Homesprout

Friday Favorites - August 31st, 2012

Make sure to click on the above photo to view the sources.

Warriston

So, the chickens decided to join us for our photo shoot today.  We've been letting them roam in the yard, and they follow us around whenever we're out there.  I attribute this to the fact that we'll feed them tomatoes and melons if they've gone too soft for us.  Several of them wanted to be picked up today.   

This sweater was so incredibly nice to knit.  It's an easy pattern, even though it looks complicated.  I loved the way the sleeves were attached (no sewing).  Also, it has pockets!  I'll probably be wearing this most of winter.  I'm in love with the yarn also.  I used it with my cafe tunic, and I used it again for this pattern because it called for Aran yarn.  

You can find my ravelry notes here. 

Wiksten Tank - Version 2

I finally finished the second version of my Wiksten Tank.  I modified the pattern significantly.  I took about 2 inches out of the top of the back, I changed the neckline, and I cut an extra small with a small length.  I absolutely love, love, love this version.  I know I have a tendency to belt everything, but this shirt also looks really good just open with a pair of jeans.  

I had started to think that my handmade fall wardrobe wouldn't happen, but I'm actually making headway.  My third version of the tank is cut and almost finished.  My big knitting project is just waiting for the last skein of yarn (I had to order more).  I have under two weeks left before school starts, and I just cleared the counter of garden produce yesterday (tomato soup, candied jalapenos, and frozen swiss chard).  Might it actually be possible?   

Milo Vest

We're back from Pittsburgh, and I've just started to catch up on all of our responsibilities around here.  I did bunches of knitting in Pittsburgh.  I created one big item, and one small.  This little baby vest, from the pattern Milo, was my small knit.  I knitted it for a friend of mine who recently gave birth to the sweetest, most beautiful baby boy.  

I modified the pattern a bit.  I didn't bother with the cable stripe, and instead, I added a green stripe across the middle.  I also only switched to stockinette more quickly.  It still needs to be blocked, and I'd like to soak it in some lanolin to make it more soft.  The size is for a three month old, so it should be a good fit in the fall.  

My bigger knitting project is almost complete.  I should be able to share it in a few more days...

Fall Wardrobe Plans

I recently bought bunches of fabric from Denver fabrics with the plan of sewing a fall wardrobe.  I love Denver fabrics.  The fabric I order is always nice quality, and you can order matching thread.  

When ordering fabric, I've found that it's a really good idea to match it to the pattern I wish to sew.

The first three fabrics are going to become Wiksten tanks.  I've found a simple tutorial to modify the pattern to reduce the size of the back.  I also found an amazing tutorial that explains bias facing.  I never understood that this was different than bias binding.  I recently sewed a second Wiksten tank, and it made an incredible difference!  I would also like to modify the neckline and arm holes a tiny bit.  I think I'm going to cut a second version that's an extra small, with a small length.  I'm so excited to see how they turn out.  I might even make some short sleeves for one.

The gray chambray is going to turn into the Colette Crepe dress.  I might actually make a muslim for this pattern, as I want the wrap to fit correctly. 

The pretty blue twill is going to turn into a Wiksten tulip skirt.   Honestly, I cut this pattern with another fabric, and it was just wrong.  I don't know what happened (the paper printed it in the right size).  However, the pleats were much smaller than the ones pictured, and the waist size was crazy small.  

 

 The jean will be turned into a Ginger skirt, also from Colette patterns.  I haven't ordered this pattern yet, but it looks pretty simple.  As long as it fits in the waist, I should have no problems.  

What do you think?  Do you have other pattern suggestions that might help me out?  

 

Creating a Fall Wardrobe: Simplicity 2698

Sewing a new shirt for myself really kicked started me into sewing again.  I decided that I'd like to make some new clothing for myself for fall.  I have a tendency to really wear out my clothing, and my wardrobe could really use some new additions for the coming season.  I've also grown frustrated with the quality of the clothing I can purchase.  I like to purchase quality, and that quality is often expensive.  Further, it doesn't always live up to it's promise. 

Therefore, I decided that homemade was my best option.  I could choose the fabric, and the quality of the garment was up to me.  I've been much more careful with what I sew.  Before I start a pattern, I google it to see if there are any common issues.  I also go slowly, and read each step several times to make sure I'm not making a mistake.  Mistakes still happen, but lately my sewing has improved drastically.  I'm also starting to understand the direction of patterns much better, and that has helped.

I decided to reuse a pattern I already had to sew this skirt.  I'd sewn Simplicity ____ a long time ago, and my results had been pretty good.  I had noticed at the time that the waist band didn't seem to fit the lower portion of the skirt, but I had assumed that it was a mistake I had made along the way.  This time, I googled the pattern, and found that the waistband issue was a common problem.  The way to solve that problem was to sew in a more natural gather (and not bother with the pleats).  Then the bottom portion of the skirt could be made to fit the waist band.  Much better.  The pockets were also a bit fiddlely for me, and I had to hand sew the side seams to get it to lay correctly.  It was really too much to alter this pattern to the way it should have been written.  I don't think I'll be using it again.  

Still, with all my troubles,  I ended up with a pretty nice skirt.  Everything fits correctly, and it drapes well.  I hemmed it to a length I like, and the fabric seems to be of a good quality; it's a "cordless" corduroy.  I also installed a zipper using an actual zipper foot.  Wow, that was so much easier!

I would have modeled it (or awkwardly stood with it on while my husband took pictures), but just the thought of putting it on today in this sticky weather made me too warm.  

Do you sew?   What's your favorite pattern of all time?

Wiksten Tank

So, I recently discovered sewing again.  I'd been on a long hiatus.  Then, I received a pincushion from my mother in law for my birthday, and it just propelled me into action.  That pin cushion combined with my discovery of the beautifully simple Wiksten tank pattern.  I sewed one together yesterday in a few hours, and there will be more, many more.  It's the perfect summer shirt, as it has been crazy hot, and dressing sans sleeves is really the way to go.  

For my next version,  I think I'm going to raise the neckline a bit.  I'm also going to cut it a bit shorter.  I felt it necessary to cut it long (I'm always paranoid about too short shirts).  It wasn't really needed.  

I've found some fantastic inspiration online.  There are hundreds of versions of this tank available on flickr.  I put together a few of my faves below.  

So beautiful, right?  

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In other news, today is my birthday (I'm 32).  I'm going over to my parents for lunch, and Tim's cooking me dinner.  Tomorrow, we're going to see Gillian Welch at the Egg.  I consider that a good birthday.    

Cafe Tunic: Finished

I know I say this about every sweater, but I kinda love this one.  The yarn I used is super soft and it makes a very comfortable piece of clothing.  It's really a spring sweater, finished too late for the season.  When I saw that it was raining last night (the rain actually surprised me in the garden), I asked Tim to take some pictures in between the rain drops.  

I actually finished this sweater while watching the new Bob Marley biography in the theatre.  I found a new talent for myself - knitting in the dark!  It's not for everyone, but a simple stockinette stitch proved quite possible.  I even cast off.  Also, the movie was really beautiful.  My huband was more of a Marley fan than myself, but I came out of the theatre really loving his music.  

You should see the outtakes from these photos.  Model I am not!  My husband always gets the most awkward candid photos of me.  He had trouble taking the photos he was laughing so hard.  

You can view my ravelry notes here.  

Yarn Along Wednesday

I've reached the point where I just want to finish.  At this point I'm just knitting in a circle, and I can't seem to knit fast enough.  I've already bought the new Knit Scene, and I'm ready to cast on another project (I have some baby items for friends, and a new summer tank waiting in the wings).  I have about half a skein left, and I hope it will be long enough once it's done.  I don't plan on making it a full dress, I'd prefer it as a longer shirt.  

With that said, I seem to be a knitter that can only work on one project at a time.  With the yarn along, I see that some of your have 4 or 5 five projects going at once!  I need to work on my multi-tasking.

I'm joining Ginny's yarn along this week.  Remember, I link in the morning, but I don't have a chance to comment until the evening.

Yarn Along Wednesday

(Mabel snuck into the photo this week, she was really excited about knitting, oh, and dinner...)

I'm still working on my cafe tunic.  If I wasn't going to be so busy this weekend, I would probably be finished very soon.  My calendar is really full for the next few days, and my knitting time will be very short.  I have all of my AP students coming to my house on Sunday for their final review game, (I call it the "Survivor challenge," so dorky).  We also have a wedding we're shooting on Saturday, so my weekend is basically booked up.  Still, I'm sure to fit in a few rows in between events.  

The pattern for the Cafe Tunic has been really easy thus far, but I would really suggest trying it on as you go.  My turned out a bit big, so I made some adjustments along the way.  I'll share my changes on ravelry once the tunic is finished.  

If you haven't yet, make sure to enter my giveaway for coconut oil!  

I'm joining Ginny's yarn along this week.  Remember, I link in the morning, but I don't have a chance to comment until the evening.  (I'm getting a haircut tonight.  so the comments will be a bit later than usual.)