabric is beefy enough to be dress so this was the winner.  Too much cling would be icky in a dress, no?  Fabric selection is pretty key to making a success of this pattern and I’d love to try it in a ponte.

I added 3/8″ seam allowance to the pattern since I planned to serge this puppy together like my dining room sewing space was a sweat shop.  Heck ya – power sewing.  Because most of the sewing was done on the serger this only took a couple of hours to put together and I followed the directions exactly (I know!).  Easy as pie.  This should make a good travel dress with leggings or tights.  I plan on making another when I find some nice material for it.  Maria’s version is made from tiny polka dots and is freaking adorable.  Eyes open for dotty fabric!

P.S.  I had to take pics in the kitchen because the sun blazes down on my usual morning picture spot by the afternoon.  I hadn’t noticed before how well my hair matches the cabinets…enjoy my appliances yo!

PatternReview here for more details.

Put a bow on it

After: bow clutch bag

Before: herringbone wool skirt

Woefully little crafting has been occurring around my house.  I did make some noteworthy Hot Cross Buns which were spectacularly delicious.  Craft-wise I’ve finished one little sewing project.  I picked up the High Tea Clutch pattern from Michelle Patterns the other day on her anniversary sale.  I’d been eying the pattern for a bit but couldn’t quite pull the trigger since I don’t ACTUALLY use too many bags I sew.  But at $5 it was a no brainer.  One note on printing out the pdf onto US sized letter paper – I did have to reduce the print to 98% to get it onto letter sized paper.  (In fact it would be fun to make a 3/4 or half sized version to hold various and sundry things.)  98% worked just fine for printing on my admittedly old ink jet home printer, but maybe a fancy pants printer would be able to handle A4 paper conversion better.

When I went to a new to me thrift shop the other day I found a very full Lauren herringbone wool skirt for $5.  I’m sensing a pattern here. It’s nice material but the skirt would be really unflattering with that mass of material around the waist.  It’s a size 2 and even that skinny lady couldn’t see her way to keeping it.  Her donation was my prize though.  I popped it in the washer (it was $5 and not clean so what would you do) and it came out soft and lovely.  I cut off the waistband and harvested the material.

I didn’t want to spend much (any) money on supplies so I used odds and ends left over from other bags I’d made and didn’t use (and ultimately forced upon my friends).  Luckily I had pretty much everything on hand – yes even magnetic snaps!  Who knew!

The High Tea Clutch (hey, I didn’t name the pattern) is a pretty easy pattern so if you’re thinking about making a bag and are unsure of your skills, a bag like this is pretty cinchy.  You do need the correct weights of interfacing to give the bag some body and when I didn’t have any midweight fuseable for the flap I just used two layers of light weight and called it fine.  I’m so MacGyver sometimes.

The pretty blue insides!

The lining is a beautiful electric blue satin that contrasts nicely with the black and white herringbone wool.  I chose it for the color because it’s a really nasty costume acetate.  I’m throwing out the rest of that shit, it’s unraveled all over the sewing area so now I’ve got to bust out the vacuum.

The bow is hand stitched on but I even managed hand work without too much profanity.  This project took about one college basketball game to complete if that is any help at all to your time management schedules.

All in all an easy little make that will hopefully kick start some crafty mojo.