Knit FO - Sunflower Tee

Finally finished my freestylin' knit project. The pic doesn't do it any justice, I incorporated ascending tulip cables in the sweater, which adds quite a bit of texture. Somewhere during the process, I cabled out of control and the design just didn't materialize the way I envisioned it. Despite my cable flaws, the sweater fits and feels great. I wore it with a grey suit and the grey & yellow was a great combination.

The cable design came from Harmony Guide: Cables & Aran, which has the most beautiful cable stitches and selected the Ascending Tulips. I want to purchase the Harmony Guide: Lace & Eyelet too. The inspiration in these books are bountiful.

For the shaping I used a free pattern from Lion Brand, called the All-Season Shell. I thought this pattern would help me achieve the shaping I needed, because of the rib stitches, which creates a stretchy fabric, and the fact that I was using a stretch yarn it worked out perfect. For the sleeves, I used the instructions from a pattern in Knit Simple's Spring/Summer 2008 issue, called the Sunshine Tee. I also modified the sleeves by doing a few rows of rib stitches to match the rib stitches at the hem of the garment. I guess, its only fitting that I call mine the Sunflower Tee....lol

As for the yarn, totally luv it, the memory on this yarn is phenomenal and down right soft. I would luv to get my hands on some variegated cotton/elastic yarn and work up another one with cables.

Lastly, did I say I luv this yarn...haha!

Started/Finish: 4/1 - 4/28/08

Yarn: Elann Esprit

Fiber Content: 98.3% Cotton 1.7% Elastic

Used: 5

Needles: Size 4

Pattern: All-Season Shell (Revamped)

Garment Size: Medium

After Visiting

Carolyn's blog, she left me with food for thought. She posed a question "Have you had high hopes for a pattern and fabric combination and it just wasn't what you expected when you finished it? " I closed out saying that I have high hopes for my dd's garment and thought further, before I continue sewing, do a visual of the dress/tunic.

Our intentions are to use a printed fabric for the yoke. I had to make an adjustment to the garment, I initially cut a size 10 and it was too big and now it fits nicely. She also wants the hemline to hit mid thigh, but I will deal with that later, also we are opting out of the patch pockets. However, she tried it minus the yoke and off enjoying herself at Si.x Flag.s...lol.

Giving further thought to Carolyn's question, I pinned the yoke to the dress and attached one of the sleeves to get a visual of what it would look like. Dd mentioned that she would sport a white belt with it, so took a few pics with some variations.

I'm not too sure about the yoke and thinking I should go with the same fashion fabric for the yoke... what do you think?

Lawd Have Mercy

Thank Goodness Its Friday!!! I had a work week from hell, everybody and somebody wanted something from me, although I had that don't ask me for shyt look on my face. They asked me any dayummm way. I was doing magic tricks this week, for a second I was feeling like Davi.d Blain.e...lol

Although, I arrived home tired as all get out everyday this week, I did get some knitting done on my freestylin' project. What can I say about this project...ummmm, its coming along. I had a design in my head and somewhere between my head and doing the project things got out of control, more so the cables.

What I will say is I'm so in luv with Elann's Esprit yarn, which is cotton/elastic blend. The yarn is popular for making socks, and I tried it for this garment. Luv the blend in this yarn and the elastic fiber allows it to hold its shape exceptionally well. I'm thinking it would do well for bathing suits.

I finally broke down and purchased the Harmony needles oooo lala.. they are so purtty, and can't wait to start a new project. I have 6 balls of trendsetter ribbon yarn and looking for a pattern. So in the meantime I'll just keep admiring them...lol.

As for sewing, my daughter has a line of garments she wants me to make and I have started the first one, which is New Look 6785, Version B. Although its a tunic, she plans on wearing it as a dress. I cut for a size 10, but its too big, if I figured it right I need to take in an 1". For fabric, she selected a blue lightweight cotton fabric, and I suggested for the yoke a contrasting fabric and pulled out my multi-blue paisley fabric and she agreed. I didn't realize there was gathering, which I have a fear of, but moved along anyway and cut the fabric and crossing eyes and toes that it comes out ok.

She's already telling me the dress is too long, sheesh, so, once she tries it on again, we will discuss the length she wants. I already got a feelin' she's thinking mid-thigh, which to me would make it a tunic...right...? Managed to get the sleeves done that required gathering as well and instead of hemming went with bias trim using the fashion fabric. Hopefully, I would like to finish it this weekend and squeeze in a project for me.

Ohh, I received Thread's latest issue and can't wait to read the article on "Sew With Your Serger". Also, Thread's has a pattern, that I would love to purchase, Kwik Sew 3558, which is a jacket with cute details, back peplum, box pleats, its so cute. Earlier in the week I stopped at the Loft and it has a suit jacket similar to it, would love to try my hand at making it instead of spending $89.00 and think I have the perfect fabric for it.

Enjoy the weekend.

New Look 6697 - FO

Click here for Review.

P.S. After all the fussing over aligning the stripes, I failed to notice that I lapped the left front over the right of the bodice and the faux wrap is to the left...sheesh

Finally Aligned...

I learned quite a few tricks while working on this dress and so excited about starting another one, although I have yet to finish this one...lol

I was able to realign the stripes and must say the dress looks so much better. I removed the baste stitching between the bodice and waist and literally shifted the bodice and lined up the stripes of the waist and Presto... it worked. Also I was able to adjust the dress for a smaller size.
For the neckline, instead of going with the neck facing provided, I used Palmer/Pletsch's technique, by cutting strips of fabric on the bias, sewing them together and baste stitching the right sides of the dress neck line and the bias strip together and folding the other end inside of the neckline and baste stitched along the opening, which allowed me to sew, without warping it.

I'd mentioned in my previous post, that I did not want to use the pleated sleeves intended for the dress, well I ended up using the sleeves anyway, but with a lil twist. The sleeves for version B consist of 2 pieces, upper sleeve and under sleeve, well after some deep thinking I decided to just use the under sleeves for the dress. First I had to fix the armholes after I'd taken in the dress and proceeded to baste stitch the under sleeves as if they were regular sleeves along the armholes - tried it on and after getting a perfect fit, cut the excess fabric, now its just a matter of hemming them..lol

I was fretting over how to get a even hem, and browsed one of Thread's magazines and luckily came across the Send Us Your Tips Section and a reader noted that she uses tape as a guideline for getting an even hem. So I pulled out my trusty scotch tape and placed the tape along the right side of the dress hem, then folded the fabric to the wrong side of the dress and baste stitched it. Once I'd completed the baste stitching... I removed the tape, which was a PITA, because of the baste stitching, but tediously and finally I was able to remove all of it. (I definitely need to get my hands on some washaway tape for future hem projects). I tried on the dress for the hundredth time and so far the hem looks great. Time will tell once I actually sew it.

Pics to follow shortly.

An Award for lil ol' Me & More

Thank You So Much Faye for awarding me the Excellent Award..... ((blushing)) and taking time to read my blog. I have so many favorite blogs that I would like to nominate, but just naming a few:

Toya, Live & Learn, Cassandra, Croshique, Knithouse, Valerie, and many more.

Also, I had the pleasure of reading a great book, sent to me by Knithouse. Thanking you again Shelah for a great read!!

Now, I would like to pass it on to the first person interested in reading Laurie Perry's down right funny book.

Learning to Wrap up those Stripes

I know the wrap dress has been a timeless trend for a long time, but I have always felt that my body shape was not right for the garment, until recently. Since I have vowed to make more of my own clothes, I've taken the necessary steps to research what garments would work best for my body type. In my research lo & behold, the wrap dress is at the top of the list.

Some of the things I have learned about wrap dresses are:

1. vertical and diagonal lines are more slimming;

2. gives the illusion of lifting the bust and creating an hour-glass figure

3. can be accessorized with a wide belt instead of a sash;

4. the most versatile outfit for work and play;

5. has been around for centuries, like the kimono and toga, but as time moved on the wrap dress was streamlined; and

6. notably, Diane von Furstenberg, revolutionized the wrap dress creating the illusion of a more womanly shape, recognizing the importance of a garment that would work for various body shapes.

So I have started on my first dress project, I must also admit Toya & Adrienne, have inspired me tremendously and these young ladies are on a roll - check them out.

Project Pattern: New Look 6697 - Version B

Fabric: multi-stripe knit

I've managed to cut & baste stitch all the pieces and assembled it. I cut a size 16 and after trying it on must adjust it for a size 14, which should be an easy adjustment. I didn't realize the sleeves had pleats in them and wish not to use them, so I will use the sleeves from Version A and make them short-sleeves. Also, the stripes on the bodice are not lining up with the skirt part and with Liana's help, I've decided to remove the baste stitching and adjust it. Since there is a layer over the skirt part to mimic the wrap, I'm figuring I will work that piece, although the dress will always be worn with a belt. Definitely, in the future I will keep a mental note about making sure my stripes are aligned.

Baste Stitched Version

Cablin' Out of Control

Happy Saturday All,

Hoping all had a good week and getting their weekend groove on...lol.

My week was just down right busy, but I was able to get some knitting in and have been on a cablin' roller coaster...

I started another freestyle knit project and of course it will have major cables. In keeping with the spring color scheme, I opted for yellow, a/k/a freesia..lol. I'm working up this short-sleeve sweater using Elann Esprit cotton/elastic yarn and I luv the way this yarn feels - talk about yummmminess..lol. After casting on, my tension was all wonky, b/c of the elasticity, but thereafter it was on. Also, sometime ago I purchased Harmony Guides: Cables & Arans book , which consists of 250 stitches to knit.... did ja hear me 250! The cables in this book are awesome. So I chose an ascending tulip cable, oh my goodness!!! just down right puurrty. Here's a close up..lol.

On the sewing front, I did some fabric shopping after visiting my favorite retail store... Ann Taylor Loft - I so want a wrap dress, and did some snoop shopping. I checked out the details of the Knit Faux Wrap Dress and off I went in search of knit fabric and my sister was kind enough to drive me around and help me get my hands on some. What gives??? I went to a few fabric shops and asked for knit fabric and the stuff is like scarce...sheesh. Well I finally found a fabric store that had some interesting knits....

In keeping with Fashion Trend Guidelines I opted for fabric that would compliment my body shape

Stripes - colorful, diagonal and askew stripes are intended to add curves where you want it, since I'm curveless, I need this...lol.

Vertical - are suppose to make you look taller as they elongate the body, being only 5'3" I can use all the elongating I can get, wearing 3" heels is not enough...lol.

Fabric Purchases:

Black/white stripe knit

Blue printed paisley cotton fabric - Inspired by ATL Paisley Sheath Dress and ATL paisley skirt

Grey/black/beige/copper multi knit

Grey/pink stripe knit

mini-harlequin multi knit

lt. blue/black/white diagonal stripe knit

My daughter hung-out with me while I fussed over what fabric to work with first... As you can see she was not focusing on me as I pranced around drapping fabric across my body and dancing to music....lol

Well off to do some crafting... Enjoy your weekend.

New Look 6729

Cotton Sateen is playing a major role this season. Honestly, when I think of cotton sateen, christening gowns come to mind. I remember my daughter swaddled in her christening gown, trimmed with intricate lace, ribbon and matching bonnet, oh! how could I forget about her shoes...lol.

Well, I'm seeing it everywhere blouses, slacks, jackets and dresses. While returning some items at the Loft, I gleemed a few garments and had to fight with myself not to buy anything like this cute Ann Taylor Loft Cotton Sateen Wrap Blouse. Instead I took a lil trip over to one of my favorite fabric shops and purchased a few yards of Cotton Sateen/lycra in Deep Blue and Burgundy.

Check these cool garments:

Saks Fifth Avenue Sport Cotton Sateen Blouse

Mossimo Plum Sateen Shift Dress

Ralph Lauren Stretch Cotton Sateen Jacket

BCBGMAXAZRIA Sateen Pants

For my wrap top I used New Look 6729, which is a great pattern. I made the long sleeve version the first time around. This time I went with Version E, which is the short sleeve version and also went against the grain of the pattern by using cotton sateen/lycra instead of stretch knit. I had to do a lil adjustment under the arm by cutting 1/2" from it. Since the bodice and sleeve are one, there is a tendency to have a bat wing effect going on. Now that I've adjusted it I have free range of movement without feeling like I have bat wings...lol

Click here for the Pattern Review Link

I so wanted to serge the seams, but after 2 hours of the lower looper thread continually breaking, I gave up and pinked the seams. I also got the opportunity to use my new toy, which is the 1" Dritz Bias Tape Maker, I also purchased a 1/2" Clover Bias Tape Maker too. Can I say LUV It!

Instead of hemming the sleeve I used the bias trim. The next time I'm at JoAnn's I will get the 2" bias tape maker. I had a lil difficulty working the super narrow strip, but after a few starts, I got it right.

The bias tape makers came about after viewing Palmer/Pletsch's Its In the Details DVD, where Marta demonstrates how to make your own trim and at the same time I'd just received Threads No. 136, which featured the Get Biased article. I knew I had to have it.

I still have 4 yards of the burgundy cotton sateen and will use it for New Look 6779. For now that project is on hold until I can find contrasting fabric to use in conjunction with Burgundy fabric.

Enjoy your Sunday.

FO Friday

I'm thrilled at how this sweater turned out. Elann Callista is a perfect lightweight yarn that drapes well. Would I use the yarn again, most definitely, no problems with splitting and the garment washed well, I machine washed it and laid flat. While working up this project, I imagined the many spring/summer items I would love to make... that's how much I like the yarn. I also thought the yarn would work well for a dress, because of its drape. Well off to start my next project. Happy Weekend.

Progress Posts:

Badia

cables

set-in sleeve