Squeaky Snake

Something a little different today, a toy made for my nephew's first birthday. This is the squeaky snakes pattern by Abby Glassenberg. I made the coiled snake out of some giraffe print fleece I got at Joann and some scraps of felt. I wish I could say I loved making this but it was just a pain the whole way through. I apparently suck at adding seam allowances because I had problems with things lining up. When I went to tape the pattern pieces together the coiled part of the body wanted to overlap with the neck area. That's probably really hard to visualize but basically parts of the flat pattern pieces were overlapping. So I untaped and spread things out a bit and then I could cut.

I didn't use glue, instead the eyes were sewn and attached by hand. This thing is probably going straight into a mouth so I felt it a better choice to sew those parts by hand. Let me tell you, those things are never coming off! Trying to sew such small pieces on a flopping snake and turning the long coiled body right side out were the worst parts. The head and body sewing on the machine went fine.

Mr snake came out ok, I think he's a little wonky looking but my husband thinks it looks really good and keeps reminding me it's for a baby. He won't have the same standards as me. The snake is being packaged up and sent out this weekend to the birthday boy. I'm not sure if I want him to love it or hate it so I don't have to make more... I am just more of a garment sewer I guess. I complain but at least I tried toy making and got a cute present out of it. I even got to try out one of the fonts on my new machine by making a custom tag. I've moved back to clothes after this, I'm currently working on my first bra which is going pretty well so far. Fingers crossed I get that done this weekend with no catastrophes.

Southport Dress and Tank

My latest finished pieces are the Southport Dress from True Bias and a tank using leftover material from the dress.

 I cut a straight size 4 based on my bust measurement despite my hips being a size larger and my cup size nowhere near a C. I didn't bother grading or doing any adjustments to the dress since there seemed to be plenty of ease. I did shorten the dress by three inches (I'm 5'4") and I think I could have gone about an inch shorter there, I do step on the dress once in a while so I may raise the hem. I think the fit is fine but I might try sewing with a 5/8" seam allowance next time just to bring it in a hair.

The fabric is a linen/rayon blend I got at Joann. It wrinkles a bit but really it's not that bad. It's light and airy, perfect for the hot weather. You can't see it well in pictures but the weave of the fabric has slight polka dots (or boxes if you are Joann) to it which is right in line with my polka dot obsession. I so wish I had made this earlier in the season. I wore the dress twice so far and the tank a few times as well. Both are very, very comfortable. Funny thing about the fabric, I had been looking for a specific navy ikat at Joann but the store I was at didn't have it in stock. I spent so long in that store looking for something else I thought my husband was just going to leave me there. He's such an awesome trooper, he went back to the linen aisle and picked this up for me after I changed my mind and decided I wanted it while at the cutting table with my other fabric purchase of the day. He knew right where it was and did it with no complaints. Scored major points that day. But I supposed things even out when he brings me to the home-brew supply store. Anyway, back to the sewing.

My only complaint with the dress was that the neckline is a bit too low for me, so for the tank I raised the neckline by 1 inch. It made a big difference and I just feel more comfortable with a higher neckline. I thought this might happen and I was kicking myself for not making this adjustment with the dress. I used this tutorial on the true bias site adding about 10 inches in length and an extra 1/4" width to the size 4 bodice at the hipline. I added side slits as a design element, not because the top was too snug after basting it together, no, not at all for that reason... I actually really like the slits and I'll probably use them again in future versions.  I may try for more waist shaping but I'm not sure, the flowyness is pretty comfortable.

I made my own bias tape from the same material and boy was attaching that an exercise in frustration. It nearly disintegrated in my hands. At least the result is nice. I made a whole bunch at once and used an empty thread spool to store it on. I forget where I saw this tip but it worked so well I snapped a pic to share. I used the thread holder for a second spool to hold the bias tape while I attached it. This was so helpful, I don't know why I never thought of it before.

I'm pretty happy with these makes and I see more of them in my future. Unfortunately winter is coming so I am going to have to switch gears and make more cold weather appropriate items now. I have a few projects cut out so hopefully I can get some good sewing time in soon. I also really need to finish my post on the hudson pants. I've made 4 pairs and need to get photos.

Ginger Jeans!

What is it about jeans that makes you want to scream out loud "I made jeans!!!" Maybe it's just me. This is the Ginger jeans pattern from Closet Case Files that I made towards the beginning of the summer (May 31st we took the pictures, yikes). The fabric is a stretch denim I purchased in person at my local Joann Fabrics that I had originally intended for a skirt. It has small white flowers printed on it. They also had some with little white hearts. It was a tough call but the flowers won out. I have a pair of polka dot denim skinny jeans from Gap that I adore and I really wanted to try this pattern so I switched things up and am so glad I did.

I made the high waist skinny version in a size 8 since I have a 37-38 inch hip area. I followed the sewalong which was so helpful. The pictures and tips were a great way to enter the jean making world, and supplemented the written instructions very well. I followed Heather's advice and basted everything together. I'm really glad I did, I had to take out about a 1.25" wedge from the back yoke tapering down to 0 where the pant legs meet. I didn't take the wedge out of the waistband, I was able to sew it on and cut off the excess. This may not be the right way to do things but it worked for me for this pair which is really a wearable muslin. Next time I will make adjustments to the pattern pieces. I shortened the legs by 3 or so inches and next time I will do that before cutting as well. The fit is really good, maybe ever so slightly tight in the calves but they are not uncomfortable. I did not interface the waistband.

I used white topstitching thread but normal thread in the bobbin. My rivets, buttons and thread also came from Joann. Hammering those rivets in was really fun. My husband at one point saw the hammer in my sewing room and was pretty curious as to what I was doing. I love it when I can mix tools and crafts.

Oh this makes me feel weird but here it is, a back view.

These are not a quick project for me but I had a lot of fun making them and I have plans to make more. I'm not really one for high waists so I will make the stovepipe lower rise version next. I already have the denim purchased, I just need to tear myself away from summery projects to begin them. It's hard, there is so much I want to sew before the warm weather vanishes. I can't say enough good things about this pattern and the instructions. I doubt I'll ever buy a pair of jeans again. I have the Carolyn pajamas on my must sew list as well and I can not wait to get around to those. Penciled in for winter sewing :)

I finished up a couple of other projects this weekend which I hope to get posted soon.

Fifi

I pretty much dropped everything to participate in the sewing party and make up a set of Fifi pajamas.

This was my first Tilly and the Buttons pattern and I enjoyed it, it was also my first time with french seams so I appreciated the instructions provided. I don't have too much to say about this set. They went together pretty easily and I think they are really cute. I made a size 3 and the top fits perfectly. The shorts well... They fit fine but personal preference, I should have made a 4 and next time I will lengthen them. I just prefer my shorts a bit longer. I used Cotton and Steel Mochi Hot Cross Buns in taupe from Fabric.com. I think the fabric is super cute but it's just too stiff for pjs. I'm hoping it softens in the wash. My husband thinks this pattern is really nice, he even thought the top was nice enough to be a non pj top. I want to make a silky version in navy. I'll be on the hunt for some more appropriate fabric choices thats for sure. At some point I also want to try working these in a knit for more comfort, and hacking them into a nightgown. I have a couple of knit nightgowns that I wear a lot in the summer. I also really want to make Carolyn pjs and I think I will try to make this top as part of the set. Overall I enjoyed making these more than I thought, it was nice to take my time and focus on details. I see many more Fifi sets in my future.

Sleeveless Granville Shirtdress

Let's just ignore the fact that it's been over five years since my last post. Two cross country moves definitely shook things up a bit. I've missed having a record of my makes and I find reading other blogs so helpful that I'm dusting off the old blog again. I'm still knitting but I've been getting much more into sewing over the past few years so let's jump right in to my most favorite, somewhat recent make.

This is Sewaholic's Granville shirt hacked into a sleeveless shirt dress. I once had a sleeveless denim shirt-dress years ago that I loved and had been wanting to make something similar. I had made two versions of this pattern when it came out (I'll show you those at some point) so I knew the fit was ok, I liked the details and instructions, and I had the pattern pieces cut out already. I followed Tasia's post on removing the sleeves and I added, I want to say 14 inches to the bottom of each piece. Basically I put one of the shirts on and measured down to where I wanted the hem to sit. I also removed the curve from the hem. On my first shirt I had some issues with the whole shirt lifting up a bit when I raised my arms so for the second I raised the lower part of the armhole 1/2" to see if that helped which I think it did. I kept that mod for this dress but after a run through the wash the armholes seem a bit snug. I'm not sure if I didn't notice that when I first finished the dress or if it happened after that first wash. I did prewash the fabric but perhaps it shrunk a bit the second time through. Long story short, I don't think you'd need to raise the armhole if making this sleeveless.

There really is quite a bit of extra fabric at the back and I should start trying to fix that. It doesn't bother me that much but next time I'll tinker more, I think I could also remove more from the shoulder fro sleeveless versions. I'm still new at this and fitting is something I'm just barely beginning to understand.

The fabric is Kaufman chambray that I got from Fabric.com. I had seen it on some other blogs and thought it looked lovely, it did not disappoint. It's so wonderful to work with and it feels great on. I've already purchased some more in maroon that I want to make into a maxi Southport dress. I think it will work.

I used some pearly snaps I got from Joann that I love, I think they go really well with this fabric and is what used to be on my old inspiration dress. The armholes are finished with bias binding that I made using the same material as the dress. It was my first time using my bias tape maker and it was so easy. I had made some biding for small quilts in the past and this little tool really made a difference. I flat felled the back seams (so taking them in would be a bit of a pain) and I added pockets to the dress. I used the pockets from Colette's Moneta (I really have so much to show you) and pinned them on before sewing to determine placement.

Overall I really love the dress. Yes the fit is off in the back but I can always belt it. I've worn it a bunch and it was really fun to make. I plan on more Granville's and I have an Oakridge about half done right now. For that I tried grading between sizes which I probably should have done for Granville. We'll see how that works out. I always struggle with deciding which size to make and what adjustments are needed. I want the upper back to fit without having the garment ride up when I move my arms. I've had this problem a couple of times and I'm not sure how to correct for it.

Well, that's all for now. I'll try to get to the backlog of makes as soon as I can get some pictures. My goal is less than five years until the next post. For now I'll leave you with the newest member of the family, if you can consider almost 5 years new... This is Penny's friend Mason, a lab mix who loves to interrupt yoga and is scared of so many things but is by far the sweetest dog I have ever met. Not that I'm biased or anything :)

Happy May

Wow, no posts at all in April, pretty sad. I've been knitting but have just been too lazy to sit and write a blog post. These were April's projects.

Up first is a Stockinette version of Haruni by Emily Ross. I used US5 needles I think, and Malabrigo sock in Cote D'Azure. I love everything about this shawl. After using the malabrigo sock it's the only thing I ever want to knit with again. I had the chance to stop in at Webs last month and grabbed enough for a light sweater. I can't wait to start that.



Next, which actually was finished first, is a simple vest of my own design in Reynolds Whiskey. I like it but as you can see the neck opening isn't low enough and the straps are too wide. I don't know if I'll fix it or not, I don't have much green left and I can't decide if it bothers me enough. I finished this just as we got hit with some very warm weather so I've only had the chance to wear it once, I'll decide in the fall what to do with it.

I was going to show May's projects but I just had to rip out my Indigo ripples skirt so that will have to wait until next time. Let's see if I can be less of a stranger around these parts! Maybe I'll even remember to take some pictures of my sewing.

FO: Bauhaus

Bauhaus Fair Isle by Mary Jane Mucklestone
Berroco Ultra Alpaca
US4 and US5

So I finally got some decent pictures of my husband's Christmas gift. Unfortunately the colors are a bit washed out. The sweater took about three months of monogamous knitting and was by far the most challenging thing I've knit. It did drag towards the end but overall I did enjoy it and I'm really proud of how it came out. After a good wet blocking my tension is very even and it has a nice drape. I used several colors of Berroco Ultra Alpaca and the maroon is a skein I picked up from the Coventry farmer's market two years ago. He picked all the colors and I really like the combo he came up with. I like this yarn for colorwork and would use it again. It is very dense but it's good for those really cold days. My only issue with the pattern is that the armholes are really big. Maybe my husband is thinner than most but there is more room than needed in that area. He still says it's comfortable but we know now to take a close look at armhole measurements for future sweaters. I've got the colorwork bug now though, after my Ravelympics sweater I stopped in to Woolworks for some yarn to make myself a color work vest. Hopefully I'll finish in time to wear it at least once this season.