Yarn Crawl

January's Sewn Garment: Kwik Sew 3554

After playing around with a few different versions of the Butterick pattern pieces to petite the pattern/raise the neckline, I got motivated to try Kwik Sew 3554.

I'm happy to say that although this was a practice garment, made with leftover knit fabric from my stash, I really like this and will be making more! The next one will be much more polished and professional as I will make a few changes and also take more than 1/2 hour to sew it, but here it is. I figured it would be a bit TMI for me to model it, but I got two thumbs-up from Jim when I showed it to him!

Here it is on J.Lo, though:

This is a great way to use leftover scraps of knit fabric. Kwik Sew does the XS, S, M, L, XL sizing and the S fit me perfectly even though my seam allowances were 3/8" instead of 1/4". I changed it to make it a halter instead of traditional straps, as I'm planning to wear it as lingerie instead of a slip, per se, and I like halters better. Next time I would not use the coverstitch machine for the edging (too sporty) and also would actually read the instructions that say to do the back upper hem first before sewing together (that's why my stitching doesn't exactly line up on one side.) I used the gathering foot for the underbust gathers and that was quick and accurate, so I would do that again. I can see many more of these in my future. I have another Kwik Sew patterns for silky wovens, and I want to try that one too.

Planned January Garment 3.0

I swear I must be jinxing myself as yesterday I sewed up the Vogue dress - the good news is it looks fabulous on Dawn (my work friend/recipient of my inverse triangle shape garments). The garment adds waist and hip curves, which is great if you are somewhat lacking in them - not my situation! I will be hemming it for Dawn over the weekend and will show it modeled on her at some point. (It's very much a date night dress, in my opinion, so she probably won't be wearing it here to work, but I'll get her to take pictures at home.)

In the meantime, I still need to make my January garment (unless I count that one, which technically would be within the rules) so I think I'm going to make another Chetta B. faux wrap dress, except my challenge will be to modify the pattern so that it can be worn without a cami underneath. I should just need to raise the neckline to make that happen.

January Garment Attempt 2

At lunch just now, I cut out the pattern tissue and most of the fabric pieces for the dress from this pattern:

I will be eliminating the zipper as this is designed for knits and can go right over my head. I saw another review for it today where the reviewer had done the same thing, and I liked her version.

I'm using this fabric from my stash:

Wish me luck!

RIP Uptown/Downtown Knit Dress

Well, I decided I'm done with the Uptown/Downtown Knit Dress. I just got back from lunch at home, where I (stupidly) used the serger to put the neckband on to it and it just didn't work out. I had been using the serger to construct it all the way along, and figured, why not try to use the serger for the neckline like they do in the video? Bad idea. I used the same fabric instead of separate ribbing fabric for the trim, and I think it's just not stretchy enough (although it seems pretty stretchy to me!) to make the neckband stretch enough to fit the neckline (which is huge.)

I was going to recut the cap sleeves, front, back and neckline trim, and sew the neckline again on the sewing machine this time, but then looked at it and realized it is one of those patterns that really need a belt to look good, which seem not to work well on me. "Slouchy" is not a good look on me, even if belted. I need something to be more fitted to look right. So RIP to this pattern.

Now I have to come up with something else for January. I'm thinking about either a satiny slip or something with knit fabric. UGH. This is what I hate about sew-alongs. Self-inflicted pressure.

New Pattern Obsession

As I mentioned before, I'm still working on the HP Uptown/Downtown Knit Dress and plan to have it done by Jan. 31 for this month's garment in the sew-along.

However, that didn't stop me from buying all of the new Simplicity and New Look patterns. I'm pretty interested in this one:

I like View B (with the cap sleeves) best. I like the high wrap neckline - no cami required and a twist on my (somewhat overdone) wrap dress look. Wovens, who'd have thought?? After sewing that trench coat, though, I really feel like I can take on any project, given enough time and patience. I think this will be my February project. It's nice to feel like all I need to make is one garment a month - very doable. It calms my Type A sewing tendencies.

Birgitte Lace Pullover Update

Aquitaine Pullover, Modeled!

I decided not to re-bindoff the neckline on Aquitaine, as it had slightly felted (just a little) when washed, and I thought that might make it difficult to undo. Plus, I stuck it in the dryer for 10 minutes and that seemed to make the neckline a bit snugger. I like it!!

Pattern: Aquitaine Pullover from Winter 2009 Interweave Knits
Size: smallest (34)
Yarn: recommended Classic Elite Kumara - I shortened the body and sleeves so that they would fit me like the model - about 2" off each - and I only had almost 2 skeins left over from the 8 I bought per the pattern instructions
Mods: shortening per above note, used a needle 2 sizes smaller than the neckline ribbing needle to bind off

Verdict: I love this. I love tunics, and a cozy soft warm one like this with a nice wide neckline to layer over boatneck tops (like this one I'm wearing, 2/$25 from Victoria's Secret) and wear with jeans is perfect. The yarn was super soft and nice to work with, though the stitch definition could have been a little crisper. I could almost see a version of this in a cotton/wool blend yarn like Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, or a drapey version in a silk blend (though the neckline would probably have to be bound off with an even smaller needle then.)

P.S. I played with my camera's settings when taking these pictures with the tripod (Jim was in the shower getting ready for dinner - birthday sushi for our friend Tim.) The softer looking ones with warmer light are using the A-DEP setting and the first, starker looking one is with the full auto setting. Not bad though for after dusk inside the house though - I like that A-DEP setting, I think.

Aquitaine Pullover - Blocking Photo

Here's my Aquitaine Pullover, blocking on my dressform - post underarm grafting, pre-end weaving in:

It was looking HUGE after I washed it and laid it flat on towels to dry (yet slightly too snug on the bottom pre-washing) so I stuck it in the dryer for 10 minutes and that seemed to have done the trick to shrink it back into shape (yet retain the drapiness of the body.) I'll try it on when I get home.

New Project: Birgitte Lace Pullover

I thought I'd show a WIP photo for my new project, the Birgitte Lace Pullover:

This is after the first 16-round repeat.

Each lace section measures 3.75" wide by 2.75" tall, and I have nine repeats around so the finished measurement should be about 33.75" though I'm following the 31.5" size instructions. Per the pattern, I am supposed to do five repeats and then 3" in stockinette stitch to reach the armholes, so it should be 16.75" (which is tunic length on me) if I do all five repeats. I'm thinking I may just do four though or shorten the stockinette stitch a bit. I'll have to see how it looks when I get more done.
All I know is I'm doing at least four repeats and I just finished the first one, which really didn't take long once I started working on it.

I am really loving this GGH Soft Kid yarn - it's almost softer than Kidsilk Haze, yet has some "girth" to it, unlike the KSH. I like that it isn't so insubstantial, yet is light as a feather. I really like this. My first lace/mohair sweater!

2010 Goal Update - 1/19/10

I thought it was time to update my 2010 Goal/Focus List, as I've made some progress on some of the items, and have planned progress on some others. I've restated the original goal and then my update for each item as of today.

1. I know this is boring, especially first off, but keep up with the housework. Do something every day around the house. Like for example, lately I’ve been putting a load of laundry into the washing machine in the morning while I work out, then putting it in the dryer after I get done working out, and putting it away when I get home from work. If I do a little each day, everything stays cleaner and there’s no need for fire drills. My house is pretty clean right now and I want to keep it that way.

1/19 update - I need to get back on the wagon with this one. I’ve been better about it than I was before, but have slacked off a little.

2. Redesign and buy new furniture for my loft, including at least one new bookcase, as my bookcases are stuffed to the gills.

1/19 update: Decided to put this one off til later this year. On the home improvement front, though, yesterday Jim did set up my gravity feed iron in the laundry room, replace the fixtures on the utility tub (leaking) and put up a new shelf!

3. Continue on my journey of learning to cook. The other night I made filet mignon in a cabernet and sweet vermouth reduction with shitake mushrooms and truffle oil. That was my first ever pan sauce and it was easy. I’ve also been making fresh salads with lots of vegetables and I like eating healthy for less money.

1/19 update: I’ve been doing well with this one, and my wallet and waistline are thanking me! Now that my oven is working again (had electrical service issues with the appliances in my house that are on 220 service) I made baked salmon in the oven last night. I’ve also been finding new uses for my Breville panini maker along with just making paninis.

4. Appreciate my husband. The man is a Harley riding saint. Enough said.

1/19 update: I think this one is all about appreciating the good days/times and letting the not so perfect ones go. Overall, it’s going very well and I feel like Jim and I are becoming better friends/partners by the day.

5. Enjoy my knitting more. If I don’t like everything about a project at the swatching stage (feel of the yarn, needles, design) don’t waste my time on it.

1/19 update: I’ve been going with the flow and alternating between the Aquitaine Pullover (almost done – just need to graft the underarm stitches and block and possibly re-bindoff the neckline with even smaller needles) and the new Birgitte Pullover project.

6. Finish Mirepoix. For the love of everything holy, this UFO has been kicking around since October 2007. I finished all the knitting, and even did one of the steeks. What is stopping me from finishing it??

1/19 update: I joined Ravelympics as co-captain of Team SKC and will be finally finishing this project as part of the “WIP Wrestling” event. I may also finish Hourglass Jacket, but Mirepoix is the first priority. So this should be done by the end of February.

7. Sew at least one design from Burda World of Fashion (BWOF) magazine. I’ve been wanting to do this forever, as I really love the styles and I subscribe to the magazine now. I just have to figure out a system that works for me for tracing the patterns and adding seam allowances.

1/19 update: Haven’t done anything yet.

8. Sew at least one Hot Pattern. I have at least five or six of these, but haven’t sewn any as of yet.

1/19 update: My January garment for the Garment-A-Month sew-along will be a Hot Pattern – the Uptown/Downtown knit dress. I cut out the pattern pieces on Sunday and plan to lay out the fabric and sew by the end of January.

9. Find some new styles/patterns that flatter my figure other than wrap dresses (though I am still going to sew them as they work for me.)

1/19 update: mulling this one over

10. Make a pair of really professionally finished pants now that I have a go-to pattern for them and have the fitting part nailed. To this end, I have ordered the new David Page Coffin book/video on making pants and his other video on shirtmaking (I have the book already but saw the video in my sewing class a few years ago and was impressed with it.)

1/19 update: no progress yet

11.SLOW DOWN with my sewing and take my time. I tend to rush through everything and 1.) not enjoy the process and 2.) be sloppy about finishing. I want to be more of a process sewist and knitter. Now that I have a pretty extensive sewn/knitted wardrobe, there is no need for all this rushing around and insanity.

1/19 update: I’m doing this Hot Pattern a step at a time, in small increments, instead of pushing myself past the point of exhaustion (my previous MO with sewing) so I feel I’m doing better on this one.