Category: sewing

Tuesday Tidbits

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I went for a walk in the ravine today. By myself. I think this counts as exercise. I’m really pleased with myself.

I wore my new shirt.

I saw this on Instagram but unfortunately I don’t remember who posted it. I had to search but finally found it on Etsy. (It was my birthday weekend so I treated myself.)

I want this hat. I can make this hat. I will make this hat. I don’t even need a pattern. Or fabric. This one is linen, but I may use canvas. I should have some scraps after I sew my pants. I’m going to need interfacing, though, that heavy duty stuff.

Are you ready to get back to work today? I’m ready to get back to work today.

Mending

Posted on Posted in lofty thoughts, sewing, what makes me tickTagged 16 Comments

Today I’m mending Bob’s pants. They were too long to begin with — which is why they were fraying — but not so long I could turn up the hem twice after cutting. I used bias tape instead. I’m not sure where I picked up this trick, probably from Grandma. Now Bob’s favorite pants are good as new! Better, because they are the correct length.

I love mending because it’s very zen and I don’t have to follow instructions. I also love making something damaged like new, and reusing, and saving money! And I gotta pay for this sewing machine, right?

Do you mend? Do you darn your knitting? I’ve never been very good at darning. I need more practice.

Sunday Sewing and Survey

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I finished my black linen lantern skirt!

On the downside, it’s too big. I have to wear it on my hips. On the upside, I can wear a stretchy tank top with it and not have muffin top. And it looks great with my tie dye duster!

I suppose I can take it apart and down a size if it bothers me. Right now, though, I’m happy to have finished something. And it’s always possible I may gain more weight, although I hope not.

Pants: A Survey

I need help deciding which pants to make. I have some navy stretch cotton twill and some gray cotton twill. These are the contenders:

Seamwork Nolan, from my previous post. High waisted mom jeans. They are in style and I know they will be comfortable.

Seamwork Callahan. Wide-legged high waisters. I probably wouldn’t top stitch the creases. Trendy and comfortable but would not transition into fall.

Ottobre Cargo Pants. Less trendy. More flattering for my mature figure. Would probably be able to wear them for more seasons.

Please leave your vote in the comments and please just vote for one! And thank you for voting.

Sunday is my day to blog about what I’m thankful for. So Sunday Grace today includes: Bob surprised me with coffee and breakfast in bed this morning, we are both still working, all the kids are healthy, and we live in an era where we can do so much remotely. It really is a marvel.

Blogcrastination

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It’s Saturday. During the week I am so engrossed with work that when Saturday comes, I don’t know how to transition. I want to make something but I don’t know what I want to make.

These are some cute pants from Seamwork. The only thing I don’t have that I need is a zipper. I’m thinking about braving Joann in a face mask to get what I need. I tried ordering a zipper online three weeks ago and I still don’t have it. I have some navy stretch cotton twill that I think would be fab in this pattern.

This is the tile in the kitchen of the house we made an offer on. I dream about walking barefoot across this tile. I hope we get the house.

We went outside today. We took a hike at Infirmary Mound Park. It’s called that because there is a prehistoric mound there, and also an old home that was called The Infirmary for a time. You can read more about that here. It is a beautiful park with many lovely trails. Wildflowers are blooming right now, and there is a fairy garden trail. But we left it to the families with children.

We did go to Joann and waited in line to get in due to social distancing restrictions. We gave our new kitenge masks from Kenya a whirl.

They fit great! Now it’s time for nachos and Joe Bob. I will keep knitting on my sock. I hope you are having a wonderful Saturday!

Sunday Sewing

Posted on Posted in finished objects, sewingTagged , , 12 Comments

I made a shirt today. I wanted a high (but not tight) neckline, 3/4 sleeves, short length (to go with high waisted pants) and a loose comfortable fit. And I wanted to get in on the floral trend. I modified the Ace pattern.

I found this knit fabric on sale, presumably because it is an autumn floral. I love the more subdued colors, but it is still a lot of color for me.

I tried to get a good shot without asking for photography help. This was the best I could do. It’s a little blurry, but you get the idea.

A Week in One Day

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Sock it to me Monday

I started a sock! I decided if I don’t like knitting socks and everyone else does, then I’m probably not doing it right! I cast on a Blogville favorite, Hermione’s Everyday Socks. I am using some gorgeous Arrowhead Fibers Basic Sock from my stash, in Wintergreen. I started on two circulars as the pattern suggested, but switched to Magic Loop, which is slightly less stressful. There’s still a lot of needle flopping going on, but compared to stitch dropping on double points, maybe it’s ok? I’m knitting short socks for clogs and modified the ribbing. Keep me in your socky thoughts and knitty prayers.

Wednesday WIPs

I received the Chinook Fleece Artist in Jewel, my main color for Whit’s Foursquare Cowl. I cast on! This yarn is so soft and I think the colorways are perfect together. The variegated is my Celtic Colours yarn. This is a comforting and simple knit.

I cast on my Farmhouse Cardi in Black Welsh Mountain. This yarn has some VM in it. (That’s vegetable matter to us laymen.) I don’t mind picking it out. It reminds me this yarn is not far from the farm. It’s nice and squishy.

Still knitting on this Shetland Tweed Throw when I need something simple and chunky.

Friday FO

Oh yes I did! I finished my Seamwork Billie. It looks like PJs. It feels like PJs! It was a fun make. Next time I’ll pick a fabric that doesn’t make me wish I had a little red cowboy hat on.

Spooky Knitalong

Quiteayarnblog and mildlygranola are starting a knitalong for the Arachne sweater next month. I’m intrigued (or have FOMO) and if I frog and forget about The Oa, I could use this Cascade Sport. I could make a purple Arachne with green web, or a gray Arachne with charcoal web. I’m leaning toward gray because I’m boring that way. I have just under the needed yardage, so I’m not positive I’ll do it. I still love The Oa, but if I were going to knit it, wouldn’t I be further along by now?

Yes, there is purple in my hair.

February! Wow!

Posted on Posted in sewing, The Just Craft, yarn11 Comments

First off, check out this Ace I made out of a remnant:

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I am wearing this to Kenya, and I told my Mom I will wear the funnel neck over my nose and mouth instead of a mask, to protect me against coronavirus.

Second, I did swatch my Black Welsh Mountain yarn:

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Finally, check out the newest episode of The Just Craft and my interview with Jay Jasper of The Alchemist’s Studio!

If I can blog from Kenya, I will!

Cheating for the Win

Posted on Posted in knitting, sewing16 Comments

I’ve had a rough couple of weeks. The harder I try to fix things, the more complicated I make them. Suffice it to say, things have not been going my way. (Although they certainly could be worse!)

Today I cleaned up my craft corner, but I was afraid to give either one of my new machines a go. I didn’t have the patience to learn something new or the tolerance for any more frustration. But… I was itching to sew, to try something!

Then I remembered someone – maybe my friend Sara, my fount of sewing wisdom – told me about tying the ends of the serger threads to the ones that were already threaded on the machine and running them through. I did it, and it worked! The satisfaction of serging over my wonky zigzag seams on the Billie jumpsuit could not have felt more gratifying.

I also went for the Black Welsh Mountain yarn. I talked to Bob about it, and we worked out a financial solution for me to get the yarn I really wanted. Luckily it was $100 less than I thought it was going to be. This is going to be my Farmhouse Cardigan yarn, with Katrinkles bamboo arrow buttons. This yarn is deep black but has a brown tint, which I like. It’s a very earthy black.

Books: I’m reading both “Bonkers” by Jennifer Saunders and “Dear Fatty” by Dawn French. I’m listening to “Circe” by Madeline Miller. They are all very good.

Knitting: I started Hans’ Tread hat. After this I have another skein of the yarn (Woolfolk Far) in gold. I may make one for myself, to match my eyes. I think I have picked out another pattern for my skein of Hogsmeade, the While Waiting cowl. It’s a sweet story, and a good fit for the yarn.

Tomorrow I would like to spend some time knitting and listening to “Circe.” I’m also hoping to get a hike in, but that will depend on the weather. Looks like snow is expected. That’s the perfect hiking weather! I hope we do go because I’ve had no exercise since before Thanksgiving.

Friday Eve

Posted on Posted in knitting, sewing, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , , , 14 Comments

Work has been crazy busy, but I found time on Sunday to start my Billie Jumpsuit.

The bottom is looking and feeling very like kid PJs. About 12 years ago, I was sewing a lot and selling my wares at craft shows, and a friend suggested I should design children’s clothing. Maybe she was right?

I am hoping once I get the top on, it will look more like something a grown up would wear in public. If it doesn’t, I’ll add some feet and own it!

My sewing machine is giving me tension trouble. I thought I had fixed it with the use of the correct bobbins, but I was too optimistic. My old Singer has the same problem.

I think I’ll go ahead and get a new sewing machine and a serger. I’ll test them out on Saturday to make sure I like the Jukis I’ve heard so much about. I don’t want to damage my expensive fabric on a cheap machine. It isn’t worth it! Plus it’s frustrating and sucks all the joy out of my sewing time. Maybe I will find someplace to donate my old machines.

On the knitting front, I’m finishing up another Tread. I will start my Jessica Jones cowl before my trip so I can knit on the plane. I heard we struck wool in Kenya, and was told to bring my needles! I’m excited!

All the Updates

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Hello!

I thought you might enjoy seeing the pattern I picked out for my plaid flannel fabric.

Eh?

I’m pretty excited about it. If I like it for winter in plaid flannel, I’ll make a linen one for summer.

Will I try to match the plaid, or will I funkily mismatch it? Probably the latter but I’ll have to see how it looks.

My orchid is blooming again. Apparently I’m good at orchids now. Who knew? Maybe I’ll try ferns again this summer. I have been a notorious fern killer.

I’m in a bit of a dither with knitting and not sure what to do next. I was going to knit a hat out of recycled t-shirt yarn as a sample for our artisan partners in Kenya, but it sounds like they will be banning the import of used clothing soon. Good on you, Kenya! We’ll figure out products that will support their textile economy. They are having a wool renaissance like we are, so maybe that will work out.

Maybe I’ll finish up the two remaining Tread hats, and then start Winter’s Fern. What knitting will I take with me to Kenya? Maybe the Jessica Jones cowl?

I adjusted my meds so I am now back on a low dose of one med (instead of two) that I take at night. It was good to get off them completely to see what my baseline is and readjust, and better for me physically. The side effects were killing me.

This pic is for my Mom. Hi Mom! I got my hair cut recently and I asked them to take my photo. They took me back to a little studio area where they do glamour shots. I started looking around for props. I would’ve taken someone down for a feather boa!