Sew Busy

I love making lists. First off, it keeps me from having to actually remember the thing itself, and forcing me to remember simply where I put the list. Secondly, I get a little bit of a thrill when I get to manipulate the list. For example, crossing things off a to-do list, or adding another project to the 'project list.'

I started keeping an excel sheet listing all my projects a few years ago. Looking at it makes me feel like I've actually done something productive with my time. But it also allows me to analyze what I've been working on. So, last year, I made 40 projects. 32 of them were knit and only 4 sewn with 2 'other.' This year I set a goal of 52 projects, averaging one per week. Currently, I'm at 24 and today starts week 30. (But I'm not worried about it. Summer isn't over yet, and I haven't even begun to think about Christmas.) Of those 24, 11 are knit and 10 sewn. A slightly better ratio in my opinion. But I also like that I finally have the time to sew. In any case, here are a few of things I've made so far this year.

First, a few knitted things:


Caroline Cloche by Hannah Ingalls, knit in Silky Wool by Elsebeth Lavold. I loved this project. It was simple and quick, the yarn is really wonderful to work with. Wool/silk blends may just be my new favorite to work with. I've found that they are light and drapy, but still retain structure, and are great to block.



This Drawstring Raglan was also knit in a wool/silk blend, but for this one it was JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk. The merino in this is incredibly soft, and generally the yarn was good to work with. The only thing that tripped me up on this project was choosing colorways. First it was white, light gray, dark gray, and black. Which would have been fine, but the white isn't exactly white. It's more like winter white. And there would have been nothing wrong with that, if I was working with warm grays. (These are the unfortunate circumstances of ordering yarn online.) So I had actually ended up buying the light beige (mushroom), the blue, and a red instead. However, the red ended up being overpowering, so the dark gray made it back in. Whew. I'm quite happy with the result, but I'm glad it's done.


I finished the Pleated Top last month during my trip to San Fransisco. This was knit in Misti Alpaca Hand Painted Lace. It just doesn't get better than alpaca. Ever. And in a lace weight, it's light enough to wear during the summer.

Ok. Now some of the sewn stuff:


I'd made this dress for my friend Rima's wedding. (Simplicity 2933.) The front yoke used to have beading on it, but I took it to a major cleaning operation, who doesn't give a rat's ass about beads, sequins, belts, or buttons, (It's true. It says so right on the ticket they print out.) so the beading fell off. I haven't bothered to redo it, and I'm not sure I will - I like the dress just fine this way too.


I call this dress "Fields of Grain." This is McCall's 5465. I've actually done this dress out of a sweatshirt fabric as well, and I sleep in it during the winter - so warm and comfy.


I'll wear this to my friend Amy's wedding in August. Since it's a traditional Bengali wedding, there are 3 full days of events. This is for the Bride's dinner Friday night. Saturday - the day of the wedding - all us girls will dress up in saris (!!), and Sunday, for the Groom's Reception, we'll each wear a lehenga, which is just a top and skirt. I'm quite excited for it!

Otherwise, this dress is kind of weird. It's almost like the mod squad goes golfing with George Jetson. I'm glad I have a reason to wear it.

Also, this is Simplicity 2927, which is one of the Project Runway inspired patterns. I think the clothes are cute, but the way they write the fabric requirements is completely ass backwards. Instead of "Look A, Look B" etc., they've broken it down by each element. So, they'll say "For collar, this much. For pockets, that much. And so on." I feel that an experience sewer will know that there will certainly be enough fabric for the pockets and collar both, without having to add the two measured requirements together. I think it then becomes a situation where too much fabric is purchased because the math starts to drive people a little crazy. Bad design.

These were going to be linen drawstring pants. Instead it became this. Not that I mind, I actually really like the way these turned out. These were made using Burda 8488. Burda is probably my favorite pattern company - I especially love their pants patterns. I've made a few pairs, they always fit just right, and I've also found that I've altered different patterns in the same place every time. No surprises on a pants pattern = happy me.


I absolutely fell in love with how light and elegant this cotton was. There was a yard and a half left on the bolt, just enough for a little peasant shirt. This is another Burda pattern, but from the magazine. It's actually an altered version of #121 from the 07.00 issue. That top had come down to just below the bust, I simply lengthened it, adding 7 inches below the waist.

Ok. Phew. That was a lot. See? I've been busy. :)

Swimsuit Cover-Up Contest

Whew, it's July already! I've been busy - but unfortunately it seems, too busy to take pictures or blog :( I think it's time to make up for some lost time...

I'm an avid reader of several craft blogs, the craftzine blog being one I check almost daily. When they posted a Swimsuit Cover-Up Contest, I thought, 'hey, why not?' First place is a sewing machine, and 3 runners up get a dress form (this is what I'm really pining for - I already have a sewing machine :P). Each contestant is allowed up to 3 entries, I've submitted 2.


I made this jumpsuit on Sunday. This was the perfect excuse to make a jumpsuit as well, because I don't really know when the hell else I would ever wear one.

The fabric is a double stretch jersey, purchased at Vogue Fabrics in Chicago. I've always been a bit weary of stretch knits - my machine had never really like to play nice with them. But the garment design wouldn't allow for a woven (even a slinky silk or satin wouldn't have draped the same way [and besides who wants to wear silk or satin to the beach?]) and so the jersey adventure began.

Surprisingly (and pleasantly so), it wasn't as hard to work with the fabric as I had remembered. There is a shirring detail at the shoulder, which I worked by using elastic thread in my bobbin. (Lock the beginning stitches, sew on the longest stitch length to the end, don't lock the end stitches, pull the elastic to desired length, tie a knot with both threads to secure. Easy.) I think the best part of this whole thing is no buttons, no zippers, no pleats, darts, tucks or fancy fitting - truly an easy breezy summer outfit.


I love, love, love this dress. Probably one of my favorite things I've sewn in a while, and a dress that's already gotten a lot of use. I've worn it to the bar, to run errands, and to work. It's completely universal. The fabric for this dress is just darling. The scenes of children-at-play (also my nickname for the dress) are a perfect embodiment of summertime.

I made this dress on Memorial Day. My good friend and photographer Erica had taken many of the pictures for my portfolio, and in return had wanted to learn to sew. I brought over my machines and while she was busy working on a wrap dress, I'd made this. (Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of her dress.)

So we'll see how the contest goes. If nothing else I still have a couple of cute outfits from it, so I won't complain too much! Also, the photo credit goes to my friend Matt, who shall be thanked with a knitted baby hat and booties, for the son he and his wife are expecting!