Stitches and Sticks

Chicks with knitting stitches and the Avalanche with hockey sticks, that is. Interweave Knits, based here in Colorado, had a special promotion for knitters/crocheters willing to donate a red scarf to the Orphan Foundation of America. The red scarves will be included in Valentine Day's gift bags for kids heading off to college - very cool indeed.

My husband still plays hockey, but it was the first live game for Connor and me. It would have been even better if they had won, but they chose to lose to the Coyotes. So depressing to watch.

Anyway, this is what I made:


I saw this made up by Liana (Sew Intriguing - hers is 2/3 way down the Dec '05 entries) and the pattern is here. Isn't it cute? It look less than half of skein of worsted (LionBrand Wool Ease). I was so nervous that I wouldn't get it finished in time, that I started at the beginning of January. It took 3 very short evenings and I'll have to make up a few more. Don't the ends look like hearts? Thanks Liana.

Noro Transitions Hat

This is a pattern from Wendy of Wendy Knits Blog:


It takes one skein of Noro Transitions Yarn, which is just lovely to work with, (containing 55% Wool, 10% Silk, 7% Angora, 7% Cashmere, 7% Alpaca, 7% Kid Mohair, 7% Camel). It's very comfortable to wear. The color gradations are a little surprising and beautifully combined:


The pattern is a simple 3x3 rib on circular needles and super quick. Just in time for the rest of our never-ending winter.

Rattler Scarf

This is the second kit I bought from Morehouse Farms. The colorway is described as purple! Hmphhh! It has as much toxic yellow and poisonous green as bruised purple. Which, of course, makes it a great rattler scarf for a 4 year old boy.


Here's the young Master in all his knitted glory:

Marfy Spring/Summer 2007

These are the free patterns in the new catalogue:
*I updated to add the sizes they come in.*

Wrap top (pink), peasant top (green) and pink hotpants -
All in sizes 42, 44, 46


Cowl neck top (peach) and kimono topper (swirly red) -
Both in sizes 42, 46, 50, 54


Fitted jeans -
In sizes 42, 44, 46


Dress and short jacket (broderie anglaise) -
Both in sizes 42, 44, 46, 48

Vogue Spring Patterns

I've been really enjoying the direction Vogue pattern has taken in the last year. There are a lot of pattern that I love. Some of these I can't or won't wear, but quite a few of them have come home with me - some to actually be made up.

This new set of patterns has some real gems:

1. Issey Miyake two piece - 2952



It seems you either love or hate his patterns. I'm a lover and this is gorgeous. It looks gentle and vaguely conventional in the front, but then you check out the back. There are square flaps on the side seams that are brought to the half back and laced together. Beautiful.

The skirt is great too, and it's a mock wrap - just a little peekaboo of leg.

2. Anna Sui Dress - 2940

This has the potential to be poofy around my belly. But I'm loosing weight and by the time I get to it, I should be trim enough to carry the dress.

3. DKNY wardrobe - 2941


Three pieces: an easy jacket with contrast shawl collar and cuffs, a bias camisole and a yoked, gored, (lightly) bubbled skirt. The jacket and top will be useful for wardrobe repeats.

These two I probably won't ever make up, but I'll give them a good home:

4. Belville Sasson dress - 2943


It looks so much like the copy of the Mouret dress, but just look at the back seaming. There are are two sections either side of the center back seam, angling upwards towards the center, like cathedral windows. Divine. And the front sections curve and flatter.

5. Donna Karan jacket and dress - 2942


Another one for the collection. The silouette is so japanese and stylised, it's not something I've come to expect from Karan in her vogue patterns.

And, again, what was I thinking?

So, here's another clothing reflection of my state of mind while living in MA. It obviously wasn't doing as well as I thought.

Simplicity 4020, Version A:


I really loved Liana's top, so I dragged out some lovely purple velour. I've never had much success with velour; I can't suppress it's creeping tendencies. As I was cutting this out, I *knew*, just KNEW, that the doubled over cuffs and waist would creep like crazy, but did I stop? Nooo. I knew, I did it anyway and it creeps. So the top is a wash.

I didn't wear this style in the 80's, so I didn't realise how big I'd look, especially with the shiny, furry fabric. I look like a big, juicy plum. So the style is a wash.

I also liked view D/E, which Stacy reviewed. Of course, she has a slim waist. I suspect that with my extra pounds and large bust, the style would be unattractive on me. So the pattern is a wash.

Of course, this might be a subconscious way of ridding myself of fabric that just isn't suitable - Darwinism for stash.

Neue Mode 23230

I started this dress last summer. It's version A of NM 23230 - it's a little bit country and not at all rock'n'roll. I'm not sure why I got seduced by it. After all, it looks frumpy in the line drawing and, sadly, it's kind of frumpy in real life. But I loved the fabric, so I'm not tossing it.

It has merits: the bateau neckline with the well-designed facings, the side zipper, pretty A-line skirt, bust darts, waisted and easy fitting.

I've been going through an odd year, with all the moving about, lost, questioning my life.... a pre-mid-life crises, if you will. It's coming out in my pattern choices.

Anyway, it's there in the catalogue, a few years old already, ignore, just a little old-fashioned house dress. I'm hoping it's really not me at all.

Simplicity 4045 - Dress

This is the dress version of this pattern. It's basically the top, lengthened.

1. The fabric is a silk georgette, lined it with olive ambiance to take away some of the yellow tones.

2. As in the original top, I cut a 14 in the shoulders and sleeves and 18 on the side seams.

3. I originally lengthened the dress by 5" to get it below my knees, but forgot to take into account the bias drape. I wound up taking off 4.5" to get the final length.

4. I sewed the side seams of fashion fabric and the lining separately, then pinned them them together at the neckline and armholes.

The sleeve hems were finished with bias strips and sewn into the body.

The neck yoke was interfaced and sewn to its facing. I then pinned the finished yoke to the body and sewed the seam, trimmed it to 1/4" and zigzagged the allowance.

4. There is a rolled hem on the fashion fabric and a zigzag 1/4" away from the edge on the lining.

And that's it. It's bias folks, and minimal finishing is ideal. It took all of 2 hours to sew up. I wore it twice and might even pull it out again this winter.

Late Resolve

I don't really subscribe to new year resolutions - they have too high a failure rate for me. But I've had so much fun reading other people's, that I'm just going to commit myself, darn it!

The theme is reduction:

1. Reduce my fabric stash by 30%.

This has taken me four whole days to come up with, 'cause I was so busy negotiating with myself. Also I just ordered a few yards for workout clothes. Ahem!

And the leather I got from Ebay over Christmas.

Erm.. and the small! box from Fabric Mart.

Probably just getting rid of the Fabric Mart bundles from last year will strike out 15%, leaving not much more to be worked over.

I'm selling, sewing, donating.

2. Reduce my body by about 20%.

Should be easier than the fabric. All I need is to get off my hiney and hit the gym hard 3 days a week.

3. Reduce our real estate holding by 100%.

And then increase by same. Gotta sell the danged albatross in Concord and buy here in Boulder.

4. Reduce crazy, bad moods by 90%.

Easily done by sticking to 2. and increasing my shut eye per night by 10%.


All good, achievable resolutions.
I like math.

Happy Holidays!

So, three days homebound! It was mostly by choice, because I do love staying in. I made my green Simplicity 4045 dress, a Thomas-Snow-Globe shirt for Connor and finished a dress from NM 23230. I know the last one looks awfully cheesy, but it's turned out cute. My camera is packed away, so I'll post pictures next weekend.

We're off to Denver International Airport tomorrow to fly to Hilton Head Island. We're spending Christmas week with my in-laws on the 9th hole. No, not playing - what I mean is that they live on the 9th hole. Hopefully the crazy backlog at the airport will have abated somewhat and we'll have smooth sailing. It'll be great to get away from the snow. Knowing Boulder, it'll probably all have melted by the time we get back.

I wish you all a joyful time with whichever celebration you have.
I'm thinking of maybe adding a pole to the festivities next year.

















Happy Holidays and Happy Sewing.

Snow Day

Eight years in Colorado and I'm still unused to snow storms. We've had over a foot already and more coming. I don't think we'll be driving tomorrow. Fortunately I'm married to a (former) mountain man, so I can send him out on foot to get supplies.

We have light, heat and food - we're blessed, and mountains of fabric, so yay? I also have a 4 year old, so snowmen, cookies and games it'll be. Really, no complaints.


 

Christmas Projects

I don't exactly look for kids' projects, but they sneak up on me. For example, a Thomas stocking for Thomas-loving boy:


How can I say no? The panels are from Equilter and it's lined with stash flannel. I made the letters for his name with cotton backed onto Wonder Under - magic stuff, because I couldn't be bothered to break out the embroidery attachment for my Bernina.

Which is another thing I'll never buy: embroidery attachments and the hellaciously priced software.

We also got to use my new Kandi Kane hot iron to embellish the stocking with hot fix crystals. It's addictive for a glitter-addict like myself. Watch out world! One thing I learned about the Kandi Kane is to use it like a regular hot fix iron:

1. Place crystal on project.
2. Use a smaller concave head than the crystal size.
3. Hold hot tip on crystal for 12 seconds.

When I used the Kandi Kane method, the crystal would get stuck (glued into) the concave head, hence the smaller size. Also their method has you holding the crystal in the hot head until the glue bubbles, then planting it on the fabric by tapping it. It's crazy inefficient and that drives me nuts.

I also made a pair of Santa pyjamas and a pair of corduroy pants. His loveliness has deigned to wear the former for the holiday period (only), but has refused the latter, as too baggy for his style. Anyway, two shirts to go for him and I'm done until the next kid project gets me.


This one is for me. It's the fabric I'm using for the dress version of Simplicity 4045. The fabric is a silk georgette from Fabric Mart, that's way too wild to be ignored. I'll line it with olive green ambiance to cut out some of the yellow tones. But check the print - it actually has leopard, tiger, cheetah and a fourth mystery cat cobbled together.

Hey, maybe I can put hot fix crystal all over it. Hmmm?!!

Mittens Complete!

The mittens for Connor are felted and finished. If you're nervous about knitting with double points, this is the perfect starter project. I used 7" needles, which were a little fiddly with the tiny thumbs, but still easy to do.

The yarn is a new one for me. It looks like roving stretched out into yarn, instead of the twisted, plied yarns that I'm used to. It's very soft and a dream to knit, even softer after felting.

The service from Morehouse Farm was very fast and the patterns are clear and easy to follow. I only had one little problem and that's with their color description. This is the 'FantaSea' kit, which shows up with a lot more blue on their website. I understand that with this type of yarn dyeing, it's hard to get consistent color variations, but I did expect at least some blue. The scarf kit I ordered, is likewise, dominant in green (and mustard yellow) - but no purple!

I'm finding ordering yarn on the net has more potential problems than fabric buying. Maybe as I get more experience, it'll get better. Still, it hasn't stopped me filling a whole tub with skeins of pretty stuff. 

Simplicity 4045

I'm so happy with this top. The bodice is cut on the bias and there is gathering at the center front neckline. The little sleeves have an inverted pleated at the top and at the hem and the collar anchors the bodice and the sleeves.

I made no adjustments to the pattern, which makes it gold in my eyes. I like the bias drape over curves and the sleeves are just the right length and width to make my upper arms look a lot slimmer.

This is so comfortable to wear and so cute, I think I'll make the dress for Christmas. Maybe a lined georgette or soft wool crepe.

Yep, my blahs are definitely over. 

My Sewing Blahs are Over!

What with moving and the holidays, I haven't done any sewing since mid October. I managed to put together a Halloween costume in our hotel room and a great costume it was too. But... real sewing? The longer I'm away from the machine, the more I shy away from returning. As if I've forgotten how to sew.

It didn't help that I cut out 6 projects before packing, thinking (huh!) that at least I'd have sewing, even if my sewing room was a mess. Sadly, it turned out to be 6 UFO's for the pile.

But it's over. Yippee. I'm working on a this cute little top from Simplicity 4045:


It's a bias cut design for woven fabrics and the sewing's easy.

In the meantime, I've been knitting. I've been stacking 'techniques' into projects and I'm doing rather well.



These are the 'Fetching' fingerless gloves from the summer issues of "Knitty", or half gloves, as my son calls them. So I learned double point needles and easy cables.

This second mitten is from a Morehouse Farm kit for kids, and they're so easy and fast. I'm halfway through the second and I have to felt them slightly to finish them.


My son was so impressed with my knitty gloves that he told everyone about them. In fact, he shows off every little thing, fancy or simple, that I or Grandma has ever made him. He's so proud of us, he makes me feel 10 feet tall. Of course, he also keeps giving me new projects to do.
So worth it.

And the rest of the fabric....

The box from Kashi at Metro Textiles just arrived, and I'm still happy with my purchases.


The colors are too dark on this set.
Top left is a reversible wool/blend rib knit, mid-weight, pink-purple on one side and purple on the other.
Top right is a coppery gold stretch denim.
Bottom is a cream knit with gold metallic thread. Lightweight, very soft and much lighter than the picture.


Top left is a heavyweight sweater knit, grey/black/ivory flowers on brilliant red. This is embarrassing. I bought it thinking the wrong side was the right side. Both side are good though, one has a regular knitted structure and the other is soft and fleecy. Even more embarrassing, I realised when I got home that I had already purchased this fabric from Ressy's Co-op. Oy!
Top right is a crinkle georgette in greys, ivory and pomegranate. Very pretty.
Bottom left is a mesh knit with a very colorful, Asian design.
Bottom right is a gold printed stretch velvet in black.


Top left is the soft, fleecy side of the sweater knit above.
Top right is a gorgeous burnout chiffon in a pistachio green, with branches in coppery brown and embroidered/sequined floral branches. I put the lower part over the copper stretch silk charmeuse which will be the lining.
Bottom left is a pleated red silky. It's a poly but very pretty and cheap, so it snuck in.

All the glittery, gold fabrics left me with a bit of a reputation as a glitter-ho, but also very, very happy.

There'll be another box next week with three more fabrics. I'm not on a fabric diet, but I'm satiated. In fact I'm going to try and shave off a third of my stash. I'm only going to put up with loved fabrics anymore. There is so much out there, that when I need the blah, I'll be able to find it anytime.

Pattern Review Weekend NYC

What a whirlwind life I have. Two days after the moving truck finally arrived, I got on the plane to New York. I've wanted to do this trip for a long time, but the timing is atrocious for me. Not this year. My husband gets a shout out for practically pushing me onto the plane, "but I have so much to do!!".

I roomed with Ann and Marilyn from MA, who were wonderful and fun. And I got to meet so many other women - talented, accomplished, witty, lovely ladies all of them. We shopped, talked, enabled and shopped some more. I only wish I'd had more time to talk to more people.

I started off calmly and gently at Global Leathers and wound up a slavering fool at Kashi's. My box from him hasn't arrived yet, but this is the fabric I brought with me:



Brick rayon/lycra, lace cotton blend knit & black/gold/red knit from Spandex House.
Purple/lavendar swirl rayon/lycra from Mood.


Beautiful glitter butterfly on gold leather from Global. Anna Mazur was very inspiring to me and a lot of others reminded me of an Anne Klein tops pattern from the 90's for a vest/top from this leather. I was stuck at 'handbag?', so I appreciated the muse.



Rayon Velvet in blue-grey from Parron's.
Black leather (shared the skin with Jodi) and snake skin leather from Global.
Two wide elastics from Spandex House for lingerie.



Tropical print rayon/lycra, swirl brown and tan linen/lycra from Mood.
Pumpkin slinky and heathered green slinky from Spandex House.

And the final sweet haul:


There's an annual chocolate show in NYC. Tom and I went to the first one and this time I had to go it alone. It is the most phenomenal turnout of national and international chocolatiers, all with samples. The crowds are suffocating but the experience is so worth it. This is my gift to my lovely husband and gorgeous son for making it possible for me to go away this weekend.

Ok, the pumped up heath bars are mine. But the rest, all theirs.

Hot Patterns: Weekender Chilled-out Sweat Suit

I made this pretty soon after it was released.

I made it up in a 16, with no alterations. I have a 43-44" bust and the fit is great. The front lays just right on my bust without falling to either side of my bust. The shoulders are a little dropped and the bodice is undarted. This is not a fitted item and I don't think it's designed to be, but it's close fitting.


This one shows the front (there's an optional zipper) held close, to show that the fit is still good.


The back is again fine. The hem is resting on my tushing because I forgot to pull it down. But again this is undarted and to be expected.


The fabric is a black terry faced grey knit, with at least a 50% stretch. I used light grey serger thread. It was easy and fast to make. And moreover, it's great to wear. It's cute, relaxed and kinda hip. What more could you ask for. I get appreciative comments and looks all over. Note: it's good to stitch the facings down at the shoulder seams for extra non-flapping security.

I also made up the pants, which have the L shaped crotch curve. I made them up in the same fabric in a size 16, although my tush lies between 16 and 18. They were close fitting, but cute and just right. 'Were' - because I nuked them in the dryer. Oops. So I made them up in a less stretchy rayon/poly/lycra. Oops again. With the tighter size, they really needed the stretch, so that pair got wadded up.

I'm waiting to get settled in my new sewing room to pull it out with the correct fabric.

Sorry about the awful pics. It's 5 days to moving and time is getting tight.

I came, I saw, I ... um... returned.

My Latin conjugation is awful, and my brain too mushy to google the correct phrase. Also I need to change my little intro to this blog, because we're leaving New England. Back to Colorado we go. It's a work thing.

We've loved it here and love it very much in Boulder, so everyone is happy. Connor and I were listing all the things we've enjoyed here - trees, grass, leaves, rocks, Walden Pond, school, bendy roads.... And for me, the very new sewing friends and relationships. I'm sad about all those things.

We're leaving at the end of the month and sewing has become a pile of wistful UFO's. I'll have to get a Halloween costume made now to use when we arrive in Boulder. But otherwise it's crazy packing time. For once, my procrastination has paid off and 60% of our things are still in boxes from the move in June.

The funniest thing is that two weeks after moving, I'll be flying back for Patternreview weekend in New York.

I might just get back to regularly scheduled sewing in December, or January. I'm just grateful that I took up knitting.

Bitty Blue Hat

Fall is mostly about my little boy, Connor. Halloween, his birthday in November, trips to London and Hilton Head to visit Grandmas and finally Christmas..... It's a long haul of celebration, family and fun. Most of what I sew and make right now are for him.


This is the my first completed knitting project in 16 years. I took up crochet last year and returned to knitting this year - I'm getting faster every day. This was a fun quick thing. And the big payoff:

"Mama, I look pretty!"

Now he wants me to sew him a dress. Boys do wear dresses, Mama. Help!!