Yarn Crawl

Needing a Fabric Shopping Intervention!!

Today the guys working on our house were still here finishing the roof re-do and the gutter teardown/rebuild, so I *had* to get out of the house for awhile. You know what that led to - craziness at Vogue Fabrics!

Here are my finds (you can hover over each to see the type of fabric and yardage, as I entered it to help keep track on Flickr:)

Total cost - about $120. I really don't think that's bad considering all the fabric I got.

On top of it, I had hit a $3/yd sale on Fabric.com a few days ago and gotten these:

I *have* actually been sewing with some of this fabric. Yesterday I did a muslin of these Kwik Sew shorts

and was happy to find that they fit with only a minor adjustment (3/8" seam allowances on the sides instead of 5/8" did the trick). I then immediately started (and got about half way through) the fashion fabric version - in a chocolate brown rayon from stash. I'm making View B, the medium length version.

This is the first fly front zipper I've put in, and although I'm not totally done with it (have to serge the edges inside as this fabric is fraying like a b&tch, tack it down inside so the fly extension won't flip around, and restitch the curved part of the topstitching) I am pretty happy with it so far. The next one will be a lot easier now that I know what I'm doing, although the Kwik Sew instructions were pretty easy to follow.

This morning I had my mani/pedi at 8 am and worked on Mentionable. Not much more to show there - I have about 5" or 6" done. I'm liking it though, despite the thinness of the yarn.

Jim is going to play poker tonight at my co-worker's house (the general counsel, my next door office neighbor) so I am staying home and working on my sewing projects. Those New Look patterns are not yet here, but I have plenty of other patterns and fabric to keep me busy (I think.) Wish me luck!

New Look Pattern Sale Score!

I got an email today that all of the newest patterns from New Look are on sale for $2.99 through this weekend, so I just bought all of these (if you want the pattern numbers, just hover over them with the mouse for a second and the number will appear:)

I really need to lock myself in my sewing room and not come out until I have all of these made!!! I'm dying for new clothes and I refuse to go to the store and buy them when I know I can make them exactly the way I want! I even have the fabric stash to do it so I wouldn't even have to leave the house unless I wanted to pick out some new stuff.

Tomorrow is a "summer Friday" and my only plans are a mani/pedi on Saturday morning at the new salon. So I think I could make significant progress on the sewing, provided I can keep myself from getting absorbed in a new knitting project instead! I know when my WEBS order arrives all bets are going to be off, but if I can do some sewing before then, that would be great!

In other news, I signed up again to be a Secret Pal Hostess! After a break from it for one round, I'm excited to be back into it. I made so many new friends as a hostess last time I did it, and it will be fun to work with a well-functioning group after my disastrous MBA group! I worked very well with the other hostesses last time, and I look forward to doing it again. Signups are not yet open, but they should be open around May 15th and close on the 30th, with matches to be made and distributed by June 15th. Watch the new SP12 blog for details on signups! There's also a new Ravelry group for this round that I'm helping to moderate, so details will be there as well. Yay!

Kwik Sew 3580 Is a Go!

It's not often that I'll post twice in one day, but I am so excited. I just finished a quick muslin of Kwik Sew 3580

and I think it is going to be really cute. I think instead of emphasizing short waistedness, it's going to give me more length from the waist to the hip (which right now I don't have a lot of) and be slimming. Plus it's a cute style!

Here it is on J.Lo - but it looks a lot better on me (LOL)! Muslin is pretty transparent though, so I didn't want to take a picture of myself in it. I didn't press the seams flat and one of the darts is on the right side of the fabric (plus it only has the essential parts for fitting) but it is going to fit.

Side view

Back view (with goofy wrong-side dart and zipper area just pinned closed, because no way am I putting a zipper into a muslin if I can see how it fits without it)

front view - J.Lo is standing crooked in that one and/or I put the muslin on her sideways - it is straight on me. I've got her in a corner of my sewing room, behind the sewing table, and she's a little hard to get out for modeling as I'd have to lift her over the table.

Bad pictures, and I didn't retake them because I'd rather *do something* instead of taking and retaking pictures, but you get the idea. I think this will look really cute in actual fabric, with a wrap tie belt.

Remainder of Weekend Update

I finished the Tea Rose Halter on Saturday afternoon (although I still have to wash it to see how far lengthwise it is going to "grow".) I decided I was going to wear this with white pants and a white tank layered underneath it with thicker straps. As I didn't have a layering piece in my closet that fit that description, I decided to make one. I picked up this pattern:

and made a muslin of the version in the upper right. It looked like it was going to be kind of boxy, but the muslin actually fits perfectly. I was able to make the muslin in about a half hour, so this should be quick. I'm going to make it in plain white cotton broadcloth. It's exciting to think in terms of outfits now - I can knit one piece then sew something to go with it, or vice versa. I'm getting into it.

I also got my kit of knit swatches for my Understanding Knit Fabrics class, and labeled them all with my P-Touch labelmaker. I am going to put this thing to more use in spring organizing projects.

I went to Wool and Company with Heather yesterday and picked up the newest Kim Hargreaves book. I had been eyeing it for a while, and there are some really cute patterns in there. After shopping, we tried a local restaurant that had outdoor seating on a rooftop terrace. It was great to be able to sit outside in the sun!! I am so looking forward to more warm weather!

I also picked up Twinkle's Big City Knits on Saturday at Barnes & Noble as I had a 25% coupon. I know the sizing looks goofy in the book, but I really like some of the designs. She is kind of in the same genre as the Loop D Loop books (as far as chunky knits) but the construction makes a lot of sense and the patterns are well-written and logical. I had a lot of fun with that Tea Rose Halter and found out that Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece makes a great chunky fabric when held doubled. It's not too bulky and drapes nicely, and is not too hot. I plan on using it to make some of the designs in the book, even those that call for wool.

On the Swing Top I talked about a week ago, I am done except for the shoulder seams and neck/armhole pickups. I wasn't in a finishing mood so I didn't work on it this weekend. Last night, I did start the Captiva Tee (thanks Katie! I am finally getting to this after receiving it from you in my first Secret Pal round!) with my Lotus Yarns Nirvana Worsted in "Wish You Were Here" as I needed some mindless knitting. Mindless knitting is almost like a requirement for me for during the week after work, or on weekend nights. I wouldn't knit half as much as I do if I didn't always have a project like that on the needles. I guess I need a lot of "zen" time to zone out and calm my mind. That's why that "knitting is the new yoga" cliche really is true for me. There are times I want to challenge my mind with my hobbies (and usually? that's with sewing projects for me lately as those aren't relaxing, more like engaging and engrossing) but much of the time relaxation is the goal.

I started my newest audiobook, Spin, yesterday, and after a slow start (probably the first 20 minutes) I am totally into it (hence another need for the mindless knitting.)

I've decided not to artificially limit the number of knitting and sewing projects I work on (not that I have been doing that much of that anyway.) I feel like I'm constrained if I do, whereas the more different options I have with projects, the better I feel.

So that's the update! How was YOUR weekend?

New Project!

I decided to start a new project last night. I am using two skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in CW-790 (Columbine Blossom) held together, and with that I got both stitch and row gauge on the recommended needles - a rarity for me! I went with the 31" size as Twinkle's designs always stretch a lot. I considered even going with the 27" shown on the model, but decided that might be a little too much for it to stretch.

I don't know how many skeins of yarn I'll ultimately need, as the pattern is written for Twinkle Cruise, with FOUR strands held together. I did some research on this yarn and it is light DK weight; therefore, I thought I'd try two strands of BSCF with the thought that I might need three to get the gauge. Nope! It worked perfectly on the first try. I will need two more skeins at the most, as I am between 1/2 and 2/3 of the way through both skeins and have just started the waist ribbing (yeah, gotta love those size 11 needles!) Perfect new mindless project; I started it at the beginning of Atonement (the book is much much better) and ended at the end of Kramer vs. Kramer (another Netflix movie I had never seen when it was originally out in the 70s.)

Here's a picture:

although the color is actually really like this:

Blue seems to be really hard for me to photograph well!

Oh, and based on the results of the poll, I will go with Fabric #3 for that dress!

At first I thought a bigger print might be too much, but I think a smaller print might be too cutesy for that design. So I'm going to trust you all! I already have two potential pairs of summer shoes picked out to go with it:

(more of a butter-yellow color)

(more of a bright neon yellow than green)

or gold? I think I like this best, actually.

What do you think?

Sunday's Progress

Yesterday I ended up making a lot of progress on the Anna Tunic, and the only things I still have to do are finish the armhole edges and hem it. Check out these perfect buttons I found:

I was really glad I was able to find ones with both colors of the fabric, in 1/2" size (is it just me or does it seem like there are no 1/2" buttons, only 3/8" and 5/8"?) in a shank style as this is what the pattern recommended.

I didn't really like the part of the instructions for the yoke finishing, so I got motivated to learn about my serger's coverstitch feature. After a few hours of watching the video online and referring to the manual (and completely removing some screws that I could have just loosened - live and learn) I got my machine to do it. I still need to fine tune the tension, and if I were actually doing it on a garment, the raw edge would be turned under, but I got it at long last.

When I took my owner lessons at the dealer, the lady working there said that she won some kind of contest at a sewing expo for converting the machine over from serger to coverstitch in 3 minutes or something like that. I'm sure it'll get quicker for me, now that I know everything you have to do, but I think I'll be happy with 10 minutes.

I learned that there really is no substitute for plugging away at something and learning on my own (with the help of reference information online and in books.) I didn't remember anything from my three lessons at the sewing dealer (we had one just on the coverstitch) because I didn't have the time then to go in and reinforce my learning by trying it on my own. When I was teaching accounting and tax classes online, I remember they always told us that adult learners learn best by doing, so to incorporate exercises wherever possible. This didn't used to be so true for me, but I must be old enough now for this to be the case! I tend to get bored and zone out now when people are lecturing and need to be doing something all the time. I never used to have so much nervous energy. Oh well, it burns calories, right?

Hope everyone has a great week ahead!

Swing Top WIP and Misc. Sewing

I started this from the new Classic Elite Summer Book 1 about a week ago and have really been enjoying working on it (the tank/vest shown here:)

Here's my version so far, knit in Cascade Pima Tencel from stash instead of the recommended Classic Elite Premiere (which I think is identical in every way except price.) I converted the pattern to knit it in the round until the armholes. I divided it at the armholes about 1" ago and am working on the back first.

Yesterday I went to Jo-Ann's and found the Tru-Grid I needed for my "Copy your Favorite Pants or Jeans" online sewing class over at Patternreview.com.

I haven't worked with it before. It kind of feels like interfacing, and is used for pattern drafting. I read you can even make a muslin out of it because it's actually fabric.

Then I found this little invention - I needed a new ironing board cover and I didn't realize they made ones with sewing markings:

This will be great when I have to press back a certain measurement!

After I got home from my shopping for that stuff and for a wedding shower for one of Jim's cousins the end of this month, I got a pedicure in a color I love, Pompeii Purple. It's like an iridescent pinky-purple and screams SPRING! You can see how my feet are so wide across the base of the toes here (or maybe those are the dreaded bunions I keep hearing about. They've always been like that since I was a kid though and not wearing high heels, so I don't think I did it to myself with high heels, like some people say.) Anyway, that's why I'm so glad I can fit into the Coach shoes out of the box, because my feet are weird. But aren't everyone's in some way, really?

When I got home from all of that, we went to this Italian deli we love in town and picked up some great sandwiches and soup. After that, Jim was watching golf downstairs (the Masters tournament, which is on all weekend) so it was knitting and Netflix movie night upstairs. He had turned off the heat downstairs as the temperatures were in the 60s this week and he didn't mind sitting under a blanket to watch golf and then Star Wars on TV, but I had the heat on upstairs and worked on the Swing Top while watching two 80s movies on the Netflix Watch Instantly feature - Reversal of Fortune and Steel Magnolias. Of course I'd seen Steel Magnolias before, but it had been a long time. I hadn't seen Reversal of Fortune before and it was very good, starring Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close (there's a name from the 80s for sure!)

Today is still part of "Masters Weekend" and Sunday is my sewing day. I'm going to work on the Anna Tunic

today and hopefully finish it (though I don't want to jinx myself.) I got my Grande Skinny Latte and am ready to roll.

Here it is so far:

I have to rip out the front yoke seam and redo the gathering because I went "off" a little when sewing it together. I had mistakenly cut off one of the gathering threads in between sewing them on the body and "putting the body aside" to work on the yoke, so the gathering didn't work all that well. I did the belt because I wanted to see how this was going to nip in once tied. I think it will work. I'm skipping the flower.
I haven't sewn the back yoke yet, but just kind of placed it to see what it would look like, but check out those buttonhole loops!

I was really happy with these once I figured out how to set my machine for edgestitching (it involved using the "D" foot, which has a split down the middle that you use to line up the fabric, and moving the needle all the way over to the left) and stopped getting the "thread nest" underneath the strips.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Sweetheart Vest and Anna Tunic Progress

I finished the front of the Sweetheart Vest tonight and tried it on. I actually really like the way it fits now, and it is hitting the same spot on me as it does on the model, as I only shortened it 2". This is usually the amount I need to adjust patterns to make them fit me the same way they do the models, lengthwise, and this worked out well.

The armholes and neck are pretty deep on the pattern, but will be narrower once the neck and arm bands are added.

I also started a new sewing project this morning, the Anna Tunic by Amy Butler. I bought this pattern a few months ago but hadn't had a chance to start it until now. I felt like making something out of cotton, as it is so easy to work with and I had quite a bit in my stash.

I'm skipping the flower - a little too cutesy for my taste - and making the tunic length with the belt. There is a choice of lengths included in the pattern: cami, tunic and minidress. I decided to make the tunic length unadjusted, which is 27.5" from the back neck and will hit me on the upper to mid thigh, so it may be more like the minidress, but I am planning on layering this with a long sleeve black top under it and a pair of slim black pants for the current weather.

I am working on the yoke and buttonhole loops now, which is Step 4 of 9. I used muslin for the lining like the pattern suggested and I wasn't sure how I would like it - but it is actually really soft and looks nice. Here's a progress pic - disregard the goofy threads hanging - those are for the gathering stitches for later when I connect the yoke to the body of the garment.

I ran into a sewing machine problem when making a narrow band for the buttonhole loops that maybe someone has some insights on. I had to crease a strip of fabric lengthwise, then fold each side toward the crease and press it, then fold it over and stitch the fold down. Well, this all worked out great until I got to my machine and it would NOT move the fabric strip with the feed dogs!! It kept getting stuck and thread was tangling up from the bottom.

I'm not sure what to do to fix this. I tried adjusting the tension up to 9 and fabric weight to "heavy", but it didn't work. And this is my Viking 960, the workhorse from the 80s with the super strong feed dogs! It wasn't even my "wimpy newfangled made-in-China overpriced electronic" one. So my next move is going to be to try it on the other machine, because there are more settings on that one that I can play with, unless someone has an idea for how to fix this?!

"Wicked Skirt" Done!

This morning I took another look at the "Wicked Skirt" and decided it would be too hard to take in, because the yoke/waistband would also have to be taken in, etc. So I just decided to wear it lower down on my hips, as it's supposed to be worn 1" below the waist anyway.

I did decide though that it will *not* look right with Wicked as it hits just below the waistband and makes it look funny. I guess I could rip Wicked back to make it shorter, but I wove in all the ends and it would actually be difficult to find them now. So these two items are going to be worn separately. I'll show the Wicked sweater separately either tomorrow, if I have time, or when I get back.

Here's the pics of the skirt by itself, which I wore with an Eileen Fisher jacket I had in my closet but don't really wear a lot.

Here it is without the jacket:

I like it, but I will make one size down next time. It could be a little shorter too; when I hemmed it, it was sitting higher up on my body so now it's a little long. Usually the best length for me is just above the knee - this one is just below. You can't really see it that well as I'm wearing it with knee high boots. I actually am liking A-line skirts a little better now than this style now that I have a bit more of a waist. The lower-rise skirts seem to look a little dumpy now. Right on time, as I think higher waisted things are back (but I can't go super high, as I am short-waisted and it looks silly!)

Done with Sewing for the Day

I have hit rock bottom with this jacket and we are officially breaking up.

I decided to just pin the lining the way I think it should go and mark the buttonhole and button placement, and bring it to class for help. I think the lining is supposed to be pinned with the wrong side out so that then it can turn right side out, but I'm confused about the sleeve lining. I'm totally frustrated with the sleeves anyway, in general, as there is usually a side seam to line up the sleeve seam with, but not on this pattern because there's a side "panel", the seams of which are not supposed to line up with the sleeve seam. Grrr.

Here's some pictures of the "tranny mess" as Christian on Project Runway would say:

It's taking everything in me not to throw this into the catbox. OK, that was my first real laugh of the day.